Getting the year off to a flying start!
Chamber hosts first Breakfast Networking event of 2025
Big Interview
Jim Harris, General Manager of St Stephen’s Shopping Centre
Policy
Early Bird stand deal available as Chamber Expo opens for bookings Feature
The different types of business consultants - and how they can help you
The Record
stand deals available at Chamber
CatZero is setting sail with new partnerships
Altrad completes Stork UK deal
StyleTech announces Sigma DX partnership
COVER PHOTO: Liz Dury, Anne Tate and Sam Cooke at the Speed Networking event, held at Hampton by Hilton at Humberside Airport. See page 14
Growing your business, building our economy
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President’s Message
As I embark on my second year as President of the Chamber I’m reminded of the story about a man who went round the world twice – but the second time was to apologise!
I’ll leave it to you to decide whether I fall into that category or not, but I am in a position to make more of the opportunities this time around. The honour isn’t afforded to everybody and, having had a trial year, I’m ready to do my best again.
Business is all about building relationships and our Chamber is one of the best in the country to do that. These relationships result in forming the biggest collective business voice on both sides of the Humber and beyond.
I’ve experienced some proof of this in the last 12 months, which were pretty hectic, and there will be even more events and activities during the coming 12 months, as you would expect from the biggest business organisation in the region.
The Chamber is getting busier. A glance at the Chamber Events Diary shows that in addition to the big awards dinners and Chamber Expo we can look forward to a variety of events on the north bank, on the south bank and online, with each gathering bringing people together to learn from each other and make our businesses better.
A highlight of the year is the annual lunch for Chamber Patrons in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour in Hull’s historic Guildhall. The deadline for the previous edition of Business Intelligence had passed before we sat down with our guests in December, so I will take the opportunity now to offer my gratitude.
I would like to thank the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress for welcoming the Chamber to the Guildhall again. I also thank our patrons for supporting the Chamber, and I welcome our two newest members, Cory Group and Pattesons Glass. I look forward to seeing them again and to meeting new contacts during my second term.
I must also give thanks to the Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly, my Vice President Irene Keal, and the rest of the amazing team at the Chamber for their continued support and professionalism throughout the year.
Kirk Akdemir
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.
• AA Global Language Services Ltd – Gold
• Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
• ARUP
• ASM Global
• Clugston Distribution Services Ltd
• Cory Group Ltd – Gold
• Drax
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• ELLGIA Ltd
• Equinor New Energy Ltd – Gold
• Hatfields Jaguar Land Rover
• KCOM
• Kevin Greene Photography
• My… Group
• OLG
• Orsted
• Pattesons Glass
• SPS Group of Companies
• Streets Chartered Accountants
• University of Hull
• Wilkin Chapman LLP Solicitors
Business Awards
There are a few tables left for the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards Gala Dinner and Presentation Evening 2025. Book now to avoid missi
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme an award before
Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards
Gala Dinner and Presentation Evening
Book now!
The Chamber’s 2025 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening is taking bookings and there are a few tables left. But hurry!
With a Mamma Mia theme, a Greek themed three-course dinner and West End entertainment, along with a glittering Awards Presentation Evening, the Baths Hall Scunthorpe is looking like the place to be on Thursday 15 May.
Check out www.nlincsba.co.uk for more information on how to book. See you there!
The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Mike Parker is presented with his award by Chamber President Kirk Akdemir
The Chamber’s two Northern Lincolnshire Chairs, Paul Cooper and Irene Keal
Sparq - your trusted partner for exceptional events in the Humber region and beyond
Sparq has a strong presence across the UKwhat makes the Hull branch unique, and why is it an important hub for events in the region?
Sparq is uniquely positioned to serve the Humber region, offering a combination of national expertise and deep local knowledge. Our team is embedded in the community, meaning we understand the needs of local businesses and organisations while having access to the cutting-edge technology and resources of our wider UK network. We’re here to support everything from small-scale local events to large corporate productions.
Can you give us an overview of the services Sparq offers, from technical production to full event management?
We offer a fully comprehensive suite of event services, from technical production and creative design to full event management. Whether you need high-end AV, lighting, staging, or a full-service solution that includes planning, logistics, and execution, our team can support every stage of an event. We also provide dry-hire options for businesses that only need specific equipment or technical expertise, without the full production package.
How does your team support local businesses and organisations in delivering high-quality events, whether big or small?
With a local team having decades of Sparq experience, we are built on knowledge and adaptability. Whether it’s a corporate conference, an awards ceremony, a product launch, or a community event, we take the time to understand each client’s goals and tailor our services accordingly.
With Hull’s growing business and cultural scene, what types of events are you seeing more demand for in the region?
There’s a strong demand for corporate conferences, networking events, and industry expos, as well as brand activations and product launches. Hull’s vibrant cultural sector is driving demand for live performances, festivals, and creative experiences, where our technical and theming expertise really shines.
Sparq is known for its technical expertise - can you tell us about some of the in-house equipment and technology that sets you apart?
One of our biggest advantages is our investment in state-of-the-art equipment, all managed in-house by our expert technicians. We provide industry-leading audio-visual solutions, including high-end LED screens, immersive sound systems, and dynamic lighting setups. Our technical team is constantly innovating, ensuring that we deliver seamless event experiences using the latest technology.
Creative event design is a huge part of making an event memorable. How does Sparq approach theming, branding, and staging to bring an event to life?
Our creative team works closely with clients to develop immersive event experiences. From custom stage designs to themed decor and branded digital content, we ensure that every element aligns with the event’s purpose and brand identity. We handle everything in-house, from prop creation to digital visuals, allowing us to create unique, high-impact designs that elevate any event.
How does Sparq’s network of local connections benefit clients when planning events in the region?
Having a strong local network means we can move quickly and efficiently, securing the best venues, and suppliers. We work closely with local venues, caterers, performers, and logistics teams to ensure seamless execution. This not only speeds up planning but also keeps costs competitive and ensures every event runs smoothly with trusted partners.
Looking ahead, what exciting opportunities do you see for event production in Hull and the wider Humber area?
With businesses embracing more dynamic event formats, there’s potential for more immersive experiences that blend technology with creativity. Sparq is perfectly positioned to lead this evolution, offering innovative solutions that keep events fresh, engaging, and impactful.
Take your seats… for the 2025 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards. Organiser Anne Tate says it’s time to book your tickets for this year’s Abba-themed awards night
Host Richard Askam will be in charge of this year’s proceedings
Guests were welcomed to the 2024 Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards by a pair of stilt walkers
Big Interview
Phil Ascough of Ascough Associates speaks to Jim Harris, General Manager of St Stephen’s Shopping Centre.
Why retail is more than just bricks and mortar
In his downtime there’s a good chance you’ll find Jim Harris with his head under the bonnet of a 1999 Mercedes SL320 convertible.
“It’s a project,” he said. “I’ve had cars from the 60s and 70s. I find them not only fascinating but it’s also a different kind of engineering that represents a different era.”
His day job is all about engineering the sustainability of Hull city centre. As General Manager of St Stephen’s, he’s in his 16th year of leading the evolution of the region’s premier shopping centre.
As Chair of Hull Business Improvement District (HullBID) since 2013, he also has a responsibility to lead the wider development of the city centre as an environment in which businesses can thrive. Currently, even in challenging economic conditions, the future looks bright.
Jim said: “At St Stephen’s we have nearly 600,000 square feet – a mix of retail and leisure over three floors and we are 99 per cent let. We are also driving one-third of the city centre footfall.
“HullBID is about business for the rest of the city centre businesses. I enjoy working in the city centre. It includes working with the city council in a positive way to enhance the city centre for everybody and that’s something I believe in passionately.
“It extends beyond just concrete and glass. It’s the people, whether they are homeless in shop doorways or the executive arriving first class on Hull Trains to go to a meeting at C4Di.”
Concrete and glass now, but it was more bricks and mortar back in the days when Jim, growing up in Northern Lincolnshire, used to ride the ferry to Hull to enjoy the city’s attractions of rugby league and county cricket.
Education took him to Nottingham University and his career kicked off “at the sharp end of retail”, working in stores around the UK during 12 years with C&A. After moving on to experience the world of commercial property, Jim spent four years working for himself with a security company and a cleaning business.
He found his way back into retail at Stratford – the London one – and in 2009 was offered the chance to return to the Humber to
take up his role at St Stephen’s, which had opened two years earlier as part of a major regeneration of Hull city centre.
“The shopping centre was part of a councilled consortium which also produced a theatre, a music centre and transport interchange,” he said.
“When I arrived the top floor was a Mecca bingo and, apart from a few restaurants, the rest was retail. Jane Norman, Zara, Spudulike.
Jim’s ‘project’ – a 1999 Mercedes SL320 convertible
Jim at Dove House Hospice, where he is a trustee
Jim enjoying the other speakers at the HullBID Inspiring People dinner
Now it’s retail, food, indoor sports and a hotel, so a full 24-hour operation.”
The landscape has also changed across the city centre with the departure of the big stores.
Jim said: “M&S, BHS, Debenhams, Hammonds have all come and gone but what’s really positive now is that the city centre is 70 per cent local independent businesses. That’s massively important because it brings colour, diversity and local people who believe so much in our city.”
With Jim’s Lincolnshire upbringing and his seat on the Chamber board it’s no surprise that those “local people” include the south bank communities.
He said: “I always take the view that our area is pan-Humber. At St Stephen’s a lot of our shopping and leisure visitors are from
northern Lincolnshire. We certainly count Barton, Ferriby and Brigg in our catchment area, and on this side of the Humber we embrace Bridlington, Scarborough, Goole and Pocklington. A lot of people from those communities commute to Hull.”
The jobs available in the city region are more varied than ever, and Jim notes the rise of renewables and digital alongside established business sectors and our strengths around culture, music, medical and education – he is a trustee of Dove House Hospice and sits on the board of Bishop Burton College.
He said: “We have excellent sport with the stadiums, live entertainment with theatres and the arena, and heritage in fishing and more. Above all it’s about people – we will always look at William Wilberforce, Amy Johnson, Ebenezer Cobb Morley and others. A clutch of real people. And don’t forget all the people who travelled from Liverpool to the New World – so many of them came through Hull.”
‘There’s a positivity about going forward. We could look back at Covid or whatever, but we are celebrating what we are doing now and what’s coming during the next five years’
The next big thing is Maritime Hull, a heritage project which is transforming the city centre now and which, in common with many other major developments, has a focus on the future.
“We have always had a maritime culture which is second to none and we are now packaging it for a 2030 audience. We see a city transformed by investment in the 2000s and again with City of Culture. Ten years on this is the next innovation,” Jim said.
“The A63 is a project which is looking ahead to 2030, as is C4Di. In the past we have worried too much about what we haven’t got but we should celebrate more about what we have, because it is the envy of many other northern towns and cities.
“There’s a positivity about going forward. We could look back at Covid or whatever, but we are celebrating what we are doing now and what’s coming during the next five years, and that’s having a city and an urban space that’s attractive for visitors in 2030 and not worrying about what wasn’t here in 2010.
“We are one of those cities that still surprises visitors. Every year at St Stephen’s we welcome a new intern from London, we show them round our city and they are open-mouthed because they really don’t expect what they see.”
Jim speaking at the HullBID Inspiring People dinner
On the record With Angus Young
These are the author’s views and not necessarily those of the Chamber.
Public let down by more delays
The steady erosion of public trust in UK institutions over the last two decades has mirrored the relentless tides chipping away at the crumbling cliffs of Holderness.
Since the Millennium, a series of political and economic storms, personal scandals and the advance of social media have combined to drain confidence in what were previously regarded as the rock-steady cornerstones of our society.
Recent surveys underline the point. One carried out by Ipsos found that only three per cent of Londoners trust politicians to tell the truth.
Survey data published last year by the Office for National Statistics revealed people thought the government was bad at listening to and acting on their concerns; that its policies favoured some regions and groups above others and that politicians were likely to be swayed by favours in their decision-making.
Public organisations, from politicians to civil servants and contractors working on their behalf, need to carry the trust of the public when it comes to delivering.
A striking example of the opposite happening occurred just before Christmas in Hull.
‘Behind all the practical concerns triggered by the delay is the issue of trust’
On 16 December, National Highways announced its ongoing construction project in Castle Street was now no longer scheduled to be completed before Spring 2025. Instead, the expected finishing date on the five-year programme of works was being pushed back by a further year.
A select few partner organisations and senior local politicians had been notified in advance before the news was released to the public.
As you might have noticed, the delay went down like a lead balloon. City Council Leader Mike Ross described it as “deeply disappointing”. Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly went one step further, calling for £1m to be set aside
by National Highways to help the most impacted local businesses.
Another 12 months of disruption will be keenly felt with more partial closures on the A63, further diversions, continuing pressures on the rest of the city’s road network, a longer hit to the local economy and inevitable clashes with other infrastructure work, such as the looming six-month closure of Drypool Bridge which is considered urgent because of the rapidly deteriorating condition of its concrete deck support columns.
Other proposed development schemes held back – often under instruction by National Highways using statutory powers in the decision-making hierarchy – will now remain on hold for much longer. However, behind all the practical concerns triggered by the delay is the issue of trust. Rumours about a possible delay to the scheme had been circulating for months. In June last year they prompted me to ask National Highways if they were true.
“We are still working towards a completion date of Spring 2025,” said the official reply. Many others were told the same in the following weeks and months
A day before the December announcement, the agency’s own dedicated web page for the
Work is continuing to dig out the underpass and its “challenging ground conditions”
project still had it coming to an end this Spring.
I certainly don’t underestimate the technical task of what literally seems to be the major sticking point – lowering a dual carriageway into a new underpass sitting in an unstable geological soup once described to me in nontechnical terms as the equivalent of trying to set concrete in a big bowl of blancmange.
But I don’t think the much-used explanation of “challenging ground conditions” will cut it with the public because it’s not as if there haven’t been problems with previous construction projects going underground in Hull in recent years.
The abandoned Ennerdale road tunnel under the River Hull and the Yorkshire Water sewer collapse under Hull Marina are still fresh in the memory of many.
Hopefully, lessons have been learned on the communications front should further problems arise on Castle Street. The people of Hull and the surrounding area have had their patience stretched to the limit. Some form of financial compensation package and some upfront honesty about what’s happening both on and under the ground in the next 12 months is the least Hull deserves.
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.
The early bird catches a prime Expo stand
‘Early Bird’ £195 stand deal now available as Chamber Expo 2025 opens for bookings – so don’t delay...book today.
We know it’s tough out there and money is tight, so if you’re quick, just £195 is all it costs to book your Early Bird Expo stand this year for one of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce’s most popular events in the heart of Humber Business Week.
We will also be hosting our third International Trade Conference as part of Chamber Expo, and enjoying a VIP speaker lunch, all on Tuesday, 3 June.
Stands are now available for booking through the Chamber’s website or by contacting David Hooper or Kay Hudson who will be happy to help – so don’t miss out on our Early Bird booking offer – it’s for a limited time only! We are also offering a special rate to charities of £150 per stand.
As usual, Chamber Expo 2025 will host all kinds of businesses from both banks of the
Chamber office space available to rent
The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce has a selection of fully serviced and furnished office space available to rent within the Chamber’s head office on Beverley Road, Hull.
The first-floor accommodation is selfcontained and features general office space as well two executive offices and a communal area.
Ideally situated within walking distance of the city centre, rail and bus stations, and affordably priced, it would suit a start-up or small business looking for somewhere to base themselves near to the city centre’s facilities.
The Chamber also has meeting rooms available for hire on a daily rate with presentation equipment available for meetings and events.
For more information contact David Marritt on 01482 325976 or email d.marritt@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk
Chamber Expo Early Bird stand deals are now available for booking from £195
Humber and the spacious venue can accommodate outside stand space for larger exhibitors, including the region’s motor dealers taking part in the Chamber Expo Motor Show.
This year’s standholders can look forward to a hot buffet lunch and electricity included in
the price of the stand, while parking and entry to Chamber Expo 2025 will be complimentary.
The Chamber’s famous Speed Networking also returns this year, providing a great opportunity to meet some potential new customers from around the region.
Members and non-members alike are welcome to book a stand and everyone is invited to visit. So don’t miss out, book your stand now and take advantage of our Early Bird single stand deal – £195 per stand if you book before 30 April, after which date the cost will be £250 per stand, £500 for a double and £450 for a stand and a parking space outside.
This year’s venue will again be the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Willerby, Hull, HU10 6EB. Call (01482) 324976 to speak with Kay or David, or email k.bailey@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk
Webinar offers insight into business growth
The Chamber has been pleased to collaborate recently with Wilkin Chapman and Forrester Boyd on a Webinar on Business Growth.
With top class professional presentations from two local companies with excellent pedigrees in their respective fields, what was not for businesses to like and get engaged in? The Chamber Vice President, who hosted the Mastering Growth and Scaling your Business for Success Seminar, said: “With the right mindset and strategy, success is achievable. Keep pushing forward, stay innovative and make your dreams come true!”
The Chamber is hoping to run further seminars to assist businesses in gaining knowledge over a number of topics.
Historic setting for Patrons’ Lunch
The Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Shipping welcomed its Patrons to its annual lunch in the historic Lord Mayor’s Parlour in the city’s historic Guildhall – and presented a plaque to its newest Gold Patron, Cory Group.
This year’s patrons were welcomed by Hull’s Lord Mayor and Admiral of the Humber, Cllr Mark Collinson and Lady Mayoress Cllr Christine Randall.
Chamber President Kirk Akdemir told guests it was now 25 years since we feared the approach of the Millennium Bug and everyone was scared of what might happen to their computers as the New Year arrived.
He thanked the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress for welcoming the Chamber to the Guildhall again.
Kirk reminded guests: “The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce dates from the early merchant adventurers, yet now the city is at the centre of clean energy and digitalisation. The Chamber itself dates from 1837, and has represented businesses for all this time, and continues to be the biggest business organisation in the region and the collective “Voice of Business” in the Humber.
“I would like to thank our patrons for supporting the Chamber, and welcome our two newest members of this exclusive club, Cory Group and Pattesons Glass. The Chamber is always very grateful to our patrons for
QUARTERLY
supporting the Chamber and helping us to support our smaller businesses.”
The Lord Mayor said: “The city economy will continue to improve into the future and I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the City Council and the city for the work of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce does.”
Giving the vote of thanks, Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly, said: “We have some excellent people here today, including representatives of Ørsted and Equinor, which has made a major announcement this week which will lead to a massive transition stage
ECONOMIC SURVEY Q4 2024
Rising costs fear for Humber firms following Budget’s tax increases
With inflation falling in the third quarter of 2024 and with hints from the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, when he joined Chamber business leaders for lunch in North East Lincolnshire at the beginning of October, hopes were high of a further cut in interest rates in December.
However, with the economy slowing down and inflation on the rise again, those hopes were dashed with the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voting to hold interest rates at 4.75 per cent.
And with the realities of the Chancellor’s first tax raising Budget starting to hit home, there is much unrest in the business community about higher overheads which will show themselves more clearly in the results for the first quarter of 2025.
The results for Q4 were not pretty, after a hint of optimism in Q3, most balances returned to negative territory, with the business outlook appearing to be challenging, at best.
The number of firms who said their workforce had decreased in the last three months was up with the balance figure dropping to –16, while the number of firms looking to take on new staff in the next three months tumbled sharply to a balance figure of –34, although just over half the respondents reported trying to recruit staff in the last three months.
Of those, there were 29 per cent fewer full time positions when compared to Quarter 3, and 21 per cent temporary roles, with permanent jobs showing a nine point increase and part time roles increasing by eight points.
After something of a recovery in Q3, Cashflow was again challenging in the Q4 survey, with 20 per cent more firms saying it had dropped in the last three months.
The biggest pressures on prices were pay settlements, which had risen by 26 points to 84, while the biggest external concerns were business rates and tax fears, while competition dropped by 14 points and inflation fears dropped by nine points. Business rate concerns were on the rise again, up by six per cent.
Nationally, The British Chambers of Commerce said: “The worrying reverberations of the Budget are clear to see in our survey data. Businesses confidence has slumped in a pressure cooker of rising costs and taxes.
on the Carbon Capture and Storage agenda in the North Sea to help the region reach net zero. We are extremely grateful to our Patrons and we are playing our part – the Chamber is looking to be supportive and constructive as things move forward.”
Before sitting down for lunch, Chris Girdham from Cory Group, was presented with a Chamber Patrons’ Plaque by Vice President Irene Keal after the energy from waste business became the latest major company to pledge its support to the Chamber with a Gold Patronage package.
“Firms of all shapes and sizes are telling us the national insurance hike is particularly damaging. Businesses are already cutting back on investment and say they will have to put up prices in the coming months.
“To help business we need to see quick action in three specific areas. Firstly, Ministers should accelerate business rate reform to create a system that incentivises investment.
“We also need the Government to speed up infrastructure investment, to help SMEs in supply chains across the country. Finally, it’s crucial to support exports, prioritising a better trading deal with the European Union. Without urgent Government action to ease the pain on businesses, the challenging economic landscape will get worse before it gets better.”
Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly said: “The Q3 figures showed a slightly improved picture with many indicators showing something of a bounce back, but our Q4 results have seen the majority of those gains go into reverse.
It is clear that increased costs caused by higher overheads and a substantial increase in the cost of employing staff thanks to Rachel Reeves’ first Budget are weighing heavily on the minds of business leaders across the Humber region.”
Chamber Patrons posing for the official photograph before enjoying the Patrons’ Lunch in the Mayor’s Parlour at the Guildhall Picture: Kevin Greene Photography
Join us to grow your network... and the economy!
Lots of members are joining us for our Speed Networking sessions to “Grow their Businesses and Build Our Economy”, as the Chamber’s mission statement says. Our latest event was held at the conveniently located Hampton by Hilton, at Humberside Airport, where manager Sam Cook (right) hosted the Chamber’s Northern Lincolnshire Manager Anne Tate (centre) and the team, joined on this photo by voice-over artist Liz Drury. Our next Speed Networking event can be booked on our website if you’d like to join in the fun!
A flying start to the year for networkers
Our January Breakfast Networking Event at the Hampton by Hilton Hotel at Humberside Airport was another wellattended, busy session, getting the year off to a flying start with people “building their businesses and growing our economy”!
‘It gave members a safe space to discuss what is and is not acceptable in the workplace today’
After a hearty buffet breakfast, the networkers made some useful contacts to follow up later, as well as having some fun meeting new people. We also welcomed several new Chamber members to the event for their first session, which they said they had thoroughly enjoyed.
After the networking, there was a break for coffee before members and visitors enjoyed a presentation called Walking on Eggshells, which was presented by the Equality Practice.
It gave members a safe space to discuss what is and is not acceptable in the workplace today, and how different people in the community and workplace can be properly looked after.
Smiles, laughter, body language, expressions, words, all are tools we use to express ourselves and our meaning, but what if we express ourselves and cause offence?
We are often asked, ‘What am I allowed to say these days?’ Or, ‘Is it okay to offend someone?’ Or ‘What about free speech?’
The presentation by Jill Wilson and Tracy Todd prompted a lively and engaging discussion which raised a few eyebrows, but also got people thinking about what they say and do may affect their colleagues or visitors to their workplace.
Pictured (left to right) are the Chamber’s Northern Lincolnshire Manager Anne Tate, Jill Wilson and Tracy Todd from the Equality Practice
Member News
The latest news, success stories and updates from members of Hull &
Humber Chamber of Commerce.
Rolling out interpreter on wheels
Atranslation and interpreting business is literally rolling out its latest piece of technology to improve services to its NHS clients and their patients.
AaGlobal Language Services has developed its own “interpreter on wheels” with tablets and speakers connecting people in the region’s GP surgeries, hospitals and other NHS centres direct with interpreters anywhere in the world.
Kirk Akdemir, CEO of AaGlobal, said the system is also ideal for use in business, and could become a fixture in boardrooms and training suites to support international discussions.
‘Many of the features use technology which we have developed ourselves so it is bespoke to our clients’
He said: “The future is technology and this is part of the considerable investment we have made in recent years to make sure we stay ahead of the competition by delivering value for money and quality services to our clients.”
AaGlobal has a team of 40 who manage an international network of 15,000 linguists.
Between them they work in more than 500 languages and dialects including BSL, all of which can be accessed in seconds by the interpreter on wheels.
AaGlobal has been monitoring the technology since it was introduced to the NHS on a trial basis in summer 2023.
Nikki Malecka, Interpreting Department Manager at AaGlobal, has been demonstrating the new system to clients and colleagues.
She said: “It’s a tablet on a trolley, complete with a speaker, and it uses medical grade
technology. Many of the features use technology which we have developed ourselves so it is bespoke to our clients. You select the language you require and you can select a gender preference as well.
“Our clients can connect with an interpreter within 30 seconds and can add a third party, maybe a family member or specialist consultant, from anywhere in the world. People can also use the system to give feedback and rate their experience out of five. Marks below four will generate a follow-up from us.”
Kirk added: “The interpreter on wheels removes travel costs and it’s available instantly. It also has a big advantage over interpreting by telephone because both sides can see where each other is pointing. Facial expressions can also be very important and this gives us an advantage when delivering our services.
“Our business sector is moving so fast and we are committed to investing wherever technology takes us. As far as we know we are among the first language services providers to use it in the UK and possibly the only one in the Yorkshire and Humber region.”
Reckitt helps pensioners pay winter bills
Consumer health and hygiene company Reckitt has helped pensioners in Hull apply for vital financial support this winter, as it continues its long and proud history of giving.
Reckitt, which was founded in Hull in 1840, extended its partnership with Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding to urge more pensioners to apply for Pension Credit.
Reckitt’s support has enabled the training of local community volunteers who sit down with pensioners to help them apply for the local
government scheme, which can provide £75 per week on average to help cover essential living costs.
Crucially, being accepted for Pension Credit also means pensioners can claim the one-off £300 winter fuel payment.
At a time when fuel poverty rates in Hull are more than double the national average, standing at 24 per cent of the population, the scheme provides a vital lifeline for elderly residents during the cold winter months.
Grace Chapman, Heritage and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor, said: “As a health and hygiene company, Reckitt is acutely aware of the health challenges that come with the winter months.
“Our partnership with Citizens Advice helps to ensure pensioners in our home city of Hull are getting the support they need to stay warm this winter, reducing pressure on health services in Hull, where hospitals are already experiencing higher-than-average cold-related admissions.”
Nikki Malecka, Interpreting Department Manager at AaGlobal, demonstrating the interpreter on wheels to the company’s CEO Kirk Akdemir
Teams tee off to raise vital funds
Organisers and charities behind a golf day that has raised nearly £160,000 for good causes are hoping to see another full house of businesses teeing off at this year’s event.
Fundraisers from Dove House Hospice and Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) say the funds raised by the charity golf day have made a huge contribution to both charities from the 37 years of fundraising since the golf day was launched in 1988.
‘The business community supports the hospice in a fantastic way every single year’
Pat Coyle, Director of Marketing and Client Relations at Rollits, said the event continues to secure the support of businesses from across the region and sold out well in advance in 2024.
Pat said: “We’re limited to a maximum of around 22 or 24 teams and we’re aware that some people missed out last year so we’re expecting a rush of early interest this time.”
The event will return on Thursday 3 July, at Brough Golf Club. The cost for a team of four is £275, with all profits going to the charities.
Jonny Bottomley, Partnership Development Lead at Dove House Hospice, said the golf day is a vital source of funds for both charities as they battle the ongoing economic challenges.
He said: “It’s terribly important. The business community supports the hospice in a fantastic way every single year and without their continued support we would not be here to care for patients, support family and friends and make sure everybody retains their dignity.
“The budget has hit everybody hard on top of the cost of living crisis and everything else but in particular it added an extra £400,000 to our bottom line costs. However with the help
VHEY backs master plan to boost visitor economy
The region’s tourism partnership has set out a new master plan to support businesses in the sector, attract more visitors and drive economic growth.
Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) is aiming to help build a thriving, prosperous visitor economy through the delivery of its dedicated action plan.
VHEY is funded by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and supported by businesses with a shared ambition for the region to fulfil its potential.
It supports 1,700 businesses and over 21,000 jobs across the region and was nationally accredited by Visit England, the national tourist board, as a Local Visitor Economic Partnership (LVEP) in 2023.
Chris Blacksell, Chair of VHEY, said: “Hull and East Yorkshire is a fabulous tourist destination. It has a wonderful city for leisure breaks and hosting conferences, amazing market towns, stunning coastline and countryside, and it’s an incredible producer of fresh food – it has everything you could want in one area.
“However, the biggest benefit it has is the people – it has such friendly people. I think it’s the most welcoming place in the country, and we
VHEY’s action plan has the following four strategic priorities:
1 Grow value: Build a £1bn-plus visitor economy across Hull and East Yorkshire by 2029.
2 Quality destinations: Present and develop a destination of distinctiveness through animation, pride of place and sustainability.
3 Support productivity: Through a new and connected business support package.
4 Embrace a new landscape: In partnership with regional private and public sector stakeholders, create an LVEP which supports national visitor performance indicators.
need to capitalise on that. The economic climate at the moment is challenging, so it’s crucial we support businesses in the area to be as effective and successful as possible, whilst also drawing in more tourists. This new action plan will provide the platform for us to be able to do that.”
of businesses we have responded positively.
“Their input not only enables us to maintain our current level of care and support but it also assists us with our aspirations and our ability to progress services in line with the ever changing needs of our community.”
To register your interest in entering a team in this year’s competition please email Pat Coyle at pat.coyle@rollits.com
Joining up the local visitor economy growth priorities and activities with those at a national level has enabled VHEY to set a clear ambition to generate better outcomes for tourists, the environment, local communities and tourism businesses.
The partnership’s plan to build a £1bn-plus visitor economy includes stepping up its national and international marketing of the region, to encourage more leisure and business visitors, and increase activity focused on sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity.
It aims to establish the region as a tourism destination of choice by attracting, hosting and delivering new events, supporting private and public sector investment projects and working with partners to achieve carbon net zero.
The 2024 Rollits charity golf day: (from left) Brian Deehan of MDUK, Julian Wild and Pat Coyle of Rollits, Jonny Bottomley of Dove House Hospice and Susanne Driffield of MDUK
VHEY Chair Chris Blacksell
OBE for college’s Vice Principal
Hull College is delighted to announce that Lynette Leith, Vice Principal for Curriculum and Skills, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in this year’s New Year’s Honours.
The prestigious accolade has been awarded in recognition of Lynette’s exceptional contribution to the Further Education sector and her pivotal role in transforming Hull College into a thriving hub of learning and opportunity.
Under Lynette’s leadership and direction of curriculum and the skills strategy, Hull College secured a ‘Good’ rating from the recent Ofsted enhanced skills inspection in October 2023. This significant milestone reflects the institution’s resurgence, highlighting the college’s Adult Provision and Personal Development as ‘Outstanding’, while its Skills and Employer Engagement were recognised as ‘Strong’ – a testament to Lynette’s focus on aligning the curriculum with the needs of the learners and the regional economy.
‘this is recognition of the entire Hull College team - The Hullraisers’
Speaking about the honour, Lynette said: “Receiving this recognition is incredibly humbling. For me this reflects the wonderful FE sector and the many teams and individuals that have coached, counselled, and guided me along the way. Most importantly this is recognition of the entire Hull College team – The Hullraisers. It is a genuine privilege to work with the team every day, and I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved together. I am honoured, humbled and proud.”
Over the past three years, Lynette has played one of the leading roles of Hull College’s transformation. Her strategic leadership, unwavering dedication to equality of opportunity and the commitment of the Hull College team, has gained the institution national, award recognition as well as its rightful place in the heart of the Hull and Humber community.
Hull College invites the community to join in celebrating Lynette’s achievement.
New hospitality venues to tempt Hull visitors
TOP
BOTTOM
HullBID is highlighting a new influx of hospitality venues as adding to the exciting options for food and drink as the city centre welcomes visitors to a transformational heritage tourism project.
Organisers of Hull Maritime estimate the attractions which will be rolled out during the next 12 months could attract 300,000 visitors to the city centre every year on top of the crowds which flock to the usual programme of festivals.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said there is a sense of “cautious optimism” as a result of the new businesses opening during the last year, with well established operators in confident mood and the BID itself promoting venues with a regular supper club.
‘The level of confidence and investment by so many business owners is really encouraging’
Rob Scott-South of Ambiente, which will next year mark the 10th anniversary of its tapas restaurant in Humber Street, said: “Hull is a city that offers something to everyone and is a gem waiting to be discovered by many people who have yet to experience it. We think the future is very bright and can’t wait to see what the next few weeks, months and years bring.”
During the last year HullBID has reported on a variety of coffee shops, bars and restaurants opening in the city centre, with the total number of new venues into double figures.
In Humber Street, Ambiente has found itself with new neighbours including Social Distortion, Smoke Room and Chinese Whispers. Patisserie House opened in Princes Dock Street, while The Quayside reopened yards away. Another new arrival is Little Leo’s, where the former owners of Leonardo’s café bar are back in business.
Paragon Arcade added to its food offer during 2024 with the opening of Grubb deli. In the Old Town, Pasco’s Italian has opened a new restaurant at King William House in Market Place and the pub scene has been enhanced with the opening of the Drum & Cymbals. Savile Street has reinvented itself as Hull Freedom Quarter, with Zinnia the latest addition to a string of bars which fly the flag for the LGBT+ and shared space scene.
Kathryn said: “The level of confidence and investment by so many business owners is really encouraging and they’ve put themselves in a position to benefit from the development of Hull Maritime which, by building its programme around the city’s incredible maritime history, architecture and collections, is clearly here to stay.
“HullBID provided direct and indirect support to the hospitality sector by launching a supper club which helps to fill restaurants on quiet nights of the week and generates repeat business by raising awareness. We will continue that and one of the destinations on our list is Bilocca, the new training restaurant at Hull College.”
Hull College Vice Principal, Lynette Leith
LEFT: Debra Gray (left), Principal and Chief Executive at Hull College, and Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, at Bilocca, the College’s training restaurant
RIGHT: Some of the team at Ambiente restaurant in Humber Street
RIGHT: Some of the team at Chinese Whispers. From left, manager Louise Cree, executive chef Les Leak and assistant manager Ellie Lambert
CatZero Humber is setting sail with new partnerships
Humber-wide charity CatZero has already benefited from support from the corporate sector within the region, including big local names such as Sofina, Arco, Andrew Marr International, Smart Technology Advisers, and KCOM.
Businesses are utilising the opportunity to introduce clients and partners to CatZero’s highly regarded programmes during taster and day sails on the charity’s 72-foot Challenge yacht, with funds raised contributing to CatZero’s work with people across the Humber region.
By supporting CatZero, businesses are not only contributing to a charity that delivers impressive outcomes for participants on its programmes, but they are also using it as an opportunity to achieve Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) targets. For those looking to deliver maximum impact with their CSR budget, CatZero’s delivery – often in communities with high deprivation rates – are a great fit.
CatZero Humber is a charity dedicated to helping people of all ages, including Forces’ veterans, young people, and full families, working with them to achieve employment or training goals, and supporting families at the point of crisis. Its unique way of working for the last 16 years, through confidence-building
activities, tailored action plans and by using the Challenge yacht as a tool for change, has helped hundreds of people back into education, training, or simply on the path towards their goals.
For 2025, CatZero is hoping to garner further support from local businesses, looking to encourage them to consider CatZero as their ‘Charity of the Year’. In doing so, businesses could perhaps hold golf days, encourage staff to visit CatZero if they have employee volunteer schemes, contribute funds from family days, personal challenges, and more.
‘If businesses were able to commit to a year of fundraising challenges like this, it would make a big difference’
Pete Tighe, CatZero’s Partnership and Development Manager, said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses, contributing to our programmes while satisfying CSR requirements, all with the ultimate goal of helping people in need across the region.
“Smailes Goldie accountants recently held a charity golf day for clients and employees,
which was a great chance for business colleagues to network and for CatZero staff to highlight what we do. If businesses were able to commit to a year of fundraising challenges like this, it would make a big difference in a world where we are seeing increasing emotional and financial challenges for residents of our community.”
Ian Dixon, of Hessle-based company Smart Technology Advisers who are in their second year of involvement with CatZero, said: “Partnering with local businesses is often very productive for all involved. CatZero, with its fantastic programmes and brilliant outcomes for participants, will surely be a good fit for many businesses and we are delighted to be one of their partners again in 2025.”
For details on how to become a supporter or partner of CatZero, contact pete@catzero.org or telephone 01482 333303 and ask for Pete.
CatZero’s Pete Tighe with Smart Technology Advisers staff Shane Owst and Ian Dixon
CatZero crew member Kenny Keegan with Smart Technology's Gurmeet Singh
Smart Technology Advisers take a trip out to the Humber Estuary on a CatZero corporate sail
Altrad completes Stork UK deal
Altrad is delighted to confirm it has completed the purchase of Stork TS Holdings Limited which holds the Stork UK group of companies.
The transaction, which concluded on 1 February 2025, marks another transformational step in Altrad’s strategic development in the UK, both offshore and onshore, which will allow Altrad to offer enhanced value to its clients.
John Walsh, Altrad’s CEO for the UK, Ireland, Nordics & Poland, said: “This announcement reflects an important milestone in the execution of our strategic plan; providing scale to our UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) offshore operations and extending the portfolio of services we are able to offer our clients in the UK, both offshore and onshore.
We are delighted to welcome Stork UK and its 1,900 talented people into the Altrad family and are looking forward to seeing them grow and develop under our broader Altrad organisation.”
Steve Hunt, Regional Director of Stork UK, added: “We are extremely pleased to be joining Altrad and are confident our business will be well positioned to grow and develop at pace under the new ownership structure.”
Altrad welcomes new colleagues into their business form Stork UK
StyleTech announces Sigma DX partnership
StyleTech, a leading provider of bespoke software development solutions, has strengthened its capabilities by joining forces with Sigma DX, a specialist in custom Microsoft 365 applications and tools.
This strategic collaboration enhances StyleTech’s ability to deliver innovative, customised solutions across the Microsoft ecosystem, positioning the company as a frontrunner in the growing digital transformation space.
As part of this partnership, Darren Dickinson, Director at Sigma DX, will join the StyleTech board as Commercial Director and James Hathaway will join as M365 Operations Director.
Their wealth of experience and deep knowledge of Microsoft 365 development will complement StyleTech’s mission to offer bespoke software that meets the evolving needs of businesses across various sectors.
David Scotney, Managing Director at StyleTech Solutions, expressed excitement over the acquisition. He said: “We are delighted to welcome Sigma DX into the StyleTech family. Their reputation for delivering exceptional bespoke solutions, particularly in the Microsoft 365 space, aligns perfectly with our vision. This collaboration not only enhances our expertise but also allows us to expand our offerings, providing even more value to our partners and clients.
“We look forward to Darren, James, and the team joining StyleTech, bringing fresh perspectives that will help drive our future growth.”
Darren Dickinson, incoming Commercial Director at StyleTech Solutions, said: “Joining forces with StyleTech Solutions is an exciting milestone for Sigma DX. Our shared commitment to delivering outstanding software and solutions made this partnership a natural fit. Together, we are well-positioned to
create innovative and scalable applications that will help businesses get the most out of their Microsoft 365 investments.”
This partnership with Sigma DX marks a significant step in StyleTech’s growth strategy. It builds on its reputation for providing bespoke, innovative software solutions to partners and clients. This expanded expertise in Microsoft 365 development will allow the company to meet the increasing demand for custom applications that optimise business processes and drive digital transformation.
More opportunities for apprentices
Employers across the Yorkshire and Humber region are showing signs of putting their faith in young engineers as they seek the skills to build a brighter future.
Humberside Engineering Training Association (HETA) revealed that the number of its apprentices securing placements in industry increased from 12 at the end of 2024 to nearly 30 by the end of January.
The organisation, which supports a total of 250 young learners across sites in Hull, Scunthorpe and Stallingborough, hopes the trend will continue. Iain Elliott, CEO of HETA, said: “We have a number of very able young people from the cohort that joined us in September still looking for the companies that will give them their start in the world of work, but we’re encouraged by what we have seen so far during 2025. Placements have been harder to come by this year and we’re sure that’s down to the
economic uncertainty and the concerns about the increase in National Insurance rates. But the increase doesn’t apply to apprentices under 25, and there are other advantages on top of that.”
HETA is the largest independent training provider in the UK for maintenance apprenticeships and is performing at 20 per cent above the national average in terms of achievement rates.
Iain said: “We know industry is crying out for new talent and by competing for the same people who are already in the industry they are fuelling wage inflation. By taking apprentices, employers are getting the chance to grow their own people who in turn are more likely to stay with the business. There are also opportunities at the moment to access money which has been funnelled back from unused apprenticeship levy.”
The current cohort of apprentices includes young people from a variety of backgrounds.
Jake Myers, 17, was attracted by the practical aspects of the work. He said: “I have always been a hands-on person and that’s why I came into engineering. If someone asks me to do something I know I can.”
Adam Macijauskas, 16, drew inspiration from family links to engineering. Adam said: “My dad is a plumbing and gas engineer and he asked if I wanted to go on projects with him on a Saturday. My first choice was to go down the plumbing route, and with the qualifications I already have I’m in a position to go further.”
Macie Kassim, 17, has connected with the eight per cent of female apprentices in this year’s cohort at HETA and with others who have already progressed into industry.
She said: “We also have two female instructors and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve met a lot of people like me who want to do the same thing.”
David Scotney (left) and Darren Dickinson: an exciting milestone for both companies
HETA apprentice slearning their trades. Pictured (left to right) are Macie Kassim, Jake Myers and Adam Macijauskas
Spotlight Feature
In this issue we take a look at the Growing Your Business and Business Crime & Protection sectors.
Boost salesyouronline
In a world where you can order almost anything straight to your door with just a few taps of your phone, getting your ecommerce shop right is more important than ever. There’s lots of competition out there, so what can you do to maximise your visibility, target new customers and boost your online business? Business Intelligence is here to help.
Tell your story
It’s important to build a brand that customers will know and trust, as credibility will lead to higher sales. A welldesigned ecommerce shop doesn’t have to cost the earth, but it still needs to look clean, streamlined and inviting to the customer. Make sure it includes an About Us page, where you can clearly set out your values and your mission statement. A Testimonials page is also great way to demonstrate your customer service and trustworthiness, but keep in mind the need to have a clear brand identity across all pages of the site. This includes a unified colour scheme, logos and fonts.
Get on social media
In this day and age, you can’t run an ecommerce shop without social media. You should be using platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to not only showcase your latest products and offers, but spread your brand awareness. People are more likely to buy from you if you seem engaging, honest and trustworthy, so make sure your online content includes videos and blog posts as well as images. You can also use your social media platforms to run competitions and giveaways and share your latest news and updates.
Get on mobile
If your online shop isn’t fully optimised for mobile, then you’re going to miss out on a lot of customers. You need to make sure your website has a mobile-friendly version
Spotlight Feature: Growing Your Business
that is just as easy to navigate and as fully functional as it would be on a desktop browser. You may also want to look into developing an app, which would make the shopping process even simpler for your customers. An app rewards system can help you retain existing customers, too.
Make it easier
Customers will abandon their online shopping baskets if your website is too difficult to use or too slow to load. You can save customers’ time (and simultaneously improve your conversion rates) when they’re checking out by making it easier for them to search for their address by simply using their postcode. Additionally, giving customers an option to save their details will make it much faster for them to checkout the next time they visit your shop.
Build relationships with existing customers…
If you want to make sure your customers keep coming back, don’t let communication drop off after they make a purchase. Email and direct marketing is a great way to turn a one-time customer into a repeat, especially if you offer a special discount on future purchases to those who sign up to your mailing list. You can use email as a way to share exclusive sneak peaks at new products or offer early access to sales – just make sure you’re not bombarding customers with daily emails!
…And use SEO to target new ones
You can grow your customer base by raising the profile of your ecommerce shop through search engine optimisation (SEO). This will make your shop rank higher on Google, making it easier for your customer to find. Use keyword research tools to find out which phrases your target audience is searching for, then optimise the content on your website (focus on product descriptions and meta descriptions) to incorporate the key words and phrases your customers use when they search online for your products.
Regularly test your site
Your ecommerce shop is clean, user friendly and optimal on mobile devices. You might think the hard work stops there, but it will need regular testing in order to ensure you’re maximising sales. A/B testing compares the performance of two versions of content to see which one appeals more to visitors. This way, you can find out what messaging/content, layout and pricing options work best at securing sales.
Promote your business on social media
Spotlight Feature: Growing Your Business
The business case for using a consultant
There may come a time when your business needs a boost from outside help. You might need information on new markets, want to streamline processes to minimise costs or are lacking the vital skills needed to grow. When you’re in need of expert advice, a business consultant can provide the right solution. Business Intelligence explores the different types of consultant and outlines the ways in which they can help.
Types of consultant
Management and strategy: Possessing a deep understanding of your particular market and the industry, a management and strategy consultant can help you expand your market, build your portfolio or buy out a competitor.
Marketing: From advice on branding to making an impact in a new market position, a marketing consultant will provide a fresh, creative outlook and help you generate new ideas to gain and retain customers.
Human resources: Want to hire the best staff, retain your top talent or improve employee satisfaction? A HR consultant will help you get the best out of your people using strategies that align with your business goals.
Operations: If you’re looking to improve your production process, an operations consultant will help you create and adopt new ways of doing just that. Ways in which they can help include streamlining your processes, reducing costs or defects and improving quality.
IT and technology: Are you keeping up with the latest technological advances impacting your industry? Do you need to develop new systems but don’t have the expertise? A technology or IT consultant can help you enhance your capabilities to better meet the needs of your business and your customers.
Why use a consultant?
Expertise: One of the qualifications of a top consultant is expert knowledge of your industry, and a consultant can help plug knowledge gaps within your company and identify problems that you may not even be aware of yet. They will also have extensive experience of the market and its trends and can help you stay one step ahead of your competition.
Save time and money: Maybe you want to grow and improve your business but you don’t have the time to step away from the day-to-day operations of your
business. Or maybe you’re not quite sure of the next step, resulting in a lot of costly trial-and-error experiments.
Although using a consultant might at first seem like an unnecessary or extravagant cost, they can actually help you save time and money in the long run, by working out the next steps for you and enabling you to focus on your business. You can employ a consultant for the exact amount of time you need them, which means the job will get done fast.
A fresh perspective: A consultant can help you generate new ideas and provide a brand new way of looking at the problem.
Your staff might be hamstrung by the old, tired ways of conducting business, or work too closely to the source to see the bigger picture – but a voice from the outside can inspire your staff to step back, gain a new perspective and develop better ways of thinking and working. A consultant can also provide impartial objectivity and implement change without fear of offending those in charge.
Planning: Running a business is time and attention consuming, and while you focus on daily operations you may have lost track of your long-term goals.
A consultant can not only help you manage your time better, but they can also help you develop a timeline for growth and put strategies in place that will run concurrently to your daily duties, allowing you to keep one eye on the now and one eye on the future. These strategies will ensure that you are able to handle an influx of new customers and sudden growth as it comes.
Complement your staff: You may find that your existing staff don’t have the skills to tackle a particular problem – but a consultant may save the hassle and expensive of hiring someone new.
In addition to temporary filling a skills gap, a consultant can also share their expertise and train your existing staff, which has many advantages. As well as boosting your workforce, you will be demonstrating your commitment to their on-going development, all while avoiding a costly recruitment campaign.
A question of
trust
By Kevin Else (pictured), Head of Consulting/Director, Cyber Security Partners Limited
Who do you trust? As a business you trust your clients, your suppliers and your staff, right?
Business is built on trust. Trust that your suppliers will provide a quality product or service on time, trust that your clients will pay on time and trust that your staff will do the job that is asked of them to the best of their ability.
By nature, we are trusting. However, there are many examples showing that this trust may be misplaced.
‘Most smaller organisations do not recognise the risk of internal threats’
A HR professional fabricated invoices and moved funds worth more than £100,000 from her employers to her bank account, as well as directly paying off a debt recovery company for a vehicle loan that she had failed to make repayments on, while working for two separate companies.
A Nottinghamshire district council lost just under £1m when their senior accountant syphoned off the money to his own account over a period of 20 years.
A charity had more than three years of its donations redirected to the treasurer's account.
A school’s business manager transferred a total of £70,000 to her own account.
While these examples could be classed as fraud rather than cyber-crime, in today’s world all of these have an element of technology involved.
And we “trust” the technology to do it right (Horizon anyone!) or at least alert us of “odd” activity.
There used to be a feeling that cybercrime only happens to the big companies and performed by sophisticated groups of highly skilled computer nerds, who break into systems at the dead of night like electronic cat burglars.
Most organisations are now aware this is not the case, and that all businesses are vulnerable. And in fact, the smaller the company the easier they are to break into, as they don’t have the sophisticated monitoring or skills that larger companies have.
There used to be a feeling that cybercrime only happens to the big companies
Spotlight Feature: Business Crime & Protection
But most smaller organisations do not recognise the risk of internal threats. They are a small team of people, everyone knows everyone else, even if they don’t work with them directly or only know them as Joe from accounts. There is a level of daily interaction that provides a high level of trust.
The examples show that this should not be the case. In a small organisation there are often people carrying out multiple roles, so there is a greater opportunity to divert funds or goods as one person may have enough access to, for example, create a fake supplier, say the goods have been received and pay the invoice.
But a small business owner would know, wouldn’t they? Once again, the examples show that they do not.
By the same degree you might assume that this sort of fraud would be picked up in the annual audit of accounts. But how many small firms pay to have fully audited accounts, which would examine the details of
every transaction? Even large organisations and government departments have been defrauded by insiders, and they do have rigorous audit regimes in place. A clever insider, with a high level of access, can hide transactions.
What to do?
The irony is that the same controls a company uses to defend themselves from external attack can also be used to prevent internal threats.
Good quality access controls
Ensuring that the rights a user has fits their function within the organisation.
Defined levels of responsibility
Is there a second check in place to ensure that no one staff member can create a transaction from start to finish?
Monitoring
It may be as simple as someone reviewing all transactions once a week, or a third-party service reviewing access logs.
By enforcing these controls, it also means you have defence in depth and provides an additional level of security from external threats. This is because even if the external attackers get through your outer defences, they are still prevented from going further by your internal defences.
We will never stop trusting people, but your insiders trust you to run the business in a way that ensures they get paid for the work they do, so they will understand the need for these controls, just as you, as the business owner, need to understand that trust sometimes has to be verified.
Even large firms have been defrauded by insiders
Focus on: Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)
Government plan to get the region working explained
The Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is leading the way in bringing together employers and education and training providers as part of a national drive to nurture talent and boost productivity. Project Lead Hannah Crookes (pictured) picks the bones out of the latest Government strategy documents, and Project Manager Rod Chambers visits a major employer which is investing and innovating to meet the needs of a changing world.
What’s in the White Papers?
“The Get Britain Working White Paper” sets out a fundamentally different approach to provide opportunities for the eight million people locked out of work due to long-term sickness, engage with the one in eight young people who are not in education, employment or training, and support the nine million adults lacking the basic skills they need to get on.
The Government’s reforms are intended to target and tackle the root causes behind why people are not working, joining up help and support based on the needs of local people and local places.
The English Devolution White Paper sets out how Government intends to deliver on its promised “devolution revolution”. Headlines include plans to extend devolution to all parts of England, additional powers and funding flexibility for mayors, and the replacement of two-tier local government with unitary authorities.
FOCUS ON: Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)
So what do the White Papers tell us about LSIPs, the role of Employer Representative Bodies (ERBs) such as the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce and the future of skills? Here are some of the key points:
• Employer Representative Bodies will continue to be involved in constructing the skills system, feeding into both local and national priorities, thus putting employers at the heart of the skills system.
• The Hull & East Yorkshire Strategic Authority will take on joint ownership of the LSIP model, alongside the Chamber.
• Priority sectors for the next LSIP will be determined by the Strategic Authority, although as the lead ERB the Chamber will draw on intelligence from employers from across the region to identify their priorities.
• LSIPs are expected to link to Local Growth Plans.
• The intention is that the skills system will become clearer and easier to navigate for employers and individuals.
• Careers pathways will be enhanced.
• Workplace skills development will increase.
• Essential digital, literacy and numeracy skills, as cited in LSIPs across England, are key to upskilling.
The Chamber is committed to working collaboratively and strategically with the Hull & East Yorkshire Strategic Authority, and articulating the voice of employers, in the development of the next LSIP for Hull & East Yorkshire and its future joint ownership.
For further details please contact Hannah Crookes, HEY LSIP Lead. at h.crookes@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk
Igniting the flame to do something different
The UK’s number one manufacturer in domestic and commercial heating markets is determined to retain that dominance as it develops its decarbonisation solutions.
Ideal Heating’s commitment is backed by significant investment – £2.2m in a new training and technology centre at Bridgehead – and by innovation – a new, £19.2m R&D facility driving the development of low carbon technologies at the site in National Avenue.
The key factor behind everything is the mindset. A tour of the Bridgehead complex with Production Director John Cook and Training and Design Director Andrew Johnson revealed countless examples of colleagues seizing training opportunities, and then kicking on to turn first jobs into lasting careers.
Rod Chambers, the LSIP’s Project Manager, said: “There is clear career management. People look at career opportunities and also at skills and attitudes and interests – and at what will ignite the flame to do something different.”
The numbers are potentially daunting, but Ideal Heating’s approach is to break things down to make the challenge more manageable, and to future-proof the business by preparing learners for what comes next.
have the qualifications they need to join MCS.
Andrew added that the Bridgehead site is the blueprint for the company’s other training centres in the UK: “We have 12 full-time trainers with support staff and they work here and support our other sites around the UK. We train about 2,000 people a year from all over the country in this building. In addition we have our marketing function here, our heat pump after sales technical function and our heating system design function. In fact all the technical functions that support us in selling heat pumps into the market are based in this building.”
from
all
‘We train about 2,000 people a year
over
the country in this building’
John explained that the UK as a whole currently has more than 4,000 contractors who are certified to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). But by 2028 the national target is to instal 600,000 heat pumps every year, which adds up to a need for 30,000 to 130,000 trained engineers depending on various scenarios.
Starting from scratch isn’t a realistic option, so Ideal Heating has devised an intensive, two week programme which takes heating engineers who are already installing gas boilers and gives them the qualifications they need to fit heat pumps and
The 2,000 includes people from external companies as well as individual engineers and the programme focuses on Ideal Heating’s products. Bridgehead opened in November 2022 and a first Ofsted inspection in August 2024 brought a rating of “excellent”.
Andrew said the company is alert to the risk of new skills gaps emerging as colleagues progress into new roles. Work is under way to strengthen links with colleges and other businesses, and the LSIP is key to that.
John said: “It’s about making sure that we are plugged into the narrative, identifying wants and needs and working with Rod and Hannah so they can make the introductions. We found out about a skills boot camp from a business we met through the LSIP.”
Pictured (left to right) are LSIP Project Manager Rod Chambers and his hosts John Cook and Andrew Johnson outside Ideal Heating’s training and technology centre at Bridgehead
Andrew Johnson (right) of Ideal Heating taking Rod Chambers of the LSIP behind the scenes at the training and technology centre
Sector Focus: International Trade
Sector Focus
The
latest news from the International Trade, Legal & Finance, Community & Business, Manufacturing and Motoring industries.
Get up to speed with customs rules
Join us for our online Customs Compliance, Procedures and Documentation course on 2 June to bring you up to speed with the latest rules and regulations.
This one-day course is designed to increase understanding of customs procedures for both imports and exports. It will consider the impact of the latest UK Customs Procedures and will explain in detail your obligations and responsibilities to HMRC.
It will outline the duties and taxes currently payable on entry of goods into the UK and the bases of calculation, and also the need to produce a proof of removal for VAT reconciliation.
The course will also discuss preferential and non-preferential origin and how to identify if your goods satisfy the rules of origin.
The course will also briefly consider some of the duty relief regimes currently available. International traders must be aware of the
COURSE PROGRAMME
• The role of HMRC
• World Trade
• UK EU Trade
• Duties and VAT
• Duty Relief Regimes
• Export and Import Declaration Entries
• Classification of Goods
• Customs Procedures Codes
• Rules of Origin and Preferential Trade
• Managing the Customs Process
• Customs Audit
need for accurate customs entries and we will look at the critical information required including Commodity, Tariff and Customs Procedures Codes.
The course will give delegates understanding of the customs import and export procedures and documentation required to ensure that
import and export movements are as cost effective and frictionless as possible. It will help identify possible cost savings, including whatever Brexit may bring.
Anybody involved in the import or export process would benefit from attending and the course is suitable for those new to import and export and those wanting to update their knowledge.
This course is accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce and upon completion of an online multiple choice assessment, delegates will receive a BCC accredited certificate subject to a pass mark of 50 per cent plus one credit towards the Foundation Award in International Trade. You will need to achieve six credits to be awarded with the Foundation Award, a nationally recognised qualification.
For further information or to book on to this course, please email Karina Taylor at k.taylor@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk
cycled hundreds of miles and raised thousands of pounds from two charity rides is ready to take off the stabilisers and pass the project to the organisation it supports.
Adam Walsh, the CEO of John Good Group, will still captain the team for the annual Bridge2Bridge challenge, but the Sailors’ Children’s Society will take on the organisation of the event, which raised £20,000 in 2024.
30 business people who fancy tackling the gruelling route from the Severn Bridge to the Humber Bridge, completing 212 miles in two days.
Hull-based Ken Ellerker Cycles will again provide support for the team and the Society is seeking additional sponsorship for the ride, which will leave the Severn Bridge first thing on 13 September and arrive at the Humber Bridge on 14 September.
Adam said: “We want to make
more riders helping us to hit higher fundraising targets, and the best way to do that is for the Society, as a nationwide charity, to take the lead in activating its network of supporters and to organise their involvement.”
Natasha Barley, CEO of the society, said: “We are so grateful to Adam and to John Good Group. Adam completed the incredible feat of covering the 212 miles in a solo ride in just one day in 2023.
business and others, he assembled a team of eight for the two-day trip last year and now we’re aiming for 30 riders.”
Riders can register online at sailorschildren.org.uk and each one will be asked to raise at least £1,500 to support the work of the society. It works to support disadvantaged children from the Royal Navy, merchant navy, offshore wind industry, fishing fleets and inland waterways.
Adam and the Bridge2Bridge team after arriving at the Humber Bridge to complete the 2024 ride
Sector Focus: Legal & Finance
Community law firm opens new office in Anlaby
Bridge McFarland LLP is delighted to announce it has opened a new branch office on the North Bank of the River Humber in the West Hull village of Anlaby.
The firm’s seventh office will further enhance its profile and North Bank operations expanding outside of Hull City Centre and into the West Hull villages to provide accessible legal services.
The office, located on Hull Road in the centre of Anlaby, is an excellent location for clients with free parking available along with good transport links. The office will offer the full range of legal services the firm is
renowned for and will be operated by local people for local people.
Managing Partner Stephen Oldridge said: “We see ourselves very much as a community law firm serving the needs of local people and, while we have all of the technology necessary to deal with legal matters remotely, we know that many of our clients understandably prefer face-toface appointments.
“At a time when we know how much high streets across the country are suffering we are incredibly excited to be opening a new branch office in Anlaby.”
An opportunity to invest in the future
North Lincolnshire businesses and residents have a unique opportunity to invest in a sustainable future while supporting the local community through the North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE) share offer.
This initiative enables solar panel installations for community buildings, at no cost to the organisations themselves, providing a valuable return to both investor-members and the wider community.
In the past two years it has helped over 18 sites in Scunthorpe make massive energy cost savings, including the Baths Hall, John Leggott College, North Lincolnshire Museum and Attis Arena.
What is NLCE?
NLCE funds solar panel systems for community sites in North Lincolnshire, aiming to:
• Reduce energy costs for community organisations.
• Lower carbon footprints and support North Lincolnshire’s green goals.
• Enhance educational and community outreach.
NLCE is Cooperatives UK registered.
Why invest?
By investing in NLCE’s second share offer, you, or your business can:
• Generate sustainable returns – investormembers earn returns as community organisations benefit from reduced energy expenses.
• Strengthen community ties – play a direct role in supporting schools, museums, and community centres across North Lincolnshire, enhancing their positive impact.
• Support local green initiatives – promoting a greener economy for North Lincolnshire and the UK in general.
Proven impact and growing success
The first NLCE share offer successfully installed solar systems for community spaces, including on Attis Arena, the Baths Hall, John Leggott College, North Lincolnshire Museum, Ashby Community Hub, and over 10 local schools; saving these organisations over £200,000 in energy costs.
This second Share Offer aims to expand these efforts to support more local community buildings, including Lyndsey Lodge and Kingfisher Lodge.
Exclusive benefits for eligible investors
Beyond financial returns, the first 50 share offer members with eligible postcodes will receive an additional benefit: an annual family pass to Normanby Hall.
How to get involved
To learn more and register your interest, visit www.nlce.coop and follow NLCE on social media for updates.
Some of the team celebrating the opening of their new branch
Solar panels being fitted to John Leggott College which is benefitting from the NLCE scheme
Growing law firm puts people first
Specialist litigation law firm Sewell Law continues to make great strides into 2025.
Formed by Gordon Sewell, an experienced solicitor specialising in litigation, regulatory and shipping work, the firm opened its doors in 2021. Initially Gordon was a sole practitioner operating from an office that accommodated his desk, a filing cabinet and a fish tank. However, over the last three years, Gordon’s steadfast focus on fostering a positive and progressive team culture and uncompromising levels of exceptional client care and expertise has resulted in real growth for Sewell Law.
In 2024, the firm moved from its original office at the Beverley Enterprise Centre to occupy the ground floor of Wold House in Beverley. The office is three times the size of Sewell Law’s previous office. Gordon is proud that the firm counts a number of household names amongst its clients.
The exponential growth means that recruitment is now an ongoing process for Sewell Law which is now seven strong, with another team member having joined the firm in January 2025.
Gordon attributes the growth of the business to the culture and dedication of the committed team. He said: “Sewell Law gave me the opportunity to raise the bar in the
provision of legal services. There are aspects of the profession that let the client down and I wanted to go back to basics with Sewell Law. This started with the culture of the business. The clients of the firm are at the heart of everything we do, and we pride ourselves on always sweating the small stuff. Sewell Law will never be a multi-disciplined firm because we focus on where we excel.
‘We are available for our clients around the clock, and we continually look for ways that we can add value to our clients’ businesses’
All team members are recruited on attitude, not aptitude. We are available for our clients around the clock, and we continually look for ways that we can add value to our clients’ businesses. I am delighted that we are well on the way to becoming the largest litigation firm in the region.”
In 2022 Gordon was joined by Jennifer, an experienced litigator recognised in the Legal 500 for her work in regulatory defence work. Gordon explained that the team are always mindful of the cost of time, sleep and revenue that litigation can bring. For that reason, Gordon and Jennifer are more than happy to
speak to clients during the evening or at weekends. The firm has a strict transparency policy on costs to give its clients certainty.
Sewell Law specialises in civil litigation (which encompasses a number of areas ranging from business contract disputes, property disputes and director and shareholder disputes) as well as regulatory law, assisting clients with investigation and prosecution by regulators. As the practice continues to expand, the firm is actively looking to recruit qualified solicitors and paralegals.
Andrew Jackson welcomes new partner
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has welcomed Jessica Richardson as a partner in the agricultural and landed estates team, further strengthening the firm’s client services offer across the region and beyond.
Jessica, who joins Andrew Jackson from another large regional practice, has extensive experience acting for landed estates, farmers, farm businesses and charitable trusts with agricultural property.
Representing owners, buyers and lenders, Jessica is highly regarded for her depth of knowledge and expertise dealing with all aspects of the ownership, sale and purchase of agricultural and other rural land.
With complementary skills in estate management, Jessica’s
practice also involves the grant, management and termination of agricultural and other tenancies of farm land, including former farm land, and the securing possession of agricultural holdings. She is
experienced in helping farmers with diversification projects and with the funding for them.
Geoff Phillips, Partner and Head of the real estate and property department at Andrew
Jackson, said: “I am delighted that Jessica has joined Andrew Jackson Solicitors. As demand for our services continues to grow, including in the agricultural sector, her detailed knowledge of regulatory frameworks and environmental considerations allows Jessica to assist landowners in ensuring that they comply with the large and complex range of statutory requirements relating to agricultural and other rural land."
Helen Mellors, Partner and Head of the firm’s agricultural and landed estates team, also commented: “Jessica is a great addition to our regionally recognised team. Her knowledge, expertise and proactive approach will help us to ensure that we can continue to provide the highest standards in service and value for our clients.”
Jessica Richardson with Helen Mellors
Gordon Sewellalways looking for ways to add value for clients
Sector Focus: Community & Business
New business site opens doors for very first tenant
Tstarted trading at a new business site that has the potential to create up to 50 jobs, and the company behind the development will soon start work on a second location.
Allenby Commercial has three more units available now at The Trade Yard in Barton-uponHumber, with a fourth coming on the market after completing its festive role supporting a nationwide charity’s Christmas campaign.
The company also confirmed it will start work during the first quarter of 2025 on The Trade Yard Immingham, where planning permission was secured during the summer for six new units.
Charlie Allenby, Business Development Director at Allenby Commercial, said: “We do a lot to support local communities and we gifted one of the units at
a seasonal headquarters for their Mission Christmas campaign.
“That project has come to an end and our focus now is on dealing with the interest which the development has generated, particularly following the arrival of Howdens as the first tenant.”
‘The Trade Yard sites at Beverley, Scunthorpe and Willerby are all full and the success of those gave us the confidence to develop the site in Barton’
Howdens, which marks its 30th anniversary this year and now has more than 800 depots across the UK and Europe, has taken the largest unit of about 9,000 square feet at The Trade Yard at Falkland Way in Barton. The remaining four units offer 3,400 square feet each and are also
capable of inter-connecting to offer up to 13,600 square feet of space.
A spokesperson for Howdens said: “We have been looking for the right location in Barton-UponHumber for a few years now and we are very pleased to be open at Falkland Way as part of our national expansion programme.”
The Trade Yard Immingham will offer units in Hall Park Road from 2,750 to 13,00 square feet and will again be aimed at the trade counter sector locally and nationally, continuing a strategy which was launched by the Hullbased developer in 2015 and which is in demand on both sides of the Humber.
Charlie added: “The Trade Yard sites at Beverley, Scunthorpe and Willerby are all full and the success of those gave us the confidence to develop the site in Barton and to move forward at Immingham. It is clear that the demand is there for The Trade Yard concept, which is tailored to
counter sector and which has attracted many national brands as well as some local businesses.
Typically The Trade Yard tenants are creating as many as 10 jobs with every move and our commitment is to continue investing to help them start trading and grow.”
Jordan Stokes, Surveyor at PPH Commercial Chartered Surveyors and Commercial Property Consultants, said: “The Trade Yard Barton is an exceptionally high standard development with modern fully insulated cladding and solar panels, and Allenby Commercial has planted more than 2,000 shrubs and trees on the site.
“Barton itself has shown good demand for industrial accommodation. The Trade Yard is the only speculative industrial development taking place at the moment and the shortage of availability is clearly a factor behind the increase in enquiries.”
Jordan Stokes of PPH Commercial (left) and Charlie Allenby of Allenby Commercial, outside the new Howdens depot at The Trade Yard Barton
National award for the Ideal workplace
Ideal Heating’s commitment to employee wellbeing has been recognised in prestigious national awards.
The Hull-based UK heating industry market leader was honoured with the Manufacturing Matters prize at the Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2025. This award is focused on businesses which have had a positive societal impact as a result of their practices and/or products.
The national accolade comes after Ideal scooped the regional Manufacturing Matters Award in the Make UK North East, Yorkshire and Humberside Manufacturing Awards last October. Organised by Make UK, which represents more than 20,000 businesses, the awards celebrate manufacturing excellence and showcase talent across the UK.
Judges noted that Ideal’s investment in staff wellbeing was “one of the most impressive examples they had come across”.
Ideal was recognised for its extensive efforts to support the wellbeing of its staff including the significant upgrading of its manufacturing facility on the Hull site and the provision of physiotherapy and other facilities to aid staff welfare. The business employs around 1,000 people, with the vast majority based at its headquarters site on National Avenue in Hull.
Continually striving to offer more ways of supporting both the physical and mental
wellbeing of employees, Ideal provides access to a range of services, including health checks for all site-based team members, a counselling service and much more.
The company’s commitments to supporting staff wellbeing are enshrined in its Wellbeing Charter, with other initiatives including the introduction of Mental Health First Aiders
and monthly financial wellbeing updates.
Ideal Heating HR Manager Miriam Moore said: “We’re honoured to have been recognised in the Make UK Manufacturing Awards, both in the Yorkshire region and now nationally. We’ve put an enormous amount of effort into creating a safe and supportive workplace for our team.”
Ideal Heating HR Manager Miriam Moore with Make UK’s Chief Operating Officer Ben Fletcher after receiving the Manufacturing Matters award
Credit: Neil Mansfield Photography
Motoring
Life can’t be all about work! Chamber Motoring reviews some of the latest offerings on the market.
In association with
Let’s get dirty with the versatile X-Trail’s N-Trek spec!
With clever engine technology and water resistant upholstery, DAVID HOOPER says this big versatile Nissan is ready for your next adventures!
If you like a dirty weekend away, then this NTrek version of Nissan’s X-Trail is the goanywhere car for you – it even comes with water-resistant seats so you don’t have to worry about your upholstery after an exhilarating day out in the countryside!
The wipe clean seats mean you don’t have to worry about getting changed after you’ve been mountain biking, running – or falling head long into muddy puddles before you can get back into your car.
Available with five, or for an extra £1,000 seven seats, the N-Trek model comes with rubber floor mats and a reversible boot-liner, while buyers can still accessorise the car for their needs with tow bars, roof bars or bike racks.
It looks good too, with our test car modelling the twotone Champagne Silver with Black Metallic paintwork which is a £520 option, but everything else, including the 18in diamond cut gloss black alloy wheels are included on the standard kit list.
‘Because the battery is charged by the petrol engine, there is no need for the driver to charge the car with cables’
The interior of the Nissan X Trail looks and feels quite up market (before you get it muddy) with gloss black trim a leather dash fascia with white stitching and smart black contour trim on the centre console which is home to the gear selector and drive mode selector. In this model the driver can choose between Off-road, Snow, Standard Eco or Sport settings by means of a twisty knob. There is also a round central button which selects the hill descent control for tackling steep slopes. Should you venture off-road?
Power for the N-Trek model comes from Nissan’s ePOWER or e-4ORCE powertrains, which use an efficient turbocharged three-cylinder 1.5-litre engine which generates electricity to charge the car’s battery.
On the e-POWER two-wheel-drive variant, the battery powers a single motor connected to the front wheels, while the advanced e-4ORCE all-wheel drive powertrain employs a motor at each axle. The e-4ORCE system can adjust power application 10,000 times per second according to the available grip, maximising traction on slippery surfaces.
They are like a pure electric vehicle to drive, with seamless drive and acceleration, but because the battery is charged by the petrol engine, there is no need for the driver to charge the car with cables.
On the road the driver’s every whim is catered for with radar cruise control steering wheel controls for the distance between you and the vehicle in front, telephone and voice control with settings for the trip computer and volume on the opposite side of the steering wheel. A large screen sits in the centre of the car on the top of the dashboard and the heating controls are below that and include the button for your heated steering wheel as well as controls for heated seats which were lovely in the frosty weather during my short time with this car.
MAIN PICTURE: Built for adventure, the Nissan XTrail can venture off the beaten track
INSET ABOVE: The interior is well equipped, upmarket, and has wipe clean seats, ideal after muddy days out!
INSET OPPOSITE:
Generous proportions allow for lots of luggage, or up to seven people, so versatility is key
OPPOSITE LEFT:
The centre console is home to the cupholders, gear stick, parking brake and drive mode selector for when the going gets tougher!
There is lots of storage around the cabin with cupholders in the centre console and large door pockets in both front doors, as well as the rear doors.
There are also two memory positions for the driver’s seat which includes the mirrors. Also on the centre console are USB and USB-C connectors and a large storage area for the latest mobile phones which will charge the phone as you drive, which is very helpful if you like to use Apple CarPlay which connects wirelessly.
Passengers can also travel in luxury in the X-Trail which is designed for families of any age. The side windows have blinds which can be pulled out and connected to the top of the windows while more mature passengers can enjoy their own heated seats and even their own climate control settings, which is something you still don’t find in that many vehicles today.
The middle row seats will fold down and can slide forward to allow access to the rear seats should you need to use all seven for a family day out.
With the third row of seats in place boot space
The Vital Statistics
MODEL: Nissan X-Trail E-4ORCE N-Trek 7 Seats
ENGINE: 1497cc, 3-cylinder engine with 158PS VCR turbo ICE e-POWER driving all four wheels (Petrol/electric)
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 111 mph. 0-62mph in 7.0 secs
ECONOMY: City: 36.2mpg
Country: 52.3mpg
Combined: 44.8mpg
Wheel World test average: 34.7mpg
CO2 EMISSIONS: 141g/km
FUEL TANK: 55 litres
PRICE: £45,700 or £47,220 as tested
WARRANTY: 3 years/60,000 miles
WEBSITE: www.nissan.co.uk
• All data correct at time of publication.
becomes limited, however without the third row in use the boot space generous.
If you find yourself in need of a van, for taking garden rubbish or allotment waste to the tip, or taking bulky tools for digging over your plot, then this car will accommodate those needs too. Simply fold down the middle row of seats to create a large flat load area and you can put all manner of equipment in the back with ease
During my time with this versatile Nissan X-Trail I covered more than 260 miles during which distance the car average 34.7 miles to the gallon in real world driving which included some motorway work some town driving in traffic as well as A-road commuting.
The Nissan X-Trail is a large car, but is very family friendly, although I have to say, I would have hoped for more than 34 miles to the gallon, especially with the use of electric motors and battery technology as well as a petrol engine. Surely an economical petrol engine would be able to match those figures without the complications and added weight of the electrickery!
ID.eally designed for the electric revolution
Volkswagen’s ID. range is designed as an EV from the ground up – and it shows. DAVID HOOPER discovers this ID.7 is a great family car with a good range – and it even has a big boot!
The Vital Statistics
MODEL: VW ID.7 Pro S Match 86 kWh 286PS 1-spd automatic
BATTERY: 86kWh, 286PS, driving rear wheels through electric motor
PERFORMANCE: Top speed 112 mph. 0-62mph in 6.6 secs
ECONOMY:
Range WLTP Combined: 436 miles/kWh
Consumption WLTP Combined 4.5 miles/kWh
CHARGING:
Connection type: Combined Type 2 and CCS
On-board charger (AC) 7 kW
Charging time (DC): 200kW rapid charge: 26 min (10-80%)
Charging time (AC): 11Kw 3-phase; 9 hr (to 100%)
Battery nominal storage capacity (net) 77kWh (net)/82 kWh (gross)
Battery warranty 8 years/100,000 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS: 0g/km
PRICE: £55,480 (as tested) £60,280
WEBSITE: www.volkswagen.co.uk
• All data correct at time of publication.
OPPOSITE: This VW’s Sleek and classy lines ooze quality
INSET OPPOSITE: The signature lighting looks superb, and there is more boot space than you might expect in an EV
TOP RIGHT: Play and Pause on the pedals - a great bit of fun design
BOTTOM LEFT: Spot the camera under the VW badge and the radar system under the number plate - the ID.7 is packed with technology
It’s a while since I’ve driven a Volkswagen, despite being a big fan of the brand, and indeed, having owned a few over the years, including a Mk I Golf Driver which was quickly followed by a Mk II GTi, in Mars Red, which is still one of my all-time favourite cars to this day!
So I was very much looking forward to reacquainting myself with the brand – and I wasn’t disappointed with one of the German manufacturer’s latest offerings, the ID.7, when it turned up on my driveway. The ID. is not just one model, it’s the naming convention for a range of VW models, and stands for “intelligent design, identity and visionary technologies”. The ID. range are all EVs which have been designed from the ground up to be electric – but whether EVs can be described as visionary is, perhaps, debateable!
The ID.7 is the largest member of the family and this example certainly looks impressively classy with its Stonewashed Blue metallic paintwork and contrasting gloss black trim and 19in wheels. It’s a big car, and has an impressively large boot for an EV, many of which often suffer from the electric motors under the floor limiting the available boot space.
The interior has a very upmarket look and feel to it, and oozes quality. The dashboard is dominated by an enormous 15in touchscreen which looks really good and controls nearly all of the car’s functions. I didn’t find it particularly intuitive to use at first and it took me a while to find my around, but familiarity after a few days with
‘My view of EVs has not changed, in that if you can charge the car at home, go out for the day, or two, and return without having to charge it up again away from home, they are ok’
Sector Focus: Motoring
the car helped, though I do still prefer some proper buttons for key features. An example was my search for the heated rear window switch on frosty mornings – I couldn’t find it for love nor money, then eventually spotted it on the right hand side of the steering column with all the lighting controls!
I loved the Play and Pause symbols on the two pedals and the panoramic sunroof with smart glass that can change from clear to opaque almost instantly. I also loved the dynamic lights and strobe type lights on the rear of the car that scroll from the central VW badge to the outer edges of the car and back again, which looks brilliant.
Our test car is the longer range Pro S Match model. It comes with an 86kWh battery, instead of the 77kWh battery of the Pro version. The Press Pack says it comes with an impressive WLTP range of 436 miles, but when the car was delivered to me with 100% charge, it was only showing a range of 330 miles. Many factors affect range on EVs, and the car had just been driven up from Milton Keynes on the motorways, and it was cold (only four degrees). Rechargeable batteries of any size don’t like the cold.
The ID.7 is debuting a new electric motor which endows the car with an impressive 286PS and a torque figure of 545Nm, which means it’s quick, with a 062mph figure of 6.6 seconds and pulls like a train and because there are no gears to change the acceleration is engagingly relentless. And when you’ve used up most of your battery charge, it can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in around 26 minutes on a fast charger in optimum conditions. My excellent Pod Point charger at home takes longer, but an overnight charge sees the car ready to roll again in next morning.
On the road, the ID.7 drives beautifully and thanks to all the technology, will almost drive itself, keeping itself in its lane, negotiating bends (within reason), coming to a halt in traffic and moving off again, great in a Hull traffic jam, and adapting its speed to the flow of motorway traffic, while all the time keeping the driver informed via a head-up display projected on to the windscreen. The driver is almost a passenger, but if the car senses you haven’t got your hands on the steering wheel, it soon tells you off! Oh yes, and it will park itself, if you dare to let it!
I took my parents for a weekend away in this ID.7, and I’ve been told by Mum that I have to mention the lovely heated seats which did an excellent job of massaging her bad back.
We went to Kew Gardens, in London, to see an orchid exhibition, and were fortunate with the weather while I was doing battle with various charging points in that it wasn’t raining (apart from the temperature which left my hands like lumps of ice, but that’s a story in itself).
Let’s just say that my view of EVs has not changed, in that if you can charge the car at home, go out for the day, or two, and return without having to charge it up again away from home, they are ok. An increasing number, like this one, are actually quite nice and now have a decent range, even when it’s cold, but the national charging infrastructure, while improving all the time, is still not up to the job of supporting the mass adoption of EVs.
I’ll leave it there!
New Members
A warm welcome and introduction to the latest businesses to join Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.
AMS Global Group
Martin Taylor
Doncaster 01405 473135
Marine Services/Safety Equipment
Apprentice Employment Agency
Jakki Lovewell
Rotherham 07717 416805
Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Agency
Arm Signs LTD
Antony Moore Hull 07958 781748
Sign Print and Fleet Branding
Bishop Burton College
Beth Curtis
Bishop Burton 01964 553000
Education
Ellcado Finance Limited
Adina Fetche
Barnoldby-le-Beck 07818 056828
Financial Services
Global Logistics Freight Solutions Corp Ltd
Gavin Legg
Cleethorpes 07943 040934
Freight Forwarding & Customs
Graphic Power Ltd
Michelle Power
Cottingham 01482 836777
Art Gallery, Print and Marketing
MBI East Yorkshire Ltd, trading as Maths by Ian
Ian Thompson 07913 871313
Business Mentoring and Education Services
Online Motor Group Ltd
Ebony Scott
Caistor 01427 563600
Vehicle Procurement
Polynt Composites UK
David Marsden
Stallingborough
Quickline is running with new charity partnership
An educational charity that is seeing demand for support at an all-time high across Hull and East Yorkshire is partnering with rural broadband provider Quickline Communications in a three-year deal that will help fund its expansion south of the Humber.
Run With It helps support learners who struggle to thrive in a traditional classroom setting by teaching them in exciting and inspiring environments like football stadiums, shopping centres and entertainment venues. Currently working out of four sites north of the Humber, at Hull’s MKM Stadium, Flemingate Shopping Centre in Beverley, Bridlington Town Football Club and Sewell Group Craven Park in East Hull, this new partnership means the charity can now expand its operations to cover Lincolnshire, including North and North East Lincolnshire. Lisa Dawson, Director of Run With It, said: “It’s always been our intention to grow the charity into new regions and create more opportunities for young people. Our partnership with Quickline will allow us to do
exactly that. We’ll be providing our incredibly popular Enrichment Days alongside our 10week intervention programmes with funding available to schools. We want to help improve literacy and numeracy across the board because that, in turn, improves key workbased skills, raises confidence and instills much-needed self-belief. We have had such a positive response from local partners in North and North East Lincolnshire, we can’t wait to get started.
“While we pilot this programme, we will be working with existing organisations. I’m all about partnerships because far more young people will benefit. The funding from Quickline means we are bringing money to the region. We just need help introducing us to schools and educational groups, opening those doors so that as many young people as possible can access our programmes.”
Meanwhile, Rachel Bowerman from Quickline, said:“At Quickline, we believe in creating opportunities that make a real difference to the communities we serve. Supporting Run With It aligns perfectly with
Visit www.hull-humber-chamber.co.uk/ memberships
Or call Kay Bailey on (01482) 324976 or Anne Tate or Marilyn Waud on (01472) 342981
07807 536841
Manufacturer of Resins and Gelcoats
Siracle Limited
Simon Barker
Southcave 07852 249183
Management Consultancy
Specialist Equipment Solutions
Daniel Flaxington
Aberdeen 01224 291400
Plant and Equipment Rental/Procurement
Stork
Emma Stewart Dyce 01224 722888
Maintenance and Asset Integrity
Twydale Creative Media
Jonathan Stokes Driffield 01377 241498
Video Production Find
our commitment to social value, as they bring innovative and exciting ways of learning to children. By taking education beyond the classroom, they’re inspiring young minds and unlocking potential, which resonates with our mission to connect people to a world of possibilities.”
Run With It charity Director Lisa Dawson with Quickline’s Rachel Bowerman
New Member Spotlight
If you like to appear in our New Member Spotlight, here’s your chance – email David Hooper at d.hooper@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk
Name: Martin Taylor
Job title: General Manager
Name of the business: AMS Global Group
Describe your business in a nutshell We provide marine and industrial technical services and equipment to support high hazard environments.
Where is it based?
We have offices in Aberdeen and Thorne.
Where does it operate?
We operate across the North of Scotland, and the Hull area.
How long has it been going? Twelve years.
How many staff are in the team? Forty-five.
What makes it unique?
We challenge the conventional way of doing things, to exceed expectations and results.
Why do you hope to gain from your Chamber Membership?
To embed ourselves as part of the local business community, and promote growth in the area.
What do you enjoy most about working in our region?
The collaborative nature of organisations across the area is massively beneficial.
What was your first job?
Trainee Instrument Technician
What do you never go to work without? I never leave the house without my phone, as it keeps me connected to everything operationally around the world. Plus, a pack of Rowies. A local delicacy!
What one change would help your business the most?
Improved visibility and access to supply chain networks, would enhance collaboration and efficiency within industry resulting in greater operational benefits and growth.
What’s the best way for people to contact you?
Probably via email as I’m always out and about. Martin@amsglobalgroup.com
AMS Global Group are welcomed to the Chamber by David Hooper (second right) and Kay Bailey. Included in the picture are (from left) Martin Taylor, Nathan Macdonald and Managing Director Neil Carr
