Niche Magazine Issue 32 by Cross Productions

#FindYourNiche

May/June 2019

LADIES DAY

AT LEICESTER RACECOURSE

Celebrating Success

Business nominees and winners of Leicestershire

Action Coach Working on the business, not in the business

Wells McFarlane Building with integrity

Business Expo Connecting Local Businesses

CONNECT

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INSPIRE

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PROMOTE

Visit us 60+ EXHIBITORS

15th May 9am-4pm

3 INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS UNLIMITED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ONE DAY OF POWERFUL NETWORKING

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS

DOMINATE YOUR INDUSTRY WITH VIDEO CONTENT 10am Adam King, Incite Video

BRAND CREATION AND EXECUTION 11am Pete Frost, Unity Media; Mark Robinson, Creative62; Jenny Cross, Cross Productions

SPONSORED BY

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IN A SKILLS SHORTAGE

2pm Eileen Richards MBE, ER Recruitment & Toni Robinson, Nucleus HR

LEICESTER RACECOURSE

Get Connecting The Cross Connections Business Expo is almost upon us, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still time to get involved.

Confirmed stands

Entering its third year, the expo aims to see that the businesses we work with, connect with each other and form long-lasting business relationships. We understand that direct networking is vital from our experience and there are significant benefits from

DESIGN + PRINT

Soar Valley Press

networking events. Our easygoing approach and relaxed attitude makes Cross Connections the top choice for regular exhibitors. Right are the businesses that have a stand and will be attending the Cross Connections Business Expo on Wednesday 15th May; join us in The Kube at Leicester Racecourse for a full day of meeting new

creating possibilities for disabled children

potential clients.

WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2019 9AM - 4PM

Cover: Leicester Racecourse Ladies Day. Photographed by Tom Wren. creativebywren.co.uk

LEANNE BAKER

JENNY CROSS MANAGING DIRECTOR 07815 899 574

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

jenny@crossproductions.co.uk

leanne@crossproductions.co.uk

Contributors The Miller Partnership, Glynis Wright & Co, Ian Guyler, Leicester Racecourse, Leicester Riders, St Martins House, Soar Valley Press, Fothergill Wyatt

Photography & Video courtesy of:

SALLY SMITH

LIAM DEACY

SALES DIRECTOR 07931 220 116

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

sally@crossproductions.co.uk

liam@crossproductions.co.uk

Adam King hello@incitevideo.co.uk Tom Wren 07818 421 118 creativebywren.co.uk

Official Media Sponsors of the Leicester Riders

LAUREN RAYBOULD

SUSAN HOLMES DESIGN EDITOR

JOURNALIST

susan.holmes@crossproductions.co.uk

Lauren@crossproductions.co.uk

BECCI HOULSTON

EMILY KIRTON JOURNALIST

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

emily.kirton@crossproductions.co.uk

becci@crossproductions.co.uk

0116 271 2573

nichemagazine.co.uk Published by Cross Productions Ltd 17 Mandervell Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5LR info@crossproductions.co.uk

Marketing Partner of the Leicester Falcons

Also Sponsoring Robbie’s Rugby Festival Leicester Law Society Awards Hope Against Cancer Rainbows Dorothy Goodman Academy

Disclaimer – Niche Magazine and Cross Productions Ltd are fully protected by copyright; no part of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted without the complete and expressed permission of the publisher. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, however there can be no liability accepted by the publisher for errors and omissions. We can under no circumstance be held responsible for any materials, matter or photographical copy submitted for publication or not within the website or magazine. We cannot be held responsible or liable for any breaches of copyright from adverts, materials or photography or any other such material supplied by a third party. The views and opinions expressed within our publications are not necessarily those of the publisher or indeed Niche Magazine or any featured parties.

Distribution Media Matters Direct Mediamattersdirect.co.uk Self Select Distribution Selfselectdistribution.co.uk

A WORD FROM JENNY

The team at Cross Productions have had an exciting and productive Easter, celebrating the success of local businesses through award ceremonies as well as attending many local business events; with Summer finally on its way it seems we are busier than ever! May 15 will see the third of our annual Cross Connections Business Expo sponsored by Torr Waterfield and hosted at Leicester Racecourse, The Kube we are looking forward to seeing the business community gather to share ideas and connect. On the theme of Expos we are also looking forward to attending the Midlands Business Expo at the King Power Stadium on May 17 as well as Leicester Business Mark on May 21 at the Holiday Inn. These networking opportunities are vital to form new, lasting business relationships and ventures with other likeminded, local businesses. April saw The Real Entrepreneurs Club return where Leicester based entrepreneur Shahid Sheikh OBE spoke to our guests about his journey sharing ideas and inspiration with the room. And with awards season in full swing we see the Niche

nichemagazineuk

@magazineniche

Magazine Business Awards closed its nominations; this year there has been an incredible amount of nominations, all being of an exceptionally high standard. We are looking forward to seeing the nominations go to our judging panels. Nominations are accolades and are a recognition of the hard work that has been put into businesses. As a proud Business Partner for the Leicestershire Law Society we took pride in supporting the Annual Legal Awards and attended the night of celebration at the Athena on the 26th April. Following the theme of success breeds success, it was a fantastic evening spent recognising the hard work of local legal firms. As a member of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hope Through Businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; I had the honor of being asked to speak at the most recent bi-annual lunch which was hosted by Leicester Racecourse and saw 200 plus guests from across the Leicestershire business community. It always blown me away hearing firsthand how the funds we raise locally fund ground-breaking research right here in Leicester. Meanwhile, the Leicester Falcons have had huge successes in the world of American Football, winning their last two games and playing brilliantly. We are excited to welcome aboard a new sponsor for the club; it is great to bring more local businesses aboard to support local sports teams, creating a new community and bringing together corporate businesses and sport. Looking ahead, we have an exciting few months planned; with Profile1 New Walk Business Network at the beginning of May, hosted by Mattioli Woods where like-minded businesses meet and network, and our very own Niche Networking on 14th May, where the semi-finalists for the Niche Magazine Business Awards will be announced. All in all itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great time for growing businesses and we look forward to seeing you soon.

#FindYourNiche

CONTENTS NEWS 08 Business News 10 Sarah Harrison 12 Way of Life 14 Everards 16 St Martins House

BUSINESS FOCUS 19 The Turnaround 21 Leadership 24 Action Coach 26 Finance 33 Armstrong Wealth 37 Finance Lab 38 Legal: Mental Health 40 Legal Columns

Featuring Glynis Wright & Co,

Hollingsworths Solicitors and

Paradigm Wills & Legal Services

41 Paradigm 42 Legal Columns

Featuring Emery Johnson Astill and

BP Legal

44 Hollingsworths Solicitors 45 Leicester Law Society 48 Ian Guyler 48 Focus 49 Celebrating Success

Featuring Sarah Higgins, BP Legal,

Emery Johnson Astill, Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan

Bright Legal and Vehicle Consulting

57 Marketing 58 Marketing columns Featuring Soar Valley Press, Creative62 and Base 8 Innovations

60 62 65 66

Incite Manufacturing Forum Michael John Flooring Wells McFarlane

MAY / JUNE 2019

68 Property Columns

Featuring Fothergill Wyatt, Maison Interiors and Wells McFarlane

70 Fothergill Wyatt 72 Utility Warehouse 66 Property columns

Leicestershire Garden Design

66 76 77 78 80 83 84 85 85 86 75

Best House in Town Glenfield Electrical Joel LaRosa Design Ponds by Michael Wheat Nuffield Health Leicester Debbie Moore Coaching Beauty by Marie Complete Health Mind, Set, Match Inside-Out Laser Clinics Health columns

Featuring Rossell Fitness, Function Jigsaw and Priti Coles

90 Ketna Butron 91 Paragon Sales Solutions 91 Affinity HRM 92 Foodcourt 107 Jordans Motors

SPORTS 97 Sports

Featuring Oadby and Leicester Gymnastics Club

98 Drewe Broughton 100 Leicester Racecourse 102 Leicester Falcons 103 Leicester Riders 104 Outlaws

SOCIAL 109 Tracey Miller Culture 109 Amwell Care Home

100 COVER STORY Leicester Racecourse

12 Way of Life

49 Celebrating Success

24 Action Coach

66 Wells McFarlane

BUSINESS NEWS LEICESTERSHIRE

Student enterprises showcase business ideas Pitch2Win is De Montfort University’s bi-annual student enterprise competition where students from across the University are encouraged to pitch their business ideas for the chance to win a share of over £2,000 in prize money, kindly sponsored by Danaher & Walsh and the Sir Thomas White Loans Charity. On the day of the latest competition, ideas included a sugar-free range of snacks to a PR company specialising in the holistic health industry. The final took place in The Innovation Centre’s public Co-working Café, in front of an audience consisting of students, staff and local entrepreneurs. The panel of judges included: Enterprise Development Academic, Percy Emmett, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise, Dr Simon Hill, Dan Danaher from Danaher & Walsh and John Waite from the Sir Thomas White Loans Charity. After a tough decision, the winner was announced as final year Contour Fashion student Victoria-Rose Evans: “Daisy Grace is focused on selling a wide variety of lingerie, swimwear and clothing tailored towards women who have undergone either a mastectomy or lumpectomy. I thought that it would be a perfect opportunity to present this idea to the panel as there is a huge gap in the market, and I want to be the person to help cater for them. I really enjoyed presenting my brand to the panel and audience, it 08 | NICHE

has allowed me to develop many skills which will be very useful for the future. The main priority are the women I am designing for; I want to make them feel powerful and beautiful again. Winning the competition has allowed me to develop this further; I will be purchasing a new sewing machine with some of the money to allow me to make a higher standard of garments at home.” Final year Contour Fashion student, Heled Davies, describes her time at Pitch2win: “The experience of presenting a pitch was new to me, so that alone was a great learning experience. It enabled me to exceed what I initially thought I was capable of, and for that I am eternally grateful. I was honoured to be selected as a finalist and

embraced the opportunity to present and introduce Helz Defined to a much wider audience. Helz Defined is a fully sustainable and ethical fashion brand. The goal is to prove that a sustainable and ethical fashion brand is feasible on today’s highstreet market. Good quality garments with a good moral compass do not need to cost the earth. The bursary I won for coming second will allow me to take Helz Defined to NASS festival – a BMX and skating festival that is a watering hole for the demographic of Helz Defined. The remaining money has allowed me to officially register the brand as a legitimate limited company, which is a great stepping stone!” The event was hosted by

DMU’s Student and Graduate Enterprise Manager, Simon Baines, who said: “Pitch2Win is a fantastic competition. It attracts an extremely high calibre of entrepreneurial students, who never cease to amaze us with their ideas and skills. All the entrants receive support from the #DMUworks Student Enterprise Team, and many will go on to participate in the University’s flagship graduate accelerator programme, Crucible. We cannot wait to see how these fresh businesses go forward and flourish within our increasingly enterprising city.” For details of how you can support student enterprise at DMU, please visit dmu.ac.uk/enterprise dmu.ac.uk/enterprise enterprise@dmu.ac.uk

Thousands raised to combat homelessness Teams from local businesses, individuals and students gathered at the University of Leicester on March 21 and have raised a record £16,000 for a Leicester-based homeless charity. A total of 79 dedicated volunteers braved the weather as they spent a night outside to raise awareness of the reality of ‘sleeping rough’ and of homelessness. The volunteers were equipped with only cardboard, a sleeping bag, flasks and the clothes on their backs for warmth. The staggering £16,000 raised will go to Leicester-based homeless charity The Bridge Homelessness to Hope. The Bridge provide help and support to those living on the streets,

so that they can move from despair to hope. The charity provide many services, including their mentoring project, where a coordinator will help the mentee set goals for six months of the project, and they will then meet publicly each week to work towards achieving those goals. David Fawcett, Executive Operations Manager at The Bridge Homelessness to Hope commented: “We’re absolutely delighted at the response we had to The Big Sleep this

year. Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors and companies who took part, we raised £16,000 which is an increase of around 30 per cent on last year’s total. “We had more than double the number of volunteers this year too, which hopefully shows how we are not only raising funds, but awareness of the difficulties faced by the city’s homeless community. We’re very grateful to everyone who took part and supported the event.”

Sacrificing the work-life balance The Yorkshire Bank, part of CYBG plc, reveal the extent of personal sacrifices that British business owners make in order for their business to be successful in new research. Their findings show that one in five entrepreneurs report crucial effects on their health, with 16 per cent giving up on exercise, 20 per cent on healthy eating – and 25 per cent of small business owners sacrificing time with family and friends. These results are the second wave of data released from the Yorkshire Bank Expect More research; the business research was conducted amongst 2,000 small business owners in 10 of the UK’s largest cities, and compares work-life balance, growth ambitions, diversity and innovation. There are many key regional differences that have become prominent through the research, with Mancunian business owners being the most physically active – just under 60 per cent find time to exercise. Manchester is closely followed by 57 per cent of Bristol business owners and Edinburgh, Glasgow and London with 56 per cent. London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Leeds and Leicester were the cities covered in the research.

In Leicester, a whopping 46 per cent of business owners work seven to nine hours on an average work day, with 32 per cent working 10-12 hours, and 11 per cent working more than 12 hours per day. When asked how many days they work during the average week, it was found that of the studied Leicester entrepreneurs 54 per cent worked five days, 22 per cent worked six days and 10 per cent worked seven days. Whilst some regard finding the right work-life balance as essential to job satisfaction, 30 per cent of business owners have sacrificed the work-life balance, with around 37 per cent of them never enjoying a full weekend off. Gavin Opperman, Group Banking Business Director, CYBG, said: ‘’Work-life balance as a concept has gained momentum due to changes and developments seen in the working world, including the increased use of technology, the need for speed and on-demand service. “As a result of this, small business owners often feel the pressure more than most. Working long hours and extra days can easily become the norm, but finding the right balance to help achieve your goals for your business, and manage the other important parts of your life are key to allround success and wellbeing.’’ NICHE | 09

BUSINESS NEWS

Leicester ahead as a cultural and shopping destination

City Centre Director Sarah Harrison reflects on the evolution of our city centre

“L

“Leicester has fared well, both regionally and nationally, with a net loss of just seven shops. The city continues to be ahead of the curve as a cultural destination and, boasting Highcross as a great shopping destination, coupled with significant investment in commercial and leisure space in the city centre, this is helping to drive footfall to the high street,” said Andy Lyon, retail and consumer markets leader for accountants PwC in the Midlands. Although figures compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC) for PwC show the high streets across the East Midlands have seen the largest fall in the number of shops over the last five years, with a net loss of 193 stores in 2018 as only 243 shops opened, compared to

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436 closures, Leicester has bucked this trend. The analysis tracked 4,666 outlets in the East Midlands operated by multiple retailers in 34 towns/city centres across the region. Nottingham saw the highest net loss in the region at 39 stores with Derby experiencing a net loss of 31 stores. There are many doom and gloom commentaries about the future of retail and the ‘death of the high street’, but businesses that understand and respond to changing consumer behaviour will be winners. Delivering on a unique experience, exemplary customer service and embracing technology are keys to future success. The consumers’ mindset is changing, becoming more research than impulse driven, using

multi channels instead of buying local, choosing quality over quantity and being more promiscuous rather than loyal. There is a rising demand for unique and immersive experiences, which is borne out of the shift from consumption to experience. Spending patterns are changing, with consumers spending more on discretionary leisure, prioritising going out over owning items. “As we’re going through a period of great disruption, successful adaptation to these major trends will be difficult and complex. Only those open to a dialogue with the community and ready to embrace new technologies, new ways of working and collaboration will succeed. Those unable to keep up the pace will fail.” says research

As we’re going though a period of great disruption, successful adaptation to these major trends will be difficult and complex. Only those open to a dialogue with the community and ready to embrace new technologies, new ways of working and collaboration will succeed. Those unable to keep up the pace will fail – Revo Insights

company Revo Insights. Since January 2017, Leicester has seen a net gain of 71 businesses in the retail, food and drink and leisure sectors in the city centre. Many of these are independent businesses offering unique products and experiences and play an important role in strengthening the overall offer and appeal of the city centre as a retail destination. The multi-million-pound investment by Hammerson in the reconfiguration of the House of Fraser store has delivered a flagship Zara store, an expanded 100,000 sq ft JD Sports and leisure newcomer, Treetop Adventure Golf, due

to open in June this year. Other recent openings responding to consumers’ focus on health and wellbeing are Runners Need and Cotswold Outdoor. City centres of the future will be meeting places for those that work, study, live or visit and will need to offer multi venue experiences to deliver on creating a vibrant, thriving sense of place. Leicester has embraced this evolution and is ahead of many cities with the recent opening of exciting new leisure operators to enhance the existing theatre and cinema experiences. These include Boost Trampoline Park, Caddyshackers crazy golf bar, Social Climbing and various

Escape Room challenges. New pedestrianised areas and public spaces delivered through the Connecting Leicester programme provide safe, family-friendly areas for all to enjoy. Fantastic new festivals supported by BID Leicester include the Mods: Shaping a Generation exhibition at New Walk Museum and festivals across the city centre such as the REVIVE Festival in mid-June, Bring the Paint 2019 street art in May and celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the Landing on the Moon July-October will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city. NICHE | 11

BUSINESS NEWS

A new way to live in the city W Way of Life, Long Harbourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bespoke Build To Rent (BTR) in-house management company, have released new images of a high-profile site in Leicester city centre

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Way of Life, who will be managing the 297-apartment complex opposite the Highcross Shopping Centre on Vaughan Way, revealed the contemporary features that will turn The Wullcomb, as the development will be known, into the most desirable place to live in Leicester. Customers who rent an apartment will enjoy a shared rooftop terrace, with a wood-fired pizza oven, barbecue space and great views over the city. They will be able to host a party in the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private dining room, relax in the library and entertain friends in the cinema/games room or in the luxurious shared living area, The Perch. The fabulous shared amenity spaces will provide the ultimate sense of community. The Wullcomb encourages coworking and offers space with highspeed Wi-Fi where customers can

work collaboratively or individually in a welcoming environment. The unique development has been taking shape over the past 18 months and is nearing completion, with the first apartments ready to live in as soon as summer 2019. The five, seven, ten and twelve-storey blocks are joined together by a spacious and shared roof terrace. And just a short walk away are Leicester’s main retail areas and thriving nightlife. The building will offer a mix of thoughtfully designed Manhattan studios, one-bed and two-bed apartments, with rents starting from as little as £595 a month. Apartments are available furnished or unfurnished. They offer on-site parking, secure bike storage, concierge and maintenance team as well as high-speed Wi-Fi and over 8,000 sq ft of space that has been set aside for commercial use.

Way of Life is currently working on a similar scheme, The Lansdowne, in Birmingham, which has opened its doors in March. The company also manages two buildings in London as well as one building in Manchester, but The Wullcomb is the first BTR venture into the East Midlands. Managing Director Sowgol Zarinchang explained that Way of Life were investing into the city for the long-term and were keen to become a fully integrated part of the community. “We view ourselves as part of the hospitality industry. We’re not a management platform that offers property, we are dedicated to providing a sense of community that customers will experience throughout their stay with us. Leicester is a city that is vibrant, cultural, and always has something exciting going on. We are keen to

partner up with local businesses wherever the opportunity arises and directly impact the community through a cultural programme, including health and wellbeing events and cooking demos. We are excited to not only be providing somewhere to live, but a whole new way to live for our customers.” The exciting project is made possible through London based investor Long Harbour, an established, fast-growing UK and European real estate investment manager and residential sector specialist. Long Harbour entered into a joint venture agreement with Sowden Group in 2017, purchasing the site across from High Cross shopping Centre. Way of Life is Long Harbour’s in-house management company and will be launching the product into the market this coming summer. People can register their interest at TheWullcomb.com

08453 31 30 31 Wayoflife.com NICHE | 13

The Ferrers Arms Steve and Sharon’s Story Steve Clark and Sharon Doherty have taken over the pub they used to drink in and in their first year they’ve completely transformed The Ferrers Arms in Derby. “It’s been hard work, but worth it” says Sharon.

teve Clark and Sharon Doherty have learned many things about the pub game in the short time they have been licensees. “But if I had to sum it up to anyone thinking of making the move, I’d say that running a pub is like most things in life really, you get out of it what you put in” says Sharon.

If you want to coast along, putting in the bare minimum of effort, then that will be reflected in your pub and it will also be reflected in your takings, but If you want your pub to do well, if want to serve quality beer, keep your customers happy and your profits up, then you have to work hard at it! “There are no off days here” says Sharon, who spent 42 years working at Rolls-Royce in Derby before making the huge career switch in the summer of 2018. “It really is relentless as we live above the pub, so even if we’re not working, we’re always on call. We have a small number of staff so if anyone is off, then we have to step in.” So, it’s hard work, but is it enjoyable? “Oh, it’s brilliant” she beams. “I loved my job at Rolls-Royce. I wouldn’t have stayed there for so

Want to run your own pub business? If you’re even a little bit intrigued, as to how to go about getting into this exciting trade then you need to chat with the team at Everards. All Everards pubs are run as independent businesses and they will support you as much or as little as you need. As this is your own business, you will need some level of investment to get started, but this varies from pub to pub and Everards will talk you through everything. With more than 165 years’ experience in the industry and over 175 pubs in the Midlands; they have some great opportunities in the city, the countryside and everything in between! Call 0116 201 4260 today to start your next chapter with Everards.

everards.co.uk

long if I didn’t, but I love this more. I only wish we’d have done it years ago.” They did think about it years ago, but they didn’t follow it up, Steve adds. He was working as an asphalt road worker, travelling all over the world laying roads; hard work, but he enjoyed it. The couple live in Sinfin and The Ferrers Arms was their local, which has had its fair share of ups and downs! The couple didn’t have the money or the sense of purpose to become landlords back then and “the dream” died quickly. Fast forward to the start of 2018 and the pub had become available again, but this time, Steve and Sharon were in a better place to go for it. “We had a bit of money between us and we knew the pub, we knew what it could be and knew we could make it better” says Sharon, which ultimately led them to contacting Everards to say they were interested. They had no real pub experience, not behind the bar at least. “But we lived in Sinfin, knew the area, the people and we knew we could make it work” says Steve. There were several couples interested in the pub and Everards shared other pubs with Steve and Sharon to consider; however they turned them down not even going look at them. “We’re Derby people. This is a

Derby pub, a Derby County pub at that” says Steve. “We didn’t want a pub in Nottingham or Leicester. It just wasn’t for us.” They took over The Ferrers Arms in May 2018. The restaurant part of the pub has been closed and refurbished into a bar. “We don’t do food now and I think the pub is better for it” says Sharon. There’s live entertainment, karaoke, a new pool team and a darts teams about to form later this year. “The local angling club meets here now and they’re good lads and it’s great for business” says Steve. A quiet but determined and very deliberate revolution has turned The Ferrers Arms around. “The pub was struggling in 2017” says Sharon. “But I think people know us around here, they were pleased we were taking it on and people who had left to go to other pubs in the area have returned.” It’s a working-class town, Sinfin. “We have Rolls-Royce, Bombardier and Toyota all on our doorstep; lots of people work there. I was one of them,” says Sharon. “We know these people because that’s who we are too!” “It’s been hard work, getting this pub back on track, but it’s immensely satisfying too.”

BUSINESS NEWS

A dynamic approach

to conferencing A multi-faceted, growing city centre venue expands their award-winning conferencing facilities, attracting large corporations from across the UK

Located in the stunning historical quarter beside Leicester cathedral, St Martins House might have historical roots, but the future is where this prestigious corporate venue is steadily focused. Since expanding its facilities with the addition of St Martins Lodge, a luxury accommodation located just as short stroll away, the venue has been attracting a multitude of large businesses, including Natwest, RBS, Leicester Comedy Festival, Pick Everard and Mattioli Woods. Attracted to the venueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capabilities for providing all aspects of holding a corporate event under the one roof, the experienced and multi-talented personnel team can accommodate anything from eight delegates up to 180. There are dedicated managers for every aspect of the event and they take care of every detail â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the welcome drinks through to the menu planning and entertainment. Whether for drinks receptions, events, award ceremonies or smallscale team meetings, the venue provides the ideal setting for those looking for a convenient city location, complete with parking, stunning

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scenery and accommodation. Even large corporations based in London are finding it more convenient and cost effective than venues in London itself, with our city’s excellent transport links and St Martins meeting and exceeding the needs of many different types of business. Attracted to the ethos and diversity of events available at St Martins, highly regarded chef and catering maestro Samantha Dimblebee joined the team of excellent personnel earlier this year. “When I met with the team at St Martins I knew instantly that we would work well together. I get a huge thrill when working large events and with such a diverse range of clients, the role is perfect for keeping me on my toes and tapping into my creativity. I really liked the direction in which St Martins House is headed – to put it simply, I wanted to be part of it.” Sam enthused. Having built a strong reputation over the years catering for large and high-profile events, Sam has worked with a huge range of clients and brings vast experience and passion for creating menus which compliment any event and budget. Director Nick

Quinn told Niche: “I want a team of experienced professionals to take care of individual aspects of the events without feeling the need to oversee each detail – I wanted to be able to trust them to play their part and to play it well. I knew straight away that I could do that with Sam. We have an honest and productive working relationship – we are on the same page.” St Martins Lodge completes the luxurious conferencing facilities with its beautifully appointed sleek and sophisticated rooms. The reception is based at St Martins House with guests escorted across the stunning courtyard - past the cathedral and recently rejuvenated relaxing yet vibrant area. Each room is individually styled to complement the Georgian building with many suites boasting roll top baths, grand fireplaces and tall windows overlooking the cathedral. A destination venue for nationwide clients - St Martins House are setting the bar high in the conferencing and events arena.

I want a team of experienced professionals to take care of individual aspects of the events without feeling the need to oversee each detail

Stmartinshouse.com 0116 261 5200 NICHE | 17

NICHE FEATURE

Time is precious The House of Lifestyle Management is the company that gives you more time and makes your life run like clockwork

Co-founders Alex and Sophie have been best friends since school and have both run their own businesses for years, until one day about a year ago, they decided to join forces and rebrand as The House of Lifestyle Management. With offices based in Rearsby Business Park, Leicestershire, they have clients all around the UK and US. The company provide clients with both virtual and in-house PAs and household staff that cover every aspect of a busy lifestyle, so business owners, entrepreneurs and busy households can relax, knowing they don’t need to directly manage these people – it’s hassle-free for only a monthly fee.

Clients have free access to all of The House of Lifestyle Management’s concierge services – whether that’s finding the best seats in a sold out performance, securing a dinner reservation in a sought after restaurant, meeting a famous music artist, offering a personal shopping experience in any major city in the world or booking luxury tailor-made holidays to enable you to escape the pressures of everyday life so you can relax; Sophie said: “Our team at The House of Lifestyle Management go above and beyond to really take care of our clients.” The team can manage anything; from dealing with day to day business

needs, to some of their most random requests to date, which are; furnishing a client’s second home in Monaco, sending Pukka Tea to the States, looking after a client’s luxury car portfolio, making sure they are serviced and driven or hosting a private dinner party with a chef from Celebrity Master Chef. If you’re not sure whether you need to take that tentative step to relinquish some of the day to day responsibilities, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team to find out more. 01664 784 011 hello@thehouseoflm.com

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Are you confident with the way your business is performing? Are your team contributing 100% to your business? Do you have dreams for your business that have been parked because you are SO BUSY keeping all the wheels turning? Would you like someone to take the weight off your shoulders, leaving your free to do what you do best – building your business? Are you being poorly rewarded for all you do? Are you thinking about succession planning? Would your business benefit from implementing growth processes?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, book an exploratory call with me Having worked with Amanda I have been able to restructure my business and developed a management team who operate independently helping me run the business

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Workplace Wellness 'How do you promote yourself as an employer of choice in regards to health and well-being?' A question we ask our clients when looking to recruit or retain staff. Well-being at work has become an increasingly discussed topic with candidates pro-actively seeking information on a firm's values, ethos and benefits. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s believed much of well-being at work emanates from truly loving what you do.

What makes employees love working for you? Feeling accomplished and involved in the success and growth of the business. Positive reinforcement from management making employees feel appreciated and recognised through success stories. A supportive working environment and team culture keeping morale and efficiency high! A level of autonomy, providing empowerment for staff to make their own decisions.

Why is well-being at work so important? On average, adults spend one third of their life at work, meaning our jobs heavily contribute to our overall health and well-being. Stats state good working conditions and a supportive work environment have a positive impact on our health. Surveys showed employee s who are happy at work are 3 times more productive!

For a free consultation and some easy tips on how you can attract and retain talent whilst supporting health and well-being in the workplace, get in touch with us.

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BUSINESS FOCUS

Leadership

The stress of Leadership Nearly seven in 10 business leaders are struggling with stress in the workplace, according to a recent study, feeling the strain of being the one that others look to. Too much pressure applied to an underprepared and unsupported leader can result in huge implications for the leader themselves, their team and their business

SHAHID SHEIKH OBE Managing Director of Clifton Packaging Group Ltd

YOU’VE GOT TO REMAIN FRESH AND EXCITED ABOUT EACH DAY; YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BECOME JADED

I have to say that I really enjoy taking on responsibilities and the pressures that go with them. It gives me a buzz, keeps the adrenaline flowing and keeps me focused – the delegating, the planning and the execution of all the ideas which, in turn, gives the desire to succeed a new meaning. This is what being a leader is all about – not just leading but creating more leaders, not followers. I’m not cut out to follow – I know that! Working with your team makes life a lot easier as opposed to working against them. That said, I question what’s being done all the time and, believe me, that’s got me into big trouble in the past! The opportunity I have at Clifton is to create a business that me and the rest of my family, our team, our community and the City of Leicester can feel genuinely proud of – and that’s really exhilarating! From being a lifestyle business, I decided to set a new and a very clear vision and

strategy of growth to be achieved within just five years… and the challenge was on! We will hit our turnover target by the end of our next financial year and I’ve already started to look ahead. New targets have already been set. Why? Because we never stand still at Clifton; it’s always about innovation, continuous improvement, challenge and opportunity. Time doesn’t wait for anybody, so grab every minute you can and make it worthwhile! Business can be very unforgiving, so do today what others are planning to do tomorrow and stay ahead of the game! As I said at a recent business dinner I spoke at – it often takes as much energy to increase your turnover from £1 million to £1.1 million as it does to grow turnover to £10 million. So, if you’re going to do it then do it big! Have fun, take your people with you on the journey and educate them along the way – that’ll help to reduce any stress and strain

for a start but, ultimately, as the leader, the success or failure of your vision and strategy sits on your shoulders and you can’t – nor should you – forget that. That’s why it’s really important to surround yourself with positive people. I won’t say I look up to anyone because I don’t, but equally, I don’t look down on anyone. I treat everyone the same. I know I can learn from others and I do – all the time. Sometimes that’s from friends or people in business, sometimes it’s from sports people – I love sport! Looking outside of your industry or even business can give you the biggest clues as to how to achieve your next goal and the next. It’s also a great way to relax which is equally important. You’ve got to remain fresh and excited about each day; you can’t afford to become jaded. Relaxing with my family, watching a movie or going to a sports event helps me unwind and chill out. Then it’s back to it and time to build some more! I think travelling is also a very important part of continuous learning and development, as there is a lot to learn from what goes on around the globe commercially and culturally; things that we can pick up and easily adapt into our businesses, making it more accessible to global buyers. The world really has now become a global village, so learn to expand your horizons and let the world know that we’re here and ready to do business! NICHE | 21

BUSINESS FOCUS

RICHARD JENNINGS Director at Yopa

I thought long and hard before trying my hand at writing my first ‘Hot Topic’, as I’m certainly not perfect and often find I forget to ‘practice what I preach’. My point here is that we are all human and are prone to making mistakes – and that’s actually OK. The key is to be reflective and be honest with yourself to avoid making the same mistakes repeatedly! Here are a few things about leadership that I have learned from my colleagues and former managers, as well as from reading. 1. Look after yourself: Get some rest, exercise, have some fun with friends and family, eat well, stay hydrated! No one copes with stressful situations or thinks clearly if they are not looking after their body and mind. 2. Build a team with a shared vision: Understand what the vision and strategy is for your business and how/where you and your team need to add value. Make sure you engage your team on this, so you are all aware what it is you want to achieve, why it is important and how you plan to realise your goals together. You’ll find it easier to ask your team to step up or cope with

LOUISE DONAGHY Head of Business Development and Executive Education at Leicester Castle Business School 22 | NICHE

Leadership

AMANDA DALY change if they are engaged from the outset and feel part of shaping their goals. 3. Set your team clear targets and responsibilities: Make sure everyone understands what is expected of them in advance and set clear goals (Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) are a great tool to use). This will allow you to delegate where needed and allow people to own their bit of the vision. Also, don’t forget to agree these with your manager/COO/ board for yourself (do that first). 4. Don’t avoid asking for help: Asking for help can feel tough, but it’s amazing what happens when you do! You can ask for help, thoughts, ideas and opinions from your team, your manager, peers, friends, family or business networks. It helps to rationalise thoughts and sometimes you get a golden nugget idea from the most unusual of sources! 5. Seek out a mentor: This can be a former colleague, a previous manager, a friend, or someone you respect in the workplace who can give you honest and fair feedback without bias. It’s good to talk and work through your challenges with someone who is there to listen, not judge, and spark some creative thought.

It can be lonely at the top. Understanding yourself and what it’s like to be in a leadership role is crucial to enable cognizance of what skills, attributes, support and development you need to be successful. Whether a leader has progressed organically through the organisation or has been hired directly from outside, having a strong sense of self awareness and where strengths and weaknesses lie is paramount to reducing the potential stresses in a leadership role.

Director at The Turnaround CEO As business owners many of us allow our business to take over and we lose focus on self-love. We become workaholics, give ourselves completely to our business and forget the real reason why we set up a business in the first place! When I first approached the selflove concept I struggled, but then I realised - as a business owner and a consultant, if I can’t be proud of who I am, what I have achieved or what I can do, how can I start to change and help others? Self-Love runs deep; it is who you are as an individual. It’s the beauty of your mind, the way you live, your whole identity. Often, our work becomes the very thing that makes us forget about Self Love. Over-working often comes from our own beliefs we are not enough, or we are not doing enough. Reality is so different! We rarely take that objective view of ourselves to say, “I am enough!” the critic within often takes over, and we feel we should be doing so much more or be so much more. If something triggers you on the theme of self-love and change when reading this, then get in touch; I would love to hear your thoughts or indeed help.

Seeking support and help from the right places, whether that’s from peers, networks or from taking part in training and development, will help a leader to become more prepared, effective and to gain support to reduce stress. Taking the time to develop and place emphasis on happiness and wellbeing as a leader will also set a good example to employees, help with engagement and the development of a happier, more productive work place.

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JOSH PENLINGTON OF JPENLINGTON MEDIA

What is the That’s the question dynamic business coaches Matt Bull and Laurence Duncan are asking. Emily Kirton sits down with them in a cosy bar and discovers how the answers are crucial to them helping businesses to develop

irected at business owners, the ‘straight to the point question’ induces a wide range of reactions say Matt and Laurence of Action Coach. It varies greatly and depends entirely on where the owner is at in their life, emotional, physically and mentally: “Some point-blank refuse to answer, some respond after floods of tears, while others roll out the same narrative they tell themselves day in, day out.” The answer to this question is telling because, as Matt explains, it “indicates exactly where the owner is at. It starts to reveal what motivated the move to ownership of a business in the first place and, more importantly, it sheds light on what an owner is feeling about their business and the pressures of being in their position.” 24 | NICHE

How does it do that and why is it so effective? MATT: It filters out all the excuses and stories business owners tend to play out to themselves every day. It gets to the humanity of it all – the whys and wherefores of why they started a business in the first place and really it is the question which cuts right to the core of the business owner. It unearths the ‘home truths’ of the person and their beliefs about where they are in their working life. We see it as our job to cut through to exactly what is underneath their motivation. We ask whether they want to make more money, whether they would like to be able to put their children to bed at the end of the day or whether they want to go on holiday a couple of times a year without their laptop. These questions can either tell us exactly what they want or need from their life or indicate whether we need to dig a little deeper to get the true answer. LAURENCE: For me, it’s all emotive. It’s about what a business owner

feels about their business, what makes them tick and what will drive it forward. There are, of course, the facts and figures to look at to see where a business might be at and, especially given our backgrounds in accountancy, we have the basics of that covered. However, the figures won’t help in transforming where a business will go. Often people look at the figures to ‘change’ a business - to ‘fix it’, but for me, it’s totally missing the driving force behind it and where the change can really happen; it’s missing the humanity of it all.”

What motivated you to become coaches?

MATT: My dad was a business owner and it impacted me and my family growing up. His company ended and essentially, there were struggles that I had to deal with personally from watching this all unfold. I had to coach myself in life and my career and I knew I wanted to help people to do the same – to engage with people and help them get the results that were right in front of them. For me, the

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motivation is understanding people’s challenges and ultimately empowering them to improve their quality of life. Being in business should give you more life, it shouldn’t become your life. LAURENCE: My company went bust in 2012, it was a huge learning curve and I have made sure I have learnt from my mistakes. After, I felt compelled to share my lessons. I was good at being a Chartered Accountant, but I had no business model and had no idea how to drive the business forward. Looking back, if I had had a coach, it would have been a completely different story. All too often business owners only think to turn to us when they believe they are on the edge – the edge of ‘jacking it all in’ as one client said to me. We’re not just here to ‘fix’

we’re about. They soon learn they can trust us. LAURENCE: To build this trust, we have a guarantee in place and say that if we cost our clients more than the extra profit they make in the first six months of coaching, then our fee will be paid back to them in full. No one has asked for their money back yet – we just deliver results

Are there any instances where business coaching might not be what a client needs?

LAURENCE: We are unable to help the people that aren’t ready for what is essentially a radical change and a shift in the culture and dynamics of their existing business and their beliefs around it. They must want it enough to

point? a business, we’re here to help them achieve their personal goals as well as help the business. So, with that client, we realigned his values and enabled him to facilitate the changes to his skill set and existing tools to take his business from the brink to thriving. He turned his business around and made huge profits – but more than that, where he once used to say he had no time for coaching, he now invites us for a game of golf in his downtime on a weekday. The emotional change gets real results. We have expectations of a 60% compound profit increase every year for clients and in the past we have had clients achievea sevenfold increase in profits from £124k to £1,068k after 18 months.

Some point-blank refuse to answer, some respond after floods of tears, while others roll

allow for the trust to build, to put the work in to get the desired result and to be willing and open to accept the education that we provide. MATT: This does happen, we see it occasionally where someone thinks they want our help – they might think we have a magic wand, but it’s just not going to work with that mindset. It’s a very difficult thing to admit that you need help and support. These people are inviting us into their world, sharing their vulnerabilities – it becomes much more about the emotional side and revealing that really takes a lot. To be willing to start this huge process of change is a scary, pivotal moment that needs to happen in order for there to be any change at all. The duo invites you to ask yourself wherever you are at in your career – what is the point? And see what comes up. After all, as business owners you want to have a life, but if you’re working 70+ hours a week, taking your laptop away on holiday with you and missing vital milestones in your family’s life, are you really living? They may not have a magic wand, and the journey is unlikely to be easy, but you are guaranteed not to regret it and remember if you do – you get your money back. Can’t say fairer than that! 01509 642 974 Laurenceduncan@actioncoach.co.uk Mattbull@actioncoach.com actioncoach.co.uk/loughborough

out the same narrative they tell themselves day in, day out

What is it that stops people reaching out to ask for help?

MATT: People struggle to ask for help, particularly men, they seem to have the mentality that to suggest they need advice is due to some sort of failure on their part. Then there is the misconception that business coaching is only for businesses that are failing, that it is a quick ‘fix’. Both limitations on why people might not reach out to a coach are blown out of the water when they talk to us and understand what NICHE | 17

BUSINESS FOCUS

Assessing your business For a quick financial assessment of your business, it can be easier to look at the turnover, but can you work out how healthy your business is from this figure? In a word: no. Net profits are a far better place to start

A COMPANY MIGHT SHOW A NET PROFIT FIGURE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION POUNDS, BUT IF THAT POUND FIGURE REPRESENTS A NET MARGIN OF ONLY 1 PER CENT OR LESS, THEN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST INCREASE IN OPERATING COSTS COULD PLUNGE THE COMPANY INTO THE RED

RIK PANCHOLI Director and Solicitor at Pattersons Commercial Law

FOR SMALL AND MEDIUMSIZED BUSINESSES, THE ABILITY TO CREATE A HEALTHY PROFIT MARGIN IS NOT ALWAYS EASY AND SOME OWNERS LOOK AT COST SAVINGS, STREAMLINING PROCESSES AND DEVELOPING EFFICIENT WAYS OF WORKING

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When considering the financial state of a small or medium-sized business, it is always easy to look at the turnover and make a bold assessment of the viability of the business. Whilst a high turnover can look attractive, it can be an indication of many different factors which may not always give a clear indication of the state of the business. When a buyer of a business considers the financial position of the target organisation, they may look at how viable the target proposition is by looking at a number of different indicators. They may consider how much of an addition to turnover the acquisition brings but if there is no increase in profitability, the buyer will often have to justify the acquisition by looking at how much of a strategic fit the acquisition is, what the integration savings are and what value can be extracted. They will also want to carry out their own due diligence to understand why there may be no increase in profitability; are there staff turnover issues, are clients and customers being lost, or are there too many inefficiencies? These types of decisions are often taken with a long-term viewpoint and the acquiring

party will very much need to look at their ability to cash flow the short-term objectives to meet the acquisition viability in the long term. The intention will be for both businesses to perform successfully as a combined business. In this particular scenario, looking at the margins becomes incredibly important otherwise there is a risk of failure, not only with the acquired business but potentially to the existing business. Having a healthy profit with a decent margin will allow both businesses to flourish as a combined entity, as there may then be room for manoeuvre if the market moves against the combined business (as an example, we currently live in an uncertain economic and political environment). For small and medium-sized businesses, the ability to create a healthy profit margin is not always easy and some owners look at cost savings, streamlining processes and developing efficient ways of working through innovation and technology. Whichever way you look at it, carrying out a continual financial assessment of your business is key, and tools like management accounts and strong advisors with experience will add value.

Finance

DARREN WILLOUGHBY Managing Director at 2XL Commercial

As the old adage goes ‘turnover is vanity, profit is sanity...’ and having worked and consulted with hundreds of businesses over the years, both as a bank manager and also a consultant, this amongst all other business quotes is the one that I take with me most and one that is crucial in assessing any proposition from a funding angle. When assessing a client’s commercial mortgage or business loan application, the first thing we look at is the ability for the business to debt service, known as the debt service covenant (DSC). So for example, a business makes a net profit of £200k and the new loan is £100k pa then we are good to go, right? Wrong. What we will also do is see how this profit figure has been made up and what it consists of, ie. is there a

one-off order in there that has skewed the figures? Did the business receive a rebate of some kind? So it’s important to not just read the numbers but get under the skin of them – if we can understand the numbers, we understand the business. Another thing that we look at is the client’s drawings; so if the client makes £200k net profit pa and then they need £200k pa to stand still and meet their own personal lifestyle and debt commitments, then this will also need to be factored in. Again, a slight tweak in business will mean that they will struggle to meet their own home commitments which may involve education and cars amongst other things. All are crucial even though they sit outside the business they are an integral part of that person’s life and if that person’s lifestyle is solely backed up by their own business, then lenders will assess as part of the overall picture. Lenders are savvy to changes in the environment and that’s why they also work out the ability to debt service on a higher interest rate. So for example, many lenders will test the deal with base rate being 4-5 per cent even though its currently sitting at 0.75 per cent – this allows then for any market fluctuations and that the deal has been ‘stress tested’ to ensure that if the market does move the client can still meet its debt commitments.

LENDERS ARE SAVVY TO CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND THAT’S WHY THEY ALSO WORK OUT THE ABILITY TO DEBT SERVICE ON A HIGHER INTEREST RATE

THE MESSAGE IS THAT REVIEWING REGULAR MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND HIGHLIGHTING KEY FIGURES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR BUSINESS IS A MUST

SHELLEY HARVEY Director at SFB Group

Many businesses set targets around turnover and business growth but forget to consider other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Whilst turnover is an important KPI to monitor success, what is more important is profit and having a healthy balance sheet. When looking at profit we need to consider both gross profit and net profit. A company can be making what they believe is a great gross profit, but is it enough to cover the running costs enabling the business to achieve a reasonable net profit? If you are realising a gross profit but then making a loss or only a very small net profit then why, and what can you do to change this? Businesses often start with cutting costs such

as administration costs so they can put more on the bottom line. In some cases, this is the first place to start, for example there are businesses who closely monitor what margins they make on their products or services but allow the overhead costs to completely spiral out of control. However, whilst key not to look at this in isolation, it is important to look at the gross profit and consider how this can be improved. If you have fixed overheads and are not generating enough gross profit to cover these then turnover would be the place to start. Do you need to sell more items to existing customers, find new customers or a mixture of both? When was the last time you looked at the margins for your product or service? All these factors need reviewing when trying to increase the overall performance of the business. Other issues businesses face on a regular basis are constraints around working capital. Do you regularly monitor your cashflow and forecast

what the business will not only need to survive, but to grow? Cashflow is arguably one of the most important KPIs for your business as even successful profitable businesses can fail if this isn’t managed. Debtor and creditor days are also a good indication – are they under control and is there enough cash in the bank to meet the requirements of the business? Looking at the net current asset position is a good place to start if you are monitoring liquidity; if a business has net current liabilities then it may be an indication that they do not have sufficient working capital. The message is that reviewing regular management information and highlighting key figures that are important to your business is a must. If you are not sure what your working capital requirements are or what KPIs are important to your business, then I would urge you to sit with your professional advisors and formulate a plan that is tailored to your business. NICHE | 27

BUSINESS FOCUS IT IS ADVISABLE FOR BUSINESSES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PROFIT AND CASH POSITION, TO ASCERTAIN HOW HEALTHY THEY ARE

RUTH TAYLOR Manager at Mark J Rees

There is a clear distinction between the key measures that show the performance of a company and the key measures that show just how healthy a business is. Turnover is intrinsic in illustrating a business’ performance, however a high turnover does not necessarily mean the company is healthy, as the direct costs and overheads could exceed the turnover, making the company unprofitable. For a quick assessment, net profit and its margins are areas to consider when assessing the health of a business. They are a far better place

to start than turnover as they detail the position of the company, taking into account all income and costs. In some circumstances, a profitable business might think in simple terms: ‘If I do twice as much work as I am doing now, I can make twice as much profit’. The problem here is that to support this expansion, there would need to be additional cash introduced for buying goods, equipment, hiring more people and so on, resulting in the cash potentially being spent before any new turnover is generated. So, to properly understand how a business is doing, and ascertain its health, you would also need to consider its liquidity. Liquidity is essential to a business’ financial health as it is the amount of cash that a company owns to enable it to manage its short-term debt. A phrase that is commonly used in the

business world is that ‘Cash is King’ and ‘Profit is Prince’. A company can be profitable but still not have adequate cash flow with money tied up in assets or debtors, which can lead to the worst-case scenario of the company being unable to continue to trade. To quickly establish the health of a business, the acid ratio could be used, which is calculated by dividing current assets less stock by current liabilities. The higher this ratio, the healthier the business. It is advisable for businesses to understand their profit and cash position, to ascertain how healthy they are, as these are vital to each other for a business to be successful. Without cash, businesses are unable to buy stock or pay employees, and without profit there is a declining effect on cash flow.

work to different margins; restaurants would target around 10 per cent to 15 per cent, whereas a software company would go for around 25 per cent to 35 per cent.

GURBINDER SINGH Company Director at BGS Accounting Ltd

CASH IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF ANY BUSINESS WITHOUT IT ONE COULD NOT CONTINUE TRADING, ESPECIALLY IF OUTGOINGS ARE HIGHER THAN INCOME

There are different ways of measuring the success of your business. I understand the temptation to look straight for the pound signs and measure your success by your turnover, however it is far from an accurate tool. Let’s take a look at Turnover, Profit and Cash as measurements for current business state of play. Turnover can sometimes be misleading and lead to a false sense of security; we have all heard the phrase ‘busy fool’. A handy measure for turnover would be to look at recurring revenue verses non-recurring revenue. Profit gives you a quick check to make sure that the company is earning more than it spends. Dividing profit against turnover is also vitally important, as this measures your net margin. Different businesses

28 | NICHE

Cash is the lifeblood of any business; without it one could not continue trading, especially if outgoings are higher than income. Cash in the business allows you to reinvest in the company to facilitate growth, like asset purchase and marketing spend. Formalising a cash forecast is a powerful tool that highlights any need for additional planning. Turnover and profit make up part of the profit and loss for the year in question. Cash can be found on the balance sheet under current assets. The balance sheet offers a very reliable view on the health of the business. Two other key things I look out for are: ◆ Debtors – Quick snapshot of what is owed TO the business. This enables management to focus on debt management. ◆ Creditors – Quick snapshot of what is owed BY the business. Often used to manage cashflow. There are several ratios that can be used to determine a company’s health. A very useful one is the ‘Working capital Ratio’ – take the current assets minus current liabilities. If this ia a positive number, it will give you the amount that you have available for day to day operations of the business.

When your accountant stands still, your business pays more Your accountant may be experienced and technically sound, but we’re guessing they’re probably expensive too. We’ve streamlined our service; which means when it comes to fees, we’re confident that we’re far more competitive. What you pay!

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BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS DELIVERING SUCCESS Whether you’re an SME, a serial entrepreneur or a brand-new start up, we know your time is precious. Our job is to take away the hassle of accounting, bookkeeping and more, so you can spend more time growing your business and serving your customers.

Whether you’d like to discuss how we can help, set up a meeting or just ask a quick question, get in touch today. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

We can submit accurate, complete tax returns and confirmation statements, maximise tax savings and help you manage and plan for tax payments. We can produce clear reports to help you understand your business’s performance and potential, and we can even give you the tools and insights you need to take your business to the next level.

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SHOEBOX RECEIPTS ARE HISTORY GURBINDER SINGH Director at BGS Accounting Ltd Have you ever been guilty of saving those receipts for your accountant in a shoebox/carrier bag/insert other impractical storage thing here? I think most of us will raise our hands guiltily to this. Thankfully though, it’s a thing of the past thanks to Cloud accounting. Clients and accountants everywhere are equally as delighted that things have moved onto the 21st century with a vast amount of benefits to Xero Accounting. Five ways cloud software benefits your business 1. You have a clear overview of your current financial position and it’s in real-time. 2. Automatic updates mean you don’t have to keep on top of it, allowing you more time to get on with the business of your business.

3. Multi-user access makes it simple and seamless to collaborate online with your team/advisors/accountants. 4. Costs are reduced – version upgrades, maintenance, system administration costs and server failures are no longer issues. Instead, they are managed by the cloud service provider. 5. Because everything is run online, there’s nothing to install and everything is backed up automatically. Updates are free and instantly available. Cloud accounting software allows you to run your business remotely, from anywhere in the world. And when data is fluid and accessible, the possibilities are endless! Leave the shoeboxes to the shoes and not the receipts! 07816 130 053

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“We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle” Sir Winston Churchill

Buying or selling, management buyouts are a strictly tax efficient partnering! How to go about selling your business as retirement approaches can be a worry for small business owners. It’s fine if a large competitor with plenty of money is prepared to buy you out, but, in a declining economy where few people have much ready cash, selling can be a challenge. If you are in this situation, a management buyout might be the answer. To buy out your business the purchaser does not need much capital. First, your buyer forms a holding company to acquire your company. That company then buys your company and, rather than paying you in cash, will instead give you a loan note – a promise to pay you the purchase price over a period of usually three to five years. Repayments are then funded by the newly acquired business, with these profits passed to its holding company free of any further tax charge on the dividend. This cash is then available in the holding company to pay off part of the loan note. Management buyouts can be a tax efficient option for both parties. Vendors still pay capital gains tax at the more attractive entrepreneurs’ relief rate of 10%, and, because transferring funds from one company in a group to another is generally tax free, purchasers pay no further tax charge. And, management buyouts don’t have to be confined to purchases by existing management teams. This tax-effective structure works equally well for any purchaser.

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UK tax legislation is the most complex in the world and, when you’re looking at the Taxation of Company Reorganisations, Pete literally wrote the book The Miller Partnership are experts in all aspects of corporation tax. Our specialities include: Taxation of corporate transactions, mergers, acquisitions, disposals, demergers, reorganisations & reconstructions HMRC clearances Transactions in securities anti-avoidance legislation Taxation of corporate intangible assets & goodwill Disguised remuneration Taxation of partnerships Patent Box

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A fitness coach for

the finances

The life of a sports professional is something that many dream of having; battling against the best in the field to overcome the odds, and claim victory, all in front of thousands of adoring supporters

But what many of us don’t think about is behind the scenes; it is very rare that we think of the personal pain, strain and sacrifice that athletes go through to achieve their goals and the mental courage that is needed, knowing that one wrong move, bad tackle, or trip could end their dream forever. Luckily these incidents are rare, but they can become a reality for sports professionals, and it is important that these fears are addressed by individual players and their representatives when planning their financial affairs. As a financial adviser, specialising in business owners and sports professionals, I see myself as the ‘fitness coach for their finances’. Although on the surface, these clients may seem like polar opposites, there are similarities between them. Whilst a sportsperson will be working hard on fitness, strength and teamwork through disciplined routines and training sessions, a business owner will be looking to do something similar. The strength of a sales

pitch can be improved; the fitness of a business is worked on by learning more about the numbers behind it; the teamwork comes from leading their team to achieve their goals or building up an effective group of introducers or contacts. Like a sports professional, one wrong decision or turn of events, and it could come tumbling down. When talking about the fundamentals of financial advice with my clients, I often focus on wealth creation and generation, but it is imperative that the protection of wealth, income and family is not forgotten. We never know what is around the corner and when we feel that we’re at the top of our game, we should take time to reflect on what could happen and put plans in place to protect and consolidate our position. For clients with an active career, like in sport, there are risks that can be insured against, providing a much-needed income to soften the blow when away from the pitch. These can be on a short-term basis, between

THE FITNESS OF A BUSINESS IS WORKED ON BY LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE NUMBERS BEHIND IT

one and two years, whilst longer term policies can be put in place to provide, long after a playing career would have reached its natural conclusion. For clients that are business owners, there are other considerations. The employees, as well as the owner, are integral to the success of the business. What happens if their star player is away from the business for a year or more? How significant is one employee to the overall success of the team? Fortunately for my clients, there are options available to owners to help in these circumstances too. The need to plan and protect for the worst may be daunting, but it is necessary. As the fitness coach for their finances, ultimately my clients have the confidence to perform to their best, knowing that if the unthinkable does happen, it doesn’t have to be full time for their future. 02476 010 083 armstrongswealth.co.uk

Armstrongs Wealth Planning Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. NICHE | 33

Claremont Financial Planning Ltd, Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management We focus solely on providing face-to-face advice and offer a dedicated, personal wealth management service to build long-term relationships. We have the experience to help you successfully secure and enhance your financial future by offering specialist advice in a wide range of areas including: Corporate Financial advice and protection Aspects of Exit Strategy Planning for business owners Investment Planning Retirement Planning Tax and Estate Planning Mortgages and Banking

For further information, or to request your complimentary guide to wealth management, please contact John Kiely or Declan Kiely:

01455 286 800

John Kiely and Declan Kiely Associate Partner Practice of St James’s Place Wealth Management

ST. JAMES’S PLACE WEALTH MANAGEMENT

The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner Practice’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

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The effect of costs

on your financial future This issues’ subject is based on the charges that clients pay for using financial advice and how they affect their investments over the longer term. I almost shied away from the subject because it’s very contentious, but I believe that it’s about time we open the lid on the subject and see where it takes us…

In the last issue I wrote about the legend John ‘Jack’ Bogle who sadly passed away in January this year. The company he founded ‘Vanguard’, is the largest mutual fund company in the world – currently holding over five trillion dollars under management. Mr Bogle developed the first tracker fund – funds which essentially are designed to replicate whichever market they are designed to follow. It’s very simple, very cheap to run and believe it or not, over time will provide investment returns that will surpass the very large majority of fund managers attempting the same thing. The annual management fee is considerably lower than the majority that clients are paying tradition fund managers. Over the last few years, more investors and advisors have switched over to the argument presented by those in the ‘evidence based’ (alternatively labelled ‘passive investment’) sector. The trickle has begun to turn into a stream, and in time we expect it to become a river. One of the reasons why passive funds outperform over the longer term is cost. Empirical studies have suggested that if you’re to review a fund, the biggest predictor of that fund’s long-

term performance will be its cost (Morningstar 2017). The cheaper the fund cost, the more likely it will out-perform the majority of its peers. Generally, financial advisers also normally charge on a percentage basis. So, their charges also affect the overall return to investors (similar to fund managers), but there is an alternative – advisers are coming around to the idea of fixed fee pricing, and I have looked at this below. So as a comparison I thought I’d compare the charges of the largest (but restricted) financial advisors in the UK (known normally by three letters) against a fixed fee model. I’ve compared an investment of £1,000,000 which is being set up with a new advisor under both options. Investment returns are kept at 5% per annum. With the national firm, the fees after the first six years are reduced from 3.0% to an average rate of 1.85% per annum. The comparable has an evidencebased investment fund charge of 0.35% plus a 0.20% platform charge. Total 0.55% per annum. The fixed fee charges start at £10,000 per annum and increase by a rate of inflation of 2.5% per annum. There is an initial charge of £10,000; the national firm has no initial fee.

THE CHEAPER THE FUND COST, THE MORE LIKELY IT WILL OUTPERFORM THE MAJORITY OF ITS PEERS

In the first six years the difference is a little over £96,000! IN JUST SIX YEARS!! A large proportion of this is due to the charges being levied (approx. £86,000). Fortunately, the average price for the national firm falls to 1.85% per annum, and this slows down the difference between the two pricing models. On average, I would expect to advise, partner and coach my clients over a 30-year investment period (as would most of my peers), so it’s important to consider the differential over that time period also. It is over £200,000. The cost savings each year provide additional funds for compound growth so the difference in value of the two funds is over HALF A MILLION POUNDS after 30 years. What difference could this make to your life, your family’s life, your legacy? The effect of costs over the long-term is enormous. Ignore them at the detriment of your financial freedom. Question every cost being levied, and why? It could mean obtaining financial peace of mind at least five years earlier. Is it time you paid more attention? 0116 262 1414 financelab.co.uk NICHE | 37

LEGAL FOCUS

Laws on Mental Health As employers, how do you navigate through the countless compliance law implications of supporting an employee when they are off work with mental health concerns? There are ways in which the employer can approach the implications in a mindful way for all parties concerned

PAID SICK LEAVE LAWS CREATE HUGE COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES FOR EMPLOYERS AND WHILST THEY ARE SIMPLY PART AND PARCEL OF EMPLOYER LIFE, THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH THE EMPLOYER CAN APPROACH THE IMPLICATIONS IN A MINDFUL WAY FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED

ALEX PAYTON Director at Howes Percival Solicitors

MANAGERS NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE INFORMED AND OPEN TO CONVERSATIONS WITH EMPLOYEES, AND FINALLY INDIVIDUALS NEED TO BE SELF-AWARE AND ASK FOR HELP WHEN NEEDED

38 | NICHE

Managing employees who are off work with mental health conditions can be difficult for employers, but it needn’t be. I think the problem with many employers is the way they approach mental health in the workplace. It can feel like they are stepping into the unknown. They may feel unsure how to address issues or to communicate with their employees effectively. The first thing to address is the work environment; companies should think about putting in place a wellbeing strategy. Mental health should be an issue that is first and foremost talked about openly in the workplace. Managers should be trained and supported so that they can understand the causes of mental health problems and how best to resolve them. This in turn will help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health. ACAS has developed a mental health framework which makes it clear that managing mental health at work is a three-way partnership between the employer, managers and individuals. Employers need to show that they are visibly committed to positive mental health, managers need to ensure that they are informed and open to conversations with employees, and finally individuals need to be self-aware and ask for help when needed. There are, of course, circumstances where mental health can result in employees being off work; how employers deal with that is key. The following tips might be useful: ◆ Speak soon and often with the employee – too many employers are fearful of having

conversations about an employee’s illness and often leave it too late ◆ If you are going to communicate, try to have a face-to-face conversation ◆ Allow employees to have the support of family or friends when discussing their mental health issues and accept in what way they prefer to communicate ◆ Confirm the discussions in writing, with the emphasis on trying to support the employee in getting better and being able to return to work ◆ Don’t waste time deciding whether an employee is ‘disabled’ within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010. Employers are better served assuming that the employee is disabled and approaching the matter on what support can be given and what adjustments are needed to help the employee return to work ◆ Always seek a medical opinion but use the facility wisely. There is no point using a blanket approach to seeking occupational health advice. Ask the questions that are most important and address the support needed to help the employee return to work Don’t lose interest or allow the absence to drift. The worst thing employers can do is to be silent or seemingly uninterested. It is important to be supportive but at the same time proactive in managing ill-health absence, particularly when caused by mental health issues.

Mental Health

MUKESH PATEL Managing Partner at Freeths LLP

In all of our businesses one of the most important components has to be the health and wellbeing of our staff. Employers need to be mindful of the need to ensure that they are supportive of employees who are off work – be it because of a physical injury or one relating to mental health. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found in 2018 that poor mental health was the most common cause of long term sickness absence. Stress related absences have also increased in many organisations and all too often it seems that both the employer and employee are reluctant to address issues directly, fearing negative impact from such discussions. Employees are concerned that raising the issue of mental health will impact upon them in terms of career progression and employers are often unclear as to their duties and responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and how to make reasonable adjustments for

employees experiencing a mental health problem. Last year a report from the Money and Health Policy Institute suggested that mental health cost UK employers up to £42bn a year. It is in everyone’s interests to come up with a workable solution; all too often staff and senior management are ill equipped to deal with mental health issues. They often say prevention is better than cure and organizations should look at wellbeing and other steps that they can take to ensure that staff are being provided with the support and safety nets to ensure that valued members of staff do not end up out of the workforce. Initiatives to consider may involve more flexible sick pay, having regular review meetings with employees on sick leave, early referrals and advice from occupational health on measures that can be put in place to support employees in returning to work, flexible working and phased returns to work. Consideration should be given to having an external employee assistance scheme and ongoing mental health support within the work place such as workplace mental health champions, mental health training for managers, resilience training across the business and promoting good mental health through a clear wellbeing strategy. Whatever initiatives or arrangements organisations decide to put in place, it is clear that employers have a responsibility to have employees’ mental health and wellbeing high on their agenda.

EMPLOYERS NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF EMPLOYEES WHO ARE OFF WORK – BE IT BECAUSE OF A PHYSICAL INJURY OR ONE RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH

PEOPLE DON’T FEEL LIBERATED TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT IT, LIKE THEY WOULD IF THEY HAD AN INJURY OR PHYSICAL ILLNESS

SCOTT MATHIE Managing Director at 1st Choice Safety training and consultancy

According to the Mental Health Workplace, evidence suggests that 12.7 per cent of all sickness absence days in the UK are attributed to mental health conditions, with 14.7 per cent of people experience mental health problems in the workplace. It has become a real issue in the workplace, which needs to be addressed better by employers. In fact, better mental health

support in the workplace could save a staggering £8 billion per year. And whilst the perception of mental health has been changed, and there is a greater awareness than there was, there still needs to be changes and reformation, especially when it comes to situations in the workplace: people don’t feel liberated to speak out about it, like they would if they had an injury or physical illness and would need time off. At 1st Choice Safety Training and Consultancy, we provide a mental health first

aid training course (MHFA); it is an internationally recognised, accredited two-day course by Mental Health First Aid England. The course is designed to raise awareness about mental health and the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health. Aimed at anyone wanting to become a Mental Health First Aider, it is an essential qualification to have in the workplace in order to have the practical skills, knowledge and confidence in recognising the symptoms of mental health an dhow to support people experiencing mental distress. NICHE | 39

NICHE BUSINESS

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BROADENING NEW HORIZONS GLYNIS WRIGHT Head of Glynis Wright & Co Family Solicitors

DELAY AT YOUR PERIL! Not taking the opportunity to sort out finances at the time of separation can be costly. If there’s a divorce but no financial settlement, then an exspouse who hasn’t subsequently re-married can make a claim for financial provision. This can be years later, when the circumstances of both parties can be very different from those at the time of separation. Just like the case of Wyatt and Vince where, nearly 20 years after Decree Absolute was granted to a couple who had little money, the former wife of a multimillionaire brought a claim for a share of his assets. She hadn’t re-married and had little money, whereas he had worked hard building his fortune through a business he set up after the divorce. The parties incurred substantial legal bills taking matters to the Supreme Court, which ruled that there are no strict limitation periods on bringing a claim for financial relief. Even if a delay is not as long as in this case, it can feel very unfair as the starting point is always the assets of the parties as they are now, not as they were at the time of the split. For these and other reasons seeking expert and early advice is vital. Contact the awardwinning team at Glynis Wright & Co for more help and information.

0116 238 5680 glyniswright.co.uk 40 | NICHE

For Paradigm Wills and Legal Services, a three-day trip to Dubai wasn’t all sun, sea and splendid sights; it was all about business. Whilst enjoying all that Dubai can offer, the team were busy attending meetings with firms to create long-lasting, beneficial relationships. There is a huge demand to liaise with firms overseas, to aid clients with legal advice on their UK assets and how inheritance tax laws differ depending on the country you are domiciled in, and the country you have assets in. With multiple meetings to fit in over the three days, the team have been extremely busy establishing these relationships with firms overseas to grow and develop their business. In 21 countries British Law is recognised, however, in other countries, inheritance tax laws will differ hugely, especially if you have assets in the country you’re domiciled in as well as overseas. This applies particularly to expatriates living overseas who also

BHAVIN GANDHI Director at Paradigm Wills & Legal Services have assets in the UK; they will be liable to pay inheritance tax on worldwide assets if still holding UK domicile. NonUK residents who hold assets in the UK are liable to pay UK inheritance tax, but this is something we can help with. Paradigm Wills and Legal Services have a growing client base overseas, including the USA, Canada, India and UAE. The team aims to educate individuals on the differences between inheritance tax laws and how it will affect their estate on worldwide assets, so that they can have their affairs in order before they pass away.

0800 999 7750 paradigm-wills.com

SHARES: AS EASY AS ABC?

GREG HOLLINGSWORTH Director at Hollingsworths Solicitors Shares can attract different rights depending on how they are set up: rights to dividends, voting and capital. All shares are of the same class if all the rights that are attached to them are uniform in all respects (and therefore an expectation for those shareholders to be treated the same). A different class of shares will not be created merely by giving a different name to a sub-group of shares if they have the same rights – A, B, C and so on. In the recent case of Routledge v Skerritt, there were Ordinary A and Ordinary B shares, with the A shares

having on the face of it a preferential right to dividends ‘in accordance with the policy in relation to dividends as made and as amended by the [board] from time to time’. The court decided that if no policy on dividends was adopted by the board, there would be no basis for treating the Ordinary A shares and the Ordinary B shares differently in respect of dividends. That was a problem for the A Shareholder who had received £11m in dividends – the B Shareholder had received nothing. This was found to be unfairly prejudicial conduct and the B Shareholder was entitled to relief from the court. Therefore, if different dividends are voted between the same class of shares, this should be supported by dividend waivers or an agreed dividend policy written into a Shareholders Agreement.

0116 204 7260 hlegal.co.uk

NICHE FEATURE

A year of new beginnings As we start another financial year, Paradigm Wills and Legal Services look back on their year and reflect on all the changes and growth that has occurred over the past 12 months

Expanding the business was one of the main targets the team assigned to themselves last year. Last year’s target for Bhavin Gandhi and Satwinder Sidhu was to expand the business at a steady pace, in order for the quality of service to remain the same for their clients. “We didn’t want to take on too much at once; we still wanted to provide exceptional service to all clients. We didn’t want to compromise that by growing the business too fast,” Satwinder Sidhu said. Paradigm Wills and Legal Services have currently been successful in their expansion, having taken on two staff consultants – one in Leicester and one in Birmingham who will liaise with clients. Furthermore, the firm have welcomed an administrator to their team.

March this year saw the firm move and settle into new offices as part of their plan to grow and expand. Previously based 10 miles outside the city in Newtown Unthank, their new offices are located in the heart of the city centre – Charles Street. Bhavin Gandhi, Director of Paradigm Wills and Legal Services, thinks that the move is greatly beneficial for not only the company, but for their clients as well: “Our offices are now located right in the centre of Leicester – on Charles Street, we are now amongst like-minded businesses. I believe that we’re now more accessible for our clients and it’s easier to find our offices, which will be greatly beneficial for new clients.” The offices have a great view overlooking the busy city life in Charles Street, and are very

OUR OFFICES ARE NOW LOCATED RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF LEICESTER – ON CHARLES STREET, WE ARE NOW AMONGST LIKE-MINDED BUSINESSES

luxurious and spacious; two long sleek, stylish white desks are the main feature in the office. In the last few months they have been tremendously busy, with all their exciting growth plans and their three-day trip to Dubai – but the team have no intention to slow the pace. For the next year, Paradigm Wills and Legal Services have plans to expand their team further, as well as maintaining relationships they have formed in Dubai. “These are quite large targets, which is why we aren’t setting ourselves any more. We want to achieve these two important targets and dedicate our full attention and efforts to them.”

0800 999 7750 paradigm-wills.com NICHE | 41

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HOW RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AFFECT DEVELOPMENT LAND? ISABEL WILSON

BHUMIKA PARMAR Director at BP Legal Solicitors If your property development is being affected by restrictive covenants, taking action at the early stages can allow your development to proceed without difficulties. A restrictive covenant is a restriction on land that states what an owner can and cannot do with it. The Restriction passes with the land to any successors in title. If you breach the restrictive covenant, the owner of the land, with the benefit of the covenant, may be able to stop you from building your development and make a claim against you for damages. The legal title to the property should show the restrictive covenants that affect your development land.

There are dangers of ignoring and deliberately breaching a restrictive covenant without following necessary procedure. If a covenant has been breached, the Court can award an injunction to prevent the breach from continuing, or award damages to the injured party. If there is Restrictive Covenant then developers would be well advised to apply to the Upper Tribunal before developing, rather than deliberately breaching the restrictive covenant. BP Legal Solicitors can assist with matters in relation to Restrictive Covenants.

0116 253 6856 bplegal.co.uk

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Partner & Head of the Crime Team at Emery Johnson Astills

CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYERS HERE WHEN YOU NEED US MOST For most of us it is difficult to imagine consulting a Criminal Defence Lawyer, but I regularly meet clients who are shocked to find themselves being questioned by the police or even charged with a criminal offence. I regularly defend driving prosecutions and I know how precious your driving license is to you and will fight your corner in court should you be charged. Have you been caught speeding and already have nine points on your license? I could argue that you would suffer exceptional hardship if you were disqualified as a ‘totter’. Have you been stopped by the police driving after consuming alcohol? I can assist with your defence or mitigation and could run a ‘special reasons’ argument which may mean that a driving ban is avoided. There are other circumstances in which you or a family member may need my assistance: ◆ Have you been accused of assault following a neighbor dispute? ◆ Has your son or daughter been accused of possessing an indecent image at school? ◆ Has a family member been accused of stealing something from work? Police Stations and Courts can be frightening and intimidating. The consequences of a caution or conviction can be far reaching. Anyone interviewed by the Police under caution is entitled to legal advice and being represented doesn’t indicate that you have done anything wrong or have something to hide. Our Crime Team can provide expert legal advice and support when you need us most.

34 Belgrave Gate Leicester LE1 3GP info@brightlegal.co.uk brightlegal.co.uk 42 | NICHE

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NICHE FEATURE

Seven Top tips for

Effective Credit Control 1

Know your customer Making sure that you are paid starts from the moment you take the order. It is critical to know who your customer is – if you are giving them credit, it’s like lending money. You wouldn’t lend £100 to somebody without knowing exactly who they were. Giving credit is just the same.

Consider credit checking your customer This will help you set a credit limit but remember, even if you obtain a satisfactory credit report, things can change.

Invoice accurately and on time If you have done a good job, your customer will be expecting to pay for it. So, send out an accurate invoice when you have done your work or at the agreed time.

Have a system of reminders and stick to it This might be a monthly statement of account but nothing beats

a telephone call. It allows you to build rapport with your customer or your customer’s accounts team, and will increase your chances of being paid on time. Be proactive and consistent with your credit control procedures so that your customer will know that you will be in touch. If they know that, they are less likely to miss payment dates.

Review your sales ledger Keep an eye on large balances building up over time. Even those customers that you think are ‘good for the money’ shouldn’t be building up large balances at your expense.

Use late payment compensation to help you With a business to business debt, you can charge compensation of up to £100 per invoice (depending on the size of the invoice). By telling your customer that you will be applying those charges and applying interest with effect from

Asit Jansari, Director at Hollingsworths Solicitors a particular date, it will hopefully encourage them to pay you before then.

Get some legal help Speak to a solicitor about sending a formal letter demanding payment – this can often do the trick. Don’t leave it too long though – you never know what’s around the corner. 0116 204 7260 aj@hlegal.co.uk hlegal.co.uk

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NICHE FEATURE

WOMEN IN BUSINESS AND LAW LAW TEA PARTY THE NICHE BUSINESS AWARDS

DIVERSITY IN THE COMMUNITY DINNER

Achieving

great heights The current president of Leicestershire Law Society is proud of

SHORTLISTING OF LLS LEGAL AWARDS 2019

her presidential year of taking the law society ‘outside the box’

Bushra Ali is the 158th President, the eighth female president, the fourth Asian president and the second Asian female President - alongside being the youngest President of the Leicestershire Law Society. She firmly believes in empowering lawyers and women across the board to achieve great heights. Born in West Yorkshire, grew up in Wales and graduated at the Bar, before qualifying as a solicitor, Bushra moved to Leicester nine years ago and has since won Leicestershire Law Society Senior Solicitors awards twice – in 2012 and 2016. Bushra’s aim for her presidential year included, but was not limited to, celebrating diversity and the success of women. She also aimed to build better

relations between LLS and other professions across the board. Over the past 10 months, Bushra has achieved exactly what she set out to do, and she is extremely proud. Bushra has said she could not have done all of this had she not been given the opportunity to serve as President of the Leicestershire Law Society. When asked for a quote, Bushra beamed with excitement and stated, “I would like to be remembered as the one who took the local law society outside of the ‘box’ and I am not afraid to try new things for the betterment of my local law society.”

I WOULD LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED AS THE ONE WHO TOOK THE LOCAL LAW SOCIETY OUTSIDE OF THE ‘BOX’

07929 150 597 leicestershirelawsociety.org.uk office@leicestershirelawsociety.org.uk

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Under the Radar! The schools business and business links It doesn’t get a great deal of coverage in the business press,

IAN GUYLER

but ‘Academisation’ is currently an option for schools that many headteachers find themselves considering

Business Consulting

The Department for Education’s strategy of directing certain schools to become academies was introduced by the Labour Government in the early 2000s and developed by subsequent Conservative governments. The objectives were to give leaders more autonomy in their school’s running, and drive up educational standards through competition, accountability and governance. Stronger-performing schools are encouraged by the government to take on and ‘mentor’ the less well performing schools. As such, individual academies very often grow into MultiAcademy Trusts (MATs). There are a number of MATs In Leicestershire and more are emerging all the time as consolidation takes place.

Limits Academy Trust, will be opening the new Leicester Metropolitan Academy (LMA) in September 2021; this will be a unique provision, having a very strong emphasis on practical and work-related learning and employability skills. There is an LMA school launch event for business leaders on the evening of Wednesday June 5th at Leicester College. One area which I am actively involved in is school leaver employability skills. There are certainly some great young students wanting to work – and there are plenty of companies wanting youngsters to join their teams. Key to developing employability skills is the challenge of bringing the two worlds of business and schools together!

Additionally, pupil numbers are increasing – the mini baby-boom has impacted upon primary school numbers which will lead to secondary school numbers growing by 15% over the next six years. The new Free Schools planned in Leicestershire will help to deal with this increase. The Avanti Schools Trust is opening Avanti Fields, a new ‘all through’ (ie all ages) school, while the Mead Education Trust is opening Castle Mead Academy, an 11-16 school focusing on ‘English Baccalaureate’ subjects, both in September 2019. A new sixth form school, Beauchamp City Sixth Form (part of the Lionheart Academy Trust) is also due to open in September 2020. Another MAT, the Learning without

Leicester youth on their

Soapbox Soapbox is a new and exciting project from Leicester-based youth charity, FOCUS. Providing a platform for the voices of young people aged between 13 and 25

The project aims to develop the public speaking and campaigning skills in participants, increasing their confidence and future aspirations in the process. Funded by the Heritage Fund, the project was inspired by a desire to make heritage relevant to young people through empowering them to draw from local heroes, including suffragette Alice Hawkins; a Leicester resident who made a profound impact on the women’s vote movement 100 years ago. The project, headed up by FOCUS Youth Worker Minder Bhamra, invites participants to make a positive difference to a cause they feel passionate about so they realise that they are a part of their city’s heritage and can affect positive change in their

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lives and local community. “The project delves into what each individual feels passionate about and provides the opportunity for them to develop their ideas and grow through expressing them in the form of public speaking, research and workshops. We have already seen a great deal of positive results from the project and we are all excited about the direction in which it is heading,” Minder told us. To hone their public speaking skills, young people will be producing city tours starting in the Greyfriars area of Leicester on the last Sunday of each month from April through to October. Having received training on effective tour guiding at Parliament itself, the group looks set to make a real, positive impact on the heritage of our city.

0116 251 0369 focus-charity.co.uk Minder.bhamra@focus-charity.co.uk

Awards season is in full swing, so grab your glitziest dress, suits and prepare to celebrate the very best of achievements produced from hard work, grit and determination

When marketed and managed effectively, an award win can have a profound impact on a company and its reputation. Being nominated also adds to a company’s credibility and this can be used to promote the quality of who and what the nominated business is and the successes it has enjoyed. It’s no secret that Niche Magazine loves nothing more than to shout about the success of local Leicester businesses. Our founding company, Cross Productions, have enjoyed our own award successes and this year we were fortunate to be finalists for Team of The Year of the Enterprising Women Awards back in March. Then there was the Leicester Law Society Annual Legal Awards in April another fantastic night celebrating local business. Perhaps the biggest night on our awards calendar though are our very own Niche Magazine Business Awards held annually each September. The excitement is already building for what looks set to be our most glittering awards night yet! This feature ‘Celebrating Success’ offers a platform that showcases a variety of selected nominees, finalists and winners from local Leicestershire-based businesses. Heralding the successes of local business is hugely important to us, we love to recognize and celebrate together everything they’ve achieved and worked hard for over the years.

The Importance of Being ‘Learnest’ With an article title that includes a made-up play on words from the Oscar Wilde book and comedy written in the 1890s, you may be wondering what this has to do with awards and success in business

Having been a finalist for four awards in the last four years, as well as Small Business of the Year at the 2019 Enterprising Women Awards, and being nominated for Small Business of the Year in the 2019 Niche Magazine Business Awards, Sarah Higgins believes that being nominated and going through an awards evaluation process is a powerful way to learn about yourself and your business. She believes that continuously learning is the key to our business survival and success. “Being nominated for an award is wonderful and thought-provoking. The nomination is a recognition of your hard work and commitment as a business. The process makes you evaluate your progress, reflect upon challenges you’ve overcome and appraise your business vision. You’re also evaluated by your business peers and it is an opportunity to reflect, gain self-awareness and learn about what’s working or what needs to change in your business.” “As businesses, we should all view

50 | NICHE

feedback as something to cherish. Feedback keeps us on our toes and if we look at it positively, the reflection, insight and learning will enable us to grow our businesses as a result. As a coach, I know how much my clients value the regular opportunity to pause, reflect, challenge themselves and adapt. “Going through an awards

we’re performing. I judge my success by the success of my clients and their feedback is critical for me to continue to grow.” Sarah Higgins is a professionally qualified Executive Coach and Leadership Mentor, Member of the International Coach Federation, Fellow of the CIPD and former Human Resources Director, having worked

Learning is a treasure that will follow SUCCESS

its owner everywhere Chinese Proverb

nomination process has led me to ask for formal feedback from my clients as well as spend quality time evaluating my business progress so far and thinking carefully about how I am going to achieve my business goals. That insight and feedback loop should be part of our regular business learning - it’s an indication of how

for blue chip companies including AstraZeneca, Boots The Chemist, the Royal Bank of Scotland Group and the Oval Group (now Gallagher). Founding Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching Ltd eight years ago, Sarah provides valuable feedback and learning for her clients through one to one and team leadership coaching and

CELEBRATING Success

NOMINATED

Being nominated for an award is wonderful and thought-provoking. The nomination is a recognition of SUCCESS

your hard work and commitment as a business

development. Sarah’s goal is to enable her clients to achieve their strategic goals, by ensuring their leadership team is the best it can be. Sarah ensures a high level of quality feedback by using world-class psychometric assessments to enable self-insight and team ownership of strengths and weaknesses. Sarah also enables crucial leadership development through leadership skills workshops including coaching, emotional intelligence, resilience and performance mindset. Sarah creates practical ways for people to learn and works with executives and teams to create personalised individual and team leadership action plans. Sarah’s successful coaching model, ‘The Power of Love Leadership’ has been deeply incorporated into her work and can be used in all types of situations to overcome challenges and gain better results as a leader at work. Sarah has also founded a quarterly morning event for business leaders - the Leadership Coaching Network to raise money for the charity; Hope Against

Cancer. The event is an opportunity for leaders to gain valuable insight and learning about leadership and coaching and the event has raised £1400 in the last 18 months. Regularly reflecting on the future of her business, Sarah is ambitious in how she wants to make a difference. The foundation of which will be a consultancy and training programme for progressive businesses who want a more powerful approach to getting results via their people and leadership teams by aligning themselves with the principles of the Power of Love Leadership and taking unhelpful, fear-based behaviour out of the organisation. This will enable effective decision-making and collaborative relationships, ideas and creativity, resilience and motivation to succeed. She is currently writing a book about the model, entitled: The Power of Love Leadership. 07748 657 715 corporatecoaching-sh.co.uk sarah@corporatecoaching-sh.co.uk

INSIGHT

REFLECTION DEVELOPMENT LOOP

ACTION

It’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how it could be going better Elon Musk NICHE | 51

Entering into a Leicestershire Law Society Legal Awards for the first time, Bhumika Parmar, Director and Founder of BP Legal, was surprised when she was announced as a finalist for senior solicitor of the year

Perseverance pays off

Encouraged by peers to put herself and her firm forward for nominations for the Leicester Law Society Legal Awards, Bhumika took that leap, and it has paid off. “When they were announcing the finalists, and my name was called, I was shocked. I kept thinking: ‘Did I just hear my name?’. I turned towards my staff and they were looking at me. After about five minutes it just clicked – it felt very surreal.” “We are a small firm, and sometimes small firms can get lost in the sea of bigger firms, so to get this recognition is amazing – it’s life changing.” After taking a voluntary redundancy from the firm she was working at, Bhumika took the plunge into the entrepreneurial world and started her own firm in 2009, as she was starting her family. Bhumika wanted to instill the principal of doing right by what the client wants – putting herself in the shoes of a client and thinking: ‘As a client, what

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would I want out of this?’ Whilst 50 per cent of SMEs fail after being in business for five years, BP Legal is quite the opposite. The firm is constantly thriving and exceeding expectations, having celebrated its 10th birthday in business this year; the team at BP Legal have worked tremendously hard over the years, going above and beyond for their clients. With perseverance and belief in the firm and her exceptional staff, Bhumika really invested in her staff, confident that they would thrive and develop as individuals, as well as part of the team at BP Legal. Bhumika has a wealth of experience, with over 15 years of experience in conveyancing and commercial property matters and is determined to achieve the best outcome for her clients. The dynamic, innovative firm puts clients at the heart of everything they do, and have trained specialists in a

SUCCESS

WE ARE A SMALL FIRM, AND SOMETIMES SMALL FIRMS CAN GET LOST IN THE SEA OF BIGGER FIRMS, SO,TO GET THIS RECOGNITION IS AMAZING – IT’S LIFE CHANGING

wide array of areas, including conveyancing, commercial property, litigation, matrimonial, personal injury, employment, wills and probate. The team strives to provide honest, fair advice and representation. Opening their doors to students for work experience, BP Legal promote that it’s valuable for students to learn on the job, conducting client interviews, witness statements and other jobs, so students can decide whether this is the career for them. With summer months being extremely busy with students on work experience, the service is proven to be highly successful; after the placement has finished, a lot of graduates still maintain contact with the firm. This year, BP Legal has set its sights on more charity work, and expanding and growing the team. 0116 253 6856 bplegal.co.uk

CELEBRATING Success

Isabel Wilson

Vicki Boonham

Emma Mitchell Helen Johnson

Rewarding and recognising

Legal Services at their best The hard-working, driven and determined team at Emery Johnson Astills have had an exciting few months; with two awards shortlisted as well as two nominations under their belt, the specialist law firm celebrates the achievements of their team

Emery Johnson Astills never compromise on their quality of service and counsel, taking their time to assess the client’s situation and tailor their advice to each individual; from the first initial consultation, experienced staff are able to give detailed, clear and valuable advice. Forming those distinctive bonds with clients, the firm has over 50 members of staff who are committed and passionate about their work, dedicated to their clients – and it’s all paying off. From winning Small Firm of the Year at the Leicestershire Law Society Legal Awards in 2017, the teams have hit the ground running, and have had a fantastic first half of the year with award nominations. After being shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year at the LexisNexis Legal Awards, Managing Partner Helen Johnson was named finalist for Business Woman of the Year at the Enterprising Women Awards in February, yet it doesn’t stop there. Isabel Wilson, a partner of the firm, has been

nominated for Senior Solicitor of the Year and Vicki Boonham, Practice Manager, has been nominated for Support Staff of the Year at the Leicestershire Law Society Legal Awards. Emma Mitchell, a partner of Emery Johnson Astills, believes that recognising potential and celebrating the achievements of staff is a vital way for the teams to progress and develop together, and individually. “The awards are a fantastic achievement for the firm, but even better for the individuals. It’s truly amazing to see them receiving personal recognition for all of their hard work; it’s vital for their personal growth and development and that of the firm.” Emery Johnson Astills was launched in 2013 by two forwardthinking firms who shared a commitment to the delivery of client care and excellence. With their clients’ best interests at the forefront of their minds, the firms merged, both specialising in different, complementary areas of law. Now, Emery Johnson Astills

SUCCESS

IT’S TRULY AMAZING TO SEE THEM RECEIVING PERSONAL RECOGNITION FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK

covers a huge range of services, from criminal law, wills and probate, family, conveyancing and public law work across their two offices in Leicester and Loughborough. Launched in 1947, Astills was founded by C Norman Astill and was a traditional family law firm that flourished under his son. Emery Johnson was founded by Helen Johnson and Lesley Emery in 1995; the pioneering young firm specialised in criminal defence and care work and were Leicester’s first all-female partnership. Always looking for ways to develop and improve their focused service for clients, Emery Johnson Astills constantly review and evaluate every aspect of the firm. Discovering the multitude of ways that the firm can provide assistance to a client in any given situation, the firm thrive on finding solutions and positive outcomes. Johnsonastills.com legal@johnsonastills.com NICHE | 53

SARAH HIGGINS Founder of Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching

SEVEN STEPS TO BEING MORE RESILIENT In business, change is constant. To survive, it’s not about how intelligent we are, it’s about our ability to adapt. We need to be more resilient, but how can we do this? To recover quickly from difficulties, solve problems and embrace change, practise the following seven steps, from the Power of Love Leadership model: 1. Gratitude: Focus on what you might gain, not what you might lose. What do you have that you are grateful for? Consider at least 3 things that you are thankful for every day. 2. Hope: Set clear goals to work towards either individually or as a team. Revisit the successes and gaps regularly and keep them visible to enhance motivation. 3. Learning: There is no such thing as failure – it’s just another result. What can you learn from the situation so that you can make it even better in the future? 4. Forgiveness: Don’t blame others or yourself for things going wrong. To accept things and move forward, consider the good intentions of yourself and others. 5. Enthusiasm: Our enthusiasm is infectious and rubs off on people. How can you be even more positive and focus on what good might come from this? 6. Compassion: We are too critical of ourselves, so only talk to yourself in a way you would talk to others you care about. Use empathy and put yourself in others’ shoes to see their side of things. 7. Humility: We want to be right, be the best and be in control, but it can work against us. Embrace your strengths as well as your weaknesses and be honest with others about not being perfect.

07748 657 715 corporatecoaching-sh.co.uk 54 | NICHE

Award winning

support It has been an exciting year for

SUCCESS

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, having already won two awards and been nominated for two more

Zinthiya, founder of The Zinthiya Trust, a charity that supports women and families from disadvantaged backgrounds, is delighted that her team has been recognised for their hard work and support they give to women. On 8th March, the Enterprising Women Awards were held in Derby, where Zinthiya was selected by category sponsors Hastings Direct, for the Social Commitment Award. At the Leicester Mercury Business Awards, Zinthiya Trust was also selected to win the Not for Profit category by sponsors BHIB Insurance Brokers. Not only that, but the charity has been nominated for two Niche Magazine Business Awards - Business Woman of the Year and Charity of the Year - what a year for the amazing charity! Zinthiya said: “As a team we are very proud of what we have achieved.” The Zinthiya Trust supports women and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. This often means providing

support to those who are fleeing violence, people who are disabled, homeless or living in substandard accommodation, people facing food and fuel poverty, ex-offenders and people in long term unemployment. In Leicestershire, they are working extremely hard to alleviate poverty and abuse. The Trust’s services include providing support and counselling, welfare and benefit advice, money and energy advice, skills and volunteering opportunities. They run regular drop-in services as well as a mentoring scheme.Their ongoing, current projects include Women’s Project, Employment Support, School Uniform, All things baby project, Money, energy and welfare project. The team at Zinthiya trust have worked extremely hard to help these women and their families; they are paving the way to abolish poverty and abuse in Leicestershire. 0116 254 5168 zinthiyatrust.org

CELEBRATING Success

Shining

Bright Niche chat with Parvien Akhtar who has been shortlisted in the Solicitor of the year category by the Leicestershire Law Society.

Parvien tells us about her journey and how she’s been put in the spotlight with her nomination

Parvien says she always knew she was going to be a lawyer one day. Leicester born and bred as a teenager she often battled with those in authority on behalf of people in her local community. Her first litigation experience came at the age of 14 when she took on an insurance company who refused to settle her elderly neighbour’s claim for storm damage. When the insurance company paid out in full there was cause for celebration. She completed her secondary education at all girls’ school where girls sadly were not really encouraged to pursue their dreams. “My careers advice teacher tried to steer me into totally different career path saying law was not for girls and especially not for someone like me but I refused to listen. In fact, this made me even more determined to pursue it, my heart was set.” Completing her training in London, Parvien qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and then moved back to Leicester: “It was a great job but with limited prospects and I knew that was not for me. I had already set up my property

investment business at the time, so I was no stranger to the world of business. “I was prepared to put in the graft and decided to set up my own law firm as soon as I had the necessary three years post qualification experience. I didn’t prepare any business plan.” Parvien’s entrepreneurial spirit drives her not just to succeed but to excel at everything she does. Setting up Queens Solicitors in 2002, which was initially based on Queens Road the firm then moved to Uppingham Road area where it remained until 2010. In 2010, Parvien joined a regional practice as a partner when the firm merged. However, in 2013 she jumped ship and set up her second law practice Bright Legal Solicitors: “I really did miss running my own business when I joined the other firm.” Parvien says her success comes from having a positive mindset, understanding her clients’ needs and providing a quick response. “I don’t think outside the box, I say why is there a box, let’s get rid of it - that’s my USP”.

SUCCESS

I DON’T THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, I SAY WHY IS THERE A BOX, LET’S GET RID OF IT! THAT’S MY USP

This approach is one of the reasons she has such a large client following. It is her passion and determination in the face of obstacles that make her the successful litigation lawyer that she is today. In between all of that Parvien has raised her children and says the business world is tough but you have to be tougher, keep calm and carry on. Bright Legal is based in the city centre and is a full service law firm. “These are exciting times for our firm as we are expanding and seeking to move to new premises in the near future. “Looking back on the 20 years I have been qualified I really don’t know where the time has gone. I can say however that I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment and for me it can’t get better than that!” 0116 26 27 857 brightlegal.co.uk 34 Belgrave Gate, Leicester LE1 3GP

NICHE | 55

SUCCESS

Recognising

local achievements

Local business Vehicle Consulting Leicester has been nominated for the Best Small Business award for the Niche Magazine Business Awards With over 30 years experience within the motor industry, Paul Stephenson founded Vehicle Consulting Leicester nearly six years ago, having worked in dealerships for 25 years. Setting up a business is no easy feat, but Vehicle Consulting Leicester have grown their business massively since they started and have the backing of five of the largest funders in the industry. They have built up their client base from referral, giving good customer service and being experts in the field of contract hire, leasing and fleet management. Vehicle Consulting Leicester is an independent company specialising in a large variety of vehicle funding. They have close relationships with all major

manufacturers, enabling them to offer customers the right vehicle at the best price. Paul Stephenson said: “We are extremely pleased to be a Leicester business, and to be nominated for an award makes us incredibly proud. It’s fantastic to have local recognition and it is very encouraging; this is a great opportunity for the business to develop and grow and for us to network with other businesses and potential clients.” Working alongside Paul is joint company director and wife Jayne, a part-time admin assistant and van sales specialist John Hawkins who also has over 30 years’ experience in the industry. The company also has a contracts manager and three admin assistants working in Manchester looking after customers and arranging the delivery of the vehicles on a day to day basis.

Paul aims to expand the team and grow the business in the region in the next few years at a rate of 10 to 15 per cent every year. Recently, Vehicle Consulting Leicester passed an inspection from governing body BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association) with flying colours, ensuring that their excellent standards are maintained. 0116 278 8160 vehicleconsultingleicester.com

Leicester

The Enterprising Women Awards 2019 The Enterprising Women Awards has been inspiring and celebrating the achievements of women in the East Midlands for 23 years and this year saw record numbers turn out to celebrate in style

Cross Production enjoyed a fantastic night of celebration in Derby this March 8th, 2019 – also International Women’s Day – as we got glammed up and joined hundreds of inspiring business women from across the region. The Enterprising Women Awards saw business women support and congratulate each other for a night of celebrating success. Co-Chair of Enterprising Women, Eileen Richards, founder of ER Recruitment, Leicester, and a member of the Board of Directors at East Midlands Chamber*, said: “I think there 56 | NICHE

is a real hunger among women in the business community to be recognised for their achievements and these awards are one of the best ways to achieve that recognition.” Co-Chair Jean Mountain, a Past President at East Midlands Chamber, said: “By highlighting their contribution and telling their stories, hopefully we can inspire other women to pursue their business dreams.” The Cross Productions team were delighted to have been nominated this year, Jenny Cross, Director at Cross Productions said: “We were nominated

in the Team of the Year category this year. Our supportive team really are what has taken us to where we are today and whilst we didn’t take home the title, it’s fantastic that we got recognised in this area! Plus, we had an amazing evening mixing with the growing and inspiring Enterprising Women network.” 0116 271 2573 crossporoduction.co.uk

BUSINESS FOCUS

Marketing

Marketing the intelligent way The future of marketing lies in Artificial Intelligence. How can you use the power of Artificial Intelligence to maximise your reach? NIKKI BRYAN

Marketing Director at TMDP

PETE FROST Director at Unity

AI. Even just a mention of the concept can trigger a knee jerk reaction of fear. Conjuring instant visualisations of some hellish, grey, dystopian future. After all, there have been a plethora of authors, film-makers, artists and musicians who have all covered the subject and may have more than just a little bit of responsibility in contributing to that narrative of bleakness. The truth is AI when used appropriately (insert ethical arguments here) could be a useful tool for marketers to engage with their audiences in a way that yields the best return for both parties. Amazon is a prime (no pun intended) example of how using AI can help to predict consumer habits and make recommendations based on the data collected. This creates a more personal experience relating to the users shopping habits. In relation to marketing, the main advantage of AI is that it can be used to crunch vast amounts of data, which can then be used as a more accurate and meaningful measurement of your marketing performance. In terms of accuracy AI can apply more useful ways of using the data it crunches than a human being can, this can lead to among other things: better ad targeting,

predictive customer services and even content recommendation. All of which will improve the end user experience, which in return should see a rise in your conversion rates. Another advantage AI has over the human approach is speed. Because it can crunch more data at any one time than a human could dream of, inevitably, it makes it a quicker and more efficient way of analysing user data and making recommendations on its findings. A couple of examples relating to this include Reuters’ AI tool ‘Lynx Insight’ to aid journalists in analysing data. It can even suggest story ideas and in some cases even write a few sentences! Similarly, The Washington Post has had results with it’s in house tool ‘Heliograf’. which generated hundreds of short news snippets. Applying the above to marketing, specifically content; tools like SEMrush are already paving the way AI assisted marketing content; suggesting blog titles and targeted keywords. This can be a real aid to marketers (particularly those working for or with SME’s) for predicting potential gaps in the market that can be engaged. In short AI is already giving marketers the tools to engage with their audiences in a more effective way than ever before, and although there is a long way to go; there is potentially a brave new world for businesses to explore when it comes to marketing.

Small-to-medium sized businesses (SMB) such as TMDP Group Ltd, do not have the advantage of working with billion-dollar budgets, so they can struggle to compete with companies that have copious amounts of money to throw at their marketing and social media campaigns. The application of various affordable AI tools now available on the market will assist in leveling the marketing playing field, meaning that irrespective of your company size and budgets, an SMB will no longer be overlooked or pushed out of the marketplace. As AI allows for instantaneous competitive reporting, it helps businesses like our own, to highlight areas of weakness compared to other companies in the market and can make suggestions on how to better compete with competitors. So, no more wasting money on illadvised campaigns or man hours on scrutinising data. TMDP Group Ltd haven’t yet fully integrated the AI strategy within the business, but it’s an area we are wanting to better understand. With its efficiencies, cost-effective approach to the collection of data, and subsequent pool of knowledge it is able to provide, means it is only a matter of time before it is imbedded within our marketing plans for future strategic growth and development of our business. NICHE | 57

NICHE BUSINESS

Forum

GET YOUR DESIGN PRINT READY MIKE HUTTON Director at Base 8 Innovations

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO DO ONLINE MARKETING? How would you feel as a business owner, if you found out that a competitor was using digital marketing to not only grow their business but supress yours at the same time? Could you afford to sit back and do nothing? With an ever-increasing reliance on the web, Base 8 Innovations offer a consultancy service to website owners looking to increase Return On Investment, gain relevant traffic and increased conversion to leads and sales. Base 8 help to establish a business case and offer advice on the most effective ways to get results. Sometimes the answer is to run Pay Per Click campaigns, sometimes it’s about Search Engine Optimisation and on other occasions it simply boils down to your website performance. Base 8 Innovations partners with Right Click Marketing to provide an end to end digital marketing service, from strategic planning to executing the creative. Martin Underwood, MD at Base 8 Innovations explains: “If we could tell you not only whether a competitor was adopting digital marketing but also provide an estimate on how much they were spending monthly, how important might that information be to you? Well that’s one of the many things we do when helping customers formulate online marketing strategies. We work with Right Click Marketing because if you want results, you need experts with a proven track record and with a combined 25 years’ experience, we truly are experts in our field.”

01438 352 744 base8innovations.com 58 | NICHE

Using a professional to get your design right will make your print much more effective. But for some businesses on a tight budget, doing it yourself can be an attractive option. Here are a few simple things to get right in order to ensure your final print doesn’t disappoint. Don’t use Microsoft Word. There are some great cost-effective design programs out there. But Microsoft Word isn’t one of them! Professional software is expensive but there are other options. Resolution. Keep your image resolution as big as you can. Use the original image and check your final PDF at 400% to make sure it doesn’t look pixelated. Bleed. Use the bleed settings in your artwork program to set the bleed at 3mm and run your design over this 3mm area as well as the page. Alternatively make your page 3mm bigger on each edge. Your printer can then trim off this 3mm after printing. Keep copy and important things away from the trim area. Create a hi-resolution PDF. Use the highest quality settings when creating a PDF from your application. Then check

CHRIS GOODMAN Managing Director at Soar Valley Press the quality of the final PDF. Proofread. There is nothing worse than speling mistakes, incorrect contact details or sentences that don’t make sense. Ask a friend to read your final artwork carefully. A great print company will help you with your artwork and sort issues before printing. It is worth talking about these things before starting a project. There are 1001 other things that make up a great design, so for a small extra cost it’s well worth employing a designer, either through your printer or independently. But these few tips will help ensure your final printed items are what you hoped for.

0116 259 9955 soarvalleypress.co.uk

MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS:

ARE YOU JOINING THE DOTS? MARK ROBINSON Director at Creative62 Leicester’s own award-winning agency Creative62 has a proven track record of successful marketing campaigns for SMEs across the UK that embrace design, web and messaging to drive results. But what’s the secret to their success? And what can we learn from their approach to help us market our own businesses more effectively? Creative62’s Managing Director, Mark Robinson, explains that it’s all about joining the dots. “In our fast-paced, high-tech world, using one marketing method in isolation will leave you trailing behind your competitors. Your customers and online audience expect more now; they want a brand they’ll be excited to share and

proud to advocate. What does your marketing offer to help them do this? Is your brand and business message consistent, cohesive with a clear call to action? With our clients we apply a ‘brand glue’ approach, a term we coined to explain how to best look at and consider brand. Realising and seeing brand as individual actions, and how each action behaves and reacts in the environment. But, more importantly, how you control your brand; how do actions interact and what should you do next – are you joining the dots? This methodology helps business owners plan brand activities and get the greatest return on investment.”

0116 275 2831 creative62.com

DESIGN + PRINT

Soar Valley Press

DESIGN AND PRINT MADE SIMPLE » LET’S START A NEW PROJECT TOGETHER « Contact us today 0116 259 9955 orders@soarvalleypress.co.uk soarvalleypress.co.uk

NICHE FEATURE

Collaboration sparks

creativity

Three experienced creative professionals join forces to create Baytree Visual – a company that offers a full visual experience of your wedding through photography and film

Many businesses fail within their first year, but Incite Video have hit the ground running. One-man band Adam King started in a small office with a couple of computers and a camera and has grown into a full-scale operation with a complete team, and a double office with a built-in studio. During his time building up a repertoire of corporate film, a handful of Adam’s friends agreed to let him film their weddings. Always up for a new challenge, Adam threw himself into the role. With the help of a few videographers, his films were a hit, and the combination of his new venture and his contacts in the industry, meant he was set to make some big waves. From there, the ball hasn’t stopped rolling, and Adam realised that he needed more helping hands. Managing a corporate video company as well as wedding 60 | NICHE

videography was more than enough work for one man, so Adam decided to invite some help on board to really make the company flourish. Cue the A-Team theme tune... Adam, founder of Incite Video, has combined forces with videographers and editors Emma Corlett and Kira Comerford to bring a brand new, whole wedding experience – and bring more artistic flair than Vivienne Westwood’s 1970 summer collection – with Baytree Visual. Combining their finest skills and building on their collective knowledge of the industry, the team combines to offer a full visual experience for your wedding; with photography and a full film to boot. The Midlands-based team of visual storytellers have a combined experience of twenty years, and their mission is to

THE MIDLANDSBASED TEAM OF VISUAL STORYTELLERS HAVE A COMBINED EXPERIENCE OF TWENTY YEARS, AND THEIR MISSION IS TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF YOUR SPECIAL DAY

capture the essence of your special day. This ‘fellowship of artists’ has gravitated together after years of working for other companies and aim to create the perfect, natural atmosphere to ensure that couples are captured at their most relaxed, providing the ultimate wedding experience. What sets them apart from the rest is that they offer a range of artistic approaches – utilising each of their team of artists’ individual styles. The films are then tailored to each couple’s personality based on their choice of music, taste in films and overall vibe of their big day. This is an exciting prospect for the three creatives, with them bringing an extra dimension of visual storytelling for the big day. 0330 120 0587 baytreevisual.com

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BUSINESS FOCUS

The right time for business growth Now Brexit has been pushed further into the future, are you wondering what impact this will have on your business? Are you facing more uncertainty or in fact more opportunity? Is now the time to consider diversifying and growing your business?

CHERIE CONCANNON Founder of Concannon Connection

MORE THAN 40 PER CENT OF SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYEES SAY THEY RECEIVE NO FEEDBACK FROM THEIR MANAGERS

The greatest asset of any organisation is its people. For your business to grow you must recognise this and identify the key aspects of effective management to maximise the performance of your staff. I’m a huge Leicester City fan. The last three months have seen two different men manage an identical group of young players. Under the first manager, the team lost six of their final seven games. Since then, they have been victorious in five of their last six games. Clearly, effective management can be the difference between mediocrity and immortality (for all the Celtic fans). So how do we transpose this from sporting arena to SME? Firstly, we identify the key aspects defining effective management, and today we will argue that there is one above all others – feedback. The Feedback Famine More than 40 per cent of small business employees say they receive no feedback from their managers, even though performance evaluation is considered by HR experts to be one of the most important qualities of a manager. Combine this with a study showing 72 per cent of employees thought their performance would improve if their managers would provide corrective feedback and suddenly the

62 | NICHE

culture of feedback within your organisation seems shockingly significant. Here are three ways in which feedback can make your business more successful. 1 Feedback improves performance Clear and consistent feedback provides your colleagues with a path to development. Patting your assistant on the back and mumbling “good job” won’t cut the mustard; instead, identify one way in which your colleague nailed it and one way in which they can improve further – 57 per cent of people prefer corrective feedback to purely praise and recognition. 2 Feedback generates ownership When your manager recognises your performance, your motivation improves and you take ownership of your development, as well as the development of your organisation. This builds a group of people that care for the outcomes of their collaborative efforts. 3 Feedback raises engagement Staff receiving feedback feel valued by their management. This culture of worth and respect is reciprocal in nature, and feedback flows both ways, providing your organisation with insight into areas requiring development. YouMatter – A Platform for Progress Feedback is the cheapest, most powerful, yet most underused management tool at our disposal. Through structured feedback, the platform has been proven to improve staff engagement and performance, with overall improvements in organisational KPIs. For more on the YouMatter platform, please visit ConcannonConnection.com.

SHELLEY HARVEY

Director at SFB Group Why not take the Brexit extension as an opportunity to plan and grow your business, to make it more versatile so it can withstand any difficulties Brexit may bring? When planning to grow your business, you need to consider what you want to achieve and set your KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) around this. Make sure you set yourself manageable short-term and long-term targets. Once you know what you are striving for, it’s time to plan how. Can you increase your prices to your customers by improving the quality of the product or the service you provide, or is it time to just pass on those increased costs that you have

DARREN WILLOUGHBY Managing Director at 2XL Commercial Finance

LENDERS WILL LOOK TO SUPPORT A BUSINESS IF IT HAS GOOD FINANCIALS AND HAS GOOD PEOPLE BEHIND IT

There is an age-old mantra that ‘lenders only lend money when we don’t need it,’ which isn’t actually correct. Lenders will look to support a business if it has good financials, has good people behind it and, most importantly, it can service its debt commitments. In the US, 80 per cent of financial service products are purchased using a broker – something which is less common here in the UK but is seeing significant growth as businesses see the decline of the traditional bank manager and move towards

been absorbing? Can you innovate your product so that your customers will be happy to pay the increased cost, or provide additional products or services that your customers would benefit from? Have you looked into expanding your customer base? Who are your target market and how can you reach out to them? Speak to a marketing professional to ensure that you are using your marketing budget effectively. A growing business may need more working capital to be able to deliver the growth; can you finance this organically or do you need support from lenders? Talk to your professional advisors to forecast what you might need. Finally, do you have the resources to deliver the growth? Depending on your business, one of the largest assets you have is your team as they will deliver your service or product. Make sure they are on board with your growth plans. However you are looking to grow your business, seek the relevant professional advice and consult your support network.

that relationship with the broker. Financing growth can be done in a number of ways – if clients are looking to purchase new premises due to expansion, then a commercial mortgage is often the best route – with funding available typically up to 85 per cent loan to value and terms of anything up to 25 years. If your business is looking to expand because of increased orders and needs finance to increase working capital to fulfil orders, an overdraft or invoice discounting/factoring is also a common way. This way you get the money to fulfil the order and then pay down the debt once the payment has been received. The same could be said for clients who wish to purchase new machinery or vehicles with finance available, to purchase new equipment secured against the asset itself, freeing up cashflow within the business avoiding tying capital up which can be invested elsewhere.

ONE OF THE LARGEST ASSETS YOU HAVE IS YOUR TEAM AS THEY WILL DELIVER YOUR SERVICE OR PRODUCT

But what if you want to purchase a new business and expand that way? Well, the fundamentals are the same and any of the above can be used to raise capital in order to purchase the business. Even if in some instances there is a lack of tangible security, it can still be achieved using EFG funding – providing that serviceability is proven and the management team is strong. Lastly, and something we are seeing more and more, is peer to peer funding. This is often pricey, but can be given very quickly, based in the existing businesses financial performance and importantly is unsecured – meaning people can get their hands on the cash quickly and funds can be in place in literally days. Speak to an expert who understands the pros and cons in the market and allows you the time to concentrate on growing your business.

Here at SFB Group we can help you with your digital filings, can recommend and assist with your bookkeeping and migrating your software onto one of our recommended bookkeeping products. NICHE | 63

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get moving to Centurion Place with Part Exchange.* Centurion Place, Kibworth, LE8 0UT 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes from ÂŁ245,000 With stress-free Part Exchange* available at Centurion Place, you can swap your old house for a stunning Miller home. Just a 30-minute drive from Leicester and a short walk from Kibworth, this beautiful selection of 2 to 5 bedroom homes offers peaceful village life, boasting nearby golf and cricket clubs, pubs and amenities. Find out more by visiting our marketing suite, open daily from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

03301 622 983 | www.millerhomes.co.uk *Part Exchange is subject to availability, status and eligibility. Your present home must meet certain basic qualifying criteria and be of a lesser value to be eligible for Part Exchange. 100% market value based upon valuations obtained by appointed scheme surveyors. Terms and conditions apply. Photography represents a typical Miller Homes exterior. Price and availability correct at the time of going to print. Carpets and floor coverings are not included in our homes as standard.

NICHE FEATURE

Playing an active role at the heart of the industry Michael John Flooring has grown from strength to strength after spending over 70 years at the heart of the Leicestershire community

Today, Michael John Flooring is Leicestershire’s largest independent flooring retailer with numerous showrooms across the county and a reputation for delivering the very best products and service to its customers. This past year has seen significant developments and advancements at the business, which are designed to elevate Michael John Flooring to the ‘next level’. These new developments include the highly-anticipated opening of the luxury Oadby House showroom and the establishment of the new Customer Care division, which provides an added layer of support for customers before, during and post installation. The flooring industry itself is one that has been established in the UK for some considerable time and is a stalwart of British industry. Flooring manufactures based in the UK are some of the most well respected brands across the world. However, the

industry has at times struggled to modernise, which is why Michael John Flooring has endeavoured to position itself as an innovator within the market to ensure customers can continue to receive the very best quality in their flooring solutions. Simon Manley, Managing Director, Michael John Flooring, said: “We are determined to keep pushing the boundaries in terms of our own development, but also the industry as a whole. At Michael John Flooring, we have an incredibly passionate group of staff who are all working towards going that extra mile for our customers. This dedication has helped us continue to grow and has also resulted in external recognition in the form of the recent Davidsons Homes Customer Care award. “The opening of the new Oadby House showroom highlights our ambition to continue developing and improving the reach of Michael

WE ARE DETERMINED TO KEEP PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES IN TERMS OF OUR OWN DEVELOPMENT, BUT ALSO THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE

John Flooring as a brand within the Leicestershire community, and ensure we are providing the very best flooring solutions to our customers. In addition, the establishment of the new Customer Care division is a real commitment towards ensuring we’re providing a quality service to our customers right throughout their journey with us. “We are extremely proud to be a part of the UK flooring industry and we will continue to play an active role in challenging the market to provide new and exciting solutions for the dynamic requirements of our customers. Moving forward, we are extremely excited and enthusiastic about what the future holds for Michael John Flooring, the industry as a whole and, most importantly, our customers.”

0116 254 3924 michael-john.co.uk NICHE | 65

Building

with integrity In the year that Wells McFarlane celebrate their 15th year in business, Emily Kirton sits down with one of its founding directors Andrew McFarlane Holt and newly appointed Director Jason Hercock, to talk success, teamwork and the future

Founded by lifelong friends Trevor Wells and Andrew McFarlane Holt the firm, who acted in the top three largest commercial development schemes in Leicestershire, started as a seed of an idea when its founders were working on their dissertations at college. “As we sat in our student house we would often talk about our plans for the future; we both shared an ambition to run our own business one day and decided pretty early on that our goal was to make this a reality,” Andrew recalled. True to their word, the dynamic and driven duo continued their studies qualifying with Honours Degrees in Land Management before going on to qualify as Chartered Surveyors in 1997. The two remained great friends after university with Andrew moving to work in Cambridgeshire. After working there for six years Andrew was offered equity partnership for free – an almost unheard

of achievement at his level. However, the pull of his hometown and the potential in commercial development in the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire triangle called, so he moved back to the area abundant with opportunity. At this time, Andrew joined the firm that Trevor was already working in and ended up in the same offices concentrating on planning, development and commercial property. Andrew said: “We had always remained great friends, supporting each other in our careers and family life too. After a short time working together we decided to go for it and set up on our own, on the shared ambition to establish our own niche practice in the heart of the East Midlands. It was 15 years ago in 2004 that we took the risk and started out on an incredible journey.” Andrew remarked: “We looked at each other and thought: ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ Starting out

As we sat in our student house we would often talk about our plans for the future; we both shared an ambition to run our own business one day 66 | NICHE

NICHE FEATURE

with no clients but with a hunger and ambition to make it a success the two set out to do anything and everything to get their business off the ground with very little in the way of funds or clients because of previous contract restrictions. After plenty of hard work and a little help from a handful of old contacts, they were creating a name for themselves with their hard working, trustworthy approach, as well as their uncanny ability to spot an opportunity, creating a ripple effect with clients referring them for further opportunities. As the practice grew, the need for support staff and professional staff developed and the duo ensured that any employees shared not only their working ethic but also brought valuable skills and attributes which further enhanced the firm’s position amongst its competitors. “There never has been and never will be any ‘egos’ amongst us. What we do to build the company isn’t for our own personal success – it’s a success enjoyed and shared by the whole team.” Today the firm employs a dedicated team of 12, having supported many graduates along the way through their Chartership with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. Friendship lies at the heart of the firm’s foundations and relationship building is a core thread that carries the firm forward, whether that’s through the team at the firm itself or with clients themselves. Dealing with predominantly high net worth clients, the firm provides a range of commercial management services as well as commercial and residential planning and development opportunities. Today the firm’s planning and development department represents three of the largest commercial development schemes in Leicestershire that will result in the development of more than 10 million sq ft of distribution space and create thousands of jobs. Alongside the commercial arm, Wells McFarlane run an award winning residential sales and lettings department that offers a bespoke property consultancy service and uniquely utilises the firm’s team of multi-disciplined Chartered Surveyors, offering planning advice and architectural services as well as uncovering a property’s hidden potential during appraisal. The growth of the firm is unprecedented, achieving year on

Jason Hercock MRICS, Andrew McFarlane Holt MRICS FAAV and Trevor Wells MRICS FAAV

year growth since its inception all those years ago. This quarter has seen the company increase their awards cabinet after being named Estates Gazette’s Most Active Agent in Leicestershire. The magazine collects data for all deals undertaken during the previous year before ranking the top five within the county. Further to this prestigious win, newly promoted Director Jason Hercock MRICS was crowned the county’s top ranking Most Active

a full-time job. Success in his role came, but Jason was hungry so decided to qualify as a Chartered Surveyor. After a number of years working for a national firm, Jason met with Trevor and Andrew and the rest is history! “I didn’t go through the traditional route to be where I am today. It took a lot of hard work and determination, but ultimately, I am grateful for the route I have taken – it’s helped me to build on my experience and bring to the firm a

There never has been and never will be any ‘egos’ amongst us. What we do to build the company isn’t for our own personal success Dealmaker 2019 by Estates Gazette and a huge win as they were named The Best Property Consultancy Company in the UK at The Telegraph International Property Awards. The future is an exciting one; with new Director Jason Hercock on board, Andrew and Trevor couldn’t be happier with the union and how the firm is moving forward. “Jason was a perfect fit, he is measured, intelligent, calm, ambitious and shares our ethics and ethos in how we like to do business. He is crucial in how we evolve and move forward.” An ex-professional golfer, Jason brings a dynamic edge to the firm. After his golfing career, Jason became an estate agent but, keen to move onwards and upwards, he studied for a Land Management Degree at De Montfort University whilst holding down

varied skill set,” Jason told us. The ‘bright future’ that each Director speaks of is in part due to the ‘fresh blood’, ‘different skill sets’ and ‘unwavered passion for the industry’ that Jason has brought to his position. Current projects that the firm are involved with include Rail Freight terminals, Symmetry Park adjoining Magna Park, multiple housing schemes and new town developments. An unstoppable force headed by three directors at the top of their game, Wells McFarlane are a shining example of what it means to have the determination to work hard for success and to strive for it ethically, progressively and with integrity. 01455 559 030 wellsmcfarlane.co.uk NICHE | 67

PROPERTY FOCUS ANDREW MCFARLANE HOLT Director at Wells McFarlane

OUR HAT TRICK OF AWARDS It’s been an amazing start of the year for us and our awards cabinet. Of course, we don’t do what we do in order to receive a pat on the back, but it is always nice to receive recognition, isn’t it? Firstly, we were named Estates Gazette’s Most Active Agent in Leicestershire for the respective property title. The magazine collects data for all the deals undertaken during the previous year before ranking the top 5 within the county. Then, in more good news, newly promoted director Jason Hercock MRICS has been crowned the county’s top ranking Most Active Dealmaker 2019 by Estates Gazette’s, he comments: “I’m delighted to have won this award, it’s a reflection of the strong relationships we have with small to medium-sized enterprises in Leicestershire. Office and industrial occupiers, in particular, have proved to be most active in their efforts to capitalise on favourable economic conditions, despite the current political uncertainties that Brexit presents.” To complete our hat trick, we were announced as Best Property Business 2019 at the Business Masters Awards, East Midlands. We were delighted to have been recognised at these prestigious awards. We are thrilled to have won not just one but three awards in such a short space of time, they really do represent the mark of excellence that our team bring to the East Midlands property industry.

01455 559 030 wellsmcfarlane.co.uk 68 | NICHE

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BESPOKE FURNITURE AT OADBY HOUSE Maison Interiors emphasises the importance of offering only the very best handmade, quality furniture manufactured at our warehouse in Cosby, Leicester. This is personified by the flexible options available with our ‘Custom Made’ feature. By offering a bespoke option, we are giving you the chance to build and create your perfect furniture for your dream home. We have hundreds of fabrics from leading brands to choose from. You can have a completely bespoke piece or make tweaks and changes to the models we have in store. (Size/Shape/ Fabric etc...) to provide maximum flexibility and comfort. From last year, Maison has featured a choice of luxury furniture from a number of high-end and leading Italian manufacturers including Bonaldo, Calia Italia and Marinelli.

Displaying contemporary, high-end Italian furniture within our showroom, which is fast becoming a popular trend, with styles dominating British households this year. For over 100 years combined, these three leading manufacturers have generated excitement at first sight, with generations of dedication and hard work to make a benchmark in the design industry, with versatility and eclecticism as the distinguishing traits of their furniture. We are passionate about bringing both our own and these exciting, quality collections to the public from our showroom in Oadby House, on The Oadby Parade.

0116 254 3924 oadbyhouse.com

BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED NICOL NIGHTINGALE-SPEAR MARLA Director at Fothergill Wyatt When renovating your home, it’s important to consider the needs of future purchasers as well as making it work for your current needs. 1 Don’t overspend on extending the ground floor living areas if you’re limited by the extension possibilities for sleeping accommodation as you risk breaching the ceiling price for your size of property 2 Retain a good balance of bedrooms and bathrooms. A five-bedroom property needs at least two or three bathrooms and ground floor WC to appeal to larger families 3 If considering a loft extension, ensure you utilise tricky spaces under the eaves for storage and consider adding additional storage elsewhere, such as a garden shed to compensate for the loss of internal storage. 4 Consider future trends as well as

current preferences. Traditionally it’s been popular to divide homes into small rooms but presently an open plan feel is preferred. If you’re opening up living areas, provide flexibility, by building an open plan family living kitchen, but retaining the original sitting room, or by knocking through a dividing wall between a living room and dining room but adding double doors instead. 5 Whilst most purchasers love outdoor space, not everyone is an avid gardener, so a large, high maintenance garden may prove a deterrent. If you’re fortunate enough to have an extensive garden ensure it’s zoned in to different areas, at least some of which are low maintenance (think patios, gravel, decking etc.)

0116 270 5900 fothergillwyatt.co.uk

CREATING BEAUTIFUL SPACES

KITCHENS

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FLOORING

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OADBYHOUSE.COM NOW OPEN AT 91 THE PARADE, OADBY, LEICESTER LE2 5BB

Should I stay or should I go now? This is a question currently being asked by many landlords, tenants and letting agents up and down the country, as this is a time of great change and uncertainty in the lettings industry. Nicol Nightingale-Spear, Director at Fothergill Wyatt, assesses the changing legislation, plus the supply and demand situation

Currently, a whopping one in five households are living in Private Rented Sector (PRS) housing and agent Knight Frank have predicted this will rise to almost one in four by 2021, following a YouGov survey they commissioned, which questioned more than 10,000 tenants and 26 major property investors. Yet figures presented by leading property portal Rightmove at this year’s ARLA Propertymark (Association of Residential Letting Agents) conference show that supply of PRS properties has decreased by nine per cent since the first quarter of 2018, on top of a decrease of five per cent since the first quarter of 2017. This is, in part, due to the tax changes that have been introduced for ‘investor’ landlords over the past few years, including the introduction of extra stamp duty on second homes 70 | NICHE

and the curbing of mortgage interest relief, as well as the impact of the capital gains tax and lettings relief changes for ‘accidental landlords’ as a result of last year’s budget. Despite the obvious supply and demand issues, there are calls for yet more changes to the legislation governing our industry, with housing charity Shelter campaigning for both three-year tenancies as standard and an end to Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices. As an agent with over 10 years’ experience in the industry, working in a range of different housing sectors, I have not once been asked by a tenant for a three-year tenancy from the start, as many prefer to ‘try’ the property out for a shorter period of 6 or 12 months to ensure it is right for them before committing longer term. In fact, when landlords ask us to

advertise properties with a minimum rental period of 12 months, we notice a significantly noticeable drop in interest compared to a minimum 6 month term, but in contrast, many landlords would prefer the security of having guaranteed rental income for a longer fixed period, as many have mortgages on their rental properties so are keen to avoid void periods and re-let fees. Whilst Citizens Advice claim that reform to section 21 is required because “tenants who made a formal complaint to either their local authority or to a redress scheme had a 46 per cent chance of being issued with a section 21 eviction notice within six months of doing so,” there are already a number of pieces of legislation in place to prevent unacceptable landlord behaviour like this occurring, such as the Deregulation Act 2015, Housing and Planning Act 2016 and

NICHE FEATURE Fothergill Wyatt Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors

Featured Property – To Let: the recent Homes (Fitness For Human Habitation) Act 2018 which, if correctly implemented will improve the standard of PRS accommodation, force rogue agents and landlords out of the market and prevent retaliatory evictions. It is therefore imperative that as a tenant or landlord, you ensure that your property is being properly managed and meets the necessary standards; the best way to do this is to use an agent who is ARLA Propertymark accredited (think the lettings industry equivalent of ABTA and ATOL). ARLA Propertymark members voluntarily held Client Money Protection (CMP) before it became a legal requirement on the 1st of April 2019, hold a formal industry qualification in Residential Lettings and Property Management, undertake continuous professional development through regular training, are members of a Government approved redress scheme, hold professional indemnity insurance and are kept up to date with complex legislative changes and best practice. In addition, here at Fothergill Wyatt we are currently in partnership with several Build to Rent (BTR) providers, to offer an alternative to traditional lettings, including Way of Life, Long Harbour’s bespoke BTR in-house management company, who will be launching their first East Midlands development, The Wullcomb, in Leicester, this summer. This development strives to ensure that customers have the perfect marriage of high quality, private accommodation, situated within a building that offers a unique living experience, with attractive communal areas, co-working spaces and a range of innovative social facilities such as a the shared rooftop terrace, with a wood-fired pizza oven, barbecue space and great views over the city, the private dining room and the games/cinema room. Contact us now to register your interest in this amazing development, as well as our range of traditional rental properties across Leicestershire. 0116 270 5900 fothergillwyatt.co.uk

Lancaster Road, Leicester £800 pcm

This spacious, two-bedroom, ground floor flat has recently been refurbished throughout to a high standard and viewing is highly recommended to appreciate the size of the property and the quality of the finish. Located in the heart of the City Centre it is ideal for tenants working in Leicester and is within walking distance of the Leicester Royal Infirmary, De Montfort University, The University of Leicester and the Train Station. Residents parking is available on the road directly in front of the property and permits are available to purchase from the Council. EPC rating C Professionals only, no students, pets or smokers. Communal hallway providing access to own front door ◆ Bedroom Two, a well-proportioned double overlooking Nelson Mandela Park ◆ Living Room, centrally located, benefitting from two wall mounted electric heaters, a decorative feature mantel piece and views of the garden ◆ Spacious Kitchen furnished with a range of wall and base units, integrated Neue electric oven and Neue induction hob, with space and plumbing for a washing machine and space and sockets for a fridge freezer (landlord would consider providing these appliances if required) ◆ Family Bathroom furnished with a white three-piece bathroom suite, including a bath with a thermostatic bar shower overhead and an airing cupboard housing the water tank ◆

Stairs leading down to the Master Bedroom which benefits from an ensuite shower room (Please note the master bedroom is located in the basement which has been fully tanked and waterproofed so the walls and floor must not be pierced by hanging pictures or attaching anything to the surfaces) ◆ Exclusive use of an enclosed, low maintenance rear Garden with a bicycle store ◆

The property has been neutrally decorated and had new carpets and flooring fitted throughout and is beautifully presented and also benefits from double glazing. NICHE | 71

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Work/life balance

with Utility Warehouse A partnership with Utility Warehouse is a career choice that David Goadby made seven years ago, and he hasn’t looked back

“I

“Initially I had the aim to make between £200-£300 a month with Utility Warehouse and I was attracted to the work/life balance that the role allowed for. I actually never envisaged the enjoyment I would get from the role let alone the actual take-home figure – which is now closer to £500 a month.” Whilst for any of us our work is primarily about an income, for David the move to become a Utility Warehouse distributor was also about feeling like he was helping others in some way. “After working for years, I – like many people – had the occasionally unnerving feeling that things weren’t quite ‘filling

me up’ in the way I would have liked them to. I liked my work and my home life was good, but it wasn’t until I started to do more to help others that things ‘clicked’ into place.” The role allows a great deal of flexibility in life with David commenting on the fact that as a distributor he has enjoyed more freedom. “It has meant we have been able to go away on more holidays with two major holidays abroad plus numerous weekends and days away in Britain.” As a distributor David is able to run his Utility Warehouse business part-time as well as being able to tutor students in maths.

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“I really enjoy both of my roles as distributor and maths tutor, both are so rewarding. The benefits of being a distributor are always improving, but for me the real benefit is the lifestyle and personal rewards I get from it.” 07736 146 400 davidgoadby@uwclub.net dream2earn.club

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PROPERTY FOCUS THIS YEAR’S MUST-HAVE

Dante Pod Hanging Chair £399

Handwoven wicker hanging pod chair complete with a powder coated steel frame and cushions. Available from johnlewis.com

74 | NICHE

ALL SEASON OUTDOOR LIVING Gardens are finally being considered as another room of the home as we’re investing more into them. To use your garden as a living space rather than just a visiting space in the summer, its purpose should be just as important as indoors. Going Alfresco: Dining outside feels luxurious. We all enjoy the feeling of being abroad, well it’s possible to achieve that at home. You could change the way you host your BBQ’s with outdoor sofas and even coffee tables. Investing in a wood-fired oven opens up new possibilities and also makes it a more inclusive experience; the chef doesn’t want to be left out while everyone else is having a good time. Extra Warmth: Fire pits are a great interactive experience to enjoy with the family and to relax. Portable fire pits are ideal to move around the garden but built-in ones offer the whole package. Surround seating means everyone can

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JODIE FEDORKO Soft Landscaping Designer at Leicestershire Garden Design enjoy the same level of heat and comfort whilst maintaining an all-inclusive arrangement for chatting. Winter nights and starry skies around a fire sounds dreamy, right? Dress to Impress: Thinking of your home inside out is a great way to explore ideas for how you can dress your garden. There’s scope for cushions, throws, mirrors and even clocks outdoors. Blankets and candles can be cosy on cooler nights - all perfectly practical and functional, adding comfort and creating a ‘room.’ Invite any houseplants outdoors for the summer too.

0116 214 5747 leicestershiregardendesign.co.uk

Showcasing the best of

Leicester’s homes Proud UK homeowners open their doors to the cameras and invite five local judges into their homes in a bid to win the title of ‘Best House in Town’

Each week, the new TV show travelled to a different location from around the UK and featured a number of different properties that varied in style, size, aesthetics and comfort. With the judges being local neighbours, the competition showcases the best of creativity, pride and ingenuity. Narrated by Marcus Garvey, the actor best known for his role in the film Four Lions and the TV series Broadchurch, the BBC show visited some of Leicester’s most interesting homes in episodes 11 to 15 of the first series, which were aired between February and March.

The five Leicester judges were Amy Jessica French, a textile designer, Narinder Nijjar a property developer, Joel LaRosa, a kitchen and bathroom designer, Phil Holder an electrician and Pam Dasanjh Coningsby, an interior designer. All thrown in together, the local panel met during lunch and from then, it was a barrel of laughter as the team gelled and formed strong working relationships. The competition works by giving the judges a set of criteria to judge each house with: functionality, ambition and the element of surprise. Over five days, they visited 12

One of the homes was on a barge, their whole life was on that barge and it was amazing to see their character, personality and style incorporated into it. It was great to see so many different styles and tastes, and how they ran throughout the whole house, from room to room. Every home was a winner in its own right. Joel LaRosa, Judge

houses in Leicestershire and each were as different as you would expect – from a 100-year-old Dutch barge, to a modern mansion and a Scandinavian barn-inspired’ rebuild.

Showroom Open: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm The Old Cinema Cropston Road Anstey Leicestershire LE7 7BP

0116 232 3175

www.broughtons.com

sales@broughtons.com NICHE | 75

Providing a

world-class service Phil Houlder, Company Director of local business Glenfield Electrical, featured as a judge on the BBC’s daytime show, The Best House in Town – and he tells us, he had a blast!

In February, the BBC aired a new daytime show, the Best House in Town, where five local judges visit houses in their area to seek out the best house. With each week based in a different location around the UK, proud property owners go the extra mile to make their homes stand out. The show came to Leicester during its first series, and Phil Houlder had the fantastic opportunity to star as one of the judges on the show. “It was an amazing experience; it was truly fascinating to see so many different styles incorporated into the

homes we visited. You could really get a feel for the homeowner’s personality and tastes.” Glenfield Electrical was founded by Phil and Cat Houlder in 2013; they strive to provide world-class service, helping people with any electrical problems they have within their home and workplace. They are NICEIC registered, and have an industry leading fiveyear guarantee on their labour, which reflects their confidence in the work that they do. Phil said: “When people invite us to work within their homes, they

are putting trust in us and our team know exactly how to make sure they gain that trust from the get-go. The quality of work and their service leaves an impression on our customers so positively that they recommend us to their friends and family – we couldn’t ask for more than that from our team, honestly.” 0116 478 3678 glenfieldelectrical.com

“Need An Electrician?” “Do you find it hard to get someone to do your small jobs?” You’ll get value for money because our pricing is competitive

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Email: info@glenfieldelectrical.com

Website: www.glenfieldelectrical.com

0116 2873226

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Local designer stars as judge on BBC TV Show Local bespoke kitchen and bathroom designer Joel LaRosa recounts his time on Best House in Town as a judge and talks quality customer service

The Best House in Town was aired on BBC One over five days in February where proud property owners went the extra mile to make their homes stand out. Joel LaRosa, founder of Joel LaRosa Design, was contacted through the Houzz website and asked if he knew of any local houses that could feature in the show. He said: “I asked about the judging process out of curiosity and found that they still had

some vacancies. So, I jokingly said: ‘I’ll do it if you want me to.’ Next thing I knew, the producers gave me a call. “Seeing as I visit my clients’ houses quite a lot, walking around these houses seemed quite natural to me. It was great to see so many different styles and tastes, and how they ran throughout the whole house. Every home was a winner in its own right. “It didn’t feel like work. It was so much fun and us judges gelled well. I love what I do, but this was refreshing and different – it’s not every day you get to appear on TV.” Joel LaRosa founded Joel LaRosa Design in 2017 and has 15 years of

experience as a designer. Starting off as an office junior, Joel worked his way up in the same company to become a director. He founded his own business after incorporating elements of all the businesses he’d learned from and worked with, focusing on designing the ideal space to fulfil his clients’ visions. Joel is clear about his aim: “My goal is to continue growing and developing the business. It’s been a rollercoaster ride and I really love what I do.” 07595 742 999 joellarosadesign.co.uk

Joel LaRosa Design DESIGN WITHIN REACH

@JOELLAROSADESIGN

@JOELLAROSADESIGN NICHE | 77

The

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wellbeing benefits of

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The link between water and relaxation is a phenomenon which has been extensively studied. Our link to water itself is ingrained within our very core, as water constitutes three quarters of the human body and is essential for our survival. Imogen Wood of Ponds by Michael Wheat tells us more

A pond or lake is the perfect natural distraction from modern technology which can bring us back to the feeling of being close to nature

Aside from the need for this liquid simply in the consumption sense, there is a huge amount of scientific research which investigates the effect of water on the body and mind. Although scientists have proven the benefits of being close to water on human health, it remains a mystery as to why it has this effect. There is no denying that the natural calming effect of being around water is profound. The beautiful combination of the sound of water and the visual, rhythmic rippling or cascading motions are nature’s very own lullaby. It is for this reason that the main health benefits of being around natural water come in the form of aiding mental health. In today’s fast-paced and often stressful day-today life, it is essential that we take time out to relax. A pond or lake is the perfect natural distraction from modern technology which can bring us back to the feeling of being close to nature. When we become close to nature, we become close to ourselves. We’re given the opportunity to reflect upon our thoughts and initiate self-growth. It is also believed that water has this relaxing effect on us because it is the pivotal point in so many of our fondest childhood memories. Many childhoods are spent enjoying sunny seaside holidays and paddling at picturesque natural lakes. When we revisit similar environments as adults, it evokes a strong sense of nostalgia which takes us back to those carefree times. Being in close proximity to open water gives a beautiful appeal to all of the senses, which draws us back time and time again. We can all relate to the universal sigh of relief which seems to be almost involuntarily upon the sight of natural beauty. The colours and textures of these sceneries induce the feeling deep within us of the simpler times our ancestors experienced. The sense of awe we feel when looking out upon a sea which stretches as far as the eye can see induces the age-old realisation that this earth is so enormous, and we are so tiny in comparison. For many people, this links to the idea that the

worries and stresses we carry are a drop in the ocean of this massive world. Nature and water in particular are also an undeniable inspiration for creativity. Oceans and lakes are the subject of choice for many an artist. These scenes provide a picture almost asking to be recreated artistically. This then becomes something enjoyed by the artist for igniting their creative energy and then the owner of the art is able to reap the benefits of all the emotions these scenes evoke. Aside from the emotional wellbeing benefits, the ability to be outdoors whilst enjoying your own little personal oasis brings its own health benefits. We all know that accessing fresh air is beneficial to the body in many ways. Being outdoors provides a natural energy enhancement due to the vitamin D provided from the sun’s rays. Studies show that individuals who are exposed to more green space benefit from serious long-term health benefits such as a lowered risk of type two diabetes and heart disease. Another benefit of any open body of water is that it inevitably attracts wildlife in many forms. With the correct access via shallow beaches and gradual steps, various creatures can come and go from the pond. If you are able to create a pond in your own garden, you gain satisfaction from caring for other living beings. Knowing you are providing otherwise struggling wildlife with an environment in which they can flourish provides a massive sense of fulfilment. If creating a pond and adding fish of any variety, they can provide a huge amount of enjoyment due to the tranquil way in which they swim through the water and their aesthetically pleasing combinations of colours. Any opportunity we have to surround ourselves with natural beauty in the form of water, plants and wildlife is a gateway to peacefulness and tranquillity. 0116 240 3735 pondandgardendesign.co.uk NICHE | 79

As a leading private healthcare provision in the UK, Nuffield Health has 32 multi awardwinning hospitals and 113 gyms (and counting). Emily Kirton and Jenny Cross met with recently appointed Leicester Hospital Director, Tony Yates, to discover the human thread that runs through the not-for-profit health organisation

Care in its veins

Leicester’s extensive hospital is where we meet today, and as soon as I venture through the front doors, I’m greeted by the friendly receptionist, who, incidentally, has held that position for over 45 years. You get an overwhelming sense of calm, which is quite a rarity when entering what might typically be perceived as a clinical and frantic environment. A walk around the state-of-theart hospital facility, complete with pharmacy, an extensive physiotherapy suite, a pathology department, a children’s ward and an impressive modern MRI unit, confirms this calm first impression with waiting areas, bedrooms and consultation rooms all providing something far removed from clinical. As I sat down with Hospital Director Tony Yates, who greeted me with yet another welcoming smile, I could already sense that Nuffield’s

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People are frightened and the reassuring manner of a nurse, for example, can make such a vast difference to someone’s episode of care USP is its people. Of course, there are the 48-hour appointment turnarounds, state of the art equipment and hotellike bedrooms but, more than that, the people within its walls have a genuine commitment to care.

“We are a building full of caring people, all skilled at a particular aspect. Lift the lid and pop in some more people who need to be mended and the machine keeps on ticking over. Essentially, a human being comes into our hospitals and into our trust and needs to be cared for by devoted and dedicated teams. People are frightened and the reassuring manner of a nurse, for example, can make such a vast difference to someone’s episode of care,” Tony tells me. The world-leading specialists throughout the hospital make any visit – whether for an initial consultation, an MRI scan, surgery or overnight and longer stays – a truly comfortable one. The unique breadth of expertise that the team can draw upon from hospitals within the Nuffield group means that care takes in many aspects of health and wellbeing – this allows staff to provide both physical and mental

NICHE FEATURE health support. “Dignity and respect should flow naturally through a hospital, not only for patients but for colleagues and visitors alike. Everyone that walks through your door has a story to tell and it is our job to add positive lines to that story, so the next chapter makes them feel better,” Tony reassures. An increasingly popular choice for business owners and their employees, Nuffield Health provides a holistic approach which enables a fast appointment schedule and quick recovery period, so that business for this sector of patients can carry on as usual as quickly as possible. “Healthcare has changed so much in its delivery over the 30 years I have been working in private healthcare – especially when you consider that

in 1989, a hip replacement and knee replacement would require a 14 night stay. Today at Nuffield Health Leicester, we carry out hip replacements with the patient going home the following day. For busy professionals this means we can have them back in their workplace in no time!” Further enhancing the exceptional level of care, are the extensive recovery and rehabilitation programmes through which the hospital provides on-going, long-term care for the well-being and health of a Nuffield patient – which, Tony tells me, is “in a league of its own, in the field of healthcare.” When I asked Tony what his favourite element of the care that they provide at the hospital is, he responds in a heartbeat: “Children and

young people (paediatrics), because to have a child in your care is the most precious of responsibilities and the positive impact on the child and parents is so rewarding. We have an excellent set up for paediatrics at Nuffield Health Leicester and I always enjoy chatting to the children presurgery – I am amazed how quickly they are up and about eating postsurgery.” “A patient’s care is our privilege,” closes Tony as we wrap up our visit. Having experienced Nuffield for myself, I can see that this ethos is the golden thread that runs through it – it is plain to see in every aspect of its care. 0300 131 1416 nuffieldhealth.com

in 1989, a hip replacement and knee replacement would require a 14 night stay. Today at Nuffield Health Leicester, we carry out hip replacements with the patient going home the following day

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Harnessing dynamic

feminine power Imagine for a moment what could happen if, as a successful woman, you fully realise the sense of who you are and harness your fullest potential

Imagine the possibilities for growth that come from supporting other successful women in their path to unleashing their divine feminine power. Qualities traditionally considered feminine, such as collaboration and intuition, have long been unrecognised in life and many organisations when compared to qualities considered masculine, such as competitiveness and logic. It’s not to say either is right or wrong – many of us have a combination of masculine and feminine qualities. Yet, in recent history, feminine qualities have often been suppressed because society may view them as less valuable. Now though, many women have a yearning for a much larger, fulfilled life. But, in spite of being a conscious, caring, even ‘powerful’ woman you may find yourself feeling stuck or blocked

WHAT IF WE LIVED ACCORDING TO OUR FEMININE POWER ?when it comes to fully stepping forward into this larger destiny. If you can relate, the good news is – you’re not alone! “What if we lived according to our feminine power, which we are yearning for, rather than the masculine one?” It’s a line of enquiry researched by Dr Claire Zammit PHD. As women, Claire understood many of us want to create our lives as an expression of who we truly are

and to realise our potentials for our relationships, spirituality, for our larger creative contribution and therefore our working lives. The Feminine Power training programme, which was the result of these findings, is something which Relationship Coach Debbie Moore is keen to bring into our local communities of women in what she describes as a ‘pivotal time’. “There has been much in the world press regarding femininity. I believe there is a palpable change in the air, whereby women are tapping into their feminine energies, growing hugely through this and supporting and helping other women rise up by doing the same.” 07808 783 483 debbiemoorecoaching.com

THE COMPLETE WORK BASED LIFESTYLE PROGRAM Helping companies’ employees achieve a healthier approach to work both mentally and physically

24 Long Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2AH I 0116 340 0255 I functionjigsaw.co.uk

Private is another choice. Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital.

Why wait? Don’t forget to tell your GP if you have private medical insurance or want to pay for yourself. At Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital you can see a consultant in as little as 24 hours and have treatment in just 2 weeks*. • Zero waiting lists for self-pay patients • Consultant-led treatment • Rapid access to consultants and specialists • Excellent infection prevention standards For more information or to book an appointment call 0116 298 2612 or email leicester.enquiry@nuffieldhealth.com

Awards 2017 and 2018

WINNER Private hospital group of the year

Nuffield Health Leicester Hospital Scraptoft Lane, Leicester, LE5 1HY

*Time frames indicated may vary depending on the choice of consultant, type of diagnostic investigation, and procedure package. A referral may be required before a consultation or diagnostics.

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For all your

beauty needs Marie Randall has ventured into all aspects of the beauty world, from working and owning a salon, to becoming a mobile salon and teaching students

From starting out in beauty in 2001, Marie has trained in a wide array of beauty techniques so she can provide a multitude of treatments to many different clients. With 18 years of experience and a wealth of knowledge about beauty, Marie can advise and support her clients on many aspects of beauty treatments. Currently, Marie offers a range of treatments, including spray tanning, HD brows, lashes, manicure/pedicure, facials, waxing and microdermabrasion. Marie said: “With all of my treatments, I’ve stayed down the natural route. I don’t offer semipermanent beauty procedures or invasive treatments.” Delving into the world of teaching, Marie taught 14-15-yearold students at Beauchamp 84 | NICHE

College for a while, though fate drew her back into the practical world by her love of hands-on beauty work, hence setting up her own home salon in November last year. After moving house, Marie set to work on converting her garage into a sleek, stylish beauty salon. Whilst her services cover a wide range, Marie is constantly training and learning new beauty procedures. Her aim is to improve her existing skills, whilst increasing her range of treatments and honing new skills. Having already been on two training courses in February and April this year, Marie is well on her way to completing – and possibly exceeding – her target of embarking on three training courses per year. Marie’s drive and passion for everything beauty

WITH ALL OF MY TREATMENTS, I’VE STAYED DOWN THE NATURAL ROUTE. I DON’T OFFER SEMIPERMANENT BEAUTY PROCEDURES OR INVASIVE TREATMENTS

shows in the hard work she has put into her business. With many beauty salons cropping up, the industry has become extremely competitive, with many salons offering very low prices. Though, price isn’t everything, and as the old saying goes: ‘you get what you pay for’. Marie regards beauty as a luxury: “Whilst hair is essential, beauty is more of a luxury. My prices are reasonable, but I do offer special packages for Mother’s Day and other public holidays. No matter what, I always take my time and never rush clients so that I can provide the ultimate beauty experience for them.” randallmarie@live.co.uk mariesmobilebeauty.co.uk

A healthy match Private medical insurance for your employees provides a plethora of benefits, as Rachel Irons explains

From fewer sick days to a vast increase in productivity, premium private medical insurance for your employees is certainly more than a perk of the job. Getting the right fit, however, isn’t easy and so a good broker is essential. Rachel Irons has over 16 years of experience in the health and protection industry with two of the biggest providers in the UK: AXA PPP and Aviva. Since branching out independently with Complete Health & Protection, she has built a reputation based not only on her experience, but also on her ability to form effective, long-term relationships with her clients by providing impartial, honest advice. “I thrive on finding the right match for clients from a whole market perspective. It’s my job to really know

the client and the product they are looking for, so that I can create a match which provides peace of mind for all involved.” Rachel explains. The commitment to strong lasting relationships with clients starts with an initial meeting and continues with regular meetings in person. “I meet with clients annually or on an adhoc basis to ensure the match is still working for them. I am always at the end of the phone or email and my clients know that.” A testimonial from Vikki Meadows, Drive Motor Retail Limited (Leicester) backs up her claim: “We have worked with Rachel for many years and always receive a fantastic service. Rachel has taken the time to understand our business as well as the members on our scheme and is always on hand

to offer support and advice – not just at renewal time, but throughout the contract. I would highly recommend Rachel to any business.” 07493 142 008 Rachel@completehealthuk.com Completehealthuk.com

Complete Health & Protection is an appointed representative of Healthnet Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered address: Healthnet Services Limited, 4th Floor, County Gates House, Poole Road, Poole Dorset BH12 1AZ. Registration number 312313.

Learn, Love, Grow We all have innate need for growth and a capacity for development says Sabrina Francis, founder of Mind Set Match

Having worked alongside an incredible team of people, under the guidance of top Consultant Psychiatrist and Sports Psychologist Professor Steve Peters, helping people understand the human mind better, Sabrina was inspired to develop this further under the umbrella of her own business based in Leicestershire - working with clients in every aspect of their lives. Equipped with a wealth of knowledge in a range of coaching models, Sabrina works with individuals as well as teams, to develop how they operate, through understanding themselves better. As a result, they are better able to support each other and work together at a much higher level. Fuelled by her drive to shift mindsets and actions, Sabrina sets herself apart from the rest by creating a safe space, in which people feel liberated to talk about their challenges and concerns openly without interruption or judgement.

By upholding three values to learn, love, and grow - Mind Set Match’s mission is to optimise wellbeing, health, happiness, human connection and human performance. With a background in education, Sabrina is passionate about using her mindset coaching to aid educationalists and head teachers to develop and refine their skills to manage the pressures they face, enabling greater support for the young people in their care. Sabrina said: “To improve our wellbeing and quality of life, we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, to examine what’s going on for us physically, emotionally and socially, and then develop the skills and strategies to lead a life we love.” 07985 501 114 mindsetmatch.com NICHE | 85

Feeling good from the

Inside-Out With over 13 years of experience in performing laser and aesthetic treatments, Zoe Darkins decided it was time

to progress in her chosen career

After being a dental nurse and practice manager for over 15 years, Zoe decided that she needed a change in her career. Having regularly worked alongside doctors and dermatologists, assisting with all kinds of procedures, Zoe decided to perform treatments of her own. Working as a senior practitioner for one of the UK’s leading skin clinics, Zoe wanted to fulfil her dream of performing laser aesthetic treatment in her own clinic – and thus she took the risk and began Inside-Out Laser Clinics. Zoe said: “I wasn’t going in the direction I wanted to with my previous employer, so I sat down with my husband and we re-evaluated our working life. Life’s too short, and you must pursue your dreams, so I took that leap, and with the help and 86 | NICHE

support of my husband John, I started my own clinic.” The clinic is based on Cromwell Road in Mountsorrel and has a team of fully experienced professionals that have been helping female, male and transgender clients from all over Loughborough and Leicestershire feel more comfortable in their own skin. The team have the care, compassion and understanding that clients need to begin their journey to feel good from the inside-out. Friendly and always happy to help, they strive to make clients feel at ease and confident with themselves, providing excellent after-treatment care and support as well. Equipped with extensive knowledge and compassion, InsideOut’s team puts every client first

and looks after them from the very first phone call. Starting off with a free consultation, the team listen to client’s concerns, check medical history and answer any questions whilst advising the best way to begin their journey. Following up from the consultation, they tailor treatments to each individual client, and talk them through every step of the process to ensure that they fully understand the procedure. Laser hair removal, tattoo removal and skin rejuvenation are three of the main services that the team provide, with the award-winning Lynton Lumina. This multi-platform device is perfect for treating a multitude of conditions including hair removal, pigmentation, tattoo removal, acne, facial thread veins, leg thread veins

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Inside - Out laser

clinics

life’s too short, and you must pursue your dreams, so I took that leap, and with the help and support of my husband John, I started my own clinic and rejuvenation; it enables the team to treat a wide range of clients with many difficult conditions. Developed by UK-based company Lynton, the Lumina laser and IPL device can treat over 24 different aesthetic treatments and has been used within NHS hospitals for many years now, making it a well-trusted, professional device that gives excellent, proven results. Laser hair removal is a clinical procedure used to remove unwanted hair with a powerful laser, or ‘intense pulsed light’ (IPL). There are many reasons for wanting this procedure: other hair removal methods could be too time consuming, issues with stubborn or painful ingrown hairs, or being a sufferer from a hormonal condition such as PCOS and Pilonidal sinuses. The process of tattoo removal starts off with a patch test on a small area of the tattoo to establish if it’s suitable to be removed, then an estimate of how many sessions will be needed to

remove the unwanted ink. On average, treatments range from four sessions to 20 sessions. The laser is directed into the skin’s dermis, where it is selectively absorbed by the ink particles in the tattoo; it splits the ink into smaller particles which the immune system naturally disperses from the area over the following weeks. Skin rejuvenation is a very broad term and can range from anti-ageing injectable treatments, such as Juvederm fillers, muscle relaxing Botox injections, redness reduction, pigmentation issues, microdermabrasion, skin tightening, cellulite reduction to deep cleansing and re-hydration. These conditions and issues can be helped by using the procedures in the clinic or some of the high range clinical products they offer. Professor Owen Judd visits the clinic on a fortnightly basis to carry out all of the injectable treatments. He is an ENT specialist and highly experienced aesthetic practitioner. Protecting and supporting your

skin is an essential part of your daily routine. Inside-Out laser clinics offer SkinCeuticals and Tebiskin clinical products, their active ingredients can be used to reduce the negative effects of skin conditions such as acne, pigmentation, redness and rosacea. The clinic also stocks Crystal Clear products to use alongside a number of treatments. To achieve optimum results, clinical treatments must penetrate deep into the skin’s structure to achieve the renewal of collagen, elastin and help to improve the overall aesthetic appearance and texture. Zoe aims to develop her business by expanding and opening another clinic in the near future; she also aims to grow her team, whilst providing the same high quality, personal experience, care and time that her clients currently receive. 0116 237 4444 info@inside-outlaserclinics.com inside-outlaserclinics.com NICHE | 87

HEALTH FOCUS

Forum

NO TO LUNCH ‘AL DESKO’ PRITI COLES RCST/Bodyworker

TRAUMA Common belief is that trauma occurs after tragic, momentous events in our lives, but trauma is anything that enables our body’s ability to cope. It appears in many disguises daily and includes work, emotional and financial stresses. Situations and events can be emotionally and physiologically overwhelming; our body stores memories and emotions of the trauma in order to process them later. Adrenalin and cortisol are released into the body to stimulate the nervous system into the fight, fright or flee. Once the threat is over however, if we don’t discharge the chemicals, they are still stored in the body. Our physiology becomes stuck, the body feels tight, all manner of illnesses can manifest. Our bodies have this natural ability to heal ourselves and the trauma, but as man has evolved, we have forgotten how to tap into it. Neurogenic tremors are a natural, primitive way of resetting and rebalancing the nervous system. Animals do this as part of their survival in the wild, shaking off the threat and getting on with the rest of the day like it never happened. Unfortunately, humans believe that recovery from traumatic and daily life experiences needs a therapist to counsel you or take you back into the trauma. If we can learn to trust the wisdom of our body, we can heal from the inside and reconnect to ourselves.

07795 361 288 priticoles.co.uk 88 | NICHE

How many of you grab lunch on the go? If at all? The all too common ‘eating at your desk’ scenario is a very real problem and according to netdoctor.co.uk over 40 per cent of us do this every working day. Why is it so bad for us? ◆ It doesn’t allow for de-stressing and our brains the chance to switch off from work. ◆ We aren’t socialising with our colleagues and are wasting an opportunity to enhance our relationships with our work friends. ◆ We aren’t getting fresh air and sunshine. Sitting at our desks to eat and not going outdoors – even for a few moments – significantly reduces our chances of that all-important Vitamin D and fresh air. ◆ It adds to our sedentary lifestyle. With desk workers said to be sitting for up to 15 hours a day, this half an hour

JULIE HAYTON Managing Director at Function Jigsaw window of opportunity for movement is wasted when eating ‘al desko’. As an employer, encouraging your team to switch off and properly eat lunch will allow for a great deal of positives. Your team members will be able to see that you care about their health and wellbeing, they will produce better and more efficient work as a result and you will reap the positives so much more than if you allowed them to carry on working through their lunch.

0116 340 0255 functionjigsaw.co.uk

THE ELUSIVE SUMMER BODY NICOLA ROSSELL Personal Trainer at Rossell Fitness If you’ve spent the last few years (or maybe decades) trying to get into summer body shape, only to feel disappointed that you didn’t quite reach the ideals that you had in your mind, and that the weight didn’t stay off for long, perhaps it’s time for a change of approach! It’s common to begin ‘summerbody’ efforts around May or June, when we get a shock and realise that we have to get out from underneath our jumpers and snuggly jackets and fit into our summer clothes and bikinis. If you’ve been on diets before, you’ll probably know that weight-loss and getting into shape is not as simple as just eating less (dieting) and moving more (working out). This can only get you so far, and if it truly were that

simple then we’d all be in our summer body shape year-round. If you want to take the yearly stress out of wearing a swimsuit or slipping into a pair of shorts, then a longer-term approach to lifestyle change is the way to go. If you were willing to make small tweaks and changes to your habits, then you would be able to change your approach to achieving your summer body and focus on a year-round effort (NB: this is NOT about year-round restriction!). Eat yummy well-balanced meals, and move your body in a way that you find fun, and your summer body should take care of itself! For more information, email nicola@rossellfitness.co.uk and quote NICHE SUMMER BODY to get access to our ‘summer body guide’ to help you kick things off!

07983 551 550 rossellfitness.co.uk

Ditch Your Diet and Shift the Weight for Summer

Trial our ladies only weight loss programme for free Book your trial now www.rossellďŹ tness.co.uk/summer

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Microblading in safe hands Makeup artist and Microblading specialist, Ketna Butron, emphasises the importance of the health and safety of Microblading: a semi-permanent eyebrow procedure involving a small handheld tool consisting of fine needles that implant pigment into the skin

Regardless of the current fashion trend, there has always been the need to pluck or draw on eyebrows. However, a new rapidly growing trend has emerged: natural looking eyebrows. We all know how time consuming penciling in your eyebrows daily is, as well as the ongoing upkeep. It’s because of this that many women are turning to more permanent measures. Not only is Microblading used for the latest fashion trend, it us used as a long-term solution for people that have alopecia or have undergone chemotherapy because it reconstructs the entire brow. The technique differs from standard tattooing because each individual hair is created by a single stroke of the tool. Fine, natural looking hair strokes of various lengths and density are applied to create natural, fuller and realistic looking brows. With a hand-held tool, taking your time is key; whilst how deep you go 90 | NICHE

depends on the individual’s skin. Ketna says that spot bleeding is an excellent indicator and to the untrained eye, it is quite difficult to gauge that. Since Microblading is a growing beauty trend, there are many salons offering the procedure. Finding a Microblading artist that is fully qualified, professional and is completely safe, is one of the most important aspects of seeking out this revolutionary treatment. “Whilst there are very skilled and highly trained Microblading artists out there, be wary of lowpriced offers – as the old cliché says: ‘you get what you pay for,’ and it really does apply here. I’ve had a few women come to me to help them fix what other practitioners have done. Some clients have had the pigment implanted too deep into the skin, which may result in the pigment spreading and blurring, or had

SOME CLIENTS HAVE HAD THE PIGMENT IMPLANTED TOO DEEP INTO THE SKIN, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE PIGMENT SPREADING AND BLURRING

poorly trained artists create thick lines or bad stroke patterns,” she says. Ketna suggests doing your research when looking for a Microblader; images of their work, Facebook and Google reviews directly posted from clients are good ways to research. Also, don’t be scared to ask about where your artist was trained. A good artist will have nothing to hide and will be happy to answer your questions or have that information readily available on their website and social media. Ketna has been shortlisted for Semi-Permanent Makeup Artist in the Midlands region for the second Official Makeup Awards 2019. 07971 583 730 info@ketnabutronmakeup.co.uk ketnabutronmakeup.co.uk

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Rob Spence dusts off his running trainers for charity Creating possibilities for disabled children with Bamboozle

It’s not every day you get to see humans run around Leicester Racecourse. However, on June 22, runners will be descending on the horse racing track to raise money for the Bamboozle Theatre Company – and one company director in particular is looking to really make an impact. Rob, Director of Paragon Sales Solutions, is looking to help create possibilities for disabled children. “I only met the Bamboozle Theatre team recently, but once I learned about what they stand for and the difference they make within the community, I just knew I had to get involved. Bamboozle work closely with children who have additional needs, and their families

and I have seen first-hand the joy that their multi-sensory performances bring and the positive impact that they have during the performance of ‘Pulse’ at Curve Theatre in Leicester. I want to do all I can to ensure that Bamboozle can continue to put smiles on the faces of their audiences.” Rob is no stranger to charity challenges or exercise; he’s cycled hundreds of miles over the past few years for other Leicester-based charities and is a former fitness model. “Training is going well so far,” Rob went on to say. “I still have a long way to go, however I am confident I have time to get myself accustomed to running the long distances. Plus, I am sure the motivation of running for an incredible charity will keep me going. Failing that, we have a team on standby to carry me around the course should my legs fail!” If you would like to donate to The

Bamboozle Theatre Company, and support Rob in his training, please visit the Paragon website. Or if you’d like to join the team marathon, you can find more information on the Bamboozle Theatre Company website. bamboozletheatre.co.uk paragonsalessolutions.co.uk/charity

creating possibilities for disabled children

HR for SMEs: what you need to know Your business is up and running, your team is in place, so the HR aspects of your business are covered, aren’t they?

With employees being a growing SMEs biggest asset, ensuring this aspect ticks over in the healthiest possible way is vital. So, how can SME’s avoid dropping the ball when it comes to HR? Five key HR areas that any SME needs to consider 1. Employment Contracts/ Consultancy Agreements Defining the correct employment status is often a challenge for business owners, but it’s important to get this right to avoid falling foul of IR35 regulations. Having terms and conditions in writing is not only a legal requirement, it’s crucial to protecting your business whether it’s for your employees or consultants. 2. HR Policies & Staff handbooks With regular changes to legislation, it’s vital to have up-to-date HR policies to

remain compliant but more importantly, it helps shape a consistent approach to managing your team as your business grows. 3. Protecting your business interests Protecting your client lists and business interests against ex-employees who may use this confidential information for their own gain is so important and often an overlooked area. 4. Managing Underperformance/ developing talent Achieving the best from your staff will mean you will need to ensure you have processes in place for continual feedback, training and development to support growth. 5. Recruitment Process We know how important it is to recruit the right people into your business and how much time it can take to find the right person. The right hire can increase

productivity and morale, but the wrong hire can cost your business money and put your reputation on the line! Let us be honest, HR matters often get put on the backburner until there’s a problem. My advice is having all these areas ironed out from the word go by an HR expert will set you and your business on the right path, saving you time and money whilst allowing you to get on with running your business! 07824 887 544 affinityhrm.co.uk NICHE | 91

FOOD COURT In this issue, local business people choose their favourite places to eat in Leicestershire

The best eating establishments in Leicestershire MO BHAM

ANTALYA RESTAURANT antalyaleicester.co.uk 0116 255 5538 3-5 NARBOROUGH RD, LEICESTER LE3 0LE

CEO of Group Imperial From the moment we walked in we were attended to, the staff were friendly and the service was prompt. It all felt very homely; as soon as we sat down, a waiter came over with complimentary Turkish tea - they really looked after you, it was great. They had fresh orange juice as well, which was a really nice touch. For starters, we had a mixed meze platter which had homemade hummus, cacik - a cucumber yoghurt dip, and a mixed bean salad - it was absolutely delicious! The salad was amazing and had an unusual pomegranate dressing which really brought the flavours out of the cucumber and carrots within the salad - a salad has to be incredible for

MIKE DAVIS Head of Direct Acquistion at AXA PPP Healthcare

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it to impress me. The main course was a BBQstyle, grilled mixed meat platter, and honestly, the meat was cooked to perfection; the lamb chops were to die for - slightly pink in the middle, but really juicy - perfect. Even the chicken wings were cooked exactly how I prefer them. This is my favourite way to eat. Antalya is very accommodating their prices are reasonable, their staff are attentive and their service was excellent. There was a great family atmosphere, and it’s very vibrant and warm. I’ve been here on a few different occasions and would definitely return again!

PESTO AT THE WHITE HORSE pestorestaurants.co.uk 01455 822394 LEICESTER LN, DESFORD, LEICESTER LE9 9JJ The Pesto at the White Horse in Desford was perfect in every way; escaping the office for a little while to have food, I found myself quickly immersed in the buzz of the place. The atmosphere was perfect for a relaxing lunch, and it has a nice welcoming, family vibe as soon as you step through the door. I love seafood; so, naturally, I had chosen food from the “Pesce e frutti di mare” section of the menu. I ordered the calamari - it arrived on time, the service was very prompt, with no compromise on the cooking and presentation of the food. The calamari was exquisite - it wasn’t rubbery or overdone, it was the perfect

consistency - something that is quite difficult to achieve; not many places can cook it right. The weather was very warm, so I sat in their outside area, basking in the sunshine as I sipped on a glass of good wine. The Pesto boast such a huge range of fine wines that I had a hard time choosing! I would definitely recommend choosing The Pesto at the White Horse; there was a rare buzz in the air as soon as I walked in; the staff were very friendly and polite. All-around, it was a fantastic experience, and they are very reasonably priced; this is a beautiful place I would visit again, and again.

GURBINDER SINGH Director at BGS Accounting

MOLLY SMITH

BROADWAY BAR AND GRILL 0116 233 6253 263-265 ABBEY LANE, LEICESTER LE4 5QH My favourite place for high quality Indian food is the Broadway Bar and Grill on Abbey Lane, it used to be the best kept secret in the region until recently which of course is only a good thing for the restaurant. It combines the best of a charming British pub and relaxed Indian restaurant and boasts a welcoming atmosphere for couples, friendship groups and family gatherings. The food there is simply amazing. I have a list of personal favourites including crispy chicken, chicken lollipops, chilli paneer and the incredible mixed grill. The curries for main meals are just fantastic. With an excellent balance of

HOLLYS COFFEE SHOP & SANDWICH BAR

07772 729 673 13-15 ST. MARTINS, CITY CENTRE, LEICESTER LE1 5DE

Business Development Nestled away amongst a bustling Executive at Leicester St Martin’s square is this idyllic little Tigers café. A favourite of mine for lunch, this place offers a wonderful range of fresh, feel-good food. Considering its location, it serves as a perfect postshopping treat or as a place to escape the madness of the city centre. It’s far more than your regular lunch time spot. Run by the Jackson family, the welcome is always the warmest and food always delicious. I’m currently working my way through their menu as the specials board is always much too tempting to overlook. The selection of homemade food is exceptional - I’ve

EMILY NOWOBILSKI Area Manager at Fox Soccer Academy

traditional dishes and chef specials I would recommend the lamb special dhaba style - which just melts in your mouth and I love the garlic chilli chicken too. And to top it all off the food isn’t expensive either; it’s great tasting food without breaking the bank. It’s a real gem of a place. It gets pretty busy during peak times or when the football is on during the week – but they also deliver which is an added bonus. So if you don’t want to venture too far from home, call for a takeaway, and you can sample the delights of the restaurant without stepping out of your front door with no compromise on flavour or quality!

not had a disappointing dish yet. A particular specialty is their topside of beef, stilton and mushroom toasted sandwich; expect far more than your average sandwich. And if you have room for pudding – which is a test with their generous portions – there’s always a selection of freshly baked cakes and pastries to drool over. During the summer their outside tables get glorious sunshine so that you can soak up the summer sun whilst enjoying a bite to eat. So, if you’re after tasty food served with a smile, you’re always guaranteed a fantastic stop at Holly’s.

KAYAL’S HERB LEICESTER

herbrestaurant.co.uk 0116 233 2715 96 GRANBY STREET,LEICESTER LE11DJ I had heard great things about Herb and when someone asked, where’s somewhere different to eat? It instantly came to mind. I am thrilled to say they did not let me down!. Kayal’s Herb is exclusively vegetarian and vegan and specialises in aromatic spice blended food from the region of Kerala, India. The restaurant is beautiful, decorated with stunning murals, gas lamp style lighting and they have made a wonderful feature of an old fashioned motorbike set beside a running waterfall mural. You are greeted by friendly and amenable staff who took time to take care of us throughout our stay. We opted for a Herb Mix Vegetable platter to start, the mixture of grilled

baby corn, cherry tomatoes and chickpea fritters was lovely, to say it was flavoursome is an understatement. My non-vegan guest was somewhat apprehensive about my choice of restaurant but once we began to tuck into the Channa Masala main course that apprehension disappeared nearly as quickly as the food on our plates. The Chickpeas cooked in a spicy and tangy tomato sauce mixed with fresh spices looked and tasted delicious. For pudding we had Ada pradhaman, a dessert served in almost all Kerala houses during any celebration. The rice based dish is beautifully sweetened with jaggery, cardamom and coconut was the perfect end to a wonderful experience. NICHE | 93

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queenvicleicester.com

Scottish butcher launches ultimate no-prep lamb roasts Royal Warrant-holding butcher Donald Russell launched the ultimate luxury range of pre-prepared meat and poultry roasting cuts over Easter

The new, exciting luxury range was launched over Easter and was a huge success. The pre-prepared meat is delivered direct to your door for the ultimate, stress-free cooking, leaving you to focus on family time. All cuts are pre-prepared for convenience by Donald Russell’s master butchers at their Inverurie butchery. All you need to do is unpack them and put it straight in the oven to cook. You can even add all the trimmings on as an optional extra – crackling anyone? It comes with full cooking guidelines to remove any guesswork or worry, leaving people with a delicious and memorable meal. Tazio Gagliardi, Managing Director of Donald Russell, says: “We are

passionate about people enjoying our quality cuts of meat direct to their door, and are delighted to launch an unrivalled new range of joints for Easter. With this time of year being such a key time for family to enjoy time together, we are delighted to do all the hard work and bring our awardwinning products to the table, so our customers don’t have to!” There are new additions available alongside the brand’s award-winning range of meat and poultry, including: Lamb Saddle infused with Rosemary and Garlic, Lamb Cushion stuffed with Rosemary and Garlic and Lamb Crown stuffed with Mushroom Duxelles. If you fancy mixing it up and moving away from tradition, go for the Traditional Porchetta Roast - a savoury Italian treat

of delicious and succulent pork belly rolled up with spices and seasoning. The new exquisite options provide a show-stopping roast without the fuss. 01467 629 666 donaldrussell.com NICHE | 95

RECREATIONAL CLASSES FOR CHILDREN ADULT GYMNASTICS SESSIONS, FOR BEGINNERS, IMPROVERS AND EXPERTS! SQUAD SESSIONS FOR THOSE WISHING TO TRAIN HARDER AND ASPIRING TO COMPETE PARENTS & TOTS SESSIONS

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ADULTS AND 16+ TUESDAY & THURSDAY 20:00 - 21:15 PM 4 WEEKS, JUST £50 OR £15 PER SESSION Anna is an aerialist, actress and independent dance artist based in the East Midlands. Please wear tight fitting clothes (cotton is ideal, avoid lycra) and bring layers. No zips, buttons, jewellery or long nails as these may damage the silks.

JON MUTCH 07813 205 852

OADBYGYMNASTICS.CO.UK INFO@OADBYGYMNASTICS.CO.UK

17 MANDERVELL ROAD OADBY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE LEICESTER LE2 5LR

SPORT FOCUS

JON MUTCH Head Coach at Oadby & Leicester Gymnastics Club

MORE THAN A CUPPA Looking for something more from your tot group than a cup of something hot, a few biscuits and some toys? What if you could get all of those things from a group and help in your tots’ development too? Our under four’s tots group provides the opportunity for your children to get moving and let loose on a wide variety of age appropriate gymnastic equipment. We all know that keeping active is good for our toddlers – after a good run around they seem happier, they sleep better and have a healthier appetite. Of course there’s good reason for all of this… movement is good for them! Specifically, gymnastics. I know, I would say that wouldn’t I?! But there are countless studies on its benefits, with experts remarking on minigymnasts having improved cognitive skills as well as greater flexibility, balance and co-ordination. Children can reap the benefits of gymnastics way before a structured class at four years old and; our club, held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, is seeing parents enjoy the sessions nearly as much as the tots, with a coffee machine and comfortable area for the parents to meet and socialise with each other. Sessions are ‘pay as you play’ at just £5 – there’s no need to book, just drop in. 07813 205 852 oadbygymnastics.co.uk

Themed game nights a huge success The Leicester Riders continue to push the boundaries on and off the court as they continue to strive to be the best in their field This season the oldest basketball club in Britain have taken the game night experience to the next level, not only by entering the European league at the start of the season but also by introducing a selection of never seen before “themed” game nights. The Riders’ most notable themed night to date was based around the vastly celebrated St Patricks day. For this game they introduced an array of St Patricks themed giveaways, Guinness and Guinness-based beverages, along with colouring the venue with the traditional Irish greenery. As well as this, they offered a limited-edition St Patricks Day kit which fans were able to pre order. Overall the night was a huge sell-out success, receiving great feedback from fans in attendance. “It was great to see the club try something so different to what we have seen from anyone in the

BBL before’ one fan commented. “I can’t ever remember seeing the game so well received by the fans or such a good atmosphere at the Morningside Arena.” The sales of the limited-edition Jerseys were also a huge success, selling more than double the usual amount of jerseys sold in a season. Following on the success of the St Patricks theme came “Neon Night” which saw the team and venue splashed with eye catching neon colouring, among many other surprises for fans and “Super Hero Night” which coincided with the release of Marvel’s Avengers: End Game. It is fair to say that this season the Riders have thought outside of the box when it comes to the fan experience and based on attendance figures and fan reaction, it is certainly working. leicesterriders.co.uk NICHE | 97

LIFE OUTSIDE OF SPORT

Drewe Broughton From the young eight-year-old so excited to play he couldn’t sleep, to the 33-year-old at the end of a seventeen-year football career bankrupt, alone, unemployable and contemplating life. Former professional footballer and now performance coach Drewe Broughton talks to us about honesty, surrender and ‘And Then What?’ Words by Liam Deacy

Recently, somebody accused Drewe Broughton of being “very angry” but these aren’t the words I would use to describe the former MK Dons, Rotherham United and Peterborough United striker as we sit down to talk; brutally honest, yes but not angry. “I’ve been through rehab; I’ve been through two lots of 12 step fellowships. I’ve pretty much dealt with my issues and what’s left is not anger, it’s passion,” Drewe explains to me when discussing the encounter with a top football psychologist at a conference where he was doing a talk. That passion can be heard as soon as Drewe reminisces about his football career. Drewe was spotted at eight years old and, after a short period at Luton Town, he moved to Norwich City. At aged 17, Drewe made his first team debut for Norwich City; a week later he scored away at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Before he knew it, he had a three-year deal with Adidas and had been named in the 26-man squad for the England Under 20’s world cup squad - alongside the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Emile Heskey and Jamie Carragher. His career ended after 17 years and 22 clubs later and he says that in only five per cent of his 550 games did he perform at his optimal best. “Generally, I had surrendered in those 25 or so games, they usually followed a run of ordinary performances, getting dropped from the team, playing with the youth team and wanting

98 | NICHE

to give up. I was lost, broken and ultimately, I surrendered. Then there would be an injury, or a suspension and I was back, nine times out of ten I was the best player on the pitch, but I didn’t know how I’d done it which sadly meant I couldn’t replicate it.” This became a cycle for Drewe; he’d be moved on to his next club, then the next and then it was over on

and physical issues by top footballers. “It started with a few mates, they all respected me and gave me their time. Before long I was working with 30 or so top Premier League and Internationals at their houses.” A chance call from his brother led to him working with a young footballer ready to quit the game, after spending time talking to him and his dad things turned around. Now Drewe is working as a performance coach with elite athletes in football, golf and business leaders using ‘surrender’ now as a coaching tool. “When a young footballer I’m coaching says something like ‘I’ve got to play well, I need this new contract, I need,’ I tell them: ‘Work with those voices in your head, embrace them and surrender.’ Those voices aren’t going anywhere but you can silence them by embracing them.” Drewe’s work as a highperformance coach goes beyond simply working in physical strength, he takes a more holistic approach to the development of emotional strength. Where they are sportspeople,

It started with a few mates, they all respected me and gave me their time. Before long I was working with 30 or so top Premier League and Internationals at their houses May 6, 2011. To Drewe, football was an addiction he couldn’t replace, and this had consequences that led him at 33 to be bankrupt, alone and unemployable. Drewe spoke to Clarke Carlisle, then Chairman of the PFA (Professional Footballer Association) and he called Sporting Chance, a rehabilitation clinic set up by former Arsenal and England Captain Tony Adams. The clinic dealt with addiction and emotional breakdown and during his time in the clinic, Drewe went through the twelvestep program. Following his time in rehab, Drewe built his business offering assessments and solutions to repetitive injuries

business leaders or someone wanting to become the best version of themselves they can be, Drewe is available to help them to unlock that possibility. ‘And What Now..?’ is Drewe’s autobiography and it’s aa frank account of his career to date from footballer to coach, but it’s also packed with powerful stories and lessons for anyone in any walk of life. As I sit and talk to Drewe about his football career, his coaching, his book and his upcoming podcast ‘The Gift Is The Curse’ I think that I am talking to Drewe Broughton, not the footballer or the coach - but the man himself. Open, honest and living what he coaches.

NICHE FEATURE

NICHE | 17

Listen up

This year Leicester Racecourse’s Ladies Day Festival looks set to be bigger and better than ever before…

Get involved in the excitement of dressing up with your girls for this year’s Ladies Day as Rob Bracken and his team search to find the best dressed in the land of Leicester. Ticket holders travel from far and wide to experience the quality horse racing, catering and entertainment that Leicester Racecourse brings together each year – and with things really taking shape, 2019 looks set to be the best yet.

Saturday July 6 2019 Century when Queen Anne founded the races. So, Ladies Day at the races is a rather special, royal affair one could say! In more recent years, Ladies Day has picked up quite a following in other areas of the UK, having become a famous event in British culture that the rest of the country has been eager to get involved in. Ladies Day in Leicester has particularly taken off – Google ‘Ladies Day’ and Leicester

Last years Leicester

We can’t wait for this fun-filled race day! #LD19 There will be dancing, best dressed competitors, food, drink, shop retailers for essentials and entertainment from International mutli-awardwinning artist Will Young and international DJ and Scissor Sisters member Ana Matronic and fireworks.

GIN, PROSECCO, CIDER & ALE EVENING

Racecourse Ladies Day saw a record number

Saturday June 15 2019

of people attend A family-run business, the racecourse is an iconic part of Leicester’s scene, and general manager Rob and team pride themselves on putting on the best race meets of the year – rivalling other UK-wide racecourses and giving them a run for their money. Horse racing, as a professional sport in the UK, can be traced back to the 12th Century after the English knights returned from the Crusades with Arab horses, Equine World reports. It is generally accepted that the final day at Royal Ascot became known as Ladies Day in the 18th

LADIES DAY FESTIVAL

Racecourse’s website will likely appear in the top search, amongst the Cheltenham and Ascot pages. The build up each year can be felt all over the county, with ticket holders found in Leicester’s retail outlets picking out hats and fancy outfits in the weeks leading up. Be part of what is one of our county’s most loved traditions and one of its biggest events on the calendar and social scene. 0116 271 6515 leicester-racecourse.co.uk

Expect plenty going on at this summer’s evening race meeting with horse racing, lots of lovely street food and bar outlets, as well as live music by Oompah Band and The Bavarian Strollers. A day filled with gin, Prosecco, cider, ale and entertainment. So get ready in your best outfits, ladies and gents – and don’t miss out on this great summer race meeting! Live Music from Oompah Band and The Bavarian Strollers. Tickets are available at £15pp and under 18s go FREE! NICHE | 101

Local sponsors

make huge impact on players Leicester Falcons are paving the way for American football in England with their continuing development of their youth teams

With the support and help of their sponsors, the Leicester Falcons has set the bar in the development for youths in American football. Whilst the average fees for players to join a club is set at a steep £600, the Leicester Falcons has made a huge change for their club by lowering their joining costs down to less than £100 for their senior team. Both youth and junior teams are fully funded, thanks to the help and dedication of their sponsors: Plukd, Southall & Co, Growth Partners PLC, Cross Productions, Leicester Racecourse, Dragonfly, Nucleus HR, The Miller Partnership, Evolve, ER Recruitment, Boss Construction, Soar Valley Press, FOCUS charity, Menphys, Glenfield Electrical, Synergy Personel, Paradigm Wills & Legal Services, Alexandra K – The Business Fixer, More Restaurant, Ali Beddow, Juice Creative, Leicestershire Garden Design and BGS Accounting. This is the second year 102 | NICHE

running that the club has been able to provide this fantastic opportunity for it’s players. It has had such a profound effect – not only on new potential players, but current players as well. Guy Kersey, general manager of the Leicester Falcons said: “The impact on our current players has been huge: we’ve been fortunate to have players stay, instead of leaving due to the costs and being unable to afford it. On top of that, our squads are increasing significantly because of our low cost fee. The opportunity has opened the door to so many potential players that wouldn’t have thought they’d be able to afford to play. Young people from a low income background now have the opportunity to play American football without the worry of money issues.” American football is watched avidly all over the world. With the NFL’s big push in investment in the sport overseas, the sport has landed in the UK, with many

THE IMPACT ON OUR CURRENT PLAYERS HAS BEEN HUGE: WE’VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE PLAYERS STAY, INSTEAD OF LEAVING DUE TO THE COSTS

clubs starting up and down the country. NFL have been hosting regular season games from 2007 in London, leading to the sport taking off tremendously in the UK, especially in youth sports. Over the past five years, no other university sport has seen as much growth in participation as American football has. Whilst youth development is on the rise, most universities having their own dedicated American football team that compete in tournaments around the country, it’s only going to get bigger as the NFL grows. The Leicester Falcons are always on the lookout to welcome new sponsors into the fold. To find out how to become a sponsor of one of the leading youth American football clubs, then contact Jenny Cross, the Commercial Director of the Leicester Falcons. Leicesterfalcons.co.uk jenny@crossproductions.co.uk

NICHE FEATURE

Empowering

to make a change Riders and LCFC Community Education Academy

The Leicester Riders Foundation and LCFC Community Trust have formed an exciting new education partnership, which will offer BTEC Sports courses to 16-18-year olds

From September 2019, the Riders and LCFC Community Education Academy will offer a two-year full-time BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport which is the equivalent of three A-Levels. The programme will combine classroom-based education alongside daily futsal and basketball training, as well as a tailor-made employability programme. As part of the employability programme, students who enrol onto this course will be put through national governing body coaching qualifications, safeguarding training, first aid and other qualifications/training which will enable them to become more employable upon graduation from the BTEC course. Not only this, students will also benefit from incentives and receive free driving lessons as well as a free training kit. Students will work alongside professional basketball players and LCFC futsal coaches on a daily basis and gain an insight into playing, coaching and officiating both sports. There

may also be opportunities to play competitively in college leagues for each respective sport. The aim is to create long term education/employment pathways for all students from the age of 16 right up into adulthood. There will be opportunities available for students on completion of their BTEC course to undertake a sports coaching apprenticeship within the academy, where they will obtain an NVQ Level 3 in Supporting the Delivery of PE and School Sport – leading to employment opportunities within both The Leicester Riders Foundation and LCFC Community Trust. There will also be opportunities to continue in education with the Riders and LCFC Community Academy and complete a BSc Degree in Sport Development and Coaching. As well as the above, students can also gain enough UCAS points to go to university to study a sport related degree, go into general employment/apprenticeship or the armed forces. Students will be involved

OUR AIM IS TO CREATE LONG TERM EDUCATION/ EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS FOR ALL STUDENTS FROM THE AGE OF 16 RIGHT UP INTO ADULTHOOD

in excursions and end of term trips and awards, as well as experience an annual residential. For more information about the programme see the websites below. Alternatively, you can attend any one of the open days below; the open day will consist of a PowerPoint presentation, a tour of the arena and a 1-2-1 interview with academy staff. Applications can be made via the UCAS progress page which year 11s can apply through with their careers advisor. Just search ‘Leicester Riders and LCFC CT’. leicesterriders.co.uk leicesterridersfoundation.co.uk kayleigh@leicesterriders.co.uk

OPEN DAYS

at Morningside Arena Friday

May 31

Thursday

July 11

All of the open days begin at 11am NICHE | 103

Outlaws Roundup It’s all go, go, go at the moment for the Outlaws – Coach Neil Jepson brings us the latest scores and news from the club…

With the Under 18s team returning from Sparta cup in Igualada, Spain, the team’s focus are now the final remaining games in the BIPHA central leagues. The team, finishing fourth in Igualada, will want to capitalise on lessons learnt and have a hunger to finish this year’s UK leagues on a high. Sparta is a great playground and exposes our players to some systems and styles of Hockey that are not always seen in the UK. Adapting to these different styles to be one goal off from the Gold medal final to the Sparta Cup tournament winners, is a great experience and learning opportunity for our players. Back in the UK, the Outlaws are showing great promise. Our Under 12s are finishing their season already in fifth place, two points off the third position, improved game on game; it gives the coaches and the players something to work on throughout the summer, ready for next season. U14s not wanting to be left

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behind are currently sat in fourth position with two games left to play, following the U12s, they will want to end the season on a high. The Under 16s have already qualified for National Finals as last season’s winners. With more than half of the team moving into Under 18s at the start of the season, this Under 16s development team combined with the remaining members in that team, have done extremely well, and are currently third in the League with two games left to play. The Under 18s are already League Champions with two games left to play in the league; the final push would be to make this a fourth time being undefeated League Champions. Although, the last two games are not easy, and anything could happen here. Seniors, Under 18s team, plus two seniors players - one being our club coach and Assistant Captain of the GB Masters team - are also just a game away from their own league championship. Currently top of the table with a

THE UNDER 18S ARE ALREADY LEAGUE CHAMPIONS WITH TWO GAMES LEFT TO PLAY IN THE LEAGUE

game in hand and three games left to play, they need to win one of the remaining three games to take the title. These boys are not about to take their foot off the gas, but neither are the opposition. With Coach Geoff looking after the 12s to 16s and standing aside me with the 18s and Seniors, as well as Coach Oscar, we are all pushing the players to open their eyes to the possibilities of the players they can become; as a club this gives us a solid foundation to grow and continue to develop our club and our players - add this to the continued support of our parents and Niche Magazine and we have something very, very special. With plans and ideas already taking shape for 2019/2020 seasons, we can only continue to progress in continuing to raise a Good person that loves to play hockey, not just a great Hockey player. Neil.Jepson@virginmedia.co.uk Facebook: @MidlandOutlaws18

NICHE FEATURE

Lions den opens for business This year has been a year of growth and promising developments for the Leicester Lions Rugby Club - and it won’t stop here!

TMDP Park on Lutterworth Road, Blaby, is an exceptional facility and there are some exciting plans in place to grow and make the club a multi-sport venue. And that work has already begun. Earlier this year, the Lions made a mutually beneficial partnership with the Leicester Falcon American Football Club, which sees the Falcons playing their home games at TMDP Park; working together will be a huge boost to both teams commercially. Not only this, the Leicester Lions have had a newly-built events venue, which has a capacity of up to 220 people. From weddings and parties, to conferences, corporate team building

and networking, the venue caters to all their clients needs, with the highly experienced team work closely with clients to understand their vision and needs. Their aim is to take the added stress away from planning your event, and even have additional options available, such as the staff decorating the venue, arranging entertainment like photo booths, discos and other activities.

With a professional, catering service including a large range of food and buffet options available, the team at the Leicester Lions create a menu tailored to your individual requirements - just to give you the peace of mind that you’ve left your event in the right hands; they have the complete package! lionsrfc.co.uk

Investing in the future of

grassroots sports Leicester based Social Enterprise Koi Sports CIC work to bring about positive social change through the sale of their Corporate Social Responsibility package,

‘Flick the Switch’, to businesses across the country

Twinning local businesses with local grassroots sports clubs, Koi Sports work to enhance and develop a community’s sports offer whilst market a business’s involvement through sponsorship and the creation of positive new stories which can be shared across social media and traditional media outlets. The Twinning of local businesses with the grassroots sport sector isn’t just about financial investment, it’s also about promoting a more personal relationship between the two sectors, for example, creating local links that will provide opportunities for young adults to gain valuable work experience, or apprenticeship opportunities. Another of Koi Sports social initiatives is the creation of employment

programmes for ‘hard to reach’ members of our society, for example their employment policy has a major focus on ex-military personnel, people from within minority communities, and the ex-offender community. It is a sad fact, but there are a lot of commonalities between the aforementioned communities, and having recognised this, Koi Sports now provide sportrelated opportunities both inside and outside of the prison walls, to reduce the risks of local first-time crime and reoffending, and to counter social issues such as poverty and homelessness. Through their partnership with the England Touch Association, the national governing body for ‘Touch’, better known as ‘Touch Rugby’, the Flick the

Switch campaign creates profits to fund training, coaching and refereeing qualifications to aid both mental and physical rehabilitation. Over the next two years Koi Sports aim to establish their first three sales districts, one in Leicestershire, one in Newark & Sherwood, and one in London. Commercial activity is already underway in Westminster, through their project partnership with Everyone Active, and also in Newark & Sherwood; the groundwork has already been laid in Leicestershire, and twinning activity will commence imminently. 07376 871 514 DJKoiSports@gmail.com NICHE | 105

NICHE MOTOR

Forum

WEAR AND TEAR FEAR IAN HALLAM IMI Regional Sales Manager at 360 Autoleasing What is deemed reasonable wear and tear when returning your leased vehicle, you might be wondering? Well, the BVRLA say that reasonable wear and tear “occurs when normal usage causes deterioration to a vehicle” but, the lines are hazy for customers and fear sets in. To ease this fear, here at 360 I personally visit customers to help assist and photograph the condition of their vehicle three months before and the day before its return journey. I encourage customers to take detailed

photographs on their phones of the vehicle when I visit so that there aren’t any discrepancies over ‘wear and tear’ of the vehicle. Signing and dating documents to support its condition also helps build up a case for future reference and stops anyone claiming for damages that were made after signing over. As part of my service, which goes above and beyond our competitors in this field, I advise where a customer should carry out work on the vehicle before returning – which is always at a

significantly reduced cost over a bill if picked up on return. I recently saved one company on average over £500 per vehicle by doing this for a fleet of cars they were returning. I make it my personal mission that 360 customers never have to experience costly bills after returning their vehicle.

01509 767 025

360autoleasing-leicestershire.co.uk

Discover the best vehicle contract hire and leasing offers ...for businesses and individuals With every vehicle purchased we will donate £10 to either Hope Against Cancer or the Riders Foundation.

01509 767 025 www.360autoleasing-leicestershire.co.uk leicestershire@360autoleasing.co.uk

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NICHE FEATURE

Good old-fashioned

customer service This family business promises no nasty surprises when you take your car for servicing or MoT

What makes three generations of a family visit the same garage for their vehicle’s servicing and MoT? Well, it’s simple really. Good old-fashioned, trustworthy customer service. Jordan Motors was established in 1962 as a local bodyshop; years later and the same bloodlines are still running the business and even fourth generation customers are frequenting for services to their vehicles. Daughter of Jordan Motors founder, former nurse Julie Jordan-Spence has run the garage and rental business since 1991 and told us that even though their services have expanded over the years, it’s the thread of good, open and honest communication with their customers that keeps them coming back. “When customers

tell us that they have come to us through recommendation or simply because their parents use our services, we take it as a real compliment! There is a great deal of competition out there for garages and yet we consistently retain and attract new custom. We are lucky, but really, it comes down to our commitment to providing an honest service in an industry which often gets tarnished by untrustworthy workmanship.” Communication is paramount, with customers receiving regular phone or text updates on their vehicles’ progress. If further work is needed or parts are required, customers are always consulted first and, more importantly, they are informed of the reasons why a new part or work is needed.

IT COMES DOWN TO OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING AN HONEST SERVICE IN AN INDUSTRY WHICH OFTEN GETS TARNISHED BY UNTRUSTWORTHY WORKMANSHIP

“We communicate with our customers at every step of the way. There are never ‘surprises’ at payment stage and we like to believe that we explain ourselves so that our customers know what to expect.” Keen to dispel the idea that a garage is ‘unknown territory’ for women, Julie explained that whilst she “knows that lots of women feel that way”, Jordan Motors do what they can to eradicate that fear by creating an environment which is welcoming, trustworthy and where good old-fashioned customer service continues to be the most important element of business.

0116 289 2308 jordanmotors-leicester.co.uk NICHE | 107

PROJECTS

NICHE CULTURE

Based on a true story...

Sometimes fact truly is stranger than fiction; I rewatched my favourite film of 2018, Spike Lee’s magnificent BlackKklansman at the weekend (it’s currently available on Sky Cinema). This incredible dramatisation of an extraordinary true story follows the journey of Colorado Springs’ first black law enforcement officer Ron Stallworth, who joined the department in 1972 and infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan – duping KKK Grand Wizard David Duke as part of this investigation. Fast forward to 1979, Stallworth notices an ad in the local paper seeking members to start a new chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado Springs. He calls the phone number, posing as a racist white man who “hates blacks, Jews, Mexicans and Asians.”

TRACEY MILLER

Director at The Miller Partnership The film is an astonishing piece of real-life drama, for which Spike Lee won the 2019 Oscar for ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’ and it got me pondering the entertainment we consume ‘based on a true story’. Whilst historical dramas are often posing as factual, and some biopics take extreme liberties with the truth for a more palatable dramatic narrative, our love of ‘real’ life stories appears unquenchable. Netflix has been a long-time purveyor of true crime stories, bringing us the documentary series: Making A Murderer, Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes and, most recently, The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann. We know that real life dramas such as Schindler’s List and Apollo 13 shine

a light on humanity’s best and worst; and comedies which have been ‘based on a true story’ can lift the heart; to an oeuvre which includes The Full Monty, Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots and Billy Elliot, I’m adding Fighting With My Family as well. This Norfolk-based tale about a family of wrestlers was made into a Channel 4 documentary, from which Stephen Merchant wrote and directed this film starring Lady Macbeth newcomer, Florence Pugh, and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as star and producer. It is an often-told tale of the misfit overcoming the odds, but it’s charming, funny and upliftingly entertaining.

traceyannmiller@hotmail.com

NICHE CARE

Melton care home café opens

for a trip down memory lane A Melton Mowbray care home is celebrating the opening of a Memory Café for its residents

Staff at The Amwell, a private care home offering residential, nursing, dementia and respite care, have turned their bistro into a delightful space which is full of memories of yesteryear. The idea came about after resident Margaret Whiley, 79, donated her 84-set Royal Doulton cup and saucer set as her husband, Walter, also 79, is moving in with their daughter, Anita, who lives in Melton. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together last year. Mrs Whiley had been a keen collector of bone china and, Walter said, will be delighted to use it again at the care home where she has spent the last year. Their budgie, Toby, also has a new home and is now living at the care home. “Margaret will feel even more at home now that she has her tea set and Toby,” said Walter. “She always loved collecting stuff for the kitchen and, as I’m moving in with my daughter, I’ve been clearing out the house. Margaret suggested I donate the tea set and many other items to The Amwell so they can be used and enjoyed by other residents at the home.” The Memory Café is complete with memorabilia from wartime and vintage editions of The Beano. It is the latest in a range of initiatives aimed at contributing to a sense of

wellbeing for the residents at the home in Asfordby Road. Manager Tracy Heyes said: “We’d like to thank Mr and Mrs Whiley for donating so many wonderful items to the home, it’s very kind indeed. As these items will remind Margaret of past times, we thought we would turn the whole bistro area into a Memory Café which the family could officially open. “We recognise that reminiscing about the past is extremely therapeutic and are always keen to deliver initiatives which get our residents talking and reminiscing together. Many of our residents love to share stories from their younger years and the Café is a way of enjoying a meal and a drink in a relaxed setting that can prompt those stories. “We are delighted to be able to create the Memory Café and fill it with items that might otherwise be hidden away. Our new feathered friend, Toby, also made quite a positive impression on our residents!”

01664 882 525 theamwellcare.com info@theamwellcare.com NICHE | 109

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01664 88 25 25

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55 Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 0HR | T: 01664 88 25 25 | E. info@theamwellcare.com NICHE | 111

NICHE SOCIAL

Oadby House Launch A host of attendees from businesses and the Leicester community gathered together in March for the official launch of the Oadby House showroom. Guests at the launch had the opportunity to browse the stunning range of flooring, furniture and kitchens, as well as experience an exclusive cooking demonstration from celebrity chef, Kwoklyn Wan. Oadby House showcaese the combined businesses of Sherwin Hall Kitchens, Michael John Flooring and Maison Interiors all under one roof. Since opening its doors in October 2018, Oadby House has become a firm favourite on the Oadby Parade with incredibly positive reactions from the public. Mark Lucas, Partner of Michael John Flooring, said: “It was brilliant to be able to welcome so many people to the official launch event for Oadby House and we are delighted with how the evening went. It’s important for us to keep reaching out to the community and ensure that we maintain strong links with the local people and businesses. Events like this one enable us to not only showcase our product range, but also introduce people to our philosophy as a business and highlight our ambitious plans moving forward. “We have been delighted with how Oadby House has been received since opening its doors, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing the business continue to grow and reach its full potential.”

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NICHE SOCIAL

A pledge for Hope 57 business club members from across the county gathered to make a very important pledge at Leicester Racecourse on Thursday March 28 for the bi-annual networking lunch Hope Through Business, a group of businesses who help to raise funds for Hope Against Cancer – Leicestershire and Rutland’s local cancer research charity. The business club members from across the county each pledged to raise £1,500 over a two-year period, which will help Hope Against Cancer fund vital local cancer research and support postgraduates and cancer clinicians pursuing a career in cancer research. Business members have the chance to attend two Hope Through Business luncheons throughout the year. Investments made by the businesses make a real difference to Hope Against Cancer’s mission. The event gives businesses a fantastic way to improve their corporate social responsibility initiatives, support the funding of ground-breaking research and network with other local businesses, maintaining vital long-lasting business relationships. Through engaging, compelling talks and presentations from a range of key stakeholders, Hope Through Business is a hugely successful fundraising event that is vital to ensuring Hope Against Cancer reaches its goals to strive for a future in which more people survive cancer by funding innovative research and achieves the greatest impact in the fight against cancer. Nigel Rose, Chief Executive at Hope, said: “We’re proud of our local roots and excellent relationships with a whole range of local and regional businesses. We’re extremely grateful and lucky to have the support of so many, including Cross Productions.” NICHE | 113

NICHE SOCIAL

Niche Networking at Mattioli Woods On Monday 18th March, Cross Productions held their Niche Networking event at the offices of Mattioli Woods on New Walk. The event gives local businesses the fantastic opportunity to come along, listen to speeches and meet other like-minded entrepreneurs that are in the area, forming long-lasting bonds and potential business relationships. It was incredible to see, not only some familiar faces, but a lot of new faces joining us at the event. There were some great speeches from Jenny Cross and City Centre Director Sarah Harrison, giving us insight on the exciting new planning developments around Leicester City Centre. Greens Catering supplied the evening with an amazing display of delicious food that went down a treat. Jenny Cross, Managing Director of Cross Productions, said: “The evening saw a fantastic turnout; it’s always great to see a dynamic mix of local business owners and professionals. “Leicester City Centre Director, Sarah Harrison, gave a really interesting talk on the new and future developments around the City Centre. Niche Networking is here to pave the way for local businesses to network and develop new working relationships with like-minded, forward thinking peers. We look forward to seeing many more people at our next Niche Networking event.”

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NICHE SOCIAL

Soar Valley Press Open Day On Thursday April 4, Soar Valley Press opened their doors to celebrate once again. In February, they invested in four new pieces of equipment; with the machinery, the team have been designing, printing and producing more than ever before. As the demand has increased in the ever-popular world of print, Chris Goodman – owner of the family-run business where his wife, son and brother also work decided it was time to invest in expanding the premises. Cross Productions, a regular client of Soar Valley Press, joined the business community to marvel over the new ‘laboratory’ style space as they celebrated the official opening of the ‘Production Zone.’ With slick, white working benches and ceiling heaters, the team have gone above and beyond with the design of the space. Not only did we get to see all of the machines in action, Soar Valley Press always go the extra mile and had Rob Bracken manning the wood-fired pizza oven, with RA Events providing the tasty pizza. The added bonus that really shows how Soar Valley Press has come into their own was the personalised chocolate oranges that we got to take home!

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Mercedes Citan van 109 lwb 1.5cdi blue efficiency fwd 90ps manual Profile 6 x 47 Deposit £1000.32 plus vat followed by 47 x £166.72 per month +vat based on 10k p.a non maintained Vehicles in stock for immediate delivery Business and personal users Other profiles and mileages available. Image attached for illustration purposes only. We supply all makes and models

I just wanted to express my appreciation for the way you’ve handled the enormous job of changing over our whole fleet. I’ve used top dealers and large leasing companies in the past but 360 auto leasing are head and shoulders above them all. The paperwork, prices and maintenance plans was dealt with by you and the vehicles all arrived exactly on the dates you said they would. But the thing that really impressed me was when I was having trouble with some old vehicle maintenance plans, you solved it for us, even though the vehicles were from a different company. I appreciate all your help and attentiveness with our account and look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship with 360 auto leasing.

Barry Randall

01509 767 025 360autoleasing-leicestershire.co.uk leicestershire@ 360autoleasing.co.uk