Business Network Nov 21

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Keep up to date on latest developments at

www.emc-dnl.co.uk/news

@EMChamberNews

HOW SUSTAINABILITY IS SHAPING EAST MIDLANDS BUSINESSES SEE PAGES 32, 52, 58 & 64

WORKING TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE THE GLOBAL AND REGIONAL AGENDA

INTERVIEW

POLITICS

VAILLANT DIRECTOR MARK WILKINS ON SCALING UP HEAT PUMP MANUFACTURING

WHY LOW-CARBON SKILLS ARE 'GOLDEN THREAD' IN MIDLANDS DECARBONISATION STRATEGY

NOVEMBER 2021

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THE FIRST WORD

CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2021

NEWS UPDATE 4

MEMBER NEWS Loughborough set to power the EV revolution

30 APPOINTMENTS Law firm welcomes new and returning recruits

year ago this month, we launched the Sustainable East Midlands campaign. Beginning the countdown to COP26, the Chamber wants to put our region at the heart of the UK’s post-Covid “build back greener” agenda.

We have a dedicated webpage that collates the latest support and guidance for local businesses to help them decarbonise, while this magazine highlights the latest business case studies, innovation and expert thought leadership related to sustainability.

Chamber research conducted with our strategic partner, the University of Derby, also provides us with intelligence about our region’s green economy. It shows the proportion of businesses deriving turnover from pro-environmental goods and services has grown from 16% in 2015 to 37% in 2021, but there are significant disparities between large firms and SMEs. Change is coming. We have detected a gradual shift from the carrot to the stick – while being green was once an opportunity for firms to demonstrate their social value credentials, very soon they will have no choice with legislation due to affect almost every industry in some form.

Take the decarbonisation of housing, bringing laws such as the Future Homes Standard for newbuild homes and a forthcoming ban on gas boilers that will require 26 million homes to be retrofitted. This will have a major impact on Vaillant, one of the world’s leading boiler manufacturers with a factory in Derbyshire. But as director Mark Wilkins explains in this month’s big interview (p32), future-proofing the business is already underway by ramping up heat pumps production.

Another company making ch anges is Longcliffe Group, a firm in the energy-intensive aggregates industry that has implemented a package of eco innovations to cut emissions. It is profiled in our focus feature (p64) alongside a discussion on the key findings from the Chamber’s recent Midlands Sustainability Summit.

By the time you’re reading this, the COP26 agenda will be in full flow with plenty of discussion and soundbites to wade through. The Chamber, which has made our own net zero commitment by signing the UN’s Race to Zero campaign, will help members to understand changes and be ready for the future. Ultimately, it all comes back to business resilience. The sustainability agenda will be challenging, but also comes with lots of opportunity for businesses and the region if approached in the right way.

Whether you’re fully engaged with the agenda, not clear yet how it may impact you, or yet to be convinced this is a priority for your company, this special edition hopefully offers support on what your organisation should be thinking about.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Dan Robinson, Editor, Business Network

70 Tips for getting ahead in digital marketing

A

32 Mark Wilkins, director of technologies and training at Vaillant UK 36 PATRONS Bridging the gap in office design 38 CHAMBER NEWS Chamber responds to 'steady' Autumn Budget

SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS 52 EV charging and VAT: What are the rules for business?

INTERNATIONAL TRADE 56 Exploring opportunities in Antigua and Barbuda

POLITICS 58 Skills are crucial if we are to meet the needs of the green agenda

FEATURES 60 BUSINESS BANKING & FINANCE Managing your money 62 Funding the future while dealing with the present 64 FOCUS FEATURE COP26 and the regional agenda 69 DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES Defining your goal is the key to success

EVENTS & TRAINING 72 A round-up from the Enterprising Women Awards 75 Preparing your focus by investing in training

Editor Dan Robinson T: 07764 431028 E: dan.robinson@emc-dnl.co.uk Contributor Jasmine Thompson All Submissions E: magazine@emc-dnl.co.uk Chamber Membership E: membership@emc-dnl.co.uk Follow the Chamber W: www.emc-dnl.co.uk Twitter: @EMChamberNews

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY 77 Getting ‘digital smart’ and growing sustainably

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Managing Editor Laura Blake T: 0121 765 4144 E: laura.blake@kempspublishing.co.uk

80 LEGAL The challenges of EV chargepoints

Designer Lloyd Hollingworth

83 FINANCE R&D tax relief makes green innovation pay

Advertising T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk Printers Warners (Midlands) plc

BUSINESS NETWORK is produced on behalf of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed to members without charge. The Chamber and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. While every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither the Chamber nor the publisher can accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Chamber. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format without prior written permission of Kemps Publishing Ltd.

85 SKILLS Innovative experience for students 86 PROPERTY How sustainable is Passivhaus?

88 MOTORING Nick Jones tests the Ford Mustang Mach E 89 INFORMATION The right way to discipline staff

COMMENT 90 THE LAST WORD Chamber president Eileen Richards on retaining talent, sustainable business and the Enterprising Women Awards November 2021 business network

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MEMBER NEWS

The four businesses unite to plant the first tree with Nottinghamshire Green Party Councillor Richard Mallender (second from left)

Notts businesses pledge to join green scheme Four Nottingham businesses have made environmental pledges as part of Climate Coalition’s Great Big Green Week.

Roadgas, a leading supplier of natural gas and biomethane refuelling station infrastructure, has linked up with bus operator Nottingham City Transport, creative agency The Dairy and Nottingham Rugby Club to carry out a treeplanting initiative.

The businesses have pledged to plant 15 rowan saplings and one oak sapling at Lady Bay, home to the rugby club, which will help towards offsetting carbon emissions from their operations.

‘If we cut out plastic bottles all together, then we could save 64kg of carbon per year’ Alongside the collective treeplanting initiative, the four have made their own green pledges, with Roadgas striving to reduce the amount of plastic water bottles consumed in its workplace.

Roadgas marketing director Becky Rix said: “A standard 500ml water bottle has a carbon footprint of 82.8g. We’ve found that as a business, we are using three of those per day on average, which is 780 bottles per year.

“We’re now encouraging staff to use reusable water bottles for drinks, as well as a water filter for fresh tap water. If we cut out plastic bottles all together, then we could save 64kg of carbon per year. This 4

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is the equivalent of driving a regular petrol car 160 miles per year or heating an average UK home for nine days - a phenomenal saving.”

The Dairy pledged to bolster its existing green policy by only using recycled paper; recycling printer cartridges, as well as all unused or scrap paper and card; using only low energy lightbulbs; minimising heating; and turning off all printers and computers when not in use.

Nottingham City Transport, which had the world’s largest fleet of biogas double-decker buses when it introduced 53 services in 2019, has committed to continuing its investment in new low and zeroemission public transport.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Rugby Club will recycle large amounts of waste on site.

The initiative was part of Great Big Green Week, which ran from 18 to 26 September to celebrate climate change action. More than 3,000 events took place across the country, encouraging businesses, community groups and individuals to highlight their carbon emissions in a variety of creative ways.

This year, the importance of the week has been amplified by the effects of extreme weather caused by climate change, as well as the UK being host of COP26 – a major UN global climate summit – taking place in Glasgow this month.

Next generation batteries will enable electric vehicles to travel further

Loughborough set to power the EV revolution The next generation of battery technology that could help electric vehicles (EV) to travel further will be developed in Loughborough in a new research project.

Loughborough University has received funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to assess two technologies to manufacture components for solid-state batteries.

These have higher energy density and are deemed to be safer than lithium-ion batteries, which experts say makes them ideal for EVs – potentially helping to overcome range anxiety, which is one of the biggest barriers to mass adoption.

The university, as part of a consortium led by Lucideon and partner KWSP, has received the funding from the Faraday Battery Challenge fund – which is investing up to £318m in research and innovation projects, and facilities, to drive the growth of a strong battery business in the UK.

Professor Bala Vaidhyanathan, specialising in advanced materials and processing at Loughborough University, said: “This project for the first time will combine additive manufacturing and field assisted sintering techniques to exploit the design freedom offered at the macro-structural level, and the high surface area fine grains at the micro-structural level, to realise significant performance in solid state batteries.

“The successful outcomes could help to rewrite the rules of efficient battery manufacturing.”

The project will assess two complementary technologies – additive manufacturing at Loughborough University and contactless field-enhanced sintering at Lucideon – to manufacture thin, textured and designed films of solid electrolytes for sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries.

This new method of manufacturing addresses three of

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MEMBER NEWS

Electrical engineering firm earns Government plaudits A Leicester manufacturer’s climate actions have been celebrated by the UK Government’s net zero business champion.

Andrew Griffith MP showcased electrical engineering firm Michael Smith Switchgear as part of a COP26 countdown on Twitter, in which he has explained how large and small businesses – so far also including Vodafone and Severn Trent Water – are tackling climate change.

A former winner of the Chamber’s Manufacturer of the Year Award and Leicestershire Business of the Year, the Braunstone Frith-based company designs and manufactures lowvoltage electrical switchboards.

It has signed up to the UK’s SME Climate Commitment and has already taken action to reduce its emissions.

Managing director Sean Smith (pictured) said: “A lot of people are concerned that eco-friendly changes will cost a lot so they often do not do anything, but small actions can make a huge difference and actually save money.

“We have installed solar panels on our south-facing factory roof, changed all lighting to LED, as well as installing electric vehicle charge points.

“We are currently exploring the installation of a green roof on the area that we are unable to install solar panels on. Our new offices are extremely low energy use.”

The company aims to be a leader in its industry – not just in engineering, service and design, but also in driving down emissions Loughborough University has received UKTI funding

the main technological challenges with solid-state batteries – thin film processing, increasing the electrolyte and electrode interfacial area, and minimising ion volatilisation.

Stuart MacLachlan, head of R&D at Lucideon, added: “This project will simultaneously target benefits in resource and energy efficiency, assessing the possibility of combining two novel and highly efficient technologies to exploit the strengths of both systems.

“What's more, the project partners will be developing the processes and pilot scale manufacturing (at KWSP) in parallel in order to expedite technology exploitation.”

The company’s headquarters in Braunstone Frith

and pushing the sector forwards towards net zero.

Sean said other businesses can take simple steps to improve their own efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

He added: “Instead of just trying to reduce emissions or processes, people should look at the products they are manufacturing and see if there is scope for improvement.

Taking action can mean real world benefits for businesses. We’ve decreased our electricity bills, increased productivity, and improved staff morale.”

Sean remains committed to craftmanship and emphasised that taking action does not have to impact quality.

“We have undertaken extensive research and development projects to reduce the amount of raw materials we use within our products,” he said.

“We looked to ensure we do not use plastic as our insulating material within our electrical switchboards.

We have also changed our packaging to biodegradable where it has to be single use.”

Time to close the gender gap Gender equality must be at the heart of the UK’s green and fair recovery, according to a new report that underlines the extent to which women’s career progression and opportunities continue to be disproportionately hampered by the pandemic.

The research by PwC, based on a survey of 4,000 people in the UK, outlines how women are more likely than men to feel the pandemic has damaged their career prospects, as well as highlighting a lack of awareness in relation to the job opportunities presented by the growing green economy.

The report, Targeting Gender Equality, sets out five recommendations that require close collaboration among employers and Government.

PwC Economic and business affairs leader Rachel Taylor said: “The pandemic has exposed and exacerbated what were already deep-rooted gender inequalities in the labour market.

“This research points to a lack of confidence among women who find themselves out of work, and comparatively fewer opportunities for young women

starting out on their careers. This is compounded by the physical and mental health burden faced by many of the women surveyed.

“As we look to the future, we must take the opportunity to address these inequalities, and this should be front of mind when planning recovery.”

The research shows that women aged between 18 and 24 are more likely to report their job security has got worse (23%) than men of the same age (17%).

One in five women with children under 18 say the pandemic has had a negative impact on their career progression, with 16% of male parents reporting the same.

PwC government and health industries partner Dan Burke said: “We can’t achieve the goal of successfully levelling up the UK if half of the population is at a disadvantage from the outset, regardless of where they live.

“It’s crucial, therefore, that gender equality is placed at the heart of the green and fair recovery plans and this will mean further interventions from both employers and policy-makers.”

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MEMBER NEWS

Website will speak clients’ language PAB Languages has unveiled a new multilingual website to showcase its translation, interpreting and localisation services.

It offers content to users in 10 languages and is localised for clients based in Germany, Poland and Portugal.

The Nottingham-headquartered firm uses different URLs for each version of a page, rather than using cookies or browser settings to adjust the content’s language.

Founder Iwona Lebiedowicz said: “We have significantly changed the structure of our UK website, created new content to better articulate all the services that we offer our clients in the UK, and allow much more space for case studies and testimonials.

“Also, localising our website was crucial for overseas growth and new market penetration. We want to ensure that our diverse audiences can access information easily in their native languages.

“We are delighted with the result and hope that our existing and future clients find it informative, easy to navigate and convenient to use.

“Regardless of your business or industry, a website is often the first

touchpoint between your prospects and your company, and you need to ensure your message is clearly understood by your visitors.

Website content, and more importantly localised content, was just as important for PAB as user experience and design.”

PAB, whose services are available in more than 200 languages, has a team of professional translators, linguists, interpreters and lecturers who come from all over the world.

The new site reflects the global nature of the company, and has been designed and developed by Chesterfield-based digital growth agency Magnifica Technologies.

Director Rob Gregory said: “When Iwona approached Magnifica to help PAB Languages develop a new multilanguage website for the business we were excited to get started. The goal of the new site is to promote the many services offered by PAB as well as generate inbound leads to drive their continued growth. We are proud to launch a fast and modern website that enables PAB to publish marketing materials and engage with new and existing customers.”

‘You need to ensure your message is clearly understood by your visitors’

Iwona Lebiedowicz

Rozalla wants video firm back!

Derby-based photography and videography firm AV IT Media has been commissioned to film the new music video for performer Rozalla.

Her new single, I Want You Back, was filmed on location at Derby Theatre and Morley Hayes Golf Club.

Rozalla is a '90s dance icon, known for hits including Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good), Faith and Are You Ready to Fly. AV IT Media co-founder Ash Stanley said: “We had an amazing day and great fun shooting the new music video for Rozalla’s new single. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Rozalla again on another project.

“It was a collective effort from Derby-based businesses to bring this vision to life, with support from Executive Cars Derby, Yolande Jackson on make-up and Harvey Luke Hair.”

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Sport has huge economic value Physical activity and sport participation provides £1.4bn in economic value to the region, says a new report.

Active Together, also known as Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport, commissioned the study to illustrate the role these play in supporting health and wellbeing, as well as the regional economy.

The organisation, which aims to increase the number of people taking part in grassroots sport, also found that by improving rates of participation in physical activity among residents of deprived areas could reduce the length of time they live in poor health – which currently stands at 33% of their lives.

Economy and sport growth manager Ali Clements said: “Taking part in physical activity and sport has major positive effects on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, which in turn drives economic growth by reducing days of sickness, boosting workplace productivity and reducing economic disparities by increasing labour market participation.”

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MEMBER NEWS

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MEMBER NEWS

Tips to help avoid growing pains When you’re a fast-growing company, how do you scale your culture but preserve what’s already made you successful? Founder of The Peoples Muse, Amy Healey (pictured, inset), shares her insights with Business Network, and outlines how you can craft your own innovative and unique culture to suit your business as it grows.

Crafting a consistent culture is extremely important because it creates a healthy, happy and inspired workforce that has a shared sense of belonging, and need to excel and achieve – both for the business and employees.

Simply put, it allows a company to preserve the factors that makes it successful and build upon these further.

But when you’re growing fast, how do you scale a culture?

The advice out there is hard to argue with but it’s not very easy to implement for the uninitiated. For example, I can easily share a list of 10 key elements that will help you develop your business and its culture.

But there’s not much of an answer to “how do you actually do that?”

So where do you start?

I want to shake up your thinking with some counter-intuitive truths that form the basis of crafting innovative cultures.

FOCUS ON THE GOOD Very often, business leaders know the kind of culture they’d like to see in their organisation, but can’t pinpoint a specific place where that culture already exists.

You need to know what good looks like and focus on the transformation. There are two simple places to start: 1. Focus on developing a great team but one that’s worth scaling. Heed the old adage: “Make sure you have the right people in the right seats on your bus” 2. Model the leadership culture to embody the culture you want to scale.

SCALE ORGANICALLY It’s common place to harness the power of psychology. By all means, take advantage of tool-based assessments about common values, desired mindsets and expected behaviours – but remember culture is caught and not taught.

Culture is transmitted through people. You can train someone for skill, but it is far harder to change someone’s passion.

STICK LIKE GLUE TO THESE FOUR PRINCIPLES And put them into practise: 1. Instil core values, so people are committed to the success of the business and truly understand the factors that drive this success 2. Take advantage of change and its fast pace. Leaders need to take away the momentum of the boardroom and replicate it in their own team, but not forgetting to debrief on what’s worked and what hasn’t 3. Instead of aligning people, align teams. Culture is a shared endeavour, and it is far better to get teams to agree the type culture they want and to live this commitment out 4. Articulate behaviours that each value represents, creating a consistent high-performance framework across teams that embeds accountability, innovation, collaboration and results focus.

Scaling your culture as your business grows isn’t something that happens overnight. You need to be patient, work on it and put in the effort. Take your time to craft your own unique culture that fits you. And most importantly, make sure you embed this throughout the business.

I genuinely believe that when leaders make the decision to scale with culture, the more aligned and agile their business will become, which will result in continued success.

Recruitment firm is a top employer itself Regional Recruitment Services (RRS) has been recognised as a top employer at the LeicestershireLive Business Awards.

The independent recruitment agency was awarded Employer of the Year at a ceremony held at the Mahar Centre, and was recognised for the investment it has made in its team of 26 employees.

Founded in 2008 and with offices in Leicester and Leeds, the agency has developed a diverse and inclusive workplace culture over the years. It has strived to create a working environment where its team can thrive, offering training opportunities and various rewards within a “fun working culture.”

Managing director Zaka Ullah said: “Winning this award was the result of joint effort of all our team.

Our employees are at the forefront of making this a reality, so this is a 8

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moment that is dedicated to them – for their hard work and commitment to excellence.”

The firm has continued to develop its staff development

opportunities since winning the award, recently launching its new focus group initiative, which enables employees to share suggestions and opinions.

Zaka Ullah (fourth from right) with the Regional Recruitment Services team at the LeicestershireLive Business Awards

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MEMBER NEWS

Accountant helps deliver the goods for volunteer app Accountancy firm Cooper Parry has announced its new partnership with on-demand employee volunteering app onHand.

The Castle Doningtonheadquartered company, which also has offices in the West Midlands and London, launched the app during its wellbeing week, in which it pledged 365 days’ worth of volunteering from its workforce each year.

The app is designed to help employees find volunteering opportunities easily with one click and looks to combat some of society’s biggest challenges.

Cooper Parry teams across the UK now have the opportunity to volunteer for the causes that matter the most to them.

Employees can be matched with activities such as befriending phone calls to tackle loneliness, food drops to local food banks, youth mentoring to inspire the next generations and eco clean-ups.

Cooper Parry CEO Ade

Cheatham said: “Giving back to our local communities and the flexibility to fit your work around your life are two key cornerstones of our culture here at Cooper Parry.

‘Supporting high growth tech-enabled companies is a core part of our strategy’ “The onHand app marries the two together beautifully, giving our people the chance to make a massive difference to others’ lives, without sacrificing any commitments they have in their own. Add to that the wellbeing benefits that come from helping others, and this partnership quickly becomes a no-brainer.”

Missions to help can be picked up via the onHand app and are typically micro, to be completed in under an hour. These are either based on an employee’s location,

group-based for teams, or can be completed remotely to suit individual needs. onHand also aims to support the company’s sustainability goals by planting trees for its 400 employees, starting a Cooper Parry forest that will increase in numbers based on the amount of volunteering completed.

Steve Leith, head of tech and

high growth at Cooper Parry, said: “Supporting high growth techenabled companies is a core part of our strategy at Cooper Parry – not only in how we work with founders, CFOs and boards, but also how we think about using game changing products such as onHand for the benefit of the firm and the wider communities in which we operate.”

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MEMBER NEWS

Willmott Dixon wraps up work on housing scheme Students to get greener residence Students at the University of Nottingham will benefit from newly-refurbished sustainable student accommodation on campus.

The regeneration of the university’s residential estate will begin with the historic Florence Boot Hall, which dates back to 1928.

Nottingham-based contractor Clegg Construction has been appointed to carry out the £15m revamp to create the high-quality, low-energy accommodation. With tripleglazed windows set to be fitted, it has been designed to be in keeping with the external original design of the building.

The halls of residence, which is located on Nottingham’s University Park campus, was the first female hall at the university, and was founded by businesswoman and philanthropist Florence Boot – wife of Boots founder Jesse Boot.

Prof Todd Landman, pro vice-chancellor for the faculty of social sciences at the university, said: “We are delighted to commence the refurbishment of our heritage student accommodation Florence Boot Hall. The project team has engaged in a meticulous planning process with wide consultation across the university community in line with our estates development framework, our sustainability commitments, and our commitment to our students.

“The newly-refurbished hall will offer our students accessible, comfortable, digitally-enabled and modernised accommodation that also embraces the history and tradition of the hall.”

The team at Clegg will install energy-efficient airsource heat pumps, and improved levels of thermal performance will be achieved by insulating external walls internally. The slate roof will be replaced to match the existing tiles and there will be LED lighting throughout the residence, further reducing the carbon footprint of the site.

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Construction work on a £12.5m residential development in Ashbyde-la-Zouch has been completed by contractor Willmott Dixon.

The Springfields Independent Living Scheme was built on behalf of housing and care provider emh care & support – part of Chamber strategic partner emh group.

It features 65 high-specification one and two-bedroom apartments – 50 of which are available for rent and 15 for sale under shared ownership, offered on preference and individual care and support needs.

‘Leaving a lasting legacy in the communities in which we work is very important to us’ The build also houses communal areas such as a beauty salon, hairdressers and bistro to provide residents with an inclusive living environment.

Each apartment includes a secure video door entry system, wheelchair access and mobility aid dependent on individual needs – and offers bespoke care packages and a dedicated team of staff available 24 hours a day.

Michelle Cotterill, director at

The Springfields residential development in Ashby-de-la-Zouch is now complete

Willmott Dixon, said: “We’re delighted that the Springfields Independent Living Scheme is now complete and can help to provide much-needed housing for residents in the local area.

“It’s been great to see the build progress throughout construction and we’re excited to see new residents enjoy the many benefits of independent living within this new facility.”

Throughout the project, Willmott Dixon provided more than £220,000 worth of social value, including creating 20 jobs for local people, holding mock job interviews, and hosting work

experience and career talks with students from nearby Stephenson College.

Michelle added: “Our relationship with emh care & support has gone from strength to strength throughout the project and we’re incredibly pleased that the team chose Willmott Dixon to help enhance the local economy and the lives of local people.

“Leaving a lasting legacy in the communities in which we work is very important to us and this development is a great example of where our passion for social value and community wellbeing has been matched by our partners.”

...and rises again for Phoenix refit Willmott Dixon has won the contract for a £6.7m project to extend and improve Leicester’s renowned Phoenix Cinema and Art Centre.

The scheme, which has been procured via SCAPE – one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities – comprises a new extension to the existing facility to house creative and education spaces, two new cinema screens, a larger café bar and roof terrace with accessible toilets and lifts.

Parts of the current building – which was built in 2009 by Willmott Dixon – will also be refurbished to

create new office and foyer spaces, and extend the existing digital arts gallery.

Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Pheonix has proven to be an invaluable asset to the local community in Leicester – acting as a collaborative hub for filmmakers, artists, and creative businesses, which has facilitated job creation and economic output for the city’s creative industries. The build has also played a huge role in the area’s digital economy, attracting national funding and supporting initiatives to boost local tourism, so we’re incredibly proud to be a part of its continuing success.”

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MEMBER NEWS

Martin Rigley MBE (left) with Sean Lyons from award sponsor West Nottingham College

Susan scores as top football CEO

Top award for Martin

Leicester City’s Susan Whelan (pictured) was named CEO of the Year at the 2021 Football Business Awards in London, as the club celebrated several commendations from its industry peers.

Having been named Premier League CEO of the Year in the divisional categories earlier in the ceremony, Susan was selected the overall winner for her work in leading the Foxes through one of the most challenging seasons the sport has ever faced.

Alongside Susan’s win, the club was also recognised for Best Fan Engagement by a Club for its efforts to remotely engage, entertain and educate supporters during the pandemic.

Susan, who was appointed Leicester City CEO in 2011, said: “I’m truly humbled and enormously grateful to the judges for such an honour, which is an endorsement of the work of the entire club.

“I’m extremely proud to be part

Martin Rigley MBE has been awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 Business Awards.

Martin, who is the chief executive at Sutton-in-Ashfield-based Lindhurst Engineering, received the award at a ceremony held at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex for his commitment to the business community.

As well as sitting on the board of directors at the Chamber, Martin is an innovation consultant at business growth company Qinesis and chairs the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership's new manufacturing advisory panel.

He said: “It was a very humbling experience to be recognised by my peers with the Outstanding Contribution Award. It was especially poignant having come through Covid, when all businesses have been working to support each other.”

of it and proud of all our personnel that continue to contribute to Leicester City’s progress. I should also like to pay tribute to our community partners in Leicester and Leicestershire, without whom the Club would not be as effective in engaging with our communities and representing our city.”

In the past year, Susan has led the club through several achievements including winning the FA Cup for the first time in its history at the end of the 2020/21 season, while also securing a second consecutive fifth-place finish in the Premier League.

Susan added: “The 2020/21 season brought unprecedented challenges for football clubs all over the UK but through the outstanding support of their fans, together with the commitment, creativity and resilience of professionals throughout the industry, we can all look forward to brighter times ahead.”

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People now expect flexible working UK businesses say flexible working policies have become as vital as salary to their employees, according to research from HSBC. Highlighting the impact that the pandemic has had on changing attitudes to work, companies identified both flexible working (35%) and salary (35%) to be equally compelling factors when attracting and retaining staff.

The research, which polled more than 2,100 business leaders from 10 global markets, found that more than a third of UK businesses believed full flexibility is the optimal working environment.

More than a quarter (26%) want employees to be in the office four days a week, 17% opted for two to three days, and only 4% went for one day a week in the office.

HSBC UK technology sector head Roland Emmans said: “It’s clear that employees are increasingly expecting flexibility to be the norm. As competition for talent intensifies, companies need to look beyond tactical delivery and embed enhanced flexible working practices to keep their workforce engaged and productive.”

Complexia is top of the class for school tables Derby-based Complexia has supported Markeaton Primary School by supplying 116 replacement tabletops and 54 complete tables in time for the new school year.

The support came about in response to the school identifying several tabletops as damaged through general wear and tear, but the table frames were still intact.

‘Promotes a culture of re-use and recycle – a clear message to the school community’ By replacing the tabletops, the company – which specialises in the manufacture of classroom and office tables and replacement tabletops – has saved the school around half the cost of replacing complete tables.

Complexia director Tony Arnold said: “We were delighted when Markeaton Primary School contacted us about replacing their existing tabletops during the summer break.

“By ordering before the end of the summer term we were able to organise a schedule to fulfil Markeaton’s order during the holidays and had

Complexia director Tony Arnold (right) with the school’s headteacher Ian Johnson

everything in place ready for their new school year.”

Ian Johnson, headteacher of Markeaton Primary School, said: “Our working relationship with Complexia has been positive for a number of reasons. Not only does this endeavour help the environment and reduce waste, but it also promotes a culture of re-use and recycle – a clear message to the school community.”

EMC board member on awards shortlist

Barrier firm opens up way to the Games Hardstaff Barriers has installed more than three miles of steel base barriers in Birmingham to create a priority bus route for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Nottingham-based vehicle restraint system manufacturer and supplier installed 5,000m of its multi-applicational safety system (MASS) barrier – its largest MASS installation to date.

The red and white steel barrier was installed on the A45 between Heybarnes Circus and Bordesley Circus while widening work is carried out.

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It has facilitated the work of a wider project by Transport for West Midlands to create new and extended bus lanes in preparation for the Commonwealth Games – which will start in July 2022 – and the MASS barriers clearly separated the roadworks from ongoing traffic.

Commercial manager Tim Rushton said: “This really is an exciting and rewarding project to be part of, which has seen us install our largest ever number of MASS barriers. It has been a pleasure working on this very important scheme.”

Kevin Harris has been shortlisted in the 2021 LeicestershireLive Business Executive of the Year Awards.

The managing partner at RSM’s Leicester office has been recognised in the non-executive of the year category for his roles on the boards at East Midlands Chamber and the Midlands Engine Executive Board, while also chairing the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).

Other categories include executives in a small, medium and large business – one of whom will be named overall business person of the year – as well as young business executive of the year and tech executive of the year.

A lifetime achievement award will also be given to one highly regarded business person at the black tie awards night.

Pukaar Group founder Romail Gulzar has also been shortlisted for the small business executive of the year category.

The category winners will be revealed at a ceremony on 4 November at the Leicester Tigers Stadium.

Kevin Harris

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Entrepreneur Peter floored by industry award Chesterfield-based entrepreneur Peter Kelsey (pictured) has been recognised with an Outstanding Achievement honour in the Flooring Industry Awards 2021.

The founder of Designer Contracts received the award by Contract Flooring Journal at a ceremony held at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire – in which he was described as a “giant of the UK flooring industry”.

‘It really has been down to the hard work and dedication of a lot of people’ After starting the business from his garage at home, Designer Contracts became an independent company 17 years ago and now employs more than 350 staff across 15 regions with an annual turnover in excess of £40m.

Peter was praised for his leadership of the company during the pandemic, while entering mental programmes to support employees during the time.

He said: “The award came as a total surprise – it was a secret that I simply wasn’t in on when I was asked by colleagues to attend the event.

“I’m incredibly proud of what the company has achieved but without the fantastic team that is Designer Contracts, we wouldn’t be where we are today – it really has been down to the hard work and dedication of a lot of people over many years.”

Peter also keeps philanthropy high on his agenda, supporting Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield and national children’s helpline ChildLine.

His commitment to sustainability has also seen the company named Take Back Partner of the Year four times in the Carpet Recycling UK Awards.

Council considers theatre move Derby City Council and the University of Derby are exploring options to relocate Derby Theatre into a new purpose-built building on the site of the former Assembly Rooms.

Earlier this year, the council announced plans to remodel Derby Market Place and create a new cultural heart for the city – and it’s thought that relocating Derby Theatre to the area will help to realise this vision.

Now, the council’s cabinet is being asked to fund an outline business case and options appraisal, which will allow the ambitious scheme to progress to the next stage.

Councillor Matthew Holmes, deputy leader of Derby City Council, said: “We are still at the exploratory stage of this potential project, but creating a new home for Derby Theatre into a brand new purpose-built facility is a fantastic opportunity.

“It would have a truly transformational impact on Derby city centre and compliment the new entertainment and events arena being built at Becketwell.

“Cultural buildings have been key to this area of the city centre for many years and a new theatre would further boost the daytime and night-time economies.

“However, these are early stages and not everything is in our control, delivery of the scheme will be heavily dependent on securing external funding.”

Derby Theatre, which is part of the University of Derby, is examining options for relocating from its existing home in shopping centre Derbion, with the hope to increase the scale of its locallyproduced content while attracting more commercial touring works.

It also has plans to embed a research hub to expand its youth, community and outreach programmes.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL,

vice-chancellor of the University of Derby and chair of Derby Theatre’s board, said: “As the city’s only university, we have a significant role to play in assuring its long-term cultural vibrancy and sustainability, and our involvement in this scheme reflects our commitment to this.

“These ambitious proposals would not only provide our theatre students with an outstanding learning environment, but enable us to further develop our impactful research and community outreach work that helps to improve educational outcomes of young people, as well as engaging local residents in the arts.”

Geldards assists warehouse deal Law firm Geldards advised Derbyshire-based Clowes Developments on a multimillion-pound deal to develop four warehouses in the East Midlands.

The property investment firm will build them on behalf of international real estate firm Hines and its joint venture investment partner.

The project will create 772,000 sq ft of logistics facilities across four business parks in the Clowes portfolio – Dove Valley Park in Derby, Birchwood Business Park in Alfreton, Castlewood in South Normanton and Fairham Business Park in Nottingham.

The development of the 12 new units, the first of which will be ready to occupy by the end of 2022, will be led by Clowes Developments.

Geldards’ development property partner Heather Dixon said: “We are thrilled to have advised Clowes on another record-breaking deal, in what has been a phenomenal year for them. This new logistics development will have a very positive impact on business growth in our region.”

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MEMBER NEWS

Go the distance for mileage claims For the first time, electric vehicle drivers can claim business travel reimbursement at 4p per mile. Kevin Carrick (pictured), co-founder and CEO of Derby-based Data Clarity, which has developed the new ClarityExpense cloud-based expense management software, explains how technology can help drivers to claim business mileage in seconds.

In September this year, the Government’s Advisory Electric Rate (AER) set a new precedent as previously only vehicles with petrol, diesel or LPG engines had rates per mile published.

Whether 4p is sufficient or not, this announcement signals the growing importance of electric vehicles in a business fleet of the future.

INCENTIVISING GREEN TRANSPORT HMRC began an open consultation for the Future of Transport regulatory review at the end of September, which plays a crucial role in creating a framework to align with phasing in zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

The focal point of this exercise is to build an appropriate infrastructure of charging points as the currently available 25,000 public chargepoints nationwide will not meet future demand.

The Rapid Charging Fund has been established with £950m to support, specifically around motorway and major A-road service areas to create the required electrical capacity.

The Government has incentivised the adoption of EVs for business fleets in several ways.

Businesses that invest in EVs can write down the total purchase price against their corporation tax liability, while those that rely on home charging are provided with help through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.

Furthermore, on the employee level, benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax for using electric company cars is only 1%, which is considerably lower than BIK on

HR consultancy links up with wellbeing firm My HR Hub has pivoted into the luxury retreats and leisure sector by backing a new service that helps teams to reconnect.

The Nottingham-based HR consultancy is one of the partners in a new business called Secret Warriors Retreats, launching this month.

It brokers bespoke-hosted retreats in the Peak District, where food, activities and spa treatments are organised for individual clients or businesses that want to bring employees together to enjoy the benefits of a getaway.

Rebecca Bull, who heads up business development in the new venture, has joined forces with Ange Terry, who runs Secret Warriors, which arranges hosted retreats aimed at professional women. She will oversee strategies and partnerships.

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cars with diesel engines, making a noticeable difference in a monthly domestic budget. There is no road tax to pay, either.

Whatever the cost per mile is, each employee who travels for business has to claim it back and cloud-based expense management software is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way to do so.

Incorporating a digital expense management tool is certainly an essential step in every company’s digital transformation and brings mutual benefits.

For an employee, it’s convenient to calculate mileage, scan and submit receipts incurred during business travel through a mobile application.

From the employer perspective, it’s the visibility of that cost immediately after the submission and vital data to manage that department’s budget with greater control.

A good piece of software is one that offers updates like the 4p per mile announcement and allows businesses to focus on their priorities by taking care of time-consuming details.

Rebecca Bull

Rebecca, whose main HR business has also expanded its health and wellbeing portfolio, said: “The impact of Covid, the lack of self-care we give to ourselves, the fragmented teams as well as the business leaders that have lost their way, has created demand for off-site team-building and time out for self-care. It’s such an exciting and obvious expansion for the company as wellbeing is at the core of how we support our clients. My HR Hub is delighted to partner with Secret Warriors and look forward in developing the Retreat concept further in the heart of the beautiful Peak District."

Alongside Rebecca and Ange, wellbeing experts Karen Mellers and Sharron Fitzpatrick are heading up operations and the retreat’s health and wellbeing experience respectively.

Dr Nik among top 50 ambitious leaders Dr Nik Kotecha OBE has been named as one of The LDC’s Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2021.

The chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals and the Randal Charitable Foundation featured among the top 50 from more than 600 applications from across the country.

The programme by Lloyds Banking Group's private equity arm LDC, and supported by The Times, celebrates the inspiring leaders behind some of the UK’s most successful and fast-growing firms.

Dr Nik established Loughborough-based Morningside from a home garage in the 1990s, and is now one of the UK’s leading suppliers of a wide range of quality medicines to international aid organisations, NGOs and charities.

He said: “It is a great privilege and an honour to make this national list alongside so many talented business leaders and entrepreneurs.

“I hope my story and experiences can inspire and encourage others to try new things and follow their entrepreneurial dreams.”

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Awards celebrate achievements in healthcare sector Individuals from across the healthcare and life sciences sector came together online to celebrate success at the Medilink UK National Awards.

The awards, sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals, recognised a multitude of achievements and outstanding contributions to the life sciences industry, and five companies from across the country were crowned as national winners.

Winning companies from the regional Medilink awards, which were held throughout 2020 and early 2021, were automatically shortlisted for the national titles.

Awards were given for export achievement, collaboration with the NHS and innovation – with startups and those who had made an outstanding achievement within the sector also among the categories.

START UP AWARD WINNER: LUNAC Therapeutics Highly commended: FluoretiQ KnitRegen

EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER: EthOss Regeneration Highly commended: Vernacare The Binding Site

COLLABORATION WITH THE NHS AWARD WINNER: Dignio Highly commended: Mastercall Healthcare CardMedic

INNOVATION AWARD WINNER: Abingdon Health Highly commended: Neuronostics Feet Etc Consultancy

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER: Blue Tree Group Highly commended: SureScreen Diagnostics West Midlands PPE Collective

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Planetarium project plans take a giant leap forward An ambitious project to build a £4.25m planetarium and science discovery centre in Nottinghamshire has taken a step forward after funding was secured and a contractor appointed.

The team at Sherwood Observatory in Sutton-in-Ashfield, has secured support via the Towns Fund programme, for a development that aims to inspire interest in STEM learning and careers.

A planning application will be submitted next spring, with contractor Woodhead Construction due to begin building work at the end of 2022.

Planetarium project manager Steve Wallace said: “The new centre will create a unique visitor attraction, and help raise the profile of our area significantly “It will focus on delivering STEM content in an exciting and handson way, with the aim to raise awareness for the opportunities that careers in STEM can unlock – an important aspect of future jobs creation in our region.”

The project aims to turn a disused underground Victorian reservoir on the site of the Sherwood Observatory into a stateof-the-art tourist attraction and

education centre. It is set to become one of just a handful of UK destinations to combine a planetarium with an observatory – and has the potential to attract at least 20,000 visitors a year to support the local visitor economy.

A launch event is being planned on 24 November to mark the next phase of the project, introduce the design team, and to share sponsorship opportunities to further support. For more information, contact Steve at projectmanager@sherwoodobservatory.org.uk

Pukaar Group is currying favour Media and events specialist Pukaar Group launched in front of hundreds of guests at a Leicester event celebrating the resilience and craft of the region’s South Asian hospitality sector.

More than 400 people attended the Leicester Curry Awards at Athena as the new corporate Pukaar Group brand was unveiled.

The event sold out within an hour of tickets being released in August. Among guests were Professor Nishan Canagarajah, vice-chancellor of the University of Leicester, and Professor Katie Normington, vicechancellor of De Montfort University.

Seven restaurants and takeaways were recognised, with Indian Fusion being named Restaurant of the Year.

Special awards were also presented as part of Pukaar’s ongoing Always In Our Thoughts campaign.

The project is raising thousands of pounds in memory of those impacted by the pandemic.

Elsewhere, Leicester Curry Awards and Pukaar Group donated £6,000 for charity on the night, split equally between Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland and the Royal Air Forces Association.

Pukaar Group founder Romail Gulzar was profiled in a video showing his journey from asylum seeker who spoke no English, through to a broadcast journalism course at South Leicestershire College, and eventually business leader.

“It was wonderful to see so many people back together and celebrating the huge importance of our

Romail Gulzar

food and hospitality industries,” he said.

“Our next step is to take our format into North America as we stage the Toronto Curry Awards next year but, in the meantime, there’s the 10th annual Leicester’s Got Talent to look forward to in December.”

Pukaar Group launched the Leicester Curry Awards in 2017. The fourth event received thousands of public nominations for more than 250 restaurants and takeaways.

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Networking thrives despite Covid Business networking has been off the agenda for much of the pandemic – but it hasn’t stopped one East Midlands-based organisation from reporting a 44% annual growth in membership.

Catena Network also managed to make more than 1,050 introductions between companies from April 2020 to March this year, taking the rolling total of business between members to £1.6m.

During national lockdowns, Catena developed a UK-wide online presence with its “beating business isolation” programme of events and meetings.

‘Our aim is to find creative ways to make running and managing a business that little bit easier’ These subsequently developed into weekly business Soundbite talks, together with monthly mastermind, boardroom challenge and leaders’ think tank gatherings.

Catena founder and director Claire Bicknell believes her organisation plays a practical role in the support and development of companies of all sizes and types.

“Our aim is to find creative ways to make running and managing a business that little bit easier and more productive,” she said.

“We find that carefully considered introductions make a

Catena Network directors Andy Middleton (left), Claire Bicknell and Stav Melides

big difference to the outcome of a potential sale or collaboration.

Catena members share the same approach and the proof can be seen in the overall growth of the company. Covid has shown us how to do business differently, and we will continue to learn from this.”

Since starting in Nottingham in 2013, the network has grown to more than 180 members companies based in the East Midlands, Manchester, Bristol, Greater London and the North East.

The addition of two regional directors for Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire has attracted an increase in enquiries, recruitment

and networking activity for the specialist business introductions company.

Nottinghamshire regional director Andy Middleton is taking this approach into a new volunteer role for Ashfield District Council. He has been appointed as a business ambassador, which involves promoting the area to inward investors as well as encouraging local employment and enterprise.

Andy said: “The Ashfield economy has great potential to grow as attention turns to the development of smaller towns and suburbs where more and more people are choosing to work. There

will be greater opportunities for me to bring business leaders in this part of the county together, adding to the impact Catena is already making.”

Meanwhile in Lincolnshire, new regional director Stav Melides will host a series of events in Hull, Grimsby, Lincoln and Louth as restrictions ease and venues open up again.

Stav added: “There is no doubt that meeting in-person helps to build and cement business relationships. That’s why I am launching a monthly lunch gathering in Louth and establishing new groups across the county.”

Rental firm enjoys occupancy rates revival Best City Rooms Leicester is back to prepandemic occupancy levels after accessing support from the Business Gateway Growth Hub. The company offers affordable rooms to rent in house shares across Leicester, with 40 houses and 170 rooms across the city. Room prices are fully inclusive of all bill and tenancy agreements start at three months, which attracts young people in particular to the city for study or work.

It lost 25% of its tenants within three weeks of the first lockdown hitting and struggled to maintain occupancy levels due to people not coming into Leicester to study, or tenants being unable to pay rent.

But with the help of a Business Gateway Growth Hub adviser, it created a new marketing campaign, while it improved the team’s digital marketing skills with training on Google Ads, social media campaigns, and using video and imagery.

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attractive with new paints, professionally cleaned carpets and desks.

Director Lorraine Harris (pictured) said: “It’s not just the cost, there’s also the social element. When you come into a new city to work or study, it can feel very lonely. Living in a house share with like-minded people can help you find your feet.

“Just having someone to chat with in the kitchen or lounge can help massively to make you feel less isolated and more at home.”

Best City Rooms is now keen to partner with local businesses that are hiring young talent.

Not only will prospective partners be offered £100 off the first month's rent, but can also use the project as a tool to attract and retain young talent in the area.

Lorraine added: “It feels so good to see young people coming back into Leicester to work. It’s great for us to have new tenants with jobs again, but on a wider scale it's fantastic that local businesses are hiring, and Leicester as a city is getting back on track.”

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Hospice’s roaming service recognised A vital initiative launched in lockdown supporting end-of-life nursing care for patients and their families has been shortlisted in the national Charity Today Awards.

Derbyshire-based charity Treetops Hospice has been shortlisted in the health and social care category of the awards in recognition of the roaming nurse service it set up in April 2020.

Each evening, the roaming team – a hospice-at-home-registered nurse and healthcare assistant – respond to calls from families with one-off requests for support. It can visit up to seven patients living across Derby and south Derbyshire each evening.

Hospice-at-home manager Teresa Smith said: “Our dedicated hospice-at-home nurses care for patients at home in their last few days of life. It means families and carers can get sleep, knowing their loved one is being looked after.

“When Covid struck, we knew the NHS would face increasing pressures on its services. We knew we had to help, and the roaming nurse service was our answer to the problem.”

emc-dnl.co.uk/EMComingTogether

Graphic designer offers skills for a different goal ‘I’m so pleased to be involved with an academy whose values I fully resonate with’

Former professional footballer Kirsty Linnett joins in the children’s training session

A senior graphic designer at creative agency Creative62 has offered his skills to aid the set-up of Leicestershire’s only all-girls football academy for six to 16-year-olds.

Adam Lister supported She Believes Academy’s mission to bridge the gap in girls’ sport by making football more inclusive.

He assisted with the logo design and branding used for the academy’s badge.

Adam said: “When I heard about the setting up of this new academy for youngsters, I wanted to get involved and give the branding the boost it deserves right from the first whistle.

“The flamingo on the logo represents balance, endurance, uniqueness and loyalty and with that, it needed a bright modern and punchy mark that will carry them forward for years to come.”

Ex-pro footballer Kirsty Linnett, who played for England, Arsenal and Liverpool, is a partner for the academy and believes opportunities are limited for girls outside of grassroots football.

“I’m so pleased to be involved with an academy whose values I fully resonate with, and to continue making that change for the young girls and women of today – increasing their opportunities within the football and sporting industries,” she said.

Rotary campaign puts love in a box

Khudeja Amer-Sharif, of the Shama Women’s Centre, with Atul Patel, of Unique Window Systems

Donation to Shama is a glass act Unique Window Systems has supported Shama Women’s Centre by installing new windows for its headquarters.

The designer, fabricator and installer’s director Atul Patel was contacted by the fellow Leicester-based charity with a request for a quote on installing new office windows.

After carrying out measurements, Atul said his business would donate its services to fit out the entire building.

Over the past 18 months, Shama has realigned its services to offer alternative opportunities for engagement to continue its vital work in empowering women across its community.

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giving Shama its support, which has given our base a much-needed uplift.

“It has made a huge difference to our staff and service users – we’ve received so many positive comments. The contribution will help myself and the team continue to shine light and hope for hundreds of women who see Shama as a home away from home.”

Shama is now making steps to connect with employers and employees to establish and strengthen partnerships across the region.

It is inviting some of these partners to a 35th anniversary celebration event in March 2022.

For more information about how businesses can support the charity, email business@shamawomenscentre.co.uk

A campaign to fill shoeboxes with small gifts aimed at children around the world who would otherwise receive nothing at Christmas has been launched in Derby.

The Rotary Club of Derby is behind the Love in a Box scheme, which is seeking support from businesses, schools, clubs and community organisations Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire Liz Fothergill packed the first shoebox for 2021, using gifts prepared by the club’s warehouse team, at a launch event held at The Shed, in Darley Abbey Mills, in September.

Last year, the club collected 1,824 shoeboxes in the Derby area, contributing to more than 43,000 collected nationally by the Teams4U charity. These were transported and given to children living in poverty in Eastern Europe.

Rotary Club of Derby president Angus Currie said: “We have found that children and many adults in the UK derive a lot of pleasure and satisfaction at Christmas time in making up a gift box. It becomes truly ‘Love in a Box’.”

To donate a shoebox or help in the warehouse sorting boxes please contact John Worthy at worthyshoeboxes@gmail.com or Anthony Attwood at anthony.attwood@darleyabbeymills

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App ramps up calls for venues to improve access An innovative app is helping disabled people to voice their access needs – and is compelling the hospitality industry to listen.

Created by social enterprise Access Rating, which was cofounded by entrepreneurs Mark Esho, Richard Copson and Jignesh Vaidya, the app of the same name enables disabled people to rate the accessibility of venues in the UK. It also encourages business owners to improve their venue accessibility in return for positive reviews and a larger share of the “purple pound” – the spending power of disabled people and their families, said to be worth about £274bn each year.

To complement this, Access Training has also launched a disability awareness training programme for companies wanting to improve their accessibility.

Co-director Mark Esho, who also founded the business Easy Internet Solutions, said: “It’s not enough to give disabled people a voice – you

have to give businesses the tools to listen, understand and act on that voice.

“That’s why we now offer disability awareness training to forward-thinking companies that grasp they have a responsibility – not just an obligation – to be accessible and inclusive.”

The training has already enjoyed uptake from South Staffs Water and tech firm what3words with further sessions in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, the steady increase in the app’s userbase to about 3,000 people has led Access Rating to appoint its first disabled staff member and student placement to further improve and update the app.

Its promotion is an “all-hands-ondeck” affair, with the company backed by local volunteers and a team of ambassadors – among them ex-rugby player Matt Hampson MBE and Paralympic wheelchair racer Anne Wafula Strike MBE. Access auditor and co-director Jignesh said: “It’s a privilege to see

Mark Esho, Richard Copson and Jignesh Vaidya

our efforts slowly transform a previously inaccessible landscape.

“Through the input of disabled people themselves, and with great partners such as AccessABLE, Changing Places and Purple Tuesday, we now have businesses asking what they can do to create more accessible venues.”

Access Rating is now in discussions around holding an Access Day in Leicestershire, with a view to bringing together disabled people, businesses, disability

organisations and council officials to explore workable solutions to accessibility.

Co-director Richard added: “Access Days like this could provide a simple template for progress on access and inclusion – not just here, but in every town in the UK. We need to build meaningful discussions around access and inclusion into the local framework from the outset.”

To download the Access Rating app visit www.accessrating.com/app

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App will encourage more people to enjoy park life NTU arts building moves step closer Planning permission has been granted for a new £35m building to house the Nottingham School of Art & Design at NTU. Designed by architect Hawkins\Brown, it will enable NTU to develop its creative industries offering by bringing new technologies for film, animation, user experience design, gaming, and graphic design and illustration, together with traditional design practice.

The 57,000 sq ft building will feature a glazed ground floor entrance, which will be used as an exhibition space – and offer the opportunity for collaboration within the university, industry and the local community through social open learning spaces.

Prof Edward Peck, NTU’s vice-chancellor, said: “This building will expand our contribution to the creative industries, and be a major driver of innovation and technology in art and design – allowing us to be at the forefront of the creative industries and building upon our heritage.”

Visitors to Rufford Abbey County Park can enjoy an interactive treasure hunt using a new mobile phone app created by a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) team.

Tag in the Park plans to increase tourist numbers by enhancing the visitor experience, while also promote wellbeing by encouraging friends and families to be physically active.

Connected to wireless sensors located around the popular green space in north Nottinghamshire, the app tasks users with identifying a set of key places and tagged objects, creating both a physical and virtual gaming world within a real environment.

‘One of many exciting innovations which aims to put Nottinghamshire at the forefront of the digital world’ The app deploys tagging, wireless and camera features to interact with wireless sensors called “SmartSpots” that send challenges, quizzes and prompts directly to the user’s mobile device.

Professor Eiman Kanjo, who led the team that created Tag in the Park, said: “The Tag in the Park app encourages people to visit attractions by providing engaging activities and challenges. The app also promotes exercise by helping

users to be active in green open spaces like Rufford Abbey Country Park.

“In the future, we plan to utilise the platform in more locations such as other country parks, museums, shopping malls, amusement parks, schools and gardens.”

Previous location-based games for mobile devices, such as the hugely popular Pokémon Go, have shown how location-based discovery games can bring people together through exploration, exercise and entertainment.

Rufford Abbey Country Park, operated by Parkwood Leisure on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, will act as a trial site for the Tag in the Park platform. The team and its partners have future plans to implement the app and its technology in more parks, forests

and other tourist attractions in the Nottinghamshire area.

It is part of Connected Forest, one of eight national 5G pilot programmes funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and led by Nottinghamshire County Council.

Councillor Keith Girling, chairman of the county council’s economic development and asset management committee, said: “We are proud to lead 5G Connected Forest – and Tag in the Park is one of many exciting innovations which aims to put Nottinghamshire at the forefront of the digital world.

“This is more important than ever as we look to boost our postpandemic economy through tourism, digital skills and innovation, so it’s great to see this being trialled at one of our most popular county parks.”

Playhouse recognised for welcoming refugees

From left: Martin Berry, of Nottingham Playhouse, with Lubna al Zain and Jane Burd, of Nottingham City of Sanctuary 24

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Nottingham Playhouse has been awarded the Theatre of Sanctuary Status for its commitment to creating a welcoming space for refugees and asylum seekers.

Reflecting on the work the theatre has done over the years to encourage participation and accessibility for people seeking sanctuary in Nottingham, the award acknowledges its ongoing endeavours to share stories and culture of those with lived experience, as well as its wider engagement in the arts within the city.

The Playhouse has also engaged asylum seekers in work experience opportunities, offered “pay what you can” and free tickets for people who otherwise would not have the means to come to the theatre, and free backstage tours to sanctuary

seekers and organisations working with them.

Chief executive Stephanie Sirr said: “Nottingham Playhouse exists to welcome everybody. It is interested in hearing everyone’s story.

“People who come here have a right to refuge – a genuinely safe space to share stories and conversation. We keep that possible through removing whatever barriers we can.”

Head of participation Martin Berry said: “This award is recognition of a deeply embedded desire to build bridges, tell stories and to connect with those who have come to this country to feel safe. It is just the beginning and we will continue working to ensure everyone feels they can call the Playhouse home.”

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MEMBER NEWS

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BUSINESS NETWORK

‘It’s about setting yourself free to new opportunities’ Nottinghamshire-based Free Your Ostrich specialises in PR, communications and marketing services. After working in the industry for 20 years, owner Gemma Louise-King (pictured) talks to Business Network about setting up her own PR consultancy during the pandemic.

Can you give us a brief overview of the company’s history?

I lost my PR role in the events industry due to Covid redundancies last summer and decided I wanted to use my experience positively, and it would be a great time to reach out to my network of contacts and work for myself. I’ve been working in PR, marketing and journalism for 20 years, so it was a natural progression.

Free Your Ostrich came from the concept of saying no to having your head stuck in the sand, perhaps in a growth or creative rut, and setting yourself free to new opportunities and ideas.

Who are your main customers and what is your USP to them?

I tend to work with sole traders, start-ups and SMEs in a broad range of sectors, but particularly specialising in growth, profile and

engagement. It’s exciting to be a part of their journey, whether this involves a launch campaign, new product promotion, or even reconnecting with customers more creatively after lockdown.

My USP is that I offer extensive services and expertise at the fraction of the cost of a larger agency. I can offer long-term support or come on board in an adhoc consultancy basis.

What is your position in the business and what does your dayto-day role involve?

As creative director and owner, I am involved with all aspects of day-to-day operations. I like to think I offer a really personable, warm service that goes beyond the initial expectations of my clients and is honest, fair, cost-effective and prompt.

How have you fared during the Covid-19 pandemic?

I’ve found that working remotely has meant I could carry on providing my services easily. The situation with consumer hesitancy and changing trends has meant businesses are having to review their approach, and inject new ideas and strategies for long-term survival and growth. This has resulted in a demand for strategic marketing and PR, and I’ve seen businesses increase their comms.

Also, many people have started up for themselves and need support in getting their brand out there.

How long have you been a member of East Midlands Chamber, and what encouraged you to join?

I joined last spring as a way to network and have met several of my clients through the Chamber, which has been great.

What are the your future plans?

I’d like to continue to reach out to businesses across the region and encourage them to contact me and see where the journey takes Free Your Ostrich. I love what I do and

What do you believe is the most important role of a chamber of commerce?

I’d say the platforms the Chamber provides for networking and introductions to other businesses.

having the opportunity to help to others is very rewarding.

NEW MEMBERS The Chamber welcomed 37 new members in September • 5 Silver Lead Generation • Above & Beyond – Developing Potential CIC • Action Coach – Ilkeston • Alphageek • Barron McCann Limited • Bee-Assisted Limited • Ben Cooper PT Exercise Coaching and Wellbeing • Brill-Me Ltd • Brook Leicester Ltd

• Regional Recruitment Services Limited (pictured)

• Createinn Ltd

• Saltbox Properties Ltd

• Crownhouse IFA’s Limited

• Sherwood Colliery FC

• Daydreamer Project Ltd

• Sherwood Depot Action Group (SDAG) Limited

• DMMP Limited • Esberger Fabrics & Carpets • EverythingGlobal • Fitout Assist UK • Geeks Headquarters Ltd • Ginspired • Inspire Nottingham

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• Staton & Cushley Estate Agents • Staton Mortgage & Protection Specialists • Stoneacre Volvo • The Aura Hub Ltd

• Jen Akinyemi Tattoo

• The Renaissance at Kelham Hall

• Magpie Security Ltd

• The Woodland Trust

• Mattair Maintenance Ltd

• TwelfthCraft

• Nick Dunmur Limited

• Wellsecure Locksmiths Ltd

• Peak Images Ltd

• Whispering Trees CIC

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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APPOINTMENTS

Noel Marriott

Broker appoints senior executive Independent insurance broker Russell Scanlan has appointed a new senior executive to the team to help manage recent growth.

Noel Marriott, who has moved from Mansfield-based AIPS, joins the team in a significant role for the business.

Russell Scanlan is one of Nottingham’s longest established insurance brokers, celebrating 140 years in operation this year. It has experienced new growth in the past few months since old and new clients returned for specialist advice as Covid-19 restrictions have eased.

Noel said: “I have in fact an existing connection to Russell Scanlan – director Simon Winiarski was my mentor back in the very early days of my career at a previous insurance broker and we have kept in touch ever since.

“The business has always been front of mind for me.

Russell Scanlan has a great reputation and is widely known as a forward-thinking modern broker with traditional values, and that’s a really good fit for me.

“The fact that it serves a wide range of clients across multiple sectors, from construction to the motor trade, is an added draw. Its independent status also means that it is pretty nimble as a business and able to respond quickly to new issues and to new developments in the industry.”

Noel’s wife Joanne also joined the team back in November 2020 as commercial manger, and is now president of Nottingham Insurance Institute.

Director Simon Winiarski said: “I could not be more pleased to welcome Noel to the team. I know that he will fit with the existing team dynamic, and the experience he will bring will be invaluable.”

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Paragon Law's new recruits (L-R): Whitney Phippard, Fatima Mboge, Shehzad Babar, Libby Birt, Julia Crellin and Emma Robinson

Law firm welcomes new and returning recruits Immigration law firm Paragon Law has welcomed six new recruits across the business as demand for its specialist services grows.

Solicitor Shehzad Babar returns to the Nottinghamheadquartered business after spending two years working with firms in London. With increasing demand from new clients nationwide, he will focus on growing the firm’s corporate and private immigration law services from its Jermyn Street offices in London.

He said: “I had previously worked with Paragon Law for 12 years but wanted the London experience. When the opportunity came to re-join the firm and because of the IT infrastructure that Paragon Law has invested in allowing me to be based in London, it was an offer too good to miss.”

Meanwhile, Cambridge University graduate Julia Crellin joins the firm’s human rights and asylum team with Fatima

Mboge, who was previously a legal caseworker with the Sheffield charity Asiana – and has vast experience of representing women affected by domestic abuse, forced marriage, FGM and human trafficking.

Master’s law degree graduate Libby Birt also joins Paragon Law as an HR and operations executive, and Whitney Phippard joins as a legal administrator.

Emma Robinson is recruited in the newly-created marketing department following the completion of her master’s in digital marketing.

Founder and director Thal Vasishta said: “I am delighted with the firm’s progress. We continue to demonstrate that we are at the forefront of diversity and inclusion, both in terms of the make-up of our team and the clients we represent. The growth we have achieved could not have taken place without the support of our clients and external partners.”

Phil’s Dream Factory position A Derby bakery that delivers doughnuts to doorsteps across the UK is set to triple production after installing a new piece of equipment costing £250,000.

Project D is installing a doughnut line in its Spondon bakery, known as “The Dream Factory”, which will enable it to make 300,000 sweet treats per week to help keep up with demand.

Overseeing the expansion is new production manager Phil Buckingham, who has spent his career in the food manufacturing industry.

Previously employed by a bakery in Oxford supplying Waitrose with fresh patisserie, Phil will ensure the bakery is as efficient as possible.

He said: “Ever since I was 18, I’ve worked in food manufacturing, and I have a vast experience of processes. Although the end

Phil Buckingham

product is different, my role is to ensure the best possible performance from the bakery and to keep up staff motivation.

“I am absolutely loving working here – for the first time in my

career, I’m waking up before the alarm goes off because I’m ready for the day ahead.”

Project D is one of Derby’s biggest success stories after pivoting during the pandemic allowed it to start an online delivery process and sell through pop-up kiosks all over the county.

Its three founders collectively won the Entrepreneur of the Year title at the Chamber’s inaugural Generation Next Awards in July.

Strategy director and co-founder Jacob Watts said: “This is such an exciting time for us. We continue to grow and as we approach Christmas, we know we are going to be busier than ever.

“We are currently recruiting bakers, decorators, delivery drivers and events assistants – so there are jobs available in almost every role at The Dream Factory.”

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APPOINTMENTS

Promotion recognises hard work Solutions for Accounting and CRM has promoted Gareth Bezant to director after four years at the Nottingham-based business.

During his previous role as head of Sage Intacct operations, Gareth has been instrumental to the delivery of transformational cloud accounting systems for the company’s clients.

He has also helped the firm to become a leading UK partner for Sage Intacct, a cloud-based financial management tool – and during the pandemic, spent much of his time upgrading the software for several of the company’s clients to help their profitability and automation.

Gareth said: “Since joining Solutions four years ago, I have felt very much at home. The company’s ethical approach and customer success focus was aligned with my own ethos, and the opportunities for personal growth have been invaluable.

“What excites me most about my new role is the opportunity to help continue this company’s fantastic growth trajectory while safeguarding the principles of delivering customer value, which is right at the heart of everything we do.”

During his time at the company, Gareth has also proven himself to

be a valuable member of the management team, with his commercial awareness, understanding of technology systems and client needs widely recognised throughout the Sage business community.

Managing director Iain Barker said: “Gareth has proven to be a hugely valuable member of the team, playing a large part in developing our cloud solutions focus and building our success as a Sage Intacct partner. Gareth’s appointment recognises his achievements, but also reflects our commitment to delivering world class technology solutions.”

Gareth Bezant

Record number of new starters at PwC

Ali Breadon

PwC has welcomed 29 graduates, higher apprentices and school leavers to its East Midlands office in Castle Donington as part of its autumn intake.

With a further 152 recruits into PwC’s Birmingham office and 25 into Milton Keynes, PwC’s total recruitment reaches a record 276 new joiners across its designated Midlands region.

Of these people, 54% are from non-selective state schools, 44% are from minority ethnic backgrounds, 40% are female and 38% come from households where neither parent has completed higher education studies.

The recruitment figures also included 70 undergraduates onto PwC’s degree programmes with the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham.

PwC East Midlands market senior partner Ali Breadon said: “We are delighted to welcome our annual intake of graduates, higher apprentices and school leavers to our East Midlands office. We are committed to offering opportunities to those at the outset of their careers by helping them develop relevant skills for our changing economy.

“We recruit local talent from a diverse range of backgrounds, because we want to actively invest in the next generation of future leaders from our region.”

Expansion for creative team Mocha Marketing has paved the way for the next generation of budding creatives by expanding its team.

After joining the Leicester-based marketing agency in February to work on a weekly basis during the final months of her media production degree at De Montfort University (DMU), website design and build specialist Katy Sansom has secured a full-time graduate job.

Harry Jones, a business management and economics student at the University of Sheffield, is also gaining practical work experience after joining as a digital marketing assistant on a year-long industrial placement. He will learn how to plan strategically and execute various marketing campaigns during his time at the company.

Both recruits have been brought on board as part of the BrightER Futures programme run by Chamber president Eileen Richards MBE’s business ER Recruitment in partnership with DMU. It is match students and graduates with Leicester businesses to shape young people’s future prospects,

Katy Sansom and Harry Jones

while giving them the resources needed to thrive within an increasingly competitive job market.

Mocha Marketing managing director Chloe Dennis said: ““As an agency, we always strive to give students learning opportunities.”

Contract manager joins Jephsons Mansfield-based Jephsons Shopfitters has appointed a new contracts manager to develop projects and establish strong relationships with clients and subcontractors.

Paul Henderson has joined the team after the national shopfitting company experienced a period of consistent growth.

Paul said: “Jephsons is renowned for being a good, solid, forwardthinking company. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the job. The vision for my role is to the carry on the already excellent work and contribute to growth within the company.”

Sales and marketing director Wayne Stringfellow added: “Paul has worked from the ground up, which shows excellent teamwork and an understanding of the pressures throughout a project.”

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

Green energy agenda means

the heat is Less than two weeks before COP26 got underway, the Government revealed a £3.9bn plan to reduce carbon emissions from heating homes and other buildings. At the very heart of this strategy was a subsidy offer for heat pumps – a detail of particular interest to Mark Wilkins, director of technologies and training at Vaillant UK, whose Belper factory is expanding production as the market transitions from boilers to eco heat pumps. He speaks to Dan Robinson about decarbonising homes, the future of hydrogen and skills needs. uch water has passed under Westminster Bridge since the Government passed legislation in June 2019 that committed the UK to reach net zero by 2050. There has been the end of the UK-EU transition period and Covid-19, of course, but also big proclamations from Government about “building back greener” and a 10-point plan for a “green industrial revolution”.

Behind the rhetoric has been some key announcements, such as bringing forward the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030, new funding for electric vehicle charging points, and the foundations of a plan to eventually power HGVs with hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels.

But while the path ahead has been relatively clear for the decarbonisation of transport, which accounts for 34% of the country’s emissions, the same can’t be said for household and workplace heating, which is responsible for about 19% but without a “silver bullet” solution.

“Decarbonising homes is a massive challenge – one of the biggest the built environment has ever faced,” says Mark Wilkins.

He lives and breathes the low-carbon homes agenda in his senior role at Vaillant UK, which wants to translate its position as a leader in manufacturing gas boilers into ecofriendly alternatives.

The company, part of a €2.7bn global group headquartered in Germany, is already in a strong position in this respect, having committed to a £3m investment to scale up production of its aroTHERM plus heat pumps at its UK headquarters in Belper from next year.

Last month, the Government unveiled its Heat and Buildings Strategy, which was headlined by a £5,000 subsidy for households to replace old boilers with heat pumps.

It followed the UK’s first-ever Hydrogen Strategy, which was published in August and aims to set the wheels in motion for a thriving hydrogen economy that can clean up energy-intensive industries like chemicals, oil refineries, power and heavy transport.

Mark says: “Part of the picture is starting to form in domestic heating, but also in automotive, transportation and heavy industry.

“We expect a number of consultations to follow as Government sets the big ideas and industry delivers the details.

“As a country, we need to retrofit about 28.5 million homes with low-carbon heating sources but there will be no single solution.

“What is clear though is heat pumps are a no-brainer as they are the technology of the here and now.”

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Vaillant UK’s headquarters in Belper is at the forefront of developing and prodcuing eco heat pumps, with plans to expand production at the factory next year

SKILLS NEEDED FOR HEAT PUMP INSTALLATION Upskilling the UK’s 130,000 existing gas engineers and heating installers will be crucial to the decarbonising homes agenda – while new blood also needs to be recruited, says Mark.

There are only 1,070 registered heat pump installers certified by the industry body MCS, but about 35,000 will be needed to meet the Government’s target of having 600,000 appliances fitted each year by 2028.

Vaillant also wants to make it easier to give the installation workforce the new skills they need, and has called for a low-temperature heating system qualification to be added to the existing Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) for gas training.

Mark says: “Industry is working on training schemes because many of the skills are transferable and much of the existing installer base just requires refreshing.

“It’s now a case of getting the workforce as we’re already desperately short of gas and heat pump installers, as well as plumbers. The current workforce is ageing, with the average worker aged over 45.”

Electricians and engineers in associated appliances such as air conditioning and refrigeration can also be retrained relatively easily, although Mark acknowledges that they too are undergoing their own low-carbon transitions.

“So we have to attract new blood,” he adds. “I would give the advice to any young person not considering university that this industry is going to have great opportunities. Heat pumps are a force for good as modern low-carbon technologies that link up with the internet of things and connected controls."

The pressing skills shortage means addressing this is Vaillant’s key ask when it engages with Government – it would like policies that subsidise training so workers don’t lose out on earnings while attending courses – as well as one of its own priorities as a business.

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

WHAT ABOUT HYDROGEN? Hydrogen will likely be in the future energy mix for domestic heating – but it remains some way off, according to Mark.

While Vaillant is investing significantly in heat pumps, it has already begun exploratory work on how to integrate green hydrogen – which is produced by electricity and emits only water – into its boilers.

There has been a lot of hype over the universe’s most abundant chemical in the future energy system, with the UK Government getting the ball rolling in August by publishing a Hydrogen Strategy.

Mark says: “Not every home can be easily and costeffectively heated with a heat pump, so we think hydrogen has a place in the medium term.

“We also need to have a proper discussion about the best use for hydrogen as we look to scale up production – where do we need it most and when do we need it?

“There’s going to be opportunities for industrial hubs like the East Midlands in sectors such as automotive, transportation and heavy industry.”

When it comes to heating, the Hydrogen Strategy made it clear that 2023 would be the earliest date for combining hydrogen with natural gas in existing boilers.

Vaillant is confident the boilers it’s currently manufacturing and installing will be able to accommodate a blend of at least 20% hydrogen and 80% gas without any tweaking.

The company is also developing boilers that can work with 100% hydrogen once the gas is switched at the grid, and like heat pumps, these will be made in Belper.

But Mark adds: “We don’t expect pure hydrogen to be used in anything but field trials and validation until the end of this decade – and more likely into the 2030s.”

‘Decarbonising homes is a massive challenge – one of the biggest the built environment has ever faced’

An air-to-water heat pump sits on the side of a property

HEAT PUMPS MIGHT be a modern phenomenon and identified by the Government as the principal low-carbon heating source in new homes.

But given the technology takes the same scientific principle that allows a fridge to cool groceries and adopting it in reverse, its roots stretch back to 1748, when William Cullen demonstrated artificial refrigeration. Lord Kelvin is commonly credited for developing the heat pump idea in 1852 and, three years later, Peter von Rittinger began building the first system.

An air-to-water heat pump like the Vaillant aroTHERM plus - an outdoor appliance that sits on the side of a property - transfers heat from the outside air into water used for heating radiators, underfloor heating or stored for later use.

Heat from the air is absorbed into a fluid. This fluid then passes through a heat exchanger into the heat pump, which raises the temperature and then transfers that heat to water. Ground-source heat pumps work in a similar way but, via a series of pipes laid in trenches or a borehole buried in outdoor spaces, absorb heat from the ground or body of water instead.

“It’s a very mature, low-carbon technology that’s prominently used in Scandinavia, which has a much cooler climate than Britain, as well as in other countries such as Germany and Austria,” says Mark.

“It can work effectively, and has developed considerably over the years in terms of efficiency and performance improvements, getting better with each iteration.”

Vaillant began producing heat pumps in 2007 and last year released aroTHERM plus, which has the highest energy efficiency rating of A+++ and a very low global warming potential rating.

To achieve this, it uses the natural, low-impact refrigerant gas R290 and other technical features that enable higher flow temperatures while minimising noise – particularly important in built-up housing estates. Vaillant has a product roadmap to keep tweaking its performance over time.

Mark says: “The refrigerant gas and features inside are where the technology will improve, and as well as noise reduction, we’re starting to get higher temperatures from them for producing hot water.

“To produce hot water out of your tap at 55°C, you need higher temperature water going into the cylinder or an electrical back-up heater. We’re now at the stage where we can do this using just a heat pump, without the need for the back-up heater, so the technology has improved a lot.”

While there’s no doubting the lower carbon footprint, longevity and potential for delivering cheaper bills, it’s put to Mark that not all consumers are confident in their ability to truly replace the central heating system used by about 95% of UK homes.

He acknowledges that while gas boilers are durable, reliable and robust – able to “cover most things you throw at them” – heat pumps are more of a precision instrument.

“A heat pump needs to be installed properly, designed and optimised for the property it goes into, and will work at lower temperatures,” he explains.

“Because of this, you can’t easily warm your towels and you’ll notice the difference. That doesn’t mean it won’t heat the home, but it works in a different way.

“A boiler works in short spurts at various points in the day. You can put it on at 6pm and by 6.30pm, the house is warm so you turn it off.

“The heat pump will trickle the heating into the building over a longer period. It performs best when it’s working 24/7 and left alone, running low and slow – whereas the boiler is more of a short-burst sprinter.”

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THE BIG INTERVIEW

WHILE THE TECHNOLOGY appears to be moving in the right direction, there is much work to do if the UK is to manage retrofitting the 28.5 million homes that need to be decarbonised.

The diversity of each household will present its own “bag of challenges”, says Mark.

Many built from the 1980s onwards, when building regulations drove the amount of energy they could use, shouldn’t encounter many issues other than changes to radiator sizes and pipework – as long as certain preparatory work is carried out, such as room-by-room calculations.

Available space on outside walls to fit the units that store the pumps is also a necessity, which may be an issue in older homes with small, or no, backyards.

Mark says: “There will be some properties where you can’t install a heat pump.

“Maybe the heat loss is so great, such as in solid stonewalled homes, that you can’t get a heat pump big enough to go in – although in this instance, there may be an opportunity to use a heat pump and boiler hybrid system.

“In other properties, perhaps the energy efficiency needs to be significantly improved before you put the heat pump in.”

He also admits that while heat pumps will drop in price gradually, it’s unlikely costs will ever be as low as boilers.

To this end, the Government hopes its £5,000 subsidies Government subsidies are designed to encourage the uptake of heat pumps

Each household will present its own challenges when it come to decarbonising homes, according to Mark

FOUR PILLARS OF NET ZERO HOMES Vaillant has published a white paper, titled Decarbonising home heating in the UK, identifying four pillars that must be addressed for the UK to achieve its target of net zero homes by 2050. Mark explains each of these action areas: Building stock fabric improvements: “We need to reduce the energy needs in the home through material improvements such as insulation in walls and lofts, as well as double-glazed windows and doors.”

1

Heating system improvements: “Make our heating system future-proof by adding a heat pump to the incumbent boiler in a hybrid system and switch high-efficiency boilers to hydrogen-ready systems in future once they become available.”

2

Installer upskilling and development: “When gas engineers visit a home to service a boiler, they should start discussing now what customers can do for the future, which is what we’re training our installers to do now.”

3

Consumer education: “Leading on from the above, if you know about it, you can plan for it.

Unfortunately, most of us leave our heating systems ticking away in the corner and only realise there’s a problem when they don’t work. We need to give homeowners more information about how heat pumps work, the changes required to their heating system and how behaviours in the system are different to a traditional boiler.”

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will help kickstart the market, although the £450m allocated funding means it will cover a maximum of 90,000 pumps to replace boilers.

Given an air-source heat pump can cost between £6,000 and £18,000, depending on the type installed and size of the property, there are some doubts about the scope of the support.

An uphill task therefore faces Westminster if it’s to achieve its target of installing 600,000 units by 2028, although the trajectory is moving in the right direction – from 30,000 in 2019 to a projected 80,000 this year.

For Vaillant, a company that markets itself as having led the innovation of gas appliances since 1874, the sustainability agenda presents a landmark challenge.

But it’s one the firm is willing to meet head on, as demonstrated by the announcement to make its 250,000 sq ft Belper factory – where 1,000 people are employed and half a million boilers are made for the UK market each year – one of the key European suppliers for its aroTHERM plus devices in a move that will create about 70 jobs.

Mark adds: “There’s no single solution for the future of heating – it will be a mix of technologies because the 28.5 million homes we need to retrofit are very diverse.

“What we will find though is that some of this technology is already here. If you want to decarbonise now then look to a heat pump.

“The market is growing considerably and with a concerted effort, the 600,000 annual target is achievable, which is why we’re really excited to be producing heat pumps in Belper from early next year.”

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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Images courtesy of Steelcase

PATRONS

Office design for Gen Z: Innovation for the new generation There are many business owners and office managers now realising that to attract the next generation of employees and clients, they need to have a greater understanding of what Gen Z people – those born between 1997 and 2012, which will make up a third of the workforce by 2025 – want from their office design. Chloe Sproston (pictured), creative and commercial director at workplace consultancy and office fit-out specialist Blueprint Interiors, highlights some ways to bridge the gap in office design. prefer the term work-life approach.

This means putting measures in place to make work as fulfilling and engaging as possible.

Increased natural light, social spaces and open-air design can all help to make work a better place to be. Similarly, biophilic workspaces that include lots of greenery also do a great job in boosting mood while increasing air quality, as well as reinforce an eco-friendly ethos.

EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY As you can imagine, the “digital native” generation is more than comfortable with technology. In fact, for Gen Z, connected technology is not so much a perk, but rather a necessity for effective work.

A reliable Wi-Fi connection and high-spec laptops ensure your workers can be productive wherever they are. It’s worth bearing in mind that embracing smartphones, tablets, connectivity apps such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, as well as tech-enabled meeting rooms, can make work easier for everyone, not just Gen Z.

CHAMPION SUSTAINABILITY Gen Z people have been brought up with global issues such as climate change in the limelight.

Accessible information has been at their fingertips ever since they were able to talk thanks to the internet, making them more aware and conscious of global crises.

They don’t see sustainability as a “cool” benefit, but rather something that should be ingrained into every business. This can have a huge effect on where they choose to work, and increasingly more Gen Z employees are stating their personal beliefs and ethics play a role in career choices.

Start by emphasising environmental consciousness and sustainability in your company ethos, increase the availability of recycling points, and practice ecofriendly water and electricity 36

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DEVELOP AGILE SPACES Breakout rooms and quiet zones are appealing to young workers

consumption habits. Another good place to start is with your lighting.

By switching to LED lightbulbs, you’ll use significantly less energy – saving the planet and your wallet.

why it’s equally important to provide workers with isolated “quiet zones”, providing an ideal place to focus – whether for independent working, meetings or just to take a breather away from others.

FOCUS ON COMMUNICATION Contrary to what you might imagine from the generation often berated for being “buried in their phones”, Gen Z workers actually thrive on social contact. According to a recent poll, 72% of Gen Z workers prefer face-to-face communication at work.

Providing accommodating and effective space for face-to-face meetings, as well as open-plan offices and breakout rooms, can help them to thrive.

However, not everyone works the same, and all that socialising can take a toll on the best of us. That’s

PROMOTE A WORK-LIFE APPROACH Burnout is a real problem, especially in the younger workforce. This can cause increased workplace stress, sick days and, in extreme cases, employee turnover. This is why it’s important to promote a healthy and supportive workplace.

We’ve said it before, but we’re not huge fans of the term work-life balance as it promotes the idea of balancing the “bad” (work) and the “good” (life). But what if we made work good? Would it still need to be “balanced”? That’s why we

An agile office is one that supports the individual work preferences of your team. This provides your workspace with more autonomy, more room for creativity and the ability to work with greater flexibility.

Designs such as breakout rooms, quiet zones and digitally-enabled meeting spaces are all key aspects of an agile office, but it doesn’t end there. To be truly agile, your office must offer effective workspaces for all employees, and this includes aspects you might have never considered. Acoustic noise dampeners, portable power packs and modular work points are all useful in adapting to individuals’ workstyles.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT The number of Gen Z workers in society is growing year on year. So there’s no better time to start making your office attractive to the future workforce and aligning your culture in line with the values of the WELL Building Standard.

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PATRONS

DNS strengthens links to support local businesses Document Network Services (DNS), a company that prides itself on employing a team of “business process problemsolvers”, has strengthened its relationship with the Chamber as a patron.

It comes as the Derby-based firm launched a new service called DNA – Discovering the Necessary via Analysis – which gives companies a thorough assessment for free.

‘No business to date has regretted accepting our help’ DNS has been a Chamber member since shortly after starting trading more than 25 years ago and hopes to use the patronage to help spread the word about its latest service.

Managing director Martin Lenton said: “With the pandemic hitting local businesses so hard, we wanted to get the message out that there is support available to

DNS’ Derby headquarters

help get business back on track via our DNA programme. No business to date has regretted accepting our help and all have benefitted, be they large or small.

“We have faith that working with East Midlands Chamber as a patron, more members will have access to the vast knowledge and experience accrued within our team. This will ensure they have the information they need in the areas we cover to make informed decisions that will help their trading position.”

The company now employs 21 people, including admin, finance,

technical support, sales and marketing staff, at Pride Park.

Working for a wide range of organisations across the East Midlands and surrounding areas, DNS helps to identify new innovative ways to help improve their business processes.

Acting as a “consultive partner”, the DNS approach involves identifying what people’s frustrations are regarding their print environment, IT services, document management and communications, then finding a solution to overcome them.

The new DNA service reviews all areas of a business, including indepth analysis of current equipment, set up, costs, contractual positions and conformity towards net zero.

This initial assessment is carried out for free and reported in a plain and simple manner, with clients then having the option of using further DNS services.

It is designed to highlight areas for improvement and prevent a firm

Martin Lenton

from getting into contracts and partnerships that are detrimental to their trading ability.

Reports have recently been compiled for the Chamber, as well as Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United football clubs.

The Chamber’s chief executive Scott Knowles said: “It’s always great to see long-standing members of the Chamber grow their business and eventually become closer aligned with the region’s largest business support organisation as a patron.

“We believe the new DNA service from DNS will be of great benefit to many of our members by enabling them to have all the necessary information required before entering important contracts or partnerships, particularly during a time of economic recovery.”

College’s sign of appreciation The founder and managing director of Chamber patron Hardy Signs has received an honorary fellowship from Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC).

Nik Hardy (pictured), who founded the Burton-based signage designer and manufacturer in 1993, received the award during a graduation ceremony held in the Hilton at St George’s Park. He was recognised for his significant contribution to the “fulfilling potential” mission of the college.

He thanked CEO and principal Dawn Ward CBE, chair to the corporation Everton Burke OBE and the Burton College team that he has worked with for many years.

Nik said: “I am genuinely honoured to have been awarded an honorary fellowship and join other individuals whose work has made an impact at BSDC. The college plays a key role in the development of the young learners and apprentices of our town, and provides fantastic facilities that shape their future careers. They lead the way in representing our town across the Midlands and beyond.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the college and further develop our relationship and the prospects for their students.”

In partnership with BSDC, Nik founded the Hardy Signs “Sign and Print” academy in 2016, aiming to train the sign-makers of the future.

THE CHAMBER IS HONOURED BY THE SUPPORT OF ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS

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CHAMBER NEWS

Chamber and university support Race to Zero The Chamber and University of Derby have become signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Race to Zero campaign.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of the Chamber, and Professor Kamil Omoteso, pro vice-chancellor dean of the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences at the university, made the announcement at the Midlands Sustainability Summit, cohosted by the organisations and supported by the Midlands Engine, in September.

Race to Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a healthy, resilient, zerocarbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

The Chamber launched the Sustainable East Midlands campaign last year to encourage more businesses to engage with the low-carbon agenda by demonstrating its commercial benefits, as well as highlighting successful case studies.

A newly-appointed Sustainable East Midlands policy officer will aim to create a net zero plan over the coming months, with ideas including setting a baseline carbon footprint to measure against, installing energyefficient lighting and heating systems, and developing an employee engagement strategy to support behavioural changes in terms of workspaces, travel and waste.

Scott Knowles added: “As the business community looks to rebuild after a turbulent 18 months, the focus now shifts towards the future and the role we must all take in addressing the ever-pressing climate change challenge.

“As our commitment to this urgent challenge, where we feel it is important to lead by example, we are pleased to announce that the Chamber is setting our own net zero goal to cut our carbon emissions in half by 2030, with an aim to reach net zero before 2050."

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Steady Budget won’t ‘excite or fright’ businesses Changes to alcohol duty and universal credit stole the headlines in the Autumn Budget, but businesses will have kept a keen eye on business rates reform, investment incentives and levelling up. Scott Knowles (pictured), chief executive of the Chamber, unpicks the key points from the Chancellor’s hour-long speech in the House of Commons.

This was a fairly steady, even-handed Budget with little to excite or fright businesses, which is ultimately what is required to prevent adding further uncertainty.

Given many of the big announcements had been trailed since the weekend, there was a relatively muted response by Chamber members, although there is recognition of the fact there won’t be any immediate negative impacts for the majority of companies.

There is also some positive news for sections of the economy that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, such as retail, hospitality and leisure. The 50% business rates discount for these sectors and an overhaul of alcohol duty will be helpful, although it must be noted that there was no mention of extending the reduced VAT rate for hospitality beyond April 2022.

After years of calling for a fundamental reform of the business rates system, it was promising to learn more about what the review will involve. We would particularly welcome the 12-month grace period for companies that make new investments, and a complete relief from rate increases for those that invest in green technologies, but until we see further details it will feel like the reform hasn’t gone far enough.

ADDRESSING THE PRODUCTIVITY GAP We agree with the Chancellor’s mantra to create a high-skilled, high-wage and high-productivity economy.

However, as the National Living Wage is increased, we need to see significant moves towards enhanced productivity – and the East Midlands arguably has further to travel in this respect due to certain types of manufacturing that comprise a substantial part of our economy.

The extension to the £1m investment allowance, and the proposed changes to make R&D tax reliefs more

comprehensive and easier to access, will help incentivise innovation. But these policies again appear to be tweaks rather than fundamental changes that would help improve the East Midlands’ uptake of R&D tax relief, which is currently the lowest in the country.

GREEN AGENDA AND LEVELLING UP One week ahead of COP26, we will have expected more around how the green agenda will be supported and while there were hints towards our economy’s direction of travel, there was nothing to really get pulses racing.

‘The most positive note for businesses may well be the fact big taxes weren’t revisited’ We certainly didn’t learn more about what levelling up will mean for the East Midlands beyond some early allocations of infrastructure spending, and there was only a token mention of the skills issue that is currently holding businesses back from growing during the economic recovery.

Big questions remain about key issues like the HS2 Eastern Leg and it was disappointing that, after already waiting for such a long time to receive a firm commitment on its future, the can has been kicked down the road once more with the Chancellor saying the Integrated Rail Plan will be published ‘soon’.

The most positive note for businesses may well be the fact big taxes weren’t revisited – but with a number of changes coming in spring 2023, businesses will need to be reassured that this isn’t just deferring pain to the future.

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CHAMBER NEWS

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For more information on how to enrol on our online preparation OET course, email QAQF at: info@qaqf.co.uk November 2021 business network

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CHAMBER NEWS

Dinner a chance to look back… and to the future ileen Richards MBE reflected on her journey to businesswoman and East Midlands Chamber president as the Annual Dinner returned to a live audience.

The owner of ER Recruitment also spoke about her priorities for the Chamber and region as she took to the stage at Colwick Hall in Nottingham, on 23 September.

It was the first Annual Dinner since March 2019 and the event raised £1,130 to be split between Eileen’s three chosen charities – Chesterfield Samaritans, Help the Homeless Leicester and Nottinghamshire Hospice.

Decision-making was the key theme of Eileen’s speech, as she explained how she took the plunge to resign from a senior position in a national corporate to set up her own business.

She said: “Decision-making in my life has invariably involved people – how they find work and how they look out for others.

“As one of seven children, I’ve spent a lifetime balancing the needs of others while carving a niche for myself.

“That family life extended into professional life as I moved into CIPD training and became interested in how business relationships blossom between people.”

Another key decision involved setting her three priorities for her year as Chamber president – growing member-to-member

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relations, increasing business engagement with young leaders via Generation Next, and representing firms during the regional economic recovery.

She said: “So what comes next?

Well, of course many of the biggest challenges we face will be mitigated or exacerbated by the decision-making of our political leaders.

“How will they manage the end of furlough and the infection rate as winter approaches? Will the Levelling Up White Paper lead to a

Leon Lloyd donated 40 books to be auctioned at the event

Eileen Richards MBE (second from right) with (L-R) her husband Chris Perry, Jean Mountain and General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman

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Eileen Richards MBE addresses guests at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner

Scarlett Tinsley, Sarah Knight, Callum Griffiths and Amelia Richards, who is Eileen's daughter

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CHAMBER NEWS

The Generation Next ‘champions’ who sit on the young professional network’s board

Lindsey Williams, who will be Eileen’s successor as president next year

more equitable resource settlement in our region?

“When will a clear decision come on HS2? What does net zero mean for our members?”

Eileen, who will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Enterprising Women network next year alongside co-chair and past president Jean Mountain, added: “The external environment continues to throw out opportunities and threats that the Chamber and its officers will continue to monitor, challenge and champion on behalf of its members.”

Eileen Richards MBE with her Enterprising Women co-chair Jean Mountain (centre) and the Chamber’s commercial events manager Linsey Hardy

About 350 people attended the black-tie gala, which included a speech by General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, a former vicechief of Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces.

He gave an update on the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC), which is currently being built at the Stanford Hall Estate, on the LeicestershireNottinghamshire border, and requires further investment.

Former Leicester Tigers and England rugby player Leon Lloyd also gave a keynote address about

how to translate learnings from teamwork in sport into business.

He is co-founder and CEO of Switch the Play Foundation, the UK’s first charity to focus on assisting athletes and military personnel with successfully transitioning into the world of business, and published the book Life After Sport: From Boot Room to Boardroom, about career transition.

The Annual Dinner was sponsored by ‘AV IT Media, Design Studio Architects, Fraser Stretton Estate Agents, GBS Apprenticeships, Midlands Connect and Wildfire.

The Chamber’s deputy chief executive Diane Beresford and board member Dawn Edwards, who was president last year

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business network November 2021

sales@rheintacho.co.uk

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CHAMBER NEWS

Scheme lifts the lid on opportunity Hundreds more young people in the East Midlands could be given a chance to gain vital work experience after the Government extended the Kickstart Scheme by three months, says one of the country’s top delivery partners.

The Chamber welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s confirmation the Government’s employment programme will continue to fund new starters on the six-month job placements until 31 March 2022, rather than the original 31 December 2021 end date.

‘The Kickstart Scheme has been a lifeline for young people’ This means it will continue to accept applications from employers and gateway organisations, such as the Chamber – which has already helped to create and fill more than 1,200 vacancies for 16 to 24-yearolds on Universal Credit or at risk of long-term unemployment – until 17 December this year.

Unveiling a £500m jobs support package at the Conservative Party Conference, Mr Sunak also confirmed an initiative to give businesses a £3,000 bonus for

each apprentice it hires will be extended until 31 January 2022.

Diane Beresford, the Chamber’s deputy chief executive and Kickstart lead, said: “This is really positive news for businesses as it comes at a crucial period in which many firms are now looking to grow again following the struggles they have endured over the past 18 months.

“The Kickstart Scheme has been a fantastic initiative that enables companies to trial new roles they may otherwise not have felt in a position to do, and we’ve received outstanding feedback from so many employers about the high standard of people they have recruited and the attributes they’ve brought to teams.

“The Kickstart Scheme has been a lifeline for young people to get the skills and work experience that will be vital to their future prospects, and this extension will enable potentially hundreds more people to make the first crucial steps in their career.”

The Department for Work and Pensions funds 100% of the agerelevant National Minimum Wage, national insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week over a six-month period.

Employers can choose to top up

this wage and are also eligible for a £1,500 Government grant for training people on a Kickstart placement.

Once applications are accepted, young people are referred into the roles via a Jobcentre Plus work coach.

The Chamber has had more than 2,500 placements approved among 885 businesses located in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and other locations. Of these, 2,133 have resulted in vacancies being created

For businesses wanting to take part in the Kickstart Scheme, contact Pieter Eksteen on pieter.eksteen@emc-dnl.co.uk or 0333 320 0333 (Ext 2241).

Service aims to help employers find talent

‘The difference we are making is incredible’ Murphy & Son, a 134-year-old brewing supplies and consultancy firm based in Old Basford, Nottingham, added six Kickstarters to its workforce of 54 fulltime employees.

It is planning to convert many of the placements into apprenticeships and permanent positions.

Head of technical Iain Kenny said: “It has allowed us to recruit for brand new positions that have previously not existed.

“All the young people have specifically been recruited with these roles in mind, so have brought a fresh set of skills and understanding that we have not previously had within the organisation.”

One of these was the role of sustainability assessment co-ordinator, which was filled by Tamsin Randall, who sets recommendations and implements changes to reduce the company’s emissions compared to a baseline year.

The 23-year-old, from Nottingham, said: “I have had loads of valuable experience, which has made me realise how interested I am in environmental issues and the importance of businesses working together to reduce carbon emissions. From this, I have taken away that for the rest of my career that I ultimately want to be working in sustainability.”

Frontline Sales & Marketing, in Chesterfield, has

and 1,254 of those have now been filled, with dozens starting new roles every week – meaning hundreds more could benefit over the three-month extension.

Eighty percent of those who have finished their six-month placements have either secured jobs or moved into further study.

Employees in the lab at Murphy & Son

recruited 10 people via the Kickstart Scheme, with some of those resulting in permanent roles.

Director Vicky Anderson said: “The difference we are making together for these young people is just incredible.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of it, and I never thought it would be such a resounding success. I am absolutely convinced this will pay off economically, socially and for our wider community.

“There is nothing better than real work, structure, tasks and deadlines to shape a person, give pride and a new ‘professional’ identity.”

Derby City Council has launched a new brokerage service to help connect employers with local talent.

With many businesses reporting difficulties in recruiting people with the right skills – a key issue according to the Chamber’s recent Quarterly Economic Survey – the service aims to simplify the process in finding relevant jobseekers.

The council’s economic growth team will work with businesses to understand their skills requirements before developing a recruitment plan, which will be complemented by related activities to connect them with individuals and providers.

Examples of support in the brokerage service include transferring 25% of the council’s apprenticeship levy to employers for supporting training costs; advisory support on how to implement inclusive recruitment programmesl; and developing sector work-based academy programmes (SWAPs), which consist of pre-employment training and job-related qualifications for candidates.

For more information, email EmploymentandSkills@derby.gov. uk or call 01332 956989.

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CHAMBER NEWS

generationnextemc.co.uk

Sharing experiences and ideas is what it’s all about As one of 14 board member “champions” of Generation Next, Scarlett Tinsley (pictured) plays a key role in navigating the direction of the Chamber’s new network for young professionals and business leaders. The brand and marketing executive at Leicester-based ER Recruitment tells Business Network about her career journey to date and why she joined the network.

What has your career journey been to date and what does your current role involve?

With a natural creative flair, I knew a position in marketing would be the perfect match for me from around the age of 15 and the topics I chose to study aligned with this goal in mind.

As a Leicester girl through and through, I opted to complete my undergraduate degree in advertising and marketing Communications at De Montfort University (which I loved every second of!). I was lucky enough to join the team at ER Recruitment on a part-time basis alongside my studies to help to support with their social media. On graduating, I was offered a full-time position with the team and promoted to a marketing executive.

Since then, my role has transformed way beyond my initial responsibilities of social media, with me now being responsible for all aspects of branding and marketing across digital, events, print and social.

Alongside this, I have been able to run many exciting campaigns and projects both within the business and the community.

What have been your biggest achievements to date and how did they come about?

Graduating was one of the biggest highs for me – the late nights revising was all worth it when I received the email to say I had achieved a first-class honours and I was extremely lucky to graduate with all my favourite people there with me. It was a memory that I will keep forever.

What are your future goals?

I love to learn. I am one of those bizarre people who would be on a girls’ holiday in Ibiza and still have a huge book in my hand, so my goal is just to never stop learning.

One of my favourite quotes is from BB King: “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”

Do you have any advice to other young people on how to succeed in business or their career?

Just go for it! As simple as it sounds, we often hold ourselves back by not sharing great ideas or opinions because we think “these people are far more experienced than me, why would they care what I have to say?”

GENERATION NEXT UPCOMING EVENTS 9 NOVEMBER The dos and don’ts of starting your own business with Loughborough University (online, 10am) An opportunity to learn about Loughborough University’s recently-launched business start-up accelerator programme, which provides aspiring young business owners with coaching, training, connections, workspace and funding.

1 DECEMBER

My managing director Eileen Richards MBE has always encouraged me to push myself out of my comfort zone by doing things I perhaps would not have been brave enough to do – and afterwards I have always been so glad to have done them. Now, I just go for it – the book Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway by Susan Jeffers is a great read to help to change your mindset into doing this.

Why did you want to be involved with Generation Next and how can it help young people?

I love being part of the Generation Next network – it’s a brilliant way to connect with like-minded young professionals to share ideas and experiences.

Each of our champions have different stories in regard to education and their way into the world of work, and for those who are making the transition into the workplace, it’s great to have that support network surrounding you.

Introducing the SME pathway to zero carbon (online, 8.30am) Dr Fred Paterson, of the University of Derby, will run through the resources available to businesses who wish to become zero-carbon.

15 DECEMBER Community and CSR in 2022 as a core part of your business (Dryden Enterprise Centre, Nottingham, 3pm) Hardy Signs founder Nik Hardy will explain how to create strong allies from the beginning of a professional journey.

More than 90 events for Business Festival Futureproofing the city’s fashion industry and net zero are among the events at Leicester Business Festival – which returns this month.

About 90 events will take place between 8 and 18 November at the festival, which aims to share knowledge and best practice, as well as promoting growth and collaboration.

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business network November 2021

Now in its seventh year and a staple in the local business community’s calendar, it covers a wide range of topics including Instagram for your business, sports entrepreneurship and embracing the sustainability agenda.

Headline partner De Montfort University will run 18 events, including discussions and advice on

how to help retain graduates in the city by showcasing job opportunities; how to measure emissions and take steps to reduce emissions; and reflecting on issues raised in the media about Leicester’s fashion industry in order to protect its reputation.

The Chamber, one of the event partners, will also run multiple

workshops, one of which highlights the importance of a digital workplace strategy and how to implement this with other business planning tools.

Most of the events are free but tickets must be booked in advance. Visit www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com

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CHAMBER NEWS

Contact us now T: 01623 825516 E: nfsl@notts-fire.co.uk

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CHAMBER NEWS

Roadshow focuses on green agenda Businesses can connect with the public sector and community organisations for a regional postCOP26 event.

The COP26 Regional Roadshow East Midlands on 11 November will showcase the partnerships, achievements, opportunities and potential across the region in driving forward net zero at scale.

Keynote speakers from Nottinghamshire County Council, Midlands Engine, Environment Agency and East Midlands Development Corporation will discuss topics including green innovation and investment, regional partnerships, and the future of delivering development and infrastructure at scale.

There will also be case studies of digital and green development, partnership working and future investments – as well as live panel debates on net zero development design and practice, and green finance.

The free event, delivered by Nottinghamshire County Council in collaboration with the Midlands Energy Hub, takes place from 8.30am to 5.30pm, with delegates able to drop into online sessions throughout the day. To book a place, visit bit.ly/COP26EMRoadshow

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Midlands Energy Summit will address the climate challenge The future of energy supply, Professor demand, cost and security will be Shearer West under the spotlight at a major Chamber-run event following hot on the heels of COP26.

The Midlands Energy Summit will explore the region’s opportunities and threats in the sustainability agenda, seek to understand the scale of transition required to achieve net zero targets, and educate delegates on the latest technologies being developed to meet business demands in the near future and beyond.

It will take place virtually on 30 November between 9am and 12pm, and is held in partnership with the University of Nottingham’s Energy Innovation and Collaboration team.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of the Chamber, said: “In order to meaningfully address the climate challenge, it is essential that the way we create, use, store and distribute energy is put at the centre of this discussion.

“The Midlands Energy Summit will bring together business, academia and policymakers to explore how we can accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and a move towards cleaner new energy industries.

“Set post-COP26, the Summit will also provide the opportunity to discuss the latest thinking and how

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this directly relates to the business community in the East Midlands.”

Professor Shearer West, vicechancellor of the University of Nottingham, will give an introductory talk about what “a sustainable future” means to her institution, and Peter Ware, chair of the Midlands Engine Green Growth Board, will give an overview of the Midlands Engine Ten Point Plan for Green Growth.

Other keynote speakers include: Steve Atkins, head of global trade at Consultus, giving a five-year energy market outlook Stephen Scrimshaw, UK and Ireland vice-president at Siemens Energy, explaining what net zero means in practical terms such as green technologies Jason Gradie, operating plant services director at Cavendish Nuclear, covering his company’s role in supporting low-carbon power generation in the East Midlands, the development of small modular reactors and the future of green hydrogen Professor David Grant, director of the University of Nottingham Energy Institute, discussing how to address societal challenges through energy research, innovation and collaboration.

The Midlands Energy Summit, which will be delivered via GoToWebinar, is free to attend. To book a place, visit bit.ly/MidlandsEnergySummit21

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BUSINESS NETWORK

Business Crime Reduction Partnership launches in Derby A Chamber-run scheme that makes it easier for businesses to work together to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour has launched in Derby.

The Derbyshire Business Crime Reduction Partnership’s (BCRP) online DISC system is now available for free, for a year, to companies that pay a levy the Cathedral Quarter or St Peters Quarter business improvement district (BID) levies.

Subscription usually costs £100 + VAT to the system, which provides access to a GDPR-compliant platform so users can share intelligence with neighbouring businesses – such as about shoplifters operating in the area – as well as to quickly report incidents to Derbyshire Police via the app, view offender photo galleries, and receive crime alerts and newsletters.

Martin Langsdale, chair of the Cathedral Quarter BID and Helen Wathall, chair of St Peters Quarter BID, said: “This platform will help strengthen the link between businesses and the police, which in

The Derbyshire BCRP will support the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs’ ranger teams that already act as a conduit between businesses and statutory services

turn will help tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in our city centre to encourage more people to visit and give local businesses the boost they need.

“We are delighted to offer this scheme for free to levy-paying businesses in order to help make them more resilient – a key theme during the post-Covid economic recovery.”

The Derbyshire BCRP is a joint

project funded by the Chamber and Derbyshire Police Crime Commissioner’s office. It is one of several hundred national schemes and is currently running in a number of Derbyshire towns. The scheme is delivered in partnership with the police, councils, community safety and support services to help those offenders with complex needs.

Jackie Roberts, BCRP manager at the Chamber, added: “Businesses in town and city centres have struggled during the pandemic and crime would only make this worse, so it’s important to have a safe city centre to attract people back after lockdown.

“The DISC portal is an integral part of crime reduction strategies as it makes it so much easier for businesses to share intelligence about incidents and offender images between members, police, community safety officers and other partners such as the BCRP team.

“The more businesses that are involved in the BCRP scheme and sharing information, the stronger it will be – and the better the area will be as a result.”

Green light for Becketwell venue Planning permission has been granted for a 3,500-capacity venue to be built at the heart of Derby’s £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme.

Derby City Council granted approval to developer St James Securities, which will build the performance venue on the site of the former Pennine Hotel, Pink Coconut nightclub and Laurie House offices.

Demolition work will start in January, with construction work expected to begin a year later before the development is handed over to operator ASM Global – whose portfolio includes Wembley SSE Arena, Glasgow SSE Hydro Arena and Manchester AO Arena – in late 2024, creating more than 200 jobs.

It will be able to host concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, musicals, theatre, conferences, business events and exhibitions.

The Chamber was among a number of organisations to write a letter in support of the planning application.

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CHAMBER NEWS

If you’d like to join us, please contact Amanda on 07715 078 789 or at amanda.mcfarlane@vistablind.org.uk for your invitation and the meeting link. www.vistablind.org.uk Registered Charity No. 218992

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CHAMBER NEWS

Adam Lockwood with his team harvesting their crops

Scheme will offer start-up support

Family farming business is turning over a new leaf Breaking through the traditional images of farming is a family-run salad growing business – which, using new technology and sustainable practices, is changing perceptions leaf by leaf.

Lockwood Salads, in Hinckley, has grown rapidly during the pandemic after shifting its sales focus from hospitality to supermarket customers.

‘I’ve tried to surround myself with people that can listen and advise’ The company, which also has a passion for healthy, high-quality food, has been backed along the way by the Business Gateway Growth Hub, which supports Leicestershire businesses.

Owner Adam Lockwood was supported by Aruna Bhagwan, an adviser for the programme, which is run by a partnership involving the Chamber.

Aruna said: “This is such a positive team that is changing the way things are done. From using vegetable oil as fuel to reduce carbon emissions, to monitoring rainfall data to inform its decisionmaking, I’m so proud of what they’ve achieved. It’s on an exciting upward trajectory.”

Adam, who has an agricultural degree along with hands-on management experience at farms in England and Canada, set up his business in 2019, with 50 acres of

land, after realising there weren’t many others growing baby leaf salad. It grows baby spinach, red lettuce, bulls blood, red chard, land cress and wild rocket.

Before Covid-19, the business operated in two ways – growing and packing its own branded salad bags for wholesale markets used by food service and catering businesses, as well as selling crops that went straight from the field in trucks to larger suppliers that washed, packed and distributed them to supermarkets.

This was during their core season running from April to October.

During the rest of the year, the team would import salad from Europe, pack and send it out to give the business an all-year supply.

As hospitality firms closed due to the national lockdown, this effectively ended their supply to this sector.

But as supermarkets began to demand more supplies for customers stuck at home, Lockwood

Salads switched its focus to this side of the business, resulting in volumes to stores rising from 15,000kg to 35,000kg per week.

Other growth has been in land size, with 300 acres now under its management. There are four employees, including Adam’s partner Alice, and the workforce increases to 15 during peak season.

Adam said Aruna offered lots of support when cashflow became an issue in his second year in business due to increased outgoings, as well as dealing with its seasonal nature.

She also helped him to secure a £15,000 local authority grant towards a new robotic machine that will improve efficiency, and in developing a growth plan.

“From the beginning, I’ve tried to surround myself with people that can listen and advise,” he added. “I count Aruna as one of those people. I can pick up the phone anytime and have a chat, it definitely helps to get an external viewpoint.”

Free help for microbusinesses Business Gateway has launched a new series of webinars to support Leicestershire’s many microbusinesses to grow and thrive using new ideas.

Starting in early November and running weekly until mid-December, the free workshops will help delegates to think differently, develop new ideas and use customer feedback to test them before launching.

The seven 90-minute webinars, which will be delivered by Solvers Studio founder Carl Quinn, include topics such as idea generation, rapid prototyping, winning at failing and implementing new ideas.

To book a place, visit bit.ly/3vqpHOA

A coalition of local authorities across Derbyshire have joined forces to launch a scheme that supports individuals who want to set up their own business.

The Vision Derbyshire partnership offers business support, funding and networking opportunities to people who may never have dreamed of being their own bosses, including those who have recently taken the plunge during the pandemic Figures show more than 400,000 new businesses were set up last year, including more than 2,000 in the county, with many people either wanting to either fulfil an ambition or simple keep their heads above water.

Councillor Tricia Gilby (pictured), economic lead for Vision Derbyshire and leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Councils across Derbyshire have been committed to doing all we can for our businesses through what has been an incredibly difficult time but, like places up and down the country, our local economy has been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic.

“However, out of hardship often come silver linings, and it has also seen many people who were among the most badly affected launch their own businesses or make plans to go it alone.

“They are precisely the people the Vision Derbyshire scheme is designed to help, so we can nurture the spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship that has always burned brightly in Derbyshire.

“We are delighted to be involved in this county-wide initiative and would encourage anybody who has considered starting their own business or who has taken the plunge in the past year to find out more about how Vision Derbyshire can help them to turn their plans into a successful and sustainable business.”

It features a £550,000 Vision Derbyshire business start-up and business support grant scheme, in which funding of up to £10,000 per applicant is available.

For more information, email business@derbyshire.gov.uk

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What COP26 means for businesses in the Peak District In the rural Peak District, COP26 in Glasgow might seem a world away – only relevant to political leaders and big corporations. But Faith Johnson (pictured), managing director of the Derbyshire-based Environmental Quality Mark Community Interest Company, explains how the area is at the coal face of some of the challenges being tackled at COP26.

Some of these key issues include land use and how this might change in the future to achieve net zero; producing food in an ethical and carbon-responsible way; and supporting thriving rural communities to adapt and be resilient in the face of necessary change.

So many businesses are economically linked to the natural resources and beauty of the Peak District National Park, making them equally as vulnerable to climate change as this precious landscape.

In the past few years, the Peaks have experienced drought that wiped out fodder crops for landbased businesses, flooding that saw towns under water to near catastrophic effect, and moorland fires that devastated tracts of land with both ecological and economic consequences – not to mention releasing tens of thousands of tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.

The increasing frequency and severity of climate change-related extreme weather events are making

life and work in the Peak District more challenging.

SO WHAT CAN PEAK DISTRICT BUSINESSES DO? COP26 president Alok Sharma made clear he is counting on all UK businesses, urban and rural, to play a central role in the “Race to Zero”.

He has called for us to set ambitious climate targets and use our influence within our own sectors and supply chains to drive faster rates of decarbonisation.

There are real economic drivers, particularly pertinent to rural businesses, which are not necessarily competing on a level playing field.

Market research shows that climate-concerned customers are increasingly choosing to spend with carbon-responsible companies, so heartfelt environmental sustainability can be a powerful point of differentiation for Peak District business in a noisy marketplace.

Amid a rural labour shortage, consider that staff are attracted to employers that demonstrate robust

Faith Johnson is a board member of Business Peak District, a free-to-join group representing more than 650 organisations. It is supported in delivering year-round activities by East Midlands Chamber, which acts as the accountable body. Visit www.businesspeakdistrict.com

commitment to sustainability goals.

Meanwhile, businesses with ambitious and science-based decarbonisation targets are more likely to receive support from banks or grant-awarding bodies.

ACTIONS THAT PEAK DISTRICT BUSINESSES CAN TAKE TODAY • Measure your carbon footprint and plan your route to net zero using schemes such as the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark • Seek grants and support to help you achieve your carbon goals, including Derbyshire County Council’s Green Entrepreneurs Fund.

• Pledge your commitment to achieving net zero, alongside millions of other companies worldwide at the UK Business Climate Hub • Get involved with local climate initiatives and groups such as Hope Valley Climate Action and Transition Buxton.

Peak District businesses can’t wait to react to regulation that falls out of COP26 – we need to lead the charge and to shape our own low-carbon future.

For more information about the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark, visit www.eqm.org.uk

Ideal showcase for our diverse region A wide variety of individuals – some pictured right – supported a joint campaign by the Chamber and strategic partner emh group to celebrate Black History Month.

Throughout October, the two organisations ran a social media campaign celebrating the positive impact of Black history, arts and culture in the East Midlands’ public, private and voluntary sectors.

It featured the voices of people, ranging from carers to CEOs, responding to the questions “What are you proud of?”.

These included Pawlet Brookes, founder and CEO of diversity-led arts organisation Serendipity; Mark Esho, co-founder of disability access consultancy Access Rating; Leon Lloyd, the former Leicester Tigers and England rugby player who co-founded Switch the Play Foundation, a charity supporting sportspeople transition into life outside sport; and Chamber president Eileen Richards MBE.

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Sanjib Sahota, strategic partnerships manager at the Chamber, and emh group’s head of communications Pritti Allen led the campaign.

Pritti said: “I’m really proud our joint campaign during Black History Month reflected diverse voices of individuals and organisations from across the region, as well as celebrated their amazing achievements.”

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SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

www.emc-dnl.co.uk/sustainability

EV charging and VAT: What are the rules for business?

Low-carbon steel could be a reality Global mining group Rio Tinto has teamed up with the University of Nottingham to advance an innovative technology that could deliver low-carbon steel.

The project, which replaces coking coal with sustainable biomass in the steelmaking process, aims to create a cost-effective option to cut industry carbon emissions.

Rio Tinto researchers are working with a multi-disciplinary team at the university to further develop a process that uses microwave technology to convert iron ore into metallic iron.

It will be tested in a small-scale pilot plant ahead of larger-scale tests which, if successful, could result in the technology being scaled commercially to process Rio Tinto’s iron ore fines.

Professor Chris Dodds, head of the chemical and environmental engineering department, said: “It is really exciting to have the opportunity to be part of a great team working on a technology that, if developed to commercial scale, has the potential to have a global impact through decarbonising key parts of the steel production process.”

Rio Tinto’s process, which has been developed over the past decade, uses plant matter known as lignocellulosic biomass instead of coal, primarily as a chemical reductant.

The biomass is blended with iron ore and heated by a combination of gas released by the biomass and high-efficiency microwaves that can be powered by renewable energy.

The use of raw biomass in Rio Tinto’s process could also avoid the inefficiencies and associated costs of other biomassbased technologies that first convert the biomass into charcoal or biogas.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore chief executive Simon Trott said: “We are encouraged by early testing results of this new process, which could provide a cost-efficient way to produce low-carbon steel from our Pilbara iron ore.”

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By Christine Newitt (pictured), head of VAT at Duncan & Toplis Drivers will be aware they’re being encouraged to move from petrol and diesel engines to electric or hybrid vehicles, with direct tax incentives among the many reasons for switching.

As well as the ecological case for going electric, there are incentives such as a plug-in grant to help make vehicles more affordable, a 0% “benefit in kind” charge for the purchase of electric company cars and a 100% writing-down allowance for low-emission vehicles. As a result, nearly 11% of new cars sold in 2020 were electric or plug-in hybrids – up from 3% in 2019.

While employers may be supportive of workers who switch to EVs by installing charging points or investing in electric company cars, there is one important tax consideration for employers and employees – the issue of VAT liability.

records must be kept to show how much vehicle charge is used for business use or private use.

VAT RECOVERY ON EV CHARGING GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN In May, HMRC clarified its policy concerning the VAT treatment of charging EVs in public places.

In particular, it clarified the standard rate of VAT does apply to electricity used to charge electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles through these charging points and it also explained how VAT can be recovered.

‘VAT is charged at 20% at all charging points in public places’ This has important implications for companies supplying EV charging points and also for people who drive EVs for business purposes.

As HMRC makes clear, VAT is charged at 20% at all charging points in public places, including charging points at employers’ staff car parks.

There are also no circumstances where HMRC accepts a “domestic supply” of electricity is being made, except where the supply is already “domestic”, such as when charging a vehicle at home.

Fortunately, VAT can be recovered for business use, but this is where things become a little more complicated because detailed mileage

For sole traders, EV power for business use is recoverable at the rate it is charged (currently 5% at home and 20% elsewhere). Meanwhile, VAT can also be recovered for electricity charges from an employer's charging point to their employees’ vehicles – but, again, only for the energy used for business use.

If an employer or employee has any private mileage, then VAT on the supply of the electricity for this use must be accounted for by the employer or, alternatively, the employer can recover the business element of the VAT incurred on the supply.

Strangely, this complication for VAT liability is very different to the direct tax position, where electricity provided by an employer to an employee’s electric vehicle is exempt from tax as a benefit in kind. This means employees charging their vehicles at work are not liable to pay income tax for the value of the electricity used.

Hopefully, alongside the other more supportive incentives, this extra complication won’t dissuade employers from continuing to switch to EVs and supporting their employees to do the same.

Provided detailed and accurate records of business mileage are kept, VAT liability and recovery shouldn’t be a problem.

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SUSTAINABLE EAST MIDLANDS

Designing a sustainable emergency response Last month, Business Network profiled how the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is helping to shape the UK built environment’s response to the climate emergency via its 2030 Climate Challenge. One architecture practice already bringing this strategy forward on the ground is Chamber patron Design Studio Architects, as associate Dr Alan Cuong Nguyen (pictured) explains.

“You can’t manage what you can’t measure”.

This quote remains practical and relevant when we approach sustainability from the view of architects.

From the first definition of sustainable development in the 1987 Brundtland Report, with its widely-recognised social, environmental and economical dimensions, the world has now been equipped with more elaborate tools, indicators and metrics to assess and measure the implementation of sustainability.

In 2019, the RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes Guide was released, focusing on eight tangible outcomes that directly related to the built environment, and were clear and measurable.

These are net zero operational carbon emissions; net zero embodied carbon emissions; sustainable water cycle; sustainable connectivity and transport; sustainable land use and ecology; good health and wellbeing; sustainable communities and social values; and sustainable life cycle cost.

Based on these eight metrics of sustainability, RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge continued to stress the urgency of acting together to tackle global warming and climate change.

The challenge focuses on three key areas of the built environment, which accounts for nearly 40% of our carbon emissions, including energy use, embodied carbon and water use.

Architects and the construction industry are

A recent example of a development that promoted sustainability was a £1m luxury house in Leicestershire. Sustainable living was a key part of our brief and the house, completed in 2020, benefits from solar panels, ground and air-source heating controlled by a centralised plant room, and smart home technology.

We found that when the client is wellinformed and listened to, they tend to be more open to innovation and understanding of how sustainable technologies can bring long-term benefits.

A separate heritage-led regeneration scheme – in which we completed a £3m design and build contract for Envee Properties to turn the iconic but derelict Plough Maltings brewery in Burton into 32 apartments – we were able to preserve “cultural sustainability” by bringing new life into the building.

invited to voluntarily participate in the challenge, referring to the new and retrofit commercial, domestic and schools’ projects.

Three threshold targets were set out to be achieved by two deadlines, 2025 and 2030 – reducing operational energy demand by at least 60% from current business as usual baseline figures; reducing embodied carbon by at least 40% from current business-as-usual baseline figures; and reducing potable water use by at least 40% from CIRIA benchmark and building regulation figures.

Recognising the climate emergency by acting swiftly and collectively to implement sustainability, Design Studio Architects was one of the first architectural firms to sign up for the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. We believe a good design should also be sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Recent research by the UK Green Building Council showed the increased cost of net zero design upgrades varied from 6.2% to 17% for offices and between 3.5% to 5.3% for residential buildings, so it’s our role to engage clients on the overall benefits for the long term.

Answers may come from our design philosophy: We listen, we think, we design. “We” means the architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, local authorities, communities and clients listening by sharing thoughts and designing together on every step of the projects.

Innovative new homes reduce emissions Rippon Homes has started work on its first collection of low-carbon homes – in what is also its first development in Leicestershire for more than a decade.

The Mansfield-based housebuilder will use structural insulated panels (SIPs) to form 39 houses – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom semi-detached houses – at Marquis Gardens, in Old Dalby, near Melton Mowbray.

The panels are engineered to reduce emissions by increasing air tightness, while also enabling faster construction.

Lightweight and manufactured in the UK to minimise transport emissions, they are insulated to be more energy-efficient than 92% of newbuild homes in the UK, enabling the properties to achieve the highest EPC rating. Buyers can also install EV charging points.

This switch in construction methods means Rippon Homes can exceed the 2025 Future Homes Standard, which requires a 31% reduction in emissions for new homes.

Managing director Ian Dyke said: “It’s so important to look at our energy usage and environmental impact, both as an industry and

The Rippon Homes team at the installation of the first panels at Marquis Gardens in Old Dalby: (L-R) Sales and marketing manager Julie Johnson, construction manager Neil Vickers and managing director Ian Dyke

at home, and these innovative methods of construction tackle both issues.

“Through Marquis Gardens, we are getting

ahead of the Government’s Future Homes Standard, future-proofing homes for our customers, and aiding the environment.”

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Gary Styles, founder of Zellar

Zellar on a mission to make SMEs greener A technology start-up that’s on a mission to help one million SMEs reach net zero by 2030 has unveiled a “world-first” sustainability platform.

Zellar, whose ambition would save an estimated 100 million tonnes of CO2, says its one-stop solution provides everything businesses need to reach net zero by bringing together services ranging from local biodiversity projects to options for adopting green technology or energy.

SMEs make up 99.9% of all UK businesses and employ 60% of the workforce, but Zellar claims 78% don’t know where to start to become more sustainable.

‘Helping smaller businesses will make a huge difference in our national efforts to reach net zero’ The company’s COO Peter Charlesworth said: “We understand that businesses face many challenges in trying to reach net zero, and it’s not always easy to know where to start. That’s why we created Zellar.

“Until now, smaller companies would have had to rely on several different consultants, brokers and apps, which is time-consuming and doesn’t guarantee success.

“Helping smaller businesses will make a huge difference in our national efforts to reach net zero.”

The “sustainability-as-a-service” platform, available on a subscription, combines services that SMEs – from sole traders to medium-sized firms – need to benchmark, manage, offset and promote during their sustainability journey.

The company has partnered with the Business Gateway Growth Hub, and Leicester and Leicestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), to launch a carbon reductions programme.

About 70 companies have been recruited for the pioneering year-long scheme, representing the full range of the county’s economy, including manufacturing, creative, property, retail, finance, education, logistics, IT, environmental and space.

Zellar founder Gary Styles said: “We’ve created Zellar to tackle the climate change issue and it’s fantastic that Leicestershire is showing such leadership in green issues for the business sector.”

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Derby Mayor Cllr Robin Wood with the RDS Circulayo team holding reusable cups at Derby LIVE Beer Festival

Project aims to make Derby a zero-waste city A pilot project to dramatically reduce singleuse plastic consumption will help pave the way for Derby to transition into a zero-waste city, according to the company behind the technology.

RDS Circulayo, a new sustainable technology venture launched by city centre-based managed IT services provider RDS Global, successfully tested its new reusable packaging system Flow at the Derby LIVE Beer Festival in September.

Drinks were served to visitors in reusable cups which, instead of being thrown away, were collected, washed and used multiple times.

During the five-day festival, more than 7,500 drinks were served using fewer than 4,000 reusable cups. This resulted in a return rate of 99%, a refill rate of 48%, and 152kg of single-use plastic being saved from landfill.

‘We are drinking out of a glass that is not single-use plastic’ Flow has been designed in collaboration with three other organisations – waste and recycling bin provider Glasdon, reusable food and beverage packaging supplier Event Cup Solutions, and the University of Derby via a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) scheme.

RDS Global CEO Andy Flinn said: “The Derby LIVE Beer Festival pilot has proven that a zerowaste future for Derby is possible. RDS Circulayo will continue to develop its offering to ensure that future becomes a reality.

“Our Circulayo Flow brand, and the impact it will have on society, is also a perfect example of

why the KTP scheme from the University of Derby is such a vital component of innovation within the city.

“It has been a pleasure to work so closely with Dr Vishnu Paranthaman and Dr Shahid Awan on developing this product and I’m very excited about what we will do next.”

Flow aims to use technology to power a system where reusable packaging is just as easy and cheap to use as single-use disposables.

Every item, such as a reusable cup, is uniquely identifiable via a QR code, which enables Flow to track the item throughout each repeat journey along its value chain – point-of-sale, disposal, collection, washing and redistribution. The process is known as full-loop traceability.

In the near future, Flow will also integrate with material recovery facilities and street-level waste and recycling bins, creating a digitally-connected infrastructure capable of tracking a wide range of reusable packaging.

RDS Circulayo’s chief product officer Kevin Hudson said defeating waste was crucial in the global war on climate change and required “dramatic change” in order to be successful.

“However, contrary to popular belief, the change required is not behavioural change on the part of the consumer, but instead radical system design change,” he added. “The habit of disposal is, within a better designed system, the most scalable route to sustainable consumption.”

The pilot earned the praise of Derby Mayor, Councillor Robin Wood, who said: “We are drinking out of a glass that is not single-use plastic and this is something really good for Derby.”

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Greener transport offers benefits for business too Decarbonising transport is one of the biggest drivers of the UK’s journey to net zero, and will require behavioural, alongside technological, changes. David Clasby (pictured), East Midlands partnership manager for national sustainable transport charity Sustrans, explains how employers can play their part as employees return to offices.

The Government has set a legal obligation for the UK to reduce CO2 emissions by 78% against a baseline of 1990 levels by 2035. That is only 14 years away.

Transport accounts for 25% of all UK CO2 emissions – figures that have not changed in 30 years. There are 33 million registered vehicles in the UK and that is projected to grow by another 10 million. This is unsustainable.

Radical and drastic action needs to be taken – and soon – but how can employers and staff do their bit? This is a moment for change for many of us as we return to our places of work.

In the East Midlands, sustainable transport organisations including Sustrans are working with businesses and local authorities to help people change. The benefits are wide-ranging. Staff who travel actively to work take fewer sick days and are more productive. More staff travelling sustainably means a reduced demand to provide car parking spaces and their associated costs.

These are some of the interventions that can work to reduce car travel to your place of work.

Many local authorities have contracts with organisations like Sustrans to offer these for free.

• Have an up-to-date workplace travel plan that involves staff in its development • Introduce a named sustainable travel champion at your place of work • Gather accurate data through a workplace travel survey • Ask staff what the barriers are to active or sustainable travel to work, and what their solutions are • Establish a sustainable travel staff group to make suggestions and run activities • Adopt reward schemes for staff who travel sustainably, such as those run by Go Travel Solutions

• Organise promotional days or weeks with specific incentives, including a free breakfast or vouchers • Join an online challenge such as Love to Ride • Offer staff workplace events such as cycle try outs and free on-site bike fixing by Dr Bike • Offer staff a free personalised travel plan that covers all their travel options from their front door to office desk.

• Use bus and train taster tickets if available

T: 0115 727 0042 E: support@loreus.com W: www.loreus.com

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Could these be treasure islands?

A new era of global trade opportunities for East Midlands exporters means there will be faraway corners of the world they haven’t previously considered. As the Chamber launches a new programme to showcase opportunities to connect the region’s international traders with new markets, Business Network explores the reasons to invest in Antigua and Barbuda, a Commonwealth nation in the Caribbean with a population just shy of 100,000 that’s eager to increase trade with Britain.

REASONS TO INVEST IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA INVESTMENT INCENTIVES As the Government seeks to position itself competitively to attract foreign direct investment, incentives such as the exemption from or reduction in the import duty rate on raw materials, components, machinery and equipment may also be granted.

SAFETY AND SECURITY Antigua and Barbuda is one of the safest countries in the Caribbean, comparing well worldwide for low crime rates. The country has little or no exposure to large-scale security concerns, such as terrorism, cyber-crime and money laundering.

UK TRADE WITH ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA Total trade in goods and services between the UK, and Antigua and Barbuda, was £126m in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2021.

This figure comprises £30m in UK exports to Antigua and Barbuda – £23m of goods and £7m of services – with UK imports from the country amounting to £96m.

UK exports of goods to the Caribbean country increased by £6m (35%) between the years ending Q1 2020 and Q1 2021, while exports of services decreased by £11m (61%) during the same period.

The top five goods exported from the UK to Antigua and Barbuda in the year ending Q1 2021 were ships (£10.1m), general industrial machinery (£1.8m), beverages (£1.3m), medicinal and pharmaceutical products (£1.3m), and other consumer products (£990,000).

The top five goods imported to the UK from Antigua and Barbuda were ships (£45.1m), crude minerals and fertilisers (£1.1m), fruit and vegetables (£70,000), scientific instruments (£40,000), and other chemicals (£20,000).

In 2019, the outward stock of foreign direct investment from the UK in Antigua and Barbuda was £604m, while the inward stock was less than £1m.

INVESTOR PROTECTION As a common law jurisdiction, Antigua and Barbuda's legal system aligns with the UK. Its constitutional, statutory and other laws, as well as its judicial system, guarantee the rule of law and investor protection. Antigua and Barbuda is ranked highly for enforcing contracts, and protecting investors and their assets.

LOGISTICS The country is served by the VC Bird International Airport, a modern regional hub serviced by daily commercial, air freight and fixed-base operator flights from the Caribbean, US, Canada, UK and Europe.

The Deep Water Harbour is currently undergoing the final phase of a $90m upgrade and expansion to position Antigua as a regional transhipment hub with modern processing, logistics services and security systems.

LABOUR MARKET As one of the more prosperous states in the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda's economy is served by tourism, business service outsourcing and financial services. The literacy rate is over 95% and there is an increasingly degreed population across many disciplines.

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ICT INFRASTRUCTURE A high priority is placed on ICT as an essential enabler for national development, and significant public and private sector investment has driven rapid growth in its ICT sector.

POLITICAL SYSTEM The twin-island state is a small, stable country both politically and socially, with a robust democratic, transparent and accountable system of government based on the Westminster system.

The Antigua and Barbuda @40 Business Forum will hold a series of events to engage with UK businesses this month, including a presentation at Winstanley House, in Hinckley Road, Leicester, on Wednesday 10 November from 3-5.30pm, followed by cultural entertainment from the diaspora community in Leicester until 8.30pm.

The event will introduce delegates to new opportunities in key areas such as property development, financial services, hospitality, IT, education, tourism, aviation, renewables and the blue economy in Antigua and Barbuda. The primary outcome is to create sustainable and tangible business, trade and investment opportunities through allinclusive partnerships.

For more information, contact the High Commission for Antigua and Barbuda on abhcukevents@antigua-barbuda.com or call 020 7258 0070. Alternatively, contact the Chamber on 0333 320 8639 or email international@emc-dnl.co.uk

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Has the post-Brexit era ushered in a new relevance for the Commonwealth?

Dr Nik Kotecha OBE (pictured), chairman of Morningside Pharmaceuticals and CBI regional councillor, looks at the enormous trade opportunities offered by the UK’s close ties with the Commonwealth, as well as the many other important benefits that are often overlooked.

TAKING THE EAST MIDLANDS TO THE WORLD

By David Pearson (pictured), East Midlands Chamber’s director of partnerships and head of international trade Businesses across the region have products and services that are wanted all over the world.

Research shows SMEs that export achieve higher turnover growth, innovate more and create jobs.

The Chamber is therefore delighted to take the East Midlands to the world.

We shall be highlighting different markets, near and far, and arranging a series of events to bring opportunities to businesses, as well as making introductions to people in those markets who can make the connections needed to get established.

‘We can introduce you to the right people in more than 100 countries around the world’ It can sometimes be difficult for a business to find the right person in a new market who can make the introductions for potential customers and suppliers, as well as guide them through the legal process of doing business in that country.

That is where the Chamber comes in – with our global business network and other partners, we can introduce you to the right people in more than 100 countries around the world.

Once you have established relationships, and agreed your first sale or purchase, the Chamber can help you to take advantage of trade agreements, get goods through customs, and deal with your foreign currency and payment requirements.

For many people, the concept of Commonwealth is outdated and consigned to Britain’s muchmaligned colonial past, so what is its relevance to the UK’s new post-Brexit reality?

The obvious and immediate win-win for both sides is trade. This has never been more important as the UK looks to negotiate deals with nations around the world, while seeking to develop a new identity outside the EU. Following the Brexit deal that took effect on 1 January, the UK has been busy refreshing its trading relationships. There are great opportunities here. For example, India is the giant of the Commonwealth, and is set to become the world’s third largest economy by 2025.

I was part of then-Prime Minister Theresa May’s trade delegation to India five years ago and have done business there. I know there is an appreciation of UK standards, services and products, as well as a shift towards regulatory alignment on things like law and accounting procedures. UK-India trade is worth £24bn, supporting half a million jobs, and is set to grow.

Trade deals the UK has been busy negotiating and finalising include an enhanced trade partnership with India, which the Department for International Trade is working to expand into a comprehensive free-trade agreement.

We are applying to join the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We are also in advance discussions bilaterally with these countries and other Commonwealth nations.

There is a rationale for prioritising Commonwealth countries. Research shows intraCommonwealth trade is 19% cheaper, largely due to similar legal and regulatory systems, which is sometimes labelled the Commonwealth advantage.

So it’s not surprising that trade of Commonwealth countries tends to be proportionately greater with members than non-members.

However, for me, the Commonwealth is more than just a trading partner, but also a global

leader in diversity and inclusivity, which have run like a thread through my life, both personally and as an entrepreneur.

I was born in East Africa, my family heritage is from India, while I am now proudly British, having lived here for almost 50 years, and I have done business throughout the world and in particular the Commonwealth – with Barbados, Guyana and many African nations among some of the first countries we exported to after I set up my pharmaceuticals company in 1991.

The Commonwealth has been helpful to many entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to expand. While it does not offer a single market like the EU, it is instead a powerful economic network, accounting for over 15% of global exports and 14% of global GDP. It contains emerging economies, which, when they recover from Covid, are set to grow fast. It offers a network through which companies can grow and entrepreneurs can find opportunity. This will be particularly important as countries look to rebuild from the ravages of Covid. The Commonwealth has a very young population, with 60% of people under the age of 30. We need to provide skills, jobs and hope to the next generation.

While trade, investment and capital flows are important, the third factor I’d like to discuss are the people-to-people links across the 2.4 billion Commonwealth population. It spans every continent and has diversity at its heart with the people unified through common ties cemented by language and shared experiences and history.

Perhaps we underappreciate how important our ties to Commonwealth countries are to our history, but also to our present and future; and how together we will continue to play a key role in championing global trade, diversity and inclusion.

As chair-in-office of the Commonwealth, the UK is in the hot seat for now but over the longer term, we must capitalise on the powerful network it provides – and the opportunities to enhance business, trade and people-to-people ties in this new post-Brexit world.

UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRAINING COURSES 9 November, 9-4.30: Letters of credit (£260 + VAT) 11 November, 9-12: Inward/outward processing (£139 + VAT) 17 November, 9-4: Export foundations (£260 + VAT) 18 November, 9-3.30: Customs procedures and documentation (£260 + VAT) 24 November, 9.30-3.30: Import procedures (£260 + VAT) 25 November, 9.30-12.30: VAT rules when exporting and importing in a post-Brexit world (£150 + VAT) Prices are for Chamber members. For a full list of courses, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/enabling-international-trade/international-trade-training3

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POLITICS

Skills crucial if we are to meet needs of the green agenda kills are the “golden thread” that run through a pioneering plan for the Midlands to take a lead in the net zero agenda, believes one of its leaders.

Peter Ware, who chairs the Midlands Engine Green Growth Board, says upskilling the labour force should be a priority to meet key sustainability challenges, ranging from decarbonising homes to making new low-carbon products and services.

His board is overseeing the pan-regional partnership’s Ten Point Plan for Green Growth, which was launched in July to set out a collective plan to accelerate both the Midlands’ and UK’s path to net zero in the wake of Covid-19.

S

It’s imperative we don’t miss the opportunity because of a lack of skills By advancing the plan, the Midlands is committing to deliver a 36% reduction in CO2 emissions from today’s regional levels, while also creating 196,000 high-value, high-skilled jobs to boost productivity and generate a further £24.2bn GVA for the region’s economy by 2041.

Speaking at the Chamber’s Midlands Sustainability Summit in late September, Peter, who is also partner and head of government sector at law firm Browne Jacobson, said: “This is a pervasive agenda that can’t be treated as a

Peter Ware

standalone issue, but must be embedded into everything we do.

“It’s imperative we don’t miss the opportunity because of a lack of skills. There’s lots of examples in the past where we’ve been at the crest of a wave nationally, like in wind energy, but haven’t taken advantage of the opportunities in manufacturing to deliver a hugely important part of our national agenda.”

He wants to see embracing sustainability to become a commercial necessity, as well as an

environmental one, adding: “From a productivity perspective, we’re getting to a point now where it just has to be the thing we do.

“We’re coming out of a hideous 12 months and it was clear people were just concentrating on keeping their heads above water. But now we’re coming to a place where we can’t just do that anymore and must focus on what these opportunities are.”

He pointed out there were some “great opportunities” in the low-carbon space, including retrofitting houses with energy-efficient systems to hit the UK’s 2050 net zero targets, but there was a clear skills gap.

“We don’t necessarily have the people with skills to achieve this, never mind other types of innovation that will be required,” he added.

“So focusing on skills and making it the golden thread – not just the Midlands Engine, but as businesses and individuals – is going to be absolutely critical to us all in everything we want to achieve.”

One of the key challenges will be overcoming a “fragmented” skills system, in which Peter believes education providers are sometimes hampered by too much competition, leading to them trying to “provide a solution to a problem that’s not there”.

Engaging young people from primary school age, rather than as they are about to enter the workforce, and creating a tone of voice that whips up enthusiasm for the relevant industries will also be important, he added.

Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine PLACES

ENERGY

ENABLERS

1. GREEN BUILDINGS

5. LOW CARBON HYDROGEN

8. GREEN INNOVATION

Improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heat

Pioneer, commercialise and deliver hydrogen solutions

Green design and making for economic growth

6. CLEAN ENERGY

9. ENERGY WORKFORCE

Sustainable energy generation and storage

Highly skilled, inclusive and diverse

Protected and productive natural assets

7. SMART ENERGY

10. GREEN FINANCE

4. BLUE-GREEN PLACES

Develop digital infrastructure to decarbonise

Invest and enable to unlock opportunity

2. NET ZERO TRANSPORT Lead the transition to reduce emissions

3. NATURE’S RECOVERY

Where people and nature flourish

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POLITICS

Investors looking at ESG credentials

ENGINE IS DRIVING TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS Strategies to bring hydrogen-powered HGVs onto the region’s roads and accelerate the rollout of public electric vehicle charging stations are among early examples of what the Midlands Engine’s Ten Point Plan for Green Growth could achieve.

The H2GVMids project is preparing the ground for a green hydrogen-fuelled, 44tonne truck demonstration programme based in the Midlands – the focal point of the UK’s logistics industry as it can reach 90% of the UK within four hours – after funding was secured from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Road Freight scheme.

It is a cornerstone of the net zero transport component of the Ten Point Plan, and involves identifying infrastructure such as hydrogen refuelling stations, developing the business case and establishing a trial lease system for truck operators.

‘This will only work if we have collaboration from across all sectors’ The Midlands Engine is also working with academia and major firms such as RollsRoyce, Toyota and Uniper to develop a Hydrogen Technologies Strategy, which will shape the region’s involvement in a sector that could be worth £18.2bn to the UK economy by 2035.

And in September, its transport arm Midlands Connect published a report outlining how the installation of public charging points must be six-times as fast to support growing demand for EVs in the region.

“There’s already some great early achievements of progress across a range of areas,” says Peter Ware.

“Through partnership engagement, we have outlined some preliminary findings that emphasise the Midlands’ strengths and capabilities in hydrogen, as well as priorities for action by our partners.

“We have also launched a Green Growth Digital Map to create a picture of the collective green assets we have across the region, providing a very powerful and compelling narrative across the green growth agenda.”

The Ten Point Plan for Green Growth, which identifies and prioritises regional opportunities in net zero at scale, was published in July after an 18-month consultation period with more than 300 partner organisations.

Far more public EV chargers are needed

Supporting the Government agendas on achieving net zero by 2050, levelling up, post-Covid and post-Brexit economic recovery, it represents the first response from a region to the Prime Minister’s own Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution published last November.

Peter said it demonstrates how the Midlands will come together to “plan and deliver a greener future for our communities as we both safeguard our environment and, importantly, grow our economy”.

The plan, which is co-ordinated by the Midlands Engine and overseen more closely by its Green Growth Board, pivots across three themes – places, energy and enablers.

It will be underpinned by developing a strong regional voice to be broadcast nationally and internationally via PR campaigns and events, intelligence gathered by the Midlands Engine Observatory, and engagement activities with decision-makers and investors.

Upcoming programmes include a series of 10 workshops hosted by the Chamber to detail opportunities for SMEs, a Young People’s Green Growth Assembly to showcase the creativity of young people on 6 December, events highlighting local green activity to coincide with COP26 and the establishment of a green finance working group.

Urging more organisations to get involved, Peter added: “This will only work if we have collaboration from across all sectors, including businesses, local government, the third sector and academia.

We’ve already shown that when we bring all those people together, we can achieve great things.”

Seven in 10 investors are more likely to back businesses with a clear environmental, societal and governance (ESG) proposition, according to new PwC research.

The multinational professional services network also found these companies enjoyed more flexible financing options, with 68% saying they could access better deals with stronger credentials in this area.

ESG is regarded as a vital tool for attracting future talent, being selected by almost half (49%) of the businesses it surveyed as an objective of developing an ESG strategy – followed by future-proofing the business, with 40% selecting this as a goal.

PwC’s research – which surveyed leaders of 400 businesses that had weathered varying degrees of stress or distress, as well as 150 UK investors – was the first of its kind in the UK, with the results published in a report titled Act now: From recovery to growth.

Steve Russell, head of business restructuring services at PwC, said: “In the backdrop of Government support rolling off and existing liabilities coming to the boil, it’s no longer enough to pay lip service to these principles via high-level policies. Key processes including accessing flexible financing options, retaining talent and future-proofing businesses are increasingly being anchored to the ESG and D&I targets.

“It’s a critical time for businesses to reassess how their commitments on sustainable change can be supported and translated into the tangible steps investors will want to see. Businesses must act now to make the shift from recovery to sustainable growth.”

Half of all global assets under management – about $55tn (£40.6tn) – are now linked to net zero commitments.

With this in mind, 72% of banks, assetbased lenders and other financiers said a clear and demonstrable ESG proposition increases the likelihood they will extend financing to a business – with 39% reporting it significantly increased the likelihood.

Meanwhile, 59% of investors said they are more likely to invest in a business with a diversity and inclusion (D&I) policy in place.

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FEATURE

BUSINESS BANKING & FINANCE

Managing your

money Learning how to manage money is a vital skill for all new business owners because mismanaging cashflow can have serious consequences.

Business Network explores some simple money management techniques that can help new business owners get control over their finances.

CREATE A BUDGET Creating a realistic budget that you can stick to will have a dramatic effect on your money management skills.

Firstly, a budget will help you set expense goals; it will identify the expenses you need to operate your business and provide clear parameters for spending.

Secondly, a budget can help you with your revenue goals. A good budget will forecast your revenue and, if you find it is lower than what you’ve budgeted for, you can explore ways to cut expenses and increase your income.

Monitor your spending Do you know how much you’re spending each month? Not monitoring your outgoings is an easy way of letting cash slip through your fingers – you could be racking up unnecessary bills or misusing company funds, and it can be especially hard to keep track if you are constantly making withdrawals from multiple bank accounts or regularly using a credit card for small expenses, such as treating your staff to lunch every now and then.

There are many easy ways to manage your spending – from hiring an accountant to investing in computer software, or using mobile apps that will allow you to track your spending from your phone.

By keeping a careful log of your expenses, you can see exactly what you’re spending money on, identify examples of overspending and eliminate superfluous purchases.

MANAGE YOUR INVENTORY Your inventory can be a drain on your recourses. If you order too much, it will be sat gathering dust in storage (which you could be paying for), running the risk of going out of date or out of fashion. If you order too little, you may run up costly delivery charges to have orders rushed through to meet your demand, or lose customers to competitors with better levels of stock.

Keep a clear, detailed record of your inventory purchases against sales and consult it regularly, so you always know how much you have on hand before ordering more.

By keeping a constant track of your inventory, not only will you be able to tread the fine line between having too much or too little, you will also be able to anticipate busier and slower periods, and adjust your spending accordingly.

If you always run out of inventory around the Christmas period, for example, you will be able to check past records to see how much more stock you will need to order in advance.

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By keeping a careful log of your expenses, you can see exactly what you’re spending money on, identify examples of overspending and eliminate superfluous purchases.

KEEP TRACK OF DEADLINES If you don’t know when your bills are due, you might not have enough cash on hand to pay them on time.

Additionally, late payments could incur penalties such as fees and added interest, not to mention having a negative effect on your credit rating or souring relationships with your lenders.

To avoid missing deadlines, create a payment schedule.

Record when all payments are due, how much you owe and how they will be paid (cash, credit card etc). You can also use this schedule to time your purchases once the most important bills have been paid.

GET INVOICES PAID ON TIME Getting invoices paid on time is crucial for your business.

There are a number of ways to avoid late payments, including agreeing clear payment terms (ideally in writing) and keeping these terms short. You should also aim to send out invoices as soon as possible, always making sure to include your bank details – you want to make it as easy as possible for your clients to pay you.

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BUSINESS BANKING & FINANCE

FEATURE

BUILD UP A CASH RESERVE Even the most money-conscious business owners may be faced with sudden and unexpected expenses.

Equipment failure, natural disasters, theft or cyber attacks – there are a lot of things that can go wrong at any given moment, so it is prudent to keep a small cash reserve that you can rely on to cover bills or expenses during an emergency.

Open a separate savings account and make deposits whenever your budget allows, though don’t be tempted to dip into it to cover extravagant purchases.

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FEATURE

BUSINESS BANKING & FINANCE

Funding the future while dealing with the present As if the challenge of tackling the postCovid and postBrexit economy wasn’t enough, SMEs must also adopt a greater focus on climate change and sustainability. As CEO of business, IT and finance consultancy NNBC Group, Neil Buckley (pictured) has a broad perspective of the impacts this will have on many fronts, as he explains.

s we have seen recently, individuals and companies have been impacted directly from the consequences of Brexit and Covid-19, with impending impacts from climate change and sustainability. Supply chains are under stress. Companies, particularly SMEs, are having resource issues including people, skills and materials, as well as having to absorb changes in goto market strategies, employee engagement and “going green”.

We are in a world of hurt for most SMEs and corporates in having to deal with these issues that have positives and negative impacts.

They are changing go-to market strategies and transforming to utilise digital technologies such as automation and robotics in order to compensate resource and skills issues – all while addressing climate change.

It is clear they can’t be solved in traditional ways as the way we work, how we engage clients and customers, manufacture, buy and sell has changed.

There is no going back – we are beyond the point of elasticity.

Wages are increasing as competition for scarce human resources increases and

A

the financial pressure on SMEs is rising on all fronts. Their cost bases are increasing at a higher rate than revenue – whether from growing costs of materials, logistics, climate change, client expectations or competition, or all these combined.

The challenge for SMEs and corporates alike is to ask the right questions, identify solutions and find the right answers. For example, how can we fund the future while dealing with the present? What do we need to fund, when and how? Who are we and what do we want to be?

It is a challenging environment for sure and the initiative-taking will survive.

The consequences of Brexit were communicated many times by the business community, but we are still where we are.

Covid-19 has given real things to consider. Continuity, new client and customer engagement models, new ways of working and employee engagement – all of this wrapped by climate change and sustainability.

The next few years are make or break for most SMEs and corporates alike. The first question you must ask is: Do I have the right help with the right partner?

This is where we come in.

‘The challenge for SMEs and corporates alike is to ask the right questions, identify solutions and find the right answer’

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BUSINESS BANKING & FINANCE

FEATURE

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FOCUS FEATURE

The winds of

change This month, COP26 gives the UK a golden opportunity to take a lead on climate change and for businesses to benefit from lowcarbon innovation. The Chamber’s Midlands Energy Summit, held in partnership with the University of Derby, examined how and why firms are embracing the sustainability agenda, as Dan Robinson reports.

or tomorrow’s business leaders, it’s something they can’t just sweep under the carpet. “We can’t hide it anymore,” says Raj Masuria. “It’s something that’s staring us in the face and will bring additional complexities to businesses and supply chains.”

He is, of course, talking about climate change. But rather than approach arguably the world’s greatest ever challenge with a glass-half-empty attitude, the University of Derby MBA graduate has already identified commercial opportunities by embracing net zero.

“Technology can improve resilience and help reduce disruption, which in turn supports sustainable growth,” he adds.

“It’s something we all collectively need to get behind because if we have a similar vision, it will enable us to create the solutions we need for a problem that’s quite apparent.”

Not that any of this will be straightforward, with plenty of variables at play. Raj accepts, for example, there are many carbon-intensive jobs that will need to be offset quickly to achieve an equitable society and sustainable economy.

Fellow Derby MBA student Louis Curtis believes young people hold the key to success, as encouraging them to gain low-carbon skills and knowledge will help make the necessary changes in domestic businesses – which can then export their newfound specialisms to other countries.

He says: “We need young people to take on green apprenticeships and we need businesses to offer these opportunities.”

Despite much of the skills agenda encompassing STEM subjects that have traditionally struggled to attract young people, interest appears to be growing.

In the summer, Loughborough College launched a T level course in engineering, which includes sustainability

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modules that develop skills needed for decarbonisation, as well as a BEng honours degree in sustainable engineering alongside Loughborough University that was fully booked within three months.

“We’ve got a real focus to ensure progression pathways from aged 16 all the way through to degree level to enable us to deliver skills locally,” says the college’s principal and CEO Jo Maher.

“Engineering is one of our real strength areas this year, and we’re seeing more young people and parents asking about the jobs available at the end of the course.”

There is broad agreement that skills are central to the sustainability cause. From retrofitting houses to make them more energy-efficient through to creating the products and services that will facilitate a large-scale withdrawal from fossil fuels, the labour market needs to be shaded green – but so do business plans.

IN MARCH, THE D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership published a report that found the low-carbon environmental goods and services (LCEGS) sector was worth £5.3bn to the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire economy in 2019/20 – up from £4.8bn in 2017/18 – with sales generated by more than 1,800 businesses that employed 35,000 people.

There were strengths in the LCEGS supply chain – including wind power control systems development, building technologies, alternative fuels, photovoltaic development, and wastewater treatment – but these businesses represented just 2.5% of the 76,000 enterprises across the two counties.

This doesn’t tell the whole story. The Chamber and University of Derby have jointly conducted research into the region’s engagement with the sustainability agenda over the past six years via the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), and the results are telling.

Jo Maher

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FOCUS FEATURE

CARBON-NEUTRAL EFFORTS HELP TO FUTURE-PROOF FIRM Six years ago, Longcliffe Group installed two wind turbines, each with a 2.3-megawatt (MW) maximum power output, at its Ryder Point quarry near Matlock.

They represented a seven-figure outlay but, given that its Ryder Point and Brassington Moor quarries consumed about £3.5m per year on electricity and the turbines now generate 85% of the fourth-generation family-owned company’s electricity needs, they will have a substantial impact on its bottom line.

That’s not to mention the environmental impact for a business in aggregates, which is traditionally one of the biggest polluting industries. Longcliffe previously used about 14,000 tonnes of carbon per year but is now saving half of this figure by producing its own renewable electricity on site, with some also fed back into the grid.

“We’re looking at future opportunities for solar to produce green hydrogen,” says managing director Viv Russell.

“This would be used to run our road transport fleet, which is currently on diesel and represents 28% of the carbon we produce. At the same time, in the past five years we have cut electricity and gas usage by 25%, load and haul fuel usage by 12%, and improved their miles to the gallon by 25%. That’s from investment in lorries, new plant, introducing automated metering and fitting variable speed controls.”

Dr Fred Paterson

‘There are proenvironmental niches in every sector of the economy and each has its own particular skills needs’

VIV’S ABILITY TO reel off accurate figures related to his company’s carbon footprint and savings is the result of two key sustainability principles within the business – measurement and improvement. His task has been to implement a complex jigsaw of efficiency savings, renewable electricity generation, investment in new transport technology, and farm and forestry offsets.

It stems back to 2010, when group energy director John Shields set an ambitious goal to be carbon-neutral by 2027 to mark the 100th anniversary of when his great, great-grandfather, also called John, established the business in Longcliffe, a hamlet nine miles west of Matlock. His father Robert Shields DL chairs the group.

One of the very few independent and largest hard rock quarries left in England – each year producing one million tonnes of calcium carbonates, which are used in products ranging from toothpaste and glass, to animal feed and water treatment – it is also one of the biggest companies in the Derbyshire Dales with a £40m turnover and 167 staff.

But it faces a fight to preserve its moral “licence in the community” and to remain on the right side of a sweeping legislative agenda to make its business both financially and environmentally sustainable.

Materials supplied to industry by aggregates are vital to everyday life but the energy-intensive nature of quarrying means it is also a substantial emitter – for every tonne of lime extracted, a tonne of CO2 is produced.

“We recognise that our industry is a large producer of

Between 2015 and 2021, the proportion of East Midlands businesses that derived turnover from LCEGS grew from 16% to 37%, with activities including anything from environmental consultancy and waste recovery services to renewable electricity generation and low-emission transport.

Meanwhile, 36% of the companies surveyed in February this year said clean growth was wholly or partly integrated into their business growth strategies, up from 29% the previous year.

Dr Fred Paterson, who led the research as associate

Viv Russell, left, has driven Longcliffe Group's sustainability efforts

CO2 and want to be progressive because of the big targets ahead of us,” says Viv, who has worked in the industry for 44 years and chairs the Derbyshire-based Institute of Quarrying.

“But it can also give us a competitive advantage by cutting costs and help make it more attractive for young people to work here. It’s all about future-proofing our business.”

HAVING A PATHWAY to net zero – one initiated by measuring a carbon footprint and then followed by objectives guided by costs and integration into the business plan – is the type of sustainability journey Consultus’ CTO Edward Gray recommended at the Midlands Energy Summit.

This is precisely the Longcliffe way, supplemented by partnership working as evident in a collaborative green hydrogen project with the University of Nottingham.

It was also one of the first companies to receive a grant from Derbyshire County Council and the University of Derby’s Green Entrepreneurs Fund. The £20,000 support will help buy electrical converters that can reduce energy consumption in the mills and crushers used at Brassington Moor.

Viv adds: “Our strategy has firstly been to invest in new lorries with engines that are 12% more fuel-efficient than what we used five years ago. The next stage is to use biofuels and then, after that, potentially green hydrogen.

“The real critical thing is you have to measure your carbon because then you can then realise how realistic your ambition is, and what you can reduce. The hard part is that technology isn’t catching up with our ambitions.”

This is why “honest zero” is another important consideration in any net zero strategy, given the barriers and limitations many companies will encounter along the way. For example, Longcliffe is set to be hit with an extra £1m annual tax bill when levies are increased on red diesel, which is used for off-road purposes such as to power bulldozers and cranes.

“That will have to be passed on to customers, but the problem is we can’t go and buy an electric 100-tonne dump truck yet because the technology isn’t advanced enough yet,” says Viv. “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and it’s the same challenges we have now. We’re trying to move at a pace that the infrastructure doesn’t allow because it’s all built for petrochemical-based fuels. You have to recognise there’s a transformation taking place, but you can do certain things in the short and medium term to reduce your carbon footprint.”

professor of sustainable business and clean growth at the university, says the QES uses a wider definition of LCEGS to encompass not just suppliers, but also businesses that are addressing emissions within their own operations by improving energy and resource efficiency, as well as reducing waste.

Other sectors such as food manufacturing, agriculture and retail will also play a key contribution to a net zero future, while there’s greater recognition among businesses to cut emissions in the supply chain – which represent November 2021 business network

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COP26 AND THE REGIONAL AGENDA

about 80% of emissions – rather than just their own operations.

“There are pro-environmental niches in every sector of the economy and each has its own particular skills needs,” says Dr Paterson. “That’s why we prefer this broader definition of pro-environmental goods and services – one which specifically refers to business mindset that sets out to protect the environment.”

He accepts this is “not the normal preserve of your average SME”, where time and resource are a premium, and may explain why smaller companies tend to fall behind larger corporates in this agenda.

While 62% of East Midlands companies with more than 250 staff have begun integrating clean growth into their business strategies, only 27% of those with fewer than 10 employees had done so.

Dr Paterson believes this raises the significance of building pro-environmental skills such as in resource and energy management, environmental audit compliance, carbon accounting and sustainable supply chain innovation.

There is also a gap in knowledge. A recent Small Business Britain study found that although 99% of SMEs recognise the importance of sustainability, three-quarters don’t know how to measure their carbon footprint. The QES data showed four in 10 firms don’t feel well-informed about clean growth support.

Dr Paterson adds: “This offers a clear call to action to redouble our efforts to reach out with resources and guidance to smaller firms across the region that are trying to improve their environmental performance.”

SOMETIMES IT COMES down to the carrot or stick. Up until this point, there has been gentle encouragement to clean up in the form of subsidies, rewards and other badges of honour.

‘Any SME hoping to get a slice of the BT cake must be able to demonstrate its environmental credentials’ But a sense of urgency is on the horizon led by new legislation, employee demands and greater emphasis placed on climate activity when awarding contracts.

This has been the case for a while now in the public sector but the private sector is increasingly catching up with this approach.

Any SME hoping to get a slice of the BT cake must be able to demonstrate its environmental credentials, explains the group’s head of environmental sustainability Gabrielle Giner. It all counts towards the company’s own target for reaching net zero in its own operations by 2030, and its supply chain and customer emissions by 2040. More than two-thirds of BT’s emissions come from its supply chain.

Gabrielle says: “Setting these public targets has been very important in galvanising the business and getting management to think about how we’ll meet these targets.

“But when large companies like BT set these targets, we’re also sending demand signals, which will mobilise the market to get the supply.”

An example of this was in sourcing 100% renewable

COP26 WISHLIST FROM MIDLANDS SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT SPEAKERS Dr Fred Paterson, University of Derby: “Honesty from leaders and a recognition that this is the challenge for the next two decades, rising above every other challenge we’re facing. We all need to work on this and it’s massive.”

Peter Ware, Midlands Engine Green Growth Board: “Sustainability needs to be the start of every conversation rather than the end of it. By putting it at the heart of everything, other things will map out.”

Jo Maher, Loughborough College: “We need pace, commitment and to listen from the very top."

Louis Curtis, University of Derby: “Take a regional approach to skills. Look at Germany with its apprenticeship system that incorporates SMEs and larger firms’ supply chains.”

Amy Kopyrko, East Midlands Chamber: “Top-down legislation to make it easier for consumers to make changes.”

Raj Masuria, University of Derby: “A unified approach that takes a collective interest in the vision of net zero.”

electricity for BT’s worldwide operations – a goal achieved in November 2020 – but the latest targets will involve inserting a “climate clause” into key contracts.

This means suppliers will be encouraged to switch to 100% renewable electricity, set net zero targets and engage with their own supply chain.

“When a supplier signs a contract with BT, the climate clause will say the company is required to reduce their emissions over the term of the deal,” explains Gabrielle.

“It’s heightened the sustainability discussion – it’s no longer just people involved in sustainability talking to others in the same area because it’s now an obligation for everyone.”

BT’s decision in September to revise its net zero goals – its own operational target was brought forward 15 years – is reflective of the “great carbon competition” identified by Edward Gray. The chief technology officer at Leicesterbased energy consultancy firm The Consultus International Group believes businesses are trying to outdo each other in such targets, but SMEs should be mindful of how they will realistically achieve overarching statements.

Companies should begin by setting a baseline to measure against, identify resources already at their disposal to integrate into a net zero plan and then plot their path over a period of time – identifying costs, required resources and a communication plan.

Both upstream and downstream activities require consideration to battle the all-important scope three emissions, which come from outside the reporting organisation, by leveraging customer relationships.

Edward urges businesses not to get caught up in competition as it can result in “broad brushstrokes”, adding: “Net zero isn’t an individual pursuit and can only be achieved as a collaborative entity.”

Edward Gray

Gabrielle Giner

Skills are the ‘golden thread’ running through sustainability agenda, says leader of Midlands Engine’s green growth plan – see p58

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BUSINESS NETWORK

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FEATURE

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DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES

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DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES

FEATURE

Defining your goal is the key to success

By Daniel Hammond (pictured), managing director at webdna n the world of digital marketing, there are hundreds of metrics that make measuring, whether or not you’re achieving your goals, easy... right? Well, it can if you know what success looks like for your business.

If you don’t, all you’ll have is a vast amount of data that you can interpret in numerous ways.

With so much data available, even the worst-performing campaign is likely to have at least one redeeming metric and if you’re not careful, you can find yourself retrospectively defining success to fit it. That is why to measure progress effectively, it is so important to define the objectives of any activity before you start.

When we start working with a new client or on a new project, we ask what success looks like for that client. Some business owners know exactly what they need right away.

For others, it takes time to look at what will really move the business forward. We’ll often run a workshop to help them understand their business and the issues they face.

Working collaboratively like this ensures that everyone is very clear on the desired outcomes of any activity, and can identify if and when these are being achieved.

It’s easy to set the wrong measure of success. We recently took on a new client who was using the number of forms submitted as their measure. These forms ranged from a hot lead to a quiz response, but they were both being equally weighted. When we interrogated the data, it actually transpired that not one quiz response had converted to a sale.

We also found the sales team was typically spending three-times as long chasing these particular responders

I

‘Companies that are targeting sales become tempted to start using rankings or traffic as their primary measure’

attempting to get a conversion. The quiz responses were actually costing the business money but were being valued the same as a hot lead.

When we redefined the measure of success to that of a completed lead form, it reduced the volume of spurious submissions the team was chasing. That, in turn, gave it more time to focus on the genuine leads that helped to hit its sales target for the first time in seven months.

Companies will often have their measure of success clearly defined when they start out, but as soon as they switch focus to a specific channel, they begin to lose sight of their original objectives.

It’s something we’ve seen time and time again in the world of SEO. Companies that are targeting sales become tempted to start using rankings or traffic as their primary measure.

This approach may align with objectives in some cases, but often it’s not that simple. With a clearly defined measure of success, you can step back and interrogate the data to identify the really valuable insights.

When you are looking to start any marketing activity, clearly setting your goals and continuing to measure, report and iterate your activity accordingly will lead to success.

It can be tempting to be distracted by vanity metrics but focusing your effort on those that are key to your business will be the ones that drive it forward.

Asking all the right questions at the start of the process, or partnering with an agency that will, could save you time and money in the long run.

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DIGITAL MEDIA SERVICES

Tips for getting ahead in digital marketing

By Sharon Stevens-Cash (pictured), marketing director at Gravity Digital igital marketing is such a broad term that can include anything from websites, Google Ads and SEO, to emails and social media. Making sense of it all, and enticing new enquiries and sales, is the part where it really matters, and we have put together some top tips to help businesses make the most of their marketing budgets.

There are lots of professional digital marketing agencies that can help you along the way, and for specialist skills such as SEO, pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns and social media, it is a great way of ring-fencing some of your marketing budget to focus on getting these areas managed and measured effectively. But do choose wisely, do you research, ask around and get references.

promotional activity, then make sure you choose wisely the things you know will have an impact.

Don’t just rely on PPC campaigns – do this along with good SEO, blogging, email newsletters, social media and press releases. For every positive action you make, try to carry out five things to promote it.

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Here are our top tips to help you get (and stay) ahead in digital:

1. MAKE SURE YOUR WEBSITE IS FIT FOR PURPOSE Websites are the single most important marketing tool your organisation has for attracting sales and enquiries. Speed, device responsiveness, content and SEO are all really important factors in how your website performs in searches, so ensure all the above are performing at their absolute best.

2. MARKET YOUR WEBSITE There it is – your fantastic new website that looks amazing. It’s not a case of build it and they will come as there is too much competition, so ensure people can find it. Marketing your website will take effort but the more you put in, the more you get out. Use PPC campaigns, 70

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6. SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITMENT

deliver good SEO and keep improving it. Use social media to point to your site, create blogs, news articles, case studies and product updates.

There are so many options – don’t just do one, put them all into your marketing mix.

3. SPEAK TO YOUR AUDIENCE Many companies forget to speak to their audience. Yes, it sounds simple, but sometimes we are so intent on sending out messages and keeping “on brand” that we forget customers are people who are interested in your products and services.

4. DON’T COMMIT TO DOING TOO MUCH If you plan to do too much, then you are going to spread yourself too thin. Only carry out the tasks you know you have the resource to deliver, and never choose to do something just because it’s the latest trend. Focus on the customer, find them and follow them – be interested in them.

5. DON’T DO TOO LITTLE Contrary to the above point, don’t do too little. If you are going to commit to any marketing and

Don’t leave your social media unmanned for too long – automating and scheduling messages is helpful, but don’t let this replace humans. We use social media because we can have access directly to the brand – don’t forget it’s people who are connecting with you, not robots or automated tweets.

7. CONSISTENCY ACROSS ALL CHANNELS Make sure your messages are true to your brand, values and mission. Every digital marketing platform may require a slightly different approach, but make sure the tone of voice is consistent across all your messages.

8. DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEND MONEY – BUT DON’T WASTE MONEY Digital marketing can be very effective, but don’t think of it as a cost-saving exercise. As with all marketing and promotions, choosing the right channels and messages takes careful planning and tactical delivery. If you are going to outsource some of your digital marketing, then invest in the right team who have experience.

Digital marketing is a vital function of business planning and, moving forward, it is indispensable so ensure it is part of your full marketing mix to keep your strategy future-focused.

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EVENTS

Gala awards evening celebrates region’s ‘unbelievable women’ A

pprentices, entrepreneurs and STEM ambassadors were among those recognised at the Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards.

Eight women in business took home honours at the gala dinner on Friday 8 October, which was held at Nottingham Belfry Hotel & Spa in partnership with headline sponsor Futures Housing Group.

The evening was topped off by the Business Woman of the Year title, which was awarded to Natalie Bamford, who co-founded personalised gift box service Colleague Box during the pandemic and has grown it into a £1m turnover business already.

This was the first time the Enterprising Women Awards had been held since early March 2020, just before lockdown. It is the biggest event in the calendar for East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women network, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.

Chamber president Eileen Richards MBE, who co-chairs the network with Jean Mountain, said:

“It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the Enterprising Women Awards in person and welcome back all our members and supporters.

You could physically feel the enthusiasm and emotion within the room, which demonstrates just how much these awards mean to individuals.

“We have so many unbelievable women working at all levels of businesses across the East Midlands – from CEOs to managers to apprentices – and it is incredible to see them recognised.”

Jean, a past president of the Chamber, added: “Our Enterprising Women network has gone from strength to strength, and this evening is always the crowning event in our calendar so it was brilliant to see everyone again.

“Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, who thoroughly deserve the opportunity to have their stories told to the region. We can’t wait to be back next year and have some exciting plans to mark our 25th anniversary.”

Eileen Richards MBE (left) and Jean Mountain

Continued on page 74...

RideWise team led by Helen Hemstock (third from left) with Team of the Year sponsor Zinthiya Ganeshpancha, She Inspires (Global) (far right)

Small Business of the Year winners Shed Grounds Maintenance with category sponsor Unique Window Systems

Business Woman of the Year Natalie Bamford (left) with Lindsey Williams, of headline sponsor Futures Housing Group

Employee of the Year winner Matilda Swanson (left) with Chamber director Lucy Robinson

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Apprentice of the Year Evie Smith (right) with Tracey Mosley, of sponsor EMA Training

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EVENTS

Scott Knowles, Jean Mountain, Eileen Richards MBE, Lindsey Williams and Ian Morgan OBE

ENTERPRISING WOMEN AWARDS 2021 WINNERS Outstanding Contribution to Work in STEM winner Rail Forum Midlands

BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

FEMALE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

(SPONSORED BY FUTURES HOUSING GROUP)

(SPONSORED BY SMALLMAN & SON)

Winner • Natalie Bamford, Colleague Box (Derby)

Winner • Matilda Swanson, Loates HR Consultancy (Derby)

Finalists • Rowan Bradley, Children’s Therapy Solutions • Sandra Wiggins, DPI UK • Jillian Thomas, Future Life Wealth Management • Claire Twells, Smith Partnership • Helen Wathall MBE, Wathall’s Funeral Directors

FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY MIDLANDS ENGINE INVESTMENT FUND) Winner • Rachel Hayward, Ask the Chameleon (Derby)

Social Commitment Award winner CR Civil Engineering

Finalists • Janice Holmes, Janice Rose Lingerie • Iwona Lebiedowicz, PAB Languages • Nicky Botham, Shed Grounds Maintenance • Jaz Kaur, Fraser Stretton Estate Agents

TEAM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SHE INSPIRES GLOBAL) Winner • RideWise (Nottingham) Finalists • Astute Recruitment • Cross Productions • DPI UK • Futures Housing Group

SOCIAL COMMITMENT AWARD

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO WORK IN STEM

(SPONSORED BY PPL PRS)

(SPONSORED BY PICK EVERARD)

Winner • CR Civil Engineering (Loughborough)

Winner • Rail Forum Midlands (Derby)

Finalists • Bodie Hodges Foundation • Cross Productions • Halo Recruit • Hot House Music

Finalists • DPI UK • emh group • JB Engineering • Midland Lead

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

(SPONSORED BY UNIQUE WINDOW SYSTEMS) Winner • Shed Grounds Maintenance (Chesterfield)

Entrepreneur of the Year winner Rachel Hayward with Lewis Stringer, of sponsor Midlands Engine Investment Fund

Finalists • Vicky Evans, Air Ambulance Service • Ana-Andreea Covaliu, Design Studio Architects • Hollie Newton, EMA Training • Rosie McLaughlin, Embark Federation

Finalists • Access Training • Balls2 Marketing • Breedon Consulting • We Love Surveys

(SPONSORED BY EMA TRAINING) Winner • Evie Smith, Reckitt Benckiser (UK) (Derbyshire) Finalists • Courtney Bower, Recruit 2 You • Hannah Ward, Wytech • Bethany Less, Xbite

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EVENTS

‘We get to spread positivity and happiness, so that initial aim of when we first started Colleague Box is what still excites us today’ Natalie Bamford, Business Woman of The Year ...from page 72 The 300 guests collectively donated £1,270 to the Chamber’s three chosen charities this year – Chesterfield Samaritans, Help the Homeless Leicester and Nottinghamshire Hospice.

ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson hosted the black-tie event, with entertainment provided

by Michael Bublé tribute act Mike All Bublé.

Futures Housing Group chief executive Lindsey Williams, who is also the Chamber’s vice-president, added: “As a female leader, I know the challenges and barriers women can face in the workplace and when building a career. That’s why I really value the opportunity to champion, support and encourage enterprising women throughout the region.

“Hopefully the awards will inspire a new generation of women to step forward and be the leaders of the future. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists.”

WHO IS THE CHAMBER’S BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR? Natalie Bamford set up Colleague Box alongside husband Adam in April 2020 while on furlough as a technology company’s expedite services assistant.

The couple have already grown the Derby-based personalised gift box service into a £1m turnover business and grown headcount.

Corporations have identified the benefits of being able to send low-cost, high-quality gift boxes – which can be personalised or themed to feature everything from prosecco and coffee to chocolate and candles – that can be sent to staff en masse.

After being announced as the Business Woman of the Year at the Enterprising Women Awards, Natalie said: “Adam and I used to work together, and we originally set up the gift boxes just to send to our team to spread a bit of happiness and positivity. It was a time when the country was in so much doom and gloom, and we wanted to send a bit of joy in the post while everyone was working from home.

“We were working from our kitchen table, sent them out and it just grew into a business from there.

“After launching in the April, we moved into our first warehouse in September to fulfil an order of 21,000 boxes.”

Asked what she liked best about the business, she replied: “We get to spread positivity and happiness, so that initial aim of when we first started Colleague Box is what still excites us today.”

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TRAINING

Preparing your workforce means investing in training With furlough ending and businesses returning to a sense of normality, Lucy Robinson (pictured), the Chamber’s director of resources, explains why it’s important they invest in training.

e all recognise how much the world has changed over the past 20 months, with expectations and demands for both employers and employees markedly different now compared to pre-March 2020.

Making sure the workforce is ready for this new world should therefore be a priority for businesses, which means not underestimating the value of investing in training and development.

There are a broad range of reasons for investing in training and development, including: • Making the business a great place to work, and helping to attract and retain talent • Being ready for the increased competition that is emerging for the best talent • Responding to changes in the types of roles and skills that businesses now require • Ensuring managers are trained to be profitable, especially in the space of agile work • Recognising there is a very real skills gap that needs to be plugged by businesses.

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SKILLS GAP RESEARCH As well as being home to an active labour market of 4.46 million people in jobs, the

Midlands has a huge skills asset base – with 387,000 students across 22 universities, according to Midlands Engine analysis.

However, we have seen significant disruption to the education system throughout the pandemic, potentially limiting preparations for the world of work.

In addition, 37% of the Midlands’ working age population are qualified to NVQ Level 4 or equivalent. While this increased by 9.1% between 2019 and 2020, it remains below the 43% UK average.

The region also has a greater proportion (7.6%) of people with no qualifications than nationally (6.6%). Its number of claimants for unemployment-related benefits (4.2%) and youth claimants (5.8%) is also above average (4% and 5.5% respectively).

Meanwhile, the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows that two-thirds (67%) of East Midlands businesses tried to recruit in Q3 2021, but 71% of those faced problems with hiring the right people.

This means skills development should be at the heart of business plans, and a net 26% of firms told us they intended to increase investment on training people.

HOW BUSINESSES SHOULD APPROACH TRAINING INVESTMENT So what should businesses be doing to upskill their workforce? Firstly, if they have an annual pay bill of more than £3m and pay the Apprenticeship Levy, then it makes absolute sense to claim this back to create and fund apprenticeships.

Companies should also look at what other funding is available for training, such as the Smart and Inclusive Leadership (SAIL) programme delivered by the Chamber and other partners.

This type of training could be carried out in conjunction with success planning, and businesses should ensure there are ways for employees to request and access training courses.

Of course, the Chamber runs commercial training, including director and manager development programmes, advanced sales excellence, personal development, and accredited courses for a wide range of professional skills. Our Generation Next network for young professionals also provides a costeffective solution for ongoing career development.

For more information about the Chamber’s commercial training programmes, contact Vicki Thompson on 0333 320 0333 (ext 2153), email vicki.thompson@emcdnl.co.uk or visit www.emcdnl.co.uk/developing-skills

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

Your IT is our business www.harris-it.co.uk

T: 01332 473400 E: info@licencepro.co.uk W: licencepro.co.uk/our-services 76

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY

Getting ‘digital smart’ and growing sustainably Ismay Mummery (pictured), founder of growing sustainable fashion label Boy Wonder, based in Ashby de la Zouch, learned how to improve the company’s online presence and brand awareness after attending the Digital Growth Programme’s action-planning workshops. Business Network looks at her journey through the programme.

THE STORY OF BOY WONDER Ethical fashion devotee Ismay graduated with a master’s degree from the London College of Fashion and print design became her specialist area.

After spending time living in Scandinavia, she fell in love with the distinctive design style that influenced everyday objects and clothing, especially kid’s fashion. On returning to the UK, she wanted to buy clothes for her son that were sustainably-produced and had the same visual appeal, but became frustrated at the lack of choice.

Sensing the opportunity, she started designing and making her own products in 2016. She also began blogging about her journey and passion for ethical clothing, gaining 40,000 readers, and so the Boy Wonder journey began.

After a period of crowdfunding, she raised capital for production through donations and pre-orders and Ismay launched her first ecommerce site in 2020.

From the outset, her vision was to become a forerunner in designled sustainable fashion, with her captivating and distinctive designs depicting childhood memories and cultural references, while reflecting their Scandinavian influence.

She says: “All our pieces are my original designs and have my environmental values embedded in their fabric. Everything in our range is made within a 20-mile radius of our base – I’ve always been passionate about leaving the lowest ‘fashion footprint’ possible and it’s fundamental to everything we do.”

DIGITAL CHALLENGES As a blogger, Ismay was no stranger to the power of digital marketing. She knew how to write engaging online content, but once the business was in full swing, she knew there were areas where a

All the Boy Wonder eco-friendly fashion designs are originals

boost in technical knowledge would be a major advantage, especially when it came to taking the reins of her website – a key sales channel for the brand.

“I invested a lot of time and money developing my website, working closely with a digital agency to ensure it visually captured the essence of Boy Wonder’s ethos and offered an exceptional user experience,” she says.

“I was delighted with the result and got some great feedback from customers. What I hadn’t really considered was that once the site was finished, to be sure that dayto-day updating, such as adding new content through the content management system (CMS), was reliably completed, I’d have to handle much of this work myself.

“It was a realisation that left me feeling a little out of my comfort zone and highlighted the commercial importance of bringing myself up to speed with several aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, analytics, and social media.

“I needed to empower myself with more digital know-how – not only to be able to do more myself and keep costs under control, but also to enable me to confidently outsource digital processes in the future, understand what deliverables should be achievable, and monitor results against spend.”

DIGITAL STRATEGY SUPPORT Ismay signed up for several actionplanning workshops to improve her understanding and abilities in key areas of digital marketing, which empowered her to be more selfreliant and see significant improvements in user experience and website visitor numbers.

In addition to learning from the industry experts leading the sessions, Ismay found an invaluable

platform through which to engage in peer-to-peer learning and enjoy the mutual support of other businesses on the programme.

She gained valuable, practical understanding of the principles of search engine optimisation (SEO), analytics and social media marketing.

It also sharpened her digital focus and was instrumental in driving tangible improvement to user experience, including improved website visibility and a 42% increase in visitor traffic through an uplift in SEO rankings – which has converted into a significant uptick in online orders.

As well as feeling equipped with the digital skillset to handle much of the social media activity herself, Ismay feels her confidence has grown from attending the live workshops and now has access to a supportive network of peers and digital experts.

“The workshops and webinars have given me the confidence to start planning my own online fashion events and courses,” she adds. “I’m confident once launched, these will help us drive growth and raise awareness of the Boy Wonder brand.”

Accessing digital support The Digital Growth Programme is designed to help SMEs located in Leicester and Leicestershire to improve productivity and growth using digital technology via themed action planning workshops, grants and digital advice. It is part-funded by the Chamber, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Leicestershire County Council. Visit www.leics-digital.co.uk Businesses based in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire can access similar support by visiting www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk High-growth businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire can access knowledge and investment support to scale up through embracing new technologies via the Digital Upscaler programme, part-funded by the ERDF. Visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/ digitalupscaler

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DIGITAL & TECHNOLOGY AI could predict energy rates Artificial intelligence could be used to predict building energy rates in a real-time system developed with input from Loughborough University.

Its computer scientists have teamed up with multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Cundall to create an AI-based system that can predict emissions rates – an important value used to calculate energy performance – of non-domestic buildings.

The timely, accurate calculation of energy efficiency is a vital component of the design process for new and refurbished buildings – but current methods are generated by manually inputting hundreds of variables and can take hours or days to assess.

Associate professor Dr Georgina Cosma and postgraduate student Kareen Ahmed, at the university’s School of Science, have designed and trained an AI model to almost instantly predict building emissions rates values using 27 inputs, with little loss in accuracy Dr Cosma said the research “is an important first step towards the use of machine learning tools for energy prediction in the UK” and it shows how data can “improve current processes in the construction industry”.

Derby students give green travel app a Go People in Derby can find out how to move around their city using a new smartphone app – in what is believed to be the biggest trial of green travel mobility in Europe.

Derby City Council has partnered with Toyota’s mobility brand Kinto and the University of Derby to roll out DerbyGo (by Kinto).

It will enable users to visualise a wide range of transport options to plan their travel. It will start with a trial that will focus on rail and bus services, with plans to eventually cover taxis, ride-sharing cars and electric scooters – which can all be accessed via a simple mobile phone payment system to tap in and out of journeys.

The platform, backed by £500,000 funding from the Government after a successful bid by Derby and Nottingham city councils for their joint Future Transport Zone programme, will be trialled in Derby for 18 months and initially target about 10,000 University of Derby students.

‘Our students will be trialling the DerbyGo app as they travel around our city’ Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said it was a “tremendously exciting project for the city”, adding: “DerbyGo will change the way people travel around the city, encouraging and allowing more flexible and efficient journeys, which will contribute to creating a greener environment.”

As a “live lab”, the trial will be constantly refined for ease of use and functionality, with the addition of further transport services expected to enable more efficient and connected journey planning.

As well as being the largest and most ambitious mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) scheme to be introduced in the UK so far, DerbyGo (by Kinto) is the first MaaS platform to integrate transport accessibility guidance for people with mobility impairments.

The app will provide a direct link to Sociability, a UK startup that collects, maintains and shares detailed, reliable and accurate accessibility information.

The data generated will allow the partners to monitor travel trends to focus resources where they are needed, while also providing information on car use and each user’s carbon footprint with the aim of encouraging more car-sharing or other greener travel decisions.

Professor Chris Bussell, pro vice-chancellor and dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Derby, and chair of the Derby Climate Change Commission, said: ‘’Our students will be trialling the DerbyGo app as they travel around our city – and the data their journeys generate will help us to understand how traffic flow and mobility can be enhanced, better planned and integrated, to improve the quality of life for all of us who live and work here.”

Air IT earns SDI accolade for service quality Air IT has been awarded a prestigious four-star rating by the Service Desk Institute (SDI), the industry accreditor that certifies the quality of IT service and support operations worldwide.

It follows a previous three-star rating, which it had held for three years running after joining the Service Desk Certification (SDC) scheme in 2018, and puts it in the top 14 service desks in the world.

The Sandiacre-based managed service provider (MSP) said the new accreditation demonstrated the “significant investment” it continues to make in its people, processes and overall customer experience.

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Air IT senior service delivery manager Paige Smith displaying the SDC trophy with head of service Robert Heathcote

Air IT senior service delivery manager Paige Smith said: “We have worked incredibly hard over the past few years to further improve our services and ensure we

deliver exceptional service that is second to none, so we are thrilled that our efforts have been acknowledged with an extra star.

“We’re committed to continual

improvement and look forward to working towards a world-class fivestar rating over the next few years.”

SDC is a standards-based accreditation programme, designed to help service desks to improve their processes and maturity level.

It provides a framework for teams to demonstrate their commitment to service excellence, best practice and continual improvement.

The certification is usually pursued by in-house service desks and blue-chip companies but Air IT has now made its mark as the only MSP to currently hold the accolade globally.

Paul Rodrigues, chairman of SDI, added: “Everyone at Air IT should be very proud of what they have achieved, and this outstanding score is a true reflection of their passion and dedication to enabling business value and driving sustainable improvements.”

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LEGAL

Smart charging crucial to mass uptake of electric vehicles Legislation to require all new-build homes and offices with parking spaces to have electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints is on the way, marking a gamechanger in the shift to net zero transportation. But it could pose huge potential challenges, say Shakespeare Martineau’s partner and head of residential development Neil Gosling and Isaac Murdy, trainee solicitor in the energy team. s retrofitting charging stations is a lot more expensive than implementing the infrastructure during the construction stage of a new development (on average, £2,040 compared to £976 per space), it is positive to see the Government looking to introduce legislation that will combat one of the major barriers to drivers switching to electric.

However, while this would be a gamechanger in the shift to net zero transportation, the chargepoints pose huge potential challenges to the electricity distribution networks that will bring power to the points.

There are risks associated with multiple chargepoints on an estate being used at once, such as overloading their connections. Currently, the nominal maximum load a development’s connection is designed to take does not take EV charging stations into account.

New ways of thinking are needed to decrease the peak load demand created by multiple EVs charging at the same time to avoid the predicted 30% rise in peak electricity consumption in 10 years’ time.

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DEMAND SPIKES POSE CHALLENGES While chargepoints on all homes with a parking space provides a utility for residents, it places the greatest burden on the cables and wires distributing power to the estate – especially if EVs become as common as petrol and diesel vehicles.

Chargepoints can draw a lot of power from the grid. Without control, there is the potential for huge spikes in demand, which could lead to brownouts (as insufficient electricity is shared around) or potentially the failure of distribution equipment that can’t handle the currents running through them.

Currently, many distribution network operators (DNOs) discount the possibility that everyone will be charging their cars while running the tumble dryer and boiling the kettle as too unlikely. This means that when calculating the additional reinforcement their networks will need when an estate is connecting in, they do not require any additional capacity to account for EV chargepoints.

This allows the network operator to give a more competitive price for a connection, but creates a problem for developers and drivers alike in the long run. We hope that as EVs become more ubiquitous, the real burden on the networks will be realised, and the distribution code that guides DNOs’ activities will be updated.

Neil Gosling

Isaac Murdy

SMART CHARGING AND COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS The solution is clear – smart charging. This should help connect EV charging into the wider energy system and could allow peak demand to be reduced, which would help prevent them becoming a burden on the power grid.

This is like the smart meter in your house being able to turn down the thermostat though, and will surely require commercial agreements to compensate people who will not get their vehicles charged as fast as they wanted.

We have started to see some agreements being put in place between high-profile housebuilders and installers, which will ensure the chargepoint can be controlled when necessary.

These early adopters are already showing how spikes can be smoothed by shutting down chargers when power is at a premium and turning them back on when demand is lessened. This can reduce the need for expensive reinforcement of the electricity network.

LOOKING AHEAD To reach the UK’s ambitious target of becoming net zero by 2050, it is clear renewables must become an integral part of housebuilding efforts and domestic charging could soon become the norm. To support this ambition, it is vital there is minimal impact on the grid and to deliver this, smart charging, delivered by commercial agreements, should be a priority.

Banner Jones still among the best The family law and personal injury teams at Banner Jones have retained their tier two ranking in this year’s Legal 500 for the ninth year running.

The listing highlighted the East Midlands-based firm’s family law work in managing a complex care matter involving the identification of a parent outside jurisdiction, as well as acting in a financial remedy case worth £1.5m.

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Its personal injury team, led by chief executive Simon Wright (pictured), was cited for acting on behalf of a client who sustained a serious injury at work to secure a £1.6m settlement.

Another key case involved representing a client in a historical sexual abuse case in order to secure both costs and damages totalling £110,000.

Simon said: “Despite the

challenges faced over the past year or so, our colleagues have continued to put the needs of clients at the heart of all that they do, and that determination has been reflected in the cases overseen, and those that they have settled.”

Banner Jones has offices in Chesterfield, Mansfield, Nottingham, Dronfield and Sheffield.

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BUSINESS NETWORK

T: 01482 214169 M: 07926 566220 E: darren@randdsecurityservicesukltd.co.uk E: accounts@randdsecurityservicesukltd.co.uk W: randdsecurityservicesukltd.co.uk November 2021 business network

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FINANCE

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FINANCE

Investing in a sustainable future

R&D tax relief makes green innovation pay Tackling climate change requires new and innovative ideas, products and processes from businesses – often an expensive undertaking.

One way the Government is encouraging UK companies to increase investment in green innovation is through tax incentives, including R&D tax relief, explains Scott Burkinshaw (pictured), tax partner and head of the Radius team at Shorts Chartered Accountants.

HOW DOES R&D TAX RELIEF REWARD INNOVATION? R&D tax relief encourages companies to innovate through a combination of corporation tax breaks and cash credits. These reliefs are often worth around a quarter of what the company spent innovating – so it is an extremely generous Government-backed incentive to innovate.

Patent Box tax relief allows organisations to pay a lower corporation tax rate of 10% on products derived from patented products or processes.

HOW ENVIRONMENTALLYFRIENDLY INNOVATION IS REWARDED A packaging manufacturer invested in developing innovative, highperformance packaging solutions using recycled waste materials – an extremely important area in the fight against climate change.

This project included many

challenges and uncertainties, including ensuring the products had the right quality and consistency, while optimising the output of the manufacturing process.

Through the R&D tax reliefs programme, Radius helped this company save more than £60,000.

Another manufacturer, this one of metallic components, invested in increasing the efficiency and reducing waste in production, and was able to claim a corporation tax saving of over £25,000.

Additionally, a footwear manufacturer was able to save more than £15,000 in tax following its development of an innovative shoe using vegan-friendly materials rather than leather.

Radius has also worked with a specialist manufacturer of thermal systems, whose innovative work included the development of insulation solutions for plastic recycling. It was able to save over £25,000 in tax via the scheme.

Finally, a manufacturer of innovative industrial refrigeration solutions invested in the development of more energyefficient refrigeration units in a challenging project that included reducing the overall power required to run the system. This company was also able to save more than £23,000 in R&D tax relief from this work.

DOES YOUR INNOVATIVE WORK QUALIFY? R&D tax relief claims can be made as part of the CT600 corporation tax return, and HMRC aims to process SME claims within 28 days of receiving them.

From the climate emergency to Covid-19 recovery, there has never been a more important time for companies to invest in R&D, and this incentive means the pursuit of greener, more efficient innovations can benefit businesses in both the short and longer term.

More savers are asking for help in putting their money into companies that make profits without harming the planet as sustainable investing hits the mainstream, according to a Derby financial adviser.

James Wallis (pictured), founder of Aristotle Financial Planning, says he is fielding increasing numbers of enquiries from clients who want to buy shares in companies that provide a return on their money while simultaneously making a positive social and environmental impact.

Financial experts say sustainable investing has turned from a trend into a permanent shift in the way people approach putting their money onto the stock market, with increasing numbers of would-be shareholders searching for evidence that companies are helping to solve urgent issues such as climate change, gender and racial equality.

In response, financial advisors such as Aristotle are now compiling fact files on the options available, and identifying investment schemes that contain companies known to be acting ethically and sustainably.

James, who founded his company last year and now has nearly 100 clients across Derbyshire and further afield, said: “Sustainable investing has been around for a while, but it’s accelerated massively over the past three years and now it’s reached our level, which shows how it’s entering the mainstream.

“An increasing number of clients we work with are expressing a wish to only invest in companies that can demonstrate their commitment to making a difference but which also offer them a good return on their investment, so there is a balance that they’re looking to strike.”

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SKILLS

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SKILLS

Students enjoy an electric shock Hundreds of students were given a hands-on innovation experience at a special electrical showcase starring a Tesla car and a host of cutting-edge sustainable technologies at Loughborough College.

The top-of-the-range electric car was parked on campus as part of the event last month to inspire students to think about how sustainable technology can be used in future.

‘First-hand insight into the technology of the future’ The Tesla Model 3, which costs about £50,000 and has a range of around 300 miles, was provided by industry-leading Intelligent Charging Systems, which also demonstrated its all-in-one smart EV charging solutions.

It was joined by a range of exciting companies and their experts at The Hub, in the heart of the college’s campus, where they spoke with students and staff

about how engineering technology can be harnessed and developed.

Shane Payne, curriculum manager for engineering at Loughborough College, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for people to get first-hand insight into the technology of the future and the energy that powers our lives from such a range of industry-leading experts. Our students loved it and asked some very good questions.”

Sustainability and combating climate change was also high on the agenda as Electrical Waste, a company at the cutting edge of environmentally-friendly recycling processes, spoke about green initiatives.

Lighting expert Tamlite, which designed the state-of-the-art lighting system for the new T levels demonstration room in the college’s technology centre, displayed its enhanced range of energy-saving products.

And Klein Tools, which has proved a big hit with learners at previous electrical events, returned to give students and staff the chance to handle more top tools of the trade.

Time for E-asy riders Demand is spiking for electric motorcycles among commuters and leisure riders, according to a UK business that visited students at the MIRA Technology Institute (MTI).

Artisan Electric loaned its Horwin CR6 model – billed as a “global challenger" to the electric market – to the automotive skills centre, which is based in Nuneaton but trains youngsters in Leicestershire.

Its power is equivalent to a 125cc engine, has a top speed of 60mph and a range of 60 miles.

The brand’s business development manager Adam Bowen said interest in emotorcycles and scooters has skyrocketed in recent months in line with lifestyle trends and increased awareness.

He said: “Electric motorcycles are proving to be a completely different proposition to the current petrol sector. We operate in the commuter and leisure market, and our customer base is totally different from the typical biker profile.

“Research shows that most commuters live within 20 miles of their workplace on average, so the bike, which retails at £5,047, is proving to be a popular alternative

The Horwin CR6 electric motorcycle on display for students at MTI

to the car and to public transport.”

The MTI is helping to create specialist skills in some of the new emerging technology areas including electrification and driverless cars.

Marion Plant OBE FCGI, principal and chief executive of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, chairs the MTI operations board.

She said: “Electrification of transport is really taking hold now and we are seeing increasing levels of interest in our portfolio at the MTI, which encompasses skills in all types of transportation.”

Students from Loughborough College get a hands-on experience with a Tesla Model 3 during a special electrical showcase held on the campus

NBS joins carbon literacy chain gang A Nottingham Business School (NBS) programme that offers carbon literacy training to business schools, universities and beyond features as part of a global social movement to coincide with COP26.

Train the Millions – The Carbon Literacy Chain (CLC) has been launched by Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).

The UN-supported initiative has more than 850 business schools as signatories worldwide and aims to raise the profile of sustainability in business schools around the world, and to equip today's business students with the understanding and ability to deliver change.

As a PRME champion, NBS is committed to developing responsible leaders and acts as an example to other higher education institutions globally.

The Carbon Literacy Training for Business Schools programme was developed by NBS in collaboration with PRME champions, the international student organisation Oikos International and The Carbon Literacy Project.

As part of the training, learners explore high-impact climate solutions, climate justice and climate science before devising significant actions for themselves, their business schools, partners, colleagues and fellow students.

Petra Molthan-Hill, professor of sustainable management and education for sustainable development at NBS, said: “We have already delivered our training to more than 350 people from business schools across the world, giving them the knowledge to become catalysts for change.

“This initiative from PRME hopes to motivate those with experience of the training to run additional sessions for their students, colleagues, partners and community members, and grow the carbon literacy chain.

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PROPERTY

How sustainable is Passivhaus?

When looking to reduce energy use and carbon emissions from buildings, many within the UK construction industry turn to Passivhaus – but is it truly sustainable? Lee Marshall (pictured), managing director at Viridis Building Services, believes the fabric improvements it delivers do not justify the expense of implementation assivhaus, developed in Germany in the 1990s, is an international standard for energy efficiency in a building, which is supposed to provide a high level of occupant comfort while using very little energy for heating or cooling.

It has a performance-based set of design criteria that calls for walls, floors and roofs to be well insulated with a U-value of no more than 0.15 – and the closer to zero the better.

To achieve the Passivhaus standard, you are therefore required to install a range of measures – such as triple glazing, over-insulation of the walls, and a mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system – to ensure the property is virtually airtight, measured through a pressure test.

This helps to achieve greater energy conservation and is excellent in practice; however, the cost far outweighs the benefit in my opinion.

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TRADITIONAL HOME VERSUS PASSIVHAUS HOME If we compare two similar homes that are both 235 sq m, wellappointed, four-bed properties – but one is traditionally built, aligned with the RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge standard, and the other a Passivhaus-equivalent house – we can start to build a clearer picture of the pros and cons.

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comparative heat energy loss through the fabric of both structures.

The traditionally-built home will typically experience a heat loss of 2,210 watts through the building fabric, losing 16% through walls, 40% through openings, 30% through infiltration, 7% through floors, and 7% through ceilings.

However, the Passivhausequivalent building will lose 1,630 watts – 14% through walls, 37% through openings, 27% through infiltration, 11% through floors, and 11% through ceilings. This is a saving of just 580 watts overall – which is a marginal energy saving given the cost of following Passivhaus rules.

COSTING THE DIFFERENCE We therefore need to take this example further and put a price on Passivhaus versus a traditionallybuilt home.

Let us consider the walls first.

When following the Passivhaus method, cavities must be 150mm rather than the standard 100mm, which means wider foundations and bespoke windowsills. The insulation also increases, which at £20 per square metre adds up to £8,000 in this example.

Is an additional £8,000, plus the design, extra materials and installation costs, worth saving 1.5 watts per square metre?

I personally think that money would be much better spent on

more sustainable and viable options that save additional energy and begin generating their own power – such as photovoltaic panels or waste water heat recovery (WWHR).

Triple glazing is another area where costs can quickly rise. When you upgrade from double to triple glazing, there is a saving of 1,275 watts in the heat energy loss through windows.

However, it is a significant investment as the price increases to £250 per sq m, which means that the overall cost is £21,500 higher than traditional double glazing in our 235 sq m example home.

WHY AN MVHR UNIT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE A crucial method for achieving the Passivhaus standard is installing an MVHR system. This technique recovers warm air from within the building and uses it to heat the cool incoming air by employing a heat exchanger system. Net efficiency for this method is quoted at around 90%, but this simply isn’t the case as gross efficiency is only 20% to 30%.

When it’s cooler outside, the heat recovered by the MVHR unit is insufficient to heat the home so additional technology, such as electrical heaters in the airstream, must be installed to make up the shortfall – not very sustainable. An MVHR unit installation can also cost anywhere upwards of £3,000.

Therefore, if you add the

additional costs of insulation, triple glazing and an MVHR system, it costs tens of thousands of pounds to save a marginal amount of energy.

For me, the fabric improvements with Passivhaus are not sustainable or worthwhile to justify the expense of implementing them – particularly for the average homeowner, as a Passivhaus home saves £900 per year on bills but takes more than 30 years to recover the investment.

Passivhaus has been sold very well but, in my opinion, it’s not been tested properly, and no one fully understands it.

Therefore, as a method of measuring sustainability, I don’t think it holds enough stock to be the single standard used by companies across the world. Instead, we should invest in sustainable, energyefficient solutions such as solar panels and smart hot water.

I firmly believe that green solutions don’t have to cost the earth and being sustainable is about spending as little as possible in order to save as much as possible. So, by taking a common-sense approach, we can maximise the environmental gain at the lowest possible cost to save more CO2 and tens of thousands of pounds in the process.

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PROPERTY

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MOTORING

An electric Mustang?

Yes, really

We have always associated the Ford Mustang with American roots, a rear-wheel drive muscle car, with a huge V8 and bags of grunt – but things have changed dramatically in this gutsy new arrival. Motoring journalist Nick Jones looks at the latest foray into the electric vehicle market with the new Ford Mustang Mach E. irst things first, it’s a large SUV that has four engine choices, along with four trim levels and no engine as such – just electric power instead.

Entry-level is the standard range RWD, which has a 265bhp power unit that uses a 68kWh electric motor, achieving over 210 miles on a single charge. Standard AWD version has a motor front and rear that powers the Mustang E to a fiery 6.3-second zero to 60 time, with the capability of 248 miles range.

The top-spec, extended-range AWD stirs 345bhp and can hit 60 in 5.7 seconds – not bad in a car weighing in at two tonnes – and has a real-world capacity of allowing the Mach E to extend its range to 335 miles. There is also a 487bhp Mach E version, which I would feel is pretty damn quick.

Ride quality is good, but the suspension feels a little clumsy – somewhat bouncy – around corners and if you have the need to start driving quicker, it will play on your mind. One needs a feathered right foot both on application of the accelerator and brake as it’s like flicking a switch on and off, with no in-between.

Internally, the dominant 15.5-inch screen houses just about every icon known to man, where you can spend hours playing. Thankfully, the 10.2-inch screen just under the eye-line looking forward houses the “important bits”, suchlike the speed, battery percentage and remaining range. Safe to say this is not like anything Ford has ever produced. It’s styled like a coupe but has more headroom in the rear than one would expect. Boot space is 402 litres – good enough to drop the golf bag and accessories in while the charging cables can be stored in a front “boot” that can house 80 litres.

As for charging, well there aren’t many public combined charging system (CCS) electric vehicle

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FACTFILE MODEL Mustang Mach E

PRICE OTR From £40,270

PERFORMANCE

The Mustang Mach E is Ford’s first all-electric SUV

Top speed: 150mph 0-60 mph: 6.9 seconds (entry level) Power: 265 to 487bhp

CO2 EMISSIONS chargers around currently, so one may have to resort to using motorway versions instead – they use 50kWh power so a full charge could take two hours-plus, depending on battery size. The CCS charges more quickly, and an hour and 15 minutes should get you back to near 100%, providing you can locate one locally.

VERDICT The Mach E is an interesting car for sure. If you want electric and a small car then this is not for you; if you want an SUV that starts cheaper than most of the competition then it may whet your appetite.

There is something for everyone here and dependent on which model, trim, engine size and range suits your remit, then displaying a Mustang keyring on the table will give a bit of kudos to the lucky owner.

Zero

COMBINED MPG 2.5 miles per kWh

‘Safe to say this is not like anything Ford has ever produced’

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INFORMATION

Disciplining staff is all about facing the facts Deciding whether to discipline high-performing staff causes many senior leaders sleepless nights and even the occasional nightmare. Liz Willett (pictured), head of business partnership at Nottingham-based Kraft HR, explains how workplace investigations can help to settle misconduct issues and avoid legal action. s an investigations consultant who helps with the management of employment issues, I see how difficult it is for trustees, owners, board members and directors to act on a complaint about a colleague who is central to the business.

Initiating disciplinary action can pose a significant risk to the future of the business as it can lead to a suspension, dismissal, resignation or disengagement.

Succession and contingency plans can help mitigate, but losing someone crucial to performance and growth will still be a blow to the business.

There is a flood of worries for the person who has to decide what to do: • Am I going to end up in a tribunal?

• Could I be personally liable?

• Whatever I do, will someone sue me?

• How can I manage the PR?

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• How can I secure the contracts and business attached to this employee?

• What should I tell other staff and customers?

• I’ve known this person for 15 years – how can I do this to them?

I tell my clients the same thing.

You’re jumping ahead – you’re thinking the worst. To calculate risks and make a good judgement, you have to consider all the available information. First, you have to find out if there is actually a case to answer.

It’s also important to act because employers are legally responsible for handling complaints well: the issue is likely to escalate anyway, and tribunals will scrutinise delays and hold you to account for those.

FIRST YOU NEED TO FIND OUT THE FACTS The good news is that an investigation is not a disciplinary

process. It’s simply a way of discovering the facts. An investigation will clarify whether the complaint is making a mountain out of a molehill and there is no case to answer, or it’ll tell you that you have just found the tip of an iceberg.

We can now assess the actual potential harm and damage and guide the remainder of the process.

FACTS ARE YOUR FRIEND When you know exactly what’s happened, you can talk to your staff with confidence. You might be surprised at how much more amenable employees are to resolution when doubts over the facts are removed.

There may be resolutions available to you that do not end in contested disciplinary action.

Strategies other than dismissal include management interventions, such as mediation.

Even if the complaint is upheld and the employee has breached

their contract, this process can open the option of settlement agreements and facilitate a dignified exit – substantially helping to contain the risk of legal action against the business or yourself.

The principle underpinning this approach is the ACAS Code of Practice 1: to rehabilitate rather than punish. Investigations are key to understanding what needs to be done to resolve problems fairly.

After hearing difficult news, they are also the best decision you can make for a good night's sleep.

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COMMENT

THE LAST WORD Chamber president and ER Recruitment owner EILEEN RICHARDS MBE on retaining talent in the East Midlands, sustainable business and the Enterprising Women Awards onversation at the latest presidential roundtable took a slightly unexpected turn.

The theme at Nottingham Trent University’s smart new Dryden Enterprise Centre was regional governance and spending.

As such, I presumed that talk would focus on levelling up and the looming white paper.

That featured, but conversation moved swiftly from the political to the economic, and the impact of hybrid working and regional competition for people.

This issue has dominated not just business, but also media and politics in recent months.

Lorry drivers, wage levels and EU workers have been just part of the debate.

The roundtable discussed how Chamber members might compete with South East-based employers offering large salaries to remoteworking employees.

We are increasingly receiving accounts of staff members being lured by London wages based on agreements that in-person office attendance need only be weekly (or even monthly).

It’s a growing headache for businesses operating in sectors in which work can be easily moved online. Although it feels unsustainable as a long-term trend, in the short term it’s pushing up the cost of doing business in our region.

This presents challenges not just for employers but the region itself – for years, we have been working to retain talented people in the East Midlands.

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What if those people are remaining here but the benefit of their expertise is underpinning business growth in the South East? Or elsewhere in the UK, or even overseas? Transnational roles seem to be growing in volume due to the enforced virtual ways of working for many businesses across the pandemic period.

On the plus side, their spending and taxation will stay in the region. On the other hand, we will face a further obstacle in our work to increase regional productivity.

I was unable to attend the roundtable but, reflecting later on the points being made, it seems that the challenge, as ever, returns to people.

In that regard, and as a leader in the recruitment sector, it’s encouraging to me that improving the offer that business makes to people is at the heart of the conversation.

We know that we are in a jobseekers market. I have written here before that the best people are gravitating to the best employers. But those employers aren’t necessarily the ones paying the highest wages. And they aren’t necessarily in London.

There’s opportunities emerging this side of Christmas to engage in the levelling up debate for the benefit of the East Midlands and its businesses.

Scott Knowles and Chris Hobson are keeping a close eye on this. As ever, we will be doing so in the most impactful way for our members.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS RISING UP THE AGENDA The countdown to COP26 was well underway when I was writing this column and the conference will be in full swing by the time you read it.

As reflected in the pages of this magazine, net zero has been a strategic focus for the Chamber for some time now.

It’s also important to Chamber members. For example, this month’s magazine describes how the Government’s UK net zero business champion recognised measures taken by Michael Smith Switchgear in Leicester.

Business, of course, has a huge role to play in reducing carbon. It’s why the Chamber signed

up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Race to Zero campaign in September.

But it’s about more than just shows of support – we must lead by example. As such, I’m pleased to see that we have set our own goal of cutting our carbon emissions in half by 2030 and reaching net zero before 2050.

Delivery requires activity and we will be creating an action plan for change.

We are also supporting members to do the same: our Sustainable East Midlands campaign is here to help you. Details are all online now at emc-dnl.co.uk/sustainability

ENTERPRISING WOMEN AWARDS CELEBRATIONS RETURN The Enterprising Women Awards gala dinner sold out early and gets bigger and better each year.

Eight women won prizes on the night but the standard was so high that we could have run into dozens.

Colleague Box managing director Natalie Bamford was awarded Business Woman of the Year after her Derby-based personalised gift box service went from launch to £1m turnover in little more than a year.

Natalie’s is a fantastic story of what can happen when a positive idea for change arrives at the right time.

We saw further evidence of this the week before when Kate Solomons shared her story in our webinar.

Kate modernised the format of Miss Great Britain and raised £200,000 for charity, simultaneously running her Leicester events and promotion business, and raising a young family with her husband. And then the pandemic came.

She combined a chance conversation at the school gates with Zoom to create Forgotten Ltd – the national movement lobbying on behalf of directors of small companies that had fallen between the gaps of Government support.

The campaign went to the Treasury, Sky News and Martin Lewis, and won the backing of the Federation of Small Businesses as it fought for a fair deal for small company directors.

Real enterprising women.

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