Chamber Connect Q4 21 by Kemps Publishing

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CHAMBER

AUTUMN 2021

connect Looking after employee wellbeing

Why health in the workplace is more important than ever

PLUS: Love is in the air at Business Awards

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Contents Autumn 2021 Making Connections 4

James Muir, Chair of South Yorkshire LEP, on supporting business growth

Business News 33

LEP announces rebrand

Identifying the region’s most pressing needs

Doncaster fights to protect the planet

12 Love takes centre stage at awards ceremony 15 LEP Mayor to stand down 16 Airmaster puts its trust in employees 17 Popular business showcase returns 18 Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park sets out exciting vision 20 Why it’s the time to choose an EV 22 Boost for arts, culture and heritage sector 25 App calls for better venue access 27 Showcasing the region’s best attractions 28 Golf day raises funds for children’s charity 30 Youngsters get a head start from skills programme 33 Students focus on film competition 34 Mixed-use development to deliver jobs

35 Runners take on charity challenge 36 Events specialists delivers music festival

The SCR Chambers

Features 64 Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership Necessity is the mother of invention

41 Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Getting back together at Chamber events 47 Doncaster Chamber Chamber welcomes newest patron

68 A goal to support the community

53 East Midlands Chamber Chamber and university back UN Race to Zero

71 Health in the Workplace A healthy workplace

59 Sheffield Chamber Helping firms trade internationally

74 Taking control of your taps

Sector Focus 76 Corporate Hospitality New team member for hospitality group 80 Legal Law firm welcomes property solicitor 83 Finance Charity challenge for financial planners 84 Manufacturing Healthcare manufacture celebrates Queen’s Award success 87 Skills & Training Leadership lessons from lockdown Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 3

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Making Connections

Welcome... ...to Chamber Connect James Muir, Chair of South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, on supporting business growth into 2022 and beyond.

Creating a better South Yorkshire for everyone outh Yorkshire business community’s strength and resilience continues to shine through despite the combined challenges of rising energy prices, labour shortages and supply chain issues. In 2021, the LEP has further strengthened its work with businesses and organisations, working ever more closely to support business growth alongside the Chambers of Commerce and a host of sector and partnership groups. At the 2021 COP26 climate summit it was clear that preventing global warming had become an unequivocal priority for national leaders. The same is true for South Yorkshire local leaders, who have declared climate emergencies and committed to take action. If not for the virus, climate change would certainly have been a more central issue over the past year, and the challenge has only become more urgent. South Yorkshire’s immediate priority is to reduce its dependence on gas-fuelled energy and fossil-fuelled transport, and enable residents and businesses to reduce emissions. Pedestrians and cyclists are at the heart of our transport plans and, by 2040, a fully connected network of walking and cycling routes will link our region, transforming

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communities and ensuring that people have the means and the confidence to leave their cars at home. Throughout the year, South Yorkshire Growth Hub has been helping businesses to thrive, providing advice and guidance, and distributing millions in grants to those hit hardest. Businesses continue to benefit from guidance delivered by our team of our expert advisors based at Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield local authorities. Local organisations have been working together to make South Yorkshire one of the successful areas in the country at getting grant funding to businesses that need it the most. South Yorkshire recently built on this success by allocating funding worth £1m to the arts, culture and heritage sector in recognition of the value it has to the local economy by creating jobs, enriching the lives of local people and reinforcing the region’s reputation as a tourism destination. The South Yorkshire Chambers Quarterly Economic Survey goes from strength-tostrength and its results are helping to influence local, regional and national governments and decision makers. The most recent survey, which gathered responses from almost 600 local organisations,

show that South Yorkshire businesses are experiencing strong growth but are struggling to recruit. Although HGV driver shortages have grabbed headlines, in reality problems have not been confined to any sector. South Yorkshire LEP and Mayoral Combined Authority are working with the Chambers of Commerce to transform the local skills systems and we will endeavour to ensure that shortages of labour do not hinder local businesses’ growth ambitions. This should be an opportunity for our workforce to pivot into higher value jobs and gain the skills that our businesses need to grow. South Yorkshire has fantastic success stories and a diverse business community, from national names like Rolls-Royce, McLaren and Boeing, to ITM Power, the largest hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing facility in the world. Our region has a well-developed pipeline of oven-ready business projects which are set to create thousands of jobs across digital, energy, advanced manufacturing, scientific research, retail and logistics sectors. Investors and Government are recognising that now is the time to invest in our region. South Yorkshire can look to the future with hope and positivity as we focus on recovery, renewal and growth in 2022 and beyond.

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CHAMBER

connect ‘South Yorkshire’s immediate priority is to reduce its dependence on gasfuelled energy and fossil-fuelled transport’

Front cover: Health in the Workplace See page 71

You can read the latest issue of Chamber Connect and view back issues online at: www.kempspublishing.co.uk/chamber-connect

Published by

Kemps Publishing Ltd Kemps Publishing Ltd Unit 8, The Courtyard, 707 Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DA 0121 765 4144 www.kempspublishing.co.uk Managing Editor Laura Blake laura.blake@kempspublishing.co.uk Designer Lloyd Hollingworth Advertising 0121 765 4144 jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk Printers Buxton Press CHAMBER CONNECT is produced on behalf of Sheffield City Region Chambers of Commerce by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed to members without charge. The Chambers 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 Chambers 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 Chambers. 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.

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Chamber Connect

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Business News Sheffield City Region becomes South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

heffield City Region has officially rebranded and changed its legal name to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), to better reflect the geography of its combined authorities and the region it serves, and as the integration of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) continues. The Mayor’s title will also change to Mayor of South Yorkshire. Led by the Mayor of South Yorkshire, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and the private sector through the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Through South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), The Mayor, the MCA Board and the LEP Board share a vision to grow an economy that works for everyone. Mayor of South Yorkshire Dan Jarvis said: “We are proud to reveal our new brand, which reflects better the identification people, places and businesses have with

South Yorkshire as a region. The change is an opportunity to ensure that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s work and the support it provides is better understood by the people, partners and organisations we serve. “Since powers and resources have been devolved from Westminster to South Yorkshire, we can take decisions locally about our economy, transport, skills, housing, and infrastructure, ensuring we can deliver what local people need and connect people and businesses to the places they need to be. “We will use these to create a vibrant, thriving South Yorkshire where people want to live, visit and work. “A strong brand is crucial to realising that ambition and we will use this to promote our region across the nation and globe, to attract new investment and unlock the potential of our people, businesses and places - creating a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire for all.” Mayor of South Yorkshire Dan Jarvis

For more information visit www.sheffieldcityregion.org.uk

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Business News

We must pay attention to our Vital Signs new report published by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation (SYCF) has revealed the four most important needs across the region after a year dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Vital Signs, using a combination of local knowledge and official research data to measure the vitality of a community, has shown that crime and safety, disadvantage and inequality, work and the local economy and mental health were the priority issues for communities across South Yorkshire. Acting on this research, SYCF are launching a dedicated themed programme to directly target the issues identified. The Employment and Employability Programme will support young people age 14-30 in gaining the skills and learning of the opportunities available to them in the world of work. Chris Booth-Mayblin, Chair of SYCF, said: “The findings from the research are startling and action is urgently needed. The top four priorities for action demonstrate the interlinking nature of society’s biggest problems and how a coordinated effort from all stakeholders is needed to effect change.

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Chris Booth-Mayblin (left) and Ruth Willis of South Yorkshire Community Foundation

“We are imploring stakeholders and policy-makers across South Yorkshire to not simply sit on the results of this research but act. We do not want to be reporting on the same issues in our next report.” Data gathered through the research is used to support evidence-based, locally-relevant solutions to improve the quality of life at the community level. The findings draw awareness to the areas critically needing investment by authorities, and allow stakeholders to provide targeted intervention where it will have the most impact.

indicators, which has gotten worse over the last five years. The employment rate is on average five per cent lower in South Yorkshire than the rest of England. “We want to respond to the crisis of the pandemic and support our communities as urgently as we can,” said Ruth Willis, Chief Executive of SYCF. “The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have exacerbated many existing societal problems yet young people have been disproportionately affected and their success in securing employment or training has such a consequence on all the issues identified in the research. “With this new funding, we can engage the wider community – individuals and businesses – to work with us and be a part of the solution to the issues that our Vital Signs reporting has identified.”

‘A coordinated effort from all stakeholders is needed to effect change’

In the community survey, nearly one third of South Yorkshire residents said they do not feel safe in their local area with 50% saying not enough is done to address the causes of crime. On average, South Yorkshire has 20 more crime incidents per 1,000 people than the rest of England. The four local authorities across South Yorkshire rank within the lowest 14% of all local authorities in England against key deprivation

Visit: www.sycf.org.uk/VitalSigns To apply for the new themed fund, community groups can visit www.sycf.org.uk/ employmentthemedfund

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Business News

T: 0800 0448999

E: security@prosec.co.uk

W: prosec.co.uk Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 9

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Business News

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Business News

Doncaster fights to protect the planet wo years after Doncaster declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, plenty has been done to take action to help protect the planet. On Thursday 19 September 2019, Full Council unanimously backed Mayor Ros Jones’ motion to declare an Emergency and take swift and immediate action. The ultimate goal is to reduce carbon emissions by 85% borough-wide by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon by 2040. Team Doncaster partners formed the Doncaster Climate and Biodiversity Commission, tasked with publishing a report with recommendations on how this crucial issue should be addressed. Chaired by Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North and Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the report came out in December 2020. Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “We have witnessed the devastation climate change is

Some of the pledges made by the council: • Borough-wide to reduce carbon emissions by 85% by 2030 and achieve net zero carbon by 2040 • To plant one million trees across Doncaster • To allocate £5m for the initiation of environment and sustainability activities • To examine all viable options as part of our ambition to replace the diesel and petrol transport fleet with zero emissions alternatives • To develop a habitat bank for developers to deliver on their biodiversity net gain obligations • To pilot a naturalisation approach to the management of greenspaces • Restructure appropriate resources and invest in the creation of a DMBC Sustainability Unit, with a purpose of co-ordinating and driving activities to support carbon reduction and nature recovery. having on our planet first-hand. The floods of November 2019 and February 2020 which wreaked havoc on many of our communities and the wildfires on Hatfield Moors peatlands which damaged so much precious natural habitat, showed action was

needed. This is a top priority for now and the future. “As a council we are fully committed to doing all we can and have made great strides in the last two years. Planting new trees, creating green gateways, investing in 100% electric fleet vehicles, creating

more electric vehicle charging points, making homes more energy efficient, installing solar panels on buildings and properties, promoting active travel to encourage more people out of their car and naturalising green spaces to promote biodiversity and wildlife. There’s a huge list of works we have done and plenty more in the pipeline. “While we can do lots to tackle the problem – and we are doing just that – we all need to play our part to overcome this global environmental crisis. Small changes can make a big difference from reducing our energy consumption, using more active travel and public transport, as well as reducing levels of waste by recycling and re-using wherever possible. “We must do this, to ensure that we leave a safe and habitable planet for generations to come.” Visit: www.doncaster.gov.uk/ climatechange

Mayor Ros Jones charging the council’s fleet of fully electric vans

Grant boost for stroke warning technology Digital health experts from Sheffield Hallam University have received a £30,000 grant to further develop a heart monitoring service which detects the warning signs in those at risk of stroke and investigate the commercial viability of the technology. The HeartCare platform uses the Internet of Things and deep learning, which is a subset of machine learning, to identify and monitor atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes irregular and often fast heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation (AF) accounts for 20% of ischaemic strokes – those caused by blood clots in arteries leading to the brain. AF symptoms include heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath. The platform’s deep learning algorithm detects AF with an accuracy of 98% through unrestricted observation. In a recent clinical validation study, 1,513,709 patient heartbeats

were captured with measurement equipment from Sheffield Hallam’s industry partner Isansys Lifecare Ltd at Sheffield Teaching Hospital. Unlike the conventional methods of monitoring for AF, the HeartCare platform does not limit the number of patients who can be observed at any one time or the duration of observations. Patients can track their heart rate through smart phonelinked sensors, and the real time diagnosis support can lead to early medical interventions, which are less invasive. Dr Ningrong Lei, Project Lead and Senior Lecturer in Systems Engineering at the University, said: “I believe the atrial fibrillation detection service will offer safe, reliable and cheaper healthcare for patients in

need. Healthcare professionals and industrial partners have recognised that the AF monitoring service has great commercial potential, and realising this potential is likely to have high impact and value as it enables real-time detection anywhere. I am passionate to translate this big data-enabled service innovation into a commercially successful medical device which benefits wider society through stroke prevention.” The platform allows for a higher rate of AF detection through prolonged observation and better outcomes for patients as heart rate measurements can be taken continuously, with real-time compliance monitoring and improved safety through hybrid diagnosis, where clinicians verify automated machine decisions.

‘Patients can track their heart rate through smart phone-linked sensors’

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Business News

Love takes centre stage at awards ceremony

Giuseppe and Monica, from Sicily Restaurant, had more than one reason to celebrate at the 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards

ove really was in the air the 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards. Taking centre stage at the sell-out awards ceremony was a marriage proposal by Giuseppe Barone, co-owner of Sicily Restaurant which won Best New Hospitality Business. Walking up on stage to collect the award, Giuseppe dropped to one knee and proposed to his business partner Monica Sardisco in front of a shocked and delighted crowd. Giuseppe explained: “The proposal was all planned for if we won but if we didn’t win it wasn’t going to happen. I am very happy – for the award and for Monica saying ‘yes’.” Sicily Restaurant was just one of 16 businesses, individuals and projects celebrated at the Love Chesterfield Awards – the first inperson event held in 19 months by Destination Chesterfield. Almost 50 businesses, individuals and projects were shortlisted across 16 categories, but it was Adorn Jewellers, Chesters Restaurant & Takeaway and CarMats.co.uk that clinched the three headline awards - Retailer of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year respectively. Recent Strictly Come Dancing star and breakfast TV presenter Mike Bushell announced the winners of the awards at a sell-out black tie event held at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 20 October.

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Capitalising on the success of Adorn, which opened in The Shambles in 2010, owners Laura-Jo and Adam Owen opened a second shop, Acorn Jewellers, in Bakewell in 2017. Organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by EntireFM, categories in the new Love Chesterfield Awards reflect the challenges which local businesses, people and projects have faced over the last 18 months as well as

‘Almost 50 businesses, individuals and projects were shortlisted across 16 categories’

More than 250 people attended the celebration. Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “This year the awards were a celebration on so many levels – recognising entrepreneurial and community spirit, achievement, survival and a marriage proposal – the first in our awards history. I am delighted that the business community was once again able to come together in person, connect with each other and share in each other’s success.” New business CarMats.co.uk, owned by Ash Young, is the first ever recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year award. The Chesterfieldbased ecommerce business, which sells car mats, was founded during the first lockdown in 2020 and achieved £1m in revenue in just nine months. Capitalising on his success, he has since established a second digital business selling car seat covers this year. Long established businesses, town centre-based Adorn Jewellers, and Chesters, based on Sheffield Road, are previous multiple award winners in the Chesterfield High Street and Food and Drink awards. Chesters is investing £1m opening a second restaurant at Markham Vale.

the business landscape post pandemic. Speaking at the awards, Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “The last 19 months have been a turbulent time for all of us. But our local businesses have shown such resilience; adapting and supporting each other to keep moving forward. They have all achieved so much and inspired others to follow in their footsteps. It is an honour to be able to recognise so many at the Love Chesterfield Awards.”

Entrepreneur of the Year - CarMats.co.uk

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Business News

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Business News ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Business News

Dan Jarvis to stand down as South Yorkshire Mayor an Jarvis has announced that he won’t contest the May 2022 Mayoral election. In a statement he said: “It’s an extraordinary privilege to serve as the first South Yorkshire Mayor. I’m very proud of all we have achieved, not least because I’m the only Mayor who inherited a situation where the powers and the money weren’t already in place. Amidst the challenge, we’ve also faced Britain’s departure from the EU, terrible flooding and the biggest health crisis in living memory. “Despite the relentless pressures, we’ve succeeded in establishing a properly functioning Mayoral Combined Authority that’s been able to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of investment, that will protect and create thousands of jobs; deliver huge investment in our public transport system; get us on track to be carbon net zero by 2040 at the latest; and much, much more besides. “I ran for Mayor because I thought delivering a devolution deal for our region was the most important thing I could achieve from opposition. When I first stepped forward to take on the role, I took the decision to remain as a Member of Parliament. Some people didn’t agree with that, but I said from the beginning that it wasn’t a long-term arrangement. And I meant it. “I honestly don’t believe we would have made the progress we have, and we certainly wouldn’t have got the devolution deal over the line if I

Dan Jarvis will not contest the 2022 Mayoral election

had not stayed in Westminster. The settlement we negotiated helped take us through the worst of the pandemic and is really starting to deliver for people in South Yorkshire. “We now need someone to build on our achievements and drive us forward over the next four years. That person will not be me. I won’t be standing as Mayor again next May but in the meantime, I will continue to give 110% to the role. “There’s still an awful lot I want to get done and I’ll be working hard to get us in the best possible shape for the future. I’m letting people know my intentions now because I think it’s important that potential candidates are given sufficient notice to step forward. South Yorkshire deserves someone of the highest calibre as their next Mayor, who can provide the leadership required. “Whoever it is, they will have my support. Whilst I won’t be running as Mayor, I will be remaining as the MP for Barnsley Central. Barnsley is my home, and I’m immensely proud to represent the town. “I am incredibly grateful to all those who’ve helped me as Mayor: my family, the leaders of our local authorities, my parliamentary staff and the mayoral team. And above all, the people of South Yorkshire, who elected me to do this important job. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve.”

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Business News

Airmaster puts its trust in employees t the beginning of July, Airmaster, based at Swallownest, South Yorkshire, transitioned to be owned by the employees, establishing an Employee Ownership Trust. Founder, Richard Pogson and Director, Tony England were looking to realise some of their investment. The directors spent a considerable amount of time evaluating how best to ensure their successful firm continues to thrive and expand, when the time comes for them to exit the company, and the decision to transform the business was taken. The solution was to create an Employee Ownership Trust. This is where the directors sell a majority share of the business and employees take a controlling interest. Lisa Pogson, Managing Director, said: “Airmaster is a family-feel business with a close-knit team, the ethos of employee ownership was already there. ‘We are delighted to become an Employee Ownership Trust and reward the staff for their

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commitment to the company. We have seen the success of other employee-owned businesses locally; established ones such as Gripple, who I visited as part of a Connect Yorkshire springboard session and Karen Mosley and HLM Architects, who transitioned six months before Airmaster. “We spoke to a number of others that had been through the process, as well as the South Yorkshire Ownership Hub (part of the South Yorkshire LEP) and The Employee Ownership Association, throughout the process, to get the best outcome for our team.” Gareth Campbell, Contracts Director, said: “We are going through a phase of growth with lots of exciting opportunities; this gives us a great foundation to continue to grow the business whilst giving something back to the team that make that possible.” The board consists of Chairman,

‘We are delighted to become an Employee Ownership Trust’

The team at South Yorkshire-based Airmaster

Tony England; Managing Director, Lisa Pogson and Contracts Director, Gareth Campbell, supported by the Senior Management team including Senior Contracts Manager Ross Blackwood and Finance Manager Andy Benson. They look to grow and evolve a business that has gone from strength to strength for almost 30 years. Richard and Tony said: “We were made aware of the different types of EOT schemes, some of which

include a financial commitment from the staff. However, it was important, to us that our employees would benefit from the scheme without incurring any financial burden.” The Board of Trustees has an independent Chair, corporate finance specialist Margaret Ferris. Founder and former Director, Richard Pogson, joins the board of Trustees alongside Design Engineer James Dawson, who represents the employees on the board.

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Business News

Business showcase back with a bang! he Doncaster Business Showcase, the largest business-to-business networking event in Yorkshire is back with a bang! The event will take place on Thursday 3 February at Doncaster Racecourse and is set to be the biggest yet. Stands are now on sale so please book early to avoid disappointment, as this event will sell out. More than 250 businesses exhibited at the 2020 Business Showcase that also had more than 2,000 visitors through the doors. This one-day event is open to the public and businesses from any sector are encouraged to drop in to the exhibition between 10am and 4pm to make new contacts and catch up with existing customers and clients.

Cllr Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Business, said: “The Business Showcase has always been a key event in the regional business calendar but this time it feels particularly significant. It is always the largest business-to-business networking event in the region, with thousands of attendees and it will probably be the first time that many businesses will have met face-to-face since the pandemic hit.” “Virtual and hybrid working has been productive in many ways but business thrives on networking and face-to-face meetings are a huge part of that. I’m really looking forward to seeing our local and regional businesses get together again.

“After so many months of lockdown, we are all looking forward to the opportunity to network once again with like-minded companies who want to promote the best that Doncaster and the region has to offer, share best practice, and pick up top tips from some of the best in the business. “We all hope the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic is now behind us and with the Doncaster business community now firmly on the road to recovery, we felt the time was right for this popular networking event to return.” To find out more or book your stand please visit: www.businessdoncaster.co.uk/businessshowcase

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Business News

Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park sets out exciting vision for city he new Chief Executive at Legacy Park Ltd has outlined an ambitious vision for Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, which puts health at the heart of the City Region’s future economic growth. Dr Chris Low, who started his new role in August, said: “Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is an exemplar of open, inclusive innovation that aims to have a dramatic and positive impact on the prevention and management of chronic ill health. “Fuelled by Olympic legacy values, the park also aims to be a model of urban renewal and social mobility for post-industrial cities.” Legacy Park Ltd is the organisation set up to facilitate delivery of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and is a partnership between Sheffield City Council and a number of other key institutions from across the city region. Dr Low is driving the development of a world-class health and wellbeing research eco-system and is further building R&D capacity on the unique site, attracting and supporting global health and wellbeing companies to invest and co-locate on the park. He is working closely with Scarborough Group International (SGI) who are spearheading the physical build of the next phase of the world’s only Olympic legacy park outside a host city. SGI are about to submit a forward investment Master Plan which is expected to generate over 5,600 high value jobs and includes the creation of a 100,000 sq ft Enterprise Centre to support fledgling businesses in the health, wellbeing, sport and activity sectors. The park, based in the east end of Sheffield, has already welcomed a diverse community of innovative organisations ranging from global corporates, public sector bodies, start-up and scale-

up SMEs, elite sport, university researchers, third sector groups, investors, and further education. Sheffield Hallam University’s flagship Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) on the site offers world-class facilities for multidisciplinary health and physical activity research in collaboration with the private sector, charities, and the community, with a focus on taking services and products from concept to market. The AWRC’s rolling Accelerator Programme has attracted local, national and international innovator start-ups and SMEs and this is fuelling an increasing number of business accelerator programmes focusing on health and sport tech. They include JT Rehab, which has developed a device to help hospital patients improve lower limb muscle strength and recover quicker from the harmful affects of hospital acquired deconditioning. The Programme has provided design to manufacture support as well as networking which has led to the ‘S-Press’ device being trialled in an NHS Trust. Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park already houses the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine and the National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering and major, new health care, regeneration and sporting projects totalling more than £200m have also been unveiled. These include a ground-breaking diagnostic imagery research hub for Canon Medical Systems Europe as well as plans to create a new National Centre for Child Health Technology (CCHT). Dr Low said: “The intensity of the collaborative intent of the members of the Park’s community is amplifying and multiplying their impact through bringing multi-disciplinary, complementary approaches to the health and wellbeing challenges of our age. “The hot-housing of health and wellbeing

‘I am genuinely excited for what we can achieve’

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Dr Chris Low, Chief Executive at Legacy Park

skills and innovation – which not only drives economic growth and community regeneration but also delivers whole population health gains – is already attracting national and global interest. “I think this is a moment in time; we have the chance to create and deliver a collective vision for the future. I am genuinely excited for what we can achieve and the positive impact we can have by working with the local community and local businesses already established in the area.” Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is also playing a key role in ensuring that these industries and innovators can have access to a workforce with the right skills base. Indeed, a national project to equip young people with the digital skills to excel in health and sport science careers is being spearheaded by UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. The Digital Skills for Health Project focuses on ensuring that students and staff at UTCs across the country have the latest technology skills that employers in the health and sport science sectors need. And Dr Low stresses the park’s key role as an enabler of social mobility within local communities and the wider Sheffield City Region. He added: “A local child can join the Oasis Academy from the age of two, progress to further education at the UTC which specialises in health, sport and digital and either get a job with one of the tech companies on site or progress to a degree with Sheffield Hallam University. “The park is designed to encourage physical activity especially as prevention of ill health later in life should start in childhood. The excellent and growing sporting and leisure facilities on site, alongside plans for an active travel hub, are also key attractors for a modern skilled workforce.”

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Why it’s the time to choose an EV By Andy Shadwick (pictured), Rotherham-based Utility Planners UK riving around during the recent petrol crisis did more than highlight the issues within the country’s supply chain and apparent labour shortages. The inevitability of the electric car was laid bare for all to so and it has been difficult to ignore the smugness of those driving around in them – you only had to dare to go on social media for that one. If you weren’t considering your own transition from your existing car, gas-guzzling or otherwise, you probably are now. There are still a few hurdles most of us need to overcome before we seriously start thinking about taking the leap. First and foremost are the cost implications. Despite the obvious gap between petrol/diesel vehicles and their electric equivalent, the gap is starting to close. Add to that the fact that the used car market for electric vehicles will continue to grow in the coming months and years allowing more of us to enter the market and the affordability issue becomes less of a problem. Another major concern is the range a full battery charge will give and, just as importantly, the availability of charging points when required. The longest-range vehicles out there at

Alex Johnson

Raising funds for Deaf Trust Runners taking part in this year’s Doncaster 10k can raise money for Doncaster Deaf Trust as one of the runs three chosen charities. This year’s race is due to take place on Sunday 28 November at Doncaster Racecourse and thanks to the trust once again being named as a chosen charity, runners can help to support their fundraising campaign. Alexis Johnson, Executive Principal of Doncaster Deaf Trust, said: “It is great to see that the 10k will be a face-toface race once again this year. We are thrilled to have been selected as a chosen charity and hope that lots of people will help us to raise funds for our students Enterprise Project.” The Enterprise team at Communication Specialist College Doncaster, part of Doncaster Deaf Trust, are fundraising to create a new café and shop area on site for the students to run. All money raised for the Trust via this event will go towards the project. Jonathan Frary, from Curly’s Athletes, said: “We’re so pleased to be working with Doncaster Deaf Trust again and we are sure that lots of our 10k runners will choose to raise money for their charity. “We are always impressed when we hear about the great work that the trust does to support those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and we hope that this event will raise essential funds to continue this work and inspire the Enterprise students and develop their business skills.” Visit: www.doncaster10k.co.uk Visit: www.deaf-trust.co.uk

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the moment can last up to 400 miles without needing to be recharged – comparable to many of the vehicles we drive today. The important point here is that most EV owners will have a charging point at home meaning that filling up your car will be like charging your mobile phone – the arduous trip to the petrol station a thing of the past. There has been a lot in the press recently about the lack of EV charging points in public places. For some, being able to only charge at home will not be enough (what about holidays, overnight stays with work etc.?) You have every right to start having the conversations with your employer about what their plans are for EV charging. If you work in a larger building with many businesses, talk to the powers that be within that building. Employers now have a responsibility to start thinking about this. If you are a business owner reading this and are thinking about the future, see it as a possibility rather than something else you have to fork out for. The technology is there to charge customers and clients for charging their car at your station. You may even want to charge some and let others use it for free – that is a possibility too. If you are the only business in your area offering EV charging, market your station correctly and you could see a very tidy profit for doing very little after the initial financial outlay. There is plenty to think about for both car users and business-owners in the coming months and years. The only advice I will give is don’t let any of the hurdles delay any thoughts you are having about switching to an electric vehicle or indeed installing an EV charging station. Let’s get those conversations started and make sure we are ready for the unavoidable reality that is the electric vehicle.

‘Filling up your car will be like charging your mobile phone’

The availability of charging points is still a concern

Call: 01709 432007 Email: enquiries@utilityplannersuk.co.uk

Office refurbishment is complete Triton Construction has completed a £2.7m contract for CEG to refurbish public areas of EastWest, a prominent, 175,860 sq ft office building in Nottingham City Centre. The extensive refurbishment included major demolition works of the former Toll Hill Public House which previously occupied the ground floor of East House, and the fit out of a modern new café facility with mezzanine. Triton has also reconfigured the reception area, installed double height curtain wall glazing, refurbished the stairwell, and fixed new lifts to serve the upper seven floors.

EastWest office building

CEG acquired the 1970s office building, formerly known as City Gate East and West, on behalf of investors in October 2018. It has since embarked on a substantial refurbishment programme to update and introduce impressive new amenities to the buildings which are home to companies including Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham Post, Arup and JLL. Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Triton Construction, said: “We are delighted to complete our first contract with CEG on such a prominent office building in Nottingham.”

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Alta Engineering Ltd, Unit 8 Cannon Way, Barugh Green, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S75 1JU

For any queries or to book your next test please contact us at: office@altaengineering.co.uk or 01226 391239 Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 21

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Everybody’s talking about funding! he arts, culture and heritage sector in South Yorkshire is set to receive a boost with the announcement from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) of funding worth £1m. The Fund is part of South Yorkshire’s ARG (Additional Restrictions Grant), which has so far provided South Yorkshire businesses with over £45m of support during the pandemic. This is the first time that the Mayoral Combined Authority has made specific funding available to the arts, culture and heritage sector in recognition of the value it has to the local economy, by creating jobs, enriching the lives of local people and reinforcing South Yorkshire’s reputation as a tourism destination. Mayor of South Yorkshire Dan Jarvis said: “There is no doubt that South Yorkshire is home to a wealth of creative talent. The arts, culture and heritage sectors have been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic and investing in these areas is an essential part of their recovery and renewal. “The fund will go a long way towards creating more sustainable communities, vibrant places and

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Sheffield-created show Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has been a huge hit

enhancing our strong local identities, as well as contributing to our economic recovery.” The £1m funding will be managed by South Yorkshire’s local authorities, who will distribute the fund through the commissioning of cultural events, activities or projects, with some businesses potentially eligible for micro grants. Dan added: “If supported and nurtured, the Creative Industries can help drive growth and realise untapped potential. Because, in its

truest sense, levelling up is about more than just the economy, it’s about improving how people feel about where they live. Culture adds colour to people’s lives and makes a place somewhere people want to live, study, work, visit and invest in.” The funding announcement comes at a time when the spotlight is shining on South Yorkshire with the worldwide film release of the Sheffield success story, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie. To mark and

celebrate this, the authority, in partnership with the Showroom/ Workstation Sheffield and Sheffield Theatres, are hosting a Cultural and Creative Industries Summit, with Mayor Dan Jarvis opening the event. Arts, culture and heritage is a major industry and employer in the UK that generates £115.9bn in GVA (Gross Value Added) per year and 3.5 million UK jobs prior to the pandemic. Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “As we emerge from the pandemic the creative and cultural sector will play a vital role in our country’s recovery. Culture is essential to our economic growth, as it revives our high streets, creates local jobs and most importantly builds a sense of belonging and pride in our communities. “South Yorkshire is a hub of creativity and I very much welcome the opportunity to join the discussion about how we continue to nurture and grow the creative talent of the people living and working across the Sheffield City Region.” The fund will be available soon through the local authorities in South Yorkshire.

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Clearflow Products Ltd has been has been a leading force within the industrial and commercial rooftop drainage since 2007, specialising in new build design supply and installation of Siphonic rainwater drainage systems, with its new build division to all major UK construction main contractors and roofing companies. Due to ageing systems and ever-changing rainfall patterns, a new maintenance division SMART Rainwater has been created to cover the shortfall in experience and understanding of existing rooftop rainwater disposal systems, whilst giving clients the confidence of working with a knowledgeable, competent and trustworthy company. Failing and poorly maintained rooftop rainwater drainage systems, and lack of understanding of drainage requirements, costs industry in damaged products, lost production and sales millions of pounds each year. As specialists in rainwater drainage and disposal, SMART Rainwater offers rooftop drainage solutions across industrial and commercial buildings.

Using our in-house expertise, we’ll find the root cause of your rainwater ingress problem and protect your building from even the heaviest of rainfall. We have a specific focus on rooftop rainwater disposal systems, as they are key to maintaining the integrity of a building in times of heavy rainfall. We have the products, skill set and experience to rectify any ingress challenge. Along with our direct supply to building owners and tenants, SMART Rainwater are looking to broaden its supply chain with maintenance roofing contractors and facilities management who want to offer their own clients the confidence that the existing rainwater disposal system is suitable in its design, components parts and drainage capability to manage the rainwater flow requirements of modern-day rainfall patterns.

rainfall events, low levels of maintenance and many other related works. Drips and trickles can often be attributed to roof and gutter leaks, major ingress is more often associated with one of the above. When it comes to developing a rainwater drainage strategy, there’s a lot more to it than arriving at a building and installing outlets and piping. There’s in-depth technical elements that need to be carried out by specialists who understand how to calculate design specifications, using the latest analytical design and modelling software to comply with British Standards.

At SMART Rainwater, we have the technical knowledge to be able to develop and implement advanced rainwater drainage solutions across multiple sites and sectors.

Too often are rooftop rainwater drainage systems reduced in capacity by removal of parts, non-replacement of damaged components, corrosion of outlets, compromised flows by liners and inserts, additional roof areas added, existing capacity not designed for modern day

For initial discussions, site visits, inspections and reports our team will assist and advise whilst moving forward with the knowledge that all ingress issues can be resolved by our expert team.

T: 0114 2471800 E: solutions@smartrainwater.co.uk For further information visit our website at: www.smartrainwater.co.uk 24 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

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App calls for better venue access A

n 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 across 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-on-deck” 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 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

‘It’s not enough to give disabled people a voice’ 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.

Mark Esho, Richard Copson and Jignesh Vaidya

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

New HR Director at Pricecheck Fast growing FMCG wholesaler and distributer Pricecheck has promoted talent from within by appointing a new HR Director to help steer the business through its next phase of growth. Lucy Goddard (pictured), formally Head of HR at the Sheffield-based business, has been promoted to director level in recognition of her hard work and dedication towards the growth of Pricecheck. Lucy joined the company in 2015 as HR Manager and was the first and only HR person at Pricecheck. She has been instrumental in recruitment over the past six years but has also seen her own team expand around her increasing from one to five, with a current vacancy to fill. Debbie Harrison, Joint Managing Director (Trading), said: “Lucy has played such an important role in Pricecheck’s growth since joining us, seeing the team expand from around 75 to 300. She has outstanding commercial and strategic business insight, plus excellent interpersonal and communication skills, so we couldn’t be happier to welcome her to the team of directors. “Diversity and inclusion at Pricecheck ensure that we have a variety of skills and experience across the company, and it has been a key driver behind our growth, so it’s great to see that 30 of our directors are now female!” Lucy added: “We have ambitious plans to deliver on our ‘Vision 200’ growth strategy over the next five years and I am very excited to play my part in helping the company to achieve its long-term goals. “The people at Pricecheck are our greatest asset so I will be looking to ensure that our people strategy continues to evolve alongside our growth strategy. My focus will be in making sure that we have the right talent, skills and environment to enable our people to drive and deliver our growth targets. I have lots of ideas so watch this space!”

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Business News www.ucbuild.co.uk

The full range of construction services for retail, commercial, logistics and residential clients

UC Build was set up in 2015, to provide a dedicated team of construction specialists, who bring a more flexible, responsive and transparent approach to the industry.

Underpinned by a commitment to excellence, we focus on a small niche of clients, to deliver high quality, sustainable and real value projects.

•New Build •Refurbishment & Renovation •Major Maintenance Projects •Acquisition Projects •Construction Management •Design & Build T: 07842 635737 E: admin@tuke.live W: tuke.live

26 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

T: 01709 718338 M: 07867 907352

E: neil.hennessey@ucbuild.co.uk

Unit 5 / First Floor / Fields End Business Park / Davey Road / Rotherham / S63 0JF

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Showcasing the best attractions in the region ttractions from across South Yorkshire joined together to showcase the best of the region. The event, held at Gulliver’s Valley, saw over 500 visitors from local schools and youth groups. Gulliver’s Valley joined forces with other local educational visit providers and leisure facilities from across South Yorkshire to showcase what learning outcomes can be achieved with their programmes and activities at their venues. Adam Bliss, from Gulliver’s Valley, said: “It was great to welcome so many school and group leaders to Gulliver’s Valley especially after an incredibly challenging period where they have been unable to even consider the thought of an overnight stay, educational visits

or day visit with their students and young people.” The Gulliver’s Valley team gave an overview of their overnight stays, both school residentials and group sleepovers along with day visits in addition to theme park visits such as Bushcraft and Educational Workshops. Adam added: “Everyone knows that Gulliver’s Valley offers fantastic family visits and themed overnight stays, but it was great to let the school and group leaders know about all the other amazing products we offer for groups such as Bushcraft Survival, Educational Workshops along with Residential Stays and Group Sleepovers, all in a theme park.” The event was designed as a one-stop-shop for teacher and group leaders to visit Gulliver’s

‘We can all be really proud of our town’

Gulliver’s Valley

Valley Theme Park Resort and speak with organisations who can support them and their young people. Joining Gulliver’s Valley at the event were: Rother Valley Country Park, Magna, Grimm & Co, Kickabout Football Centre, Butterfly House, Children’s University, Workwise, Forge CPD, South Yorkshire Teaching Hub, Maker Futures, Enigma Rooms and Affinity 2020 cic. Deborah Bullivant, Founding Director at Grimm & Co, said: “It was such an honour to be asked to attend this event at Gulliver's Valley. Rotherham has an excellent enrichment offering for schools

and families, demonstrated by the exciting variety of providers who were at the event, talking and interacting with a flow of headteachers and teachers, thrilled that all of this is on their doorstep. “It’s so important to give children and young people a wide range of opportunities to experience, that helps grow and raise their confidence alongside the curriculum, and we are all a part of that. We can all be really proud of our town.” For more information about Gulliver’s Valley visit: www.gulliversvalleyresort.co.uk

Deal for Doncaster Sheffield Airport As the UK aviation sector recovers from the devastating impact of the pandemic, Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) and Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing airline, have strengthened plans for future growth with the signing of a new deal. Wizz Air already plans to offer more than 1.5 million seats at DSA next summer, supporting the local economy by creating hundreds of jobs in the region. This new deal comes as restrictions on international travel continue to relax and ahead of predicted strong recovery for 2022, with increased demand for flights to popular leisure destinations such as Spain, Turkey and Portugal, signalling significant growth for the UK’s favourite airport. Wizz Air is already seeing an increase in bookings for October half-term and summer 2022. Wizz Air UK Managing Director Marion Geoffroy joined the senior management team at Doncaster Sheffield Airport for a two-day visit that included introductions to the brand new Wizz Air crew, recruited from the local area and fresh from their rigorous training, as they prepare to take off from the DSA base on one of their brand new, ultraefficient Airbus A321 aircraft. Marion said: “We continue to build on our successful relationship with DSA which began in 2006. Our intention is to further enhance our operations at DSA by growing a based operation of scale here in the coming years, providing even

more ultra-low fares to local customers to an exciting range of destinations across Western and Eastern Europe, and perhaps beyond. This is great news for the local economy, both in terms of jobs and inward investment. “Wizz Air has defied the industry-wide downturn with the expansion of operations in the UK, including the launch of two new bases in the past year. With the addition of a number of A321 neo aircraft to the fleet in Summer 2022, we are focused on accelerating growth over the coming years.” As part of the new agreement, a number of additional new routes are on sale for Summer 2022 to popular leisure destinations such as

Spain, the Canary Islands, Turkey, Portugal, Bulgaria and Crete. Kate Stow, Director of Aviation Development and Corporate Affairs, Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “This new deal with Wizz Air is wonderful news for our customers across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Nottinghamshire, offering them a greater choice of ultra-low-cost flights to more destinations from one of the fastest growing airports in the UK. “Airports are an important economic catalyst, providing jobs and inward investment and it has been a real honour to welcome Wizz Air’s senior management team to meet their new crew, based here at DSA, recruited from our region.” Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 27

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Business News Kerry Russell

Golf day raises over £5k for local children’s charity otherham-based S2S Group, the ITAD specialists and IMH Recruitment recently held a joint charity golf day in aid of Radio Hallam’s ‘Cash for Kids’ raising £5640 in a single day. Held at the prestigious Lees Hall golf club in Sheffield, the event was blessed with glorious sunny weather, where the field of 72 players enjoyed coffee and bacon butties, followed by 18 holes of golf with a prize presentation and a hearty dinner after play. There were prizes for; the longest drive using the flightscope tracking system, nearest the pin on a tricky par 3, a putting competition and a tombola lucky draw. The winners were Finance For Enterprise with a betterball score of 93 points. They picked up brand new Callaway golf bags as the first place prize. However, every player was a winner as all received a ‘goody bag’ full of donated gifts and golf magazines. It goes without saying that organising such a large event was many months in the planning and thanks must go to Stephen Daughtrey and Chris Hare from S2S, Jason Hargreaves from IMH and Allan Ogle from the Cash for Kids charity. Stephen said: “The success of the event was enhanced by the team at Lees Hall who ensured the clubs facilities, course condition and catering were all first-class

Property lawyer joins Sheffield hub Specialist intellectual property lawyer Kerry Russell has moved to Shakespeare Martineau’s Sheffield office hub – supporting the firm’s ambitions to expand its legal offering in South Yorkshire. Legal Director Kerry, who has more than nine years’ experience, has particular expertise in patents and technology, and also advises clients in relation to trade marks, confidential information, advertising, design rights and copyright. She joined Shakespeare Martineau in 2010 as a paralegal, before qualifying as a solicitor in 2013 and being promoted to legal director in September 2020. Kerry said: “I am very excited to have moved to the Sheffield hub and to be helping expand our profile in the city and wider South Yorkshire area. There is a significant push for investment in the region, particularly as part of the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. “The plans to develop the Sheffield City Region are bold and ambitious, and Shakespeare Martineau is keen to be part of the mayor’s strategy to create a stronger, greener and fairer region.” Kerry said: “Intellectual property is an incredibly exciting legal sector, where law and innovation truly meet. I enjoy learning about the innovative products, services and brands that make a business tick. “I am learning more about the Yorkshire business market each day and I’m looking forward to meeting new contacts and seeing how I can help companies in the region grow.” Kerry’s move to the hub follows a string of new partner hires – including Carys Thompson, who has more than 16 years’ experience and was previously Head of the Commercial Team at Keebles – and forms part of the firm’s growth strategy; broadening its Midlands footprint both north and south. Victoria Tester, Managing Director of the Life and Business Unit at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Intellectual property is a growing legal service as increased digitalisation both expands and adds complexity to the world of licensing and data protection.” 28 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

The S2S and IMH Management presenting the cheque for £5640 to Allan Ogle, manager of ‘Cash for Kids’

with special thanks to Matt Rollitt, Club Manager, for his liaison, and Andy Rossington, the club professional, who managed the scrutiny of the players score cards. “Finally a big thank you to all the

players and sponsors for their generosity in making this such a successful event, which will hopefully be repeated in 2022.” Visit: www.s2s.uk.com

HR Hub links 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 soon. 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, 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. Rebecca, whose main HR business has also expanded its health and wellbeing portfolio, said: “The impact of Covid-19, 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 the scale-up of Secret Warriors Retreats. “It’s such an exciting and obvious expansion of My HR Hub as wellbeing is at the core of how we support

our clients. We’re delighted to join Ange and the team to build on Secret Warriors’ inspiring success to date 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.

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Youngsters get a head start from skills programme oung people (aged 11 to 18) are being given a real experience of careers and opportunities in this area through the Start in South Yorkshire programme, from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). Start in South Yorkshire is a new skills and employability website, developed for students, teachers, parents and employers across South Yorkshire. Local employers are being offered the opportunity to submit details of their business and any job or placement opportunities they may have onto the web portal, as part of inspiring young people to consider future careers in their area. Completely free of charge to access, the website was developed by Doncaster Opportunity Area in collaboration with SYMCA and the local authorities in Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley. Opportunities Area Programme

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Manager Robin MacNeill said: “Start in South Yorkshire aims to revolutionise the way that young people engage with local businesses, understand the local labour market and access skills, training and employment opportunities. It also gives local businesses much more visibility with local pupils and students in schools and colleges, helping to deliver better careers information and advice.” Dan Jarvis, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “It’s been a tough time for everyone, but young people have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. “This is a great resource to help young people make informed choices about their future. The involvement of local businesses will make a huge difference in bringing to life the career opportunities that exist in this region and help young people get the right qualifications and experience.”

Start in South Yorkshire includes: • Profiles of the region’s main employment sectors, including key job roles and details of local employers. • Links to Education and Training providers with details of courses and subjects offered. • Study choices at GCSE/Equivalent level, Post 16 and Post 18. • Different career options by job role, industry and employer. • Information about living and working in each ‘travel to work’ area within South Yorkshire. • Maps of each local area within South Yorkshire showcasing local employers. • Job profiles for students to

explore careers using their interests, strengths, and the subjects they are studying at school or college. • A user CV builder and achievements locker. • Listings of local job and apprenticeship vacancies. • Live and on demand experience of workplace programmes.

All Age Careers Service The All Age Careers Service in South Yorkshire is designed to provide our people with the information, guidance and advice they need to make informed choices, to reskill or upskill, and to access opportunities across the economy.

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Students focus on film competition our Sheffield Hallam University media student groups have reached the final of the inaugural Welcome to Yorkshire Student Film Competition, an initiative that’s set to continue as an annual county-wide event. This recently launched ‘Connected Campus’ competition created by Sheffield Hallam University, Screen Yorkshire and Welcome to Yorkshire, received 11 film submissions covering a diverse range of Yorkshire topics. The project presented an amazing opportunity for filmmakers studying in the region to tell their Yorkshire stories and to showcase the county, while at the same time receiving mentoring and guidance from some of the film industry’s top professionals with Screen Yorkshire. Director Sam Donovan, who delivered teaching sessions, said: “As a former Hallam University student it was a pleasure to help current students bring their projects to life. There are some really imaginative stories.” Career Support Manager at Screen Yorkshire Richard Knight said: “The students received direct input and guidance on their films through development, shoot and edit from the crème de la crème of the UK film industry, which represents everything that our

connection with the industry and one that extends beyond the initial project is of vital importance, in terms of ambition, development and inspiration.” All films were produced, scripted, directed and acted by students from Sheffield Hallam University, with audio tracks promoting Yorkshire. Film 1: Out of Tea Out of Time – Director Phin Fredrick Film 2: Dracula’s Day Out – Screenwriter Sean O’Reilly Film 3: Victoria Street – Co-directed by Asma Kabadeh and Aaron Hopper Film 4: Keeping up with the Brontës – Director Katie Williams.

Clockwise: Out Of Tea Out Of Time, Dracula’s Day Out and Victoria Street

connected campus programme is about. Added to that the fantastic opportunity for the best of the films to be showcased on yorkshire.com thanks to Welcome to Yorkshire’s involvement, and the end result is an incredible learning experience for the students. I am so

proud of all they have achieved.” Principal Lecturer in Media Arts and Communication at Sheffield Hallam University Annie Watson said: “This cross departmental, industry commissioned project was a fantastic initiative for our film students. To experience such a direct

‘The end result is an incredible learning experience for the students’

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive James Mason said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Yorkshire’s incredibly talented students to show top industry specialists their skills and creativity, whilst showcasing our beautiful county far and wide. “Yorkshire has a rich history of world-class TV and film production. “Working closely with Screen Yorkshire and Sheffield Hallam University on this exciting initiative highlights just why Yorkshire is the perfect place to Visit, Live, Work and Study, something Welcome to Yorkshire continues to promote. Good luck to all the fantastic finalists!”

Going 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 zeroemission 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 one per cent, which is considerably lower than BIK on 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 timeconsuming details. Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 33

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Business News

Mixed-use development to deliver Doncaster jobs

lans for a 25-acre development of retail, leisure, food and drink, community and health space and new homes in Hayfield Green near Auckley, Doncaster - ultimately creating more than 1,100 jobs have been approved. Doncaster Council’s Planning Committee has granted permission to Peel L&P’s Central Plaza mixed-use scheme which includes shops, community facilities, offices, retail, apartments, restaurants and up to three hotels. Central Plaza would be built in close proximity to Peel L&P’s proposed Innovation Quarter – an advanced manufacturing and logistics hub which already has planning consent. The scheme would also provide amenities to Doncaster Sheffield Airport such as new hotels and a petrol filling station. Doncaster Sheffield Airport anticipates growth in passenger number of 56% next year as low-cost flights are now more readily available. Both schemes are key components of Peel L&P’s £1.7bn GatewayEast development, South Yorkshire’s largest opportunity for sustainable social and economic growth which overall will boost Sheffield City Region’s economy by £6.5bn within 15 years, creating 35,000 jobs across the Region and up to 3,000 new homes across GatewayEast. When complete, the Central Plaza development itself is expected to be worth around £250m per year to the local economy, creating around 1,160 full time jobs and providing much-needed amenities for nearby existing and future residents, workers and businesses who currently have to travel to reach such facilities. The

development would be highly accessible to existing nearby residential communities and employment areas which currently lack major provision of retail and other service uses. It will also be centrally located relative to all proposed developments within GatewayEast. Around five acres of green infrastructure are included in the plans such as planting new wildflowers and woodland edging. GatewayEast provides opportunities for 11 million square feet of residential and commercial space across distinct zones covering advanced manufacturing, logistics, cargo and airside operations which will be accompanied by Central Plaza’s retail, commercial, leisure and residential offer. Neal Biddle, Development Director for Peel L&P’s GatewayEast, said: “Our plans for Central Plaza and our advanced manufacturing and logistics hub at the Innovation Quarter are all part of a wider masterplan with DSA to boost local and regional economies and level up the country by creating more opportunities for local people. “We’re working in partnership with DSA, Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to create a hub for innovation, green industries and high-tech manufacturing at GatewayEast, building on the success of South Yorkshire’s industrial past to attract further innovation investment from across the globe. This is alongside prime logistics space to accommodate the increasing fast-paced demand for consumer products and business supplies, providing a broad range of job opportunities.”

Neal Biddle, Development Director for Peel L&P’s GatewayEast

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Four reasons to move to the cloud by Ian Snow (pictured), CEO at Central Technology 2020 was the year the world realised the importance of the cloud and how the pandemic has brought new factors into focus such as flexible remote workforce management and business agility. 2021/22 and beyond will see organisations moving to mature their cloud adoption strategies.

Why should you move to the cloud? 1. Cloud computing is flexible

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Cloud-based services are ideal for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands as it’s easy to scale up or down your cloud capacity. This level of agility can give businesses using cloud computing a real advantage over competitors.

The beauty of cloud computing is that the servers are off-premise, out of sight and out of your hair. Here at CT, we take care of them for you and roll out regular software updates – including patches and security updates – so you don’t have to worry about wasting time maintaining the system yourself.

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Businesses of all sizes should be investing in robust disaster recovery, but for smaller businesses that lack the required cash and expertise, this is often more an ideal than the reality. Cloud-based recovery solutions are now available in a variety of formats that save time and avoid large up-front investment.

Lost laptops are an expensive and very real business problem, but the loss of a costly piece of kit often fades in significance compared to the loss of the sensitive data inside it. Cloud computing gives you greater security, because your data is stored in the cloud, you can access it no matter what happens to your machine.

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To find out how CT can help your business with your cloud journey, get in touch today: 01246 266 130

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Business News

Charity runners setting the Paces epresenting Jenx, one of the UK’s leading postural support specialists, two employees have raised almost £200 for a local charity by running in their home city’s 10K. Leading Operative Steve Blake from Jenx and Maddy Palmer, from their UK distribution division, Jiraffe, have raised £165 for Paces by taking on the Run for All Sheffield 10K, on Sunday 26 September, around Sheffield City Centre. Maddy Palmer, National Commissioning Manager at Jenx, said: “I decided I wanted to run the Sheffield 10K back in 2018, but as I was five months pregnant in 2019 and the 2020 race was cancelled, it feels like it’s been quite a journey! “I loved every minute of the race and have to admit to shedding a few tears on the finish line. I am so grateful to everyone who supported me.” The money raised via JustGiving will be donated to Paces – a specialist centre, charity and school for individuals and families living with cerebral palsy and motor disorders based in High Green, Sheffield. Paces was chosen by Jenx and Jiraffe as their Charity of the Year

Jenx and Jiraffe chose Paces as their Charity of the Year for 2021

for 2021. As part of the partnership, the three organisations work together to arrange events and fundraisers that support Paces’ transition into their new home at Thorncliffe Hall, which will allow them to support three times as many families. Holly Jenkins, Director of Jiraffe,

said: “I’d like say an enormous thank you to both Steve and Maddy for taking part in the Sheffield 10K and for helping to raise money for such an important charity in Paces. “Paces is an incredible organisation doing vital work that’s helping children living with cerebral palsy and other motor disorders to

achieve their personal goals and aspirations. It means a lot to be able to support them in doing this.” David Hall, Paces’ Corporate Fundraising Manager, added: “Our partnership with Jenx and Jiraffe, seeing their staff supporting us through several fundraising activities, means so much to us at Paces. “The money they have raised will go towards the life changing work that goes on here at Paces and will ensure our children and adults can continue to receive first class support. We’re really grateful for Steve and Maddy for getting involved.” Jenx Ltd – whose headquarters are based in Hillsborough, Sheffield – is a family run company founded back in 1982 by a pediatric physiotherapist and a product designer with the aim of enriching lives and changing perceptions about disability. Ever since, it has been researching, designing, and manufacturing ground-breaking developmental postural equipment to support children with specific postural needs. Visit: jenx.com

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AYRE breathes life into charity music festival events specialist AYRE Event Solutions has supported arts and music charity The Met to bring the two-week outdoor music festival ‘Live to life. Burrs Live took place in Burrs Country Park, Bury between Friday 27 August and Sunday 5 September, with artists including the Bootleg Beatles and The Magic of Motown all performing across the weekend. After a callout for support with sourcing lighting products, power and fencing, AYRE Event Solutions were brought on board to assist with each day of the festival. Across each day, AYRE Events supported organisers The Met with the sourcing of power generators, fencing panels and pedestrian barriers plus providing items of

their stock including over 400 meters of festoon lighting and a further 400 meters of fairy lights. AYRE also supplied four lighting towers and had a member of their expert team onsite each evening to support with any technical problems. Victoria Robinson, Chief Executive Officer at The Met, said: “Ayre Event Solutions provided much-needed support for our event infrastructure. The project was on a very tight timeframe of six weeks but Chris was able to ascertain our needs and provide what we needed really quickly. His support was invaluable and contributed to a very successful project as part of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture.” Sarah Belcher, Senior Event

‘His support was invaluable and contributed to a very successful project’

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Manager at Don’t Panic Events, said: “Working with AYRE has been a pleasure, the team are so friendly, very knowledgeable and lovely people to work with in general. They were able to source and supply a lot of equipment in very little time during what seemed to be the busiest weekends in the UK for outdoor events. “We couldn’t have gone ahead without the equipment AYRE provided, they were even on site for the event dates to ensure everything ran smoothly.” AYRE managing director, Chris Ayre said: “It was our first time working with The Met and Burrs Live and we really enjoyed working

across all six events over the twoweek period. “Despite the shortage of outdoor event equipment, we were able to source all the additional products needed as well as utilising some of our own existing stock including festoon lighting, power distribution and cable ramps to bring the festival to life, while providing advice and guidance on site layout, set up and health and safety procedures. “We’re really pleased with the success of the events and it was great to be back out there working festivals and large outdoor events again after a long 18 months away!” Visit: www.ayre.events

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The SCR Chambers Barnsley Office T: 01226 491421 Rotherham Office T: 01709 386200

E: info@brchamber.co.uk W: www.brchamber.co.uk Twitter: @brchamberuk

Getting back together at Chamber events s we approach the latter months of the year, I would like to thank our patrons, event sponsors, members, and all the attendees who I have had the pleasure to meet once again at our face-to-face Chamber events. As a Chamber we work to further the interests of businesses in the area through engaging, networking opportunities, so the return of our face-to-face events in the second half of 2021 has been refreshing to see. I would like to think that events such as the Chamber Means Business Expo, which was held at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham in September, is where the Chamber really shines. I believe these events really allow our members to exert their expertise and demonstrate the diversity and strength of the businesses within the Barnsley and Rotherham region. It was great to see familiar faces again at Chamber Means Business, and the event was a testament to the retention of our membership and the resilience of our exhibitors to set up their stalls once again, dust off their business cards and start networking together. The event saw more than 300 delegates from businesses across the region, with all our stands sold out, which shows how much of an appetite there is for face-to-face networking events. We have also seen further sold-out events throughout the year, particularly for our Women in Business group, with the next event coming up in December for their annual Christmas Lunch. I would remind you to purchase your ticket early to avoid disappointment, as we have a consistently high demand for these types of events. We recently hosted our headline event for 2021, which was the fantastic Celebration for

Business event, hosted at Magna on Friday, 12 November 2021. The theme for this event was “giving back” and the event provided the perfect opportunity to get together once again and celebrate the strength of our business community and the huge challenges we have overcome throughout the pandemic. Keep an eye out for our ever-evolving events programme next year, if you would like more information on sponsorship, exhibition spaces or attending any of our events please contact events@brchamber.co.uk and one of the Chamber team will be in touch.

Diane Graham Events Manager & Executive PA

‘As a Chamber we work to further the interests of businesses in the area’

BARNSLEY & ROTHERHAM CHAMBER PATRONS 2021

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The SCR Chambers: Barnsley & Rotherham The chamber helps its members by focusing activity in 5 key areas: 1. Protecting your business 2. Raising your profile 3. Growing your network 4. Representing and sharing your views 5. Saving you money

Magna welcomes new Operations Manager

Mattress Online aren’t sleeping on success Mattress Online’s rapid growth, innovation and outstanding technology has seen the company scoop one of the most prestigious trade awards for the third successive year. The Rotherham-based company was awarded Online Bed Retailer of the Year by industry trade organisation the National Bed Federation. The award is given to the company that demonstrates a solid contribution to the online bed and mattress sector, shows advances in innovation and technology, and goes above and beyond for the customer. Stepping up to collect the award from host and comedian Jo Caulfield, Mattress Online Chief Executive Officer Steve Adams said: “It’s an honour to have once again been recognised within the industry and amongst our peers as the best at what we do. “Despite the fast growth we’ve experienced, my team has risen to the challenge consistently going above and beyond. I’m incredibly proud of what we achieve as a team.” The online retailer, one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses, has seen turnover soar to £37.5m in the past year thanks to a sales surge during the pandemic. Both turnover and profit have increased by more than 200% and staff numbers have swelled to more than 60. Over the past year Mattress Online has also helped 40,000 customers reduce their carbon footprint and earlier this year, the company recycled its 100,000th mattress. Over the next three years, Mattress Online plans to open seven physical stores. It currently has a traditional showroom store in Rotherham.

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Stuart Lee

agna are delighted to welcome their newest team member, Stuart Lee, as their Operations Manager. With a wealth of experience in the corporate hospitality industry, Stuart will use his expertise to oversee Magna’s operational function. Stuarts career in hospitality started back in the early 90’s in Lancashire, running the bars at the Best Western Royal Clifton Hotel in Southport and eventually running the Conference and Banqueting department and duty management. Following this, Stuart then went to work as the General Manager at Preston North End Football Club when the Tom Finney stand was built charged with improving the match day and non- match day experience. After a successful period there, Stuart went to work directly for one of the major shareholders who owned several hotels, bars, restaurants, golf clubs and holiday parks. Moving back to football in the early noughties, Stuart ran the hospitality department at Nottingham Forest Football Club and several racecourses for Elior, turning them from loss

making into profit. After several years there, Stuart was approached by Kudos to join their team initially as an area manager looking after Tottenham Hotspur FC, Birmingham City FC, Manchester Central and several other large convention centres. Stuart quickly built an excellent team and delivered outstanding food and service across their portfolio, winning several awards at MIT. During his time there, Stuart was promoted to Senior Operations Director. After a successful period in that position, Stuart made the decision to work closer to home. This was when he joined Levy Restaurants as the General Manager at Sheffield United Football club and similarly turned the whole operation around, finally looking after the new contract at Aston Villa. Stuarts teams have won several awards from Stadium Experience, Sheffield Business awards and Sports Business Awards and Magna are delighted to have him on board. There are a lot of exciting events coming up at Magna. Have a look on their What’s On page for more details: www.visitmagna.co.uk/whats-on

‘Digital technology is increasingly important for maintaining connections’

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The SCR Chambers: Barnsley & Rotherham

Success for Kickstart candidate T

he Kickstart Scheme is a £2bn fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality 6-month work placements for young people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit. Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce is working alongside the British Chambers of Commerce and is a recognised intermediary in coordinating business responses. Businesses of all sizes looking to create quality jobs for young people can apply to create new six-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Fraser McCarter joined Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber Member Enzygo in March 2021 as a Graduate Environmental Consultant and has continued to go from strength to strength throughout his time at Enzygo. We asked him about his role at Enzygo and the experiences he has gained since his placement.

Fraser McCarter

What work you have undertaken since you started? Since I have started, I have learned to collate and interpret data enabling me to complete Flood Risk Assessments, Phase 1 technical reports, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments and Pre-planning enquiries to name but a few. I have also had experiences out of the office with site visits looking for drainage pathways, installing water level monitoring probes, and inspecting flood resilience measures. Having to balance and manage my time across various projects at once was a challenge but taking detailed notes about my tasks at the start of the day and providing updates to each of them by the end of the day helped keep the workload manageable. Site visits have been an enjoyable way to break up the week with something different and some fresh air.

‘By accessing the Kickstart scheme, we hope to support our local community and the wider region’

What opportunities you have been able to experience with Enzygo? Monthly in-company lectures have been a good way to broaden my knowledge on different aspects of environmental consultancy and business. Enzygo have been very supportive and flexible, particularly surrounding working from home and in the office. All members of staff are very approachable including the most senior members. Where do you hope the experience, you have had with Enzygo may lead you in the future? I have been fortunate enough that Enzygo have offered me a position following this experience. Overall, it has given me a deeper understanding of the environmental consultancy and I hope that it will lead on to more work in the environmental sector. Matt Travis, Director at Enzygo said: “We were able to access the Kickstart scheme through Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce

who acted as a gateway representative and enabled us to recruit Fraser into the business through a six-month placement opportunity. As a member of the Chamber, we were made aware of the scheme from the initial launch and sought to offer invaluable experience to the right candidate” “By accessing the Kickstart scheme, we hope to support our local community and the wider region by creating new opportunities for young people. With many young people struggling with the lack of prospects available to them in the struggling job market, creating a new role was a win-win for both us and the successful candidate.”

“Through our growing team of professionals, which includes several staff members with a background in business and local authority organisations, we believe we can offer a fantastic environment for Fraser to get involved in a great industry, with guidance from an experienced and highly professional team.” “We hope the experience Fraser will gain from his time here will give him the skills, confidence and qualities to help support him in his role at Enzygo and his career going forward.” For more information on the Kickstart Scheme visit: www.brchamber.co.uk/kickstart-scheme

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The SCR Chambers: Barnsley & Rotherham

We’re here to support your business Membership of the Chamber is about supporting your business and helping you to flourish and grow in today’s markets.We welcome all businesses large and small and understand that the needs of businesses can be very different.

Chamber event showcases strength and diversity of South Yorkshire’s regional economy t was business as usual at the AESSEAL New York Stadium in Rotherham recently, when more than 300 delegates from businesses across the region came together to celebrate the return of “Chamber Means Business”. Organised by Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber and returning for the first time since 2019, the popular event, which was sponsored by KAT Communications and KCM Waste Management, saw more than 50 businesses from across the region take part in the sell-out exhibition. There was also the opportunity to hear from James Mason, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, who discussed the important role businesses in the region play in helping to shape the region’s identity. Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said: “Chamber Means Business is always a popular event, and this year was no exception. We were delighted to

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welcome James Mason to deliver our keynote speech, illustrating the incredible opportunities and potential within the region as being a great place to live, work and build successful businesses – sentiments which we as a Chamber fully support.” James Mason, Chief ‘ Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The way in which businesses across Yorkshire have responded to challenges posed since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic illustrates the strength and resilience of our region and the work being undertaken in both Barnsley and Rotherham is no exception. “We all have a role to play in shaping our local

economy, whether that’s supporting local businesses to supporting your local pubs and restaurants or developing new products and services, the success of Chamber Means Business illustrates the strength and diversity of South Yorkshire’s local economy.” The event saw several businesses represented throughout the South Yorkshire region with countless opportunities for delegates to ’ network, reaffirm existing partnerships and develop new contacts from the local business community. It was also a fantastic opportunity for new members, and for many their first opportunity in 18 months, to experience an inperson Chamber event starting with an exclusive

We all have a role to play in shaping our local economy

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The SCR Chambers: Barnsley & Rotherham

Chamber Events A calendar of events designed to engage both members and non-members and enhance their business. For full booking information on all Chamber events visit: www.brchamber.co.uk/events

Chamber Curry Club Date: Time: Venue: Cost:

25 November 6pm - 8.30pm Akbars, Rotherham Members: £20 (cash on the night) Non members: £30 (cash on the night)

This is an informal event for local business people to come and meet like-minded individuals in a relaxed environment with some tasty food! The format for the evening will be as follows: • 6pm–7.15pm – Networking & 30 Second Introductions • 7.15pm – Dinner There will be a set menu (selection of starters and main courses) you can also purchase drinks on the night. Please join us for this fun, relaxed evening full of networking opportunities. Places are currently limited to two attendees per organisation. To book visit: www.brchamber.co.uk/event/chamber-curry-club-3/2021-11-25

SCR Business Networking – Christmas Quiz (online) Date: Time: Cost:

7 December 9am - 10.30am Members: Free Non members: £10 + VAT

In this edition of our popular SCR Business Networking event, attendees will have chance to network with fellow business delegates from across South Yorkshire prior to being split into random teams to take part in a Christmas Quiz! The three South Yorkshire Chambers are working together to bring you a unique networking event. This event is free for Chamber Members and £10 + VAT for non-Chamber members. Membership of the Chamber is all about helping your business to grow and what better way to meet new businesses and make new contacts from across the area than at the City Region Business Networking Event. Above: More than 300 delegates attended the Chamber Means Business event, and enjoyed a wide range of presentations

new member networking event at the beginning of the day. The networking event gave new members the opportunity to give an elevator pitch for their business, have their first face-to-face introductions to Chamber President Joada Allen, and Chief Executive, Andrew Denniff and explore their Chamber membership. The Chamber would like to thank our sponsors KAT Communications and KCM Waste Management, our exhibitors and all the delegates who attended the event and ensured the event was once again a success. Watch the full highlights from the Chamber Means Business 2021 event by viewing the highlights from the day on the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber YouTube channel. Andrew Denniff gives an overview of the day and throughout the video you’ll get a feel for the buzz around the event and stadium.

To book visit: www.brchamber.co.uk/event/south-yorkshire-chamber-networking-onlinedecember

Women In Business Christmas Lunch Date: Time: Venue: Cost:

10 December 11.30am - 3.30pm Tankersley Manor Hotel Members: £29.95 + VAT* Non members: £39.95 + VAT*

Arrival 11.30am for welcome drinks and networking. Two-course lunch served at 12.30pm: • Festive roast turkey with pork and sage stuffing, chipolata sausage, cranberry sauce, pan gravy • Goats Cheese and Fig Tartlet (V) with roasted tomatoes and herb oil (All accompanied with roasted potatoes, honey glazed parsnips, sweet carrots and sprouts) • Traditional Christmas Pudding with rum sauce • Baked Vanilla Cheesecake with salted caramel sauce • Tea/Coffee * To be paid in full seven days prior to the event. To book visit: www.brchamber.co.uk/event/women-in-business-christmas-lunch-2021

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Chamber Connect

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The SCR Chambers: Doncaster Chamber Membership As a Doncaster Chamber member, you have access to support services that will help you cut costs, raise your profile and grow your business. T: 01302 640100 E: chamber@doncaster-chamber.co.uk W: www.doncaster-chamber.co.uk Twitter: @DNChamber

Find out more: doncaster-chamber.co.uk/membership-services

Carlton Forest Group becomes Doncaster Chamber patron D

oncaster Chamber is pleased to welcome Carlton Forest Group as a new patron. Carlton Forest Group is a forward thinking company, with strong core values, and takes pride in supporting and growing its portfolio of businesses whilst retaining its traditional business values which have been intrinsic to its success. Speaking about the partnership, Graham White, Group Commercial Director of Carlton Forest Group said: “Having been members of Doncaster Chamber for some time now, and witnessing the tremendous benefits it provides to members and the community, we are very excited to take a front row to support its efforts and achievements.” Carlton Forest Group comprises three divisions: Carlton Forest Warehousing Ltd which provides complete logistical solutions for the movement and storage of goods; Carlton Forest Property Management Ltd which is a onestop shop for buildings, office leases, LGV and caravan parking, land sales and planning; and Carlton Forest Energy Ltd which is a specialist company that consults on alternative fuels and produces green energy to supply into the national grid. “We are delighted to have Carlton Forest Group as a new patron. Carlton Forest Group is truly a visionary organisation making a positive contribution within the industries it operates in and the community as a whole. We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the significant impact their patronage will bring to the Chamber as we continue to inspire and support Doncaster businesses.” said Jade Dyer, Business Director at Doncaster Chamber.

‘Carlton Forest Group is truly a visionary organisation’

Dan Fell, Doncaster Chamber CEO with Graham White, Group Commercial Director at Carlton Forest Group

DONCASTER PATRONS 2021

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The SCR Chambers: Doncaster International Trade Services We provide a comprehensive package of International Trade Services to help your business succeed in international markets.Whether you’ve not even considered importing or exporting, or are looking to expand your current business activity, our qualified specialists can offer professional advice and assistance.

For more information visit doncaster-chamber.co.uk

Doncaster calls on residents to support renewed city status bid D

oncaster recently launched its bid to gain city status, calling for all residents, businesses and communities to show their support for the borough. The honour is granted through a competition for UK towns held to coincide with significant royal milestones, this time as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year. Doncaster’s bid is being compiled by Team Doncaster, a strategic partnership of organisations from across the public, private, voluntary, community and faith sectors in the borough. Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, said: “Bidding for city status is, quite rightly, a tough test. However, the business community believes in our borough and believes that – with classic Yorkshire grit – we can amply prove that we can surpass the criteria set and tell compelling stories about our borough, our assets, and inspirational people. “This is not being big-headed about Doncaster or hiding the fact that local partners have much to do to continuously improve our borough. 48 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

However, we have achieved much over the last decade and we are recognised nationally as punching well above our weight. This bid therefore provides an opportunity to evidence just how far our amazing borough has come in recent years. We are a significantly different place, in our outlook, in our successes and our ambition. We are an innovation hotbed and have a civic minded business community that prides itself on getting things done. We have successfully diversified our economy in recent years and there is strength and opportunity in that diversity, just as there is strength and opportunity in our wonderfully diverse communities.” Doncaster Young Advisor Courtney Helsby said: “I’ve only lived in Doncaster for a short period of time but I can honestly say I feel truly welcome here. I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of this bid and backing it means giving the people of Doncaster a city that wants to strive for goals and ambitions to make Doncaster even greater and a place we all want to be a part of even more. I’m backing the bid!” Glyn Butcher, People Focused Group (PFG)

Team Doncaster bids for city status

Peer Ambassador, said: “I was born in Doncaster Royal Infirmary and grew up in Denaby. Doncaster is a big place with a big heart that puts people’s health and wellbeing at the centre of everything it does. Becoming a city will help to galvanise all our communities, spreading love, care and compassion, and uniting everyone with one vision - giving them hope and purpose which we all need after the past few years.”

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The SCR Chambers: Doncaster

South Yorkshire students view the Vulcan’s 800kg fuel tank

Students are set to soar thanks to unique design challenge S outh Yorkshire students have been handed a unique engineering challenge with the prize to be part of a new experience celebrating an inspirational aircraft

icon. The Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST) has partnered with The Work-Wise Foundation to launch a competition for students to design an exhibition stand for an original Vulcan Bomb Bay fuel tank that was once installed in XH558. The winning design will be displayed to the public at the new Vulcan Experience Hangar at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. VTST, the charity behind the iconic Avro Vulcan XH558 aircraft, is fundraising for the hangar – The Vulcan Experience – with plans to open next year. A key focus will be on educating and inspiring the next generation of engineers, while paying tribute to an example of British aerospace engineering at its world-beating best.

The Vulcan Experience will also be home to the Green Technology Hub, an area where young people can explore the climate challenge. John Sharman, Chair of VTST, said: “The exhibition stand for the fuel tank will have a prime location within The Vulcan Experience so it needs to be attractive and engaging for children and adults, and of course, structurally sound. “One of the key goals of The Vulcan Experience is to engage and inspire the next generations of engineers. This challenge is a unique opportunity for students to learn from the past to design and create their own innovations for today.”

‘This challenge is a unique opportunity for students’

For more information on VTST, visit: www.vulcantothesky.org

St Leger Homes welcomes Director St Leger Homes have furthered their commitment to achieving the highest landlord standards with the appointment of Mark McEgan (pictured), as Director of Housing and Customer Services. Mark has worked in a local authority and housing association setting in the south and north of England in a variety of operational and strategic roles, and has particular interests in change management, leadership and organisational development. Dave Richmond, Chief Executive of St Leger Homes, said: “We are delighted to welcome

Mark to St Leger Homes at an exciting time for our organisation as we seek to achieve the highest landlord standards. Mark is someone who knows what an excellent customer focused housing service looks like and has a track record of delivering it. “Mark’s achievements have been recognised by various national bodies including the Chartered Institute of Housing which has bestowed several awards on his services over the past few years. We expect Mark to play a critical role in helping St Leger Homes deliver excellent services for Doncaster residents.”

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The SCR Chambers: Doncaster

Opportunities Doncaster We connect business with education to help Doncaster's students succeed. Find out more: doncaster-chamber.co.uk/opportunities-doncaster

Leisure centre provider in safe hands as Kelly joins the team D oncaster Culture and Leisure Trust have appointed a new health and safety manager with more than 12 years’ experience across a range of industries. Kelly Nicoll (pictured) joins South Yorkshire leisure centre provider, Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust, as health and safety manager after more than five years with sports technology business Hawk-Eye Innovations. A Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and a recently elected member of the IOSH council, Kelly has also worked in industries including facilities management, pest control and sports officiating and broadcast. Last year, she was a finalist in the SHP Trailblazer for Workplace Wellbeing Awards. And in 2019, Kelly was named in Health and Safety at Work magazine’s “40 under 40” as a top influencer and innovator advancing health and safety. Kelly, whose role at DCLT will include

overseeing strategic, operational and practical health and safety planning and implementation, said: “I’m excited to be working with the leadership team at DCLT. I want to further embed health and safety as part of the DNA of the organisation, helping to support the operational teams to make DCLT as safe and healthy as possible. “I also want to focus on further building our positive mental health and wellbeing culture, ensuring that we are supporting our staff and the communities we work with too.” Linda Rush, head of HR at DCLT, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Kelly to the DCLT team and know she'll be a fantastic addition. “We take health and safety seriously at our centres and it has never been more important in the wake of the pandemic. We are committed to providing a safe, healthy environment where our guests and employees can enjoy themselves and flourish, and Kelly will be key in helping us achieve this goal.”

Stars light up to spread a little Christmas cheer Companies across the region have come forward to sponsor light up stars, which will shine every night throughout December, across Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital sites. The campaign, which raised over £40,000 last year, offers an opportunity for local companies, community groups, schools and families to sponsor a star to help light up Bassetlaw Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary or Montagu Hospital throughout the festive season to help spread Christmas cheer to NHS staff as well as patients and their families, whilst raising vital funds for the hospital charity. Companies who have sponsored a star to date include Polypipe, OLS Ltd, Concorde BGW, Doncaster College, GXO Logistics, RJ Electricals and Morrison's local stores to name a few. Richard Parker OBE, Chief Executive, said: “The funds that we raise from this year’s campaign will be reinvested into various projects across the trust helping us improve patient care, treatment and facilities at the Trust.” From the little things like toys to comfort children during an overnight stay, to the big investments which enables the purchase cutting50 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

edge technology that detects deadly infections like meningitis and the flu, charitable funds help health professionals at the Trust go above and beyond. If you wish to sponsor a star, please contact dbth.charity@nhs.net

Businesses and local community sponsor Christmas stars

Christmas star campaign lights up local hospital

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The SCR Chambers: Doncaster

Chamber Events A calendar of events designed to engage both members and non-members and enhance their business. For full booking information on all Chamber events visit: www.doncaster-chamber.co.uk or call 01302 640100

Christmas South Yorkshire Business Networking (SPEED) Date: Time: Venue: Price:

7 December 9am – 10.30am Online Free for members of South Yorkshire Chambers

In this edition of our popular South Yorkshire Business Networking event, attendees will have chance to network with fellow business delegates from across South Yorkshire prior to being split into random teams to take part in a Christmas Quiz! Membership of the Chamber is all about helping your business to grow and what better way to meet new businesses and make new contacts from across the area than at the region’s Business Networking Event.

Chamber Business Networking Date: 24 November Time: 9:30am Venue: Mercure Doncaster Danum, High Street, Doncaster, DN1 1DN Price: Members: Free Non-members: £10 +VAT This is a networking “table shuffle” event, offering you the chance to pitch your product/service to a number of businesses across the local region whilst building and developing new and existing business connections in a short space of time.

International Trade: The Customs Declaration & Customs Procedures Date: Time: Venue: Price:

8 & 9 December 9.15am – 12.30pm each day Online webinar Members: £264 + VAT Non-members: £330 + VAT

A two day, interactive workshop for those staff members who are responsible for dealing with exports and imports and giving instructions for clearing goods through Customs. This course will de-mystify the Customs clearance process, highlight those elements of the Customs Entry which have a direct impact on the amount of duty and sales tax paid and give delegates the knowledge and confidence to apply what they’ve learnt back at the office.

Doncaster Chamber AGM Date: Time: Venue: Price:

21 December 8am – 9.30am Owston Hall Hotel, Owston Lane, Carcroft, DN5 0LP Members: Free Non-members: £10 + VAT

All Doncaster Chamber members are invited to this important meeting to find out more about what we are doing for you, your business and the borough, to ask questions and put forward ideas. This is a good opportunity to meet the Chamber’s leaders including Dan Fell CEO, Chamber President Jill Wood (Signum Facilities Management) and Chamber Vice President Andy Morley (ProAktive). Plus hear the announcement of newly elected Board members, as well as a review of the past year and plans for 2022 and beyond.

Chamber Digital: Virtual Roundtable on the Visitor Economy Date: Time: Venue: Price:

1 December 4pm – 5pm Online Free for members

In partnership with Doncaster Council, Doncaster Chamber members are invited to share in the discussion about important issues that affect your business locally. This is an opportunity to voice your aspirations and concerns and shape business policy at a local, regional and national level. Each roundtable has a theme but the discussion will be free flowing and provide your business with a voice on the issues that matter to you alongside key stakeholders in the region.

Dan Fell and Jill Wood

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Chamber Connect

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The SCR Chambers: East Midlands East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) T: 0333 320 0333 E: info@emc-dnl.co.uk W: www.emc-dnl.co.uk Twitter: @EMChamberNews

The Chamber is the largest business representation organisation in the East Midlands.With a growing membership of more than 4,300 businesses, it represents the interests of businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

Guests enjoy the Chamber’s Annual Dinner

Live audience for Annual Dinner event

Professor Kamil Omoteso and Scott Knowles

Chamber and university back UN Race to Zero ast Midlands Chamber and the University of Derby have become signatories of the United Nations Climate Change Race to Zero campaign. Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of the business representation group, 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 annual Midlands Sustainability Summit, co-hosted by the Chamber and university, and supported by the Midlands Engine, in late September. Race To Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery – which prevents future threats, creates decent jobs and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. It ramped up in the weeks ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow. Last year, the Chamber launched the Sustainable East Midlands campaign 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 energy-efficient lighting and heating systems, and developing an employee engagement strategy to support behavioural changes in terms of workspaces, travel and waste. Scott said: “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 everpressing 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.” Prof Omoteso added: “This pledge provides a springboard for our ongoing efforts to support the shift to a sustainable economy across the region and beyond, and forms part of the university’s wider environmental ambitions and commitment to sustainability on our own netzero pathway.”

‘The Chamber is setting our own net zero goal to cut our carbon emissions in half by 2030’

Eileen Richards MBE (pictured) 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, in 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. About 350 people attended the black-tie gala, which included a speech by General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, a former vice-chief 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, who now runs the Switch the Play Foundation charity, also gave a keynote address about how to translate learnings from teamwork in sport into business. The Annual Dinner was sponsored by ‘AV IT Media, Design Studio Architects, Fraser Stretton Estate Agents, GBS Apprenticeships, Midlands Connect and Wildfire.

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The SCR Chambers: East Midlands

Your Chamber The go-to place for answers in business

Crime reduction scheme in action n East Midlands 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 GDPRcompliant 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 turn will help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in our city centre to encourage more people to visit and give local

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

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.”

Entrepreneurial business takes the cake The Chamber’s inaugural Generation Next Awards was held in July and among the winners was Project D, an artisan doughnut bakery based in Derby that has used social media to grow rapidly during the pandemic. Its three founders, who were collectively named Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Fraser Stretton Estate Agents, speak to Chamber Connect about their journey and the award win. What’s been the company’s journey to reach this point? Jacob Watts (strategic director): I ran a gardening and landscape business before the three of us got together and decided we wanted to set up something related to food. We’d never made a doughnut previously, but spent hours researching different ways to make them before we found the perfect one. The pandemic hit us really hard to begin with because we had three shops that closed. It took us about a week to work out what to do with our time and the staff we had. For a while, we were selling eggs and flour as there were shortages, before we decided to set up a delivery service and the pop-up stalls we now have. You’ve been a real hit on social media – how have you used these platforms to grow the business? Max Poynton (operations director): Our whole business is built on social media. We started with about 12,000 followers on Instagram and now have 135,000, while there’s about 100,000 people following us on Facebook. Our customers love new flavours and combinations, so combining that with new content we’ve put a lot of thought into has been key to the success of our business. We’re now trying to build a TikTok presence and recently launched a YouTube channel because the important thing is to evolve with everything else that’s happening. 54 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

What does the future hold for the business? Matthew Bond (creative director): Having started with the humble doughnut, it’s taken us on an incredible journey. We’re always looking to improve on that and we’re currently testing a new recipe we think people will love. Project D will also expand into protein doughnuts and potentially other products like cake truffles and doughnut ice cream cones. It’s about continuing to developing fresh new products that people might not be expecting. How did it feel to win the Generation Next Entrepreneur of the Year title? Jacob: It’s the best award I’ve personally ever won so it’s amazing. Max: The same for all of us – and off the back of this, we’ve met some great people we can work with.

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The SCR Chambers: East Midlands

A mixed picture in a choppy recovery The top-level results from the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for the third quarter of 2021 show a mixed picture that hides a number of variables at play in the East Midlands economy, as Director of Policy and External Affairs Chris Hobson (pictured) explains. irstly, the positives. Growth continues across most indicators, with domestic markets again being the strongest performer. Cashflow continues to improve for more businesses than not, training investment intentions are positive and overall confidence in future turnover continues its upward trajectory. As the economy continues its reopening after a successful vaccine rollout, the pent-up demand that characterised much of the summer remains a positive factor. But there are also a few of areas of concern. Price pressures continue to come from increased raw material costs, pay settlements and, increasingly, energy costs. This has knock-on effects with investment in machinery and equipment growth – an important ingredient in fuelling a recovery – falling back slightly on the previous quarter. Performance in overseas markets remains volatile and, while turnover confidence has grown from Q2, confidence in increased profitability has fallen back, a result of squeezed margins. Recruitment is also a growing problem, with over seven in 10 struggling to fill vacancies across all skills levels.

Uncertainty reigns supreme So what does all of this mean for the longerterm prospects for businesses in the East Midlands?

Well, there’s still much that we don’t yet fully understand. There are many factors at play in shaping current challenges for businesses – the impact of policy responses to the pandemic on the recovery, changes in individual approaches to work expectations, structural changes to supply chain operations and immigration rules as a result of Brexit, and global shortages as the whole world looks to bounce back, to name but a few. The balance of influence of these different factors, some which are temporary and others that may be longer term, is still being unpicked. As we learn more over the coming months, we’ll have a better idea of whether they are flies in the ointment or something more fundamental. There is also trepidation ahead of the 27 October Autumn Statement, where we’ll find out more about how Government plans to tackle supporting the economy over the next period and the balance between tax and spend. Regardless, the coming months will be instructive as to what shape the recovery will take. As we learn more about which challenges are going to be longer term, it’s important that policy responds to this appropriately and doesn’t get distracted with temporary issues the market can take care of itself.

Indicator

East Midlands net values*

UK sales

+37%

UK orders

+36

Overseas sales

+8%

Overseas orders

+6%

Past employment

+25%

Future employment

+38%

Cashflow

+15%

Future price concerns

+46%

Investment intentions in machinery

+16%

Investment intentions in training

+26%

Confidence on turnover

+63%

Confidence on profitability

+37%

*Net values are based on the percentage of businesses that highlighted an increase or decrease to each economic indicator over the previous three months, or predicted as such over the coming three months. The QES Q3 2021 report is based on 408 responses between 23 August and 14 September 2021.

Question

Yes response

Have you attempted recruitment?

67%

Have you faced problems with recruiting people?

71%

Is your operating capacity full?

41%

Campaign celebrates Black History Month These are some of the individuals who 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. Sanjib Sahota, Strategic Partnerships Manager at the Chamber, and emh group’s Head of Communications Pritti Allen led the campaign. Sanjib said: “Our region is so diverse, and we wanted a campaign that was focused on celebrating some of the amazing people and communities that make the East Midlands such a special place.” Pritti added: “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.” The organisations will link up

again to host the Celebrating Easting Midlands Culture and Communities event to showcase the region’s diverse businesses, organisations and communities on Thursday 24 March in Leicester. Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 55

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The SCR Chambers: East Midlands

Putting your business needs at the heart of our strategy

Chamber welcomes job scheme extension undreds 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. 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-year-olds 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 age-relevant National Minimum Wage, national insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week over a sixmonth period. Employers can choose to top up this wage and are also eligible for a £1,500 Government

An employee in the lab at Murphy & Son

Brewing firm helps kickstart careers Murphy & Son, a 134-year-old brewing supplies and consultancy firm based in Old Basford, Nottingham, added six Kickstarters to its workforce of 54 full-time 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 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.”

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Diane Beresford

‘A lifeline for young people to get the skills and work experience that will be vital to their future prospects’

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. By the end of October, the Chamber 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 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 per cent of those who have finished their six-month placements have either secured jobs or moved into further study.

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).

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The SCR Chambers: East Midlands

Chamber Events For full booking information on all Chamber events visit: www.emc-dnl.co.uk

Celebrating enterprising women Emma Jesson (left) with and Apprentice of the Year Evie Smith

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 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.” 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.

Enterprising Women Awards 2021 winners Business Woman of the Year (sponsored by Futures Housing Group) Natalie Bamford, Colleague Box

Female Employee of the Year (sponsored by Smallman & Son) Matilda Swanson, Loates HR Consultancy

Female Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Midlands Engine Investment Fund) Rachel Hayward, Ask the Chameleon

Team of the Year (sponsored by She Inspires Global) RideWise

Social Commitment Award (sponsored by PPL PRS) CR Civil Engineering

Outstanding Contribution to Work in STEM (sponsored by Pick Everard) Rail Forum Midlands

Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Unique Window Systems) Shed Grounds Maintenance

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by EMA Training) Evie Smith, Reckitt Benckiser (UK)

Our Businesswoman of the Year Natalie Bamford (pictured) 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 lowcost, 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. “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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Chamber Connect

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The SCR Chambers: Sheffield

Supporting our members

T: 0114 201 8888 E: membership@scci.org.uk W: www.scci.org.uk Twitter: @sheffchamber

Our region’s businesses will lead the way in the recovery and Sheffield Chamber will be right beside you every step of the way. Supporting business. Connecting business. Representing business.

Helping firms trade internationally ‘The Sheffield team have provided me with invaluable support and advice’ From January 2022, further EU and UK Trade regulations will come into force as customs easements come to an end

here has been a lot of column inches given over to Brexit and all the regulation changes already. And throughout, Sheffield Chamber’s International Trade Centre (SITC) has been supporting companies to meet any new requirement introduced and ultimately help business continue to trade with minimum impact to operations. However, more changes on the way. Some are linked to the EU Trade Agreement, and not any newly negotiated agreements with Australia and New Zealand or the possible US, Canada and Mexico option. From January 2022, further EU and UK Trade regulations will come into force as customs easements come to an end. These will affect all UK importers and exporters moving goods to and from the EU and beyond. The changes relate to documents, reporting and recording on a variety of goods and vehicle movements. The details are complex and extensive. And organisations need to ensure compliance to avoid costly consequences and delayed shipments.

An example of one of the rule changes is around Rules of Origin. This year, UK and EU customs agreed that the proof or origin for goods would not be requested. However, this will change from January 2022. When all importers and exporters must be able to prove the original manufacturing country for all goods being shipped (including those shipped in 2021 of this year). The impact is that import duty could be payable on all these goods and the incorrect information could be seen as fraudulent. This is just one of many changes. Full details of the upcoming changes can be found on the Sheffield Chamber website at bit.ly/IntTradeIn2022.

Headed up by Nick Patrick, the team at SITC are experts in their field and here to continue to support all businesses with any query around international trade or who are experiencing difficulties understanding how these changes will affect their business, and their relationships with their EU suppliers and/or customers. They have been working with Nicky King, Manager Director of Bobby Rabbit, who said: “The Sheffield team have provided me with invaluable support and advice at an extremely challenging time. My ecommerce business relies on the EU for both imports and exports, and the SITC team have responded to all my many queries promptly, professionally and efficiently.” A range of services are available, including the ability to conduct a bespoke customer compliance audit where SITC can take businesses through upcoming changes step-by-step. For more information, visit www.scci.org.uk/international-trade, call 0114 201 8888 or email international@scci.org.uk

SHEFFIELD CHAMBER PATRONS 2021

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The SCR Chambers: Sheffield We are a community. Working together to make businesses stronger. Whatever the sector, shape or size of your organisation, we want you to be a part of it. Visit: www.scci.org.uk

TecSec Managing Director Morton Bell

Tech firm address cyber security at conference Sheffield-based IT support specialists, TecSec Services were approached to deliver a keynote talk as a founding partner at the inaugural National Cyber Security Show (NCSS), which took place at the NEC in Birmingham in September. Offering a refreshing and unique approach within the industry, TecSec work as an extension of their clients’ organisations to implement a proactive Audit - Fix – Protect approach to IT and governance, priding themselves on both informing and empowering clients about all IT related matters. TecSec Managing Director Morton Bell, who delivered the talk at the NCSS, entitled, Understanding and Implementing IT Risk Management, comments: “At TecSec we understand the risks inherent in the reliance of businesses on IT systems, and provide the inaugural National Cyber Security Show skill to implement technical controls, governance and training that mitigate those risks.” The combined IT, Governance and Cyber Security Services delivered by TecSec are targeted at organisations requiring secure IT, as well as those wanting to understand and respond to questionnaires that many businesses face when tendering for work. Morton continued: “More often than not the business issuing the questionnaire is seeking to ascertain if a potential supplier takes their ‘IT and Governance’ seriously and, whether or not they will be suitable to work with. “The increased responsibility for personal data and the reputational damage of a breach, either directly or through your supply chain, means that companies can’t afford to be complacent. “At TecSec we answer these questions by working with clients to implement ‘right sized’ systems, policies and procedures, all of which typically ensure the clients achieve Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and or ISO27001.” To speak to a member of the team about your business’ IT requirements visit www.tecsec.co.uk 60 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

Festive food favourites on offer at Vine Hotels hroughout December, Mosborough Hall Hotel, Mercure Sheffield Kenwood Hall Hotel and Spa and DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park, who are all part of Vine Hotels, will be serving up lots of festive favourites in their restaurants and bars. Darcy’s at Mosborough Hall Hotel is the perfect choice for a December date night or gathering with friends, you can delight your tastebuds with the seasonal seven-course tasting menu or sample a cocktail or two from their Christmas collection. Why not treat yourself to a themed Afternoon Tea in the stunning setting of Laura Ashley The Tea Room, located within Kenwood Hall Hotel. When you dine in Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Sheffield, located at DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park throughout December you can indulge in festive classics with a Marco’s twist. To help get you into the festive spirit, the team at Mosborough Hall Hotel have put together a fabulous Christmas Cocktail recipe for you to have a go at making at home (right). The hotel will be adding this cocktail to their menu very soon and look forward to serving it throughout the festive period!

For more information about visiting Vine Hotels this Christmas email sales@vinehotels.co.uk Visit: www.vinehotels.co.uk/relax-with-vinehotels/christmas-at-vine-hotels

Gingerbread Mosborough Martini What you will need: • 30ml caramel sauce • 60ml thickened cream • 30ml vodka • 20ml Baileys • Touch of mixed spice • Touch of ground ginger • Whipped cream • And the all-important, little gingerbread man or woman How to make it: • Add the caramel sauce, mixed spice and ginger into a cocktail shaker and mix together with a spoon • Add ice, cream, vodka and Baileys into the shaker, attached the lid and shake well • Strain into a chilled Martini Glass • Add a dollop of whipped cream on top, drizzle with extra caramel sauce, and sit the gingerbread man or woman on top • Enjoy!

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The SCR Chambers: Sheffield

‘Recent times have been anything but straightforward for businesses’

The smart choice for your business f the last couple of years has taught us anything, it’s that businesses need to expect the unexpected. A period of massive political and economic change has meant trading has been extremely difficult, in particular for small- and mediumsized firms, who will have seen their cash flow significantly hit.

Some certainty in uncertain times Recent times have been anything but straightforward for businesses and many are looking for ways to take control of their finances. The good news is that getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference.

A smart meter allows businesses to wave goodbye to estimated billing by securely and automatically sending meter readings to your energy supplier. That means that you receive accurate bills, rather than estimated bills, allowing you the certainly of paying for exactly what you are using. Plus you can also wave goodbye to time spent submitting regular meter readings, allowing you to focus on bigger things.

Doing your bit for the environment

Regardless of whether your business has three employees, or three thousand, we all should be aware of how much energy we’re using, and a smart meter is a step in the right direction. From the moment your smart meter is installed, you’re helping create a smart energy system which could ultimately help reduce all our carbon emissions. A smart meter is a positive step in taking control of business outgoings and if your firm has 10 employees or less your business could be eligible.

As Glasgow hosted COP26 this year it’s a good reminder of everyone’s responsibility to become more conscious of their environmental impact.

To find out more please visit bit.ly/3hP3kgB. You can also contact your energy supplier or broker.

Evoluted bags its fifth award of the year Sheffield-based agency, Evoluted, has added five awards to its portfolio this year following a string of nominations across numerous digital marketing ceremonies. The digital agency capped off its wins for 2021 by winning two awards at the Prolific North Champions Awards held in September, where the team was awarded with two outstanding awards for ‘Independent Agency of the Year’ and ‘Search Agency of the Year’. Earlier in the year, Evoluted also bagged a triple award win at the Global E-commerce Awards for 'Start-Up Website of the Year’, ’Global Ecommerce Website of the Year’ and the Silver Award for ‘Search Campaign of the Year’. All three of these awards are in recognition of the exceptional work completed by the whole

Evoluted team on CarMats.co.uk, the lockdown ecommerce challenge set up by Managing Director, Ash Young. The Evoluted team was commended by judges for their clever features, use of humour and the unique way in which they leveraged social media channels to drive awareness. Commenting on the recent wins Evoluted’s Marketing Director Giorgio Cassella (pictured) said: “Receiving recognition in this manner, amongst peers and talent from across the North’s creative industry, is a true testament to our team's integrity, expertise and commitment to delivering incredible results for our clients.” After over 15 years in business, Evoluted is known throughout the industry as a leader in digital solutions which span both marketing and

web development. The award-wins further emphasise the agency’s commitment to growth over the next five years and beyond. Throughout 2021 the agency has focused on growth – expanding teams and services across SEO, Content Marketing and Digital PR, and Paid Media, with a string of exciting hires to bolster each service. Giorgio added: “These awards are a measure of our ongoing attention towards developing company culture in the wake of COVID-19 and the shift to remote working. “Evoluted is an incredible place to work and the only way from here is up!” The agency has also been shortlisted for ‘Best SEO Campaign’, ‘Best PPC Campaign’, ‘Campaign Effectiveness’, ‘Best Agency Culture’ and ‘SEO Agency of the Year’ at the European Agency Awards - let’s see if they win any more awards before the year is out. Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 61

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The SCR Chambers: Sheffield

What we do Our mission is to lead the way in making Sheffield the best place in the UK to start, grow and run a successful and sustainable business.

Helping small firms achieve growth elp to Grow: Management course is a 90% government funded three-month programme aimed at helping small business leaders and managers boost performance, resilience and growth potential. As an accredited Small Business Charter institution, Sheffield Hallam University’s Sheffield Business School is delivering the course to SME senior leaders across the region. Designed with support from industry, the curriculum uses real world case studies to help small business leaders develop strategic skills to increase their business’ long-term productivity, resilience and capacity to innovate. Sessions are delivered both online and faceto-face, with participants engaging in peer-topeer learning and one-to-one mentoring. Participants are guided through the course with a designated Sheffield Hallam development consultant with sessions led by experts in their field. Kevin Kerrigan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and Enterprise, Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Enabling business leaders to stand back from the day-to-day, look to the future and think big is critically important if we

are to build an advanced economy where creativity and innovation drive growth. “This programme will be challenging and rewarding for participants and forms a key part of Hallam’s business and leadership offer in the region.” Duncan McCombie, CEO of YES Energy Solutions CIC, said: “The first programme started in September and participants from across the region are already embedding newly acquired knowledge into their businesses. “The course gives me the opportunity to focus on the business not in the business, refreshing skills and updating knowledge following the pandemic and rapid digitalisation. “Engaging with a network of fellow SME business leaders, with the theory and real-world knowledge of staff at Sheffield Hallam, allows us to translate the concept into practice. This is already leading to improved productivity and opportunities for growth at YES Energy Solutions CIC.” To find out more email business@shu.ac.uk or call 0114 225 5000.

Hentons’ award-winning team

Hentons scoops two accountancy awards Chartered accountancy and business advisory firm, Hentons, has scooped two top awards at this year’s prestigious Yorkshire Accountancy Awards. The firm’s digital team was named ‘Team of the Year’ and Moosa Sacha, Hentons’ IT manager, was presented with the ‘Support Staff of the Year’ award at a glittering ceremony held at New Dock Hall in Leeds. Hentons shift towards digital accounting means it was recently recognised as one of the top three large firms in the UK by leading cloudbased software firm, Xero. The firm has also introduced an innovative video messaging service to deliver accounts to clients, so they can access them anywhere and at any time. 62 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

The judging panel praised these innovations and how Hentons had responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. It said: “The Hentons digital team utilised a fantastic approach in response to the pandemic and lockdowns, utilising technology and people power to not only specialise, but excel in a rapidly growing area of the profession. “Moosa Sacha was a standout performer for Hentons at the outbreak of Covid-19, working long hours to complete IT projects that were necessary to support the shift to home working. The judges were delighted to recognise Moosa’s achievements with this award.” Managing Director at Hentons, Peter Watson, said: “Early in the pandemic we were providing

free advice and support to thousands of businesses, and several million pounds of funding was obtained for clients ranging from SMEs through to large organisations across all industries. “Our digital offering, and the fact that we are an Xero Platinum Partner, was integral to this. The way we’ve embraced technology, including the work to upskill our teams using the Henton’s AppStack, along with the digital tools that are available to us, gives us a very compelling offering that keeps us ahead of the ever-changing digital marketplace. Winning an award for our digital capabilities speaks volumes about our position at the forefront of the accountancy industry and our ambitions to continue innovating.”

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The SCR Chambers: Sheffield

Get back to business with new app heffield-based app MyGeo is launching in a bid to help local businesses recover in the wake of the pandemic. The app uses location-based technology reaching out to consumers in or around businesses using the platform, delivering eye-catching promotions to their smartphones to drive sales. MyGeo app gives business owners the power to hit nearby customers where it matters the most—their smartphones. With the easy-to-use dashboard, you can create timely offers and make them live in minutes. Known as GeoRewards™, the digital promotions appear as push notifications on app users’ phones when they are near the business premises. Put simply, business owners can grab the attention of passersby and hook them in. Sean Gregory, MyGeo founder, said: “As a local business owner myself, I know that there’s nothing worse than seeing customers pass you by. With the MyGeo app we’re helping the city get back to business. “Our team has been working hard on the app for months and we’re excited to share the results! “Sheffield’s digital high street is just beginning. We have exciting plans, make sure you're part of the story.” The game-changing offers app originally launched in a Sheffield trial last year during the pandemic. The phase gave the team an

‘There’s nothing worse than seeing customers pass you by’ opportunity to gauge business owners’ interest and promotional needs. Business owners in the Sheffield area can start using the MyGeo platform soon. There are no sign-up fees or subscriptions and you only pay when you make an impression on a

MyGeo app user’s phone. Don’t be the business that misses out. It’s time to get this city #backtobusiness. For more information visit www.business.mygeo.co.uk or email the MyGeo app team at hello@getgeo.app now.

Historic tool firm embraces the future Sheffield-based Robert Sorby Ltd boasts unrivalled experience as one of the world’s premier makers of woodworking tools and products associated with the woodworking industry. With over two centuries of history behind it, the globally recognised brand combines handcrafted tradition with modern production technology to provide a solution that is in demand on the international stage. Robert Sorby’s enduring success can be attributed to its evolution, embracing new ideas and practices to provide customers with quality, reliability, and value for money. We are immensely proud of its handcraftsmanship which continues to distinguish it within the market. Yet, those traditions are balanced by recognition of the latest technological innovation. Indeed, its three-year business development plan includes replacing some of its ageing machinery including equipment that is 100 years old, in addition to a wider initiative to develop processes by improving production methodology and efficiencies for its manufactured components. It comes at a time when Robert Sorby is experiencing unprecedented worldwide demand. As well as equipment, investment has also targeted skills. With the necessary expertise in short supply, the company has

The world’s premier manufacturer of specialist woodworking tools

embraced apprentices to nurture not only the qualities needed to continue traditional craftsmanship but develop the values within the next generation that have helped maintain Robert Sorby’s world-leading reputation. The business has exciting plans and looks confidently to the future with relocation to a much larger manufacturing site, still in the heart of Sheffield and set be complete in late 2022. Director & General Manager Ian Finkill said:

“the business stands out because of its heritage but it’s not just the quality of Robert Sorby tools that make it the envy of rivals. We are a business that never rests on our laurels and are always looking to forge new ideas and practices to ensure our customers get the best tooling their money can buy.” For more information visit www.robert-sorby.co.uk Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 63

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Feature: Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership

Necessity is the mother of invention By Helen Shepherd (pictured), PR and Marketing Co-ordinator, National Emergency Services Museum

he landscape for museums and the wider culture industry has changed dramatically in recent years. No longer are visitors satisfied with a collection of old objects hidden in glass cases. Instead they are expecting to be entertained, enthused and engaged and to feel that they have spent their time and, importantly, their money - well. When added to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the pressure to make an in-person visit worthwhile has never been greater. One way to achieve this is to create spaces that bring stories to life through interactive and engaging exhibits. But that doesn’t come cheap, so how does an independent, self-funded museum keep up with the big boys when it comes to a visitor experience that will engage, excite and entertain? The solution for us at Sheffield’s National Emergency Services Museum (NESM) is simple; get creative! Necessity is the mother of invention at NESM. We pride ourselves on offering an experience

‘We’re the masters of reinvention and innovation’

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that is inclusive, hands-on and relevant. But this costs time and money and for independent museums like us, who need to raise every penny that we spend, both of these are precious commodities. So we need to think differently and creatively when designing our exhibitions and spaces. For most museums the average cost of a new exhibition is between £300-£500 per square foot without staffing costs or building works. Add to this museum standard cabinets costing between £2,000 and

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Feature: Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership

£10,000, interactive tech reaching as much as £3,000 per unit and signage running into thousands and the costs can skyrocket. At NESM the average budget is around £5,000 including design, build and installation but might also include work on the building itself and the cost of transporting vehicles or objects. Yet even on such a tight budget the end result still has to look great and satisfy those allimportant visitors. How do we do it? The answer is that we’re the masters of reinvention and innovation. Handcuffs become exhibition barriers, helmets become light fittings and old lockers

become display cases. Through our networks and with the help of local businesses and organisations we also rescue surplus items from elsewhere that were destined to be thrown away. Things like old cabinets, storage systems, tech and even salvage from fire stations come to us to be refurbished and reused. And even when we do need to buy new, a little bit of ‘thinking outside the box’ often means that bargains can be found. We’re helped by a small but multi-skilled team of staff and volunteers who carry out much of the work in-house. This means we can reduce our use of outside contractors and our entire team benefits from a real involvement and ownership in what we do. Visitors from other heritage organisations are often stunned at what we can achieve on a shoestring budget. Our Blitz exhibition, for example, was created for a fraction of what it would have cost had we approached it in the traditional way; so much so that some people didn’t believe we could possibly have done it with the budget we had. But we did! We’re very proud of what we do at NESM. We’re taking a positive, community-driven, cost-saving and eco-friendly way forward and, most importantly, our visitors love it. Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 65

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Feature: Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership

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Feature: Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership

A goal to support the community By Arron Newman, Media Officer, Reds in the Community hroughout the Covid-19 pandemic, football has been reminded of one major lesson – the sport is nothing without its supporters. Given the dependency on fans from professional clubs, it’s only right that the loyalty is repaid in local communities across the country. Reds in the Community (RitC) is a registered charity delivering community and charitable activities on behalf of Barnsley Football Club. Using a vast array of programmes and initiatives, the charity delivers genuinely lifechanging and life-enhancing work to all areas of the Barnsley community and beyond under four main pillars – education, health, social inclusion and sports participation. A major factor in RitC’s work has been supporting those members of society who need it most, something that is more important than ever as the UK begins to overcome and move on from the pandemic. The link between football and the school meals debate has been apparent for months now, thanks in no small part to the admirable work of England forward Marcus Rashford.

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Reds in the Community have more than been doing their bit too, launching a Fit and Fed programme that has already engaged with over 200 young people. Fit and Fed is a targeted provision programme for young people aged eight-15 who are at risk of isolation or hunger during the school holidays. The sessions incorporate multi-sport activities and wellbeing workshops as well as providing free lunches for the most deprived areas of the local community. During school holidays, the coronavirus has and continues to impact on children’s lives inside of school. Having noted this, the charity began a Transition with the Reds initiative, which provides targeted support for children who are struggling with the transition back into attending school full-time after 18 months of disruption. Beyond Covid-19, the programme helps young people with any issues when progressing from primary school to secondary school. Reds in the Community’s work extends far beyond young people, with their Fit Reds health programme becoming a long-term success story for several years now. Fit Reds is aimed at improving

adult health and wellbeing through the delivery of structured physical activity sessions coupled with lifestyle workshops. Originally beginning with male participants, the 8-week programme has expanded to female-only groups too, which are delivered at Oakwell Stadium as well as at a number of community hubs. The results of the scheme speak for themselves. During recent programmes, 100% of participants lost weight and around 70% of men and women

lowered their blood pressure. Beyond that, the ongoing impact of the initiative saw over 85% participants increase their physical activity levels. Just as looking after physical health is important, the impact of Covid-19 on the country’s mental health cannot be understated – and is another clear benefit of the Fit Reds programme, largely due to the social aspect. Supporting this area has been a long-term target of the charity through a number of initiatives. Another 8-week programme, Safety Nets, seeks to

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Feature: Charitable Causes, Promotion & Partnership help young people experiencing mental health struggles to develop skills including resilience and selfconfidence. The charity’s work is about prevention as much as it is about cure. Another programme, Team Talk, aims to do exactly that. Team Talk is a low-level mental health initiative where local men can meet and talk about issues in a relaxed environment. Subtly breaking the stigma, particularly for male mental health, is a priority for RitC, just as it is for wider society in the UK. Football is for everyone, and the charity ensures that this continues to be the case through a number of social inclusion initiatives. As well as the aforementioned areas of society, RitC has delivered longstanding support for those with disabilities and, in recent years, refugees who are looking to settle into the area. Using the power of Barnsley FC and professional football, the charity has and will continue to bring the community together. The charity currently works with a number of funding partners including the EFL, PFA and local council. However, together, there is still so much more that RitC want to do to support those who need it most. If you or your company wish to help fund the charity’s vital work, please get in touch.

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Feature: Health in The Workplace

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Feature: Health in The Workplace

A healthy workplace There’s a business case for making sure your staff are happy with their working environment. A healthy, happy workplace can help raise morale, improve productivity and minimise staff turnover. But what can employers do to champion employee wellbeing? Take mental health seriously Work can be a big cause of stress to your employees, which may not only effect their job performance but can an also take a toll on their relationships and overall health. Long hours and high levels of stress are common triggers for mental health issues, as well as fears of redundancy, a lack of control and increasing expectations, all of which can lead to a burn out. There are number of steps an employer can take to support mental health in the workplace. Discuss the needs of your staff, and what they feel that you as an employer can do to help them to reduce or manage stress. Give your managers the necessary training they need to better support employees with mental heath issues, and show them that you value their health and wellbeing.

Look after employee physical health For a great number of people, going to work means spending a large portion of the day sitting at a desk in front of a computer. For others, it can mean being on their feet for hours at a time. Over time, the physical effects of work could have a negative impact on the health of your employees, so it’s important to encourage healthy habits. Encourage regular short breaks away from computer screens, and provide guidance on how to maintain a healthy posture when sitting at a desk for long periods of time. You can also encourage your staff to take a short, brisk stroll on their lunch breaks, or implement a cycle-to-work scheme. Additional benefits, such as private healthcare, free eye-tests and gym discounts are all valuable perks that will demonstrate your commitment to employee health.

Flexible working The standard nine-to-five workday has come under scrutiny since the Covid-19 pandemic, with studies suggesting it’s not the most productive or

‘Offering a pleasant and comfortable working environment can improve wellbeing’

healthy schedule for a growing number of workers. Allowing your workers some flexibility to balance their work and personal lives can have a hugely positive impact on their wellbeing. While allowing your staff to come and go as they please might not be the most practical option for most employers, it is a good idea to offer a degree of flexibility wherever possible. For example, do your staff have to take their lunch break at the same time everyday, or can they choose the hour most convenient to their workload? Is there the possibility to allow staff to work from home a few days a week? Giving your employees greater control over their hours can reduce stress, improve morale and boost productivity. Offering flexible working hours is also a great tool for recruitment, as it demonstrates your commitment to the wellbeing of your staff.

Improve the working environment Most people spend the majority of their waking hours at work, so offering a pleasant and comfortable working environment can improve wellbeing, morale and productivity. A simple place to start is with temperature and lighting. Is your workplace too hot, too cold or too draughty, and if so, what can be done to achieve an ambient temperature? Does your workplace get enough natural light, and if not, can you install daylight bulbs to mimic this effect? If you workplace is a little bland, or even austere, a few simple touches can help brighten up the space. Hanging artwork, buying a few plants (making sure you appoint someone to water them) and encouraging staff to de-clutter their workspaces can all help improve the look and feel of a workplace. Additionally, installing a comfortable break area can provide a space for your staff to socialise and relax in away from their desks. Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 71

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Feature: Health in The Workplace

T: 0333 090 6174 E: sales@empowerplan.co.uk W: empowerplan.co.uk

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Taking control of your taps By Marie Coombes (pictured), Chief Executive Officer, We Restore Calm

s you’re reading this, how are you feeling? Are you relaxed and optimistic about your day, workload and personal life, or are you overwhelmed and feel things are moving beyond your control? If you answered yes to the second part of that question, you might be feeling the symptoms of stress. While not a psychiatric diagnosis like depression or anxiety, stress is closely linked to how positive your mental health is; It enjoys a cause-and-effect relationship with mental ill-health. If it’s not kept in check, over time, stress can trigger an issue. If you are the one-in-four living with a mental health condition, not dealing with stress can worsen that condition. It’s not always a bad thing; we need a certain amount of stress to survive and thrive as it triggers our fight or flight response. The problem comes when those stress levels become uncontrollable. Bearing this in mind, you may notice that some people can deal with a much higher stress level than others; indeed, you may know those who feel they cannot function without it. Others reach their limit far quicker. This brings me to the stress bucket, a concept that explains why some people can be more vulnerable to stress and potentially other mental health concerns than others.

Filling up the bucket Imagine for a moment you are carrying a bucket. Throughout the day, water, representing everyday challenges we all face, flows into your bucket, adding to the water from yesterday. The size of that bucket varies from person to person representing your vulnerability to stress and mental health concerns. You have little control over this; it hinges on genetics, your background and how you’ve dealt with past trauma. The more issues you have had in your life, the smaller your bucket and the greater your vulnerability. As your day continues, you fall out with a co-worker, then your manager asks you to take the lead on a project which will mean long days for the next few weeks. You have childcare concerns now you are returning to the office; your partner works from home and will not appreciate you working long hours. The other elements of your role don’t get the attention they need, plus this weekend you're getting together with 74 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

friends you've not seen in person for months. Suppose that wasn't enough; as a backdrop to that, there is a significant major change project in progress from which you are concerned your role may be significantly altered going forward or disappear altogether. You may have started the day with little water in your bucket, but as the day has gone on, it’s fast approaching full. When the water doesn’t reach the top of the bucket, you may feel your stress levels are under control. An overflowing bucket leads to overwhelm, that point where life gets too much, and you’re unable to deal with the stress in your bucket or take on any more. Your mental wellbeing is affected, and you may even see physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems and lethargy.

Effective water taps Reducing the water level relies on the use of taps, but beware of false or blocked taps. These are the things that, in the long term, are the unhelpful things we do to cope. They are temporary fixes or, indeed, may make matters worse. You stay up later to get work done during the week, then spend most of your weekend sleeping. You procrastinate, shifting the stress from an immediate problem to one that could increase in magnitude later. The aim is to find effective water taps; those that allow the water to flow out of our buckets freely. These include having a good support network, eating healthily, getting regular fresh air and taking time for our hobbies and interests. We often see self-care as something selfish when it’s vital to our wellbeing as, without it, we can't be an effective tap for others or perform at our best. A general rule of thumb is that stress is generally something we are comfortable talking about, while stigma still surrounds mental health conditions. By talking about the things that fill our buckets and taking control of our taps, we can normalise and have more meaningful conversations around our mental wellbeing, encouraging and supporting others to gain greater control of their taps. To learn more about how to help yourself and others, consider becoming a Mental Health First Aider. Courses are available nationwide.

‘The aim is to find effective water taps; those that allow the water to flow out of our buckets freely’

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Feature: Health in The Workplace

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Sector Focus

The latest news from Sheffield City Region businesses operating in the Legal, Corporate Hospitality, Finance, Manufacturing and Skills & Training sectors.

New team member brings experience to hospitality group outh Yorkshire’s leading independent pub, bar, and restaurant group have recruited a new member to its sales and events team. Lucy Allen (pictured) has joined True North Brew Co. as Sales and Events Manager, bringing more than 10 years of industry experience to her new role. In her new position, Lucy is responsible for gin sales across both brands Sheffield Dry Gin and Leeds Gin. Whilst also providing exceptional support to True North customers in the South Yorkshire region, including those planning celebrations, corporate events, networking, and private meetings. Prior to becoming Sales and Events Manager, Lucy held titles of Assistant Manager and Duty Manager at two of True North Brew Co.’s venues; The Common Room and The York. With her years of service in the hospitality industry, Lucy has an unparalleled wealth of experience that she has brought to the existing sales team. Talking about what is key in the industry she said: “Listen, be flexible and communicate! Each event is different, and it is vital to establish what is important to your customer. As a team we understand that not everybody wants the same thing and that helps us push our boundaries as well to doing something above and beyond for our customers. “I also represent Sheffield Dry Gin and Leeds Gin, two premium Yorkshire spirits and have the pleasure of seeing them stocked in bars and shops across the region whilst being able to send them out to my network as corporate gifts.”

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True North Brew Co. operates 14 venues across Yorkshire and is known for delivering excellent eating and drinking experiences as well as producing gin, True North Beer, Sheffield Vodka, and coffee. In Sheffield, three venues are situated in the Devonshire Quarter and include Forum Kitchen + Bar, The Common Room, and The Old House. The Riverside Kelham is based just outside the City Centre in the upcoming area of Kelham Island. Taking you directly out of the city and into the surrounding suburbs of Hillsborough, Crookes and Broomhill is The Horse & Jockey, The York, The Old Grindstone and The Punch Bowl. While Sheffield’s most notable venues, The Broadfield and The Waggon and Horses are within walking distance of each other in the residential ward of Nether Edge. Make your way out of Sheffield and you'll find rustic favourites, The British Oak in Mosborough and The Blue Stoops in Dronfield. To complete the portfolio, Barnsley is home to The Crown and Anchor and The Milton Arms. Those looking to celebrate the festive season either with colleagues or friends have been given an exclusive Chamber Connect discount. Book your party for January 2022 in any True North venue and receive free venue hire and 20% off prepaid food and drink. Simply quote ‘Chamber21’ on enquiry. True North Brew Co.’s bookings team are available from Monday-Saturday between 9am - 5pm to assist you with event enquiries. Please give them a call on 0114 280 8222.

‘As a team we understand that not everybody wants the same thing’

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Sector Focus:Corporate Hospitality

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Sector Focus:Corporate Hospitality

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Sector Focus:Corporate Hospitality

Why a virtual Christmas party is the perfect option ave you booked your Christmas party yet? It’s a tricky call to make this year, but Investors In Community have got the perfect solution to keep your team safe, connected and make sure they have a night to remember. Bring together your team this Christmas with their specially created Virtual Christmas Parties, while raising money for charity. Why have a virtual Christmas party?

• Keep everyone safe, leave no one out • Invite hundreds of guests, colleagues and customers • Save your pocket and the planet with the greener way to party • Avoid disruption with potential restrictions & dropout rates due to self-isolation • Choose from three fantastic packages including professional entertainers, mixologists, wine experts, comedians and dancers who will have your guests making memories they’ll talk about all through 2022. • Support good causes and help others as a team, in the true Spirit of Christmas.

To really bring the party home they deliver a cocktail package to each participant before the event, for an interactive cocktail making class led by a London mixologist. And to make sure your team dance the night away a professional dancer will get everyone out of their seats and having fun. Best of all, you’ll be giving back! Investors In Community will support you as you choose your cause and set up your fundraising project in advance of the event, with marketing support to extend the reach of your project to maximise your fundraising efforts and then they will report back on the real impact you’ve made to your local community. For each guest that attends your event £10 donation will automatically be donated to your chosen charity or good cause.

‘Why have a virtual Christmas party?’

Chesterfield-based Investors In Community and YES Entertainment’s parties are a fully interactive virtual experience, run by a party host along with professional entertainers of your choice, such as comedians or magicians and more!

Furthermore, the first £100 raised outside of the £10 donations per event attendee will be match funded by Investors in Community. Full details can be found here: investorsincommunity.org/virtualchristmasparty

These parties are booking up quickly now, get in touch now if you would you like to know more. The Investors In Community team are available for a call to discuss this anytime! Autumn 2021 CHAMBER connect 79

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Sector Focus:Legal

Mason Thomas Law adds Property Solicitor Candice heffield-based Mason Thomas Law has appointed experienced Commercial Property Solicitor Candice Birch. Making the move from Wilford Smith, Candice joins the growing law firm that is based near Sheffield Parkway and headed by solicitor and Managing Director Cathy Thomas. Candice’s brings seven years’ experience in the commercial property sectors to her new role at Mason Thomas Law, including roles at Ironmonger Curtis, Taylor Bracewell and international law firm Nabarro LLP (now CMS). Cathy Thomas said: “We’re delighted to welcome Candice to the Mason Thomas Law team. Her strong experience in the commercial property sector is a real asset and further strengthens our capabilities in the market.” Candice began her career as a property paralegal in 2011 after

Leading the way for family law Sheffield’s Taylor&Emmet LLP remains one of the region’s top firms of solicitors for family law, according to definitive industry guide, The Legal 500. In total, the firm is listed in six areas of the 2022 edition, and Head of Family Law, Michaela Evans (pictured), retains her position as a ‘leading individual.’ The family law team is described as “very experienced” and noted for having a strong track record in private children and domestic abuse cases. Michaela is described as an “outstanding matrimonial finance solicitor,” while her colleague and Legal Aid Manager, Lucy Rodgers, is highlighted as “another important name to note”. Taylor&Emmet is recognised in tier two of The Legal 500 for contentious probate work and four teams are ranked in tier three, including clinical negligence and personal injury, which is praised as “a beacon of quality in a world of increasingly commoditised personal injury litigation”. Also in tier three is the “very well rounded” wills and probate team and the corporate and commercial department, which is noted for its work with the manufacturing and industrial sectors. Steve Hinshelwood, Taylor&Emmet’s Chief Executive, said: “We are very pleased to achieve another strong showing in this year’s The Legal 500 and to see our exemplary family law team retain its well-deserved tier one status. The recognition we receive is thanks to the many talented individuals working here, who demonstrate such dedication to their clients and profession and we are very proud of their continued efforts.”

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Candice Birch

completed a law degree at the University of Sheffield and then going on to study the LPC at BPP University achieving a distinction in a Legal Practice Course. Candice said: “Having both paralegal and solicitor experience is of real benefit to me and the clients I work with when it comes to getting deals over the line as I

have a deeper understanding of what is needed to ensure deadlines are met. “No two deals are the same as every property and client is different which is something I love about commercial property law.” “I already feel part of the team and have been made to feel welcome. The team at Mason Thomas Law is very much hands on and I really enjoy that aspect of how they work as I love getting involved with the deals,” she added. Outside work, Candice enjoys travelling and playing tennis. Established in 2020, Mason Thomas Law’s commitment to providing a hands-on service has led to the firm becoming the go-to choice for deadline-driven property deals. Most recently, the firm acted on behalf of Lykke, a Danish themed eatery that opened in New Era Square in August.

Caption needed here Caption needed here

Firm expands conveyancing team Chadwick Lawrence LLP are continuing to grow their legal offering as part of long-term plans to expand their services across Yorkshire. With an influx of conveyancing work in Bradford, Chadwick Lawrence created a new team of conveyancers to head up the Bradford office. A strong team of eight have now built a good reputation for their conveyancing offering within the Bradford community. In December 2020 the firm appointed a new Projects Manager, Amanda Ambler, to lead and build the Conveyancing team at the Bradford office. Amanda has considerable experience within previous legal firms and since then has built up her team of eight recruiting reliable and skilled colleagues she has worked with previously. Amongst the team recruited was Vicky Sneddon, who joined as a

Conveyancing Fee Earner and progressed quickly to Team Conveyancing Leader. The full team now consists of Lynda Harland, Michelle Helliwell and Afra Khan who are all Conveyancing Fee Earners. Alongside Zoe Hudson a Trainee Conveyancer, and Kayla Falkingham and Sarah Dewhirst who are Conveyancing Assistants. Managing Partner Neil Wilson said: “Our aim as a company is always to grow the business across Yorkshire. In particular the Bradford office, which we took a risk with and pushed on with expansion during a difficult time in 2020. Amanda’s drive and enthusiasm has helped significantly, and we now have a great team at our Bradford location. With the wider Conveyancing team excelling in tough times they are all a credit to the firm.”

‘Our aim as a company is always to grow the business across Yorkshire’

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Sector Focus:Legal

To find out more visit: www.foys.co.uk Email: enquiries@foys.co.uk

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Sector Focus:Finance

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Sector Focus:Finance

Belmayne in charity challenge A

quintet from Dronfieldbased Belmayne Independent Chartered Financial Planners has raised more than £500 for the firm’s charity fund by scaling Yorkshire’s three highest peaks. The team completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on behalf of the Belmayne Foundation, which supports small local charities. Belmayne partner, Martin Birch, financial planner, Chris Pond and his partner, Isabelle O’Leary, plus administrators, Tracy Knight and Laura Birch, completed the challenge in 11 hours and 44 minutes. Setting off from Ingleborough at 6am, they then tackled Pen-y-ghent and Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales, totalling 5,200 feet of ascent. All money raised from the challenge will be split equally between the Belmayne Foundation’s nominated charities for 2021, FareShare Yorkshire, Pathways of Chesterfield, Nenna Kind and Helen’s Trust. Belmayne partner, Martin Birch, said: “This is by far the hardest

The team from Belmayne Independent Chartered Financial Planners

‘This is by far the hardest challenge we have undertaken’ challenge we have undertaken yet for our charities! We had tears, blisters and mental blocks, but we worked as a team and pushed on through, stopping occasionally to enjoy the

beautiful views. I would like to thank all of the clients, friends and family who sponsored us. Their support kept us going and I know the money we raised will be gratefully received by our nominated charities.”

For more information about the work of the Belmayne Foundation, visit: www.belmayne-ifa.com/charity Call: (01246) 298181 Follow the firm on Twitter: @belmayneifa.

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Sector Focus:Manufacturing

The Marsden team with their Queen’s Award

Queen’s Award success lifts growth for weighing specialist A

Rotherham-based healthcare and industrial manufacturing company has successfully signed up five new international distributors across Europe and South East Asia since their Queen’s Award win for the Marsden Patient Transfer Scale. The presentation of the award was made to Chief Executive Mark Holdaway during a special visit to Marsden by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Mr Andrew Coombe, who presented the company with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. The presentation was also attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, as well as the local Chamber of Commerce. Marsden earned the prestigious award, in recognition for the work undertaken to pioneer and develop the unique Patient Transfer Scale, which helps to ensure an accurate weight is taken prior to vital lifesaving treatment for patients admitted to hospital. Co-invented by nurse Gillian Taylor, Marsden worked with its partners including Scottish Health Innovations Limited and NHS Lanarkshire to develop Gillian’s original idea and successfully launched it in 2018. Today, the product can be found in more than 65% of all NHS Trusts across the UK and it is also sold worldwide. The success of Marsden’s Patient 84 CHAMBER connect Autumn 2021

Transfer Scale has coincided with a significant period of growth for the business and has also seen the company create a number of new roles within the business, including the appointment of a new Product and Commercial Director, who will be responsible for developing more new innovative products within the healthcare sector. Following the success enjoyed with its Patient Transfer Scale, Marsden has also recently launched a new portable weighing scale, designed to help community-based nurses and health visitors take accurate weight measurements of

wheelchair-bound patients. Mark Holdaway, Chief Executive at Marsden, said: “Receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise from the Lord Lieutenant was, without doubt, the highlight of a very special year for Marsden, one which saw us celebrate our 95th anniversary. “The success of the Patient Transfer Scale is the result of the observations of a nurse, who spotted an opportunity to solve a patient care problem. Working with our partners we were able to help her transform her initial idea into a highly effective product which helps thousands of healthcare workers across the world to obtain accurate weights for critically ill patients, enabling potentially lifesaving medication to be administered. Gillian Taylor continues to work as a Clinical Consultant for Marsden to help engage and support UK and international customers. “Since securing the Queen’s Award, we’ve not rested on our laurels. We have enjoyed a significant period of growth enabling us to invest in expanding

internationally, bring new products to market, create new jobs and ultimately help healthcare professionals to deliver a better patient experience.” Mr Andrew Coombe, Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, said: “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise was created to recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses across the UK and with a long history of innovation and the success Marsden has achieved with its Patient Transfer Scale, the award is well deserved. “Marsden is a terrific example of the incredible work which is being undertaken by the manufacturing sector in South Yorkshire. The success they have enjoyed is helping to showcase the incredible work being undertaken by businesses across the region.” Established in 1926, Marsden specialises in producing a range of bespoke weighing solutions to the healthcare, veterinary and industrial sectors. In 2001 the company opened a dedicated manufacturing facility within Rotherham and is a member of the UK Weighing Federation and is accredited by SGS Limited.

‘Since securing the Queen’s Award, we’ve not rested on our laurels’

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Sector Focus:Manufacturing

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

Leadership lessons from lockdown By Jonathan Cooper (pictured), Coach and Founder of The Unlearning Company s we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic it is becoming apparent that things are not simply reverting back to how they were. In my role as a coach, conversations are increasingly turning to the challenges of returning to face-to-face engagement. It is surprising that returning to the way humans have engaged for millennia, is proving to be so difficult; and after such a relatively short interruption. Or is it? We are creatures of habit. It took us a while to unlearn face-to-face interaction and develop remote ways of working. Let’s not be in too much of hurry though. Here are three things I believe are beneficial for our businesses. Firstly, let’s continue to recognise our shared human experience. The African philosophy of Ubuntu has been so relevant during lockdown. Ubuntu, often translated “I am because we are” recognises that none of us thrive in isolation. We need the company of others and authentic relationships. During lockdown, through our virtual interactions, we metaphorically worked around one another’s dining tables and in each other lounges’. Our relationships deepened in authenticity as

we witnessed the wonderful unpredictability of our children, animals and scheduled deliveries! Let’s be mindful that right now we’re all unlearning lockdown life and exhibit the same compassion we did at the start of lockdown as we readjust. Accommodating the lockdown restrictions into our approach to work was tough and for some industries like hospitality, entertainment and retail impossible; and yet innovation thrived! In the early days the references to stoic Blitz spirit and “keep calm” quotes really grated on me. However, I was reminded that calm enables clear thinking and decision making; something we have traded for “busyness” resulting in a lack of clarity and work unfinished. During lockdown I developed a much calmer approach to work, which enabled innovation and that led to significantly more productive ways of working. So let me encourage you to recognise the activities that have worked well and intentionally adopt these into the way you work. Last but by no means least is the sense that lockdown created a common sense of purpose. We all recognised that whatever our role we

‘Let’s be mindful that right now we’re all unlearning lockdown life’

needed others to be successful. We were united in our determination to keep each other safe and deliver results to safeguard our livelihoods. Many leaders I speak to have been humbled by the efforts of their employees and many employees have recognised the personal sacrifices that their leaders made to secure their on-going employment. A critical component of the most successful transformational change programmes is “the why”; an imperative that is undeniable and understood by everyone. The pandemic was one such imperative. It created a common sense of purpose. The next few months look set to provide us with yet more challenges. So leaders, let me encourage you to reflect on your experience of leading in lockdown. What worked well? What requires improvement? Value this insight, refine your approach and become an even more accomplished leader.

Experience the impact of our work. Email us at: hello@theunlearningcompany.co.uk with “Experience Coaching” on the subject line by 1st January ’22 and be eligible for a FREE TASTER session for you or your team.

T: 0114 4000165 W: www.theunlearningcompany.co.uk

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

College to lead on professional development B arnsley College has received a Government grant to lead on a pilot programme to improve professional development for the further education (FE) workforce through FE provider collaboration. The £465,000 Department for Education (DfE) FE Professional Development Grants pilot (FEPDG), which will run in 2021/22, will focus on strengthening staff’s skills and confidence in using technology to deliver education, as well as subject-specific development to improve curriculum design and teaching, learning, and assessment. There will also be tailored support for the sector’s new and inexperienced teachers to help career progression and aid retention. In the skills for jobs white paper, the Government made a commitment to support the sector to strengthen the professional development and progression of the FE workforce. The national

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FEPDG pilot will help deliver that commitment by funding collaborative sector-led initiatives to improve FE professional development and support for staff within priority areas of need. Barnsley College will be a lead provider on the project with a range of partners including Bournemouth and Poole College, City of Bristol College, Nelson & Colne College, Oaklands College, Runshaw College, and Access to Music Ltd. The activity areas for the pilot include; covering the cost of additional teacher time to provide intensive support such as paired teaching, work shadowing and reduced workload; core induction programmes covering key areas of practice essential for new or inexperienced teachers to develop; and support for newly qualified teachers to broaden their experience of face-to-face teaching plus strengthen skills and confidence to undertake classroom

A Barnsley College student and tutor

and in-person delivery. Yiannis Koursis, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Barnsley College, said: “We are committed to delivering against the Government’s agenda of further professionalising the sector. This pilot scheme will do exactly that and is an exciting project to be leading on. “The programme will make a real difference to the support that new teachers receive in the early parts of their teaching careers, leading to improvements in workforce development and the standard of teaching in the sector by increasing

opportunities for FE and providers and staff to collaborate and share effective practice. “Ultimately, this will raise the standards and quality of FE across the country, providing students with the best teaching available, leading to better job prospects, increased skills and improved abilities to learn.” For information about courses at Barnsley College and Barnsley Sixth Form College call 01226 216 123, email info@barnsley.ac.uk or visit www.barnsley.ac.uk or www.barnsleysixthformcollege.co.uk

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Sector Focus: Skills & Training

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Chamber Connect

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Chamber Connect

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Chamber Connect

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www.rheintacho.com

sales@rheintacho.co.uk

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