MADE Sheffield
Issue 003
2011/12
Business/ ideas/ culture/ life/ sport/ Sheffield
SHEFFIELD GOES GLOBAL Festival showcases manufacturing revival. Pages 12-17
WOMEN OF SILVER Meet the city’s modern makers. Pages 30-35
READY, SET, GO Multi million sports programme unveiled. Pages 44-47
Future faces The next generation of engineering talent
CONTENTS What’s inside...
Editorial Nicole Green Hannah Brailey Katey Dent Claire Hill Matt Heason Michelle Clare Alex Buchanan Photography David Short Nigel Barker Steve Howse Produced by creative sheffield in association with Iris brendan moffett laura sissons Stephanie Barker
Going Global
Sheffield takes the reins to drive and nurture the ‘export-led’ recovery.
www.irisassociates.com
Printed in Sheffield by Evolution Print Ltd.
Meet the city’s modern makers.
Page 30
Page 04
Welcome to Sheffield
Enthusiasm Reaps Rewards
Sheffield recruits conference Katey Dent on why she loves Sheffield. ambassadors. Page 06
Page 38
SHEFFIELD CREATES
Ready, Set, Go
Page 08
Page 44
A City of Industry
Engineering a Digital Future
Page 12
Page 50
Our favourite unique gifts made in Sheffield.
Nicole Green looks at how Sheffield is reigniting the heartland.
DID YOU KNOW?
www.creativesheffield.co.uk
Women of Silver
Multi million sports programme unveiled.
Links between Sheffield’s digital and manufacturing strengths.
Sheffield Brand
Highlights from some of the world’s most innovative companies.
The changing face of the Sheffield business brand.
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Page 54
Adventure Capital
Cheers to Beer
Page 22
Page 60
A HALLMARK OF SUCCESS
What’s on in Sheffield
Matt Heason on why Sheffield attracts outdoor enthusiasts.
Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets on rebalancing the economy.
Alex Buchanan reviews the UK’s brewing scene.
Events Calendar.
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Premier Location for Business Front cover image: Hannah Berry, Sheffield Forgemasters International Apprentice.
Irwin Mitchell’s commitment to Sheffield. Page 29
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Going Global Professor Bill Speirs, The Master Cutler As many sectors across the UK are struggling, December 2010 saw UK manufacturing grow at its fastest rate in 16 years. What’s more, recent research by Lloyds TSB indicated that in January 2011, Yorkshire outperformed all UK regions in terms of business outputs, with the South West being the only exception. Private sector employment also increased most significantly within the region which was primarily driven by the manufacturing sector. Sheffield is at the heart of UK manufacturing and remains home to many of the world’s most innovative manufacturing and engineering organisations such as DavyMarkham, Sheffield Forgemasters and Firth Rixson. The city’s new Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is set to be the power behind the UK’s new build civil nuclear advanced manufacturing programme; and industry heavyweights Boeing and Rolls Royce are the driving force behind Sheffield University’s internationally acclaimed Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Sheffield is also home to some of the most innovative developments in environmental energy technology, including ITM Power (hydrogen power), Pulse Tidal (wave / tidal power) and the Siemens Wind Power Research Centre, and last, but by no means least, Sheffield is still widely renowned for its unrivalled heritage in the steel industry – producing a higher value of steel now than in the 1970s.
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With manufacturing and engineering showing such significant strength in Sheffield, it seems only right that the city should take the reins to drive and nurture the ‘export-led’ recovery which has been outlined by central government. However, this is set to be a challenge given a recent announcement made by the British Chambers of Commerce which highlighted a shocking reluctance among manufacturing SMEs to export due to lack of finance, restrictive regulations and language barriers. Existing exporters are reportedly doing well, however this has been swamped by the huge rise in imports to the country.
Given the weakness of the pound, there is no better time for manufacturing and engineering companies to export. This is why Sheffield is hosting the Global Manufacturing Festival in March 2011 in order to address these issues head on.
growth in the sector such as finance, access to buyers, regulations and skills.
This activity has received strong praise from Mark Prisk MP – the Minister of State for Business & Enterprise, the Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon Nick Clegg MP and some global names from the The festival, which runs in association industry who will all descend on the city during the festival. Sheffield has with EEF, the Financial Times and confidently stepped up to the mark The Manufacturer, and is sponsored to play its part in the economic fight by Nabarro LLP and Firth Rixon, will back, helping the ‘export-shy’ to become the place where leaders break into new markets, and ensuring gather from the worlds or politics, that the ‘export-led’ recovery is truly education, manufacturing and Made in Sheffield. engineering, to discuss, debate and highlight the burning issues around
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“ With manufacturing and engineering showing such significant strength in Sheffield, it seems only right that the city should take the reins to drive and nurture the ‘export-led’ recovery which has been outlined by central government.”
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WELCOME TO
Sheffield By Katey Dent
I
just love Sheffield. I came to the city in 1994 to study Hospitality at Sheffield Hallam University. Roll forward to the present day and I not only live in Sheffield, but work here too - at the four star Rutland hotel in leafy Broomhill. I guess I am one of the statistics that says that more Sheffield students stay on and live in the city compared to any other city. I can see why, and am the ‘proof in the pudding’! I have seen Sheffield change so much over the years, and all for the better. Over this time, Sheffield has established itself as a cosmopolitan city with its unique array of offerings. The redevelopment of the city centre, the Peace Gardens, Leopold Square and the new Sheffield Station are all just fantastic. New restaurants and bars just keep opening which makes Sheffield a great place to come to, and the shopping is great, both in the city centre and at Meadowhall. Being one of the greenest cities also helps! What really makes Sheffield unique though is the people. People have always said this about the city, and will continue to say it. They are the friendliest, loveliest people I have ever met. Fact!
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It is a pleasure to work at one of the city’s leading hotels. We believe heavily in partnership working, and have a great relationship with the city’s stakeholders, including Sheffield International Venues. “ Sheffield has a great co-ordinated and professional approach to organising such large events in the city.” There are so many exciting events happening this year and next year. The sporting calendar for 2011 is just amazing – National Table Tennis Championships, World Snooker and Yorkshire International Show Jumping – to name but a few! As an accommodation provider we are looking forward to welcoming visitors from around the world to Sheffield. The Liberal Democrat Spring Conference and the Global Manufacturing Festival will bring a real buzz and focus attention on Sheffield in March – and why not! We already have many visitors staying with us for this event, and many others including The British Universities Championships and MADE: The Entrepreneur Festival. issue 003 2011/12
Sheffield has a great co-ordinated and professional approach to organising such large events in the city. The Sheffield Convention Bureau does a great job of selling our venues and organising and taking bookings for accommodation. This must leave a great impression to event organisers coming into Sheffield – lets hope they come back again soon! “ What really makes Sheffield unique though is the people. People have always said this about the city, and will continue to say it. They are the friendliest, loveliest people I have ever met. Fact!” So, on a personal note – would I ever head back to living in the Country (I am a farmer’s daughter after all)? The answer is no. Sorry Mum and Dad but I love Sheffield way too much! www.welcometosheffield.co.uk
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Sheffield creates Sheffield is not simply a place where great ideas take place. It’s a city that makes them happen, it makes ideas real. Sheffield is a city that favours craft and ingenuity, fuelled by a strong spirit of creativity and innovation. If you’re looking for a unique Sheffield gift, then here is a very small selection of some of our favourite products made in Sheffield…
Wilson Cycles For over 60 years Wilson Cycles have been building bespoke bicycles from their Mr Benn style shop on Sheffield’s City Road. Upon his return home from the beaches of Dunkirk, Wilson Cycles founder, Jim Wilson opened this marvellous bicycle emporium. It has now passed to his son, Nigel, who restored the beautiful bike shown here with the greatest care and enthusiasm. If you’re a fan of all things carbon, lycra and rubber then do drop in to this wondrous little place. www.wilsoncycles.co.uk
Sheffield Honey Company Mmmmm. In a field on the edge of the city you’ll find Sheffield bees busy making Sheffield honey. The Sheffield Honey Company is an artisan producer of premium quality honey. They also offer beekeeping lessons for those who fancy donning the big white suit. The company have hives all across Sheffield, producing Blossom, Soft Set and (our favourite) English Heather. So, for a true taste of the city, pick up one of these beautifully packaged sweet treats at PJ Taste in the city centre or Beanies in Crookes. www.sheffield-honey.co.uk
Our Favourite Places Our Favourite Places is an independent guide to the best of Sheffield’s cafés, restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, parks and more. Featuring a handpicked
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selection of over 50 venues, the book is a celebration of Sheffield’s hidden gems.Designed by Eleven, a creative team that live and work in the city, Our Favourite Places champions independence, focusing on unique places that can only be found in Sheffield. It reveals places that visitors to the city might not otherwise find, and that many locals may not yet have stumbled across. The book can be found at many city centre venues including the Site Gallery, Millennium Galleries and Waterstones. www.ourfaveplaces.co.uk
DesignedMade fruit bowl and coasters Okay, so these beauties are not technically made in Sheffield... instead they are laser cut over the border in Rotherham... but they're just so graphic-fantastic we had to include them. Plus we love the ethos of DesignedMade; they are committed to supporting the UK craft and manufacturing industries by designing and making all of their wonderful products in Yorkshire. Bravo! To see the family of products and find stockists visit www.designedmade.co.uk
Katey Felton Henderson’s Relish set Your Henderson's Relish will now be able to take pride of place on the dinner table as designer Katey Felton has created an exclusive range of accessories for the bottle, including a silver coaster for the bottle to sit in and a silver lid to top things off nicely. Each coaster is handmade at Katey’s city centre studio in Britannia silver and laser-engraved with the Henderson’s Relish logo. To make them even more special, only 50 will be made and laser-engraved with it’s own limited edition number. Each piece in the range will undoubtedly become a highly-sought after collectors’ items and antiques of the future. www.kateyfelton.com
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Nigel Barker Photography. 09
Sheffield creates
Nigel Barker Photography.
We Live Here print We Live Here prints and products celebrate the buildings and scenes that define where we live. These pared-down diagrammatical illustrations by We Live Here founder, Jonathan Wilkinson, perfectly capture some of Sheffield’s more unconventionally beautiful buildings. Jonathan’s lovingly illustrated work, inspired by the Bauhaus movement, show just how beautiful large concrete buildings can be. We Live Here prints can be found at West End Pictures on Sharrow Vale Road and Rare & Racy on Devonshire Street. www.welivehere.co.uk
Kettle of Fish brooches These delightful brooches from Kettle of Fish are a recent discovery. Handmade in Sheffield, Kettle of Fish create original and unique jewellery and decorative items made from vintage images and quirky finds. Think birds, bees, butterflies and handsome strongmen... choose from one-offs, limited editions or something commissioned to your own unique taste. Kettle of Fish jewellery can be found at one of Sheffield’s loveliest shops, The Old Sweet Shop in Nether Edge. www.folksy.com/shops/ KettleofFish
Edwin Jagger shaving set Sheffield is world renowned for the quality of its manufacturing and the skill of its craftsmen. Edwin Jagger’s elegant shaving sets embody all that is good about the tag ‘Handmade in Sheffield’. It’s all in the detail. Handles are polished for 50 hours... brushes are hand filled with the softest, finest badger hair... this is why Edwin Jagger has become Europe’s leading manufacturer of all things shaving, and known globally for the quality of their products.
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See for yourself. Edwin Jagger products can be found at Fortnum & Mason, Harrods Barbershop, plus a number of smaller independent shops. To purchase the products online visit www.edwinjagger.com
Sheffield music Sheffield has many well known musical sons – Oakey, Turner, Hawley, Fry, Christie and Cocker (Jarvis and Joe). The best place to arm yourself with a selection from our finest local crooners is not on the high street but in the legendary Record Collector on Fulwood Road, Broomhill. Beloved by Sheffielders, this Sheffield music institution has been open for over twenty five years and embodies the city’s imaginative and diverse musical pedigree. 233 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BA
David Mellor Design tray, cutlery and cast iron candle holder Sheffield based David Mellor Design is internationally recognised. His circular cutlery factory at Hathersage is a must for design and architecture fans alike. Mellor’s beautiful and elegant cutlery is made here and visitors can book a tour of the building to watch the craftsmen at work. We feel incredibly lucky to have this place on our doorstep, it’s one of the highlights of the Peak District. www.davidmellordesign.com
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the
Re ignit ing
A city of industry takes Centre-stage
heart land
Amy 12 Pryce, Firth Rixson Apprentice.
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s part of his mission to “fix Britain’s broken economy,” Prime Minister David Cameron has set a clear and difficult challenge for the UK’s manufacturing industry.
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This growing contribution is no stronger than in the heartland of manufacturing. As steel production soars by 50% - the opportunities for this steel city are plentiful.
It is an industry that, in recent years, has been left in the shadows; hidden behind the star industries of technology and financial services which seemed to represent the future model of British economic success.
It is no accident that David Cameron highlighted the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) as a shape of things to come, a role model in new ways of bringing research and business together.
According to the Minister for Trade, Lord Green, most people in the UK “grossly underestimate” the value of manufacturing and there is a lingering perception gap between the reputation and the reality of the contribution manufacturing makes to the UK economy.
The industry currently accounts for about 12 per cent of gross domestic product, contributing £140bn per annum to the UK economy and making us the world’s sixth-largest manufacturer by output.
However, recent performance within the UK manufacturing sector has called that viewpoint into question. Manufacturing activity in the UK is strong, with recent data showing growth at its fastest pace in 16 years.
As such, the nation’s manufacturers have been identified as pivotal in the Prime Minister’s plans to ‘rebalance the economy’ and the pressure is on for the sector to deliver tangible and sustained economic growth.
As focus grows on emerging markets and renewable energy sources the industry is evolving at an unprecedented rate.
years. As a result, government and industry must focus on replacing highly skilled workers and up-skilling or re-skilling the existing workforce.“
However, as the economy lurches forward, manufacturers need to hold their nerve and future-proof the industry by boosting investment in skills, plants and technology. Jeurgen Maier is Managing Director of Siemens Industry UK and will come to Sheffield as part of the Global Manufacturing Festival: Sheffield, hosted by the city in March. As a leading figure in manufacturing, he understands the opportunities facing the industry, as well as the challenges ahead.
The Festival itself, which is in its inaugural year, aims to reinstate the Sheffield region and the UK at the heart of manufacturing expertise and innovation.
“Strong investment in skills and training is vital for a more productive, competitive manufacturing industry. However, the skills needed by manufacturers are set to be in short supply in the medium term.
The city is a natural home for such a celebration of industry – South Yorkshire is a central hub of this sector and at its heart is Sheffield, where some of the leading businesses in the UK scene are building on a longstanding heritage of expertise, innovation and quality.
“Manufacturing alone will need at least 600,000 workers at apprentice and technician level over the next 10
It will address the key issues driving the manufacturing debate, drawing globally recognised industry leaders to the city with speakers including Deputy Prime Minster Rt. Hon Nick Clegg; Sir Roger Bone, President of Boeing; and Mike Tynan, VicePresident of Westinghouse.
Events like the Global Manufacturing Festival are crucial to improving the reputation of manufacturing and bridging the gap between education and industry.
In no area is the debate more current than in nuclear. As pressure grows to provide renewable energy sources, there is a $2100bn commitment globally to new-build nuclear plants. The UK is exploiting opportunities and the Sheffield region is pivotal in its international offering.
The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) is a unique opportunity for the region to become the focal point for nuclear supply chain in the UK.
Rolls Royce have now chosen South Yorkshire as the location for their $70m civil nuclear factory which will boost the manufacturing strength of both nuclear and non-nuclear “ Sheffield has been given a unique construction within the region and see opportunity and responsibility to work on the UK nuclear supply chain.” the demand for support services soar.
Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
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working hard on an image that pays tribute to its manufacturing heritage. At the heart of this mission is a need to battle myths surrounding manufacturing, breaking down barriers and changing the damaged perception of manufacturing and the contribution it makes to the UK economy.
Richard Wright, Executive Director of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Manufacturing Task Group, said: “Sheffield has been given a unique opportunity and responsibility to work on the UK nuclear supply chain. “This delivers a huge inward investment potential to the region and we’re as well placed as we have ever been to exploit the opportunity and deliver the benefits.” Further to its nuclear offering, the region is home to some of the leading performance businesses in the UK. These are globally recognised advanced manufacturing companies, providing specialist skills and innovative products internationally. It is no accident that David Cameron highlighted the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) as a shape of things to come, a role model in new ways of bringing research and business together.
In particular, the Global Manufacturing Festival will focus on the need to battle the lagging perception held about the industry, and the damaging effects this will have on inspiring the next-generation of engineering talent. This year, Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable was vocal
about the negative perceptions surrounding manufacturing in the UK – it is a concern felt by those in industry as well as by government. Jeurgen Maier delivers a similar warning: “The manufacturing industry needs to work in partnership with the coalition government to promote the benefits, value and excitement of a manufacturing career. “A greater focus is required to attract the next generation of skilled workers into manufacturing by promoting the industry to the 11-16 age group and at vocational level.
“Alongside engineering and science in general, manufacturing has suffered from a poor image amongst young people for many years which has resulted in the stark statistic that only 18% of 11-16 year olds see a career in manufacturing and engineering as desirable.”
Events like the Global Manufacturing Festival, are crucial to improving the reputation of manufacturing and bridging the gap between education and industry. National debate has more recently written off manufacturing, but it is a major component of the British economic recovery.
the UK needs to back manufacturer’s winners and Sheffield is leading the pack.
For recent progress to become a trend, rather than a highlight, the UK needs to back manufacturer’s winners and Sheffield is leading the pack.
As pressure grows to provide renewable energy sources, there is a $2100bn commitment globally to newbuild nuclear plants. The UK is exploiting opportunities and the Sheffield region is pivotal in its international offering.
In recent years, the city’s heritage has been bolstered by a new focus on high-value manufacturing, with firstclass research & development driven by two major Universities. this renaissance in the city has not come with complacency. Sheffield is working hard on an image that pays tribute to its manufacturing heritage. The AMRC is at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, acting as a symbol of the regenerated potential in the UK for skills and expertise. This renaissance in the city has not come with complacency. Sheffield is Chris Parkin, AESSEAL Apprentice.
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Did you know? Sheffield is at the heartbeat of UK manufacturing and remains home to many of the world’s most innovative engineering organisations...
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Adventure
Capital Of The By Matt Heason
It’s a phrase that bugs me a little really. How do you qualify as an ‘adventure capital’? Lots of places lay claim to it. Fort William and Keswick to name two. But, because of its modesty, Sheffield has never really staked its claim for the accolade. Well, let’s have a look at whether it should.
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elcome To Yorkshire have just produced a massive run of little booklets highlighting all the adventurous things there are to do in the county, from climbing and mountain biking to caving and surfing. Add to that the fact that the Peak District is primarily within Derbyshire, and there may just be an argument for a local claim. I've read that the Peaks are generally considered the best place in the country to go mountain biking.
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UK.
Sheffield City Council and a dedicated group of volunteers (This Is Sheffield / Ride Sheffield) have massively raised the profile of biking within the city, with a whole bunch of purpose built tracks to be built at Parkwood Springs (not far from the Ski Village). Sheffield’s S7 postal code is reputed to have the highest density of rock climbers anywhere on the planet Sheffield's S7 postal code is reputed to have the highest density of rock climbers anywhere on the planet (I certainly moved to the city for the climbing and I know a whole load more people who did the same). The city has 4 nationally significant climbing walls and the Peak District on its doorstep. If you're a runner it's got that covered too. Runbritain.com last week posted an article posing the question
“ the city's developed a reputation as the number one destination for outdoor enthusiasts and already attracts visitors from around the world.” issue 003 2011/12
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'Is Sheffield The UK Capital Of Running?'. South Yorkshire Orienteers have to be among the most active running clubs in the country. Jenny Johnson, one of their committee members also pointed out to me that, in addition to the events listed in the article, Sheffield is hosting the Long and Relay British Orienteering Championships which is a world ranking event. The weekend of March 4-6 is probably the busiest on the outdoor calendar anywhere in the country at any time of year. The Sheffield Adventure Film Festival will be on in the Showroom Cinema, the British Mountaineering Council Youth Climbing Series Regional Final will be on at The Foundry Climbing Centre, the Climbing Works, the world's biggest bouldering facility will be hosting the Climbing Works International Festival, an internationally renowned bouldering masters with a large purse and a great atmosphere, and local mountain biking legend Steve Peat is organising the Steel City Downhill, the city's first ever downhill mountain bike race in Grenoside Woods. “ If you’re a runner it’s got that covered too. Runbritain.com last week posted an article posing the question, Is Sheffield The UK Capital Of Running?” The Steel City Downhill is only the first in a series of events planned for the city. Speakers From The Edge and Heason Events are the two biggest speaker’s bureaus in the country, specialising in adventurous speakers and both are based locally. Once this weekend is out of the way preparations will begin immediately for the UK's largest outdoor pursuits event, Cliffhanger. Held in Millhouses Park just on the border of the Peak District, it ties in with the Alpkit Shakeout – a music and camping based event aimed at outdoors folk. “ I’ve read that the Peaks are generally considered the best place in the country to go mountain biking.” So, could Sheffield be the Adventure Capital Of The UK? In my opinion it doesn’t need to brand itself with this accolade. The city's developed a reputation as the number one destination for outdoor enthusiasts and already attracts visitors from around the world. Job done as far as I'm concerned. 24
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Made in Sheffield – a hallmark of success Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets Area Director Tim Pryor describes the elements essential to Sheffield’s on-going economic recovery.
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s our local economy rebalances, one of the keys to our recovery is our ability to adapt. It’s a quality that Sheffield demonstrates well. With the country facing one of the deepest recessions of our times, it’s easy to overlook the fact that this city has in fact made enormous strides in the last decade; many of the great public and private sector investments that have reinvigorated the city, were merely ideas on a business plan ten years ago. “ Sheffield’s ability to reinvent itself has provided a platform for exciting growth in a diverse wide range of sectors.” Yet here they are, adding real depth and breadth to the local economy as we come out of recession. Equally encouraging is that this positioning sees the region very well placed to take advantage of the macro economic, political and social drivers that are in play to rebalance the economy towards a greater manufacturing and low carbon/ renewable focus. We don’t yet know what the full impact of the public sector spending cuts on our region will be, but with figures showing that employment growth since 2005 has been almost totally public sector led, it’s likely to be significant. What we need to encourage, and what we here at Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets are focused on, is creating an
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environment in which the private sector can take up the slack. I believe we’re well placed to achieve that. Certainly, from the businesses I’ve been talking to over the last couple of months, many are starting to look forward again. They’ve done what they needed to do to survive the recession, and are now starting to reengage with growth opportunities and longer-term investment. As a bank, we’re really excited by that momentum. We opened our Large Corporate offices here in 2002 and now have a team of 19 colleagues committed to supporting large corporate businesses in the city and region, working across a wide spectrum of sectors and industries. Expertise and experience Many of those sectors are now growing into globally significant flagships for Sheffield, including the digital and new media industry, which is home to a significant e-learning cluster. And while the city retains its key strengths in areas where skills have been developed around finance, IT and customer services, there’s a very definite shift back to manufacturing too. Employment in the sector is one of the highest in the UK, and our significant manufacturing base has been helped by the comparative weakness of sterling, which is encouraging export growth. The region is also recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Technologies. The new Nuclear AMRC (NAMRC) facility on the
Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire, is just one example of the high quality industry-focused R&D underway in the region, enabling local firms to become the suppliers of choice to the global nuclear industry. In another boost to the local economy, Sky is locating a new customer service centre in Sheffield city centre, creating 500 jobs. Elsewhere in the wider region, German engineering giant Siemens has selected Associated British Port’s (ABP) Hull development to build what will be Britain’s first major offshore wind turbine manufacturing plant, creating 700 jobs. Working in partnership These are all crucial elements in the overall economic evolution of the region. We must all play our part in delivering the results. That’s why at Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets we’re delighted to be working with Creativesheffield to raise the region and the city’s profile. By taking an active role in Creativesheffield’s Entrepreneur Festival, as well as the exciting Global Manufacturing Festival, we can play our part in promoting the area’s unique assets and encouraging investment and economic growth. To ensure Sheffield’s success, we need to encourage partnership at all levels. It’s an ethos close to our hearts here at Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets, and we remain focused on working in partnership with businesses to achieve their business ambitions, whatever they may be.
PREMIER LOCATION FOR BUSINESS As one of Sheffield’s largest private sector employers Irwin Mitchell is committed to the growth of its home city.
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heffield has long held a reputation for producing high quality products and the professional services on offer in the city are no different.
“ Sheffield is unique in its offer. It is a fantastic city to both live and work and that is why Irwin Mitchell has been able to grow as it has.”
committed to growing our business and have set out our intentions by bringing in high quality commercial lawyers such as Paul Firth. This determination to hire the best in the business marks an integral part of our national drive to grow the firm and develop into a significant operator within the corporate market place.”
Alongside the Business division sits the Personal Injury practice, which Leading international law firm Irwin has become the biggest and most Mitchell is a prime example having respected in the UK, with its specialist started out in the city in 1912. The firm lawyers regularly challenging in the is now the fourth largest in the country highest courts in the land on behalf employing more than 2,300 people of their clients. Irwin Mitchell is also across its nine UK offices, and a further proud to have won the prestigious two abroad in Malaga and Madrid. Rehabilitation First Award three years in a row for the work its lawyers do in The firm has grown rapidly, helping clients recover from serious exemplifying the authentic, injuries. It is this ultimate dedication independent and quality values that to their clients that sets the Irwin Sheffield is famous for. Irwin Mitchell Mitchell teams apart from others. is now a full service firm with specialist teams covering every aspect of law As one of Sheffield’s largest private through both its first class Personal sector employers Irwin Mitchell is Injury teams and its expanding equally committed to the growth of its Business and Private Client division. home city and plays a vital role at the forefront of economic development In recent years Irwin Mitchell has of the region. The firm has been been involved in some of the region’s heavily involved in setting up the biggest corporate deals, including Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise acting for the buyer of Sheffield Partnership (LEP), and has recently engineering giant DavyMarkham. led a delegation of leading Yorkshire The firm’s Corporate team is highly advisors to India to attract investment regarded, having this year been shortand drum up business for the region. listed for the Corporate Law Firm of the Year award at the South Yorkshire John Pickering also sits on the Insider Dealmakers awards, a title it Sheffield Business Panel which won last year. will champion the city and provide leadership for economic growth. He The business team’s expertise added: “Sheffield is unique in its offer. in working with manufacturing It is a fantastic city to both live and businesses has been extremely work and that is why Irwin Mitchell important over the past few years has been able to grow as it has. As a with the specialist sector knowledge firm we’re fully committed to Sheffield key in enabling Irwin Mitchell to and South Yorkshire and want to see provide advice on the pertinent the region at the heart of the UK’s industry issues. economic recovery and future.” John Pickering, Managing Partner, says recent senior appointments point to the firm’s ambition. He said: “We are
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Women
“ many female silversmiths and jewellers bring an aesthetic sensibility and use materials alongside the silver that are the consequence of their experiences as women.�
of
By Michelle Clare
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“ It seemed to me that neatly encapsulated in that small room were, not just the tools of the trade, but several hundred years of Sheffield’s history.”
Maria
M
aria Hanson graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1991, and has been living in Sheffield since 1995, when she relocated from London. She combines her work as a designer-maker with a career in teaching, and took up the post of Research Reader at Sheffield Hallam University in 2003, where she is also subject tutor for MA students in Metalwork and Jewellery. Her work is held in numerous public collections and she is a Freeman of the Goldsmiths Company and City of London and of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire.
My connection with Sheffield comes via Hong Kong. Working there as a journalist from 1992-1997 my interest in metalwork was initiated when I met a silversmith who had trained at what was then Sheffield City Polytechnic. I went and bought some basic tools, then did no more about it.
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ast-forward to January 2006 and I had finally started making jewellery. By then I was studying Art and Design at evening classes in London and went to Sheffield Hallam University on an open day with the vague idea that I might return to fulltime education at some point in the future. Then I saw the hammer room, with row upon row of hammers lined up on the walls, thousands of stakes (the metal formers used to shape the silver), and ancient tree stumps scattered around. It seemed to me
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that neatly encapsulated in that small room were, not just the tools of the trade, but several hundred years of Sheffield’s history. I didn’t know what all these tools did but I knew that I wanted to find out and I was back at university by September that year. While studying at Sheffield, I quickly became aware that it was a special experience. Not only is the hammer room a rare teaching facility – there are few other collections of hammers and stakes of its size that are open to students – the course has long associations with the city’s industry, having been set up in the Victorian era as part of a government drive to improve design within manufacturing. The traditions and practice of the metalwork industries infuse the course, and from the very beginning students are encouraged to exploit the skills that the city has to offer, outsourcing
work to laser cutters, electroplaters and polishers, as well as calling on the highly skilled traditional craftsmen to expand their knowledge. In October last year I took up my place on the Silversmiths Starter Scheme at Persistence Works in the centre of Sheffield, and have become aware that at least one of the industry’s traditions is slowly changing. Whereas once the silversmithing industry was almost exclusively male, I join the ranks of increasing numbers of independent female silversmiths and jewellers cultivated by the city. Sarah Stevenson, Charlotte Tollyfield, Victoria Kershaw and Rebecca Joselyn are just a few of the young silversmiths working here – and there’s even a female apprentice in the trade: Niki Byrne, who works at British Silverware. While all agree that creativity and making skills are related to the individual not to gender, many female silversmiths and jewellers bring an aesthetic sensibility and use materials alongside the silver that are the consequence of their experiences as women, which has led to a distinctly feminine shift in design.
Maria’s work encapsulates her roles as a teacher and a designer-maker, combining an intellectual approach with a high level of craftsmanship. The items that she creates blur the boundaries between jewellery and silversmithing (traditionally regarded as functional domestic vessels) in order to examine what objects are and how they relate to the people that use them. “ There is a sense of community, and there are lots of connections between the different organisations involved with silversmithing.” “I was always concerned with the relationships between objects and the body, and try to push the boundaries of what jewellery is. At some point I became conscious that I was creating vessel forms at a scale that went beyond jewellery, but which was still interlinked with the wearer.”
wearable punch cup - and pass them around for others to experience. Her choice of city was dictated by the desire to work in a location with a traditional basis in silversmithing. “There is a sense of community, and there are lots of connections between the different organisations involved with silversmithing, such as the Assay Office and Sheffield Hallam University. The city is known worldwide for its making, and people are generous with their time and experience. There is a sense that people want to retain the tradition here.” This sense is reflected in one of her favourite commissions - a cream jug that she made in 2007 for the Master and Mistress Cutler of the Company of Cutlers, Ellen and Alan Reid. “I was honoured to make this piece in the year that I became a Freeman of the Company, especially since there are not many females to have become Freemen, but also touched that the clients were adamant that the engraving should have my details on it as well as theirs. Sheffield’s heritage is important to her not only as a designer-maker but as a lecturer:
“The tradition of the city filters into the course, which is important because it is teaching that will sustain the profession. And the relationship with the city is part of a much bigger picture. Our work in Sheffield goes out to a much bigger audience, and on the course we encourage students to see their place in a much bigger world.” “ Our work in Sheffield goes out to a much bigger audience, and on the course we encourage students to see their place in a much bigger world.” She believes that it is part of her role as a researcher to bring people into the city to see what is being done, and the Beneath The Skin exhibition (which she has curated for the forthcoming Galvanize festival) she brings together the work of a group of makers from all across the country. She hopes that, “In the future silversmithing continues to flourish and what I contribute to ensures a continued role for today’s silver in society.”
“ The city is known worldwide for its making, and people are generous with their time and experience. There is a sense that people want to retain the tradition here.”
It is an approach that perhaps many outside the world of designer-making will be unfamiliar with, but one that is vital to pushing design forward in the worlds of jewellery, silversmithing and beyond. The resulting objects are beautiful, intriguing and sensual, and you can’t help but want to pick up and hold items such as Decadence – a
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atey Felton came to Sheffield after graduating with an MA in Jewellery, silversmithing and Related Products from the School of Jewellery at the University of Central England in Birmingham in 2001. She was one of the first participants on The Yorkshire Arts Space Starter Studios Scheme for Silversmiths, and since leaving the scheme has built up a successful business making and selling handchased vessels for private clients and public collections.
Her choice of chasing (in which relief patterns are created in the surface of the metal with a series of punches) stems from her personality. She says, “My work is part of me. I get fidgety if I’m not making something and I find chasing very therapeutic, as well as being a technique which gives me most control over the metal.”
Being in Sheffield has proved invaluable to the development of her skills and career. She initially arrived expecting the city to have a bustling silversmithing district, and says “I expected it to be like Birmingham, “ The craftsmen here know everything with its Jewellery Quarter. The level of activity is not immediately obvious about every aspect of the trade, but once I’d scratched the surface and and I would talk to them for hours.” found the ‘Mesters’, I realised that the value was in the people and their Katey’s upbringing on the Lincolnshire depth of knowledge. coast led to an early interest in natural “The craftsmen here know everything forms. Her vessels are inspired by about every aspect of the trade, the lines and creases to be found in and I would talk to them for hours.” skin, leaves and flowing water, and One in particular, Bill Richardson, Sheffield’s location at the edge of a well-known chaser and master the Peak District provides her with a craftsman became a mentor to Katey, nearby plentiful source of inspiration helping her with her technique and for her designs. knowledge of the numerous tools
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Jennie
that are needed. As her career has progressed, with an accompanying increase in workload, she has allowed local technology to inform her manufacturing processes, and now outsources the making of the vessels to local craftsmen so that she can concentrate on the chasing. She also credits the Sheffield Assay Office with helping her establish her career, saying “Ashley Carson [the Assay Master] has been a big part of my success. He is very supportive of the trade and introduced me to many of my early clients.”
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ennie Gill first came to Sheffield in 1988 to study Metalwork and Jewellery at Sheffield City Polytechnic. On graduating, she found herself applying for jobs in the midst of a recession, and unable to get work she decided to set up her own business making jewellery so that she was able to work with just basic hand tools.
She works mainly to commission, and one of her favourites was creating a 50cm silver salver for the Friends of Nostell Priory, which is now housed at the Priory in Wakefield. She spent five days in the house sketching, and designs from the building are reflected in the finished piece.
She is driven by the making process and designs by “drawing in metal” at her jeweller’s bench, creating 18 carat gold and sterling silver jewellery that combines hand forging, enamel and hand-faceted rough, natural diamonds and fancy coloured stones with cast elements made from objects she has found.
She loves the collaborative process and the clients for the Nostell Priory salver, as with many other commissions, visited the workshop to see the piece being made. She says that commission work “allows me to create a piece that is personal to the client, and they get to see the work evolve from the seed of an idea.” This attitude has gained her a large client base in the area, and over the years Katey says she “has enjoyed thinking about the people of Sheffield and letting them inform my work.”
“ I get joy from creativity and from people wearing my work, and my ambition is to be able to carry on making.”
“ Sheffield is a very easy place to live and bring up a family. It enables me to work around the children and helps me maintain a business without taking a career break.” “ My work is part of me. I get fidgety if I’m not making something and I find chasing very therapeutic.”
Her work is characterised by natural, organic feel and she has built up a loyal clientele in both Sheffield and further afield who are attracted to the subdued qualities of her jewellery. She says, “In my work the diamond is a secret and I have discerning clients who are prepared to spend thousands on a diamond that doesn’t look like one.” Her most memorable sale was to a Sheffield client who bought a 16 carat rough diamond necklace for his wife as a stocking filler. She began her career in one of the Little Mesters workshops on Milton Street sharing space with two knife makers who helped her with her tool making, showing her how to temper steel. She believes that being in Sheffield has facilitated the manufacture of her work and makes use of a variety of companies based in the city. She still uses the same casting company she used as a student, and outsources laser
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etching to the Sheffield Assay Office as well as using a local craftsman for engraving work. Like many other craftsmen, she enjoys the feeling that she is part of the heritage of the city, and says that this heritage still carries a kudos that helps to sell her work. But she says, its not just companies related to the silver industry that are useful, “There are a lot of cross-over trades, such as powder coating, who are willing to help – all you have to do is knock on the door. Companies involved in the heavy industries, such as Sheffield Forgemasters can also be receptive to doing small jobs – it’s their way of giving back.” This willingness to help has also been invaluable to a number of Jennie’s large-scale public art projects, such as a 4.5m high cast-iron sculpture on Hoyle Street, inspired by the original engineer’s blueprint for the crucible chimney that once stood on the site. Jennie currently works part-time, and says that the lifestyle in Sheffield helps her balance her work as a designermaker with caring for her two young children. “Sheffield is a very easy place to live and bring up a family. It enables me to work around the children and helps me maintain a business without taking a career break.” “ In my work the diamond is a secret and I have discerning clients who are prepared to spend thousands on a diamond that doesn’t look like one.” Her aim for the future is simple. She says, “I get joy from creativity and from people wearing my work, and my ambition is to be able to carry on making. I don’t hanker after any other job.”
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ENTHUSIASM REAPS REWARDS
Armed with a team of 200 ambassadors, Sheffield is leading the race to become the number one destination for conferences and events.
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“ Their enthusiasm to showcase the city and its strengths really does help us to secure more national and international events to the region.”
Shelagh Cowley, the Duke of Devonshire and Gemma Bradshaw at a recent ambassador event.
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hree years ago Sheffield launched an innovative scheme to help support and grow business tourism within the city. The aim was simple: to recruit professionals in business who can help attract more conferences and events to the region. The task is in the capable hands of the Sheffield Convention Bureau and on the shoulder’s of one woman in particular, Gemma Bradshaw, manager of the Ambassador Programme. It is Bradshaw’s role to engage with local academics and leading business professionals, and equip them with the knowledge they need to persuade conference organisers to bring their events to Sheffield. “Since we launched the programme we have attracted over 200 members in the region, 131 from Sheffield alone and generated event enquiries worth over £3million to the regional economy”, Bradshaw proudly explains.
Back in 2009, one year after the programme was launched, introductions made at a conference in Liverpool were vital in securing the annual event in 2011. “ I have worked with some fantastic and passionate ambassadors on such an array of conferences.” “One of our ambassadors, Martyn Benson, was keen to showcase Sheffield’s entrepreneurial and digital credentials and bring the annual ISBE [Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship] Conference to Sheffield,” she explains. “Martyn introduced me to the organisers following the ISBE 2009 in Liverpool, and after further discussions resulted in us securing the event for 2011”. The annual ISBE Conference, to be hosted later this year will attract over 400 delegates to the city.
City Council,” she explains. Sheffield was also shortlisted alongside Shanghai to host the International Congress but unfortunately missed out. “To be shortlisted was a fantastic achievement and the European Society of Glass Technology Congress will attract just as many delegates, if not more, across a whole week.” Bradshaw is confident that it is the networking opportunities with other ambassadors and the invaluable knowledge the Sheffield Convention Bureau can provide, which makes the programme a success. “It really is a team effort and thanks must be given to Welcome to Yorkshire who significantly support the Ambassador Programme,” says Bradshaw, diverting the praise.
“The programme forms part of the overall business tourism strategy for Yorkshire and is a vital element of the business tourism strategy for Sheffield.” A strategy which intends Another great success for the team to grow the existing 2 million business was winning the bid to host the European Society of Glass Technology delegates, who gather in the city each With a 200 strong team and over year, bringing £168million to the local £2.5million confirmed to date, it is Conference in 2016. A niche event economy. Making sure Sheffield is which would leave many of us without doubt that the scheme is firmly placed on the conference map. proving a success. “Thanks to our bewildered, but an event none the ambassadors, more and more national less that will be at the forefront of It is evident to see that key drivers of the industry. “Last year we helped and international associations are the programme reside within the two choosing to host their annual events Professor John Parker from the University of Sheffield to write his bid universities. With both universities in Sheffield.” strong in a multitude of sectors, local presentation, and obtained a number of letters of support from Central Government, Visit Britain and the
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academics play a fundamental role in driving business to the city. Shelagh Cowley, Training, Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Polymer Centre at the University of Sheffield became a Conference Ambassador two years ago. “Since Shelagh’s role already involves organising events, she immediately recognised the potential benefit of being able to access a support network that would help her with the time-consuming task of finding appropriate venues and negotiating the best rates on the venue, accommodation and discounted rail travel,” says Bradshaw. “Shelagh is busy this year organising the Shine International Conference 2011, a showcase event for the University of Sheffield addressing the science behind food and energy sustainability. It is taking place at Sheffield City Hall in September and hopes to attract some 300 delegates.” “ Since we launched the programme we have attracted over 200 members in the region, 131 from Sheffield alone and generated event enquiries worth over £3million to the regional economy.”
Bradshaw goes on to explain, “Another example is Dr. Jeff Breckon, Reader in Exercise Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, who, along with the help of our team and his colleagues, successfully bid to host the 2011 Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers Conference which moves annually between North America and Europe.” More recently the programme has helped colleagues from both Universities to secure the Annual Conference for the Business Librarians Association which will take place in July this year and attract 100 members to the city.
— For anyone interested in finding out more about the programme, please call Gemma Bradshaw, Ambassador Manager on +44 (0)114 201 1015 or email ambassador@ welcometosheffield.co.uk Further information is available at www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/ ambassador
Although they may not appeal to everyone’s interests, it is estimated that these niche events, combined, will have an economic impact on the city of over half a million pounds. A welcome boost to the local economy during times of austerity. “I have worked with some fantastic and passionate ambassadors on such an array of conferences,” Bradshaw concludes. “Their enthusiasm to showcase the city and its strengths really does help us to secure more national and international events to the region.” In her own words, that is, quite simply, the essence of the programme.
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On track: Sheffield’s Multi-Million Pound Sports Events Programme makes a flying start.
READY, SET, GO
“ This programme is one the city should be proud of.”
2011 is yet another busy year for Sheffield. The city is hosting a major sports event programme which will provide a multi-million pound boost to the local economy and position the city as one of the key UK sporting destinations as the countdown to the 2012 London Olympics gathers pace.
Jessica 44 Ennis, World and European Heptathlon MADE Magazine Champion.
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he line-up, one of the most impressive and diverse in any UK city outside of London, features; eight world championships or world level events; three european level championship events; twenty national championships; and four mass participation events with more than 25,000 participants. One man who has played a pivotal role in developing the programme is Gary Clifton, Sheffield’s Major Sports Events and 2012 Programme Manager. Over the last decade, Clifton has worked on a number of bids and secured numerous events for the city, including the prestigious 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. “I think I’ve got the best job”, says Clifton. “We bring major sports events to the city, allowing us to showcase Sheffield to the world.”
More than 20 Olympic and Paralympic sports will be contested as part of the programme – making it one of the biggest outside of London in the countdown to 2012. The value of the events programme to the local economy has been estimated to be in excess of £6million – further recognition that the sport, leisure and tourism sectors are some of the keys to unlocking growth and wealth for the region. “Ten of the events will receive national and international television coverage – projecting Sheffield, its facilities and brand to millions across the globe,” explains Clifton. “So far this year the city has hosted the high profile $172,000 English Open table tennis championships – one of only four major pro-tour events in the world featuring the sport’s leading players, and the returning two-day Aviva Indoor UK Athletics trials and championships at EIS Sheffield. “In addition, Sheffield will once again play host to the Betfred World Snooker Championships at The Crucible Theatre and the six-day BUCS (British Universities) Championships.” “ Ten of the events will receive national and international television coverage – projecting Sheffield, its facilities and brand to millions across the globe.”
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“ The value of the events programme to the local economy has been estimated to be in excess of £6million.”
More than 20 Olympic and Paralympic sports will be contested as part of the programme – making it one of the biggest outside of London in the countdown to 2012. Clifton acknowledges Sheffield has worked hard over the last two decades, by investing in sporting facilities and building an infrastructure which allows the city to attract and host world class sporting events. “This programme is one the city should be proud of. It will contribute £6million to Sheffield’s economy, bringing a welcome boost to hotels and other businesses. The media coverage allows us to showcase the city to an international audience and benchmark Sheffield as an International sporting destination of choice.” Six of the events being staged are directly related to the fact that the Olympics are coming to London in 2012 – which shows how Sheffield is leading the rest of the country in taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the Olympics.
Clifton is keen to point out that the 2011 programme is testimony to the work of a number of organisations including – Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Event Unit, Activity Sheffield, Sheffield International Venues, Welcome to Yorkshire, UK Sport, Marketing Sheffield, Hospitality Sheffield and the city’s Universities. Six of the events being staged are directly related to the fact that the Olympics are coming to London in 2012 – which shows how Sheffield is leading the rest of the country in taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the Olympics.
Speaking to Clifton it is clear to see that there is a collaborative approach to working – a common trait which is seen throughout the city. Both on and off the sporting field, there is a real sense of team spirit and drive for business and success. The 2011 major sports events programme is just one example of Sheffield’s ambition and ability to make things happen. To view the major sports events 2011 visit: www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/events
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“ It is vitally important that world class events such as these are secured and staged in the UK to help prepare athletes, event organisers and volunteers for 2012. Bringing major events to cities such as Sheffield allows people across the UK to see world class action on their own doorstep and, as the agency responsible for bringing major sporting events to the UK, we are determined that we see even more in future years.” Simon Morton, Head of Major Events − UK Sport
Some of the
highlights of the programme include: The World short track speed skating championship (The Motorpoint Arena). The FINA World Diving Cup where British diving superstar Tom Daley is expected to compete (Ponds Forge). The Yorkshire International Show Jumping event (The Motorpoint Arena). The European Synchronised Swimming Champions Cup (Ponds Forge). The European Fencing Championships (EIS Sheffield). The four-day Sainsbury’s UK School Games (various venues). The ITTF British Open Disability Table Tennis Championships (EIS Sheffield).
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EnFuture gin eer ing a Digital
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his announcement is a far cry from the heavy industry Manufacturing CEOs who have previously topped the bill – implying a significant shift in how the industry is perceived due to the increasing links between the digital industry and the manufacturing and engineering sector. Sheffield is world-renowned as a manufacturing hub however recent research suggests that the city is also becoming a clear UK leader within the creative and digital industries (CDI). The individual strength of these two sectors, which NESTA recently showed as being particularly innovative when co-located, and the inextricable links between them provides Sheffield with a unique opportunity moving forwards. The report into the city’s creative and digital industries showed that, between 2003 and 2009, Sheffield’s CDI sector grew at a faster rate than the UK average and all 5 comparator cities - Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Bristol. Following a slight decline in line with national trends in 2003 to 2006, GVA per employee within the CDI sector increased significantly between 2006 and 2009 in Sheffield, suggesting heightened productivity. The city’s sector was also found to be more productive than the UK average and
David Richards, WANDisco.
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Steve Jobs of Apple was recently announced as the top Manufacturing CEO in the world. Job’s phenomenal input into the music, mobile technology, movie and computing industries has changed the way individuals and businesses communicate across the world.
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the most productive of all the cities assessed. This fantastic growth is reflected in the take up of office space within the innovative Sheffield Digital Campus, the latest high profile edition being the entertainment and communications giant Sky to Ventana House – creating over 500 new jobs in the city. Chris Stylianou, Director of Sky Customer Contact Centres, commented: “We’re very pleased to be coming to Sheffield. It is an exciting time for us as a business; we are performing well, providing excellent customer service and as a result need more of the right people to work with us. We have picked Sheffield for its pool of talented prospective employees and its good transport links." The message to the business community is clear. Conditions in Sheffield are ripe for innovation and growth. Now all the city needs to do is capitalise on the opportunities that this creates. At a time when Sheffield's future is dependent on private sector growth, this investment by Sky shows that the private sector has faith in the city and that Sheffield has the right support for digital businesses to grow and be successful. The digital sector in the City Region contains over 6,000 CDI firms, employs 20,900 people and creates a turnover in the city of £1.1bn with a GVA output of £530m. The largest sub-sector is Hardware and Computer Services, followed by Software. Sheffield exhibits particular distinctiveness in relation to the
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David Fletcher – Creativesheffield; Rob Sargent – Sky; Cllr Paul Scriven – Sheffield City Council; and Ann Allen – Creativesheffield.
Craft and Design sub-sectors – providing a nod to the city’s manufacturing heritage.
“Companies like ADL Smartcare are growing with technology driven products targeted at health and social care and in the engineering sector, companies like Eadon Consulting Toby Hyam, Managing Director of who provide innovative engineering Creative Space Management, sees many companies operating in both the solutions and ITI Energy are finding new markets and opportunities digital and advanced manufacturing across the UK.” sectors: “Our specialist centres such as Electric Works in Sheffield and the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre in Rotherham are, At a time when Sheffield’s future is despite everything, seeing higher dependent on private sector growth, levels of occupancy than ever before. this investment by Sky shows that the private sector has faith in the city and that Sheffield has the “There is no doubt that, for many right support for digital businesses small businesses, competition to grow and be successful. is particularly tough and trading conditions remain uncertain. The comment I most often hear is that companies are working harder to The CDI companies within the achieve the same level of income as city have achieved some fantastic in previous years but they are also accolades: Zoo Digital, which makes actively searching new markets in software for interactive DVDs, is order to diversify. Yet despite these gaining recognition in Hollywood; challenging conditions, it is impressive digital communications from QUBA to see businesses investing in new has helped organisations like the workspace both to improve their BBC, Channel 4, Land Rover and the competitive edge and to create Carbon Trust to embrace the digital opportunities for growth. age; and WANDisco, a world leading infrastructure software provider based in Silicon Valley, established their
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European headquarters in Sheffield in 2008 helping Sheffield to become a world leader in replication software technology. Sheffield is also part of the Digital Region – the first major regional deployment of superfast broadband in the UK. This ambitious project will deliver a next generation communications service to more than half a million premises and forty thousand businesses in the region, providing Sheffield with a unique opportunity. Therefore, as the city quickly becomes the most connected city in the UK and the manufacturing sector continues to thrive, in an age of austerity it seems that Sheffield faces a bright future. The message to the business community is clear. Conditions in Sheffield are ripe for innovation and growth. Now all the city needs to do is capitalise on the opportunities that this creates - leading the UK towards the “enterprise and export-led recovery” outlined by Whitehall.
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Brand goes to the next level
2010 was a pivotal year for Sheffield’s image with the launch of the city’s new brand identity. Brendan Moffett, Director of Strategic Marketing at Creativesheffield, explains the changing face of the Sheffield Business Brand.
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ast year saw the launch of an exciting new brand identity for Sheffield. This new visual style, and ‘authentic and independent’ positioning, is now being applied to a series of very high profile activities, putting Sheffield firmly back on the UK and global map. “ The objective of these festivals is to raise Sheffield’s profile in the eyes of Government, new and existing customers for our businesses and further develop our relationship with strategic international markets.” “Sheffield has a strong track record of delivery, having hosted a series of International events over the past 20 years. We felt it was time to proactively use this expertise by creating a business events programme that was aligned to Sheffield’s economic future, but also linked to national and international opportunities.” In March 2011, the city will host the Global Manufacturing Festival, reaffirming the UK’s position as a global leader in advanced engineering and manufacturing innovation.
There is no question that the Sheffield region is steeped in manufacturing history. Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales refers to the city’s knife makers as early as the 14th Century. Towards the end of the 20th Century, when the UK’s competitiveness in mass steel production began to slide, Sheffield’s production capability survived, mainly during the 1990s through closer ties to local universities. The city expanded its expertise in materials science and metallurgy and moved up the value chain. This canny ability to move on and reinvent has allowed the city to forge a brighter future in exciting new sectors such as aerospace, automotive and civil engineering. This backdrop provides the perfect platform for the inaugural Global Manufacturing Festival. “In keeping with the ‘authentic and independent’ positioning, it was important that we created events that reflected this,” says Moffett.
“It also seeks to re-position manufacturing as a positive career choice for our talented young students." This backdrop provides the perfect platform for the inaugural Global Manufacturing Festival. The festival has already received plaudits from Business Minister Mark Prisk, who headlined the London launch at The EEF in January. “As a consequence of positioning the festival in this way, Global names such as Boeing, Siemens UK and Westinghouse have been attracted to speak at the festival,” explains Moffett. “The objective of these festivals is to raise Sheffield’s profile in the eyes of Government, new and existing customers for our businesses and further develop our relationship with strategic international markets.”
The Global Manufacturing Festival is set to be the centrepiece for a number of key issues for the manufacturing sector. “It seeks to showcase the latest UK Government policy and highlight the opportunities available for UK companies in emerging sectors, such as Nuclear.
“ In keeping with the ‘authentic and independent’ positioning, it was important that we created events that reflected this.”
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MADE: THE ENTREPRENEUR FESTIVAL Set to return September 2010 witnessed the first ever MADE: The Entrepreneur Festival in Sheffield. The ideal setting for the new Government to sew the seeds of the ‘enterprise led recovery’. The city’s entrepreneurial spirit is captured on the crest of the famous Cutlers Company. ‘Pour y parvenir a bonne foi’ reads the motto, which translates ‘To succeed through honest endeavour’. This work ethic is still evident in the city today, with Sheffield regularly topping polls for the reliability and loyalty of its workforce. Attended by Secretary of State, Vince Cable and Business Minister, Mark Prisk – the city was buzzing with entrepreneurial flair and talent for 4 days.
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The Festival was supported by leading sponsors from Telefonica /O2, DLA Piper, Grant Thornton, NatWest to University of Sheffield, Sheffield Business School and the Business Advantage Innovation Programme. Leading Dragon, Peter Jones opened the city’s brand new National Enterprise Academy and was then joined by a leading panel of experts at DLA Piper’s showcase St Paul’s office. The Sunday Telegraph Business Leader Debate, fronted by Business Editor Kamal Ahmed, included Doug Richard, Lara Morgan and the Black Farmer, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones. The city’s entrepreneurial spirit is captured on the crest of the famous Cutlers Company. ‘Pour y parvenir a bonne foi’ reads the motto, which translates ‘To succeed through honest endeavour’. Other highlights included Doug Richard’s highly successful ‘Made in 48 hours’ – an intense 48 hour bootcamp for over 300 talented
entrepreneurs and Sunday Times Enterprise Editor, Rachel Bridge, played to a full house at Firth Hall with her one woman show ‘How to make a Million before Lunch’. Listen out for exciting developments as details of MADE 2011 will be announced soon. For sponsorship opportunities contact Marketing Sheffield on +44 (0)114 223 2345
Cheers
“ New breeds of beer drinkers appear to be emerging; be it women enjoying the delights of golden ales or wheat beers or diners wishing to match a beer to their food.”
to Beer! By Alex Buchanan
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ick up any newspaper and you will find little good news about the beer industry with headlines on cheap booze, underage drinking, pubs closing, brewery closures and takeovers proliferating. But I work for a brewery, in the beer industry and the world I see is much different – difficult but different.
“ Sheffield – which proclaims with good reason to be the Beer Capital of the UK – has an ever-growing brewing scene with around 10 breweries now operating in the City.”
This is something that, says Sheffield Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Chairman Andy Cullen, has “fuelled an As marketing manager at Thornbridge increase in interest in cask beers with Brewery I have seen our business drinkers wanting more information grow from producing 2000 pints a about where their food and drink is week to 50,000 and our beers sold from”. Each year CAMRA conducts not only locally but now available a survey on the number of cask across the world. We have grown beers that are available in the city on from 4 staff to now employing 22. one day and Sheffield regularly tops And we are not alone as new breweries the national charts with some 240 have appeared across the UK in vast recorded last year. The Sheffield Tap – numbers, doubling to around 800 in the refurbished first class refreshment the past 5 years. room at Sheffield station – which opened in December 2010 has helped Not only has this increase been fuelled put the city on the map for cask beer by the Government’s “levelling of the by winning national awards for its beers. This pub allied to the those in playing field”, through reduced duty Kelham Island, including the Kelham rates for small breweries in order to Island Tavern which has been voted compete with the large ones, I do believe demand from customers has been critical. And the customers are demanding quality beers and not the over hyped, tasteless brews that for so long have been the only ones we could have. New breeds of beer drinkers appear to be emerging; be it women enjoying the delights of golden ales or wheat beers or diners wishing to match a beer to their food. It would be wrong to suggest that there are not some difficult issues such as high increases in raw material costs, heavy discounting of beer by the multi nationals and under cost selling by the supermarkets. However, with a reported 7% increase in sales from craft breweries during the past 3 years, the picture is far from the bleak one the headlines would have us believe.
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twice as CAMRA’s national pub of the year, have made the city a mecca for discerning beer drinkers. This is underlined by CAMRA, which has seen its national membership numbers grow to over 100,000, having selected Sheffield for its Annual General Meeting in 2010. Our own experience at Thornbridge of opening the Greystones pub in Sheffield in November 2010 and serving 25,000 pints of beer in the first 2 months highlights the demand that is there. Even the four star Mercure Hotel have asked us to supply them with craft beers for the Lib Dem conference! Britain has a great brewing history but I would suggest it is unlikely that we have ever seen before the range, variety and quality of beers currently now available from UK breweries. So fill your glass – with a craft beer of course – and raise a toast to a great British success story – I give you Beer!
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What’s on in
Sheffield
For more information visit www.eventsheffield.com
March Galvanize
JUNE-JULY Sheffield Children’s Festival
OCTOBER Grin up North
This festival celebrates the skills of the silversmiths and jewellers, the designers and makers who carry on a proud tradition in Sheffield and includes exhibitions, tours, talks, workshops and events.
This two-week festival provides more than 20,000 children and young people from more than 130 Sheffield schools with the opportunity to develop their creativity and to take part in a range of cultural activities.
Born out of Sheffield’s love of a good laugh, this month long celebration of the very best in UK and international comedy includes a rib tickling blend of stand up, funny films, comic quizzes, lectures and general larking about.
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival
JULY Cliffhanger
Off the Shelf
Without a shadow of doubt ShAFF manages to pull together the best line up of adventure films over a single weekend, anywhere, every year! What’s more, it takes place in the biggest independent cinema outside of London, The Showroom, recently voted best cultural venue in the region. APRIL Sensoria Sensoria is the UK’s festival of film and music. Sensoria’s natural home is Sheffield – a city renowned for its creative and technical innovation and one rich in musical heritage. APRIL-MAY Betfred World Snooker Championships (Crucible Theatre) The climax of snooker’s annual calendar and the most important snooker event of the year in terms of prestige, prize money and world ranking points. JUNE Doc/Fest
Cliffhanger is one of the UK’s largest outdoor pursuits festivals, based in one of Sheffield’s biggest green spaces. The aim of the event is to inspire and involve. Tramlines
MADE Sheffield
OCTOBER Fright Night
Sheffield’s own urban Glastonbury, with free music events across the city. Fright Night is Britain’s biggest Halloween party, attracting up to 40,000 people each year to Sheffield city centre! Sheffield Food Festival The Sheffield Food Festival went down a storm when it was launched in 2010. The event is a celebration of all that is grown and produced locally with markets, food demos, wine festivals and much more. september Art in the Gardens Art in the Gardens is a unique event taking place in Sheffield’s Botanical Gardens. The Gardens are transformed into an art and craft village, where visitors can enjoy and purchase all the fine exhibits on display. 350 artists and craftsmen exhibit more than 4,000 pieces of work attracting up to 20,000 visitors.
This year Sheffield Doc/Fest will take place in June. Over five intense days there will be a film festival, an industry session programme and marketplace, pitching opportunities, discussion MADE: The Entrepreneur Festival panels and in-depth filmmaker masterclasses. The ultimate gathering of business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, international diplomats, media and politicians.
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Sheffield’s annual celebration of writing and reading offers over 150 events including workshops, walks, talks, readings, poetry, competitions, storytelling, exhibitions and appearances by many leading writers.
NOVEMBER After Dark After Dark is Yorkshire’s top Fireworks Spectacular. Held at the Don Valley Bowl, the event was established in 1996 and now offers live music, a funfair, bonfire, food stalls, bar, fire spinners and a massive fireworks display set to music. Open Studios Every year, Yorkshire Artspace’s studio holders throw open their doors to the public for their annual Open Studios weekend. Each year the event proves more popular with nearly 900 visitors to Persistence Works and Porter Brook Studios in November 2009.
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