Niche Magazine Issue 55

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

Discussions and comments around culture and community surface throughout this issue. Culture – made up of behaviours, beliefs, values and traditions – shapes our way of life while a community is a social group united by something they share in common. Throughout the summer, Leicestershire has long been a county that seeks to unite people through many cultural events that bring communities together. Featured inside, you’ll read about festivals, events, exhibitions, and parades taking place over the coming months that create a sense of togetherness between cultures and unite Leicestershire’s diverse communities.

Workplace culture is discussed by business owners from various industries, expressing how they promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity in their professional environments. We’ve heard from the HR, music, charity, and finance industries on this.

Community Champion award winner of the Niche Business Awards 2022, The Little Theatre fills our front cover with character this issue. The theatre – already with an impactful legacy to leave having been the birthplace of Richard Cadell’s Sooty and Sweep career and its stage performed on by Lord Richard Attenborough – tells us how they’re planning a whopping extension so they can welcome more volunteers, hobbyists, audiences, and people looking to build a career in the arts. See who’s in the running for this year’s Community Champion award on page 24

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Leicester rated best in the region to live and work

Leicester has been ranked as the top city in the East Midlands to live and work according to an influential nationwide industry report.

The city scored above the UK average in a range of areas looking at its economic growth, skills, work-life balance and other measures.

The findings come from the Demos/PwC Good Growth for Cities Index, which ranked the city against other towns and cities both across the region and the rest of the UK.

Leicester is the highest-performing city in the East Midlands and comes 16th out of 50 cities in the index overall.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This is very encouraging news and reflects the considerable amount of inward investment and focus on jobs and skills in the city over the past decade or so.

“In recent years we’ve seen the development of the Space Park and Waterside area of the city, with a view to nurturing specialist industry skills within the city and retain the wealth of knowledge from our university graduates.

“The huge amount of work we’ve done under the Connecting Leicester programme, the Leicester Bus Partnership and the current proposals to radically improve

our railway station all help to make the city more easily accessible for both work and leisure.

“Improving a city, both in physical redevelopment and in terms of jobs and skills, is continually a work in progress, but the findings of this research show Leicester offers a good balance of life, work and transport that is the best in the region.”

Analysts found the city performs well in terms of overall economic growth, and scores above the UK average in worklife balance, new businesses, transport, skills across all age groups, income distribution and safety.

It is in line with the UK average on jobs, health, owneroccupier rates and the environment.

Elsewhere in the East Midlands, Nottingham was ranked 36th out of 50, Northampton 42nd and Derby 24th.

Alex Hudson, Market Senior Partner for PwC East Midlands, commented: “The outlook in the East Midlands is a positive one, and it’s pleasing to see our cities generally faring well in our analysis this year.

“Aligned with the government’s Levelling Up agenda, local government and employers have a part to play in providing opportunities for people to grow their businesses, careers and skills right across the region.”

City celebrates Windrush anniversary

The contribution made to British society by those who left their homes in the Caribbean for a new life in the UK will be celebrated across the country this month.

Windrush 75 remembered those who made their home in Britain in the decades after the Second World War, as well as the men, women and children who arrived at Tilbury Docks in June 1948 on the HMT Empire Windrush – the ship that became a symbol of post-war migration.

In Leicester, a programme of events marked the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush, celebrating the contribution made by those pioneers and their descendants to the city’s culture and economy.

Deputy city mayor for culture Councillor Adam Clarke said: “In 1948, the government was encouraging immigration from Commonwealth countries to help fill Britain’s post-war labour shortages.

“The 802 people from the Caribbean who made the

month-long journey on the Windrush included those who had served in the British armed forces during the Second World War, skilled mechanics, carpenters, tailors, engineers, welders and musicians, as well as those who would help rebuild postwar Britain by driving the country’s buses and trains or taking jobs in the newly-created NHS.

“Windrush 75 provides an opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifice and hardship faced by the Windrush Generation and to recognise the contribution they, and their descendants, continue to make to business, music, the arts, sport and all aspects of public life here in Leicester, and across Britain.”

Most events that took place were coordinated by Leicester Windrush Consortium – a network of local community groups that are working together to commemorate the anniversary.

A launch event took place at City Hall on National Windrush Day: June 22. In the following days, there was also a lecture, a family day at New Walk Museum, a high tea, an arts fete, a storytelling day for children, a Q&A, several displays, a block party in Museum Square, and exhibition ‘Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS’.

Cllr George Cole, who was born in Jamaica and who last year became the first person of African-Caribbean heritage to be sworn in as Leicester’s Lord Mayor, said: “Windrush75 is an opportunity to look back and see how far we’ve come, knowing that we still have some way to go.

“But we should celebrate and say thank you to those early pioneers.”

2 Funky Music Cafe among recipients of Music Venue Trust’s Pipeline Investment Fund

2 Funky Music Cafe has received a grant from the Music Venue Trust (MVT), as part of a fourth round of recipients for its major new funding initiative, which provides grants of up to £5,000 for UK Grassroots Music Venues.

The Leicester venue received £4165.83 from MVT’s Pipeline Investment Fund to pay for a new sound desk to replace a seven-yearold analogue desk.

Venue Manager Sam Warren said: “We have been in need of a new mixing board for some time, and the Pipeline Investment Fund will allow us to get a new state-of-the-art digital mixer.

“This funding has allowed the 2 Funky Music Cafe the opportunity to increase productivity and modernise the venue space, as well as improve the sound quality for both visiting

audience members and musicians performing in the venue space.

“This allows us to champion a diverse variety of music and art, creating opportunities for aspiring Leicester artists.”

The Pipeline Investment Fund, established in 2022, is primarily funded by ticket sales of MVT’s recent ‘Revive Live’ programme of gigs around the UK, a hugely successful partnership with The National Lottery.

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, said: “This fourth round of the Pipeline Investment Fund once again demonstrates how much difference small amounts of money, wisely invested, can make for Grassroots Music Venues.

“With grassroots music venues facing extraordinary challenges right now, Music Venue Trust is determined

to keep pressing the music industry and government to support this fund and ensure music communities right across the country can continue to access the very best in live music.”

To date £165,000 worth of grants have been awarded to 38 Grassroots Music Venues since December. This fourth round of payments sees a total sum of £97,516.97 awarded to a further 23 GMVs across the country.

Summer of Festivals

There's a jam-packed season of festival fun ahead in Leicester. City Centre Director Sarah Harrison tells us about the programme and why festivals and events are important to the local economy and the city’s businesses

Leicester is known nationally and internationally for its diversity and creativity, and the city’s multiple festivals play a significant role in the overall arts and cultural scene giving an injection of vitality for its communities and visitors alike.

Post-Covid, the last two years have seen a return of several much-loved festivals and a surge of new events in the city, with audience numbers continuing to rise year on year. In 2022, the city hosted over 300 days of festivals and events in its city parks and spaces, engaging over 540,000 users. The biggest Leicester City Council coproduced community events – Riverside Festival, Leicester Carnival, Diwali Switch On and Bonfire Night – all achieved audiences in excess of 25,000, with a further 90,000+ attendees at our hugely popular Ice Rink, Santa’s Grotto, Wheel of Light and Christmas Lights Switch On events.

At a time of increasing economic hardship for families, the city offers many popular free events throughout the year, including St George's Festival, Journeys International

DIWALI LIGHTS SWITCH ON

RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL

GRAHAM CALLISTER, HEAD OF FESTIVALS, EVENTS AND CULTURAL POLICY, LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL

Festival, Leicester Mela and the bi-annual Bring The Paint amongst others. Several festivals bring international artists to the city, attracting audiences from throughout the UK, Europe and as far afield as South Asia and Australia. In addition to making the city a great place to live and visit, festivals continue to inject millions of pounds into the local economy, helping to support the cultural and creative ecology of the city.

Graham Callister recently joined Leicester City Council as Head of Festivals, Events and Cultural Policy, and brings plenty of experience and passion to his new role. Previously, Graham worked for several years as Director of Festivals at Birmingham Hippodrome, producing and directing highly successful new festivals including Birmingham Weekender and B-Side Hip Hop Festival, both part of the recent Commonwealth Games Festival 2022. He also established family favourites such as Summer in Southside and Birmingham Chinese New Year Festival. Graham is passionate about the key role that festivals play in our cities today.

“Festivals have long been identified as a key tool for place-making, strengthening community cohesion and fostering civic pride,” Graham told us. “They provide health and wellbeing benefits alongside supporting the wider economic and cultural tourism agenda. Leicester’s super diverse socio-demographics present the opportunity to bring people together to engage with, participate in and learn from shared global cultural interests and heritage and to establish new and expanded artistic and business partnerships for the city’s festivals and events.”

Graham is keen to see how his team can encourage these festivals and events to be even more inclusive and accessible to Leicester residents and visitors in the future. To this end, he has made it his mission to partner and support local organisers and businesses on major festivals. This fresh approach presents an ideal opportunity to bring in new business partners and sponsors who are not only looking to support the city’s festival and events programme from a corporate social responsibility perspective, but also to have brand association with the diverse makeup of the residents and visitors attending these events.

There is so much to look forward to this summer including Soft Touch Arts Punk Cultureclash Festival Weekend on August 18-20, a celebration of all things punk; the new Re/action Festival on August 27-28 delivered by

Art Reach in partnership with Leicester City Council, which will explore creativity for the climate – expect marvellous outdoor shows, giant puppets and tiny creatures in Leicester’s city centre; and Leicester Pride will be celebrating its 15th anniversary on September 2.

BBC Radio 2 Live is holding the station's biggest live music event outside of London with a brilliant line up taking to the stage in Victoria Park which will see the likes of Kylie Minogue, Tears for Fears and Busted take to the stage. The event on September 16-17 will entertain a total of 70,000 festival-goers and provide a welcome boost for local businesses and the economy. Thirty percent of the tickets have been ringfenced for Leicestershire residents.

If you would like to know more about how your business could get involved in the city’s fantastic festival offer or you want to have a chat about bringing new events to the city, contact Graham at Graham.Callister@leicester.gov.uk. Go to visitleicester.info for more information about upcoming festivals and events.

Jubilee Square & other venues

18-20 Punk Cultureclash Jubilee Square Festival

20 Leicester Belgrave City Centre

Mela

26-27 Re/action Festival City Centre

SEPTEMBER

1-3

Brew Beat Jubilee Square

Leicester Pride City Centre 9 African Fest UK Nelson Mandela Park

2

16-17 BBC Radio 2 Live Victoria Park

LIGHT UP LEICESTER

CITY FESTIVAL 'STORM PARADE'

Embracing EDI can help East Midlands businesses fill vacancies amid skills shortages

More East Midlands businesses are integrating equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into workplace policies, new research has found.

A study from East Midlands Chamber in partnership with emh group found the proportion of firms in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire with a specific EDIrelated policy grew from 48% in 2022 to 54% this year. There was also a 3% drop to 37% of firms saying they had no such policy.

Some 56% of respondents said EDI formed part of strategic discussions at leadership or board level, with 15% believing this was to “a great extent” – although the same proportion said there was no focus on EDI at all – in figures similar to 12 months ago.

The biggest benefit attributed to having an engaged approach to EDI was its ability to create an inclusive working environment, which was cited by 65% of respondents.

Other popular reasons included the role it plays in supporting diversity of thought in decision-making (58%), staff recruitment and retention (52%), and better representing customers and clients (44%).

An average score of five out of 10 was given to the importance of EDI engagement to the success of an organisation. This was down from 5.6 a year earlier, while it also falls behind corporate social responsibility, which was awarded a score of 5.7 in a separate survey.

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Chris Hobson said: “This research shows that while it has slipped slightly – perhaps due to the persistent pressures on firms caused by a cost-of-doing-business crisis that has occupied leaders’ minds over the past 18 months – EDI remains an important consideration for many businesses in the East Midlands.

“Those engaged cite benefits

such as supporting innovation, staff recruitment and retention, and better representing customers – all businesscritical issues at a time when firms are looking for new ways to improve productivity and plug persistent skills gaps, with our research also showing 73% of firms that try to recruit will struggle to fill roles.

“While there are still barriers to EDI adoption, including a lack of understanding among leadership teams and a fear about getting it wrong, we know that providing businesses with the support they need to implement EDI policies can lead to greater adoption – and ultimately support business success.”

The research was carried out within East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey – which gathers intelligence on how businesses are faring in areas such as sales, cashflow and recruitment – for Q1 2023, with 320 responses.

It will be used to create a series of recommendations for further business support and policy activity around how Government can collaborate with employer representative bodies to advocate for EDI and support further engagement.

This was the second instalment of EDI research as part of a strategic partnership between the Chamber

Other key findings

and emh group, an affordable housing, care and support provider based in Leicestershire.

Chan Kataria OBE, chief executive of emh group, said he was “encouraged” to see a positive shift in some areas of engagement.

“A key aspect of this research was to explore the barriers to engagement on EDI,” he added. “The results strongly indicate an appetite for support, and increased engagement on the broader spectrum of EDI.

“The findings also provide a platform to explore opportunities to share good practice and collaborate for better business outcomes.”

◆ A relatively even split in EDI policy adoption between services-based businesses (55%) and manufacturers (52%) – with significant growth in engagement among manufacturers after 43% had a policy a year earlier

◆ EDI adoption reduces the further down we descend in the business size spectrum – from 90% of large firms having a dedicated policy, reducing to 68% of medium businesses, 57% of small companies and 37% of microbusinesses

◆ Barriers to effective EDI policy: a view that it’s not a priority (cited by 42%), concerns about getting it wrong and causing inadvertent upset (30%), the time it takes to develop a policy (28%), staff buy-in (24%), lack of understanding in the leadership team (22%) and a view it isn’t needed in their workplace (22%).

EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND INSIGHT CHRIS HOBSON

CHAN KATARIA OBE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF EMH GROUP

Chambers of commerce unite to support refugees and plug skills gaps

Refugees from countries including Ukraine and Syria are being supported into work across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire by a partnership between two chambers of commerce.

East Midlands Chamber and Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce are working together to develop refugees’ skills, employability and social integration, with the aim of enhancing confidence among individuals who have fled war, violence or persecution to take on jobs here – and in turn help businesses to fill vacancies.

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, members of East Midlands Chamber’s employment services team have made weekly visits to Nottinghamshire Ukrainian Cultural Centre to help refugees arriving in the area.

The team has supported more than 150 individuals with personalised training courses, CV and job application writing, interview preparation, housing and financial assistance, introductions to employers, including Nottingham Venues, Pizza Factory and Smyths Toys. It has also worked with Nottingham-based charity Refugee Roots to provide English language lessons and address mental health barriers.

Paul Needham, head of employment services at East Midlands Chamber, which represents Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, said: “Given the extremely tight labour market we are experiencing right now, we have been engaging businesses about the benefits of adopting inclusive recruitment policies to open up vacancies to a wider pool of people, including refugees.

“Supporting Ukrainian refugees in Nottinghamshire over the past six months has been a really rewarding exercise for our team given the desperate circumstances these people find themselves in, and it has provided an important platform for introducing more families and individuals to our wide portfolio of employment services,

Anastasiia’s story

Ukrainian national Anastasiia Markeliuk works for conference and event space operator Nottingham Venues as a food and beverage assistant after being connected with her employer by the Chamber.

Anastasiia comes from Kherson, one of the first areas in Ukraine to be invaded by the Russian army, and was taken in by a family from Lady Bay, Nottingham, after fleeing the country via Poland. She has a master’s degree in geography and sociology, and understands her current role is a stepping-stone for future job prospects.

She said: “The refugee community often features very skilled people who have a lot to offer and can make a real difference to companies, so I would encourage businesses to be open to the opportunities that employing refugees can provide.”

which break down barriers to work.

“We now want to replicate this work in Derbyshire in partnership with Staffordshire Chamber, which has had great success within its own area, to provide further job opportunities that will enable refugees to integrate into our society and contribute to the communities they now call home.”

For the past two years, Staffordshire Chamber has run the Positive Pathways programme, which provides employability skills development and business start-up advice to Afghan, Syrian and Ukrainian refugees now based in Staffordshire, and connects them with local companies.

Part-funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, it has supported more than 250 people, including highly-skilled professionals such as doctors, surgeons, nurses, psychologists, dentists, engineers, project managers and accountants.

All individuals have had to meet Government criteria showing their right to work in the UK and their being aged 18 or older.

You can find out more by contacting East Midlands Chamber’s employment services team at employment.services@emc-dnl.co.uk.

Nottingham Venues, which operates East Midlands Conference Centre and The Jubilee Hotel and Conferences among other venues, has a number of employees from the Ukrainian community working across the business.

HR director Suzie Adams added: “Almost all are highly educated with a wide variety of qualifications. Their spirit, determination and with an ability to turn their hands to anything makes them an asset to our team or indeed any business.

“There are skills shortages in many sectors in the UK at the moment and businesses should not be discouraged from employing refugees to fill those roles, as well as training and developing homegrown staff.”

PAUL NEEDHAM, HEAD OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AT EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER

Thought Leaders

Leading by example, one opinion, one idea, one lesson at a time, our thought leaders are significant in the Leicester and Leicestershire business scene.

With authority in their field of expertise, passion for sharing ideas, and commitment to helping others, they’ve been asked to express their most current brainwaves in print.

Selected organisations and individuals share how and why they go about their business, reveal their ambitions, provide clarity on matters within their industry, educate on complex or novel subjects, inspire with their forwardthinking and progressive perspectives, or look backwards to evaluate what’s been learnt.

Got something you’d like to see our team of thought leaders cover?

Send your topics of interest to kerry@crossproductions.co.uk.

Chris Hobson Director of policy and external affairs at East Midlands Chamber

People: the engines powering companies

Skills shortages are nothing new. We regularly survey East Midlands Chamber members and even a decade ago, finding people with the right skillsets was a major challenge for businesses.

I’m not certain there has ever been such a huge emphasis on our people as right now. When we discuss very real business issues such as skills, talent, labour, recruitment, retention, it is the people we are talking about.

People are the engines that power companies but they’ve suddenly become a scarce resource. Over the last 18 months, our Quarterly Economic Surveys have illustrated how one of the tightest labour markets ever has put a lid on capacity, creating a persistent blocker to businesses realising their growth ambitions.

Just like rising costs associated with energy, fuel and raw materials, this has also led to inflated wage settlements for employers, causing a perfect storm of a cost-of-doing-business crisis running in parallel to the costof-living crisis.

All these pressures do appear to be easing slightly, but, even if utilities and raw materials costs return to more manageable levels, our people problem will be far more entrenched.

Our economic blueprint, titled A Centre of Trading Excellence: A Business

Manifesto for Growth in the East Midlands and Beyond, sets out a series of measures for Government to consider. These include introducing flexible incentives for businesses that invest in staff training, and bringing forward the introduction of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement to support retraining and the retainment of an older workforce.

Businesses also have an important role to play. In 2023, we’re in a position where a multitude of changes are unfolding – whether it’s in technology, ways of working or the makeup of our society and workforce – which means we must adopt new thinking for how we recruit and retain our people.

The Chamber has a key role to play in helping firms navigate these areas. Our recent East Midlands People and Skills Summit was a major milestone in this body of work, giving us insights to help determine the practical business support tools we can create. These cover how to tap into talent coming out of schools, colleges and universities, and includes how we engage those who have left employment since the beginning of the pandemic. We must also consider how to create a sense of belonging in workplaces.

A more diverse workforce brings new ideas, perspectives and skills to an organisation, ultimately benefitting the bottom line.

Laura Kearsley

Partner and solicitor in employment law at Nelsons

Culture and community

It would be easy, as an employment lawyer, to focus a piece of advice around culture and community on the risks of not embracing diversity in terms of Employment Tribunal claims, grievances and investigations. But as a believer in diversity and inclusion as a real positive factor to enhance workplaces and the culture within a business, I’d like to focus on some tips for how

employers can embrace diversity and inclusion and reap the rewards in terms of perspectives for discussions, ideas for the future of the business and development and challenges to traditional ways of doing things.

In many cases, the key is to think differently, starting with your recruitment process. What candidates are you attracting and what talent are you putting off or not even reaching?

Rik Pancholi Managing Director at Pattersons Commercial Law

How can owner-managed businesses create value in their business?

Now here’s a question I get asked a lot!

When talking exit plans, owner-managers often refer to improving and creating value in their business. Which then leads them to ask me how they can achieve this. For me, exit plans should be built

into the business from the beginning, not necessarily to sell, but to give the owner options. If the business is built in a way that allows the owner to step away from day-today operations in years to come, they have the choice to continue with it, sell and do other things, or sell and

This could be in how you go about your recruitment but also the requirements you state for the roles. Critically assess these: are they really necessary? Can formal qualifications be replaced by experience? Be open to different kinds of experience; not everyone has connections that can get them an internship at a premier company, but they might still have learnt some important lessons from their part-time jobs or experience as a stay-at-home parent, or carer for a family member.

Disabled candidates may also need adjustments to your recruitment process. If you’re not sure, it’s OK to ask!

In the workplace, respect is key. Recognise and take an interest in your employees’ lives, their family, their culture, their religion and beliefs. If you set that tone in your business or organisation, other managers will emulate that, and this will permeate.

When disputes arise (or the potential for dispute arises), early interventions and good communication really pay off. Conversely, ignoring a problem and hoping it goes away is rarely a successful management strategy. Listen to people and don’t be dismissive of their concerns or worries. You might not always be able to resolve things to everyone’s satisfaction but if everyone feels that they have had their say, this should carry through.

Take regular feedback from the workforce. Don’t wait to conduct an exit interview once it is too late. Monitor representation within your workforce: gender, ethnicity, disability, and age. Where are the gaps and why? What can be done to address these?

Small steps are OK, and it’s OK to empower your employees to address some of these issues too, so it’s not all on you.

remain part of a (potentially) bigger organisation.

A few things to think about when building and improving value:

1. Create a strong management team and board to make sure the business can function and succeed with you. Owners sometimes feel as though they are giving up too much control – but in reality, if a business can function well without its owner, then it is a stronger business and will attract a higher value

2. Recruit talent that accepts, develops and reinforces your company’s culture. This is more important than most organisations realise and cannot easily be measured in monetary terms. In a way, recruiting the right people feeds into helping create a strong management team!

3. If you can understand clearly what your client or customers’ needs are, you can pre-empt what they may want as well. This could be your understanding of market trends or client behaviours, which helps reduce client ‘churn’ and means you can build on growth rather than look for new clients to replace ones who walked out.

4. Strategic networking can help grow a business. This may mean networking in the right circles or right business communities. Quick growth is achieved through a mixture of marketing strategies and multi-layered networking. This, too, can help you understand client needs, behaviours and market trends.

What is the most innovative method of improving value in a business you have seen lately?

Eileen Perry MBE

Owner of ER Recruitment

Positive workplaces: crucial to candidates

Workplace culture plays a pivotal role in shaping the identity and success of an organisation. It encompasses the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that define how people interact.

Seventy-eight per cent of employees reported they would leave their current position if they felt the workplace culture was negative. So, to ensure employees feel motivated, engaged, and empowered to perform their best, the

Professor Peter Stokes

Leicester Castle Business School, De Montfort University

Time to take a long-view on artificial intelligence?

Artificial intelligence

(AI) is flavour of the month. It’s appearing everywhere, transforming workplaces and societies. Everyone is throwing the term around but few people are defining or contextualising it. AI, simply stated, is using computer and machine-based systems that employ complex mathematical algorithms to replicate and emulate humanlike intelligence, behaviours and responses in products,

culture must reflect this.

Having spent many years in the recruitment sector, a healthy workplace culture has always been crucial to candidates. A positive culture encourages collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork, leading to improved communication, productivity, and overall performance –something most employees want to be a part of.

Transparency and open communication are vital components of a positive workplace culture. Transparency promotes an atmosphere where ideas are valued, feedback is welcomed, and everyone has a voice, which 88% of employees considered important to them. Diversity and inclusion are also fundamental aspects. Businesses need to be embracing diverse

perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences to create an inclusive environment where individuals feel respected, valued, and empowered. Firms will then benefit from attracting and retaining top talent from a diverse range of skills and perspectives.

It goes without saying that leadership also plays a crucial role in shaping workplace culture. Leaders must act as role models, embodying the desired culture and values. By leading with integrity, empathy, and authenticity, they will inspire and influence employees to embrace the culture and values. Ultimately, a business can spend a lot of time and money growing their team. But, if the culture isn’t positive, the inability to retain top talent is inevitable.

bullet’. Businesses are especially prone to fashion. While AI is undoubtedly important, it’s nevertheless also a fad with which we are currently pre-occupied. And, people are as scared as they are excited. AI feels like the Deus – ex-machina (the own separate spirit and identity/God in the machine). But, honestly, there is little business can do themselves except wait and adopt AI products.

is an age-old challenge.

AI is at the forefront of the United Nations’ ‘Society 5.0’ – the current techo/humancentric industrial revolution transforming human experience.

Déjà vu? Yes, Society 1.0 – hunter-gatherer; 2.0 –agricultural revolution; 3.0 Industrialisation (coal, steam and steel); 4.0 – Information (information technology).

services etc.

We are in transition – we’ve all seen early AI in action: programs that auto-write text using a brief oral outline –for example Chat GPT; and your mobile listening to what you say and subsequently proposing products and services. It’s also running the logistics systems that deliver your online purchases.

In business, as in general life, people often seek the Holy Grail or the ‘magic

The resources required to pioneer and develop AI are vast and it will be the militaryindustrial complex that leads innovation – global tech-firms working with governments, military and especially national intelligence agencies. This is how the Internet emerged. So the message is clear: most firms will be ‘followers’. They do not have the resources to be able to innovate AI. We are all waiting to see what is developed and apply it to the business.

However, let’s take a longer view. At the heart of AI is a tension – the human: technology interface. This

In other words, AI is just the next transition – albeit a pretty big one. We’re in a period characterised by VUCA (volatility – uncertainty – complexity – ambiguity). How do we respond to this and this phase of AI?

As we are forced adopters waiting in the wings, we must:

◆ Be agile – to deal with volatility;

◆ Become excellent information collectors – to remove uncertainty;

◆ Be able to adapt/restructure swiftly – to address complexity;

◆ Experiment in controlled limited ways to relearn the new ‘rules of the game’ – to cope with ambiguity.

Idon’t have many heroes, but it’s fair to say that one man I’ve admired all my life is the one and only Bill Shankly. He was the former Liverpool FC manager who took the failing club to a “bastion of invincibility”.

When asked to write this Niche column in an edition all about culture, community, inclusion, equality, and togetherness, it felt apt to include a few of his quotes. One that resonates with me from a business and personal perspective is: “The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It’s the way I see football, the way I see life.”

This for me represents a true leader. A leader should be someone who does everything in their power to bring the best out of all those around them – giving unequivocal support to fulfil their dreams and aspirations. But with a twist – and for me this is where at present, society continues to let everyone down – “you have to do your share too”. In my

A leader should be someone who does everything in their power to bring the best out of all those around them

Managing Director at 2XL Commercial Finance

opinion, modern day culture, and perhaps in business too, is too much about taking and not enough giving. If you are to create a culture of togetherness and equality in life, everyone has to play their part, not just in the success but also in the hard work to get there. And that goes from the CEO to the tea maker, all of whom are equal in creating that culture regardless of title or position.

Shankly’s belief in putting your head down and working hard was revealed in a short interview caught on film, where he connected the ideals he’d learnt in the armed forces with his footballing work ethic. These can easily be applied to the workplace. He said: “No football club is ever successful without hard work. If everyone thinks along these lines and does the small jobs to the best of their ability, then the world will be better.”

That’s OK to say if you’re a multimillion pound-earning CEO with a luxury yacht coming out with spurious

quotes, but Bill Shankly was a football manager in the ’60s-’70s when it was rumoured he was on £5 a week, the equivalent of about £400 a week now. And he didn’t care for the title, it was all about making sure everyone contributed to the common goal.

He once jokingly quipped: “A football team is like a piano. You need eight men to carry it and three who can play the damn thing.” The fact is, his heart was with the people he served. In this case, the club, the players and the supporters, and he is rightly held in such high acclaim to this day.

Asked how he wanted to be remembered, he replied: “…As a man who was selfless, who strove and worried so that others could share the glory, and who built up a family of people who could hold their heads up high.”

I think you’ll agree that’s a leader and a culture you would want to be part of – at least I would anyway!

A culture you’d want to be a part of

Darren Willoughby

“The socialism I believe in is everyone working for each other, everyone having a share of the rewards. It’s the way I see football, the way I see life.” – Bill Shankly

Neuroscience tells us that our brains (neuro-typically) are hard-wired to perceive things as either a threat or a reward

Sarah Higgins

Leadership Coach at Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching

What does your workplace culture say about your organisation?

If your workplace culture could be seen by everyone – in the form of words within speech bubbles – what would those words be?

When someone comes into your organisation, as a new employee or as a client or supplier, what do they experience? How does your organisation make people feel? Does it make them feel you are open, trustworthy, caring, closed, judging, or surviving?

What you want your culture to be like and what it is really like, can be different things.

Whilst your workplace culture will be shaped by many things, it will be heavily influenced by leaders and the way in which they think and behave. Some cultures are fear-based and born from fear-based leadership. This leadership style can come from an unconscious need for control to protect personal ego and survive at all costs. These are quite natural human responses, but they can have a lasting negative impact on you, your team, and your culture. While fear-based leadership can sometimes be effective

in the short term to get people to do things the way you want, in the long run it can lead to poor morale, damaged reputation, and low productivity.

Fear-based leadership doesn’t always show itself in obvious ways; it’s sometimes shown in what you don’t see. For example, people: not speaking up; not collaborating with trust; being defensive; looking after personal interests rather than going out of their way to help others; feeling as though they don’t make a difference; keeping their heads down; feeling as though they are a number; and blaming and wanting to look better than others in front of their superiors. Whilst these present a lost opportunity for effectiveness, efficiency, return on investment and greater organisational success, they also present an opportunity to turn things around.

Neuroscience tells us that our brains (neurotypically) are hard-wired to perceive things as either a threat or a reward. To what extent does your culture engender perceived psychological threat or

reward on a day-to-day basis? You can improve this by creating a culture of trust and humility, and where employees feel safe to express themselves without fear of retribution or punishment. This is known as psychological safety. It is critical in overcoming challenges from which your teams learn from mistakes and not blaming others.

For continuous improvement and adaptability, we must embrace vulnerability and regularly ask for feedback. To improve efficiency across teams, we need humility to help others succeed, even if it doesn’t provide immediate personal gain. In a productive culture, people feel valued and appreciated because their leaders give them time, listen to their views, and involve them in the vision and plan. Their teams want to work harder, have more ideas, solve more problems, take more responsibility and work together more effectively. These are the most successful organisations.

What does your workplace culture say about your leadership and your organisation?

Richard Kotulecki

CEO at Lamp

Financial gymnastics for charities

The Guardian reported that Barnardo’s had been compelled to ‘clarify’ its longstanding statement that of every pound it spends, 92p goes on direct support for children and young people.

Barnardo’s revised the 92p figure to 73.7p, citing it had not previously included in its calculation spends on running its shops, which generate a significant portion of its income.

Barnardo’s is not alone amongst charities in engaging in financial gymnastics to explain how it spends its money. The charity commission requires charities to report on how much they spend on ‘charitable activities’.

What counts as charitable activity?

Is it front-line services, such as the work done by Lamp’s Community Mental Health Advocates navigating people through the complexities of mental health support and empowering them to rebuild their lives after experiencing mental ill-health? Absolutely. Making people aware of the availability of the services? Probably. What about making people aware of the need to raise money to provide these services? That’s trickier.

Raising awareness among potential supporters also raises awareness among potential beneficiaries. Without supporters, there can be no beneficiaries. Some funders especially statutory funders, but also some charitable trusts and individuals, restrict donations to direct support (front line services) with only a very small allocation for essential overheads, including sound governance.

This creates the temptation to massage the numbers. Funders are, not unreasonably, keen to ensure the charities they support are sustainable. A key indicator of sustainability is diversification of income. But this requires multiple grant applications, building relationships with many potential voluntary donors, and establishing new sources of trading revenue. This is business development and is not cheap.

Charity reality is the same as business reality

It goes without saying that to generate an income, it helps to be on good terms with your regulator and donors. So the temptation to disguise or exclude the amounts spent on ‘unsexy’ back office functions or generating an income are huge. Which is what

Barnardo’s did – it excluded from its pricing the cost of making its ‘sales’.

It’s entirely crazy that any charity should feel pressured to do this. Unlike the public sector, charities must operate as businesses. We are not driven by the profit motive, but if we attempt to operate without profit – or ‘surplus’ in politically acceptable language! – we have to lose staff, reduce services and ultimately, close. Our reality is the same as business reality. Yet we wouldn’t expect a business to set its pricing by excluding the cost of making its sales.

What it costs us to empower people

At Lamp, we say that, on average, it costs us roughly £750 to empower someone to rebuild their life after experiencing mental illhealth. We’re proud that we arrive at this figure by adding everything we spend in a year (including fundraising, marketing, governance, and backoffice) and dividing it by the number of people we support with one-to-one mental health advocacy.

On an individual level, of course the numbers vary – some clients have needed in excess of 80 hours of front-line support, and we’ve helped others in just a couple of hours – but we know that the long term average cost per person is roughly £750, all included.

If we did not fundraise, promote our work and manage our resources, we’d very quickly be unable to empower anybody. We believe in including all these costs in our pricing. And that’s why we don’t hide our cost of sales, why we’re up front about the number of people we help, how much it costs us to do so and why we’re so clear that supporting this life-changing service is so vital.

Waiting in the wings

The future of The Little Theatre

If you’ve ever parked in Dover Street, you wouldn’t immediately realise that you’re just feet away from one of Leicester’s creative hotbeds and a thriving community of theatrical talent.

Leicester’s rich theatrical history dates back to the 1700s, and we’re lucky to still enjoy several dynamic theatres today. One of them – in Dover Street – is The Little Theatre, owned and run by Leicester Drama Society (LDS), which was founded in 1922.

For over 100 years, LDS has made professionalstandard theatre accessible to local audiences, with amateur performances of famous plays and West End musicals at an affordable price. Lord Richard Attenborough himself performed in LDS’s 1937 production of Julius Caesar.

Leicester Drama Society won the 2022 Niche Business Award for Community Impact, and there’s no doubt that community is at the very heart of the organisation. For many, the theatre is more than just a hobby – it’s a family.

“For me, the theatre is all about magic,” said Amanda Sadler, LDS’ Trustee for Outreach. “Magic makers onstage, backstage, in the bar and on front of house. Because almost everyone is a volunteer, the theatre is fuelled by passion. Whether a production is by LDS or one of the operatic societies in our extended family, we’re all one community, dedicated to producing high-quality theatre, for no greater reason than because we love it.”

That community needs room to grow. The society is hoping to expand its building with a £2m extension onto the neighbouring land of the former Anchor Centre. They need to raise the funds by 2025 if they’re to buy the land for just £1, as promised by Leicester City Council. LDS keenly took the challenge on before the coronavirus pandemic, with the goal of expanding the theatre, which sells up to 50,000 tickets each season, and which has become the second home of hundreds of people, as well as those who make a living there.

One person who claims The Little as her second home is Jenny Harding, the society’s treasurer. She told me: “I remember going to see the Christmas panto with my grandparents 60 years ago and I became a member of LDS aged 16. I played my first role aged 21. I met my husband when I became deputy stage manager for Jack

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

and the Beanstalk. Our daughter Mary was even almost born at The Little during Side by Side by Sondheim!”

Jenny was the chair of LDS from 2015-2018. During this time, she approached City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby to discuss blueprints that architect Michael Cooper had kindly drawn up for the society’s proposed extension.

“Our plans captured his imagination and after many meetings, and detailed analysis, he agreed we could buy the land from the city council for just £1 – on the condition that we could raise £1.3m by 2023 to build our new theatre extension.”

Of course, the coronavirus pandemic put a halt on reaching that target. They were granted a two-year extension giving a new deadline of 2025. However, the effects of the cost-of-living crisis have nudged the figure up to £2m.

LDS was awarded £200k by Arts Council England

from the Culture Recovery Fund, to help them reopen and restart productions following the extended lockdowns for theatres. Jenny explained: “I’m really proud that we were granted the £200k grants. To achieve it, we had to prove we were of national importance. There were some other big theatres in the country that didn’t receive that funding!”

Jenny said: “The Little means many different things to people but one of the main benefits it provides is development opportunities. There are so many transferable skills to be gained here.

“Not only does it help amateur actors prove their talent on stage, but there is also a strong community in the box office and front-of-house volunteers. Our bar work attracts many young people who gain customer service and people skills.

For me, the theatre is all about magic. Magic makers onstage, backstage, in the bar and on front of house

Full of character, the building of Leicester’s iconic Little Theatre could extend the community its created into the next-door premises. The £2m fundraising project is helping keep quality amateur, volunteer-led theatre in local showbusiness

Anyone can learn technical, lighting, and sound skills, and there are many chances each year for people to gain experience in set design, props, wardrobe, and backstage management.”

Regular Little performer Jade Afflick-Goodall told us: “My earliest memory of The Little is when I performed in my first show, Copacabana, in 2009. I’d never performed on a stage before and I remember being in total awe during the dress rehearsal. I knew then that I wouldn’t be able to stay away!

“The Little Theatre is like a second home to me. I love being on the stage and looking out into the audience. I also love supporting my friends when they’re on stage. It’s like one big family! I’d love to see more diversity on stage or behind the scenes. Leicester is so multicultural it would be great to celebrate more of that.”

The Little is working to increase the diversity seen on its stage by reaching out to schools and towns around Leicestershire to attract those who are interested in acting and theatre work, who may not have heard of The Little’s community before.

At LDS’s centenary celebrations in 2022, illusionist and Little Theatre patron Richard Cadell spoke emotionally about how the theatre had started his career in showbusiness and had directly led to his success with The Sooty and Sweep Show

Sir Anthony Hopkins CBE and Gervase Phinn are also patrons, as well as Lord Richard Attenborough, whose acting career began at The Little – even dragging brother David along from time-to-time.

Staff and volunteers are keen to welcome new theatregoers, work experience seekers and career changers to LDS and add to the diversity of its membership. The Anchor Centre extension also comes with sponsorship opportunities for businesses (see page 79), and donations can be made at buildatheatre. co.uk. Visit thelittletheatre.co.uk to book tickets for upcoming shows.

ENLARGING THE LITTLE

Shining a spotlight on the need for change

Rehearsal space – the current rehearsal room is cramped and must be shared between casts and costumier, John Bale. Costumes must be completed in a certain time frame as actors can’t rehearse over the noise of overlockers.

Scenery – the size of any scenery is limited by the building’s set-up. Scenery must be transported from the ground floor workshop to the stage on the first floor. It means scenery must be built well in advance of any show, so organisation is critical, leaving no room for human error. With more space can come bigger sets and even more wow factor.

Fire exits – The Moira Hayward performance studio is on the route of a fire exit. The Little loses ticket sales because it means there can be no performances in the studio when there is a showing on the main stage.

Catering – The Little often has room hire requests for conferences and parties that they cannot accept due to a lack of catering facilities.

Heating – the 100-year-old heating system hinders The Little from achieving Net Zero and creates whopping energy bills that the trustees know could be decreased with a more efficient system.

Creating a showstopping venue

An extra studio – the extension will allow for the addition of a 100-seat ground-floor studio and access to its own kitchen.

Accessibility – there will be a second lift in the new building, ensuring accessibility to all The Little’s new spaces.

Three new rehearsal rooms – the first and second floors will provide three extra spaces, enabling multiple rehearsals to take place at the same time. It means The Little can add more shows to its season programmes.

Conference rooms – the studio and first-floor rehearsal room could also be marketed as hired conference spaces with access to The Little’s lighting, sound and visual tech.

Wardrobe – a room dedicated to costumes will be housed on the third floor, which would fit the needs of the entire wardrobe department.

Sustainability – the infrastructure created by the extension will provide the opportunity to reinstall heating and aircon systems while allowing The Little to remain operational, resulting in a more economic and sustainable business model, and a more comfortable experience for the audience.

Not only does it help amateur actors prove their talent on stage, but there is also a strong community in the box office and front-ofhouse volunteers

How workplace culture impacts the customer experience

Whenever I see a successful company, one of the traits I look for is its culture. The common denominator of successful people is that they make a habit of doing the things that unsuccessful people don’t like to do. This is represented exactly the same way with companies. When I mention culture to a business leader, I am often asked, “but how do I change it?” The answer is always the same, it starts with you and is created by you.

As a business leader, you are the most important commodity. Reaching your goal(s) requires no more than 35% knowledge and skill – the rest is achieved through people skills.

So what are these skills? It’s very simple: liking people, caring about people, and being a good listener. These are skills that can be learned, but what makes the real difference is you. Who

Establishing a positive, successful culture is one of the key skills required for business leadership. ActionCoach Phil Nassau tells us more

you are and what you want your customer to feel when they deal with your company.

Some call it value, I tend to call it the customer experience. The customer’s experience starts with how your people interact with them. Those people take their lead from their managers, who take their lead from you.

Business owners generally feel that their most important asset is either their service, their product or their customers. I believe it’s their people. How they interact with both the customer and each other is what changes the culture of a business, and this comes from the top. For some business leaders, this is a huge shift and – for some – it’s one that they cannot overcome. But until the change happens, the culture will stay the same.

You may have heard the story about business leader Simon Sinek attending a conference in

THE CUSTOMER’S EXPERIENCE STARTS WITH HOW YOUR PEOPLE INTERACT WITH THEM. THOSE PEOPLE TAKE THEIR LEAD FROM THEIR MANAGERS, WHO TAKE THEIR LEAD FROM YOU

Las Vegas. Anecdote.com recited the story: In Simon’s hotel, he gets into a conversation with a barista, whose enthusiasm and interaction with the business owner made him want to ask what it was like to work there.

“Managers here look after me. When I’m busy, they ask if they can help by frothing the milk or by doing anything else. If I ask for anything, they make it happen,” he explained.

The barista goes on to explain that while working at another hotel, the managers only asked about sales or why something wasn’t working well and so he kept his head down and avoided talking to customers.

This one change by the management team changed the whole experience for the customer. This example shows how changing the culture of the business to focus on its people can lead to greater success.

Niche Magazine is delighted to reveal the finalists of this year’s Niche Business Awards.

Among the finalists are large businesses that operate across the UK as well as family-run SMEs. Industries range from leisure to logistics and from education to environmental.

Bhumika Parmar, founder and director of BP Legal, which is the headline sponsor of the Niche Business Awards said: “We’ve loved working with Cross Productions on the Niche Business Awards 2023. We got behind the ethos of the awards many years ago and have sponsored the Businessman of the Year category in previous years.

“This year, our business has experienced another growth spurt making it the perfect time for us to take on headline sponsorship. I’m incredibly pleased with the judge’s results and really enjoyed meeting the nominees and semi-finalists at the announcement event.”

Carnival is the theme for this year’s awards ceremony, set to be held at Athena. It’s a chance to put on your glad rags and bring a flavour of Rio De Janeiro to Leicester.

Tickets are available to purchase from nichemagazine.co.uk/awards.

BEST FAMILY BUSINESS

Sponsored By Kazzoo

Fraser Stretton Property Group

Hollogram

Premier Logistics

ECO EXCELLENCE

Sponsored by Michael Smith Switchgear

De Montfort University

Digital Ethos

EkoJoe

The Finalists

Awards Night: September 8, 2023

BEST SMALL BUSINESS

Sponsored by Trident Hollingsworths Solicitors

Intrusted Pensions

Pattersons Commercial Law

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by KSAB Law

Bistro Live Everards

PPL PRS

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group

Bistro Live

Paradigm Wills & Legal Services

Reason8

BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by BP Legal

Atul Lakhani – Sanjay Events

Rik Pancholi – Pattersons Commercial Law

Utkarsh Thakkar – RUUT Homes

HOSPITALITY

Sponsored by PPL PRS

Bistro Live

The Griffin Inn

Winstanley House

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Sponsored By Jerroms Miller Specialist Tax

Breedon Consulting

Sarah Franklin - Motorsport Legal

Springfields Advisory

BEST LARGE BUSINESS

Sponsored by Cymer Marketing

Bakers Environmental

Nelsons Law

Premier Logistics

CHARITY OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by HIT Technology

Charity Link

Hope Against Cancer Lamp

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by CRS Matrix

Cassie Davison – The Gate Hangs Well

Mark Smith – Intrusted Pensions

Pete Frost - Unity

RISING STAR

Sponsored by Barratt Smith Brown

Anuj Ashar – Beta Booster

Kelly McCormack – Event Psychologist

Macauley Christopher – Premier Logistics

BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Furnley House

Amanda Daly – The Turnaround CEO

Jaz Kaur – Fraser Stretton Property Group

Sarah Higgins – Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching

BEST NEW BUSINESS

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Holistic Family Mediation and Coaching

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COMMUNITY CHAMPION

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Anita Rao – Wesley Hall Community Centre

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Sean Baker – Spectrum Sensory Sports CIC

CREATIVE

Giulia Mio Millinery

Hickman & Smith Architects

Orange Fox Studio

BUSINESS GROWTH

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TML Solicitors

Sign of the times

It used to be that if you needed a sign for your business, factory, pub, hospital or even greengrocer’s (though God help you with where to put the apostrophe), you needed a sign writer with a mahlstick and pot of paint, who would painstakingly produce your insignia for you. Today, that process has completely changed. Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) means Hardy Signs can manufacture in a fraction of the time, often from wood, metals, acrylic plastics or digital printing. The paint set is rarely used. Technology has given great significance to signage in the construction, retail, education, and healthcare industries, as well as many others. Advances in the materials, colours, lighting and new equipment and software that can be used now allow a greater brand impression to be left on suppliers, contractors, customers and passers-by. Wayfinding, learning, health and safety and brand recognition are now easier due to these technological advances.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this August, and having started out with handpainted projects, Hardy Signs has been through every evolution of sign-making. In 23 years with the company, general manager Adam Bates has worked in every department and has witnessed

new technology increase efficiency without costing quality.

“I did a sign-making NVQ at college, so I entered the business very much with a design background, but I’ve enjoyed having a leadership role, and helping to grow the company. I’ve done a bit of everything, from HR to account management. I’ve seen the transition from traditional, hand-painted signage, to cut vinyl stickers, to digital printing.

“Nik [Hardy, company founder] certainly started out doing hand-painted signs. That was his trade. We used to do three to four jobs per day. But when machines came in that cut vinyl – allowing us to use more colours and more design elements, but quicker and more cost effective – it was an investment that changed how many clients we could take on board. After that, we were doing up to 35 jobs a day and in 2022 we counted over one million jobs completed.”

Digital signage is quickly becoming popular due to the eye-catching visual graphics that can be produced, making it easier for organisations to get messages across quickly, and easier for their intended receivers to understand them. Take tourism maps for example. ‘You are here’ isn’t always helpful for those with little sense of direction. But with

WORKING PARTNERSHIPS AND PLEDGES TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING THE WORKFORCE AND SIGNIFICANT STEPS

TOWARDS NET ZERO ARE THE PRESENT AND FUTURE

the interactive digital signboards that we have now, it’s harder to find yourself lost.

“Now we’re using digital printing that’s suitable for outdoor applications, so we’ve taken another step forward. We still get the odd request for hand painting or gilding – usually from a traditional pub or someone who’s just bought a canal boat; Nik loves that, so he usually goes and does it himself.”

The 30th anniversary marks where they’ve got to so far, but they continue to plan for the future. Working partnerships and pledges to continue developing the workforce and significant steps towards net zero are the present and future. To commemorate its 30th year in business, Hardy Signs are organising a series of events, including a charity golf day, BBQ and an open day on September 28. In conjunction with the National Manufacturing Open Day, the company will host local schools, colleges, academies, and other stakeholders.

Hardy signs works with McDonald’s, B&Q, Muller Milk, Derbion Shopping Centre, The Football Association, the NHS, and many more big brands which can be found at hardysigns.co.uk. Case studies can also be read on the website about how technology in the signage industry has impacted business.

A lot can be achieved in three decades, especially in an innovative manufacturing business. We looked into how the art of sign-making is shaping the future for businesses

WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

The right team for the job

Finding the right staff and retaining them is crucial for any organisation’s success, and it requires exceptional recruitment and effective HR practices. So why not combine these two services to create a synergistic approach? This is precisely what ER Recruitment and Breedon Consulting have done, and their partnership is revolutionising the way businesses attract, engage, and retain talent.

Eileen Richards, the founder of ER Recruitment, and Nicki Robson, the mind behind Breedon Consulting, recognised the natural connection between their respective fields—recruitment and HR. Although it seems like an obvious collaboration, these two professional services often remain separate. However, Eileen and Nicki decided to join forces, offering a holistic approach that addresses the entire employee lifecycle.

BY

“We’ve been working in partnership for a couple of years now,” says Nicki. “We realised that recruitment and HR are intrinsically linked, but businesses usually focus on one or the other. By collaborating, we can provide a comprehensive solution.”

Eileen adds: “Nicki and I had known each other for years and often talked about working together. But it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that we started recommending each

When it comes to finding the best staff and keeping them, it takes great recruitment and great HR. So why shouldn’t those two independent services collaborate with each other? It’s a question that ER Recruitment and Breedon Consulting are answering

WORDS

TOM YOUNG

other to our clients more frequently, which reinforced that there was an increased demand for this combined service.”

The core of their collaboration can be summarised in three words: Attract, Engage, and Retain. It revolves around optimising the relationship between employees and employers, ensuring both parties derive maximum benefits from their association.

If the benefits of collaboration between recruitment and HR are so apparent, why isn’t it more common? Eileen suggests: “Many people are so focused on their own work that they overlook potential opportunities. While recruiters may have relationships with multiple HR agencies, it can be challenging to determine which one to collaborate with. Some may make introductions for clients, but what we’re doing is more proactive.”

Nicki adds: “When the right businesses join in partnership, innovation flourishes. The collective power of knowledge and expertise, united by a shared vision, adds to our clients’ experience.”

The benefits of this collaboration extend beyond the participating businesses. By combining recruitment and HR expertise, ER Recruitment and Breedon Consulting ensure clients attract the best talent and retain them effectively. For ER Recruitment and Breedon, the partnership streamlines their services and enhances client satisfaction.

“From my perspective,” says Nicki, “it makes life much easier because having the right people in the right positions significantly improves HR operations. It enhances the company culture and reduces the need for dismissals.”

Eileen emphasises the importance of trust, stating: “We utilise each other’s services, so we understand what we’re recommending to our clients. Being in the service industry, it’s essential to get it right.”

A representative from Unique Window Systems, which uses the combined services, said: “Our talented and hardworking staff are at the very core of our continued success, which is why we’ve partnered with ER Recruitment and Breedon Consulting to ensure we’re attracting and retaining top talent. Our partnership has enabled us to expand our teams and upskill our people which has resulted in our continued growth.”

To learn more about this strategic partnership, visit breedonconsulting.co.uk/strategic-partners/strategicpartners and discover how ER Recruitment and Breedon Consulting are transforming the recruitment and HR landscape. “Our talented and hardworking staff are at the very core of our continued success, which is why we have partnered with ER Recruitment and Breedon Consulting to ensure we are attracting and retaining top talent.

ATTRACT

Identifying the vacancy and missing skillsets

Identifying key competencies for the role

Writing a tailored job description

Advertising and headhunting

Shortlist of candidate profiles sent to client

Begin the interview process and manage feedback

Avoid discrimination, unfairness and unconscious bias

Training and assistance with interviewing

Referencing and right to work checks

Terms and conditions of employment

Salary benchmarking

ENGAGE

Psychometric testing

Onboarding

Internal training

Performance reviews

Employee Engagement surveys

People management training

Company values

RETAIN

HR audits and health checks

Employee benefits

Learning and development

Exit interviews

Performance Frameworks

Improving employee voice

Employee wellbeing strategies

Career and succession planning

We realised that Recruitment and HR are intrinsically linked, but businesses usually focus on one or the other

Leicester Giving Day dates for your diary

Embark CSR announces Leicester Giving Day and Gala dates for your diary in 2023

November 26 marks the second Leicester Giving Day. Embark CSR, the founding company of the unique community awareness day, will also hold a Gala dinner celebration on November 29. It’s set to be even bigger than last year, which saw more than 120 people attend the inaugural event.

Embark CSR promotes partnerships between business and charities, and last year brought together more than 100 organisations as part of Leicester Giving Day, including those from the business, voluntary, public and higher education sectors.

Last Year’s Giving Day also saw the launch of the first Leicester Social Responsibility Awards and the Community Impact Programme. The

nominations for this year’s awards will open on August 1, with businesses and charities able to nominate in the following categories: Social Innovation, Company Charity Partnership, Social Responsibility Newcomer and Environmental Best Practice.

This year’s community hub to mark the day will be held at Leicester’s Highcross Shopping Centre on Leicester Giving Day itself from 11am3pm, and there’ll be a hive of activity. Open to businesses, charities and the public, the hub is an opportunity to bring the community together, and for local businesses and charities to form lasting relationships.

Stacey Wragg, Embark CSR Director said: “We were thrilled at the success of last year’s Leicester Giving

NICHE FEATURE: ANDY KOWALSKI CONSULTING

SWOT:

Day and have even bigger plans this year as we strive to build partnerships between businesses and charities and to promote social responsibility in all its forms.”

End old career patterns for new directions

Career stagnation often follows a lack of engagement in your work. Andy Kowalski says times like these require a personal SWOT analysis WORDS BY TOM

Loyalty to one company is often considered a virtue, but if that comes at the expense of one’s own happiness and fulfilment, is it worth it?

Feeling like you’re in a career cul-de-sac can create feelings of resentment or frustration. Andy Kowalski has experienced being undervalued, ignored, and not developing in his career.

“My passion is to help people grow and develop,” says Andy. “My aim is to help them move into better roles with more satisfying outcomes through bespoke coaching and mentoring support.”

After more than 40 years of experience in the STEM sector – a field of coaching he specialises in – Andy took early retirement to focus on helping to guide the career

YOUNG

journeys of others. No matter whether they’re fresh out of university or established professionals, his approach helps move them towards their next role. He begins by assessing his clients’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT).

“Those who are considering new roles should begin by conducting a SWOT analysis to help see whether there are boundaries or obstacles holding them back, or whether their mindset is ready for the growth and opportunities that are available to them.”

Once you’ve analysed your mindset and opportunities, you can discover which steps to take next at andykowalskiconsulting.co.uk, which will soon include a series of e-learning courses.

CHRIS SHAW AND STACEY WRAGG

Creating communities

It may be more affordable to buy but rising service charges and heartless managing agents, are leaving leasehold property owners with little to be happy about. MVN Block Management says better environments are created when buildings are cared for and leaseholders are empowered WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

As a leaseholder, you want to make sure your home – whether renting it out or residing in it – is a nice place to live. The hallway to your front door should make you feel at home. If it doesn’t, it’s going to affect you or your tenants.

After her own experience of living in a flat with poor block management, Nisha Thomas, MVN Block Management founder, is determined to create better circumstances for leaseholders.

“Me and my husband are leaseholders ourselves,” Nisha told us. “We bought our first property in a brand-new building in the city centre, but the managing agent ran the block it into the ground by not looking after the communal areas but our service charges were rising year on year. We could never get hold of them to say the bins were overflowing and the security was poor. We felt like we were living in a dump.”

Taking matters into her own hands, Nisha’s family set up MVN, named after her husband Michael, daughter Vega and herself. “We began managing our own block and realised by going direct to trades, we could get far cheaper quotes. Because we know what it’s like to live in a flat, we care about it so much more.”

Nisha says leaseholders mustn’t feel trapped with their current agent: “Leaseholders can switch managing agents. Solicitors don’t have time to

explain this to them. We know what it’s like to live in buildings that aren’t cared for, so we want to empower leaseholders with the knowledge that they have the power to change their managing agent.”

Trust in block management providers is low at the moment, according to Nisha. She said: “It’s due to the fact that service charges are going up, but many people feel they’re not getting value for money or seeing much happening in their blocks.”

If a block is run down, it’s not just the individuals who are affected, it’s the communities within them. “When buildings are run down, they bring the area down with them. We work with developers that want to create environments that keep people happy. It isn’t just about making money; it’s about creating good places to live.”

What’s more, for leaseholders who are renting out their flats, the property won’t fetch the rent it’s worth if lifts aren’t working, the place isn’t clean or there are regular break-ins.

The struggle for leaseholders continues after the fire that took place at Grenfell Tower in 2017. Nisha commented: “Thousands of leaseholders can’t sell their properties because of unsafe cladding. Those people are really upset, and some have gone bankrupt. The government has stepped in to help but the cladding crisis has felt like the

THE GOVERNMENT HAS STEPPED IN TO HELP, BUT THE CLADDING CRISIS HAS FELT LIKE THE LAST NAIL IN THE COFFIN FOR MANY LEASEHOLDERS

last nail in the coffin for many leaseholders, especially those with poor managing agents. Many of those blocks are run down and we want to solve their problems because we care and we’re a family business that knows what it’s like.”

There’s more about the Thomas family at mvnblock.co.uk/ about-us.

Having a reputable block managing agent can prolong the life of a block and improve the quality of living. Most importantly, it can help to create a community: “Which is what everyone wants as their vision in terms of flat living.”

NISHA AND MICHAEL THOMAS

Values and behaviour

and how they led to The Great Resignation

A TEDx speaker and human behaviour specialist delivered a talk at the latest East Midlands Real Entrepreneurs’ Club dinner. She shared her theory around The Great Resignation and how being the victim of a natural disaster helped her establish her beliefs and change her course of action

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

Michelle Mills-Porter was a multi-award-winning entrepreneur. But she no longer considers herself an entrepreneur today. Her perspective changed after a natural disaster changed the course of her life forever.

During a holiday in Sri Lanka, Michelle was a victim of the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 leaving her a refugee far from home. In the face of adversity, it wasn’t her clients, sales figures, or whether her 14 staff were hitting targets that came to mind. What flashed before her was her family, friends, and way of life.

“Sometimes it takes a life-changing experience to recalibrate our core values, and correct our trajectory in life,” said Michelle. “Or at least remind us of what is most important in our lives.”

Before the natural disaster, Michelle ran a marketing company and was the youngest in the UK to gain the Investors in People workplace accreditation. Already a specialist in non-visual and non-verbal communication, her learnings from the tsunami have helped her shed light on The Great Resignation, the key to engagement at work, and the idea that businesses are asking their employees the wrong questions about their values.

With multiple links in the Leicestershire business community, Michelle – a TEDx speaker – was recently invited to speak at the East Midlands Real Entrepreneurs’ Club dinner on June 8 where she shared her lessons from the tsunami and inspired the room of entrepreneurs.

It’s now almost 20 years since Michelle learned the

lessons that would form her new purpose in life. She shared them at the Real Entrepreneurs’ Club dinner:

1. Everyone has a gift of equal value to bring to the party. As a refugee, Michelle found herself in a beautiful microcommunity that had no politics, no hierarchy and no competition.

2. When we bring those gifts together and collaborate, we can create something greater than the sum of its parts.

3. We are all driven by an unseen force… and this is our true motivation.

After closing her marketing business in 2005, she concentrated on her recovery, whilst rehoming her 14 staff, and even helping some to break into their dream careers. During her trauma, while injured and ill, she immersed herself in the study of behaviour (whilst also launching the Hikkaduwa Village Fund with her friends and raising £100k in just six months). She worked on learning all she could about human behaviour, communication, and our motivations.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, she felt a sense that there was a connection to what she had previously been through in the natural disaster and what others would be going through then – some for the first time.

“When the world stops for you, you have time to breathe; to get off the hamster wheel and remember what’s important to you.” This is the base of Michelle’s theory around what was behind The Great Resignation. “Many people wanted an improved work-life balance, and to be fulfilled by things most important to them.”

Sometimes it takes a life-changing experience to recalibrate our core values

Along with some of her chosen Practitioners, Michelle launched a campaign called MMPower 100. They selected 100 people who had lost their job, lost their way, or lost their mojo, and delivered their core values and behaviour profiles free of charge. The purpose was to empower those who needed it most. This helped them to navigate the recalibration in their personal values and to reconnect with the things that “put a fire in their belly”.

Michelle and her practitioners now work with organisations large and small, using a suite of illuminating analysis tools that capture our values and behaviours, allowing people to better understand themselves and each other, whilst also increasing performance, engagement, and success for the company. The three main tools are:

Essence

The Core Driving Forces analysis reveals our personal core values, what puts fire in our bellies and what we need to find fulfilment in life. It also identifies the things that will cause us stress with a counteracting motivation to apply.

Clarity

The behaviour profile identifies our most prominent qualities, how others perceive us and therefore, how we can build rapport with others. This profile is balanced perfectly so that every person gets their chance to shine.

The People Reader Covert Tool

An analysis that covertly allows you to answer questions about someone whom you want to build rapport with, or may be having issues with. It produces a report on all the things you can do to build that rapport and to diffuse situations, and so on.

How can these lessons shed light on The Great Resignation?

Michelle believes that when the recalibration of our personal values met with an environment that wouldn’t permit the required level of change for fulfilment, that led to people leaving their positions in droves.

“The companies I work with that are people-passionate

and have elbow room for their development have fared much better than those with a tighter structure.”

What is the key to engagement at work?

Michelle says that she has evidence to prove that when a business leader allows each person’s personal values to be fulfilled, that person is happier, more engaged, and more committed.

Why are we asking the wrong questions about values?

“When we ‘hire on values’, we often impose our company values onto our teams. These are the things we aspire to, not our personal values. They are what we want to be, our mission, and our vision. Not what we are.”

Michelle’s work suggests that people’s personal values are moulded in their formative years, and therefore shaped by their culture, background, upbringing, caregivers, and experiences.

“There is no right or wrong in terms of our values, just differences of perspective. If we are to say we are ‘inclusive’ and then to deny one’s personal values from being realised, we are not being inclusive at all.”

She says the result of her work regularly sees a significant upturn in productivity, engagement and performance, so the boxes are ticked across the board for her clients. The unexpected benefit is the reports that people ‘have never been happier’ and ‘it’s just a nicer place to work.’ This should not go unrecognised as a positive outcome.

No longer considering herself an entrepreneur, Michelle now works as an external Head of People, Executive Coach, and workshop leader. She runs workshops including The Astonishing Benefits of Working with the Neurodiverse; Sky High performance; and People Reading.

“It’s difficult to pin down what I am now. A conduit in service to others, a people reader; I guess it fits perfectly with my own neurodiversity diagnosis.”

Michelle is offering business leaders in Niche’s network a free Essence Core Driving Forces analysis for one member of staff of the leadership team in any company. Contact Michelle on mmp@mmp.uk.com to express your interest.

There is no right and wrong in terms of our values, just differences of perspective

The career seeker’s essential portal

There’s a start-up in the city of Leicester that feels very exciting indeed. And, as Niche journalist Emily Miller discovered, it’s a start-up that – whether you’re a student, graduate or professional – will help users excel in the world of work

The Tattel app is set to make a huge difference to the city and its thriving graduate and business community. I’m in. After interview, I signed up straight away, hoping to help students in the city with any advice I might have.

Developed by co-founders

Divyesh Chudasama, Ayodeji Akiwowo and Cynthia Chang, Tattel is a unique platform connecting university students, graduates and career changers with consultants from a wide variety of industry sectors and backgrounds.

The app plays host to a vast array of toolkit-style information from online workshops, lectures, and speakers. In addition, it provides the ability to connect with any of the consultants and get real advice and experience for an affordable monthly subscription fee.

“We developed the app to help create stronger links to the working world, enhancing their experience and opening doors to real connections with business owners and professionals in the city.

“Students are graduating from our universities who are finding gaining work in our city challenging. Let’s not forget we have three universities here in Leicester, so we have a huge pool of graduate talent. Students have a certain amount of career support at university, but we knew that there could be a great deal more,” Divyesh shared.

The mobile app and web

platform – which is undergoing further development all the time – sees professionals in and around Leicester registering profiles to include their experience and availability for consultation. It provides career seekers with the ability to tap into a wealth of knowledge to help support them in their career path.

“Through the app, we are helping to create opportunities for informal, non-corporate, lowpressure, casual conversations that wouldn’t otherwise happen at a careers or graduate fair. It provides a much-needed missing link between graduation and the work place.”

From a consultant perspective, the app provides the opportunity to give back in a way that shares their experience, and even earn from providing essential career advice to those that need it flexibly to suit their schedule without long-term commitment.

As a company utilising the platform they have untapped access to potential job candidates, the best new talent in the area.

Working in partnership with Leicester University, DMU and Loughborough University, Tattel’s founders represent a variety of backgrounds, with Divyesh having Indian heritage, Ayo Nigerian, and Cynthia a Chinese international student graduate.

“Our ethos is that of inclusivity. We want to encourage consultants from all backgrounds and levels of experience to

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE CONSULTANTS FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE TO SIGN UP TO THE APP TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

sign up to the app to share their experiences,” added Cynthia, who enthusiastically joined the company a short while after Divyesh and Ayo coded and developed the app.

“As an international student graduate myself, I know it’s particularly tough for international students to gain employment post-graduation, with work visa sponsorship. The app makes the process much more organic.”

Whether you’re a student, graduate or career changer seeking ways to make your CV stand out, or a professional wanting to help or earn through consultancy, Tattel is set to do big things. Take a look at tattel.co.uk to sign up as a mentee or career consultant and then login to the Tattel web platform at tattle.co.uk/letstattel.

ABOVE: CYNTHIA CHANG AND LEFT: DIVYESH CHUDASAMA

Everybody welcome, welcome everybody

Community in the workplace brings teams together to reach a common goal. We spoke to music licensing company PPL PRS on how they achieve this at their city centre offices

Leicester has become what is known as a ‘superdiverse’ city, and according to the 2021 census, it is the first plural city – meaning that no one ethnic group has a majority. It stands to reason then that employers in the city have a real responsibility to reflect that diversity and ensure everyone is represented, supported, and welcomed.

The senior management team at PPL PRS fully believe that by creating a culture that celebrates everyone’s heritage, beliefs, and lifestyles, we can build a business that reflects the city, and gives opportunities to everyone, no matter what their background is.

Having recently won the Nachural Award for Diversity and Inclusion, and also being a finalist for the Company Culture Award for the upcoming Contact Centre Management Awards, we like to think PPL PRS is one company leading the way when it comes to providing a working environment that ensures everyone has a

voice and is seen.

PPL PRS issues TheMusicLicence to businesses that play or perform music for their customers or staff. The fee paid for TheMusicLicence, after operating costs, goes back to the music creators as royalties.

An all-encompassing culture

We want our people to feel passionate about the role they play in sustaining the music industry, so there are no staff or employees at PPL PRS, only Band Members.

The demographic of Band Members within the business is a high percentage of under-25s, and to ensure everyone starts the day off right we provide healthy breakfast cereals and fruit. We also provide teas, coffees, semi-skimmed and alternative milk. According to research, over 16% of 16-24 year olds skip breakfast and we want to ensure our Band Members are equipped for the role we are asking them to do, and that also means ensuring they are eating healthily.

The creation of Affinity Groups

As previously mentioned, PPL PRS works hard to ensure that the business is as diverse and inclusive as it can possibly be. Our people are diverse, and we want to recognise everyone’s culture, heritage, religion, and lifestyle. During 2022, we built a wonderful network of ‘Affinity Groups’ to celebrate awareness days and educate the business on their focus. They’re made up of:

◆ Black Awareness Allies

◆ LGBTQIA+

◆ Health and Wellbeing (Including Menopause and Periods)

◆ Religious Allies

◆ Neurodiverse Allies

As part of these Affinity Groups, we have created glossaries to ensure that our people are using correct terminology and not using words that could be considered offensive.

In the last year, the business took part in The World Reimagined, a national art project which aimed to educate about the transatlantic slave trade and the effect it has on us all. A trail of ten globes, all decorated by artists to represent the history and journey of the slave trade, were placed across the city where visitors could learn more about the story and the artists who created them. PPL PRS sponsored a globe entitled Expanding Soul created by artist Lakwena MacIver, and the business has now purchased the globe and it will stand proudly on the De Montfort University campus for all to see and learn from.

The business has also signed up to, and is a member of both the UK Music Diversity Taskforce and the Wellbeing of Women Menopause Workplace Pledge.

All the Affinity Groups meet monthly to discuss topics of interest, issues people are facing, and suggestions for how we improve and educate further. These meetings are considered to be a safe space where we can be open and discuss anything in complete confidentiality and without fear of judgement or conflict.

The diverse and inclusive working environment is not limited to these groups only, we have a fantastic employee engagement programme which recognises and celebrates everyone. We celebrate Diwali with a delivery of samosas to everyone’s desks. We celebrate Pride with office decorations, music playlists and supporting the local Pride Festival, along with International Women’s Day, Black History Month, Ramadan, Easter, and Eid at Fitr, amongst many others.

Partnerships to increase employee engagement

As our business is one that supports the music industry, we encourage our people to be as expressive and creative as they can be. We have a relaxed clothing policy, which allows people to be themselves.

We hold open mic nights where staff can jump on the stage and showcase their talents, and we partner with other local businesses such as HQ Recording Studios, Curve Theatre, Soft Touch Arts and Leicester Tigers which

allow our staff to take part in events, use facilities and help support and raise funds for the local community.

PPL PRS understands that it is the people who make our business a success and the executive leadership team is passionate about being fully invested in ensuring that everyone who works in the company is welcomed, supported, respected, given the tools they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability, and to grow and progress with training and development programmes tailored to their needs.

Listening to the team

During 2022, the business conducted an employee engagement survey to understand where we can improve and where we are succeeding. Just under 80% of Band Members responded, with 72% agreeing that they would recommend PPL PRS as a great place to work and 86% feel the business is inclusive.

Creating a working environment that not only recognises diversity and inclusion, but actively celebrates it, is the way forward to ensuring Leicester becomes a city of choice for commerce, employment, and education.

We want our people to feel passionate about the role they play in sustaining the music industry, so there are no staff or employees at PPL PRS, only Band Members

Challenging the mechanisms of business

Professors at De Montfort University have combined their real-world experience of running and consulting with businesses to provide a new Doctoral qualification for postgraduates.

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme is aimed at middle and senior managers who want to elevate their careers, senior professionals wanting to add a leading edge to their business, entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to question how society operates, and those who want to transform businesses by moving into consultancy or non-executive directorship.

successful Doctor of Business

Administration course event day

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

Designed by Professors Peter Stokes, Felix Arndt and David Rae, the DBA takes already accomplished professionals and eagerly develops them into ‘pracademics’ (practical academics) and conceptual architects. The DBA team recently invited Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions, to their students’ annual DBA Event Day. Considering her a pracademic, the professors called upon Jenny to share her experiences as a marketing agency owner. Her talk was based around understanding ‘where your value is valued’, measuring value, accountability, achieving buy-in from consumers, and impostor syndrome.

Peter added: “The people who transform their lives with the DBA already have massive achievements behind them. What we’re doing is taking them to the top of their game by ensuring they’re incredibly well-versed and well-read in all leading-edge thinking, ideas and strategic options. That won’t always necessarily make them the most comfortable person to be around in the boardroom because they’ll ask taxing questions and challenge the status quo.”

Jenny does just this: challenges her clients, asking why they’re doing what they’re doing, what value they’ve gained from their spend with Cross Productions and marketing companies before them, quizzing their beliefs around marketing, and presenting different courses of action. It’s this way of thinking that – judging by my conversation with Peter and David – makes Jenny a perfect real-world contributor to the DBA.

Professor Peter Stokes and Associate Professor David Gordon discuss the importance of conceptual architecture and ‘pracademia’ after DMU’s

Dr David Gordon, associate professor and former student of the DBA said: “Jenny has been a guest speaker in my lectures previously and, by talking about her conceptual thinking and different approach to business, demonstrates how to make lasting impacts.”

Becoming a ‘conceptual architect’

“Masters degrees give students a toolbox of knowledge and a PhD is good for making mainly theoretical contributions to knowledge,” David told me. “Quite differently to this, the DBA acts as a toolbox and idea generator of different lenses, allowing you to swap and change the concepts, models, theories and frameworks to see the world through different perspectives and reveal new opportunities.”

Peter added: “Many other qualifications tend to train their students to think and behave in a rather mechanistic way. Whereas the DBA creates a very dynamic nexus and potent linkages between thinking and practice by examining lived experience hand-in-hand with the latest thinking. People on the programme learn to move swiftly between theory and practice as a natural habit.”

“We don’t waste people’s time by getting them to study subjects they’re not interested in. From the moment you enrol, you’re pursuing an answer to business problems and challenges you’re profoundly concerned about. It’s whatever is your longstanding ‘itch that needs to be scratched,’” said Peter.

A ‘stone in the shoe’ is how David describes it. His ‘stone’ – the recruitment process of graduates in a large organisation he worked for – was the subject of his DBA thesis based around this stone; changing the management process and developing and retaining future executives by creating degree courses designed in combination with businesses.

New businesses built on old foundations

“We have old habits and rituals that we use because we know they’ll get the job done, but perhaps it’s not a perfect solution,” Peter explained. “Because we are busy, we do a lot of ‘problem finishing’ where good enough will do rather than providing more optimal and adaptable solutions. What we do on the DBA is help people to recognise that and challenge the fundamental assumptions about how and why we do things and shape them to behave in a deeper, more impactful manner.”

Challenging the mechanisms of business is what Peter and David think is necessary for the future leaders of the changing world. “A lot of the everyday corporate world is

operating through one paradigm. When you unpack that, you realise you’re conditioned – like many people – to think and work in a positivistic, quasi-scientific way. A lot of corporate models aren’t sustainable as they’re built on old ideas.”

“Cultures and context are also at play here. AngloSaxon cultures such as the UK have a particular way of thinking. They tend to value pragmatism, experientialism, and vocationalism and we’re more interested in skills than thought processes. However, if, for example, you work at a senior level in France where high conceptual intellectualism is prized, you need to be able to show your deep-thinking skills. And if you look at other countries

such as the Czech Republic, they might consider electing a writer or poet as their president! The UK is an environment fundamentally grounded in the practical. This works in some ways, but there is a need for opportunities to develop a deeper more reflective capacity. In essence, their strength emerges through a combination of the experiential and intellectual; theory-practice and pracademic behaviour.”

As Peter puts it, businesses must evolve with the times: “So many of us have our well-rehearsed tricks and networking approaches that we’re comfortable with and that works up to a point, but perhaps it’s more fruitful for us to reinvent ourselves and revisit our thinking as the times change.”

The DBA is a three to six-year programme and research process that creates business doctors and develops consultants and senior leaders, and has the potential to elevate commercial and organisational careers. For more information on the DBA and becoming a doctor of business, contact DBA Programme Director Prof Peter Stokes at peter.stokes@dmu.ac.uk, or the DBA Deputy Directors Dr Swati Virmani at swati.virmani@dmu.ac.uk and Dr Victor Atiase at victor.atiase@dmu.ac.uk or Google search ‘DMU DBA’.

Premier Logistics honoured in 3 categories at Niche Business Awards

Celebrating local business, Niche Business Award judges shortlisted the Coalville-based logistics firm to be in the running for three awards

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

The semi-finals of the Niche Business Awards 2023 have spotlighted Premier Logistics in three categories for adding value to the local economy, efficient family-run operations, and dedication to employee development.

Describing themselves as a ‘one-stop shop’ for business logistics needs, Premier Logistics offer palletised distribution, contract logistics, warehousing and transportation service throughout the UK. Their services are designed to ensure that each client’s requirements are fulfilled in one place.

The semi-finalists were announced to Leicester’s business community at the Menphys Hub in South Wigston in May. Winners will be announced at the ceremony at Athena on Friday, September 8.

Best Large Business and Best Family Business are the categories that have recognised Premier Logistics, while Premier Logistics employee Macauley Christopher has made it through to the next round of the Rising Star category.

Lee Christopher, Managing Director of Premier Logistics, said: “Being recognised as one of the best large, family-run businesses is a testament to all that we’ve tried to do with our company. We want all our employees to

feel at home and happy here, which is what has helped us reach the semi-finals of Best Large and Best Family Business.

“And of course, I’m proud of my son Macauley for being named as a Rising Star. I was lucky enough that he showed a huge interest in my work and the industry from a young age and I’ve watched him eagerly develop his skillset through his various positions in the business.”

Macauley worked his way up from washing trucks at the age of 16 for Premier Logistics, a true family business owned and run by his dad Lee Christopher. He went on to work in the warehouse and other areas of the business before becoming Client Relationship Manager last year.

The logistics firm will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in May 2024, with big plans ahead. To help achieve some lofty goals, they recently welcomed a new member to the Premier family. A new role was created for esteemed logistics expert Paul Walker to join Premier Logistics as Commercial and Operations Director.

The role is a new function, created strategically to help achieve the firm’s ambitious five-year business plan targeting a £50m turnover. This target will more than double Premier’s turnover from last year whilst increasing margin by adding value, creating synergies and sharing value.

Brought in to apply his extensive industry knowledge to ensure Premier remains on track in achieving the goal, Paul said: “This new role is a genius step in the five-year business plan and I’m already making moves to get closer to reaching that £50m turnover by anticipating new hires and establishing new corporate relationships.

“Starting with the company before it reaches its 20th year and coinciding with recognition from the Niche Business Awards in not one but three categories is great timing. It provides a real time-stamp for how much team Premier can achieve by its next anniversary.

“I wanted to work somewhere that I could truly put my own stamp on and add real value to. With Premier, I can go about making change immediately for the good of the business, as opposed to having to go through months of red tape.

Lee added: “Paul came to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience gained over many years working within our illustrious industry. Paul, like myself, started from the bottom, cutting his teeth, working in SME businesses cutting his teeth, and then built his career through the big boys.

“We have very big plans, but they are very achievable as a team. We also have a major milestone next year – it will be our 20th year in business come next May and plans are underway to have a big party.”

Premier’s latest award win came this year at the Palletforce 100% Club which recognised the Coalvillebased company for 100% performances throughout the year. The 100% Club also awarded Premier in 2022 for its “exceptional efforts in keeping the country moving during a challenging year for the nation’s supply chains and many transport and logistics companies” throughout the national lockdowns.

Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions which organises the Niche Business Awards, said: “We’re so very proud to have Premier Logistics as semi-finalists in not one but three categories.

“Lee, Mac and the team have proven themselves to be exceptional in their applications, which have

demonstrated the positive impact their business has on the Leicestershire community and economy.”

Premier’s social media pages thanked the sponsors and judges of the Niche Business Awards in a post that read: “We are incredibly proud of our journey from humble beginnings, and our fantastic team for their continued hard work to this point. We would like to congratulate all the other businesses that have been shortlisted for their respective categories.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the sponsors and judges of the Niche Business Awards for their recognition of our efforts. We are looking forward to the award ceremony and celebrating with all the other nominees…

“Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We are excited to continue growing and improving our services to provide the best logistics solutions for our clients.”

Watch this space for the list of winners of the Niche Business Awards 2023.

He showed a huge interest in my work and the industry from a young age and I’ve watched him eagerly develop his skillset

Are your hiring managers trained to recruit top talent?

Employment specialists ER Recruitment spoke with Niche about how businesses can attract and retain talent

We’re all familiar with the term ‘when you know, you know’, but have your hiring managers received training to ensure they really know how to identify and recruit top talent? Ask yourself:

◆ Would your hiring managers reject the CV of a candidate with transferrable skills because they don’t meet the job specification?

◆ Is your team trained to ask the right questions to get the most out of an interview?

◆ Do your hiring managers and interviewers present your organisation as an employer of choice?

The interviewing landscape has significantly transformed over the last few years; in a candidatedriven market, businesses need to be altering their processes and upskilling their hiring managers to ensure the business is in a positive position when it comes to recruiting talented people.

Businesses can no longer

IN A CANDIDATEDRIVEN MARKET, BUSINESSES NEED TO BE ALTERING THEIR PROCESSES AND UPSKILLING THEIR HIRING MANAGERS

assume that even when a candidate has applied and has made it through to interview stage, that they have your firm as their favoured choice. For many candidates, the interview is a two-way process which gives them the opportunity to mutually assess the businesses suitability for them. As a result, it’s crucial to ensure that your hiring managers are sufficiently trained in conducting interviews, because it’s these people representing your business and whether candidates’ experience is a positive or negative one.

At ER Recruitment, our tailored interview training equips your hiring managers with the skills they need to truly know they are making the right decisions when it comes to hiring. Our training includes:

◆ Identifying key competencies.

◆ Analysing a CV to identify transferrable skills.

◆ How to successfully conduct a

telephone interview.

◆ Question types and techniques to get the best out of each interview.

◆ Interview scoring to make informed decisions.

◆ Making an offer to a candidate.

◆ Onboarding.

Investing in interview training for hiring managers is an investment in the success of your business. By equipping hiring managers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to conduct effective interviews, you enhance the quality of hires, promote diversity, and create a positive candidate experience. The interview is the gateway to your organisation, and effective interview training ensures that you open the doors to exceptional talent.

For a free consultation on how our interview training can add value to your hiring process, get in touch via hello@eileenrichards.co.uk.

theConsultingexperts

In this section of Niche, we’ve selected a handful of industry experts in industries most commonly sought after. Read on to find expert advice in family law, pensions, and health. Seeking industry expert advice is a time investment worth considering to stay competitive and make informed decisions. This investment may come in the form of networking, meeting people through events you’re sponsoring, reaching out to those you admire through social media, or directly asking for a meeting. Below are some of the benefits of networking and communicating with experts in a range of industries.

WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

SPECIALISED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Industry experts possess extensive knowledge and experience in their respective fields. They have a deep understanding of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies. By seeking their advice, you can tap into their expertise and gain insights that might not be readily available within your organisation.

STRATEGIC GUIDANCE

By meeting with other business owners, you can gain strategic guidance based on their experience and understanding of market dynamics. They can help you identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop effective strategies to navigate your industry. Their insights can assist in making informed decisions and avoiding costly mistakes

MARKET INSIGHTS

Those who are experts in their field have their finger on the pulse of the market. They can provide valuable insights into customer preferences, buying behaviour, and emerging trends. This information can help you refine your products or services, target the right audience, and stay ahead of your competition..

NETWORK AND CONNECTIONS

Industry experts often have extensive networks within their respective industries. By seeking their advice,

you can gain access to valuable connections, potential business partners, or industry influencers. These networks can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations that can benefit your business.

VALIDATION AND CREDIBILITY

Seeking advice from recognised industry experts can lend credibility to your business. Their endorsement or involvement can validate your strategies, products, or services, and enhance your reputation in the industry. This can be particularly valuable when seeking funding,

AVOIDING PITFALLS

Those who have been succeeding in their business for many years are likely to have encountered and overcome numerous challenges throughout their careers. By seeking their advice, you can learn from their mistakes and avoid common pitfalls. This can save you time, resources, and potential setbacks in your business endeavours.

ACCESS TO RESOURCES

Industry experts often have access to a wide range of resources, such as research studies, reports, or tools specific to their field. By tapping into their network and expertise, you can gain access to these resources, which can be valuable in making informed decisions, conducting market analysis, or improving your operational efficiency.

It’s all in the planning

With

We’ll start with the change: Standard annual allowance (AA) money purchase annual allowance (MPAA), or tapered annual allowance (tapered AA) methods of pension investments are all affected by the change of which gov.uk says: “The AA is the maximum amount of pensions savings an individual can make each year with tax relief without incurring a tax charge which aims to effectively recoup some of the tax relief given. The MPAA is a reduction to the AA for individuals who have flexibly accessed their money purchase pension savings. The tapered AA is a reduction to the AA for individuals with income above set levels.

“This measure increases the AA from £40,000 to £60,000, and the MPAA and tapered AA from £4,000 to £10,000. It also increases the adjusted income level required for the tapered AA to apply to an individual from £240,000 to £260,000.”

The take-home here is that there are further changes for

PENSION ARRANGEMENTS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AT INCREMENTS IN ANYONE’S LIFE, IT’S A VERY ‘LIVE’ AREA OF FINANCE

those with pension investments. That’s the main point I make here in a chat with Mark Smith, Director at Intrusted Pensions. He told me: “Well, exactly. Pension rules aren’t fixed, they are ever-changing. Policies change of course, but so do circumstances and family finances – and it’s important for those who are investing in a pension to ensure it is still the best fit with financial and circumstantial change.”

He expands: “Pension arrangements need to be addressed at increments in anyone’s life, it’s a very ‘live’ area of finance as policies are changing all the time, and so too are any family’s personal circumstances.”

Family planning is all part of the discussion around pensions and actions that families need to make. This of course often involves talking about inheritance, legacy and therefore death – a conversation that people don’t always want to have, but it is essential that all relevant family members know

what is intended to happen in the event.

Talking about your finances with a trained professional is important in the current financial climate. A continuously reviewed plan is much preferred over shortterm ‘firefighting’ to change is key. And, crucially, talking about it with a neutral professional rather than investment firms that are aligned in ensuring your pension is exactly right for you, your business and your life circumstances.

Planning – but certainly not on your own – to continuously respond to changes, that’s the key to getting the very best from your investment and retirement planning. Mark has written more about this on Intrusted Pension’s website intrustedpensions.com.

“Seeking personal advice around pensions as changes happen in the financial sector and as you approach key stages in your life such as marriage, retirement and even divorce means that you will continue to ensure that your pension is working for you in every aspect.”

further changes to pension policy recently, Emily Miller spoke to Mark Smith, Director at Intrusted Pensions, to find out what they might mean for you, how to plan, and the importance of talking about your finances

Hydration beyond the

water

As human beings, hydration should be an essential part of our everyday life. The human body relies on water to carry out various essential health functions. But, as we find out from water experts at Luqel, there is such a thing as the right hydration

Hydration is the process of replacing fluids that are lost from the body. It is a crucial aspect of overall health, as the human body requires water and minerals to perform various functions. Water is the primary component of bodily fluids, and it aids in the digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients.

If you knew the importance of keeping hydrated, you might feel more motivation to get your 8-10 glasses of the clear stuff a day. Read on for the science from LUQEL, the water dispenser company removing impurities through reverse osmosis but adding in natural mineral salts.

Why is hydration important? For starters, it helps to regulate body temperature. When the body is dehydrated, it is unable to regulate its temperature, leading to heat exhaustion. Hydration also helps to maintain the balance of body fluids.

When the body is dehydrated, it is unable to perform healthily and effectively, even affecting day-to-day activities, concentration, as well as sports and fitness performance.

Hydration aids in the removal of waste products from the body. Water helps to flush out toxins and waste products through sweat and urine. It is also crucial for maintaining healthy skin. Dehydration causes the skin to become dry, flaky, and prone to wrinkles. Lastly, hydration plays a vital role in maintaining energy levels. Dehydration causes the body to become fatigued, leading to a lack of energy and reduced performance.

Why worry about minerals? Minerals play a crucial role in hydration. They maintain fluid balance in the body. Some of the most common mineral deficiencies include magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle and nerve function, protein synthesis, and energy production. A magnesium deficiency can lead to dehydration, muscle cramps, and fatigue.

Potassium helps regulate the amount of water in our cells and is important for nerve and muscle function. A potassium deficiency can lead to dehydration, muscle

BY

weakness, and cramping.

Sodium is another one that helps regulate fluid balance and is important for nerve and muscle function. However, too much sodium can lead to dehydration, as it can cause the body to retain water.

There’s even more to learn about the essential everyday health benefits of water at luqel-water.com, as well as what makes one bottle of water taste so different to the next.

Hydration strategies for everyday life

◆ Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day

◆ Eat fruits and vegetables; many are high in water to help you stay hydrated

◆ Avoid sugary drinks as they can dehydrate the body

◆ Take a reuseable bottle to work and keep refilling throughout the day

◆ Sip, don’t glug

◆ Consider adding electrolytes to your water, by adding a pinch of sea salt, drinking coconut water or fitting a water filter from LUQEL where minerals can be adjusted to suit your needs.

WORDS

EMILY MILLER

Hope

after Divorce

Going through a divorce can be an emotionally exhausting experience. It can leave you feeling lost, alone, and unsure of what the future holds. Moving forward can feel like a really lonely challenge, but there is a way to not only survive but thrive after a divorce WORDS

BY EMILY MILLER

What if you didn’t have to do divorce alone?

At a time when hope doesn’t feel like part of the picture, having an experienced supportive figure in your life can make all the difference. Divorce coaching is a unique and relatively new approach to helping individuals navigate the complex terrain of separation.

I spoke to Accredited Mediator and Holistic Divorce Coach Sushma Kotecha about divorce coaching and what it can do. She explained: “Divorce coaching provides a guide for those who need it. Encouraging self-care and stress management, each client’s journey is different, and a coach can help you identify your emotions, process them in a healthy way, and develop coping strategies to help you manage them.”

Of course, everyone’s divorce is unique, and the emotional impact can vary significantly. A divorce coach can tailor their approach to meet a person’s specific needs and help them navigate the emotional challenges of divorce in a way that works best for them, helping to perceive hope where it might be hidden.

Unlike mediation for separating couples – which is a service that Sushma also provides after many years as a

divorce lawyer – coaching can help you identify your priorities on a one-to-one basis and help you set achievable goals in a supportive environment.

“Coaching can create a roadmap for a more peaceful separation and future, providing skills and developing strategies for managing conflict, communicating effectively and learning how to set healthy boundaries. These skills are essential not only during the divorce process but also in your future relationships,” Sushma shared.

Self-care and a positive mindset are crucial during the divorce process, and a coach can help develop strategies such as mindfulness practices, yoga, meditation, breathwork, and healthy eating habits. “These exercises are vital, and it helps to have a coach who can hold individuals accountable in a compassionate way to ensure that they are taking care of themselves during a stressful time,” Sushma adds.

Through regular remote coaching sessions, Sushma helps clients address some of the most common fears associated with separation and/or divorce, such as feeling distant from the legal process, worrying about the future, and broken communication and conflict with

EACH CLIENT’S JOURNEY IS DIFFERENT, AND A COACH CAN HELP YOU IDENTIFY YOUR EMOTIONS, PROCESS THEM IN A HEALTHY WAY

their ex-partner. “Much of what I do is about healing and recovery, it’s about helping my clients manage and regulate their emotions, helping them with tried and tested tools to support their journey,” Sushma told me.

Her desire to do significant work in this field extends beyond her one-to-one coaching sessions. Sushma’s recently published book, Holistic Divorce: Sh*t happens, it’s How You Deal With it That Counts, incorporates all the tools and wisdom that have worked so well for her clients so far to help deal with separation with grace, resilience, and crucially, hope.

Although divorce can feel like the end, it can also signify new beginnings, and with the right coaching and support, hope can shine through.

Niche readers can schedule a call with Sushma at holisticfamilymediation.co.uk for free advice and guidance.

Want to grow your business?

We are here to help you on your journey, helping you to understand your numbers better, brainstorm ideas through to strategy meeting to keep you on the right track.

We will enable you to keep your business running and free your time up to allow you to focus on your business.

We can help you with the key financials of your operation, advising on how a growth plan could be funded and how it could affect the long-term financial position of your company.

We are more than just a number cruncher.

At AIMS we are here to help your business succeed with professional advice as you need it.

OPENING UP: HOW TO AVOID INSOLVENCY

BY TOM YOUNG

Leicester-based Springfields Advisory facilitated the sale of eight franchised UK branches of Pizza Hut back in May, saving 90 jobs in the process.

Speaking to Springfields founder and Senior Partner, Situl Raithatha, about the successful case brought to light the worries around current economic climate that small business owners may have.

Running a business alone can be a cause for mental health concern. There’s an embarrassment factor that can result in the owner wishing to keep any struggles to themselves to avoid being seen as a failure. But this only compounds the problem.

“Every time we talk to somebody whose business is struggling, one of the biggest challenges is getting them to talk,” says Situl. “They like to talk around the subject until they feel comfortable. Recently, one started with: ‘So let me spill the beans…’. It’s a secret they’ve been keeping. It’s our job to push them just the right amount to get the conversation going. We need the facts before we can advise.

“I like to start by saying: ‘Look, you’re not alone and you are certainly not the first, nor will you be the last’. Many of the UK’s most successful businesses and entrepreneurs have faced financial difficulties and the key to their success is overcoming these.”

Post-pandemic recovery followed by the cost-of-living

crisis has meant that insolvency cases are on the rise.

At the moment, Situl has observed that it’s mainly the micro and smaller business that are most commonly affected, with the biggest rises in the construction, food and hospitality sectors. Rising material costs, utilities, HMRC debt and Covid loan repayments are major contributing factors.

“They’re also very worried about their employees and what’s going to happen to them. Being able to give advice that allays those fears is both challenging and rewarding for us.

“From many years of experience, the rule of thumb is that for every three businesses we see, two will need a formal insolvency and one can be rescued. Obviously, the rescues are rewarding, but we can also bring comfort to those going through the insolvencies and help the people involved.”

Many of the small businesses currently struggling are doing so through no fault of their own. The pandemic forged a tough environment for many, and the rise in utility prices has only made matters worse. In terms of feeling the shame of failure, it’s important for businesses to remember these external forces are not their fault, and as such, they shouldn’t be embarrassed to seek advice.

“The politicians don’t have the answers either. Government can’t support business forever. I recently saw

It can be difficult for business owners to admit when they’re struggling. Yet talking to the right person and getting the right advice is vital if the business is to survive.

Niche spoke to insolvency experts, Springfields Advisory LLP, to learn more

WORDS

SITUL RAITHATHA

a businesswoman on Question Time, a café owner with nine employees, and her husband was having to work an extra job to cover their bills. She couldn’t afford to take a penny out of the business. None of the panellists had a solution for her. It is tough out there at the minute. I have two or three meetings a day about similar situations.”

If you own a business that has seen early signs of financial struggle, Situl’s recommendation is simple. “Seek advice early. Even if it just crosses your mind, come and see us – that’s our mantra. The earlier you speak to us, the more options we have. There’s a Chinese proverb that says: ‘If you’re thirsty, dig the well early’.

“If you come to us last minute, there’s less we can do for you. If the bailiffs are at the door or there is a court hearing the next morning… your choices are limited, to put it mildly. Whereas if you’ve started to feel the pressure, and you’re having to manage creditors and cash flow, it’s a good time to see us.

“If nothing else, if you continue to trade and unfortunately further down the line the business ends up going through insolvency, it’s good to be able to show that you took appropriate professional advice at the time. In certain circumstances, directors can be scrutinised as to their actions and why they continued to trade.”

No one sets out to fail in business. However, it is inevitable – particularly in the current economic climate –

that businesses will face challenges but how you address them is what’s important. If a business owner chose to take advice from Springfields, they may be comforted to know that Situl oversees every case they handle – even if another member of the team takes lead on the actions, Situl will still be fully involved. Every client gets the benefit of his 30+ years of experience and expertise.

“We are a niche practice, but as well as dealing with SME businesses, we do punch above our weight and take on bigger cases like the Pizza Hut franchise; you get the big firm service with the personal touch… and without the big firm price!”

Readers can visit springfields-uk.com for more advice on insolvency, recovery and restructuring solutions.

They like to talk around the subject until they feel comfortable... it’s a secret they’ve been keeping

Shareholder Protection do you have it?

What exactly is Shareholder Protection and why is it essential for business owners to have it in place? Niche catches up with Protection Advisor Darren Bradbury at Furnley House, a Leicester-based financial planning services company, to discover the ins and outs from an expert WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

What is Shareholder Protection?

It’s an insurance designed to ensure the smooth transfer of ownership and management in a company if one of the shareholders or business partners experiences an unexpected event – normally a death or critical illness – that affects their ability to continue their involvement in the business. Shareholder insurance is typically structured using a cross option agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of the share transfer and the funding mechanism.

When would the protection pay out?

The insurance policy is designed to pay out a lump sum to the deceased or critically ill shareholder’s next of kin in exchange for the shares of the business. The remaining shareholders or business partners then maintain control of the company, preventing disruption and financial difficulties. But, if premium payments aren’t maintained, the benefits of the plan will be at risk. If premium payments cease altogether, so will the benefits of the plan. The cover may be less than you need if you don’t review it regularly.

Can you give our readers a scenario?

Say me and you were in business together and had 50/50 shares of the company… if anything happens to me, my shares immediately go into my estate to go to my next of kin, which is my wife. She would now own 50% of the business. My wife has her own career separate from my business and has had no direct experience in the running of the company – but all of a sudden, she owns half of it and the other shareholder doesn’t have a say in it. She could also choose to sell those shares to somebody you don’t want her to. Ultimately, it can create some serious disputes between the remaining shareholders.

Tell me about the ‘crossoption agreement’?

It’s part of the binding protection that says if anything happens to me in the mentioned scenario, then the shares will still go to my wife, but the shareholder agreement will pay out to buy those shares back. It means my family doesn’t miss out in any way and the shares go back to the business. The result is no disruption to the business and its employees. From my wife’s viewpoint in the scenario of being potentially left with either

50% of a business that she knows nothing about or £500k to look after her and our children, which is she going to choose?

It is actually as simple as that!

So, without it the business and shareholders are vulnerable?

In a word: yes! If you don’t have shareholder protection, the continuity of the business can be compromised and affect profits and the wellbeing of the team. No one tells you about this and many other types of business insurances you should have!

What amazes me is the number of business owners who say they didn’t know they could or should protect themselves. The reality is that shareholder protection is an essential risk management strategy. It offers financial security, stability, and peace of mind for shareholders and the whole company.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION, THE CONTINUITY OF THE BUSINESS CAN BE COMPROMISED AND AFFECT PROFITS AND THE WELLBEING OF THE TEAM

A tax-efficient way of investing in smaller businesses

Smaller companies looking for money to fund their growth are increasingly turning to the EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) and the SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) for investment support. Tax expert Nick Wright, associate director at Jerroms Miller Specialist Tax, explains how these schemes work

When we’re advising start-ups and smaller companies on raising finance, EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) and the SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) are two schemes that often come up.

Both schemes are similar, but not interchangeable, so we have to be careful. There are certain conditions around employee numbers, directorships after share issue, etc which apply to one scheme but not the other, and vice versa.

With investors obtaining income tax savings of 50% on up to £100,000 invested per tax year, SEIS gives investors a bigger tax break, while EIS only provides 30% but up to a higher limit of £1m per tax year.

Another benefit of EIS is the option to defer capital gains tax against the EIS investment, subject to certain time limits. So, if for example, you sell your limited company for £5m and invest £1m of your sale proceeds into an EIS then the CGT payable on £1m of your gain can be deferred. This is especially useful, and a number of our recent projects have been planned around utilising the CGT deferral relief.

A further valuable feature of both schemes is the exemption on gains from disposals as long as you hold your shares for at least three years. For example, we had a client who invested £3,000 in a company via EIS which five years later sold for £200,000. The investor made £197,000 on the sale and didn’t

pay any tax on it because the EIS element of the gain was exempt. With both schemes it’s not just the relief going in but the exemptions coming out which make them so appealing.

As these schemes are designed to support OMBs there is of course an element of risk. This, however, is made more palatable by the potential tax savings, and not only those on the initial income tax relief. Even if EIS/SEIS shares are disposed of at a loss (or the company goes into liquidation), the loss can be set against either the investor’s capital gains or his or her taxable income. In the case of SEIS investments, if such a loss is incurred, the net cost to an additional rate taxpayer investor is potentially reduced to 13.5% of the investment after taking account of the investment, reinvestment and loss reliefs.

SEIS and EIS offer investors valuable tax-efficient opportunities as well as providing OMBs with an alternative to banks when sourcing external finance. And, in many cases, growing businesses looking for funding already know their investors. Their backers are on their radar, which makes for a better relationship when investors become shareholders. Both schemes can be the ideal solution for both parties.

EIS and SEIS can be complex. It’s important to find the best investment route. Nick invites you to contact him for advice on 0121 693 5000 and nickwright@jerromsmiller.co.uk.

Protecting your business with employment law

Sometimes in business, problems arise, and its owners or directors need to take advice from a litigation solicitor. A litigation solicitor can be an invaluable asset to any business owner – although it’s probably not a call that most business owners want to make too often.

One issue that highlights the importance of speaking with an experienced litigation solicitor is restrictive covenants in employment contracts.

Unfortunately, an employee who has resigned or has been let go of may be in a position to take what they know about how you run your business and who your clients are, and apply it to their work with their next employer or a competing business that they choose to start themselves.

A restrictive covenant is a clause that limits an employee’s ability to perhaps work for a competitor or start a competing business after leaving their current

employer. Without a properly drafted restrictive covenant, an employee could potentially damage their former employer’s business by taking valuable clients or sensitive information with them, and using it to compete.

Restrictive covenants in action

As an example, imagine a recruitment agency where an employee leaves and who then takes a number of clients with them to a competing firm, and also the candidates that they were connected to with their previous employer. Without a restrictive covenant in place, there would be limited steps that the former employer could take to prevent this from happening, usually around misuse of confidential information. This could result in a significant loss of revenue and potentially damage the reputation of the business.

This is where the expertise of a litigation solicitor comes into play. They can ensure that

WITHOUT A RESTRICTIVE COVENANT IN PLACE, THERE WOULD BE LIMITED STEPS THAT THE FORMER EMPLOYER COULD TAKE

appropriate clauses are included in employment contracts to protect the business from these types of situations. In addition, if a dispute does arise, a litigation solicitor can provide representation and help to resolve the matter as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Hollingsworths has a regularly updated blog at hlegal.co.uk/ news to find more information on legal matters for businesses.

When do restrictive covenants come into play?

Restrictive covenants can be enforced to protect the best interests of a business. For instance, to protect confidential information, client relationships, and the stability of a workforce.

There are different types of restricted covenants. These include:

The commercial interests of a company and risk management that follow an employee leaving the business can become complex in some cases.

Greg Hollingsworth, director of Hollingsworths Solicitors, reviews how restrictive covenants can help

FIVE REASONS TO MAKE A WILL

Awill is a legal document that outlines how an individual’s assets should be distributed after their death. Here are the top five reasons to get a will in the UK:

1 CONTROL: A will allows you to have control over how your assets are distributed after your death. Without a will, the law decides who gets what, which may not reflect your wishes.

2 PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY: With a will, you’re able to protect your family by appointing guardians for your children and making provisions for their care.

3 MINIMISING INHERITANCE TAX: With careful planning, a will can help to minimise Inheritance Tax, which can have a significant impact on the amount of money passed on to your loved ones.

4 AVOIDING DISPUTES: Disputes between family members and other beneficiaries can be avoided by clearly outlining your wishes and intentions in a will.

5 PEACE OF MIND: Creating a will can provide peace of mind, knowing that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes and that your loved ones will be taken care of after your death.

You can learn more about the different kinds of wills at paradigm-wills.com.

Mandatory mediation:

could it ease divorce tension?

Nelsons speak about the possible introduction of mandatory mediation, considering whether it could ease divorce tension and court backlogs

One year on since the introduction of the nofault divorce, there is now a push for mediation to become a mandatory part of the divorce process. These proposed UK law reforms could further help to improve and simplify the separation process for couples and empower clients.

“No fault divorce means a couple can mutually cite ‘irretrievable breakdown’ as the sole grounds for wanting to obtain a divorce,” said Gayle Rowley, legal director, mediator and solicitor specialising in family law at Nelsons. “No fault divorce allows for simpler processes and blame avoidance while mediation helps to reduce tension and give control back to clients.”

We spoke to Gayle about how divorce tension and court backlogs could be eased if mediation became a mandatory part of the divorce process.

The impact of mandatory mediation

“The Government recently announced it would be consulting on mandatory mediation for suitable family court cases apart from those that include allegations of or a history of domestic violence.

If introduced, the move could help 19,000 separating families resolve issues outside the courtroom, helping to reduce backlogs and easing pressure on family courts.

“Mediation allows separated couples to work out solutions in a safe, calm, and supported environment. It’s a more cost-effective and speedier process compared to solicitorled negotiations and/or court proceedings. During mediation, an impartial mediator works to help clients identify the key issues of the separation and try to help find a solution.

“No-fault divorce has had a positive impact on decreasing hostility. It helps to set the tone for other discussions around finances and child arrangements and encourages a greater focus on the more pertinent issues that can come with a divorce.”

Easing court backlogs

“There was an initial increase in divorce cases with figures surging by 50% in the first month after the no-fault law was introduced. This has steadily evened out, although the full figures for the first year of nofault divorce have not yet been revealed.

NO-FAULT

“To help reduce the backlog of family cases from the pandemic, mandatory mediation could potentially be a huge improvement. At the end of March 2023, the number of active and open children’s cases remained high at nearly 33,000. This is a reduction from the same time last year, but there remains 9.2% more children’s cases compared with March 2020.

“For couples facing difficult decisions in a divorce case, the situation is amplified by having decisions regarding their children in the court process too. While there are some cases that must be resolved in court, mediation offers alternatives that are worth exploring.”

How to seek help

“I would always advise exploring your options with a professional. Alongside empowering the client to be in control of the situation, these options can often help to produce a swifter resolution and reduce stress for the whole family.”

More information can be found at nelsonslaw.co.uk. Gayle invites readers to call her on 0116 222 6666 for direct advice if you’re going through separation or divorce.

DIVORCE HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DECREASING HOSTILITY. IT HELPS TO SET THE TONE FOR OTHER DISCUSSIONS

GAYLE ROWLEY, LEGAL DIRECTOR, MEDIATOR AND SOLICITOR

Renters (Reform) Bill

The Renters’ (Reform) Bill was introduced to parliament on May 17, 2023. The new Bill proposes to make significant changes to the current regime governed by The Housing Act 1988, including proposals to abolish the well-known and commonly used “Section 21” Notice. Here’s an overview:

◆ Abolish section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and move to a simpler tenancy structure where all assured tenancies are periodic

◆ Introduce more comprehensive possession grounds so landlords can still recover their property (including where they wish to sell their property or move in close family) and to make it easier to repossess properties where tenants are at fault, for example in cases of anti-social behaviour and repeat rent arrears

◆ Provide stronger protections against backdoor eviction by ensuring tenants are able to appeal excessively above-market rents however, landlords will still be able to increase rents to market price for their properties

◆ Create a Privately Rented Property Portal to help landlords understand their legal obligations and demonstrate compliance

◆ Introduce a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman

◆ Give tenants the right to request a pet in the property, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse. To support this, landlords will be able to require pet insurance to cover any damage to their property.

TO ONE CLIENT AT A TIME

As a practice, we believe that everyone has a right to specialist legal advice that is clear and understandable.

Bhumika Parmar, BP Legal Solicitors

How 2 New Street approaches CSR

Success in any profession provides the opportunity to make a positive impact on the wider community. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a principle that holds organisations accountable and encourages them to give back.

At 2 New Street Chambers, each self-employed barrister makes time to support causes that matter to them. The Chambers also supports local charity, Alex’s Wish, for which Head of Chambers, Sally Barnett, also serves as a trustee.

Alex’s Wish is a Leicestershire charity set up to help eradicate Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a disease which affects children. It was founded by Emma Hallam whose son Alex lives with the disease.

“Many people today still may not understand the nature of the disease and the impact it can have on a child’s life. I felt it was important to get involved.

“My colleagues, such as Hannah Fountain, are involved with their own projects too, such as the Community Advice and Law Service – a charity that offers professional advice and advocacy to those most in need.

“We also have law student groups visit chambers for question-and-answer sessions to offer an insight into the profession. Andrew Harper and I really enjoyed the last one in April.”

Various barristers also take time to be involved with their professional organisation in one way or another as a way of advancing the law or improving practice and procedure, such as Emma Burden who is a member of the Leicester Family Justice Board. This makes a real impact in particular at a local level in the family courts. Staff in chambers also get involved in the community. Barrister’s Clerk Jack Wood is a member of the committee for Barkby Cricket Club, organising events, social media and administration.

“I think most charities and volunteering relates to families or family experiences in some way. Whether that be because a relative lived with an illness or the organisation provides help in and for the community.”

As a concept, CSR exists to ensure larger corporations take their responsibilities seriously – an enforced mandate for

WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

I TAKE MY TRUSTEESHIP VERY SERIOUSLY, ALWAYS ATTENDING MEETINGS AND PROVIDING SUPPORT

good. For smaller companies, professional organisations and individuals, Sally feels CSR can just be a part of your daily life.

“I take my trusteeship very seriously, always attending meetings and providing support. But other people jump out of planes to raise funds. Everyone has their own way of doing it.”

More about the fundraising activities and history of the Chambers can be found at 2newstreet.com, and you can learn about Alex’s Wish at alexswish.co.uk.

CSR ideas:

◆ Ask staff to vote on a charity to support

◆ Give staff a day off to volunteer

◆ Dedicate time to mentor students/colleagues

◆ Use your brand to sponsor/promote charities

◆ Partner with sustainable suppliers to reduce your carbon footprint

◆ Adopt waste management processes

◆ Work with HR specialists to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion

It’s likely your clients and customers want your business to be making a positive impact on the local community. For 2 New Street Chambers, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is well and truly embedded. Here’s how they’ve embraced it

THE 2 NEW STREET TEAM COLLECTING THE CHAMBERS OF THE YEAR AWARD AT LEICESTERSHIRE LAW SOCIETY AWARDS 2023

A LAWYER IS FOR LIFE… A LAWYER IS FOR LIFE…

No matter the industry, a company is about its people. Whenever an organisation hits a significant milestone, it’s the achievements of those people that are celebrated – not just a faceless entity. The bond between team members is a key driver in employee engagement and retention and, by extension, the achievements of a business. Paychex Pulse found that 40 per cent of HR professionals said retaining their best employees is a top concern.

When it comes to client retention, that bond needs to come from proof that a company understands and cares about their journey with them.

For TML Solicitors, the achievements of the firm are both internal and external. Director Dav Mahet told us that he’s seen the growth of both colleagues and clients during the last decade.

“We have people who we first represented in 2013 when they were buying their first home, who we’ve

One of the often-forgotten elements of working in law is the importance of relationship building. As they celebrate their 10th anniversary this summer, law firm TML Solicitors talked to us about a decade of nurturing people

WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

continued to represent as they’ve moved up through the property ladder. Or we knew them when their kids were in their early teens, and they’ve now grown up and bought houses of their own with us too. So we’re part of that family story.”

Being part of a client’s journey – there to support a family as their lives progress – is a highly rewarding part of the job, according to Dav.

“It’s great to have the trust of a client to the degree that they want to use us again and again. We wanted to be providing a good service that people can trust, and we’ve seen that come to fruition.

“It’s the same with the businesses we represent, as they’ve moved through different structures. There’s one client we first represented in 2015 who’s coming to the end of his lease for his office, and he’s just asked us to look at a new one for him. There’s an ongoing story with him too, seeing the development of his business as they work alongside us.”

It’s not only client relationships that have grown throughout the last decade; Dav’s working relationship

SHORTLISTED

with company co-director Reena Bhalla has developed over time and helped to make TML Solicitors a well-oiled machine.

“When Reena first came in, she saw the company ethos and how we wanted to develop and move forward, and she embraced that. Much of the way we work is down to her, and she’s the driving force behind the whole plan.

“Reena and I have different ways of looking at situations. Having two different approaches and bringing these together helps us get the best result for the client.”

It’s an effective dynamic that makes it a lot easier for Dav to focus on his caseload and other aspects of the business. As the operational burden is shared, it allows more time for client investment.

“The thing we’re most proud of is not the individual cases, but the individual success stories. We’ve seen our clients develop. We’ve had people come to us who were buying £20-30k houses and now they’re doing multimillion-pound refinances. Obviously, that’s not all down to our legal work, because they’ve done it themselves, but to be part of that journey makes you feel good.”

A milestone like an anniversary can make you consider your own journey, and TML’s path has led them full circle.

“We’ve just moved into our new site on London Road, which has brought us back to where we started the

Judges have selected TML Solicitors as a semi-finalist in the Business Growth category of the Niche Business Awards 2023. Team member Reena Bhalla has also been shortlisted for Businesswoman of the Year. It comes after the firm passed its Lexcel Audit, a legal practice quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management.

business. We used to be in a serviced office here, but now, 10 years later, we own the building.

“As we look to the future, hopefully it’ll be just one of our offices, as we look to open strategically placed branches in Newcastle and London. It’ll mean we can service the north from one location, the south from the other, with us as a central hub in the middle.”

This will create an opportunity for TML Solicitors to help more people and build new relationships on a national level, hopefully generating another 10 years of success.

See more about how TML maintains its bond between colleagues and clients at facebook.com/TMLSolicitors and at tml-solicitors.co.uk where clients can find useful blogs about laws that could affect them, written by the TML team.

Reena and I have different ways of looking at situations.

Having two different approaches and bringing these together helps us get the best result for the client

Protecting owner managers when selling a business

Five points to consider when negotiating the sale of a business, according to

Rik Pancholi, Managing Director at Pattersons Commercial Law

Businesses are bought and sold every day. They could take the shape of an asset sale (where specific assets are sold) or a share sale (where the shares in a company are sold). Whichever way a transaction is structured, there are a few things which selling owners need to consider during their negotiations.

Owners often concentrate on the headline sale price and this can be made up of a number of component parts, so it is important to consider what this looks like to fully understand if the headline price is actually achievable.

Remember that there must always be a willing buyer and a willing seller in every transaction. The way a seller can use this knowledge as a tool is by remembering that if the transaction no longer works for them, they can walk away from it. Unless there are legal obligations in place, there is not usually any obligation to sell – and if one party becomes unwilling, either the transaction falls away or the other party comes back to the table with an alternative solution. There is always an opportunity for a creative solution!

UNLESS THERE ARE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS IN PLACE, THERE IS NOT USUALLY ANY OBLIGATION TO SELL

1 If an element of the sale price is structured on a conditional basis, then unless the condition is triggered, the payment will never be made. This could then reduce the headline sale price (but will take effect after the deal has already been done and it’s too late to do anything about it).

3 If a part of the sale price is based on future performance (also known as an earn out) then this will depend on the performance of the business which has just been sold. The seller will need to remember that they may not have the same degree of control they once had and therefore risking their sale price could be too much risk for the seller.

2If the sale price includes an element of deferred consideration, it’s usually paid on a date in the future. If the buyer doesn’t make the payment when due, then whilst the seller is still entitled to it, they will have to ‘sue’ the seller for breach of contract in order to collect their payment.

4 Whilst not strictly a part of the purchase price, sellers are often required to support the transition of the business to the new owner. Sellers will want to consider whether they are supporting on a simply transition basis (often unpaid) or on a more formal role (possibly more important where an element of the sale price is deferred or conditional).

5 If the buyer has negotiated lengthy and restrictive warranty protection, then the buyer may be able to ‘sue’ the seller for breach of warranty and whilst this will take place following completion, it will still have the impact of reducing the headline sale price. This is where proper legal advice is important during the ‘due diligence’ and ‘disclosure’ elements of the sale.

RIK PANCHOLI, MANAGING DIRECTOR AND SOLICITOR

Status & Presentation Workshop

Using improv to understand how you carry yourself and how you’re perceived

Friday, September 17, 2023

1pm-4:30pm

Build your self-belief and authority using body language and established theatre techniques to form your public persona. Become more conscious of how you present yourself when engaging with others, whether that be individuals or large groups.

To register interest or find out more, scan the QR code or call Cross Productions on 0116 271 2573 or visit crossproductions.co.

Led by Tom Young

On site costs

When it comes to finding someone to build your website, prices vary, especially if you want them to match your business values. We look into how faster websites help you rank on Google and generate more traffic WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

Every business needs a website. In this digital age, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. What may shock the uninitiated is the price of having a website built.

According to data from W3Techs, 43% of websites are made using WordPress. Unless you have a vast amount of experience in website building, odds are you’re going to be looking for someone to build it for you. Dependent on who you ask, prices will vary.

“At one end of the spectrum is a kid building websites in their bedroom for a bit of pocket money,” says Adam Burrage, director of creative agency, Trident. “They might charge £200-300 for basic functionality.

“Alternatively, if you go to a top-tier, big agency, their prices could start from £40k.”

Then there are companies in between such as Trident, offering the service of larger agencies, but without such a high price tag.

“We give a holistic view of the website. We want it to generate more leads for the client, so we plan it from a search engine optimisation point of view. We’ll look at it from a proper, designed out process that’s bespoke to the customer so they get something that is unique to them.

“WordPress is a free tool; it’s open source, so anyone can use it. But there are paid-for plug-ins that can add to the functionality of your website. Yes, there is a cost for using Trident, but that’s because we’re good. Our sites are faster, meaning they’re likely to rank higher in search results due to Google’s core web vitals.

WE GIVE A HOLISTIC VIEW OF THE WEBSITE. WE WANT IT TO GENERATE MORE LEADS FOR THE CLIENT

They’re coded in Bootstrap, making them quicker to load and they use less energy.”

Adam says that having a website that’s tailored to the needs of your business is the most important factor, especially if you’re investing significant money.

“Everything we do ensures that the website is going to last. You could pay for a cheap and cheerful version, but in two to three years’ time, you’re going to be spending the same money again to update it. We can continue to update the client’s website over time, so it evolves with their needs.”

There’s more information about the specific costs of WordPress websites on Trident’s blog at wearetrident.co.uk/ how-much-does-a-wordpresswebsite-cost.

10 house selling no no’s

What puts potential homebuyers off a property the most? Purple Bricks revealed the top 10 factors affecting the attractiveness of a home

The last thing you want when trying to sell your house is to inadvertently leave it looking less attractive than it might be, leading to lower offers, or even worse… no offers at all.

So, what are the biggest factors that put potential buyers off when they are looking for their next home and how can you avoid them? According to estate agents Purple Bricks, cleaning up mould, taking an air freshener to nasty smells and cleaning your toilet could be a good start!

Here is their list of the top 10 things that put buyers off to help homeowners out when selling their home.

1. Mould and damp 70%

2. Mouse or rat traps 65%

3. Nasty smells 56%

4. Mould and limescale 56%

5. Cigarette smoke and butts flowing out of an ashtray 55%

6. Dirty toilet 52%

7. Bugsand flies 52%

8. Plaster peeling off the wall 51%

9. Dog mess in the garden 44%

10. Underwear on the floor 39%

It’s clearly very important to create a clean and inviting environment to make a positive impression. By addressing these issues, you can create a more appealing environment for potential buyers and increase the chances of a positive impression.

Increase the chances of selling your home

Suggestions by Purple Bricks

Mould/damp patches on the walls

Clean away mould using soap, water, or bleach as soon as possible and repaint stained areas to restore the appearance of walls. Improve ventilation to prevent dampness and mould growth.

Mouse or rat traps

Resolve any rodent issues humanely before a viewing and be sure to remove any evidence.

Nasty smells

Ventilate your home by opening doors and windows. Use candles, air fresheners, oil diffusers, or even bake bread or fill a fresh coffee pot to create a pleasant scent. Identify and address the root cause of any persistent odours.

Mould/limescale in the bathroom

Use vinegar on a cloth to scrub away limescale. Keep the bathroom clean and free of moisture.

Cigarette smoke/butts

Avoid smoking inside. Clear away ashtrays to eliminate the presence of smoking.

Dirty toilet

Include cleaning the toilet as part of your routine before a viewing. You never know, your viewers might ask to use your toilet during their viewing.

Bugs/flies in the house

Address any decaying matter that may attract bugs. Use scents like lavender, citrus, or pine to repel them. Plant herbs and flowers in the garden to deter insects. Use a mixture of vinegar and soap in a cup to trap flies.

Plaster peeling off the wall

Consider replastering peeling walls to improve appearances. This might be a fairly large pay-out though so weigh it up against the kind of offers you’re looking for.

Dog mess in the garden

Ensure outside spaces are clean and free of dog mess before viewings. Can you imagine how awful it would be if your viewers stepped in it!?

Dirty underwear on the floor

Encourage everyone in the household to keep their dirty clothes in the laundry basket – you could even pop one in each room.

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Experience the difference as you glide through summer effortlessly, knowing your heating system is in top-notch condition. Enjoy reduced energy bills, bid farewell to surprise repair costs, and celebrate shrinking your carbon footprint. It’s more than a win—it’s a summer triumph.

With CRS Matrix, you’re not just summer ready, but fully WINTER-PROOFED TOO!

The Doctor will see (through) you now

Leicester is enjoying a period of regeneration; The Window Doctor wants to ensure that we see it clearly

WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

With so much redevelopment currently underway in the city centre, it would be a shame if it was spoiled by misty windows. As the world also turns its attention to more environmentally friendly, sustainable living, James Rawlings, owner of The Window Doctor, knows that good windows can make buildings more efficient.

“The advantages of repairing a window rather than replacing it is that it’s quicker to do, more cost-effective, and more sustainable.

“The speed of a repair means your home or office is more secure and fully functional sooner, without the need for

lengthy installation times. Repairs are much more affordable, especially for minor issues such as a broken hinge or updating a locking mechanism, saving you money in the long run.

“Repairs are also more sustainable, as it means less waste is being sent to landfill. It will also make your property more energy efficient, by eliminating gaps or leaks which can cause drafts and energy loss.”

It’s not always the perfect solution – sometimes replacing a damaged window pane alone can leave behind a damaged frame, which means you could still have a draft or condensation.

“Replacements are sometimes

necessary. For example, if the window is more than 30 years old, the handles cracked and pitted, the hinges rusted shut or the plastic frame damaged, discoloured and as yellow as a freshly picked lemon… it might be time for a new one.”

James encourages homeowners and landlords to care for their windows at a time when Leicester is becoming more efficient through its regeneration. Go to thewindowdoctorltd.com/ knowledgebase, where he’s written blogs on the topic.

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look at mortgages

With further increases to the Bank of England base rate, and more likely to come, many are feeling uncertain about the future of home buying. Emily Miller chats with Deyal Singh of Kings Real Estate to get some insight and financial optimism

Buying a home is one of the most important and expensive decisions you will make in your life. Any financial decisions are quite heavily weighted in the current economic climate and home buying is an area particularly affected.

“No matter what route you take, buying a better home with the changing financial terrain can feel a little daunting. Of course, buying or upscaling your home will likely need a mortgage or a mortgage change – and whilst it can all feel a little uncertain, there is reliable help at hand to navigate the choppier waters,” Deyal tells me.

The base rate increase affects all kinds of home mortgages, from fixed-rate loans to adjustable-rate loans. By understanding the impact of the base rate increase, homeowners can make informed decisions

about their financial future and avoid potential pitfalls associated with rising mortgage costs.

“While the idea of higher interest rates may sound initially worrying, households should also be aware that they do not need to necessarily make drastic changes in preparation. Instead, now would be a better time for households to take this moment to plan and prepare for the future,” Deyal adds.

The best way for households to prepare is by consulting a mortgage adviser. Mortgage advisers are knowledgeable about the market and can give insight and advice on the best strategies when it comes to saving. This, of course, is especially important if you are looking to obtain a mortgage or amend or increase an existing one.

Deyal reassures: “We have a small handful of mortgage

BUYING A BETTER HOME WITH THE CHANGING FINANCIAL TERRAIN CAN FEEL A LITTLE DAUNTING

advisors that we personally recommend to anyone who needs one. Whilst these times can feel a little daunting, it’s important to remember that there are trusted experts to help customers navigate their way through the process.”

With so many different options and lenders out there, it can be difficult to know what’s best for you. That’s why getting personally recommended mortgage advice from an experienced professional can be invaluable.

An expert can help make clear all of the options available and provide advice on how to get the best deal for a person’s situation. They can also provide guidance on how to manage finances going forward to stay on top of your payments and avoid any issues in the future whatever changes may come.

Military bootcamps for kids

Could this ex-soldier’s military-style bootcamps be the answer to getting children to love exercise?

When a child enjoys physical activity early on in life, they’re more likely to carry it on as an adult,” says Dean Weston, founder of Mini Warriors. The former soldier set up the military-style bootcamps in 2019 to help children find fitness fun while throwing a host of other life skills into the mix.

“Kids love beating a personal best and it’s great to see their smiles when they can see for themselves that they’ve improved. While they’re enjoying themselves, they’re benefiting from weight loss, improved mental health, sense of progression, social skills, making new friends, team building and learning to respect others.”

Mini Warriors’ ethos is ‘respect, dedication, determination, and pride’ and from his work, Dean has become well-known among schools, clubs, charities such as

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

Menhpys, and the NHS.

He has the kids doing shuttle runs, pushing tyres, lifting chains, or simply walking in the park. Dean said: “I work with one child who just wants to walk and talk. We talk about all their favourite things and before they know it, they’ve done five laps of the park.”

An important element of fitness for Dean is confidence: “In my school clubs, I’ll choose the two shyest kids as team leaders. In no time, they’re shouting at the top of their voices in tug-of-war and I often have parents saying they didn’t know their child was capable of what they’ve achieved with us.”

That sense of pride in children and their parents could be how Mini Warriors has developed its reputation. There are pictures and demos at facebook.com/bootcampoadby and instagram.com/mini.warriors to see for yourself.

Got it made in the

Nothing completes your summer look like the right pair of shades. Sunglasses have been around since Roman times, but in the last 25 years, awareness of the dangers of UV light has made them more important than ever.

“It’s a growing problem,” says Anthony Clarke, owner of Clarke & Roskrow Styling Opticians in Market Harborough. “Climate change means it’s a problem that will become more prevalent. In the early part of the 20th century, English Chemist Sir William Crookes realised that ultraviolet light could damage the eyes, and so he created the first pair of sunglasses with a UV filter. These would protect the eyes and periocular tissue from damage.

“Fast forward another 40-50 years, and that’s when sunglasses really took off as a fashion accessory, thanks to the likes of designers like Coco Chanel and movie stars such as Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, thereby creating their rise in popularity.”

While we’ve known about the dangers of UV light for a century, it may seem surprising that it’s only been in the last quarter century that the importance of

good quality sunglasses has been emphasised.

“If you go to Continental Europe – Italy, for example –everyone wears sunglasses, all the time. Here, the weather is generally drearier, so people easily dismiss the need for sunglasses, but that’s a misnomer. When we ask clients: ‘Do you wear sunglasses,’ the common response is: ‘Yes, but only if it’s really bright.’

“UV light can affect us in three main ways. One of the biggest causes of sight loss in the over-70s is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and exposure to UV light is one of its main contributors. Another is cataracts. Like grey hair and wrinkles, they’re a fact of life –we’ll all develop cataracts if we live long enough – but UV light can result in them developing earlier. And the third way is skin cancer.

“Five to 10 per cent of all skin cancers affect the eyelids or soft tissue around the eyes. A quality pair of polarised sunglasses can help to reduce the risk of all these issues.”

Sunglasses aren’t just for your holidays or sunny summer days. They’re highly important

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CAUSES OF SIGHT LOSS IN THE OVER-70S IS AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD), AND EXPOSURE TO UV LIGHT IS ONE OF ITS MAIN CONTRIBUTORS

to your long-term eye health, and even if you’re just spending the day in – or driving through –Leicestershire, they should still be part of your day-to-day life.

“I wear sunglasses all year round unless it’s dark or raining. Even the low winter sun can be damaging, causing problems with glare, which can be made worse with wet road surfaces. Polarised sunglasses can help eliminate that, making your vision clearer and more comfortable.”

Clarke & Roskrow host an annual event to showcase their newest range of sunglasses. Their most recent sunglasses showcase was held in May.

“It’s an opportunity to show off all the latest styles, models, and colours. We’re joined by one of our brand ambassadors who’s very knowledgeable about the subject, and we have a party atmosphere for a couple of days!

If the weather’s good, we have drinks in the courtyard at the back of the practice, so it’s very sociable and relaxed.”

For more information about Clarke & Roskrow’s services go to clarkeandroskrow.co.uk, or call 01858 462 996, their sunglasses collection is available all year round.

When it comes to eye care, a good pair of sunglasses is more than a fashion accessory. We uncover the history and science behind them, and why you should be wearing them more often –even here in Leicester WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

Alternative Business Awards 2023

The parody take on the formal industry awards gala returned for its fifth year in June. Here’s the full list of winners of the Alternative Business Awards

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH AND TOM YOUNG

Held at Hotel Brooklyn Leicester, the Alternative Business Awards 2023 was hosted again by comedian Patrick Monahan, who packed a load of laughs into the pastiche ceremony and even managed a crowd-surf through the audience.

Known for its caricature-style version of the more regular business award events, the showcase provides an opportunity for the Leicestershire business community to show their fun side, raise funds to support the work of charity Big Difference which runs the event, and reward and celebrate individuals and groups in a number of comical award categories.

Part of the 30th Anniversary year for Leicester Comedy Festival, The Alternative Business Awards 2023 was supported by associate sponsors ER Recruitment Ltd and Red Monkey Play. Niche Magazine served as media partner for this year’s event.

Michael Harris-Wakelam, new CEO of the Big Difference Company, said: “The Alternative Business Awards started as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek idea amongst some of our local business partners, but has grown into one of our most eagerly anticipated events every time it is hosted.

“We are very grateful to the dedicated panel of judges, sponsors and business partners who supported the event and helped to raise vital funds for Big Difference Company in the process. To be able to have so many of Leicester’s businesses join together for the night has been brilliant and we were delighted to be able to present awards to so many deserving winners.”

Award categories are suggested and sponsored by local businesses, with nominations submitted from across Leicester’s professional community.

“Bringing humour into our challenging day-to-day lives is critical for developing resilience,” said award category sponsor Sarah Higgins. “Coming together to share joyful moments means that we get to deeply connect, inspire, share and reflect. All of these things are important in our organisations.

“It impacts how we lead and influence others as well, maintains our mental health, develops wellbeing and brings more happiness into our own lives. This is why I have loved being part of the Alternative Business Awards for the last four years running.”

The winners represent the diverse community of businesses in Leicestershire. Here they are…

And the winners are...

Sponsored by Juice

ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS PERSON

The person who has a quirky approach to business

WINNER: Darren Bradbury - Protection Specialist

Sponsored by Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching

GLASS HALF FULL

The person who is forever the optimist

JOINT WINNERS: Nathan Smith – Mattioli Woods

Femi Latif – Femi Beauty

Sponsored by Torr Waterfield

FUN WHERE YOU’D LEAST EXPECT IT

The group/person who create fun where you’d least expect it

WINNER: Iain McKenzie - Mattioli Woods

Sponsored by Pattersons Commercial Law

TEAM WITH THE ‘ROAR’ FACTOR

The team who have worked together to achieve something really special

WINNER: Help the Homeless Leicester - Arif Voraji

Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber

IN AT 9, GONE BY 5

The most productive person

WINNER: Bethany Grundy - PPL PRS

Sponsored by Jerroms Miller Specialist Tax SARTORIAL ELOQUENCE

For the snappiest dresser on the Leicester Business Scene

JOINT WINNERS: Dyneshia Johnson - DMU

Satwinder Sidhu - Paradigm Wills & Legal Services

Sponsored by Furnley House

SOCIAL MEDIA STAR

For the greatest piece of business social media

WINNER: Trace Voss - Hope Against Cancer

Sponsored by Mark J Rees

TOP TABLE FAVOURITE

The person who’s always at every event

WINNERS: Jaz Kaur & Narinder Singh Nijjar - Fraser Stretton

Sponsored by ER Recruitment Ltd and Red Monkey Play Equipment

CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY

For the person/team who brings the biggest smiles

WINNER: Andrea Gray – PPL PRS

Sponsored by Chutney Ivy Restaurant

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

The businessperson who likes it spicy & who you’ll most often find networking in our favourite curry restaurant

JOINT WINNERS: Ian Caldwell - Menphys

Priti Coles - Craniosacral Therapist

Sponsored by Red Monkey Play

DOUBLE TROUBLE

The pair who are the most mischief when working together

WINNER: Maz & Paz Patel - Scope Construction

Sponsored by Pukaar Group

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

The new business/business executive who has made an impact

WINNER: Matthew & Michelle Williams - Meesh Consulting

Sponsored by Niche Magazine

CONTENT CATALYST

For the strategic storyteller who creates compelling content to connect and spark debate

WINNER: Christina Wigmore - Soft Touch Arts (Punk Rage & Revolution)

Major must-see exhibition celebrates

subculture

The team behind the successful 2019 exhibition ‘Mods: Shaping a Generation’ brings you ‘Punk: Rage & Revolution’ this summer

Punk: Rage & Revolution tells the story of the 1970s UK Punk scene through original objects, clothing, information panels and ephemera. The exhibition kicked off in May and will run until September 23.

The main events will be held at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery and New Walk-based charity Soft Touch Arts, but it won’t stop there. Soft Touch Arts, Arch Creative and Shaun Knapp have been collecting memories and memorabilia from people who were part of the ’70s Punk scene and working with young people across Leicester to curate a multi-sensory exhibition.

“Our museums play a vital role in capturing and sharing stories that reflect the lives of local people,”

Deputy City Mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said, “so, I’m delighted that Leicester Museum & Art Gallery is to host this celebration of the Punk movement and what It meant to people in Leicester

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

who were part of it.”

Christina Wigmore from Soft Touch Arts said: “As well as having a nostalgic connection which will appeal to people across age ranges and cultures, this project has been an opportunity for young people to explore activism through art, media, fashion and music.”

The exhibition uncovers successful Leicester creatives that inspired or were part of the scene, such as Joe Orton, Roger K Burton, Steve Pyke, Stephane Raynor, Helen Robinson, David Parkinson and Juliana Sissons. It will feature iconic clothing from Roger K Burton’s world-class collection of Dame Vivienne Westwood Punk-era designs. A must-see for those interested in youth culture, fashion, music, art, the DIY culture of punk, and the influence and legacy this anti-establishment subculture has left behind.

Social history author Shaun Knapp said: “Punk was all about attitude which in itself informed its ideology

– be it fashion, art or music – and I’m looking forward to seeing how the young people of today engage with the punks from the 1970s to interpret one of the most fascinating and influential youth subcultures this country has seen.”

Simon Jenner, BID Leicester commented: “This will be an exciting exhibition and tie-in weekend festival that celebrates the colour, vibrancy, and energy of the punk scene, offering a series of events for people to enjoy across a range of city centre venues. As well as offering something new to the public, the exhibition and festival will provide a boost to footfall and sales for our businesses.”

Funders of the project include National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund, BID Leicester, Leicester City Council, PPL PRS and De Montfort University. Go to rageandrevolution.co.uk to keep up to date with the project.

The Music Room

Top music festivals for your diary in the summer of 2023

Festival season is nearly upon us and here at the Niche offices we are VERY excited. We are airing our tents, shaking out the waterproofs and digging out the wellies (and sunglasses!). The summer music festival is no longer for those that can manage to get a ticket for Glastonbury – there are loads of others out there and here in Leicester we have some great festivals to ensure you get your fill of festival fun.

SPLENDOUR FESTIVAL

July 22-23

Nottinghamshire

Splendour Festival is Nottinghamshire’s biggest festival. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Wollaton Hall & Deer Park, attendees can enjoy five stages of music that spans all genres. Splendour line-ups are always a wonderful mix of acts that can be enjoyed by the whole family and this year Madness, Sugababes and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are set to perform.

Camping is great here too with a really nice friendly atmosphere in gorgeous countryside. Furthermore, in a unique way to help make the festival available for all this year there is a payment plan, available across all ticket types to allow ticket buyers to split the cost across monthly instalments right up until the festival.

Alongside the music, you can expect comedy, a funfair, a silent disco, independent market stalls, an array of gourmet food and drink, a dedicated kids’ area, and fringe activities to celebrate 15 years of the festival.

Y NOT FESTIVAL

July 28 – 30

Derbyshire

WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

manner of fun and frolics, with magic meadows and whole arenas abounding with a myriad of screen-free activities for kids of all ages.

The beautiful Derbyshire countryside will host Y Not Festival again and we’ll be there. The festival, which started as an open-air rave, sold out early in 2022 so be sure to get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

So far headliners include Royal Blood, Kasabian, Paul Weller and Bombay Bicycle Club headline, with many more acts announced on the bill including Niche favourites Everything Everything and Red Rum Club.

The main stage plays host to some of the biggest indie bands around, but it caters for a wide range of music tastes with the Quarry stag. And if you like your rock to be heavy, The Giant Squid has a selection of punk and metal bands to appeal to the moshers.

Whilst music’s at its heart, there’s comedy and cabaret throughout the weekend, and even a cinema if all the partying gets too much.

There’s plenty at this site by way of fun for the whole family too with activities, workshops and even a family-friendly rave!

CAMP BESTIVAL

August 17 – 20

Shropshire

Camp Bestival, Shropshire will take place in Weston Park’s immaculate grounds designed by England’s greatest gardener Capability Brown.

A wonderland of expansive green spaces, luxuriant lawns, verdant parkland, and enchanting woodlands, festivalgoers can enjoy a host of family treats from the famous kids’ gardens. It’ll be jam-packed with action and all

Camp Bestival is one of the country’s favourite festivals and is six-time winner of the UK Festival Awards Best Family Festival, including theatre, wellbeing workshops, circus spectacles, sideshow commotions, and comedy.

A great festival for foodies too, there’s lashings of incredibly delicious food and drink and the very finest in outdoor living from spacious general camping, Camping Plus and Backstage Camping, through to decadent boutique offerings, campervans, caravans and beyond.

No Camp Bestival would be complete without an epic line-up stretching all the way from legendary heavyweights to some of the most exciting up and coming acts around.

ON

Journeys Festival

LCD Depot

Culture and community events

WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

Indian Summer

Jubilee Square

July 21-23

An Indian Summer was born to share the sights, sounds and wonders of South Asia in the heart of Britain. Celebrating the shared culture between the Indian subcontinent and the UK – nurturing exciting artistic collaborations and educating people from all walks of life about the past, present and future of our global community. Established in 2011, the festival has constantly pushed the boundaries of what a contemporary South Asian Mela should be. A particular highlight includes musician Nitin Sawhney’s performance at Curve Theatre on July 23.

Leicester Pride

Victoria Park

September 2

Leicester Pride is Leicester’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) festival, held at the beginning of September each year. The event is free to attend and celebrates equality and diversity in our community. Leicester Pride is a family event with entertainment and attractions suitable for all ages. The event starts at 12 noon with a parade through the city centre leading to the festival site.

The streets of Leicester’s city centre will be filled with outdoor shows, circus, including the pictured circus theatre company Ockham’s Razor, dance, hiphop and disco bikes. People will be able to watch paintings spring to life, discover a blend of virtual reality and live performance or enjoy an urban safari as Journeys Festival International returns for an excellent weekend of free creative and cultural activity. Last year’s festival saw almost 15,000 people enjoy a host of free performances from across Europe on one of the hottest weekends of the year.

July 22- 23

The main stage features live singers, dance acts and cabaret from across the country whilst the DJ tent features the best local DJs. Previous acts include Sam Bailey, Blazing Squad, Lisa Lashes, Keiron Richardson, PJ Brennan, Diva Fever, Addict Dance, Miss Penny, Ms Marty, Thunderpussy and many more. There’s food, a fair-ground and plenty of games to entertain too! The event is attended by more 10,000 people each year with more than 2,000 taking part in the parade through the city.

Caribbean Carnival

Victoria Park

Soul II Soul

August 5

Leicester Caribbean Carnival is a lively and vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture and heritage. It’s one of the largest Caribbean Carnivals in all of the UK. The celebration evolved from the city’s unique mix of Caribbean cultures and is a celebration of all things Caribbean – food, music, dance, arts, crafts and more. Expect plenty of music and celebration in the streets of Leicester.

School of Rock Theatre Show

The Little Theatre

October 10-14

Based on the hit film, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bassslapping, mind-blowing rock band. While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.

DeMontfort Hall

November 3

During the course of their stellar career, the band have sold over 10 million albums worldwide. With huge hits including ‘Keep On Movin’ (which sold over a million copies in the US alone) and the UK number one single ‘Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)’, Soul II Soul progressed from being one of the leaders of the 1980’s warehouse scene to pioneering British black music around the world, and securing commercial success for themselves and the huge amount of artists they have influenced.

Heart of the nation: Migration and the making of the NHS

Leicester Museum and Art Gallery

October 29-30

The NHS is close to all our hearts. From the very beginning, people have come to Britain from all over the world to make this grand vision for a better society a reality. The NHS would not have become the beloved institution it is today without its international workers. But their vital role has largely been ignored. Heart of the Nation: Migration and the Making of the NHS puts this vital story at centre stage through oral histories and archival materials, as well as art, animations and data visualisations. Now, more than ever, it’s a story that needs to be told.

A gift shop with soul

Supporting some seriously talented local artisans and suppliers, this gift shop is making waves here in Leicester

WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

Local gift shop Karma Corner Gifts, located in Clarendon Park, brings unique and often one-off hand-crafted pieces and designs to Leicester consumers.

Karma Corner owner and homeware lover Sally Birch opened the shop last year after receiving a loan from the Sir Thomas White Loan Charity in a bid to support local Leicestershire craftspeople and suppliers.

With a unique eye for items that make great affordable gifts for others and customers’ own homes alike, the shop provides that sweet spot of finding it tricky to part with the gift you bought for someone else because you want it for yourself.

Offering many hand-made,

unusual and original designs, Sally hand picks everything and supports emerging talent that often isn’t stocked anywhere else locally. She said: “I love to know the story behind my products. The artist or supplier receives an income, and the consumer gets something unique to suit a range of budgets. I don’t sell anything I wouldn’t personally buy!”

Already award-winning and nominated for a Niche Magazine Business Award, Sally said: “Awards aren’t my motivation for the business. Of course, that said, I can’t help but get excited! Being part of our local community, it’s really important and fuels the business.

“I am delighted I took the leap with the shop. If you want something bad

enough, you just have to be brave, put your heart and soul into it and be true to yourself. I really enjoy connecting with my customers in person and through social media! I love my shop, my stockists and my community.”

You can’t miss the shop itself –beautifully bright and aesthetically appealing. Venture down to see for yourself, you won’t leave the Clarendon Park store empty handed.

We sampled three courses at restaurateur Cassie Davison’s pub, which serves home-made classics, quality cocktails, artisan coffee, and where staff are kind and dogs are welcome

WORDS BY JENNY CROSS

Reviewed: The Gate Hangs Well Syston

Taking time out to spend with a loved one and enjoying a nice meal in a pub can have a positive impact on one’s wellbeing. It allows for social connection and relaxation, which can reduce stress and promote happiness.

I had the pleasure of eating at Cassie Davison’s place over in Syston, back in May. The dogfriendly Gate Hangs Well has a diverse menu. With so many options, we eventually opted for Bubble and Squeak Bon Bons, Baked Rosemary Camembert with sourdough bread chorizo olives and onion chutney, and Korean pork belly with apple and blackberry salad to start.

For mains – again, such a wide variety, which made it hard to choose – you know it’s going to be good when you worry about missing out if you make the wrong choice! After much deliberation, we took the plunge and for mains ordered Parmesan Crusted Chicken Schnitzel with apple slaw, fried egg and fries, and the Beef Burger with Brie and Bacon that came on a charcoal sesame bun with fries. It did not disappoint! The portion size was generous and it was all presented particularly well.

We were served by Mollie and Amber, who were attentive, friendly, professional and at all times embraced that home-fromhome feel. It’s one thing getting great food, but when eating out there is so much more to consider. The atmosphere, the service and the surroundings

all contribute to a large part of the experience. We were served by a team who clearly took great pride in their work and totally understood the roles they played in making this an experience.

Sat next to the open fire, the whole evening provided a huge sense of enjoyment and

WE WERE SERVED BY A TEAM WHO CLEARLY TOOK GREAT PRIDE IN THEIR ROLES

satisfaction. Spending quality time with a loved one can improve social connectedness and overall happiness. A welcoming, comforting environment, such as the one The Gate Hangs Well provides, can enhance that time spent together.

I don’t even know where to start when it comes to dessert! It all looked so very enticing. It was the Cornflake Tart with pouring cream and strawberries that won for us in the end. Heavenly!

Of all the places I’ve eaten at over the past years, The Gate Hangs Well in Syston is right up there. This is a must visit for anyone who wants to take some time out to enjoy a truly amazing meal with friends or family.

See what all our fuss is about here: thegatesyston. co.uk/menus and check out the dishes discussed in this review.

Chutney Ivy: The heart of the cultural quarter

Niche journalist Emily Miller nipped into locally celebrated restaurant Chutney Ivy to discover why it’s the place to be

Situated in the centre of Leicester, Chutney Ivy offers a contemporary Indian dining experience. The award-winning restaurant is at the beating heart of Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, drawing in theatre-goers, professionals attending corporate events, and passers-by.

Nestled amongst their neighbours – including Curve and the city’s newest leisure destination, Sixes Social Cricket – Chutney Ivy presents itself as the ideal venue to start or end your evening out.

Offering a high-end dining experience, Chutney Ivy has become known for its mouth-watering traditional dishes served alongside specials including giant Jinghwa Prawns, Goan Fish Curry and newly added Coronation King Korma.

Theatre-goers can begin their night in style with a four-course pre-theatre

menu available daily from 5pm - 6.30pm. Guests attending parties at Chutney Ivy can hire the basement bar with private entrance, drinks reception and varied menu options.

For those who work in the city centre, their impressive lunchtime menu is two-course and includes a drink – a very reasonable way to enjoy a lunchtime business meeting. With a warm welcome and exceptional service, the restaurant offers far more than just an excellent menu.

Restaurant Director, Shaf Islam, shared with me: “I have always held the belief that my team and I treat the restaurant floor like their very own large living room. How they would treat guests in their own home – that’s how we treat diners.

“There has to be the right balance when it comes to owning a restaurant.

No one dines out for the food alone, the surroundings and above all the hospitality have to be just as important to keep diners coming back time and time again.”

See the menu and book a table at chutneyivy.com.

EVERARDS MEADOWS OPEN TILL 9PM WEEKDAYS

Join

Everards

jennos.co.uk

Find

The Theatre Little SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Help us reach our £2m target to extend The Little Theatre and enhance our impact on the local community

A verbal announcement prior to each LDS main house show

A display area available in the upper foyer

Sponsor’s logo or name on the website, show posters, programmes, brochures

6 vouchers for tickets for a show of your choice.

EXTENSION OPPORTUNITIES

Naming rights to our brand new rehearsal rooms, studio and building

Conferencing and catering packages

Year-round room and tech hire

Engraved plaques on auditorium seating

Etched stars displayed in our bar

Promote your business while supporting the local arts

Take out an advert created by a professional designer in our show programmes

Visible to an audience of over 25,000 patrons a year

Sponsorship packages can be varied to suit your own aims and budget. Please contact jenny.harding@thelittletheatre.co.uk for more information.

SAVE THE DATE 21 September 2023

Each year VAL’s Annual Conference Future Focus brings together Leicester and Leicestershire’s charity sector to share insight, collaborate and celebrate the past year working in our sector. Delegates can engage in a range of workshops on key topics affecting the sector, share ideas and innovation and be inspired by stories.

This year’s conference will be taking place on: Thursday 21 September at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, Loughborough LE12 8TX.

 helpline@valonline.org.uk

 @valonline

For updates on the event, workshop details and how to book, follow us on social media or check out our website on:

valonline.org.uk

Why a CSR focus on mental health is good business

Increasingly, businesses look to create value, not just for owners or shareholders, but also for wider stakeholders. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming a critical means of achieving this.

Of the many causes that businesses can support, community mental health links CSR with the core function of HR.

As businesses, we all employ people from our local communities. One in six of these people – our people – will experience a common mental health disorder. Current pressures of everyday life are increasing the volumes and complexities of mental health needs. The implications for employers include reductions in engagement and productivity, increases in absence and loss of valuable skills through higher staff turnover.

For the people affected, it can feel impossible to get the right support. A community mental health advocacy charity, such as Lamp, provides the navigation and support to empower someone to rebuild their life after experiencing mental health issues. By supporting Lamp through CSR, your business is actively helping people rebuild their lives and return to work to make a full contribution to your organisation and to the community. CSR complements the work of your HR department.

There are many ways in which your business can help Lamp to help the people in your community to help your people. You can organise simple

fundraising events such as a quiz or curry night, a sponsored walk or run, an odd sock or wear-ahat day. Some businesses that organise such events matchfund the contributions made by staff, customers and suppliers.

The value from CSR activity is not just about enabling a charity’s front-line services. A CSR commitment to mental health also helps to raise much needed awareness of the issues that affect people and how they can get support. As a society, we are much better at understanding our own and others’ wellbeing.

But it can still be very difficult to talk about some common mental health disorders. A CSR commitment to mental health works to remove some of the associated barriers. It helps break down taboos and encourages openness. This makes addressing mental health issues easier in the long run. Like all challenges, openness is at the heart of problem solving.

There is also a preventative value from CSR activity focused on mental health. There is a treasure trove of compelling evidence showing the wellbeing and mental health benefits of being involved with a worthwhile cause. Whether as volunteers or fundraisers, event organisers or participants, staff feel more engaged with employers – and so experience better wellbeing –if they share a common (nonwork) cause. Improved wellbeing translates to a reduced risk of escalation of mental health problems, to improved

motivation and ultimately, to improved job performance.

Community mental health is a valuable cause to support. By supporting Lamp, you are supporting your people at work, at home and in the community. And you are making a sound business decision.

Niche readers can email vickistanding@lampdirect.org.uk to find out more about adopting Lamp as your Charity of the Year, joining the Business Club, Mental Health First Aid Training and other CSR opportunities.

The purpose of business is to create value, says CEO of mental health charity

Lamp. Richard Kotulecki talks to Niche about how to create value through corporate social responsibility

BY SUPPORTING LAMP THROUGH CSR, YOUR BUSINESS IS ACTIVELY HELPING PEOPLE REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND RETURN TO WORK

Supporting Leicester’s community

At a time when our communities are struggling more than ever with the cost-of-living crisis, The Zinthiya Trust is doing all it can to help combat poverty

Founded by Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, The Zinthiya Trust provides support for women and girls experiencing or at risk of all types of abuse including psychological, physical, sexual, financial or coercive control.

However, the support extends further through to all of Leicester’s most vulnerable communities of any background or gender.

According to figures released by End Child Poverty Coalition, there are over 30,000 children in Leicester living below the poverty line and this is only increasing. Leicester saw the biggest increase in child poverty in the East Midlands, and one of the highest in the country overall.

Parents of those children have

access to vital support and advice to help people to reduce household bills, maximise income, deal with problem debt, improve financial skills, improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel and food poverty, and apply for grants through The Zinthiya Trust. All these things are crucial to the community in Leicester at a time when poverty levels are dangerously high.

The community shop is an initiative of the Trust and provides reduced food and sanitary products for those that need it, no matter their background or gender. “The community shop was established in 2016 and we have helped countless individuals to deal with hardship, “Zinthiya shared.

“We are seeing families and individuals needing our support more

than ever before including those in work. The levels of poverty in our community is truly worrying and we encourage those that need help to reach out to us.”

Discover the impact that the trust has had on the local community at zinthiyatrust.org/our-impact.

The cost-of-living crisis is a shared experience You’re not alone Call us to talk

Grime opera announced for Highcross Shopping Centre

Classical and grime music aren’t two genres you’d typically place side by side. Divided by stereotype, a youth charity is breaking barriers to join the two in holy music matrimony with a Grime Opera

WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

Arts and education charity

Pedestrian is setting the stage to combine two distinct music genres. The charity’s young people will perform ‘Grown: A Grime Opera’ live at Highcross Shopping Centre on November 4.

Music can be a catalyst for change, a powerful way to reflect on experience, share passions, develop creativity and, in the case of Pedestrian’s grime opera, break down social barriers.

With a fusion of grime and classical music, Leicestershire’s ‘Grime Opera’ is the second landmark music event of its kind and features young musicians from Pedestrian alongside Leicestershire Music, Drum and Brass ‘No Bars’ orchestra, and National Youth Jazz Orchestra, funded by Arts Council England.

Debbie Longley-Brown, Project Development Manager at Pedestrian told us: “We would love to see Grime and urban music given the same level pegging as classical music. It needs to be given some more gravitas. There’s a wonderful juxtaposition when putting those two things together and it’s events like these that break down the barriers that suggest each specific genre should only be for its typical audience.”

The grime-opera originated in Essex in 2017 when music producer Max Wheeler, Grime artist Eyez and Essex Music Hub lead Charley Richardson developed an event involving original rap music from a schoolbased project, combined with instrumental players. On the back of its success, Pedestrian got involved to bring the project to Leicester. In 2020, a group of young singers, rappers from Pedestrian and musicians from Leicestershire Music Service came together during the pandemic to create an online performance of one suite from the opera, ‘Here and Now’.

Pedestrian tutor and rapper Tian AKA TM is behind the revival and has arranged new lyrics to be written with fellow local artist Strizzy Strauss to coincide with Leicester’s culture and Tian’s upbringing.

Debbie added: “The score is the original but our talented musicians have been working together to make it their own by writing new lyrics. The project is multi-faceted, with filmmakers and musicians at Pedestrian all playing valuable roles.”

An added element of intrigue is also the performance venue. The grime opera will take place

OTHER CITIES CAN FOLLOW LEICESTER’S LEAD AFTER SEEING HIGHCROSS REPURPOSE ITS RETAIL SPACE LIKE THIS

in the disused Topshop building, kindly donated by Highcross Leicester, the impact of which is two-fold. Opening up store spaces in this way positions Leicester as an innovative and modern city and a role model to others looking to diversify their income and fulfil their corporate social responsibility. The venue also opens the performance up to the high footfall of the shopping centre, appealing to those who may not have engaged with the music genres before.

“Other cities can follow Leicester’s lead after seeing Highcross repurpose its retail spaces like this. And this unique venue allows us to reach a new audience who might have thought that theatre and performance is not necessarily for them.”

To ensure there are no barriers to experiencing this great opportunity, ‘pay what you can’ tickets are on sale via EventBrite – search ‘The Grime Opera’. Look out for their performance in Highcross Shopping Centre on November 4.

A business hub for all

Support systems are vital when it comes to starting a business, social enterprise or community project. Charity founder Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan knows this first-hand

WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

Acommunity space for budding entrepreneurs and enterprises can offer numerous benefits. It can provide a sense of belonging and support, knowledge and a beginner’s toolkit to create the perfect springboard for success.

And, in the case of the She Inspires Community Hub, an initiative set up by Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, the city centre hub in Leicester offers a social space for people starting a business or community business. It provides low-cost room hire and a wide range of resources, such as business advice, funding advice and educational workshops as well as a supportive network of others.

“Business can be a lonely place and there can feel like so many barriers to get through. This is why I believe that creating a community space and support group for men and women entrepreneurs is crucial for their success and growth no matter their background,” Zinthiya told me.

“It starts with creating a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences and seeking advice. It’s also important to offer mentorship and guidance to help people overcome the challenges when setting up any organisation.”

The revenue generated by the company at the Hub is then reinvested into building the capacity of

women-led organisations to improve the lives of women and children affected by poverty and violence in developing countries.

Zinthiya invites you to experience the community space and hub for yourself allowing you to get support and help in business whilst enabling services for those who need it worldwide. To get involved visit sheinspiresglobal.org.uk.

Supporting social entrepreneurs through training and capacity building to increase impact and sustainability

All Profits go toward providing opportunities for women and children in the developing world

“Zinthiya guided us through the process of setting up our organisation and was available to answer all the questions we had. I don’t have words to express her kindness, honesty and generosity.”

Mahesh - founder of Hope against poverty CIC

sheinspiresglobal@gmail.com

14 Northampton Street Leicester LE1 1PA

“Thank you so much Zinthiya for delivering the entrepreneur workshop for our beneficiaries. Also a massive thank you to the mentoring you provide to our organisation”

Sushma Sharma, Founder of Women Can Nepal

Teamwork Partnership’s mental health charity golf day

WORDS BY KERRY SMITH

Local businesses partnered with Leicestershire-based mental health advocacy charity Lamp to host a fundraising golf day in June, which raised £3460 Recruitment agency Teamwork Partnership hosted the event and marketing agency Cross Productions was the headline sponsor the golf day, which was held on June 14 at Lingdale Golf Course in Leicestershire.

Richard Kotulecki, Lamp’s CEO added: “We’re very grateful to Teamwork Partnership for choosing to raise money for Lamp and to Cross Productions for being our headline sponsor. We hope the day has raised awareness of the importance of looking after your mental health too.”

On average, it costs Lamp around £750 to navigate someone through the complexities of mental health and empower them to rebuild their life after experiencing mental ill-health.

Proceeds from the charity golf tournament will be donated by Teamwork Partnership to Lamp to help the charity deliver mental health advocacy services to service users across Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

Jenny Cross, CEO of Cross Productions said: “Mental health

is incredibly important for overall wellbeing and quality of life. As we are all very much aware, our mental health affects how we think, feel, and behave, and can have a significant impact on our daily lives.

“I believe employers have a responsibility to support their teams’ mental health by creating a safe and supportive work environment, offering resources for mental health support, and promoting work-life balance.

“Cross Productions has supported Lamp in a number of ways over the past few years and are proud to become headline sponsor for this year’s Teamwork Partnership charity golf day where Lamp is the chosen beneficiary.

“Having worked alongside Teamwork Partnership since their inception, we felt it was a perfect fit working alongside friends, colleagues and business associates whose values are aligned, demonstrating a commitment to supporting mental health and wellbeing within their community.”

Other sponsors of the golf day include Dodds Solicitors; Sturgess Hutchinson; Royal Mail; Electrical Projects; Face Watch; LMP Legal; Invictus Comms; IQA; Rowleys Group; Agenda Partnership; Hlegal; Lithgo Press; Evolve Display; and Foxes Recruitment.

A great turnout was had for Lamp as mental health advocates from local businesses gathered to support the charity at Lingdale Golf Course

Leicestershire Law Society Awards 2023

Ten companies and professionals became winners of a set of exclusive awards at the Moroccan-themed Leicestershire Law Society

Awards 2023 at Winstanley House on Friday, May 19.

Organised and presented by Leicestershire Law Society’s (LLS) first president of African heritage, Gina Samuel-Richards kept the list of winners completely under wraps, even from herself, so she too could delight in the winner’s announcement.

Gina said: “After meeting the finalists at this year’s announcement event in the Nelsons offices, I understood the calibre of the contenders and the difficulty of the task that our judges had ahead of them. I was ecstatic to hear who the winners were and to share those special moments with them.”

Michael Hanney CEO and Co-Founder of ReviewSolitiors, which was the headline sponsor of the event, said: “By celebrating outstanding achievements and promoting transparency, the awards not only inspire legal professionals to pursue excellence but also foster trust and confidence among clients seeking legal services.”

LARGE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

Smith Partnership

SMALL LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by KCH Garden Square

Josiah Hincks

JUNIOR SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by University of Leicester

Marcus Blakelock, Weightmans LLP

TRAINEE/PARALEGAL

Sponsored by De Montfort University

Chloe Lake, Wilson Browne Solicitors

SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Madeleine Ingall, Parity Legal

CHAMBERS OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by DG Legal

2 New Street Chambers

SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR

Rakesh Veja, Thaliwal & Veja Solicitors

LEGAL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by AGR Law

Ahmed Mangera, Weightmans LLP

BARRISTER OF THE YEAR

Mr Oliver Nunn, KCH Garden Square

PRESIDENT’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mukesh Patel (1969-2023)

Real Entrepreneurs Awards 2023

May saw the second annual Real Entrepreneurs Awards, sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group, held at Nottingham Trent University Business School. The event was compèred by BBC Radio Leicester’s Jo Hayward.

The RE Awards celebrate entrepreneurship across the East Midlands, with categories to highlight innovation, collaboration, and international success, amongst others.

This year’s event introduced the pitching platform – an opportunity for the owners of relatively new businesses to pitch themselves to the room, ahead of a vote that determined which pitcher would receive a non-executive board to help advance their business. This board consisted of Rik Pancholi (Pattersons Commercial Law), Jenny Cross (Cross Productions), Paul Bevan (Breeze Corporate Finance) and Ian Cooper (Brewin Dolphin).

Despite excellent pitches from Marc Rowley (H.I.T Leadership) and Simon Sansome (Snowball Community Ltd), the winner was Kate Allan of ExpHand Prosthetics – a company which produces revolutionary, fully customisable, 3D-printed artificial arms for children.

START-UP ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by University of Leicester

Natalie Bamford – Colleague Box

ENTREPRENEURIAL COLLABORATOR

Sponsored by Breeze Corporate Finance Ltd

Amanda Daly – The Insight Centre

ENTREPRENEUR FOR GOOD

Sponsored by TML Solicitors

Stacey Wragg – Embark CSR

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

Sponsored by Take Me

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan – The Zinthiya Trust

INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Utilities Made Simple Gurdev Mattu – Fashion UK

FOOD & DRINK ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by BTT

Greta McDonald – Sweet Lounge

INNOVATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Sponsored by Midlands Engine Investment Fund

Lee Paxman-Clarke – HEAL.med

ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATOR

Sponsored by Premier Logistics

Nav Ahmed – Arden University

SCALE-UP ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin

Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE

THE ENTREPRENEUR’S ENTREPRENEUR

Sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group

Kate Allan – ExpHand Prosethtics

LOROS Annual Lunch 2023

In May, Niche was invited to attend the LOROS Annual Lunch. Previously the Ladies Lunch, this was the first year that men had also been invited to attend.

The event raised over £19,000 for terminally ill patients and their families across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Held at Winstanley House, the lunch raises funds to support the work of the Leicestershire hospice charity. Following a two-course lunch, the 200 attendees were treated to a talk by Richard Griffin LVD, who served for over a decade as the Queen’s personal protection officer (and other members of the royal family before her, including Princes Philip and Edward). He had many amusing stories to share about his time at her late Majesty’s side.

There was also a selection of market stalls from independent local retailers, with offerings including jewellery, skin care treatments, crystals and candles, and clothing. Further fundraising opportunities included a raffle and the ever-popular Heads and Tails.

Money raised from the LOROS Annual Lunch directly helps terminally ill patients and their families in our community.

LOROS and its supporters host a range of fundraising events throughout the year, listed at loros.co.uk/events, including pub quizzes, golf days, picnics, and concerts.

Follow our directory of local businesses, alphabetised by industry

A-Z Directory

For over 10 years, readers have been calling the Niche hotline to ask for recommendations and introductions to some of our trusted and well-respected clients from the local community.

Leicester is a hub for business with over 32,000 calling it home and combined adding more than £19.4bn back into the economy whilst providing 435,000 jobs for its residents. We decided it’s time to bring you a full A-Z of excellence. In this essential guide to business, each letter has been represented by industry leaders who we believe are the crème de la crème, ranging from Aims Accounting all the way through to Twycross Zoo.

AIMS

AIMS Accountants for Business is the largest network of independent qualified accountants in the UK. Unique in our approach, we offer a full range of accountancy services focusing on SMEs. We pride ourselves on developing client relationships based on total transparency with free initial consultations and all fees agreed and fixed in advance with no meter running for calls, emails or short meetings. 0116 215 4700 | imran.sattar@aims.co.uk

BRANDING

CORPORATE SOLUTIONS

BESPOKE BENEFITS

We believe that your business’s greatest asset is your people and we want to help you to look after them. We are an employee benefits agency that advise and manage a range of benefits designed to keep employees healthy, effectively manage sickness and absence and improve employee engagement. Our experienced team have been in the industry for many years working with companies of every size and from every sector.

0116 502 0960 | hello@bespokebenefits.co.uk

CREATIVE 62

Graphic design plays a vital role in brand building, capturing attention and conveying a brand’s essence. It visually communicates values, messages, and identity, making a lasting impression on customers. Our team of skilled designers understands the power of aesthetics and creativity. With Creative62, your brand will be visually compelling, memorable, and stand out from the competition.

0116 275 2831 | creative62.com

PEDESTRIAN

Pedestrian uses arts and creativity to engage with young people, providing opportunities for education and training workshops designed to develop skills and build confidence. As a small charity, we rely on public funding and corporate donations, without which we wouldn’t be able to continue our great work. We’d love to work with you to help you achieve your ESG targets. Charity No. 1140032 07873 222676 | director@pedestrian.info

SARAH HIGGINS

Former HR Director and Author of ‘Power of Love Leadership®’, Sarah Higgins transforms your own, your team’s and organisational leadership through executive coaching, team coaching and training. Sarah brings you 28 years of experience, psychometrics and research from neuroscience, gives you practical and meaningful applications of her professional coaching and training techniques, and enables you to achieve your goals.

07748 657715 | sarah@corporatecoaching-sh.co.uk weloveleadership.com

SANAMENTE

Elevate your business with Strive Corporate Solution: a proactive approach to workplace mental fitness. Boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and enhance employee accountability. With practical tools and personalised support, cultivate a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce. Save on the bottom line whilst investing in your employees’ mental fitness. Join Strive today and watch your business prosper.

0116 340 0630 | hello@sanamente-hypnotherapy.co.uk sanamente-hypnotherapy.co.uk

GLENFIELD ELECTRICAL

If you’re looking for electrical services we can help. Whether it’s moneysaving solar panels & battery storage, EV charging, LED lighting, testing, maintenance - we do it all. When looking for contractors you want peace of mind and clarity over what you’re actually getting. Which is why our free quotes are always detailed and itemised.

0116 287 3226 | info@glenfieldelectrical.com glenfieldelectrical.com

ESTATE AGENTS

ELECTRICIAN EVENTS

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

FARM PARKS

KINGS REAL ESTATE

Kings Real Estate are often referred to as Leicester’s leading independent estate agent. We believe this is due to our excellent customer service and our willingness to go above and beyond for our clients. Our services include: traditional sales, lettings, and a modern method of auction.

0116 352 7012 | info@kingsestateuk.com kingsestateuk.com

SOLID STATE UK EVENTS

At Solid State UK Events and Furniture Hire, we look past the install of an event and seek to answer the long-term needs of our clients, offering an unmatched level of customer service in one convenient package. Covering the entire UK, our years of experience ensure seamless execution for weddings, corporate events, and conferences.

0116 288 5956 | info@solidstateuk.co.uk solidstateuk.co.uk

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

The University of Leicester School of Business delivers executive education to the business community through online distance-learning programmes including our multi-accredited Leicester MBA, bespoke courses designed to meet the requirements of organisations and funded support initiatives including Help to Grow: Management. We help businesses develop the vision to succeed and make a real impact on work and society.

0116 252 2167 | ulsb.business@le.ac.uk le.ac.uk/business-services

STOUGHTON GRANGE

Stoughton Grange Farm Park offers a chance to meet a range of farm animals. The park features a play area with swings, slides, sand pit, pedal tractors, a straw maze and barrel rides. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll around the land surrounding the farm, which includes a lakeside walk. It’s a perfect place for families to make unforgettable memories. stoughtongrangefarmpark.co.uk

EMERGENCY GLAZING

A trusted family business and your go-to supplier for all your glazing, home improvements, lock changing and more.

24 HOUR CALL OUT SERVICE for securing doors and windows. We also carry out all types of glazing work, from a small window to a large shop front.

07534 488929 | 0333 577 3338 sales@emergencyglazingleicester.co.uk

FOREST HILL GOLF & CONFERENCE CENTRE

NOT JUST A GOLFING VENUE. OPEN TO EVERYONE

Golfing societies welcome, restaurant & bars, Sunday lunches.

Function rooms to hire for weddings and events, conferences and corporate events, Christmas parties, 19 bay Toptracer driving range, with private suites, Driving range café.

01455 824 800 | admin@foresthillgolfclub.co.uk foresthillgolfclub.co.uk

Markfield Lane, Botcheston, Leicestershire LE9 9FH

WEATHERWISE SERVICES

We are passionate about creating safe spaces for businesses across the UK. Employers must protect the health, safety and welfare of all their employees, as well as the general public. Our services help our clients protect themselves from litigation and prosecution under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

0333 772 9525 | weatherwiseservices.co.uk

HELP TO GROW: MANAGEMENT, DMU

De Montfort University has been part of education in Leicester for more than 150 years. Today we continue to help businesses of all sizes who want to upskill their staff as well as individuals looking for skills to advance their career. Whether you’re looking for short courses or apprenticeship programmes, talk to us about how we can support you. businessservices@dmu.ac.uk

JAY WEBB

As an HR and IT consultancy service, we support organisations of all sizes in human resource management including contracts of employment, employee handbooks, employee relations, disciplinary management, organisational change, policy development, TUPE, redundancy, absence management, independent investigations, grievance handling, and mediation.

01509 216 395 | jaywebbconsultancy.co.uk

THOMPSON & RICHARDSON

Our extensive experience and knowledge in dealing with all aspects of commercial insurance arrangements, enable us to provide expert advice tailored to each client’s unique needs. Our strong relationships with insurers ensure access to competitive rates and comprehensive coverage options. We are focused on exceptional customer service, as we help our clients navigate the complexities of commercial insurance.

07766 915346 | tandr.co.uk

GIGA OPS

Giga Ops provides IT & Telecoms solutions and support services with a difference by translating IT issues into simple solutions –taking the headache away from your IT support needs and leaving you to do what you do best in your business. We’re based in the Midlands, where we have a proven track record for delivering reliable, trustworthy and cost-effective IT support services to SMEs. Take advantage of our FREE IT Review.

03300 10 10 98 | toinfo@giga-ops.com

CME LEICESTER LIMITED

CME has been a wholesale supplier of sterling silver jewellery for over 45 years, offering an ever-evolving range of over 6000 beautifully designed, non-branded jewellery products for every style. They sell only to trade with low minimum order quantities and the chance for retailers to brand the goods as their own, giving their customers the look and quality of branded jewellery at affordable prices.

0116 283 2240 | sales@cmejewellery.co.uk

cmejewellery.com

LEICESTER LINEN AND LAUNDRY

Leicester Linen and Laundry is a trusted commercial laundry company serving hotels, restaurants, spas and B&Bs throughout the Midlands. However big or small, we offer you a ‘try before you buy’ service. So, you not only know how good a product and service we supply, but you also get to feel what your clients feel first-hand.

0116 288 5956 | info@leicesterlinenlaundryltd.co.uk leicesterlinenlaundryltd.co.uk

VEHICLE CONSULTING LEICESTER LTD

The East Midland’s leading Car and Electric Vehicle Leasing Specialists. A family business with a decade of satisfied customers across the city, all benefitting from excellent customer service, knowledge, and the best lease deals available. With over 35 years in the automotive industry, we are the best people to contact for your next lease car.

07896 994168 | paul.stephenson@vehicleconsulting.com

07734 927274 | Jayne.stephenson@vehicleconsulting.com

OPTICIANS

HOLISTIC FAMILY MEDIATION & COACHING

Peaceful dispute resolution without court. Improve communication, make informed decisions on separation, divorce, children, property, finances, and more. Holistic Family Mediation & Coaching is an online solution supporting couples in conflict to secure positive outcomes with compassion and care. Save costs and emotional strain. Dignified approach to separation and divorce. Tools for happier, healthier lives. Book a free 15-minute discovery call with Sushma via our website. holsticfamilymediation.co.uk

AIRBORNE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS

Our independence gives us access to the whole market and a wide range of mortgage lenders and products, so there’s absolutely nothing ‘standard’ about our offering. We tailor our services to your specific circumstances. We take away the stress of finding a mortgage, using our expertise and knowledge to find you the very best product. kamlesh@airbornems.co.uk | airbornemortgagesolutions.co.uk

PPL PRS

TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS allows you to legally play music for employees or customers in your business through the radio, TV, other digital devices and live performances. After our business costs, all the music licence fees we collect go back to PPL and PRS for Music who then distribute the royalties to music creators they represent. pplprs.co.uk

1284

1284 works as your company’s own newsroom, writing press releases and planning content that really engages journalists. Shortlisted for Independent PR Practitioner of the Year, we’re a Loughboroughbased start-up staffed by experienced journalists with wide East Midlands networks. Contact us to get your comms resonating with B2B and news media.

01509 462 671 | 1284.co.uk

CLARKE & ROSKROW

A multi-award-winning, family-owned, independent boutique optician practice. Our mission is to provide our clients with an Effortless Eyewear Experience so they can look good and feel great about wearing glasses. We achieve consistently great results for our clients by removing the frustrations and difficulties they face when choosing glasses.

01858 462 996 | hello@clarkeandroskrow.co.uk

18 Church Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 7AA

PETE MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY

An experienced photographer specialising in commercial and event photography. Pete offers a range of services including headshots, commercial photographs for your website or social media and capturing the spirit of your event. Always putting people at ease in front of the camera, it’s a hassle-free process and he’ll bring his mobile studio to you. petemartinphotography.co.uk

CHALLENGE CONSULTING

Award-winning management and leadership training company with an enviable reputation for design and delivery of bespoke & accredited training. For ILM Leadership, Management and Coaching from Level 2 to Level 7, tailored to your requirements and delivered throughout the UK in-company, or book per person on published dates at our purposedesigned training centre in Nottinghamshire.

0115 955 1995 | admin@challengeconsulting.co.uk

REVIEWSOLICITORS

ReviewSolicitors is the UK’s largest legal review site. We work with over 3000 law firms nationwide and had over five million visitors coming to the site last year, either looking for a solicitor or confirming they were making the right choice before instructing. We help clients make informed decisions, increasing transparency in the legal industry. We also help law firms that provide a high level of service to promote themselves and bring in more clients.

0333 577 0206 | saleem.arif@reviewsolicitors.com

TRIDENT

At Trident, we understand the importance of SEO and digital marketing for your business to grow and succeed. That’s why we offer a resultsfocused SEO service to help you outrank your competitors. Our team of experienced digital strategists will develop and implement a customised SEO strategy, ensuring your business gets maximum visibility online. For a free SEO audit visit wearetrident.co.uk

01455 557 766 | info@wearetrident.co.uk

TML

We are a multi-disciplined Solicitors based in Leicester, with local and national coverage. In 2023, we celebrate 10 years of business, which allows us to remember the trusted methods of customer care alongside utilising new innovations in ways of working. TML delivers large business capabilities with a small business mentality.

0116 247 0022 | tml-solicitors.co.uk

JERROMS MILLER SPECIALIST TAX

Business advisers and accountants founded in 1972, we are a leading accountancy and business advisory practice in the region with over 130 employees. We work with over 4,000 individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, who stay in a long-term relationship with us because they trust us to give them the best advice.

0121 693 5000 | jerroms.co.uk

BTT

BTT has been a technology solutions provider for over 27 years. We offer the full spectrum of solutions all under one roof, so you can choose not to have multiple suppliers but one technology partner who offers all the solutions your business needs.

Super-fast Broadband, IT Systems and Support, Cyber Security, CCTV Access Control, Telephone Systems, Mobile Phones. 0330 222 0330 | bttcomms.com

ERA ENERGY

Era Energy: Your trusted utilities broker. We find the best deals for gas, electric, telecoms, water, and waste management. Our expert team saves you time and money while simplifying your utilities. Say goodbye to complex contracts and confusing bills. Experience the convenience of Era Energy and unlock the best solutions tailored to your needs.

0116 488 8758 | Ricky@eraenergy.co.uk eraenergy.co.uk

IT’SEEZE WEBSITES

It’seeze Leicester Website Design focuses on creating bespoke websites that help businesses grow. We don’t believe in using templates, and our websites are responsive, professionally designed, and feature a self-editing system to give you complete control. With local support when you need it, we make getting your new website a simple, pain-free experience.

0116 410 5996 | john.cooper@itseeze.com linkedin.com/in/itsjohncooper

BEV SANKEY HEALTHY LIVING

We have a wealth of knowledge in holistic health and wellbeing, and are a community with stability, heritage and incredible leadership providing a leverageable income opportunity. About to globalise we have consumable products that people use daily , offering an opportunity that’s online and with flexibility.

07812 156540 | facebook.com/bevsankey

PARADIGM WILLS AND LEGAL SERVICES

Paradigm Wills and Legal Services are a specialist Wills and Estate Planning practice that provide clients with of mind planning their affairs in the event they pass away or lose capacity. Based in the heart of Leicester, they service clients anywhere in England and are known to deal with complex situations and provide solutions to your requirements. 0116 464 7055 | paradigm-wills.com

RESTORATIVE ENERGY HEAL

Specialising restorative/yin yoga and sound therapy. The purpose of these practices is to drop into a deep state of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. I work with gentle postures, breath and meditation which helps to active our parasympathetic nervous system. Emotional well-being, Stress management, Pain relief, Improved physical health, Improved sleep. 07713 746010 | restorativeenergyheal@gmail.com

TWYCROSS ZOO, HOME OF THE GRUFFALO DISCOVERY LAND

Celebrating its 60th anniversary year, Twycross Zoo is a conservation charity and visitor attraction that exists to protect wildlife, support research, and provide fun, educational days out for all ages. The only UK zoo home to the four great apes, Twycross Zoo cares for hundreds of animals in Leicestershire as well as supports vital conservation projects across the world. Opening 364 days a year, 10am-6pm 0844 474 1777 | information@twycrosszoo.org twycrosszoo.org | linkedin.com/company/twycross-zoo facebook.com/twycross-zoo

Niche is an advocate for supporting local business, we want to encourage new partnerships and collaborations whilst encouraging entrepreneurship. Working with fellow local businesses can help our combined environmental impact on the local community. Remember, by supporting a local business you are helping to turn that dream into a reality.

If we don’t support local independent businesses who will? Use them or lose them!

Our A-Z directory can be found at nichemagazine.co.uk. Get in touch to see your business listed in print and online

Directors, CEOs, MBEs, PhD holders, and other higher ups… they’re all people you might meet in the boardroom where best behaviour is upheld. But these successful types are people too! They have lives and we want to know what goes on in them. We squeeze answers out of them on subjects you wouldn’t normally discuss in the boardroom

PROFILE:

Mark Vigil

Managing Director, Big Sound Marketing

Age: 38

From: Hastings

Lives in: Ratby, Leicestershirer

Noteworthy: Part-time comedian and improviser

FRIENDSHIPS: How would you describe yourself as a friend? Unavailable! I’m generally pretty busy, but if you do manage to get hold of me, hopefully, I’m quite low maintenance and fun to be around.

ADVENTURES: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done? I took a show to the Edinburgh Fringe, and I’ve done improv in Seoul, South Korea… in English, just to be clear.

ENVIRONMENT: Where would your nearest and dearest look for you? At home with my family. Home is where the heart is, so I’ll be with my wife, son, and Labrador. That, or in the pub.

HEALTH AND FITNESS: What’s your unhealthiest habit? I bite my nails – that’s not ideal. And I’ve got a real sweet tooth – love a sweet treat!

INTELLECTUAL LIFE: What do you geek out on? Mid-late ’90s professional wrestling. If you can offer me a fresh perspective on the Montreal Screwjob, I’m all ears.

LOVE RELATIONSHIPS: What’s your best relationship advice? Communication is key. I’ve learned not to assume things, and not to leave things unsaid.

SKILLS: Weirdly good at anything? Regional accents. I’m not great at impressions as such, but I can do pretty much any regional accent.

SPIRITUAL LIFE: Which of life’s mysteries keep you up at night?

Trying to comprehend the sheer scale of the universe – the fact that there are things billions of light years away. That’s actually mind-blowing. You can’t think about that for long before you go into shutdown mode.

CAREER: What’s the worst part about your job? Switching from working in the business to working on the business. Going from ‘doer’ to managing director – getting used to delegating and managing people rather than doing the creative bit, working with clients, and coming up with stuff, which is what I was originally good at. That’s been the most challenging part.

CREATIVE LIFE: Outside of work, what did you last ‘create’?

A one-man comedy show called ‘Claw and Order’ for Leicester Comedy Festival. It was about DCI Bob Claw, a respected policeman who’s accused of a crime.

FAMILY LIFE: What’s your most fond memory from childhood?

I lived in Barbados from age one to six. When we moved back, mum kept the apartment we lived in, so we used to visit every summer and Easter. So, it would be those family holidays.

COMMUNITY LIFE: Which political topic are you most interested in right now? It’s not a specific issue, but I do think that mainstream and professional politics has a very divisive tone and atmosphere, and I think there’s a bit more room for compromise and understanding, to make things more productive. That’s my hot take on politics!

WORDS BY TOM YOUNG