Business Intelligence July Aug 22

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July/August 2022

Business

Intelligence The Magazine of Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce

A great event right out of the starting gate Chamber members enjoy a grand day at the races

Chamber Expo Awards Special Sector Focus Popular event makes welcome return following two-year gap

Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards was an event fit for royalty

String of promotions celebrated at local leading law firm

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Contents July/August 2022

Business

Intelligence President’s Message 5

President Mike Whitehead reflects on his first quarter in office

Big Interview 6

David Gibson, Managing Director at Hull Trains

Focus on 8

Chamber Expo 2022

Policy 12 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards welcomes guest of honour

Member News 16 ABP welcomes Head of Marine

Business Awards 26 Round-up from the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards 2022

26

Patrons 30 Donation supports Marine Mammal Medic course

Cover Story 34 Chamber guests enjoy a day at the races

Spotlight Features 38 Business Banking & Finance How to choose the right accountant

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44

41 Workforce Development & Training Developing your staff 42 Help to grow: Management

Sector Focus 44 International Trade AA Global lands TfL contract 48 Legal & Finance Promotions at local law firm 50 Skills & Training UTC expansion approved 52 Manufacturing Bridge works specialist to lend expertise on historic structure 50 Motoring David Hooper tests the Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up

New Members 60 The Chamber welcomes new members

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The Last Word 62 Phil Withers, Manager at RSM UK July/August 2022

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Growing your business, building our economy

President’s Message

HEAD OFFICE Hull & East Yorkshire (Head Office) 34/38 Beverley Road, Hull HU3 1YE T: 01482 324976 NORTHERN LINCOLNSHIRE OFFICE Port Offices, Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby North East Lincolnshire DN31 3LL T: 01472 342981 WEBSITE www.hull-humber-chamber.co.uk EMAIL To help us deal with your message more quickly, please select the most appropriate address from below: GENERAL: info@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk International Trade: itc@hull-humberchamber.co.uk PRESS RELEASES: press@hull-humberchamber.co.uk WEBSITE COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS: webmaster@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk PUBLISHED BY:

Kemps Publishing Ltd Unit 8, The Courtyard, 707 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DA T: 0121 765 4144 W: www.kempspublishing.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Blake DESIGNER: Lloyd Hollingworth ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk PRINTERS Buxton Press W: www.buxtonpress.com ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Business Intelligence is a bi-monthly magazine distributed to more than 2,000 member companies and affiliates in the Humber region.

Hull & Humber Chamber welcomes newsworthy articles of business interest. As editorial space is limited, inclusion cannot be guaranteed and the editor may amend or reject articles submitted.

Send articles to: press@hull-humber.co.uk

PRIVACY NOTICE Kemps Publishing Ltd process personal information for certain legitimate interest purposes, which includes the following: To provide postal copies of this publication to chamber members and Kemps' customers; and to offer marketing and promotional opportunities within this publication to Chamber members and prospects. Whenever we process data for thes e purposes, we always ensure we treat your Personal Data rights in high regard. If you wish to, you can visit www.kempspublishing.co.uk to view our full Privacy Notice and to learn more about our legitimate interests and your rights in this regard.

have now been Chamber President for my first Quarter which means that almost 100 days in the role have already passed. This is very sobering in that this has passed in a blink and so much has happened too.

The month of May was particularly hectic with the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards which are without doubt the most amazingly well organised awards event, North or South of the Humber, in any calendar year.

Great credit for this must go to the brilliant organisational skills of Anne Tate and her small team. To have two MPs, two Council Leaders and the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce and around 400 attendees, witness how the Chamber puts on such a classic event, was the icing on the cake.

This was closely followed by the Chamber Race Day at Market Rasen a week later, where more invited guests had a fabulous Corporate Day at the Jockey Club-owned National Hunt meeting.

Everyone enjoyed the glorious weather, lovely food, great company and superb racing at this most picturesque course.

I am a keen race goer myself, being a member at Beverley and a regular at The Cheltenham Festival, but I did something I have never done before - I judged “the best turned out horse” and presented the winning jockey his cup and sponsors presents.

Fabulous stuff!

I am also aware of the hard work done by Chamber staff to bring back our Chamber Expo as part of Humber Business Week after a two-year gap due to the pandemic. A lunch with the new Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, was very well attended.

Finally, I must mention the hard work done by our CEO to successfully transition Chamber Training across to Hull College. It is sad to see the end of this well loved service and particularly sad to see so many of our brilliant staff leave us. Ian Kelly worked tirelessly to ensure there were no redundancies and for as smooth a transfer as possible.

This change will enhance the Chamber’s already close relationship with Hull College and play a foundation for the Government’s skills agenda henceforward in which it is hoped the Chamber will play the key part.

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Mike Whitehead President, Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Patrons As a not-for-profit organisation, the Chamber is very grateful to our Patrons, who support us in our aim to help our Members develop their businesses.

• • • • • • • • • •

KCOM Arco Humberside Streets Chartered Accountants Associated British Ports SPS Group of Companies On Loan Recruitment Ltd Clugston Group Ltd Wilkin Chapman LLP Solicitors University of Hull My Group

• • • • • • • • • •

Andrew Jackson Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort Orsted ASM Global Ellgia Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers AA Global Language Services Ltd Kevin Greene Photography Drax Equinor New Energy Ltd July/August 2022

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Big Interview Phil Ascough of Ascough Associates talks to David Gibson, Managing Director at Hull Trains, about the future of the industry.

The man who is getting Hull Trains

back

on track

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et’s start with some statistics. They can be used to enlighten or confuse but in David Gibson’s case they trigger curiosity, a desire to know more detail of a career which by any standards is remarkable for its rich variety.

David was in the RAF and a member of a leadership team on a large scale training deployment in Oman, which after 9/11 welcomed 35 US aircraft from all over the world to fly the first operational flights against the Taliban. He was awarded the MBE. As a director at Hull City Council from 2003 his wide responsibilities embraced about 5,000 employees and a £100m budget. They also included housing and emergency planning, a combination which in 2007 made him the obvious choice for the role of flood recovery director, charged with leading the effort to dry out thousands of houses and deal with insurers.

As chief operating officer with Calmac Ferries, David looked after a £1.2bn public service contract with 33 ships and 55 ports and harbours and 1,000 seafarers covering 33,000 square miles.

He has the fondest memories: “It was amazing. You learned about lifeline ferry services and what it’s like to live on some of those islands. It was an absolute privilege to do that job.”

There is more, but limited space means we must fast forward to David’s current job as Managing Director at Hull Trains, which he took on in October 2021 having previously been COO for G4S with a Covid test centre business with 9,500 staff and a £350m turnover.

He said: “People ask why I came to something so small but that misses the point. As a train operator you have all the responsibilities of any other train operator, safety requirements, reliability, engineering challenges, generally looking after customers and providing high quality services.”

‘We are breaking the mould of being seen as just Beverley and Hull to London and back’ 6

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Hull Trains had emerged from a long tunnel of operational difficulties with a new fleet of units and staff who, despite the frustrations of customers, were generally still held in high regard. Then the pandemic struck.

As an open access operator which exists entirely on its ability to sell tickets, the business hit the buffers.

David said: “The new fleet was introduced during 2019-20 and it has never yet had a full year’s run at a timetable. The service had been hibernated three times, was not making any money and First Group continues to support the business as it recovers.”

But apart from the significant and industry-wide implications of industrial action the outlook at Hull Trains is optimistic.

Voted train operator of the year in 2016 and winner of an array of customer service awards, Hull Trains is now gaining recognition for outstanding team work, outstanding individual contribution and fleet achievement.

David said: “We are all about the customer and I am really pleased that, even though we have not yet fully recovered the industry, is taking note of what’s happening here.”

He began that recovery on taking over the team at the company’s new offices in Cherry Court, Ferensway, by embarking on a full review of the market and the fares and finding some interesting post-Covid trends.

“The leisure market is now much longer,” he said.

“Thursday night through to Monday, and the business market is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. People have been working from home, don’t need to travel as

ABOVE LEFT: David Gibson celebrating Hull Trains’ 21st anniversary MAIN IMAGE: David Gibson - proud to be getting Hull Trains back on the right track

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frequently and are now taking the opportunity – because they can – to work from where they are, already be away in London for the weekend and avoid all the traffic on a Sunday by coming back on the Monday.”

There’s an awareness that growing numbers of customers are using Hull Trains to London from Grantham, where competitor services don’t call, and from Doncaster. When fans of football and rugby league vacated Huddersfield for a weekend of big games in London, many travelled on Hull Trains.

David said: “We are breaking the mould of being seen as just Beverley and Hull to London and back so we have done a number of connection deals with other operators.

“Coming north, we are lifting the profile of the business. We have had sponsorship arrangements this season with Hull FC, Hull Kingston Rovers and Beverley racecourse and with London Broncos who are on TV once a week.

“If there are problems on the east coast main line we can take you to Doncaster and arrange for you to swap to Sheffield and go to St Pancras. We don’t focus on our route, we focus on our customers.”

An internal comms initiative, Project Paragon has “united us around a common vision for the business to recover, stabilise and grow.”

A partnership with the University of Hull is delivering significant reductions in carbon emissions for the trains and the building. A plan to replace engines with batteries will enable Hull Trains to operate electric services between East Yorkshire and Doncaster while other operators wait for electrification to finally arrive.

Major improvements are planned at Paragon Station and Howden Station, and the company has achieved an excellent rating from the Office of Road and Rail for the involvement of the workforce in its safety management.

On the corporate front, David adds: “We have an outstanding commercial team and a business travel service working with current and potential business customers to find out what their needs are and explain to them how we are changing the shape of our services and find out what we need to do to help them.”

And he remains confident the business will address the most important number of all.

“There are an awful lot of reasons to be cheerful with a bright future, outward looking, we are carrying the name of Hull on our trains proudly. The revenue pressures don’t go away, we still have to be profitable and with a following wind we will achieve that this year.”

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Focus on: Chamber Expo

Welcome return as Lord Mayor cuts the ribbon

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hamber Expo 2022 partnered with HullBID to give business leaders in the Humber their first opportunity to listen to the newly-elected Leader of Hull City Council who was the guest of honour at the relaunched business exhibition.

Following a tour of the exhibition stands and a hot buffet lunch, Cllr Mike Ross talked about the Liberals’ ambitions for Hull and the Humber, his new approach, and how he hopes to help businesses. Full story – see page 13.

With a new one-day format this year which was deemed a great success after very positive feedback, Chamber Expo 2022 was officially opened in the traditional way

by Town Cryer Mike Wood and the Lord Mayor of Hull, Cllr Christine Randall, who cut the ribbon before touring the stands and speaking with exhibitors.

The Chamber’s famous Speed

Networking also made a comeback, while in the afternoon, Mike Ellis, from 43 Clicks North marketing agency, gave a presentation about branding and marketing your business.

There was a wide variety of stands inside, while some of the Humber’s leading car dealerships, showing off a selection of their latest electric vehicles from manufacturers including Jaguar, Volvo, SEAT, Cupra, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Lexus.

This year’s Chamber Expo was kindly sponsored by AA Global Language Services, Open VOIP and Hull What’s On.

FOCUS ON:

Chamber

Expo

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‘Chamber Expo 2022 was officially opened in the traditional way by Town Cryer Mike Wood and the Lord Mayor of Hull, Cllr Christine Randall’

SEE THE NEXT PAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS...

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Focus on: Chamber Expo

FOCUS ON:

Chamber

Expo 10

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Chamber Policy Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce is the collective ‘voice’ of business across the Humber region representing the views and interests of our Members at local, regional and national levels.

Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly pictured with the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, before her speech

Director General praises work to reach Net Zero at awards he Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, was the guest of honour at the Hull & Humber Chamber’s Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards.

Having recently completed her first year in the role, Shevaun reflected on the BCC as a key link between the regional economies of the UK and Westminster in a keynote speech which won the full attention of the business audience, which she warmly praised for their enterprising endeavours, congratulating all the nominees in the room for their successes so far.

The Director General explained to her audience how the BCC was pushing for an emer gency budget in light of the increasing economic challenges facing businesses.

“We know businesses are facing huge costs, we have seen inflation rising and now soaring energy costs, with a labour shortage too. We are pressing the Government to do something on that. We are pushing for building the right future for business, with four main areas.

Trade, skills and local economic prosperity, focusing on infrastructure and access to

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finance were key, she said, then leading on to Net Zero.

“We are helping our businesses not only ensure they have zero carbon footprint, but ensuring they are making the most of green innovation,” Shevaun said.

‘Seizing opportunities now makes the UK a global leader, and it is Chamber members like Phillips 66 that drive this’ Recognising the efforts of the event’s headline sponsor, Phillips 66, across sustainable aviation fuels and electric vehicle battery materials production, green hydrogen and carbon capture fields, she said: “I am pleased to hear about Phillips 66 and their work at the forefront of creating an economy of the future and driving sustainable growth.

“Seizing opportunities now makes the UK a global leader, and it is Chamber members like Phillips 66 that drive this. This is a special award for outstanding achievement.”

The first batch of sustainable aviation fuel was sent to British Airways in March after a significant multi-year contract was agreed, while progress continues at pace on wider transformations at the complex South Killingholme refinery.

Mike Wailes, Director of European Strategy for Phillips 66, said: “I’m really pleased to be recognised with a fantastic award.

“We have been working with the government for the last couple of years on these advanced fuels, it is a fantastic opportunity to decarbonise air travel and it has been a real joy working with BA, who are very keen to get domestic supply, and for us it is a significant output. There is so much to talk about in terms of what we are doing, but sustainable aviation fuel is here now, physically coming out. The longer term stuff is Humber Zero, our CCS project and Gigastack, green hydrogen - both working with partners - as we look to replace gases used from the refinery.”

• See pages 26-29 for more pics from the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards.

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Chamber Policy

Council leader committed to city Pictures: Kevin Greene Photography.

hree weeks into his new job Cllr Mike Ross, the recently elected Leader of Hull City Council, made his first major speech at Chamber Expo to a packed audience of more than 100 business people.

Heading up the Liberal Democrats’ first administration in Hull in a decade, Cllr Ross told his audience how he was keen to engage with and meet the business community in the city he has come to call home and the place where he lives with his family.

Originally from West Sussex, he studied politics at the University of Hull and has been a councillor in the city since 2002, where he has held key portfolios including education and housing.

“Being the Leader of the Council comes with a responsibility to make the City the best it can be, and to attract more people to come here,” said Cllr Ross.

“The role of Leader comes with tremendous authority to make things happen, so I am keen to hear from people, to hear what they want to see happen in the city. Some will be small things, some will be massive things which will take more time, but I want to hear from people living here and making a living here.

“One of the key issues is what sort of council it is – I want to listen and am prepared to listen. I want to hear from people about what they want to see the council doing.”

Cllr Ross revealed he had made a start by writing to all council staff to see what changes they want to see to make improvements.

The lunch, jointly hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and HullBID, heard Cllr Ross put a focus on the City centre which he said had to be supported as it was the focal point of the city.

“The Lib Dems want to support communities across the city,” he said. “It should be about place, and we want to create an environment where our places can thrive, not just survive.

“I want to be prioritising clean neighbourhoods where clean streets will encourage investment.

“Investing in infrastructure is important too – we all know about the road issues and we are keen to shift people away from cars and be greener, so we are starting a major listening

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Cllr Ross addresses the lunchtime audience

Cllr Mike Ross with Mike Whitehead

exercise to see what the public wants, so we can get it right.”

Cllr Ross then turned to the cost of living and warned of tough times ahead. “The Council will not stand back as the city suffers,” he said. “I do want to see the Council do all it can to help the city thrive. I believe we can achieve more by working together, working in partnership, create an alliance of the willing to stand up for the city and work together.”

A question and answer session hosted by

Chamber President Mike Whitehead, saw several members of the audience calling for changes to the city’s bus lane rules, and a show of hands conclusively called for a return to peak time restrictions, rather than all day restrictions.

Other questions included the Albion Street Car Park development, innovation and balancing the books, the Devolution debate, the skills agenda, digital exclusion and of course, the proposed Cruise Terminal.

In response the question from the Chamber’s Vice President and Chair of the Shipping, Transport and Renewables Committee, Cllr Ross agreed he was in favour of the city having a cruise terminal and would like to bring more people in to visit the city, but he didn’t want it to detract from what was already here and he promised he would make sure it was done properly.

Bringing a refreshingly honest session to a close, Cllr Ross urged people to get in touch and let him know what they want to see happen in Hull.

He is listening.

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Chamber Policy

Mighty Mariners net place in the league!

rene Keal, Chair of Chamber in North East Lincolnshire celebrates Grimsby Town’s return to league football at a Civic Reception held for the Club at Grimsby Town Hall. The Mighty Mariners won promotion after a successful play off campaign which took them to Nottingham, Wrexham and London, followed by an open top bus tour of Grimsby to celebrate. It was a real roller coaster for fans, with last-minute winners, three lots of extra time and high drama, but they did it! Congratulations to the team, the Club and the fans from everyone at the Chamber!

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Humber Zero project is right on schedule Humber Zero, a ground-breaking, £1bn-plus decarbonisation project, is on schedule to start construction next year, stakeholders were informed.

A meeting at Healing Manor Hotel, near Grimsby, heard public consultation on the proposals would took place this month.

The project, which will look to remove up to eight-million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030 from the Immingham industrial cluster, is a collaboration between the Phillips 66 Limited Humber Refinery and the nearby VPI Immingham combined heat and power plant.

Chris Gilbert, Technical Manager at the Humber Refinery, told local stakeholders it would be the first, industrial scale carbon capture project of its kind in the world.

Humber Zero will create 2,500 construction jobs, 200 permanent roles and sustain more than 20,000 jobs directly or indirectly.

“The Humber is the largest industrial emitter of CO2 anywhere in the UK,” said Mr Gilbert. “It emits up to 50% more than the next largest, in South Wales.

“It is a huge industrial hub, comprising a lot of energy-intensive businesses.”

The Humber’s decarbonisation had a big role to play in the Government’s 2050 net zero carbon emissions target.

It had an advantage of being close to viable, safe storage for the captured CO2.

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Grimsby and Cleethorpes MPs, Council Leaders and business guests pictured at the Healing Manor event

VPI project director Jonathan Briggs explained the proposed carbon capture facility at VPI – something similar will be built at Phillips 66 – and the process involved.

He said: “Stacks on both sites will be retrofitted with technology to capture carbon using a solvent. The CO in fluid form will be taken by pipeline and stored safely and permanently in the depleted gas fields under bed of the North Sea.” Dr Richard Lowe, director and energy sector lead at consultants AECOM, is leading on the environmental works to support Humber Zero.

“We are currently progressing with consenting for the two post-combustion carbon capture plants,” he said.

Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes MPs Lia Nici and Martin Vickers attended the Healing Manor event. Lia said: “The issue is getting across to the public how exciting this project is. We need to get the message out there it will create lots of jobs.”

Humber Zero was awarded £12.5m from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to progress with Front End Engineering Design (FEED). This grant was matched equally by Phillips 66 Ltd and VPI.

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Business Intelligence ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Phillips 66 help showcase opportunities of the future Students inspired to look at careers in decarbonisation at the Humber Industrial Decarbonisation Conference. ead by the Humber Industrial Cluster Plan (HICP) and Phillips 66 Humber Refinery, the event was held as part of Humber Business Week at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe.

Around 1,000 students from schools across the region discussed job prospects with businesses in the morning and over 150 supply chain companies attended in the afternoon to hear about the opportunities available to them.

Phillips 66 Humber Refinery projects were showcased alongside many other businesses from the Humber Industrial Cluster Map, truly bringing the region’s decarbonisation journey to life. Companies shared their plans, economic benefits and the exciting opportunities and careers available for the students.

Chris Gilbert, Technical Manager at the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery, said: “It is important young people and the supply chain know about the huge opportunities that will be available in the area to help the Government reach its net zero ambition.

“They are uniquely placed to take advantage of this region being a focal point for the reduction in industrial carbon emissions.

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Decarbonisation plans on show

Special guest Guy Martin inspired students

It is important industry engages with them and this event has presented that opportunity.”

Alongside Phillips 66 Limited and VPI Immingham, SSE, Drax, British Steel, Centrica, Equinor, Uniper, and National Grid Ventures were among those showcasing ‘The Humber: A 2030 Vision for Industrial Decarbonisation Map.” The event welcomed a special guest, television personality Guy Martin, to engage students and promote the decarbonisation projects across the Humber.

The former British motorcycle racer, from Grimsby, said: “It has been a peach of an event. I met some interesting folks and it’s been fantastic.”

Dizel, a 15-year-old Melior student, was excited to meet Guy. “He has inspired me to want to be a mechanic when I am older,” he said.

The Humber Zero project, one of the many decarbonisation projects happening across the Humber region, is hoping to start construction at the end of 2023. This means in just over a year there will be a demand for high-skilled construction jobs.

It is estimated that the project will create around 2,500 construction jobs, 200 permanent jobs and safeguard up to 20,000 jobs.

Phill Dalowsky, headteacher at The St Lawrence Academy in Scunthorpe, said: “For too long, there has been doom and gloom around job prospects for young people around here. Young people have heard today about amazing opportunities on their doorstep that are specialised and relevant to an everchanging world.”

You can find out more on www.phillips66.co.uk For companies interested in further opportunities with the Humber Zero project, please scan the below QR code for the Humber Zero Carbon Capture Supply Chain Engagement Day.

Decarbonisation is intended to refer to projects which reduce carbon emissions across the Humber region.

For more details, go to www.phillips66.com/uk @Phillips66UK

linkedin.com/company/phillips66co/ July/August 2022

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Member News The latest news, success stories and updates from members of Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.

ABP welcomes Head of Marine ssociated British Ports (ABP), the leading ports group, is delighted to welcome Paul Bristowe as the new Head of Marine in the Humber.

Paul will take over the role from Gary Wilson, who is retiring after 50 years in a maritime career. The Marine team comprises of 300 people and includes the Humber Pilots.

Paul comes to the Humber from BP plc where he recently ran the Trading Operations team, looking after oil and gas logistics for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He previously spent four years as BP Shipping’s Global Head of Voyage Operations with responsibility for orders, monitoring and optimisation of 50 owned and 200 chartered vessels transporting oil, gas, products, and chemicals.

Prior to joining BP Paul served for 25 years in the Royal Navy where he flew Sea

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King helicopters before moving into a succession of warfare roles at sea. His military career culminated in Command of HMS Somerset where he led a seven-month maritime security deployment undertaking counter-piracy and escort operations in the Indian Ocean, Somali Basin and Strait of Hormuz.

Simon Bird, Regional Director of ABP Humber said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to ABP. From his international experience with BP to his distinguished 25year service in the Royal Navy, Paul brings the leadership, commercial acumen and technical knowledge we need for such an important role overseeing the shipping movements for 17 per cent of the nation’s trade.”

Paul Bristowe said: “I’ve been impressed by the scale of operations on the Humber which play such an important role in keeping Britain trading.

Paul Bristowe, Head of Marine at ABP Humber

“I’ve also been heartened by the high standards of professionalism of the people I’ve met and the all-important safety culture of the organisation. I’m looking forward to spending time with all the various teams, understanding their roles and helping identify improvement opportunities.”

We don’t need a Jubilee to celebrate our local heritage One of the organisers of the Humber Platinum Jubilee Flotilla has hailed the success of the historic event and called for a combined effort to use it to kickstart the next phase of regeneration of the region’s waterfront.

Phil Withers said the all the feedback which followed the spectacular occasion suggested it delivered a much-needed boost for the public mood and for all levels of the economy.

He added that it should inspire people to work together and organise more frequent crowd-pulling events using the Humber as a huge stage.

Phil said: “We don’t need to wait for the next Royal Jubilee. We’ve got a fantastic natural asset there and tremendous creative expertise in our business and cultural communities so let’s harness that and think about what we are going to do next.”

Phil, who is the outward facing business development manager for RSM UK in Hull, sits on Chamber Council and the Shipping Transport and Renewables Committee. As a

former member of Hessle Town Council he led the effort to organise the flotilla in partnership with Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, the tourism arm of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council.

Among the many businesses and other organisations supporting the event were ABP, Hull Trinity House, SMS Towage, Luxinar Ltd and The One Point. Many other businesses along the flotilla’s route from Victoria Pier in Hull to the Humber Bridge and back reaped the benefits of an event which attracted a crowd estimated at around 40,000.

Phil said: “With the tourism industry average visitor spend calculated to be £20 per head that’s an immediate economic impact of £800,000, and all the feedback about longer term benefits was extremely positive.

“The Jubilee weekend reminded us of the opportunity we have to make sure the Yorkshire’s Maritime City project extends beyond heritage and history to bring benefits across the entire economy of our region.”

Pictured with one of the flags which was flown from the top of the Humber Bridge towers are (from left) former Hessle Town Councillor Phil Withers, Estates Lettings Manager Adam Whare, and Nigel Cousins, Managing Director of Hi-Fliers

A spectacular display by the SMS Towage tug Superman

Picture: Richard Duffy-Howard July/August 2022

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Member News

Travel firm announces Medilink partnership ood Travel Management are delighted to announce a recent partnership with Medilink UK as their official travel and accommodation supplier.

Through the partnership, Good Travel Management will support the delivery of Medilink UK pavilions at global exhibitions.

This year, as face-to-face events and exhibitions bounce back and the appetite for global events increases, Good Travel Management will be supporting Medilink with bespoke packages and support at events such as Medica and Arab Health… including the Hotelship offering at Medica which is always

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Some of the Good Travel Management team celebrating the new partnership

in high demand due to its fantastic location adjacent to the exhibition itself.

As a travel management company, Good Travel Management provide both exhibitors and members with easy, seamless and costeffective travel arrangements alongside our valuable expertise within the management of travel logistics for events, exhibitions and trade missions through our GT Events team.

Good Travel Management’s Managing Director Kevin Harrison said: “We have a great working relationship the team at

Medilink. Our specialist events and exhibitions team headed up by Ian Cutts are delighted to be working with them and planning for more international events and exhibitions in 2022 and beyond, as part of our agreement. We look forward to continuing to see further growth returning to larger-scale international events whilst being an integral part of the Medilink range of international services to their membership.”

Visit: www.good-travel.co.uk

Puffins galore have flocked to Hull Marina Work on converting a former radio studio into high-end office space and apartments has been placed on hold after the arrival in the building of a colony of puffins.

The birds may be fibre glass rather than flesh and feathers, but they appealed to Rachel and James Murray’s passion for culture and have brought work to a standstill at their site, The Boathouse offices, next to Hull marina.

The 42 puffin sculptures, which

stand 1.5 metres high, have been brought in from manufacturers in Poland to play a starring role in the Puffins Galore! animal trail.

They are now being decorated by professional artists who responded to the brief of telling a story of the East Coast, its local wildlife, green energy and climate change.

The painted puffins will be unveiled on Saturday 2 July at a series of coastal sites throughout East Yorkshire stretching from Flamborough down to Kilnsea, as

well as some inland locations including Hull, Beverley, Cottingham and Patrington.

Rachel and James, who have owned the dockside property for more than 20 years, will then resume their renovation work, buoyed by the interest generated in the site by the puffins.

James, an architect, said: “I come from a creative industry and I think art and culture is very important so we were happy to pause our project to accommodate the puffins.”

Puffins Galore! was launched with funding from Yorkshire Coast BID and East Riding of Yorkshire Council as part of their drive to boost tourism and increase visitor numbers.

‘I come from a creative industry and I think art and culture is very important’

Clare Huby, a Director of Puffins Galore Ltd, puckering up to one of the puffins

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That investment has already enabled the organisers to secure additional sponsorship from more than 40 businesses across the region including Cranswick, East Riding College, HETA, KCOM, Lloyd Dowson, The

Deep, Wykeland and Strata Holdings, who will deliver the puffins to their new homes.

Clare Huby, a Director of Puffins Galore Ltd, said: “The sculptures were due for delivery in March but they are made at a factory in Poland and a lot of the work had to stop because some of the workers are from Ukraine or have family there. Our first concern was for the safety of the people. Our artists and sponsors have been very understanding and sympathetic and we are grateful for that.

“We’re now at the point where I am really looking forward to seeing the puffins in their new homes.”

Puffins Galore! will run for six months after which all the sculptures will be sold, either to their sponsors or at a grand charity auction. The proceeds will be donated to four charities selected for their important role in the protection of the wildlife of the seas and coasts or for their essential work saving lives at sea.

The charities are the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, RNLI, RSPB and Hornsea Inshore Rescue.

Visit: www.puffinsgalore.co.uk

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HullBID ally funds city cleanup ullBID has been handed a major boost to its comprehensive street cleaning programme with significant funding from the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner.

Jonathan Evison, who underlined his support for HullBID soon after he took up his role during 2021, has provided a grant to cover the cost of a new van and jet-washing equipment.

Jonathan said: “An important part of living and working in any town or city, and for those who visit it, is for people to feel safe and secure. A clean and tidy environment is vital to achieve that.

“I am pleased to have provided funding for this vehicle for the next three years to assist Hull BID in reducing vandalism and antisocial behaviour which will improve the look and feel of the city centre.”

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‘I am pleased to have provided funding for this vehicle for the next three years’ Martin Foster, HullBID’s Cleaning and Cleaning Maintenance Operative, takes on around 1,500 tasks every year and is usually hard at work from very early in the morning,

Humberside PCC Jonathan Evison (centre) with (from left) Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Senior Support Officer Mark Andrews, HullBID Cleaning and Maintenance Operative Martin Foster and HullBID Support Officer Raich Orr

long before most businesses have opened their doors for the day.

He does the jobs that are not part of Hull City Council’s remit, from removal of graffiti, which is now rarely seen in the city centre, to the assorted waste hidden in the alleys, alcoves and doorways around the city centre.

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “Martin was particularly busy when it came to helping city centre businesses prepare to reopen after the series of lockdowns.

“The funding from Jonathan will help Martin to deliver an even more efficient service. He’s now equipped with a powerful jet-wash machine and a new van which is also used for transporting materials for our busy events programme.

“We’ve found Jonathan to be a great ally in many ways since he was appointed as PCC, we are extremely grateful for his support and we are already working with him on plans for some new projects.”

Inspiring Women dinner to make its return Business, politics and community support will come together when HullBID revives its Inspiring Women dinner as one of the highlights of Humber Business Week.

HSBC – which also stepped in as the main backer of the 2022 HullBID Awards – will be joined by Hull-based interpreting and translation company Language is Everything as sponsors of the event at The Deep on Thursday 8 June.

The dinner has been a sell-out every year and demand is again high for a speaker lineup of Emma Hardy MP, Language is Everything CEO Carolyn Johnson MBE and Sam Barlow BEM, the founder and Chief Officer of Fitmums and Friends.

Language is Everything was established in 1992 and Carolyn said she wanted to mark the 30th anniversary by celebrating the place that inspired her and the people who made it possible.

Fitmums and Friends dates back to 2009 when Sam’s eldest child started school and she suddenly realised she was missing the opportunity to meet and socialise with other parents. She used her love of running to organise sociable jogging sessions and, after starting with four mums, now has more than 1,000 members with 14 groups stretching across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

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Julie Bowler of HSBC (left) and her colleague Sarah Heavey (right) with HullBID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito When Sam’s husband Mike died of cancer in October 2020, the family set up a fund in his name to offer help to anyone who may be struggling to access support. In December 2021, Sam was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero.

Emma Hardy said support for women is one of the key drivers for the Work Hull Work Happy initiative which was launched in

Hull earlier this year, promoting the city as the remote and co-working capital of the UK and a place where people can pursue their dream career without compromising on connectivity, culture or the cost of living.

Emma said: “The way we use our city centres is changing rapidly and HullBID has a vital role to play in that transformation. When I conceived the Work Hull, Work Happy project to make Hull the remote and co-working capital of the UK, it was as a part of this need to reimagine what is possible in our city.

“Expanding the opportunities in remote and co-working to give greater flexibility in where, when and how you work will open the door to more women to pursue their ambitions.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “We are thrilled to be able to bring back the HullBID Inspiring Women dinner and to offer such high calibre speakers who have really made an impact in business, politics and the community locally and much further afield.”

Julie Bowler, Deputy Head of Corporate Banking South Yorkshire & Humber for HSBC, said: “HSBC are delighted to support Inspiring Women as part of Biz Week 2022, showing our ongoing commitment and support to the city centre community.”

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Member News

Humber shipping firm in major acquisition global logistics provider has acquired a UK shipping specialist to further enhance its worldwide service provision and secure a new strategic location in Europe.

Pentagon Freight Services, the world’s leading privately owned logistics provider to the energy industries, has purchased Carlbom Shipping Ltd, which has served UK and international clients since 1897.

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‘We are delighted to complete the acquisition of Carlbom Shipping’ Pentagon, which operates in 72 locations globally and employs over 1100 people, has completed the acquisition of Humber-based Carlbom. The deal will enable Pentagon to offer a seamless end-to-end service to clients.

Established in London, in 1974, Pentagon has a fifth of its workforce in the UK, operating in Aberdeen, Dartford, Glasgow, Newcastle and Great Yarmouth. By acquiring Carlbom, a family-run ships agency, Pentagon reinforces its strength in vessel and cargo handling, adding an important facility at the

busy Humber ports of Immingham, Grimsby and Hull.

Established in the late 19th Century with strong Scandinavian connections, Carlbom has enjoyed an enviable reputation for offering a highly proactive service and efficient vessel turnaround. The company’s location and skills base has allowed it to enter the renewable energy market, particularly the North Sea offshore wind farms, including managing the warehousing, logistics, and procurement for the regional offshore supply chain.

Ashley Taylor CEO of Pentagon Freight Services, said: “We are delighted to complete the acquisition of Carlbom Shipping.

“The Carlbom team and its expertise in ships agency and offshore wind are a highly valuable addition to the Pentagon Group and we look forward to building on Carlbom’s impressive heritage.”

Camilla Carlbom Flinn, Chairman of Carlbom Shipping Ltd, added: “Pentagon Freight is the perfect partner for Carlbom Shipping. It was very important to us to find a partner with a similar background – a familyrun company that invests in people.

Camilla Carlbom Flinn, Chairman of Carlbom Shipping with Michael Stal, Managing Director UK of Pentagon Freight Services

“Pentagon’s strength and expertise in logistics from within the oil and gas sector means they can bring in-house knowledge to the offshore and renewables sector and combine it with our expertise in the maritime industry to provide a seamless service to our clients.”

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Member News

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Member News

Chamber membership now includes five new advice lines – HR, Legal, H&S, tax and VAT Three document libraries – HR, H&S and legal – almost 800 template documents plus lots more information The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce has invested in its membership offer and has recently launched four important new services to support Humber businesses which are now included as part of the Chamber package.

Chamber HR, Chamber H&S, Chamber Legal and Chamber Tax are all now available to members and are free to use as often as they like.

Chamber members also have access to a huge library of around 800 downloadable documents and templates covering employment, health and safety, tax and legal matters.

All the new services can be accessed by one phone number which gives members immediate advice and support via five advice lines – HR, H&S, Legal, Tax and VAT These new services represent a major investment by the Chamber in its membership offer. The services are part of a national scheme provided by Quest with 45,000 UK Chamber of Commerce users.

David Hooper, The Chamber’s External Affairs Director, said: “Businesses are facing challenging times at the moment and these new services offer excellent support to all businesses, whatever size they may be. I believe these new services will protect our members, help them stay compliant, particularly with issues around Covid-19 like HR and H&S requirements, and give them peace of mind.

“Our new services are employer focused, so the HR line for example, can help businesses deal with redundancy procedures, appraisals or disciplinary procedures and comes with access to experienced advisors for handholding support when they need it, or provide access to documents which are regularly updated to reflect the latest rules and regulations.

“The Health and Safety package offers unlimited advice and access to documents like H&S policies, risk assessment templates and the offer of free One2One reviews. Chamber Legal provides unlimited access to experienced

legal advisors and a library of documents, while Chamber Tax provides access to tax and VAT advisors who can be a great help at tax return time!”

Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly said: “We are delighted to be able to include these excellent new benefits as part of our membership package. They provide expert advice and support on many key aspects of running a business and I would encourage our members to make good use of these new, premium services.”

Members only can call 01455 852037 for immediate support and assistance.

For more information, contact the Hull and East Yorkshire office: 01482 324976 or email j.harrison@hull-humberchamber.co.uk, or the Northern Lincolnshire Office: 01472 342981 or email a.tate@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk

Climbers take on Snowdon challenge The One Point team has successfully climbed Mount Snowdon, located in the Snowdonia National Park, Wales. This challenging feat was accomplished alongside their sister company, Spectrum.

The climb took place on Saturday, 23 April and the team of 24 climbers included a diverse group of experience levels and roles within both companies.

On climb day, the weather was dry and bright; however, the winds were especially high. Conditions, therefore, meant the original plan to travel up together along the scenic Miner's Track and back down along the Pyg Track was changed to both ascent and decent along the Llanberis Path for safety reasons. This amendment was on the advice of two experienced experts on hand to advise the team.

The One Point’s accomplishment came in the same week the team received news of their nomination for a Comms Business Awards 2022 Workplace Award. The group

The team from One Point and Spectrum

encouraged and motivated each other throughout the climb and did not leave anyone behind without reaching the summit. The Snowdon challenge was an excellent example of the workplace culture they maintain.

Founder and CEO Martin Lauer said: “It was great to see everyone working together

and supporting each other to achieve something amazing. This is what our company is all about.”

CSO Nathan Greenfield said: “I am so proud of our team for conquering Mount Snowdon. This was a great example of our company culture in action.”

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Member News

Expo translates to great event language services provider which marked its own major milestone by stepping up to sponsor Chamber Expo has hailed the significance of the event for the wider business community.

Kirk Akdemir, CEO of AA Global Language Services Ltd, said the return of Chamber Expo after a two-year absence was seized upon by business leaders as a great opportunity to get back together.

He added that he hopes the success of the event will encourage people to start planning now for a bigger and better Expo in 2023.

Kirk said: “We decided to sponsor Chamber Expo partly because the absence of the event last year denied us a chance to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our arrival in Hull and also because we saw this as an opportunity to support the business community.

“Having made that commitment I was delighted to sense a real buzz around the place and a desire among exhibitors and visitors to get out and about, renew relationships which might have faded a bit over the last two years and make new contacts. That’s a good sign and it shows why Chamber Expo is an integral part of Humber Business Week.”

AA Global was founded in Worcester more than 30 years ago and expanded to Hull in 2011. From opening at Hull marina with a team of two the company now employs around 30 people at a suite of offices in King Edward Street.

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ABOVE: Kirk and Chantelle Akdemir of AA Global Language Services at Chamber Expo LEFT: Kirk and Chantelle Akdemir of AA Global Language Services welcoming the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Christine Randall, and Kathryn Shillito, Executive Director of HullBID to their stand at Chamber Expo

Since arriving the company has been a major backer of the Chamber’s International Trade Centre and has become a regular exhibitor at Chamber Expo.

Kirk was joined by his Business Development Manager, Chantelle Akdemir, in welcoming visitors who included the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Christine Randall, and Kathryn Shillito, Executive Director of HullBID. Kirk said: “Having a high profile presence at Chamber Expo enables us to update people on the translation and interpreting services which we provide to the public and private sectors. We also found it interesting hearing from other businesses about their successes and about how they have coped with the disruption of the last two years. I’m really grateful to all the businesses who brought such a buoyant mood to Chamber Expo and to all at the Chamber for organising such an excellent event.”

Cement silo to meet construction demand Leading design and build contractors Spencer Group and specialist contractor Slipform Engineering are delivering a huge new cement handling facility to meet soaring construction industry demand.

The 52m high silo is being built on Hull’s William Wright Dock amid a construction boom across the UK, which has led to bulk powder import and transport specialist Damac Group requiring greater cement handling capacity.

Spencer Group and Slipform Engineering were selected by Damac Group to carry out the project following the successful delivery of a similar, 46m high facility to expand the company’s operations at the Port of Goole, in East Yorkshire.

The main structure, which is almost at high as Hull Royal Infirmary, has been built using Slipform Engineering’s innovative slip forming techniques, meaning the construction of the silo walls from ground level to the 52m peak took just 10 days.

Richard Green-Morgan, Off Site Construction Director, is leading the project for Spencer Group. He said: “We’re delighted to be carrying out another important silo project for Damac Group, a client we’ve worked with for a number of years.

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“Spencer Group and Slipform Engineering collectively have all the required in-house design and construction capabilities to deliver an outstanding facility, which will meet all of Damac’s requirements, quickly, safely, and to the highest possible standards.”

The quayside silo will have a 6,000m3 capacity. The imported cement powder will be

received from ships at William Wright Dock directly into the silo, where it will be handled

by Damac Group, who will then distribute it using their fleet of specialist bulk powder tankers for construction works across the UK. Eamon Hanley, Managing Director of Slipform Engineering, said: “Our specialist techniques are perfect for a project of this nature and it’s a pleasure to once again be working collaboratively with our colleagues at Spencer Group on behalf of a long-standing client.”

The UK construction industry is currently booming due to increased demand for housing and commercial properties, meaning additional capacity is needed for imported materials, and the new facility forms an integral part of Damac’s ongoing expansion and plans for continued growth.

Managing Director Cathy Plaskitt said: “The UK construction industry is buoyant, increasing the demand for bulk powder cement.

“This increase in demand means we need to import more from abroad and the new silo, in a highly accessible location with good motorway access, will be vital for our capacity to meet demand.”

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Member News: Business Awards 2022

Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards gala celebration The Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards 2022 were celebrated at a Black Tie Gala Awards Presentation and Dinner held at Grimsby Auditorium, in May, with headline sponsors Phillips 66.

As well as the glittering awards ceremony hosted by Richard Askam, a courtesy drinks reception and threecourse dinner catered by Steve Bennett of The Lincolnshire Chef was enjoyed by guests, who were then entertained by an after dinner show performed by both professional West End performers and local students. The theme of the evening was “A Right Royal Do”.

For information on next year’s awards, or to get involved, contact Anne Tate at a.tate@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk

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Jembuild and MD Paul Barker were delighted to pick up the top accolade of the evening 2. Event Organiser and Chamber Northern Lincolnshire Manager with Sponsor Mel Tillett of Tilletts Clothing 3. Mike Wailes of Phillips 66, Headline Sponsors, pictured with Nigel Lowther of Nigel Lowther Associates. Phillips 66 won the Chamber’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for their work on green jet fuels for British Airways 4. President of the Chamber, Michael Whitehead, addresses the Dinner 5. Glass of bubbly anyone? Evening Reception was kindly sponsored by The Lincolnshire Chef

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Member News: Business Awards 2022

Business Awards

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WINNERS AND NOMINEES

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The Symes Bains Broomer Small Business Award

The North Lincolnshire Business Investment Award

WINNER • Jason Threadgold Funeral Directors

WINNER • HBP Systems Ltd

NOMINEES • Appoint Consulting Ltd • The Pink Pig Farm

NOMINEES • Rapid Travel Group • Know Film

The HBP Systems Business Growth Award

The Grimsby Institute Training Excellence Award

WINNER • Lindsey Lodge Hospice & Healthcare

WINNER • Sylvester Keal Ltd

NOMINEES • JemBuild Ltd • Know Film

NOMINEES • HBP Systems Ltd • JemBuild Ltd

The Wilkin Chapman Business Person of the Year Award

The Excellence in Community Award

WINNER • IMS Flooring T/A GCW & Runrug.com – Myles Shaw

WINNER • Grimbarians CIC

NOMINEES • Walshes Property Ltd - Josh Walshe • Card Industry Professionals - Ciaran Savage

NOMINEES • Ongo • Nunnys Farm

The Technical Absorbents International Trade Award

The Pepperells Innovation Award

WINNER • Virtual Music Academy Ltd NOMINEES • Ramsden International • Medibiosense Ltd

The Bridge McFarland LLP New Business Award WINNER • BeGreatFitness

WINNER • Medibiosense Ltd NOMINEES • Virtual Music Academy Ltd • Paragon Traffic Management Ltd

Tilletts Business Woman of the Year WINNER • Riverhead Coffee - Nic Till

NOMINEES • Virtual Music Academy Ltd • The Mortgage Space Ltd

NOMINEES • Appoint Consulting Ltd - Natalie Cook • Rapid Travel Group - Rebecca Anderson-Hall

The Docks Beers Young Business Person of the Year Award

The Business Live Pandemic Thrive & Survive Award.

WINNER • Francesca Young Art - Francessa Young

WINNER • Docks Beers

NOMINEES • Virtual Music Academy Ltd - Cameron Richardson–Eames • BeGreatFitness - Bailey Greetham-Clark

NOMINEES • The Culture House • Go Cruise

The North East Lincolnshire Business Development Award WINNER • IMS Flooring T/A GCW & Runrug.com NOMINEES • Docks Beers • Nunnys Farm

Forrester Boyd Business of the Year WINNER • JemBuild Ltd

SEE THE NEXT TWO PAGES FOR A FULL PHOTO SPREAD...

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Member News: Business Awards 2022

Awards support local charities

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Paul Cooper, Chair of Chamber in North Lincolnshire, presents Magic Moments for Autistic Children, with a cheque for £935, raised at the Chamber’s Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards

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Irene Keal, Chair of Chamber in North East Lincolnshire, presents Lesley Charlesworth-Browne, Chief Executive of St Andrew’s Hospice with a cheque for £935, proceeds from the raffle held at the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards

Business Awards Photo Gallery 1. HBP Systems Business Growth Award.

Winners: Lindsey Lodge Hospice 2. Glamour at the Awards – Sophie Surfleet and Yvette Shaw of IMS Flooring 3. Symes Bains Broomer Small Business Award. Winners: Jason Threadgold Funeral Directors 4. Docks Beers Young Business Person of the Year. Winner: Francesca Young – Francesca Young Artist 5. Technical Absorbents International Trade Award. Winners: Virtual Music Academy 6. The Tilletts Business Woman of the Year Award. Nic Till – Riverhead Café 7. From left, Paul Cooper, Chair of Chamber in North Lincolnshire, Peter Thorpe, Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council, Irene Keal, Chair of Chamber in North East

Lincolnshire and Chief Executive of North East Lincolnshire Council, Rob Walsh, enjoying the drinks reception 8. Richard Askham – Event Host 9. The Excellence in the Community Award.

Grimbarians CIC – Dan Harris and Lindsay Cowie 10. Bridge McFarland New Business Award.

Winner: Bailey Greetham-Clark, BeGreat Fitness 11. Grimsby & District Pipe Band get the evening started with a specially written Queen’s Jubilee composition 12. Business Live Pandemic Thrive & Survive Award. Docks Beers 13. Grimsby Institute Training Excellence Award. Winners: Sylvester Keal Ltd 14. North Lincolnshire Business Investment Award. Winners: HBP Systems Ltd

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Chamber Patrons Becoming a Patron represents a valuable contribution towards enabling us to provide a wide range of services for our smaller Member companies, as well as raising the profile of your own business.

BDMLR training session in Bridlington with current and new marine mammal medic volunteers

The Mimir Marine hyperbaric reception facility chamber being loaded for Baku

Firms dive in to assist Baku Yorkshire’s specialist shipping, rail and transport law firm Myton Law has advised Hull-based Mimir Marine on a contract for the urgent supply of a port-side hyperbaric reception facility to Baku, Azerbaijan.

The 80-ton, 300 metre-depth rated life support chamber complex provides a shore based safe-haven for the controlled decompression of deep-sea divers. Developed by Mimir Marine in Hull, the unit is suitable for multiday decompression of up to 24 divers.

The unit was dispatched by Mimir Marine for urgent delivery after damage to an existing facility at Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It was air lifted via East Midlands Airport on board an Antonov 124 aeroplane. The equipment arrived in Baku within 12 hours of leaving the UK. “Myton Law was delighted to advise Mimir Marine against tight deadlines on such a complex, multi-faceted contract in negotiation with a major oil and gas company for this urgentlyrequired, high value kit,” said Myton Law’s John Habergham.

Mimir Marine, based on Neptune Street in Hull, is a leading global provider of hyperbaric reception facilities, diving and high-altitude pressure vessels for human occupancy and associated equipment.

Hull-based Myton Law has been listed for its maritime expertise in the 200 ‘Best Law Firms 2022’ published by The Times.

Visit: www.mytonlaw.co.uk Visit: www.mimirmarineltd.com

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ABP lends support to marine life rescue ritish Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), working across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, have successfully run several of their Marine Mammal Medic courses thanks to support from Associated British Ports (ABP).

ABP donated £1,150 to the BDMLR, for the charity to purchase inflatable, life-sized marine mammals to use on their courses.

The BDMLR carry out vital work across the Humber and beyond to help marine and freshwater wildlife.

Volunteers, who complete the BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic course, are on hand to rescue injured or sick mammals.

It is not the first time ABP have supported the BDMLR. Each year ABP host a collection of unwanted towels and cotton sheets in good condition to be used for seal rescues, and in 2019 ABP purchased two seal rescue bags and a kennel.

Seal rescues make up a sizeable proportion of the BDMLR’s work in the area. The UK and its waters are home to over 120 000 grey seals, representing 40 per cent of the species’ global population.

ABP has its own team of volunteers called the Green and Clean Team. The

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group works to help ABP reduce its waste, create places for wildlife to live and for colleagues to enjoy, across the Humber Port estate.

They also act as champions for local charities' such as the BDMLR to continue their vital work in the area.

Simon Bird, Director Humber, said: “It is great that ABP have been able to support such a worthy cause.

This donation is part of a wider set of activities we carry out to support community groups and charities across the Humber area.”

Catherine and Dave Leng, BDMLR Area Coordinators, said: “We would like to thank ABP Humber for their very generous donation. These models, that are handmade in the UK, have already been used to train 25 new volunteers in Bridlington.

“The models will also be used across the year for public engagement and fundraising events.”

If you would like to find out more about the BDMLR you can do so by visiting -bdmlr.org.uk/ or following their social media channels @BDMLR. Visit: www.abports.co.uk

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Solicitors makes key appointment ndrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that Stephen Dettman has joined the firm as a Partner and Head of the Residential Property Team, strengthening its client offering across the region. Stephen has extensive specialist property law experience and will be a valuable addition to the well-established team.

Having qualified as a solicitor in 2005, Stephen has since specialised in technical property transactions and has developed expertise across all aspects of residential transactions, from sales, purchases and remortgages, to lease extensions, shared ownership and solar panel leases.

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‘I have no doubt that Stephen’s depth of understanding across all aspects of residential property’ Geoff Phillips, Partner and Head of Property at Andrew Jackson, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen to Andrew Jackson Solicitors.

Demand for our residential property services remains exceptionally high and I have no doubt that Stephen’s depth of understanding across all aspects of residential property, along with his strong commercial outlook and proactive approach, will ensure that we continue to provide the highest standards in service and value for our clients.”

Stephen added: “Andrew Jackson has developed an excellent reputation for the provision of high quality, and often technical, residential property matters. I am delighted to be joining a firm that shares my commitment to delivering exceptional services tailored to clients' specific requirements.”

Stephen Dettman and Geoff Phillips

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Opportunities available with Drax ore than 328 businesses came together at an event run by renewable energy company Drax and its engineering, procurement and construction partner, Worley, to learn how they can win contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds to deliver Drax’s vital carbon removal technology, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

The event, run in partnership with NOF, the UK’s leading UK energy sector business development organisation, and the West & North Yorkshire and Hull & Humber Chambers of Commerce, was held in Hull.

Drax has previously said that it aims to source 80 per cent of the construction materials and services from British firms and to build a robust UK supply chain for BECCS, ahead of construction getting underway as soon as 2024, with the creation of around 10,000 jobs.

Graham Backhouse, Drax’s Commercial Director for the BECCS project, said: “We want to put British businesses at the heart of our

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plans to deliver BECCS. It was fantastic to see such a broad range of companies, large and small, from across the region come together to learn how they can benefit from hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new contracts.

“Negative emissions technologies like B ECCS will play a vital role in enabling the UK to reach its net zero goals, as well as creating exciting opportunities for Britain to lead the world in this vital technology, creating a new sector of the economy, as well as export opportunities.”

David Hooper, External Affairs and Membership Director at Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said: “The event was a fantastic opportunity for businesses from across the region to learn about the huge opportunities available for them to be involved in Drax’s BECCS project. Projects like this will provide a vital opportunity for the UK supply chain to access millions of pounds worth of contracts, supporting jobs and growth in the Hull and Humber region. The Chamber welcomes and supports this initiative and it’s

encouraging to see so many local businesses wanting to get involved and play their part.”

Diana Taylor, Managing Director of Marketing Humber, said: “BECCS at Drax will have a huge impact both economically and environmentally across the whole of the region, and it will play a vital role in enabling a zero carbon Humber.

“It’s crucial that businesses from across the Humber play a role in Drax’s plans, as it will not only support the economic growth of the region, but it will also support the creation of green jobs, helping to level up the North.”

Drax has a proven track record in delivering ambitious and pioneering infrastructure projects with the conversion of its power station in North Yorkshire to use sustainable biomass.

This has enabled it to become the UK’s largest single site renewable generator, supporting more than 6,600 jobs throughout its supply chain across the North, while reducing its emissions by over 95 per cent and paving the way for the deployment of BECCS.

Switch to reduce emissions Phillips 66 Limited has announced plans to pursue the use of lower-carbon hydrogen to refuel industrial heaters at the Phillips 66 Limited Humber Refinery in the UK. The heaters are integral to the refining process because they provide heat necessary to convert hydrocarbons to transportation fuels.

The Refuelling the Humber Refinery project will aim to reduce CO2 emissions at the Humber Refinery and demonstrate the importance of hydrogen for industrial fuel switching as part of the UK government’s carbon-neutrality goals.

Phillips 66 Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of US-based diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company Phillips 66, will conduct a feasibility study that will look at how world-leading technology can be used at the Humber Refinery to refuel geographically remote industrial fired heaters with lower-carbon hydrogen instead of natural gas.

Phillips 66 Limited has committed £500,000 to the Refuelling the Humber Refinery project.

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UK Research and Innovation, the largest source of public funding for research and innovation in the UK, has matched the funding through its Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.

Phillips 66 Limited has awarded contracts for the feasibility study to Worley and John Zink International. The results of the feasibility study could help to develop a template for hydrogen refuelling that could be replicated in industrial facilities across the UK and worldwide.

Phil Gothard, Humber Refinery Project Development Lead, said: “This is great news for the region as well as the Humber Refinery. It is another project helping the Humber Refinery play its part in the energy transition and toward its position as a ‘refinery of the future.’”

Bradley Andrews, President at Worley, said: “This project highlights the important role Phillips 66 Limited plays in the decarbonisation of the Humber region, and our global expertise will help it achieve this vision. This is another step on our journey as we work with our customers to help adapt

The feasibility study is launched at the Phillips 66 Limited Humber Refinery. Its General Manager and UK Director of Phillips 66 Limited Darren Cunningham (front, second from left) is joined by project team members from Phillips 66 Limited plus specialists from Worley and John Zink International, (back, left to right) Alex Merrall, René Becker, Harry Crocker, Darren Partridge, Alexander Leiser, Jon Gregory, (front) Art Parkinson, Carilo Yarce and the refinery’s Technical Manager Chris Gilbert

existing assets and decarbonise industrial hubs in a common vision to achieve net zero.”

Camilo Yarce, Regional Customer Advisor at John Zink International, A Koch Engineered Solutions Company, said: “We are honoured to participate in this project along with Worley and Phillips 66. We trust that this feasibility study will become a footprint for other plants across the globe to transform their operations into more sustainable ones.”

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Chamber Patrons

Davies Turner established the Express China Rail service in 2016 in conjunction with our long term partners in China, Air Sea Transport, who already had years of experience in the China rail sector.

Initially, predominantly an import service, offering both LCL (groupage) and FCL (full load containers), the service quickly gained momentum as clients took advantage of the fast transits, compared to ocean freight and the much lower costs, compared to air freight.

With confidence and demand for China rail freight services soaring, February 2022 seeing the 50,000th China-Europe train embarking on its journey, Davies Turner, keen to fulfill the desire of the UK export market, has established a dedicated weekly LCL rail service from the UK to China.

Following successful trials, where transit savings in excess of 20 days compared to ocean freight were achieved, we are sure our export clients will benefit from this third freight option.

T: 01709 529709 W: www.daviesturner.com E: rotherhamsales@daviesturner.co.uk

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Chamber guests are winners all the way on race day

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day at the races is always a sure bet for grand day out, and a Corporate Day at the Jockey Club owned National Hunt meeting at Market Rasen in May was enjoyed by some specially invited Chamber guests.

President Mike Whitehead said: “"Market Rasen Racecourse is very picturesque and situated in the heart of Lincolnshire. The food was excellent, as was the company.

“I am a big racing fan and am a member at Beverley and often attend the Cheltenham Festival, but this was the first time I have been invited to judge "the best turned out horse" at a

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meeting. It was a pleasure to present the winning jockey with his Cup and sponsor's presents.”

The Chamber’s Northern Lincolnshire Manager, Anne Tate, who organised the outing, was pleased everyone had a good time.

“Our Chamber members thoroughly enjoyed their day at the races.

“The racing was of course marvellous and everyone enjoyed checking out the horses and having a flutter. To be invited into the parade ring to choose the best turned out horse, watch the race from the chairman’s box with a glass of champagne, and subsequently present the trophy was a great privilege for all the members involved.”

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Spotlight Feature: Business Crime & Protection

Spotlight Features In this issue we take a look at the Business Banking & Finance and Workforce Development & Training sectors.

How to choose the

right accountant

By Antony Rookes FCCA, of Southgates Chartered Accountants

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search results. So, how easy is it to tell a reliable accountancy business apart from some of the cowboys?

with the growing reliance on the digital world, more people are now opting to shop around online for the right accountant offering the right services for them.

This can be a bit hit and miss as you are at the mercy of online

Accreditation Checking their accreditation from a professional body or institute, often displayed with pride on a website or an email signature.

PracticeWeb recently carried out a survey and reported that 78 per cent of the SME owners they spoke to said being chartered was an important factor, and exactly half believed this was ‘very important’ when considering an accountant.

Accountancy Firms and individuals that are members of professional institutions provide a hallmark of trust. Being part of an official body like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), as Southgates are, is an important seal of approval and demonstrates that accountancy firms are credible and hold themselves to high ethical standards.

Caption to here and here and here

hen looking for the right accountant it used to be as simple as walking into a bricks and mortar building on the high street. It still can be. However,

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Recommendations Check the recommendations through Google reviews, review websites, and even on businesses’ social media pages as these demonstrate feedback from people who have worked with or used services from any type of business.

Checking these reviews before using the services of a firm can let you know what to expect and even stop you making a big mistake.

Professionalism In the same survey carried out by PracticeWeb, when asked ‘What do you value most in an accountant?’, 52 per cent of respondents selected ‘professionalism’. An up-to-date website or social media page with consistent branding and tone of voice is a keyway that signals credibility, as well as being able to clearly and concisely show the services the accountant offers and how people can get in touch to find out more.

Industry knowledge Accountants are specialists in terms of skill but are often sector neutral. Sometimes, looking for industry-specific knowledge is invaluable so a firm who claims to be able to support a client’s specific needs should be able to demonstrate their experience.

A good website or social media page advertising an accountant’s services will showcase its knowledge and experience, including within particular sectors.

Face-to-face Once you have considered all of the above, it is important to arrange a face-to-face meeting with the accountant, either in person or via Teams/Zoom. The accountant is providing you with a professional service so it is important you need to be confident you can work with them and can rely on their advice and guidance.

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Spotlight Feature: Workforce Development & Training

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Spotlight Feature: Workforce Development & Training

Developing your

staff

By ActionCoach

“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to” - Sir Richard Branson.

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any businesses these days, more so in these postpandemic times than previously, worry about whether staff will stay or leave. Worries about staff performing optimally or at the levels expected of them, inevitably impacts the attrition rate too.

Finding appropriately skilled staff available to fill vacant positions can be ever challenging and so the situation perpetuates. But instead of worrying about whether employees stay or go, it is much better to pose the question, ‘What do I have to do to become the employer of choice in my sector?’

Richard Branson recognises that the most important people in any business are the employees; it is the employees that look after the customers who, in turn, take care of the business. However, if you talk to most business owners (especially of smaller businesses) and ask about their staff training and development plan, it rarely exists. Surely if it were that important then more businesses would have one in place? When it is perceived to take too much time and when companies do not track their training efforts, it is difficult to see the benefits. The question is, can you really afford not to make the time; time to put a plan together that would garner more engagement and maximise the performance and impact of the team? One thing is clear, for staff to want to stay, training and development is crucial - and for the business to continue to grow and thrive, so too is the development of the business owner.

As a business coach, when we first work with businesses, one of the key questions we ask is whether an organisation chart is in place. This is a simple question but very powerful in demonstrating how well the business cares about its staff and the role they play. Specific roles and expectations, lines of accountability and clear career progression opportunities show how staff can progress as skills and experiences develop. In some organisations, training and development is seen as a bolt on to the performance management cycle but ought to be an integral part of the day to day running of the business. An induction program shows new employees you care about their development and demonstrates the values embedded within your company. Ongoing development is then about extending and embedding skills to reduce dependency, promote authority and bring about positive change. It ensures consistency which is particularly important for all employees to be aware of expectations and best practice.

So, why should your organisation implement training and development? The benefits can be as broad and different as those who receive the training.

• Training builds confidence and empowers people to grow. By each employee maximising their skills, they can develop their role and the role of others to achieve those more challenging goals to help the business grow too.

• Investing in training demonstrates that employees matter.

• Improving skills, taking on new responsibilities and liaising with others in positions of higher responsibility, fosters a sense of belonging. This goes a long way in making employees feel recognized which then promotes a further commitment to the organisation and a desire to become the best that they can be.

• A strong commitment to training not only reduces staff turnover but enhances the company’s brand reputation to attract new talent.

• There is always room for improvement and when this is accepted, everyone from the business owner to the latest recruit, can strive to turn weaknesses into strengths to improve performance and productivity.

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Spotlight Feature: Workforce Development & Training

Help To

grow:

Management

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new practical course is now available to entrepreneurs and senior managers of companies with growth aspirations across the Humber and North Lincolnshire.

The government-backed Help to Grow: Management course is already opening the door to growth for thousands of business leaders across the country.

Delivered by leading UK business schools accredited to the Small Business Charter, Help To Grow: Management includes 50 hours of in depth training, one-to-one business mentoring, and the opportunity to grow your business, fast.

The 12-week programme costs just £750 and is 90 per cent subsidised by the government. Participants can take part around existing work commitments and access learning through a blend of online and face-to-face sessions.

Aimed at senior leaders in small and medium businesses, the course covers strategies for growth and innovation, leading high-performance teams and digital adoption, as well as financial management and responsible business practices. Participants will hear from inspirational business leaders and learn alongside local peers, with access to a national alumni network.

By the end of the programme participants will develop a tailored business growth plan to increase productivity and grow revenue, and help take their business to the next level.

The course is now being run by Hull University

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Business School with regular cohorts starting from May. Programme Director Richard Keegan said: “We are delighted to be bringing Help to Grow: Management to the region and giving business leaders the opportunity to accelerate both growth and profitability of their companies.

This is highly practical course that will provide entrepreneurs and managers with the knowledge and confidence to transform their business. They will also grow their networks, learn from peers and draw on extensive business experience of experts and their own business mentor to put what they learn into practice.”

Duncan McCombie, CEO, YES ENERGY SOLUTIONS CIC said:“Engaging with a network of fellow SME business leaders, with the theory and realworld knowledge of staff, allows us to translate the concept into practice. This is already leading to improved productivity and opportunities for growth at YES Energy Solutions CIC.” Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “Seizing opportunity is what being a business leader is all about, and our Help to Grow Management Scheme gives entrepreneurs the chance to access the very best advice on how to innovate, reach new customers and boost profits.

“The practical training scheme is 90 per cent funded by the government and designed around busy business owners’ schedules, so I would encourage entrepreneurs across the UK to get involved and maximise the potential of their business.”

‘Seizing opportunity is what being a business leader is all about’

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Sector Focus The latest news from the International Trade, Legal & Finance, Skills & Training, Manufacturing and Motoring industries.

AA Global lands TfL contract A Global Language Services has added to its list of major contract wins by landing the job of keeping millions of Londoners and visitors connected with vital information about the capital’s transport system.

The company, a Chamber member which now has its head office in Hull after expanding to the city in 2011, will begin work in September on the three-year contract with Transport for London (TfL).

Kirk Akdemir, CEO of AA Global, said there is the possibility of some job creation but much of the work can be absorbed by the expansion which has taken place over the last two years as part of a strategy of gearing for growth.

Kirk said: “We will have people in London working on the contract but the bulk of the

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work will be done from our head office in Hull.

“Our workload has increased significantly during the last few years with the result that we have employed more people, with a total of

Kirk Akdemir, CEO of AA Global

about 30. We have also invested in technology to support our growth and these contract wins are the result of that.”

AA Global will provide written translation and transcription services for documents, signage, maps, posters, handouts, leaflets and more. The company’s work will extend across all areas of TfL’s activities and operations including bus and tube, overground rail and trams, Docklands Light Railway and even the Emirates Air Line cable car.

It will also embrace the Santander Cycles bike hire scheme, London River Services, Victoria Coach Station, the London Transport Museum and the 580km network of main roads with 6,000 traffic lights.

Kirk added: “The contract with TfL further cements our position as a top-tier provider of translation and interpreting services in the UK.”

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Sector Focus: International Trade

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Sector Focus: International Trade

DIT Director General visits Hull he Director General of the Department for International Trade (DIT), Andrew Mitchell, came to visit the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly and stakeholder partners to explore how international trade support for local businesses in the Humber will look in the future as part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Global Britain.

The DIT/HEY LEP International Partnership Manager, Andrew Finch, organised the meeting which the Chamber hosted at its Beverley Road, Hull HQ, to review how to help businesses grow back into exporting activity after the global Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.

Dr Kelly, who chaired the meeting, welcomed the Government’s top international trade civil servant who had previously been Ambassador to Sweden, as well as the lead for UK trade with Europe, to the Hull and Humber region and highlighted the Chamber’s historic work taking more than 100 trade missions and exhibitions to market and generating more than £150m worth of income for businesses in global markets on behalf of the fourth largest trading estuary in Europe.

Other private sector partners at the meeting

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Chamber Chief Executive Dr Kelly (right) and DIT Director General Andrew Mitchell

included Pensana plc working at the Saltend site with Ineos and other renewables businesses to bring a new “rare earth raw materials” capability to the Humber as part of our growing renewable energy capability.

Similarly local authority partners Hull City Council and ERYC were also on hand as well as HEY LEP and University of Hull AURA colleagues to explore the exciting opportunities coming to the Humber region.

Andrew Mitchell recognised the rapidly

expanding role of the Humber for inward investment on both banks of the river which the new “Opportunities Humber” organisation being created by Cabinet Minister Michael Gove to take over from the HEY LEP and others, in co-ordinating the work of inward investment, marketing and international trade as part of the Government’s new Levelling Up proposals and Devolution agenda.

The Government’s additional proposals for a Freeport for the Humber were also discussed, along with the need to connect the work of Opportunities Humber with the newly emerging Humber Energy Board to be chaired

by Richard Gwilliam of Drax plc (also a Chamber board member). The move comes as HEY LEP begins a process of merging into the two North Bank local authorities as part of the parallel devolution agenda outlined by Michael Gove recently in his White Paper.

All partners agreed to work to ensure businesses were given the best chance to get back into international trade and attract new inward investment to best effect. These supply chain issues were highlighted by the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, when he spoke to the Chamber recently on the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine.

Impact of the delay to import custom controls At the end of April, the Government announced that the remaining checks on imports from the EU, which were due to come into play in July, September, and November 2022, were to be postponed. With the current cost impacts on supply chains and increased cost of living, many traders will welcome this approach.

Liam Smyth, Managing Director of ChamberCustoms said, “While these delays will be welcomed by many traders, for others it has continued to place them at a disadvantage when trading across Europe.

“Our exporters have faced the added cost of paperwork and checks at the EU border since Brexit day, whereas EU traders that are exporting into GB have not.

“We believe that a longer-term agreement between the UK and the EU that levels the playing field is much needed.”

What has been delayed?

• Further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on EU imports

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at British Chambers of Commerce said: “Given current economic circumstances it’s sensible to postpone the implementation of import food checks, due to be introduced in July, September, and November, for over 12 months. Our research has painted a clear picture that customs checks on goods and increased paperwork have damaged our exports to the EU, particularly from smaller businesses. With food prices rising, the extra costs from new checks on

meat, fish, dairy and other products would fuel inflation – hitting the pockets of both business and the British public.”

It’s understood that a Target Operating Model will be published in Autumn 2022 which will outline the new import customs controls due to be implemented at the end of 2023.

The UK Government’s stated vision is to focus on making trade with the whole world easier, using the Single Window to simplify interactions between traders and the border.

• Safety and security declarations on EU imports • Further health certification and SPS checks for EU imports • Prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU To keep up-to-date on import and export related issues, follow us on Twitter @ExportYH and also check out the International section of the Chamber’s website www.hull-humberchamber.co.uk which is regularly updated.

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Sector Focus: Legal & Finance

Promotions at local law firm eading law firm Rollits LLP has announced a parade of promotions of lawyers from the Hull and York offices.

Five people are promoted from Associate to Partner. Two more step up from Senior Solicitor to Associate and a further three have been promoted from Solicitor to Senior Solicitor.

The new Partners are Sarah Adams, Alison Benson and Libby Clarkson in the Hull office and Suzgo Kaluluma and Lynne Webster, who are both based in the firm’s York office.

Sarah specialises in private capital matters including wills and probate, powers of attorney and trusts. She joined Rollits as a Trainee in 2011 after studying at the University of Hull and York College of Law and she qualified as a solicitor in 2013.

A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Alison heads up the family team at Rollits having specialised in the field for 20 years.

Libby graduated from the University of Hull in 2011 and joined Rollits as a trainee the following year, moving into the

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firm’s planning and development team when she qualified in 2014.

Suzgo qualified as a solicitor in 2009 and was appointed a Solicitor Advocate (High Courts Civil Proceedings) in 2011. He is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners (STEP).

Lynne has more than 20 years’ experience as a commercial property solicitor. A graduate of Manchester University, Lynne qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and worked for various law firms in Leeds before joining Rollits in 2019. Lynne acts for numerous property investment and development companies and deals with a wide range of commercial property matters.

Donna Ashbridge and Emma Fawke have been promoted to Associates and their colleagues John Ashworth, Leanne Hatch and Harriet Wheeldon all step up to Senior Solicitor.

Donna graduated from the University of Hull in 2011 and joined Rollits as a trainee solicitor in 2015. After qualifying in 2017 she moved into the corporate team where her work includes company

Pictured from left are Lynne Webster, Libby Clarkson, Suzgo Kaluluma, Alison Benson, Donna Ashbridge, John Ashworth, Emma Fawke, Sarah Adams and Leanne Hatch

formations, mergers and acquisitions and banking matters.

Emma has worked in general practice since qualifying in 2011 and joined Rollits in 2018. As a member of the private capital team Emma now specialises in wills, estate planning, lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection matters, in addition to probate and administration of estates.

John also graduated from the University of Hull in 2011 and following completion of his Period of Recognised Training, moved to work in the firm’s dispute resolution department after qualifying in 2018. As part of his training, in 2017 John was seconded to work with Hull’s UK City of Culture team for seven months and undertook numerous

aspects of legal work within the culture and creative arts sector.

Leanne graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2015, qualifying as a solicitor in 2019. She joined Rollits in January 2020 and deals with all aspects of commercial property work.

Another graduate from Hull University and former trainee, Harriet joined the firm in 2017, and upon qualification in 2019 she moved to work in the firm’s charities team.

Ralph Gilbert, Managing Partner of Rollits, said: “We are delighted to announce another round of promotions and particularly pleased to see the progress being made by local legal talent in addition to those who have joined us from further afield.”

Accountants raise funds for local charity Forrester Boyd Chartered Accountants nominated the Humbercare charity as its annual beneficiary for 2021/22 and were delighted to present a cheque to the Pan-Humber charity for £3,183.25.

Throughout the year, Forrester Boyd and its staff have been raising funds through monthly dress down days where staff made donations along with the longawaited return of the firm’s popular annual professionals’ quiz which took part on the 25th November 2021.

The professionals’ quiz, which was held at the Grimsby Golf Club, saw over 110 participants return in person to enjoy this annual event. Retired partner Alan Nesbitt returned to host the event expressing how great it was to once again be able to hold a physical event. Always the kick 48

start to the Christmas festivities, once again, the generosity and support from the local professional community was outstanding.

Jenny Donnelly, Partner at Forrester Boyd was delighted to

present the cheque to Dale Thompson, Manager at Humbercare.

Speaking of the donation, Dale said: “We are so thrilled to receive this amazing amount that Forrester Boyd has raised. Thank

Jenny Donnelly, Partner at Forrester Boyd (left)presenting the cheque to Dale Thompson, at Humbercare

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you so much to the staff and partners and those that have helped to raise these funds. For any charity, the past two years have been a struggle and we are no different so this money will really help to make a difference to some of the vulnerable young people and adults that we support.”

Humbercare was established in 1989 and is an enabling organisation dedicated to providing quality and innovative services to adults and young people. It is Humbercare's belief that all people should have the opportunity to realise their full potential and improve their skills to optimise their life chances and help them to become responsible members of the community.

The charity works across North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

Rugby league legend and Hull FC Assistant Coach Gareth Ellis with 360’s Sam Gibson, left, and Sophie Holmes, 360’s Client Services Director, right

Accountants sponsor Hull FC 360 Chartered Accountants is excited to announce its sponsorship of Hull FC. The deal involves a range of support including sponsoring rugby league legend Gareth Ellis for the 2022 season. The former Hull FC captain and England international led the black and whites to victory two years running in the 2016 and 2017 Challenge Cup finals. He is now a key member of the coaching staff since his retirement from the sport two years ago.

Meanwhile, 360 is also sponsoring Hull FC’s Player Performance Manager Richard Tate in his capacity as Head Coach for the England universities Rugby League team.

In addition, the awardwinning firm is sponsoring the Players Playlist, voted for by the fans and played on the PA system ahead of every home fixture and will be the Official Matchball Sponsor for two games this season.

Andy Steele, Founder and Director of 360, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Hull FC. We are great believers in the power of sport for good and as a proud Hull-based company we want to work with and support our local teams, from grassroots right up to the top divisions.”

Nick Derbyshire, Commercial Manager for Hull FC, said: “We are delighted to welcome 360 Chartered Accountants on board as a sponsor and look forward to working with them throughout the 2022 season.”

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Ron Dearing UTC expansion approved ull’s pioneering Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) has been given the go-ahead to expand and increase its capacity.

The Ofsted “Outstanding”rated school will be able to offer an additional 200 student places after Hull City Council approved its expansion plans.

The first phase of the work to reconfigure the UTC’s existing building in Kingston Square, including two new science labs and a Sixth Form Independent Study Centre, is expected to be complete by August, enabling the employer-led school to welcome a further 80 students from September.

A new hi-tech learning centre will also be created in the former Central Fire Station, next to the school, which will be home to an exhibition centre, a Renewables Innovation Lab, a Sixth Form Centre and a state-of-the-art Centre for Creativity known as “STEAM Studios”, representing the school’s specialisms in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Opening in May 2023, STEAM Studios will comprise of three art and design studios, a ceramics studio, a Mac computer suite, recording studio, film-making facilities and exhibition and performance spaces. This facility will enable an additional 120 students to attend Ron Dearing UTC from September next year.

It comes after the Department for Education’s Post-16 Capacity Fund awarded the school substantial grant funding to grow from 600 to 800 students in response to the huge demand for student places.

Sarah Pashley (pictured inset), Principal of Ron Dearing UTC, which has been over-subscribed every year since it opened in 2017, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Hull City Council has approved our planning application for the redevelopment of the former fire station building and we can now move forward with our exciting expansion plans.

“I’d like to thank the council and our partners for all their support in helping us continue to

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grow, enabling us to offer more students the unique Ron Dearing UTC experience.

“The project will prioritise sustainable design and build solutions and focus on the latest green technologies, reinforcing our commitment to decarbonisation, and we’re working with our employer partners to put sustainability at the heart of our curriculum.

“We’ve appointed the Ron Dearing UTC Student Design and Build Team to work alongside the professionals, offering them a fantastic opportunity to build on their knowledge of budgeting, design, overcoming challenges, sustainability and environmental considerations.

“We’re already incredibly proud of the employer-led education model we offer at Ron Dearing UTC and this expansion will enable us to build on that, creating more work-ready young people of the future.”

Hull Esteem Consortium LEP Ltd is acting as project managers on the project, Space Architects drew up the plans and Sewell Construction has been appointed to complete the work.

The team and other partners are working to ensure the former Central Fire Station retains its original character and has the lowest possible carbon footprint.

Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged from 14 to 19 and offers a unique model of employerled education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.

Students, staff and contractors looking forward to getting work under way.

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Sector Focus: Manufacturing Grade II listed Connel Bridge

Spencer Group bridge the gap ndustry leading multi-disciplinary bridge works specialist Spencer Group has come up with a unique method to carry out essential works on an historic structure.

Hull-based Spencer Group is carrying out the design, construction, installation and maintenance of a temporary walkway for Grade II listed Connel Bridge, in Scotland, ahead of major deck replacement works.

The walkway, which will be cantilevered off the east side of the bridge, will allow for pedestrian and cyclist access during the works to replace the entire deck, which will take place over the course of the next two years.

The walkway is expected to be completed in four months, with the possibility of retaining the facility depending on a feasibility study and full public consultation. The A828 Connel Bridge was the second largest cantilever bridge in Europe when it was built by Sir William Arrol in 1903. It links the villages of Connel and North Connel, close to Oban. Originally a

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railway bridge, it was used for both rail and road traffic from 1914, until the railway closed in 1966.

The new steel walkway design will be inkeeping with the heritage of the bridge, with Spencer Group also self-delivering integrated street lighting.

Spencer Group is carrying out the project for BEAR Scotland, a service provider in the Scottish roads maintenance sector, on behalf of the national transport agency for Scotland, Transport Scotland.

The temporary walkway is part of the critical enabling works ahead of the deck replacement scheme and Spencer Group, which specialises in providing innovative solutions to complex engineering projects, is mitigating the impact the walkway works will have on traffic and the local community.

Luke Fisher, Sector Lead for Bridges and Structures at Spencer Group, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected to carry out this

important project, which is the latest in our growing portfolio of heritage bridge works.

“During the tender process, we focused our proposals on a sympathetic walkway design and methodologies that reduced traffic management during the construction works.

“Our designers proposed a traditional steel walkway design that was in-keeping with the heritage of the bridge, clamping to the existing structure where possible, to minimise invasive construction works to the bridge interface points.

A key element of the project is also to minimise the impact on local residents and traffic, both on Connel Bridge and on the A85 below.”

Spencer Group delivers innovative engineering and construction solutions in the transport, infrastructure, materials handling, energy and industrial sectors.

For more information about Spencer Group visit thespencergroup.co.uk/ourwork/bridges

Swift Group lends support to charity The UK’s largest manufacturer of touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes has pledged its support to a charity on its doorstep which is transforming detection techniques for serious medical conditions.

Swift Group, based at Cottingham, East Yorkshire, has confirmed the Daisy Appeal as one of its chosen charities and will help to raise funds for the ongoing development of life-saving and life-changing facilities and treatments at Castle Hill Hospital, which is also in Cottingham.

A Swift Group delegation which included managing director James Turner, his deputy Amy Archer and representatives of the firm’s employee forum, visited Castle Hill to find out more about Daisy’s work across the Hull and Humber region tackling cancer, heart disease and dementia by offering quicker diagnosis, better treatment and improved quality of life for thousands of people every year.

James said: “We’re really impressed by the work of the Daisy Appeal and what they’re doing in providing innovative diagnosis and treatment of many medical conditions, and to have this facility on our doorstep is a huge benefit to the local community. I know that I speak for the whole team at Swift when I say it’s a pleasure to be able to provide charitable support for the ground-breaking work and services they offer.”

The Daisy Appeal was founded in 2000 and has since raised more than £22m. The Daisy Appeal Medical Research Centre opened on the Castle Hill Hospital site in 2008 and was followed, in 2014, by the opening of the Jack Brignall PET-CT Scanning Centre.

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A delegation from Swift Group inside the new MIRC which has been provided by the Daisy Appeal at Castle Hill Hospital. From left, Professor Steve Archibald, Professor in Molecular Imaging at the University of Hull, Swift Group Managing Director James Turner, Swift Group Deputy Managing Director Amy Archer, Daisy Appeal Trustee Karen Guest

The team from Swift joined Prof Steve Archibald, Professor in Molecular Imaging at the University of Hull, for a tour of the latest addition to the site, the £8.8m Molecular Imaging Research Centre (MIRC) which is a UK first and will become operational later this year.

Karen Guest, a Daisy Appeal trustee and co-owner of Guest & Phillips jewellers in Beverley, said: “We are extremely grateful to Swift Group for supporting the Daisy Appeal and we were delighted to give them a sneak preview of the new building.

“The continuing support of businesses, individuals and the wider community is vital as we edge closer to our fundraising target for the new centre and it will remain essential to cover running costs.”

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Sector Focus: Manufacturing

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Motoring

In association with

Life can’t be all about work! Chamber Motoring reviews some of the latest offerings on the market.

Sharper looks -

tough as ever!

Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up With sharper looks, more kit and competitive pricing, David Hooper says the new Isuzu D-Max pick-up is a strong proposition

T

he Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up is a familiar workhorse in the pick-up market and a common sight on our roads and building sites. This latest model features updated, sharper looks, but underneath it is still a tough and reliable workmate which can double as a family car.

The drop-down tailgate can help with loading the cargo area

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The interior of the model I tested was a bit of a throwback – not many new cars today come with a CD player and a push button radio as the D-Max does, but with a nod to modernity, it does include a DAB radio and Bluetooth so you can connect your phone to the car.

If you’re wanting a swanky touchscreen, you need to go to the top of the range V-Cross model.

This is no bad thing though, the D-Max doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t, it is what it always has been, a reliable, practical, tough truck which can take five

‘The D-Max is easy to drive, once you’ve clambered into the high driving seat, shorter people may need a step ladder, or a leg up, to make it onto the seats!’

The vital statistics Model: Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up Engine: 1.9-litre, 164bhp four-cylinder diesel engine, driving four wheels through 6-speed gearbox Performance: Top speed 112 mph.

0-62mph in 12.7 secs Economy: Combined: 33.6mpg.

Fuel tank: 71 litres CO2 EMISSIONS: 241g/km Price: £24,863 to £38,963 WARRANTY: Five year/125,000 miles Website: www.isuzu.co.uk • All data correct at time of publication

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Sector Focus: Motoring

An impressive package and performance people and all their gear to the job, wherever that may be, and thanks to its proper four-wheel-drive system with high and low range gearbox, get them back again, over just about any terrain.

There’s a huge load area at the back with a dropdown tailgate which can accommodate lots of weighty gear, building materials or soil in the back, and in the case of our test car, it was lined with a hard-wearing black TOP: Functional interior plastic to protect the metal even comes with a CD skin underneath. player!

The D-Max is easy to MIDDLE: The cargo area drive, once you’ve can carry all manner of things clambered into the high driving seat, shorter people BOTTOM: The double cab can accommodate may need a step ladder, or up to five people for a leg up, to make it onto work or pleasure the seats! The engine is as reliable as they come, although a little agricultural when compared to the best modern diesels, but there is something endearing about the D-Max – it has a character all of its own.

First gear is so low it just about gets the car moving before you need a quick change to second, but once on the move, the remaining four gears propel it along at a decent pace when required, and it will cruise happily at motorway speeds.

The steering is also low geared, but that means it can be turned easily, and for such a long vehicle, the turning circle is good, so tight spots are not a problem for manoeuvring.

The ride can be quite bouncy, especially without any weight in the back, but you have to remember this truck is designed to carry stuff, so you can forgive it that.

There are plenty of modern safety systems on the car too, with things like lane keeping assist, automatic braking if the car thinks you’re about to crash complete with flashing red lights which made me jump once or twice when it went off in a traffic jam when I was paying full attention to what I was doing! It also has reverse parking sensors, even though you can clearly see the rear corners of the loading area, and big mirrors.

Inside, there are large door pockets for carrying flasks, a compartment on top of the dash for holding your phones, and two gloveboxes in front of the passenger for your order books and delivery slips.

If you’re looking for a reliable workmate, the Isuzu D-Max comes with proven credentials.

Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI DSG 4X4 Something of a “Q” car, this Skoda Octavia vRS may have a diesel engine, but as David Hooper has been finding out, it’s certainly no slouch!

H

ot hatches come in all shapes and sizes, but I quite like the shape of this one, Skoda’s Octavia vRS. It’s highly capable, unexpectedly spacious, an impressively competent all-rounder and something of a “Q” car.

Talk about performance cars in the pub with your pals, and this test car may not be the first which comes to mind, especially when you consider that it’s powered by a diesel engine, but having spent an enjoyable few days piloting this machine around, let me assure you, it’s one quick car and not much will leave it behind. And it comes with a 4x4 system.

The performance figures speak for themselves, with a 0-62mph sprint time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 155mph but stir into the mix a DSG gearbox which selects the next gear faster than you can think about, and massive amounts of mid-range torque (400Nm), and this thing flies. With 200bhp, it’s 45bhp less than it’s petrol sister, but on the road, there’s nothing between them.

For a car with such prodigious performance, it’s surprisingly softly sprung, even with the electronics set to full attack mode and the suspension

The vital statistics Model: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0 TDI DSG 4X4 Engine: 1965cc, 200PS four-cylinder diesel engine, driving four wheels through a 7-speed dual clutch manual sequential gearbox Performance: Top speed 155 mph. 062mph in 6.6 secs Economy: City: 31.4mpg.

Country: 55.4mpg.

Combined: 43.5mpg.

Wheel World test average: 40.6mpg Fuel tank: 52 litres Price: £33,745 Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles Website: www.skoda.co.uk • All data correct at time of publication.

stiffened up as much as it can be, but the handling is up to the job and never anything but comfortable, even on the worst road surfaces.

Being a diesel, it lacks the visceral excitement of noisy exhausts, instead relying on a noise generator hidden in Continued on page 56...

The Skoda vRS is a wolf in sheep's clothing!

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Sector Focus: Motoring ...From page 55

the dashboard, something I normally detest, but I have to say in this vRS it did enhance the experience and make you believe you were driving something with a bit of attitude. Grip levels through the corners are little short of astonishing, thanks to the 4x4 system which ensures the car stays firmly planted and pointing in the intended direction at all times.

It’s not all good news though, as good as the DSG gearbox is, it can be caught out when pressing on through corners, leaving a pregnant pause between the driver coming off the brakes and hitting the throttle before the car sorts itself out and applies the power again. This can be resolved with some left foot braking (don’t try it unless you’re used to it, or have nothing behind you) and using the paddles behind the steering wheel to instruct the car to downshift under braking into the corner, which is fine, but can get a bit “busy”.

This issue isn’t only a Skoda thing, it applies to most cars with this set-up, which for me raises questions

‘I loved the full LED Matrix headlights with adaptive front lighting’ about driver’s cars and auto gearboxes, unless of course you just like to go fast in a straight line, in which case it’s fine. Give me a six-speed manual ‘box any time.

Where the vRS diesel doesn’t compromise is on usability and running costs. On a steady cross-country run on A roads in traffic it returned 56mpg – quite a convincing argument for the diesel engine. Drive it as hard as I could, it still returned high 30s - that’s where it’s

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petrol powered sister is when you drive it like a saint, and during my test overall, it averaged 40.6mpg over nearly 500 miles of driving, which is more than respectable.

As for the rest of the package, the interior is a nice mix of alcantara dash, quilted sports seats and carbon fibre effect trim, although I do think Skoda could have done better with the black plastic door cappings which feel cheap, but I did like the minimalist gear selector.

The Octavia has room for five people, the boot is incredibly huge for a modestly sized car. It comes with plenty of tech too, I loved the full LED Matrix headlights with adaptive front lighting which seem to vector the light to provide impressive levels of illumination on dark country roads.

The Skoda Octavia vRS is an impressive package, but is no longer that cheap with an asking price of £33,745.

It’s easy to appreciate why it’s one of the favourite tools of undercover police cars – I mean, really, who would think a Skoda could be that quick? Unless you know!

TOP: The Skoda's interior looks good, but quality could be improved BOTTOM: The boot is simply huge, if you need a big one, look no further!

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New Members

New Members Act Forwarding & Logistics Agata Borowka Dover 01304 273652 Freight Forwarding & Customs Agency Aspire Procurement Training Richard Slater Hull 01925 717428 Training Castle Employment Agency Tina Trout Scarborough 01723 365432 Recruitment Agency Cleethorpes Pearl Holiday Park Sophie Dunn Cleethorpes 01472 812666 Holiday Park & Entertainment Centre Cllr Philip Jackson Cllr Philip Jackson Grimsby Honorary Member

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Euro Ukraine Ltd Michael Burchill Hull 07894 251647 Service Company - Security, Intelligence Finlay Hull Ltd Marvin Shaw Hull 01482 225960 Tea Decaffeination, Cafeine Recovery, Cold Brewed Coffee Factory Group Trading Ltd Vincent Franklin Hull 07944 935154 Recycling M W Truck Parts Ltd Hazem Watti Bridlington 01262 601600 Truck Engines, Hydraulic Systems, Fuel Tanks

Business Intelligence July/August 2022

Norman Walker Kim Martlew North Ferriby 01482 493982 Air Compressor Supply & Service Nunny's Farm CIC Ltd Joanna Holbrook-Morris Grimsby 01472 236676 Leisure Farm R M Boulanger Allan Vincent Grimsby 07850 632194 VAT Consultants Simons Design Ltd Mandy Green Lincoln

07534 242787 Architectural Design Service SNR Consulting Neville Reyner Scothern 07860 317653 Business Consultancy University of Lincoln Reece Leggett Lincoln 01522 882000 Education WS Freight Services Ltd Joshua Timmis Stallingborough 07783 519207 International Logistics

To find out about Chamber Membership visit www.hull-humber-chamber.co.uk/memberships or call Janice Harrison on (01482) 324976, or Anne Tate or Marilyn Waud on (01472) 342981.

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Last Word

Last Word If you like to have the Last Word, here's your chance - email David Hooper at d.hooper@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk

Name: Phil Withers Job Title: Manager Name of the business: RSM UK

Describe your job in a nutshell: Working within RSM UK’s Marketing Team in Yorkshire and the Humber I am the outward facing business development manager. My role is to engage with businesspeople from the mid-market and determine what issues they are facing and offer solutions from the 43 different service lines RSM offers, whether that is the general tax and accountancy services or some of the more specialised services like Environmental Social Governance (ESG), Family business Advisory or some of our employer advisory for internationally mobile employees, to name a few.

Where is it based: RSM UK, a leading audit, tax and consulting firm, operates in over 120 countries with 32 offices throughout the UK. Our team in Hull offers a full-service business advisory.

What has been your biggest challenge in the last year: The biggest challenge hasn’t been a business one. I was the principal organiser of the recent Humber Platinum Jubilee Flotilla and associated events including the raising of two union flags on the Humber Bridge. At 510 feet they were probably the highest on any structure in the North of England.

It was a great responsibility organising the region’s tribute to Her Majesty The Queen marking her 70-year reign. It was also great to have RSM supporting the event by chartering the famous Yorkshire Belle and inviting the business community to come on board and raising charitable donations of £9,000 in aid of the independent lifeboat service Humber Rescue and The Sailors Children’s Society, whose patron is HRH the Princess Royal.

What are you most looking forward to in the next three months: Getting back to meeting existing and prospective clients as confidence returns in the context of what came before. Clearly we face some major challenges, but for everyone to return to a business-as-usual routine following the pandemic era will make a huge difference to everyday lives.

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Phil Withers

What news story has had the biggest impact recently: There isn’t a single story. Ultimately though, it is about a culmination of global and domestic geopolitical factors that have had a rapid impact on prices of everyday essentials on people who were already on the breadline.

What is your biggest ambition: My biggest ambition is to travel on the Argentinian Tren a las Nubes, or “Train to the Clouds,” and visit the Mendoza valley and sample some local wine.

Where will your next holiday be: With the current travel upheaval, I am staying well away from air travel for a while (I hate queuing) so I’m going on a quintessential British holiday in August in my VW campervan to the Isle of Wight.

What are your hobbies and which is your favourite pastime: I love foreign language cinema and although I don’t speak any other languages, I find they are a window on other cultures and sometimes it’s good to get a different perspective of the world rather than the British one. My favourite pastime is cooking. I find it a really great way to relax and breaking bread with friends, and to coin a phrase from the late Keith Floyd “have a few slurps of beer or wine” to help conviviality along.

What are your plans for the weekend: As I write this, I will be going to Knaresborough to be a spectator at the annual Knaresborough Bed Race and will be cheering on the various teams particularly the ones from the NHS.

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