First For Business by RMC Media

NOVEMBER 2017 www.ffb-online.co.uk @ffbmagRMC

The big picture How is Sheffield shaping up? COOKEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Meet the new Master Cutler

LEARNING ON THE JOB AMRC is at the heart of the apprenticeship revolution

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CONTENTS

First For Business

NOVEMBER 2017

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2017

AGENDA 6 The state we’re in – Sheffield’s strength and weaknesses

APPRENTICESHIPS 11 Don’t miss out on attracting and developing new talent

TRAINING THAT WORKS 12 We take a look at how apprenticeships work at Sheffield’s AMRC

FIGHTING TALK 20 MC Danimal is heading for Sheffield’s Made Festival

LEADING FROM THE FRONT 24 New Master Cutler Kenneth Cooke speaks to Hannah Sanders

PRESS THE RESET BUTTON 28 More and more people are opting to launch their own small businesses. Rachel Martin reports

PARTY TIME 31 Planning the perfect Christmas office do

TRAVEL 42

Take a break in picturesque Cheshire or historic Northumberland

WORK & PLAY 45

Editor Chris Wilson chris.wilson@rmcmedia.co.uk Consultant Editor Andy Waple Feature Writers Hannah Sanders, Rachel Martin

A monthly round-up of news, achievements, celebrations and new faces

10 THINGS... 50 All you need to know about engineering degrees at the ARMC

24 Chief Sub Editor Richard Abbey Sub Editor Richard Smith

Digital Reporter Ashley Birch Digital Commercial Manager Melanie Jackson Operations Director Jillion Wood Publishing Manager Mandy Ogle mandy.ogle@rmcmedia.co.uk Studio Manager Chris Brierley Design Dan Wray, Steve Levers RMC Media 6 Broadfield Court, Broadfield Business Park, Sheffield, S8 OXF Tel: 0114 250 6300 Twitter: @ffbmagRMC www.firstforbusinessmagazine.co.uk

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PREVIEW

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PREVIEW A

s the next crop of school leavers considers its options, apprenticeships are taking on a greater profile, and they have never been held in such high regard. Perhaps there was a time when the word apprentice was associated with a future in heavy industry, such as shipping or steel, for youngsters not quite up to university standard. Those days are long gone. A modern apprenticeship can be the start of a career that leads to the very top in your chosen profession. You also get paid to learn, very appealing to youngsters who are wary of leaving university with a mountain of debt. The apprenticeship levy, which came into force in April this year, is set to steer many more bright young things down the apprenticeship route. All employers in England with a pay bill over £3million per year will pay 0.5 per cent of their annual bill to help fund investment in apprenticeships.

AMRC Apprentice of the Year Awards. Meanwhile Louise Cowling, head of degree apprenticeships, offers up 10 things businesses should know about engineering degrees offered at AMRC. Apprenticeships are also high on the agenda for Kenneth Cooke, Sheffield’s 379th Master Cutler. This East End boy made good was an apprentice at Edward Pryor & Sons after leaving school and went on to launch his own successful engineering company, CTW (Hardfacing) at the age of just 22. He spoke to feature writer Hannah Sanders about his commitment to using his year in the spotlight to promote the importance of education, training and apprenticeships. Looking at the broader picture, consultant editor Andy Waple looks at Sheffield City Region’s strengths and weaknesses as the fight against growing international competition intensifies.

The government will apply a 10 per cent top-up to the funds for spending on apprenticeship training in England. The new tax aims to fund three million new apprenticeship in England by 2020.

On the plus side we have, of course, a manufacturing heritage and a strong and growing tradition of innovation, while both the University of Sheffield and Hallam University are responsible for a great part of the city’s prosperity, bringing in around 60,000 students each year, many from overseas.

At the heart of this in Sheffield City Region is AMRC Training Centre, and in this issue of First For Business, feature writer Rachel Martin looks at some of the region’s success stories from the

If you’re in the ‘glass half empty’ camp the city falls on the wrong side of the North-South divide when it comes to assistance for economic growth and with a Conservative government, there isn’t

CHRIS WILSON, EDITOR really any hope of a great deal of change in spite of talk of a Northern Powerhouse - a concept that appears to be running out of steam. Add the negative publicity over Sheffield Council’s handling of the felling of muchloved roadside trees, the devolution debacle that made Yorkshire the laughing stock of the national press and big questions over the promised £1 billion Chinese investment in the city and it is clear there is room for improvement. Elsewhere we look at the importance of the annual MADE conference in Sheffield to would-be entrepreneurs and we talk to some inspirational business people who have turned a hobby or passion into the springboard for an abrupt career change. Along with a round-up of local business news, that is just a taste of what is in this issue of First For Business. Let us know what you think by tweeting us @ffbmagRMC

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THE STATE WE’RE IN AS THE NEW MASTER CUTLER TAKES OVER, ANDY WAPLE LOOKS AT SHEFFIELD’S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AS THE CITY FIGHTS ITS CORNER AGAINST GROWING INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

t his installation last month incoming Master Cutler Ken Cooke urged Sheffield to not undervalue itself and to emphasise its strengths to the wider world. Speaking as he became as the 379th Master Cutler and the highest ranked ambassador of the city’s manufacturing industries representing them across the UK and beyond, he said his prime aim during his term of office would be to

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promote the Sheffield City Region, pointing out its potential, opportunities, qualities and values.

and quality continues to be revered worldwide, meaning it arguably remains the city’s and the region’s greatest asset.

But what are the city’s strengths and do they outweigh its weaknesses at a time when national and international competition is at its greatest?

There is still a strong culture of innovation in Sheffield and its pride of having the second highest number of patents granted per capita of any UK core city should not be underestimated.

Mr Cooke, as Master Cutler, is in a good place, as the city’s manufacturing heritage and its long held reputation for precision

The legacies of centuries of technical achievement and innovation has helped

AGENDA

“Sheffield is in a good place. Manufacturers are for the most part busy, we have diversity in the various types of manufacturing and we have a strong and growing tradition of innovation.” MASTER CUTLER KEN COOKE Recent reports confirm that those other sectors he referred to, especially the digital and creative arenas are indeed doing well against their rivals. Of course the success in recent years of the advanced manufacturing sector could not have happened without the huge role played by the city’s second greatest asset – the strength and forever growing reputation of its universities. Both The University of Sheffield and Hallam University are responsible for a great part of the city’s prosperity, bringing in around 60,000 students each year, many from overseas. the city and its wider region continue to prosper - there is little doubt the city region’s reputation helped the establishment and development of the world-renowned Advanced Manufacturing Park at Waverley. As the Master Cutler, who is owner of CTW Hardfacing, a Neepsend-based machinery repair company, said himself: “Sheffield is in a good place. Manufacturers are for the most part busy,

we have diversity in the various types of manufacturing and we have a strong and growing tradition of innovation. “The investments during my time in office from McLaren and Boeing have been fantastic but we should not forget all the other investments, both connected to manufacturing and in other sectors of the economy. The investment pipeline looks good, with strong businesses looking to come to the region.”

The research and development capabilities of both shine out as a major strength that few cities can match. Looking for positives elsewhere, the annual State of Sheffield report reveals that whilst the health and education sectors remain the dominant employment sectors, overall skills are improving. It adds that the most noticeable jobs growth in the last five years has been in

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woodlands and countryside which receive more than 25 million visits each year.

the professional, scientific and technical sector whilst self-employment has increased by 10.3 per cent in 2017. In addition Sheffield has high rates of 16 and 17-year-olds engaging in training, and successful apprenticeship programmes which has seen strong growth with more than one and half times the national average being taken up. More than 800 places were created in two years, plus a further 620 vulnerable teenagers placed in apprenticeships. To add to the improving educational environment the report says the educational attainment of children in Sheffield has increased over the last few years. On a different note, but one considered to be a major asset, the city’s location on the edge of the Peak District has long been hailed as a positive, creating an environment where graduates want to stay and fill high value jobs, and where companies are tempted to relocate. It makes Sheffield the leading city for those who want a lifestyle that combines city and countryside and feel-good factor is enhanced by the city’s urban parks,

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The city falls on the wrong side of the North-South divide when it comes to assistance for economic growth and with a Conservative government, there isn’t really any hope of a great deal of change in spite of talk of a Northern Powerhouse – a concept that appears to be running out of steam

Sheffielders have significantly better access to woodlands across the whole city than anywhere else in the country. Even allotment provision has increased by 130 plots in the last five years showing that the good life can truly be had in Sheffield. There are negatives of course that present ongoing challenges. The city falls on the wrong side of the North-South divide when it comes to assistance for economic growth and with a Conservative government, there isn’t really any hope of a great deal of change in spite of talk of a Northern Powerhouse – a concept that appears to be running out of steam. GVA is low and there is a comparatively low rate of new business start-ups, although there is by contrast, a low rate of closures. Despite improving skills, unemployment remains higher than the national average. To compound the challenges, the region has had a recent history of shooting itself in the foot, and the Master Cutler could be facing an uphill task in talking up the

AGENDA

Sheffiel Council’s handling of the furore over the felling of much-loved roadside trees has attracted much negative publicity

city in the face of some frightful selfinflicted harm. Festering political squabbling is one of the region’s greatest weaknesses, highlighted by the row over devolution, an issue that has the potential to tear the city region concept apart. The devolution issue has made Yorkshire the laughing stock of the national press, simply because our politicians are at war. As the Independent politely put it: “Yorkshire has the potential to be a mighty force in the British economy, but to do that it needs to be able to help itself. It is currently hamstrung by too many options on the table.” As it stands 17 of the local authorities of Yorkshire have signalled their willingness to form part of a Yorkshire-wide deal while Sheffield and Rotherham are sticking to their plan to press ahead with the Sheffield City Region. This follows the fall out among the players in the proposed Sheffield City Region mayoral elections when Barnsley, Doncaster, Chesterfield and Bassetlaw backed away from the agreement struck last year.

while the poor handling of the roadside tree issue has also heaped ridicule on the city from across the country. These issues have been exacerbated by the question marks raised over the promised £1 billion Chinese investment in the city. A progress report on the project with Sichuan Guodong Construction will be made soon, according to chief executive John Mothersole, in spite of doubts raised in the Asian press. Last year, Sheffield City Council said it had signed a 60-year partnership with the company and its owner Wang Chunming.

While the region’s politicians continue to bicker, the ruling Sheffield Labour Party is making embarrassing errors and is finding it difficult to fulfil certain promises, particularly over the redevelopment of the city centre.

Said to be worth £1bn, with up to £220m in the first few years, the deal gave him ‘exclusivity’ over redeveloping the Central Library. It was reported to be potentially one of the largest, and most innovative deals between a UK city and a Chinese multi-national company.

This failure to deliver the long awaited city centre retail quarter scheme is a tragedy,

Questions are being raised into the credibility of the scheme by opposition

politicians amid fears that the council may end up with a lot of egg on its face. The debate has masked the lack of real progress in the city centre redevelopment plan, and the physical condition of the city centre does nothing to encourage the opinion that Sheffield really is a city on the move. Meanwhile the city’s great selling point of being one of the greenest cities in Europe has been put under strain by the roadside tree felling fiasco. No matter the merits of the policy or otherwise it is clear that the council’s handling of the affair has created a huge amount of negative publicity that continues to rumble on with no end in sight. Mr Cooke’s ambition to ensure his city is not undervalued can be seen as a laudable and helpful aspiration, but he is clearly not being helped by outside influences.

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First For Business

FEATURE

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THE WAY INTO WORK APPRENTICESHIPS ARE AN IMPORTANT WAY OF FINDING AND DEVELOPING NEW TALENT – MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS THE BOAT.

brings a gain in productivity of more than £10,000 per year for their employer, with figures for some sectors being even higher.

degree – a particularly cost-effective form of training, because young people are making a contribution to the workplace while they are learning.

With fees and debt making higher education far less attractive, schools and universities just aren’t turning out enough young people with the right skills to plug gaps in some sectors, say leading graduate employers, and in a bid to redress this, the government has committed to creating three million new apprenticeships by 2020, paid for in part by the employer.

Apprenticeships are also a crucial part of the long-term plan for workforce development; as well as boosting productivity, apprenticeships can also help companies compete in the modern marketplace, and in industry research, 77 per cent of employers agreed that taking on apprentices helped to make their organisations more competitive. Another finding was that more than eight out of 10 customers prefer to buy from companies which employ apprentices.

Another cost advantage for employers is that, while you are expected to pay your apprentices’ wages, funding is available to cover many other training costs. And there’s an added loyalty factor, with many apprentices staying with the organisations that train them.

s a nation, we urgently need more professionals – engineers, designers, digital wizards – and the new apprenticeship levy has thrown a lifeline to companies scrabbling for talent.

Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly important channel to bring in new talent, and a research study carried out for the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) found that, on average, each apprentice

With apprenticeships, students have the chance to earn three things; money from the offset, invaluable work experience and a debt-free

It’s not surprising, therefore, that there has been a major drive to make businesses and organisations in the UK aware of the benefits of apprenticeships for employers; according to official Government figures, more than two million apprenticeships were created in the UK between 2009/10 and 2014/15, including over 490,000 during 2014/15 alone. First For Business enjoys a great relationship with many of the regions training, recruitment and research centres, colleges, universities, manufacturers and consultancy programmes, and is pleased to present a selection over the following pages.

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TRAINING THAT WORKS APPRENTICESHIPS ARE INCREASINGLY BEING SEEN AS A WAY TO BUILD THE COUNTRY’S SKILLS BASE. KERRY FEATHERSTONE, DIRECTOR AMRC TRAINING CENTRE, EXPLAINS WHY THEY ARE A GOOD IDEA.

ollowing the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in April of this year, apprentices are a hot topic.

The Government wants to create three million new apprenticeships by 2020, and to ensure investment in training, they are introducing a new way of paying for it; all large companies now pays 0.5 per cent of its annual bill, which will be ring-fenced for training.

‘One of the huge benefits of the apprenticeship levy is that it has removed age restrictions from the funding of apprenticeships.’ 12 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

I believe this is a positive move and I’m happy to see that the tide is starting to change. For too long this country has not held apprenticeships in high enough regard, and they have not been given the profile they deserve. But we need to carry on reinforcing that message. One of the huge benefits of the apprenticeship levy is that it has removed age restrictions from the funding of

apprenticeships. Businesses can now use the levy for training purposes, among employees of all ages and at all levels of the organisation. The levy also provides businesses with an opportunity to look at its current workforce, and look at how it can upskill employees to benefit the company and even diversify into new areas. And if used in line with organisation resource planning, I think the apprenticeship levy can create capacity for companies to grow. Companies paying in receive the money back in the form of apprenticeship training, along with a 10 per cent “topup” bonus from the government, and I do think there will be a feeling from firms that if they are paying in, they may as well get something out of it. But the quality of the training has to be right. The University of Sheffield is an approved apprenticeship training provider and we hope to work with

AMRC

organisations to offer training and skills, to address skills shortages and make it an opportunity for economic growth in the region. We already provide highly skilled training for apprenticeships at our AMRC Training Centre, where we have some of the brightest, talented young people from across the Sheffield City Region. They are learning the engineering skills for the future in partnership with industry, where many areas are suffering from an ageing workforce and are facing a skills shortage, and by providing a new highly skilled workforce, we can help boost the region’s economy. For young people, as well as increasing employability, an apprenticeship increases earning power. Individuals with an advanced or degree apprenticeship

will also earn more over their lifetime than those who have similar level qualification. These young men and women could have gone to university, but they have chosen an alternative route. Whether it’s because the practical style of learning suited them better, or because university might not have been seen as a viable option for them. It is four years since our training centre first opened its doors and welcomed our first cohort of apprentices. We have now delivered training to more than 1,000 learners and is vital that as a Russell Group University we are offering these alternative routes to a successful career in engineering. I think the levy will only help strengthen the message of the benefit of an apprenticeship.

APPRENTICESHIP LEVY AT A GLANCE: • The levy came into force on 6 April 2017 • All employers in England with a pay bill over £3 million per year pays 0.5 per cent of its annual bill to help fund investment in apprenticeships • The government applies a 10 per cent top-up to the funds for spending on apprenticeship training in England • The new tax aims to fund three million new apprenticeships in England by 2020

Find out more information about your levy at: www.amrctraining.co.uk

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A TASTE FOR HEAVY METAL SAM COWLEY EXPLAINS HOW AN APPRENTICESHIP SET HIM ON THE ROAD TO A NEW LIFE.

wenty-year-old Sam Cowley left school facing an uncertain future. Unskilled and untrained, university didn’t even figure in his options, and instead, he drifted into further education, where he completed a course in construction, but quickly became disillusioned. Today he is a skilled AMRC Training Centre apprentice at Davy Markham, one of the UK’s leading engineering firms, specialising in extremely large turnkey projects across sectors from quarrying and metal processing, through mining, tunnelling, nuclear, defence and infrastructure. Sam is now not only studying for his HNC, but is also keen to take advantage of the unique opportunity offered by the Training Centre to convert his apprenticeship into a Bachelor’s degree in engineering. For the Director of the AMRC Training Centre, Kerry Featherstone, Sam’s story is very familiar: “Over the last four years we have worked with almost 1,000 young people to get them started on a career in engineering. As well as increasing their job prospects, an apprenticeship increases their earning power. 14 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

“As part of the University of Sheffield we now offer young people like Sam, who may never have thought of doing a degree, a route towards an advanced or degree level apprenticeship that will enable them to earn more over their lifetime than those who have a similarlevel qualification.” Sam agrees: “When I was unemployed I was very uncertain about the pathway I would be led into and was not sure what the future would hold. But I now have ambitions to do a BA in engineering, thanks to the help and support I have received at Davy Markham and the AMRC.” All this is a long way from where he was just three years ago. “Some people you can tell will get straight As at school, but C's were good for me. I wasn’t really an academic person.” With unemployment looming, Sam’s big break came through an encounter with the Prince’s Trust, who invited him to a one-week ‘get started’ course at the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham.

“That changed my life. I didn’t have a job and I felt like I was completely stuck. I had no idea how to take my next steps. But I knew immediately this was the pathway I would like to take for my future career. “We spent the week learning through practical, hands on activities. The course gave me insight into what the different processes of engineering are and I had some basic knowledge I could use for an interview. The Trust gave me the confidence to know what I was talking about, and from there everything just kind of took off.” Next came an apprenticeship at Davy Markham with the Training Centre - a dream come true for Sam. “It’s an amazing place to work. The first time I took a tour of the factory I was totally gobsmacked, the scale of everything is amazing.

AMRC

‘Unlike college, at the AMRC Training Centre I was learning every day on machines and technology that you don’t see anywhere else.’ “Coming to the AMRC Training Centre was totally different to college. They have brilliant facilities to train in - so different to anything else that is around - and the trainers all have experience in engineering and make you feel like you are part of a team, which is really rewarding. “Unlike college, at the AMRC Training Centre I was learning every day on machines and technology that you don’t see anywhere else. And the best thing is you earn as you learn, and that is a massive thing for a young person to whom student debt isn’t an attractive option.” Vince Middleton, a member of the AMRC Industry Board and boss of Newburgh Engineering, says Sam’s story is vital to the future of the region and manufacturing in the UK. “Young people like Sam are learning the engineering skills for the

future in partnership with industry, where many areas are suffering from an ageing workforce and are facing a skills shortage. By providing a new highly skilled workforce, the AMRC is helping can boost the region’s economy.” And, as someone who runs as business with over 85 per cent of its staff apprenticeship trained, Vince should know. “Apprenticeships also mean better staff retention for businesses. 90 per cent of apprentices remain employed after completion of their apprenticeship and a quarter go on to be promoted within their first year. “So apprenticeships make sense both for young people and the industries who support them in their early careers.” And Sam’s advice to anyone thinking of an apprenticeship at the Training Centre: “Just do it. You won’t look back.”

SAM COWLEY I am from Crookes, Sheffield where I attended Tapton Secondary School. During my time in year 10 and 11 I undertook a vocational course doing construction, which I carried on to college to do my BTec Level 3 Extended Diploma. Once I finished this course I did an apprenticeship in fabrication, which unfortunately did not work out, but after a few months of unemployment I found out about the Prince’s Trust, where I embarked on a 1 week ‘get started’ course at the AMRC. With the help of the Prince’s Trust and the course I undertook, it helped me open my eyes to what I really wanted for my future. I now have ambitions to do a BA in Engineering and this is all thanks to the help and support I have received. And since I have embarked on my own career, I would say that my parents are very proud of what I have achieved since leaving school.

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TRAINING FOR ALL LEARNING UNLIMITED OFFER APPRENTICESHIPS DESIGNED TO SUIT EVERY KIND OF BUSINESS – FROM BUILDING TO BUSINESS SERVICES.

earning Unlimited’s flexible and bespoke training solutions are designed to fit in with individual business needs, ensuring day-to-day operations are unaffected. Tim Henshall, the managing director of Kamili Safaris, said: “The level of training provided as part of the apprenticeship came as a real surprise. I anticipated somebody to be dropped into our team with the expectation that we give them all of the support. Instead this came from Learning Unlimited, who has been very supportive. They come out on a regular basis and spend a lot of time with our apprentice to make sure she is progressing and learning.” Once regarded as the chosen path solely for construction trades, apprenticeships now span every industry sector, including

roles in customer service, business administration, IT services and marketing. Almost anyone over the age of 16 and living in England can undergo an apprenticeship – there is no upper age limit. This means apprenticeships are also accessible to those already in employment. Perhaps a member of staff wants to widen their skillset, or a business needs to fill a skills gap within the organisation; an existing member of staff can start an apprenticeship to support this skills development. Again, delivered with flexibility in mind, this hugely benefits the business whilst also providing the employee with the skills and knowledge to potentially advance their career. Brendan Kelly, operations director at

Heathcotes Care, said: “For us, service user experience is the key to success, and apprentices help us to deliver that. Apprenticeships give our employees the skills to do their job well. The different levels of training on offer mean that we can progress people from entry to managerial level and equip them with an in-depth knowledge of how we work. We can see how this benefits the people we care for, our staff and our organisation.”

If you would like to find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships, as well as the opportunities available through Learning Unlimited call their West Midlands team on 0121 516 7881.You can also find their latest apprenticeship vacancies online by visiting www.learningunlimiteduk.com First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 17

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FOR SAM, AN APPRENTICESHIP FORMED THE PERFECT FOUNDATION TO HELP HIS MUM BUIILD A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS.

Sam with his mother Claire in their coffee shop

BUILDING ESSENTIAL SKILLS M

other-and-son team Claire and Sam run award-winning coffee shop Stephensons, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. They are as passionate about their business as they are about apprenticeships. After starting at Stephensons as a Level 2 Front of House Apprentice through Chesterfield-based provider Learning Unlimited (part of the Chesterfield College Group), when the business was under different ownership, Sam soon realised that hospitality was where he wanted to carve out his career. So at the age of 19, not only has Sam developed all the skills he needs to manage the growing business through his own apprenticeships, he is also supporting more apprentices to develop their skills. When the business came up for sale Sam’s mum decided to swap teaching for a role as a coffee shop owner. Having worked together for over three years

now, the business has gone from strength to strength, operating across two sites. Sam has completed his Level 3 apprenticeship and is looking at the next stage of study. He manages apprentices of his own as they continue to value what they contribute to their success. Having gone through his apprenticeship, Sam is a big advocate for what they offer: “A lot of university graduates finish their studies and aren’t sure what they want to do in life. I’m younger than most graduates and I think myself fortunate to be in the position that I know exactly what I want to do. I have gained the essential skills needed to be a success in this industry already. I love working in this industry, I get to work with colleagues who I class as my friends and I meet new people every day, so for a people person like me it’s perfect, there’s nothing better than putting a smile on a customer’s face.” Claire explains that she feels

apprenticeships are a two-way street: “As much as it’s a huge opportunity for an apprentice it’s also a huge opportunity for us. “Every apprentice brings something different to the table and they all help to grow our business. All of the apprentices who have joined us have progressed positively by either gaining a job here full time or going on to university in one case. As an expanding business we find ourselves in the position of needing more middle managers so apprenticeships are the perfect way to mould someone into those roles.” “Apprenticeships are good for the local economy and help me to employ local people. As a parent, I have seen how apprenticeships have enabled my son to develop a passion for something he loves at the same time as getting the qualifications that will help his career to develop in the future.”

To find out more about Learning Unlimited apprenticeships, please visit www.learningunlimiteduk.com or call 0345 850 1055 18 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

ARMC

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APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARDS.

Leigh Worsdale

ighteen-year-old Leigh Worsdale became the first female apprentice to win the Apprentice of the Year award, supported by Boeing, at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Training Centre’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards, held at the University of Sheffield. Leigh, who trains at the AMRC Training Centre and works as an apprentice heavy duty diesel engine builder for Foxwood Diesel in Chesterfield, was awarded a trip to Boeing’s factory inWashington State, to see first-hand how the global aerospace company designs, tests and builds its 737 aircraft. The Apprentice of the Year award, which is supported by Boeing, uses nominations from apprentice employers and trainers and is judged by a panel of members of the AMRC Training Centre staff and award sponsors. Judges were “overwhelmingly” impressed by Leigh's confidence and spoke about how she continuously seeks ways to improve her workplace and its processes. Leigh has been responsible for introducing a number of incentives at Foxwood Diesel that have helped to improve the business. Speaking at the awards, Leigh said: “I’m shocked to win but it’s amazing and the prize is so good.” Leigh, who is from Chesterfield, applied for an apprenticeship after her GCSEs because she wanted to gain experience while getting paid. She was inspired by the facilities at the AMRC Training Centre after attending one of the centre’s open days with her school. She was awarded an apprenticeship under

LEIGH’S FLYING HIGH the Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme, which contributes to the cost of apprentices to help SMEs recruit and train a new generation of advanced engineers. Leigh said her highlights from the Training Centre were: “Meeting new people with the same interests and learning about maintenance and the tech support in engineering.” Director of AMRC Training Centre, Kerry Featherstone, said: “This is a significant Other winners were: • Fabrication and Welding Apprentice of the Year, Joshua Foxton of ACS Stainless • Maintenance Apprentice of the Year, Joshua Corton of Printaply • Machining Apprentice of the Year, Ben Middleton of Polypipe • Technical Support Apprentice of the Year, James Buddle of Carrs Silver • Academic Achiever of the Year, Dylan Shaw, Ancon • First Year Apprentice of the Year, Leigh Worsdale of Foxwood Diesel, highly commended Sam Johnson of Vulcan Engineering • Higher Achiever Apprentice of the Year, Sam Ferguson of Evenort • Mentor of the Year, as voted by the AMRC Training Centre apprentices, John Dobinson Special recognition awards were also given to Cosmin Dragan, plastic fabricator at Rotherham Industrial Plastics, Adrian Salatowski from Hallam Castings and Rolls Royce apprentice Alexandra Smith.

event in the AMRC Training Centre calendar. Our job on the judging panel was not easy, they have all done such a wonderful job. All the nominees were a credit to themselves and their organisations during the presentations.” Professor Sir Keith Burnett, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “My warmest congratulations to Leigh for her milestone and welldeserved success. I am extremely proud of the achievements of our talented apprentices and of those who train and mentor them at our AMRC Training Centre. “The UK desperately needs skilled engineers to help boost productivity and growth in our economy and our apprentices really are the future of skilled manufacturing workers, and of course this crucially includes our talented women engineers. “The numbers of young people choosing an apprenticeship are increasing but we need to do much more to ensure these are of the very highest quality and so change the stigma around these qualifications. “We are delighted that in Sheffield, our University has seen and invested in the highest quality education of all kinds. We are providing opportunities for future development of degree apprentices, postgraduate apprentices and even routes to PhDs. We will not limit talent in any form." First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 19

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FIGHTING TALK! LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE … HANNAH SANDERS MEETS MC DANIMAL, THE MAN BEHIND THE WORLD’S WILDEST ENTREPRENEURIAL FACE-OFF.

ver thought of taking to the MADE stage? Of having your time to shine in the spotlight? Well, this year’s MADE Festival on 9 November could be your chance. The final keynote speaker of the entrepreneurial festival promises to be something like you’ve never seen before – it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. The Tech Off, will take to the stage in unique event which has been compared to a cross between the popular TED talks and the WWE. They will be challenging five contestants to give five minute speeches about the future of work, and the baying crowd will decide who takes away the winner’s belt.

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At MADE, a wildcard entry will be plucked from the crowd by host, MC Danimal to take part in the proceedings. If you want to take home the glory, and beat the speakers, you’ll have to scream and shout to complete the line-up. The fun doesn’t stop there though, as the winner will be invited to Tech Offs’ next event to defend their title. Daniel Kirby, co-founder and Managing Director of Techdept, is the brains behind the event that is taking the world by storm. Here he talks about The Tech Off ’s history, what he hopes the audience takes away, the importance of MADE, and, his alter ego MC Danimal makes an appearance.

Tell me about the The Tech Off’s history. I’m the co-founder (along with my business partner Rick Grundy) and MD of Techdept which is based in Sheffield. We make custom technology for big companies like the World Wildlife Fund, Discovery Channel and Microsoft - we like to describe ourselves as a tech special op’s team Three years ago we decided to create a speaking event that had a format forcing you to be really

MADE FESTIVAL

concise, which we thought would be more useful to the audience, thus the Tech-off was born. It consists of fiveminute talks, in a competition format and at the end the crowd chooses the winner and they’re rewarded with a wrestling belt.

reached far more people with far greater impact as we’re approaching learning in a fun, new and different way. At every The Tech Off event, I want people to have a great time and expand their knowledge.

It’s a lot of fun and we’ve found a magic formula that’s the opposite of every other business event. It’s enjoyable for the audience, and instead of learning one thing the audience walk away learning five really good things.

Why do you think it’s important to encourage young entrepreneurs to attend events like MADE? Being an entrepreneur is hard and the problem you face when you are young and up and coming is that you haven’t had the opportunity to learn the lessons that happen over time. Going to events like MADE can help connect you to other people. It is somewhere ideas, life-lessons and experiences can be shared, and is a hot-house of inspiration, guidance and advice.

The Tech Off is great, as the audience get a crazy theatrical show that’s very tongue in cheek, there’s amazing content and they take lots of photos to post across social media. What previous events have you taken the The Tech Off too? We’ve been at the Cannes Lions Festival, the world’s biggest advertising conference, along with working in partnership with London Tech Week. Another great thing is that we were invited by the government to go to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest, technology, film and music conference. What speakers are taking part in the The Tech Off at MADE? We’re bringing Tanja Kuzman, Pennie Raven, Peter Johnson and Joe Pack, all are technology entrepreneurs. What’s exciting is that the final speaker slot will be filled by someone from the crowd, and they’ll have the chance to win the custom made belt (which they get to keep!). What topic will the speakers be focusing on? The event has been called ‘The Tech Off Work It’ and we’ve chosen the theme the future of work. The speakers will be focusing on what is the future of work in terms of innovation, technology and trends. What do you hope the audience will take away from the event? Firstly that they have learnt something about technology, as Techdept’s mission as a business is to help a billion people learn more about technology in the next 25 years. We want to help people expand their knowledge, and have discovered that The Tech Off is a far more effective way of doing so. In the past three years we have

I’ve been running my own business for 16 years, and when I look back on my younger self I think that if I would’ve had more of a community around me and events like MADE it would have helped me navigate through challenging times with more of a level head.

Who is the famous MC Danimal, the man behind the Tech Off? “I was out of shape and when surfing the web late at night, I stumbled across a website from the early 90s which documented this event that would happen on the streets of Downtown Detroit, where budding tech entrepreneurs would fight pitch battles on the street for venture capital funding. I was inspired to get in shape and become a technology preacher man. I launched the Tech Off taking it to the world to educate them with my unbeatable knowledge. I’m the CEO and founder of this pre-revenue startup and we are on a mission to teach the world about technology.

MC Danimal and Brexit Woman

Despite many many haters I have been encouraged by all the invites we have been getting from MADE, London tech-week, Cannes, who believe in the vision that we have for the future. I’m the Beyoncé of tech as I’m slaying everyday and we are taking our message to the world. Deal With It.”

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WANT TO START A BUSINESS? GET OUT THERE AND MAKE IT WORK, SAYS HAYLEY KOSEOGLU.

SECRETS OF SUCCESS rystal Clean Service is a commercial cleaning service provider. Crystal Clean help businesses to look after their employees and meet safety obligations by providing them with a healthy and hygienic environment in which to work.

Sheffield City Region and my advice to anyone setting up in business would be to go out there and make it happen. Start networking and meet with other business owners. There is always someone out there who can help, advise or point you in the right direction.”

Launched in 2008 by managing director Hayley Koseoglu, Crystal Clean has developed an excellent reputation in its field, working for clients in office-based businesses, industrial, engineering and manufacturing companies and car dealers.

Here Hayley talks about her career, the toughest part of her role and the future of Crystal Clean.

Hayley set up the business from a very young age as a self-employed entrepreneur, and now her role involves day-to-day management, strategic affairs and focusing on new business development – especially across South Yorkshire. “If you are willing to put the hard work in to making a success of your business it really doesn’t matter about your gender or where you’re based,” said Hayley. “Personally, I love working in the

How did you get to where you are today? Hard work and commitment mainly. I set the business up with nothing and I have worked at every level within the business. I have also studied to gain qualifications in both cleaning and management. What do you enjoy most about your job? I have been privileged to see and meet some brilliant businesses during my career. I love to see the things that our clients manufacture and find out what they are for.

Hayley Koseoglu

What is the toughest part of your job? Managing people can be a challenge at times but I wouldn’t change it. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today. What are your top tips on business success? Be honest and don’t promise things you can’t deliver. What do you like to do outside of work? Most of my time outside of work I spend with my little boy and family. Aside that you can usually find me tinkering away in the garage with my Land Rover. Have you got any future plans to expand the business? Yes we are currently going through a restructure in preparation for the next stage of growth. The company is also about to turn 10 years old so we are very excited about that too… watch this space. Get in touch with Hayley to find out more about the services offered by Crystal Clean and how they can help your business.

CONTACT: Crystal Clean Service Ltd Unit 1 Neepsend Triangle,Burton The Crystal Clean team

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Road, Sheffield, S3 8BW Tel: 0114 4010 550 E: info@crystalcleanservice.co.uk

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MAKE WINTER WARMER KEEP YOUR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IN GOOD CONDITION AND YOU’LL REAP THE BENEFITS, SAYS AIRMASTER’S IAN FISHER.

an Fisher, business development manager at Airmaster, believes that with winter on the horizon it’s important to keep your systems well maintained, as they will use less energy than one where maintenance has been neglected. If you are looking for some top energy saving tips this winter, the team at Airmaster have you covered. Do you know what is installed in your home or building and how to use it? - Start by reading any information available on operations and maintenance of the equipment. - Try to understand the building design parameters – the use of space may have changed over time. - Air conditioning systems can provide efficient heating as long as they are clean and in good working order. You can save up to 40 per cent of your heating energy bill by running air conditioning as a heat pump instead of radiators. Have you checked the timer settings on the air conditioning and thermostat? - Set up a regular review of the time

schedules for the air conditioning and heating. - Significant savings can be made by turning the system off early, especially at the end of the day. Are your systems well-maintained? - A system that is well looked after uses less energy than one that has been neglected. - Modern or complex systems use air to air heat recovery systems including wheels, heat exchanges or run round coils. Check each section and make sure they are clean and in good working order. Is the thermostat being constantly changed? - Everyone has a comfortable temperature, however constantly turning up and down a thermostat can waste a lot of energy. Try putting thermometers in different parts of a room to help work out the room temperature before you decide if any adjustments are needed. Do you need a system temperature lock? - Don’t let users turn the heat right up,

then turn it down or off when they feel like it. This doesn’t heat your space any fastest and instead results in excessive and expensive energy use. Consider setting system locks to prevent overheating or over-cooling settings. Did you know at home it’s cheaper to close the curtains and turn the light on in winter? You will lose around 100W to 300 watts of heat through each window or glass door when it’s freezing cold outside compared to a light bulb which is around 14 Watts these days. So close curtains on unused rooms as much as you feel comfortable with at home to keep the heat in, and, if possible buy and fit thermal curtains and put them up during winter as these work a treat – costing £30, you could get payback on the first winter from every set you buy. CONTACT: Airmaster Wetherby House, Park Hill, Swallownest, S26 4UN Tel: 0114 288 9911 Email: team@airmaster.uk.com www.airmaster.uk.com

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The Master Cutler Kenneth Cooke and the Immediate Past Master Richard Edwards

Images courtesy www.seamanphotographer.co.uk

LEADING FROM THE FRONT NEW MASTER CUTLER KENNETH COOKE SPEAKS TO HANNAH SANDERS ABOUT HIS APPOINTMENT, HIS HOPES FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF APPRENTICESHIPS. y any standards Kenneth Cooke was a high flyer, launching his own successful engineering company, CTW (Hardfacing) at the age of just 22. Now he has been installed as Sheffield’s 379th Master Cutler.

But for all his success, he has never forgotten his roots, or how the apprenticeship he served at Edward Pryor & Sons after leaving school set 24 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

him on the road to success. Now he is keen to use his year as Master Cutler to remind today’s youngsters that apprenticeships can still hold the key to a successful career. In keeping with tradition, Kenneth Cooke was installed in a formal ceremony at Cutlers’ Hall and Sheffield Cathedral maintaining the unbroken line of Master Cutlers since 1624.

The Master Cutler is the head of the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, formed in 1624 to control the quality of cutlery whose role is now to promote and support manufacturing in the Sheffield City Region. We asked him about his role, what he hopes to achieve during the next 12 months and the importance of apprenticeships.

INTERVIEW

When you began your career, did you ever think of becoming Master Cutler? I think the aspiration to Master Cutler came to me later in life. I thought: this role has so much history, respect and tradition, that I would like to be part of it. It wasn’t a goal of mine, but when I was asked I was over the moon. What does your role as Master Cutler entail? It involves promoting and supporting manufacturing and the Sheffield City Region. I will promote businesses in the region by using the platform afforded to me by the role to let people know what we do here. Amongst other things I will continue to give fulsome support to the Made in Sheffield brand and I will also be leading a trade mission overseas which will be in Poland. We also have the Master Cutler’s challenge, which started a few years ago, with the idea being to raise money for a chosen charity through a selection of events. My chosen charity is Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, so I am really looking forward to helping them. A proportion of the money raised will be given to the Cutlers’ Company Charitable trust for re-distribution to smaller charities in the region so that they also benefit from the very effective fundraising. What is on your agenda during the upcoming 12 months? During my term of office as Master Cutler my prime aim will be to promote

The installation ceremony

the Sheffield City Region, pointing out its potential, opportunities, qualities and values. This is my city and I intend to make sure everyone I meet learns to appreciate it as I do.

Kenneth with the The Right Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox Bishop of Sheffield

I am a great believer in education, training and apprenticeships so they will be close to the top of my agenda, and we are fortunate that in this area to be blessed with good schools, colleges and universities. In manufacturing and industry there should be a place for everyone to develop. Everyone has their own talent and aspiration, we just need to take the time and effort to find out what it is and foster it. At the Cutlers’ Company, our education programme, Better Workers, Better Learners, develops the skills required for the workplace but also helps point out the opportunities in engineering/manufacturing. As the sole owner of CTW, what do you think are the implications of Brexit on local businesses? I think the pound has helped exporters and traders, so I think people are doing well. Since 1996, our exports are greater now than they have been and we are the eighth largest manufacturing country in the world. What has happened has happened, so we need to work together to achieve the ultimate goal – free trade without the tariffs as well as having the opportunity to trade with the rest of the world. As someone who has benefitted from being an apprentice, how important is it to future generations?

ABOVE:The Master and Mistress Cutler with Colonel George Kilburn Chief Executive The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire

Education and apprenticeships are a grounding for the future providing people with skills, discipline and understanding of the work environment. However, I think there are still a lot of people falling through the cracks; people who aren’t necessarily academic but still have a role to play in society. They find it hard to get an apprenticeship with poor grades so we need to work together to find a way we can offer apprenticeships to this group. Apprenticeships give people an identity, to have your own salary is important and means something. Finally, what do you think apprenticeships offer compared to full-time education? I think apprentices have a greater depth and understanding about the role they play in society, and what they can achieve. They are working in a real environment where they can see a path ahead. When you take on an apprenticeship you are taking in all the information, but also learning new skills that you wouldn’t be able to get in a classroom.

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FORTY YEARS OF LITTLE MIRACLES IVF HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE LOUISE BROWN WAS BORN IN 1978. PHOEBE SEYMOUR FINDS OUT ABOUT THE LATEST TREATMENTS THAT ARE HELPING COUPLES CONCEIVE MORE EASILY.

orty years ago the first baby was conceived through In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) from the ground-breaking work of Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards.

Louise Brown was born nine months later, on 25 July 1978, in Oldham General Hospital in Greater Manchester. This gave infertile couples hope, but the treatments were complex and still had low success rates. However, since then treatments have become much easier and less disruptive to patients’ lives, confirms Jonathan Skull, Clinical Lead at Jessop Fertility, part of the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. “Today IVF is considered to be a

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Clinical Lead Jonathan Skull and his team deliver a holistic approach

routine treatment achieving greater success rates and more than six million babies have been born worldwide.” Jessop Fertility opened in 2001 and over the last 16 years has helped thousands of patients achieve their dream of becoming a family using the latest treatments and technological advances. This now includes the latest time-lapse incubators, which monitor embryo development to allow better selection of embryos for treatment. “It is not just about the technology. The most important aspect of treatment is to ensure that patients are treated individually using a holistic approach,” adds Jonathan

HEALTH

Jessop Fertility has five highly experienced consultants and a team of dedicated specialist nurses, scientists, administrators and fertility councillors that care for patients’ physical and emotional wellbeing. Not only is the unit staffed by experts with years of experience, offering a range of services, Jessop Fertility also provides a relaxed, calm environment, to put patients at ease throughout their fertility journey. With all this expert care and state-ofthe-art technology, the centre’s success rates are at an all-time high. The most recent figures show that patients up to the age of 37 have a 41 per cent chance of having a successful clinical pregnancy. These excellent success rates have been achieved whilst keeping the multiple pregnancy rates low. This means that there is a higher chance of delivering a healthy baby. “Our services at Jessop Fertility are available to both NHS

and self-funding patients,” says Valerie Kitcheman, the Business Support Manager. “We offer a very competitive, transparent package with no hidden costs, our treatment packages include all treatment monitoring, time-lapse technology, embryo glue and early pregnancy monitoring. “As well as IVF, we offer a full range of fertility investigations including a comprehensive range of assisted conception techniques such as IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and treatment with donor sperm and eggs.

National Fertility Awareness Week is 30 October to 5 November 2017. To find out more, visit www.nfaw.org.uk. Contact 0114 226 8501 to speak to Val or send an enquiry via the Jessop Fertility website at www.jessopfertility.org.uk. Jessop Fertility Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, S10 2SF Tel: 0114 226 8050 Twitter: @JessopFertility

“If you would like more information about how Jessop Fertility could help you, we would be happy to talk to you in confidence.”

Business Support Manager Val is always happy to answer your questions

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PRESS THE RESET BUTTON MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE TAKING THE PLUNGE AND LAUNCHING THEIR OWN SMALL BUSINESSES. RACHEL MARTIN REPORTS s the concept of ‘employment’ is redefined, it requires a new mindset. And ‘resetting’ is the career trend of the moment that involves, basically, more and more people packing it in and taking a giant leap of faith in themselves.

making huge changes to their lives, because they have greater confidence in their own abilities. And a seemingly stronger ‘can do’ attitude in society has kick-started a trend in more people making radical career changes, to take control of, and ultimately ‘reset’ their lives.

A recent report launched by Britain Thinks and Investec Click & Invest has revealed that despite economic uncertainty, changing work patterns and less job and financial security, an unprecedented number of people are

According to the report, over one third of the British population have already reset, and a further 32 per cent of the population are planning to make major adjustments in the next five years, such as changing to a more rewarding career,

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setting up a new business or turning a hobby into a profit-making venture. Post General Election, it seems that this trend has become even more pronounced, in light of increased uncertainty, and according to Britain Thinks, 85 per cent of the population now say they would like to have even greater control over their future. Commenting on the report, Viki Cooke, founding partner of Britain Thinks, said: “Our research identifies that across the

FEATURE

population there is a move towards empowerment as people recognise that in a world of increasing uncertainty, they need to take control of their lives. This has implications for work and careers, lifestyle and financial planning, and we see it as a societal trend which is set to continue.”

RICHARD GILL: FROM FARMING TO BREWING

Re-setters are much more focused on financial planning and investments than the population as whole, the report found, and against a backdrop of huge political and economic uncertainty around Brexit, almost one third of existing re-setters have set up their own business, with a further 22 per cent establishing a growing new ‘hobbypreneur’ movement. Hobbypreneurs are part of a new do-ityourself movement of crafters, digital tinkerers, green advocates and others According to looking to move the report, beyond massover one third produced goods. And of the British with almost three quarters of population respondents have already recognising that there re-set, and a is no such thing as a further 32 per ‘job for life’, they plan to do this in three cent of the ways: guaranteeing population financial security (87 are planning per cent agree that to make major being financial secure is important to adjustments in achieving your goals), the next strategically plan five years, changes (81 per cent of recent re-setters agree they are always working towards their next goal) and ensuring they are well connected; recent re-setters are almost twice as likely to be networking than the general population, making them well-placed to take advantage of opportunities when they arise. Etsy, of course, is an obvious example of this growing infrastructure. It makes it inexpensive and easy for an entrepreneur to open an online store with immediate reach to millions of potential customers. But although it's gotten cheaper and easier to turn a hobby or interest into a business, for 75 per cent of hobbypreneurs, gaining life experience is more important than material wealth. Andrew Summers, head of collectives at Investec Wealth and Investment, highlights the benefits to UK PLC of the ¯

Director of Bradfield Brewery, Richard Gill was below the legal age limit when he first started tampering with a home brew kit (supervised of course) - but little did he know that brewing would become such a big part of his life. Having a keen interest in chemistry at school, Richard began carrying out experiments of his own, and over the next couple of years his home brew was the centre piece on the family table every Sunday, accompanying the weekly roast dinner. Meanwhile back on Bradfield farm, discussions about diversifying in other areas, in order to ensure the farming business was underpinned, were taking place. Richard’s father, John Gill was handy with woodwork, and that seemed like the most obvious route for a second arm to the business - at least until his daughter’s 18th birthday party. Guests thoroughly enjoyed Richards’s beer - it wasn’t long before orders were coming in thick and fast - and there, the Bradfield Brewery journey began. Fourteen years on, and Bradfield Brewery are now producing on average 100,000 pints of beer each week, not only across the UK, but nationwide. “I have always had an active mind and whilst I really enjoyed working on the farm with the animals, I was always working on other projects and ambitions.” Richard says. “When I first started with a home brew kit, I was genuinely only really interested in the chemistry side of things. All the testing of the beer gradually led to me developing a taste for good ale and it then became a mission for me to brew beers that others would enjoy too. “Since delivering our first casks of ale to pubs in 2012, the business has grown from strength to strength and I have never looked back.

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FEATURE

NOVEMBER 2017

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JAMES MOUNTAIN: FROM HIP HOP TO ORGANIC FOOD When hip hop music executive James Mountain was working as the head of a major talent management business in London, he couldn’t have imagined tending sheep or being elbow deep in mud digging up carrots on a Derbyshire farm. But he soon found that life can take some unexpected turns. Swapping the hustle and bustle of The Smoke for the fresh air of the countryside, James is now the driving force behind Down to Earth, a charity project based at Lane End Farm Trust in Derbyshire, offering wholesale organic vegetables and meat to a number of Sheffield restaurants and cafes. James started a course in hospitality and business management, which included practical work as a chef, and in his spare time he hosted a student radio show. After university, he moved to London and undertook work experience at Ninja Tune, where he was offered a full-time position. Five years later, he set up Stealth Management under the Ninja Tune umbrella, managing some of the most exciting names in the music business, but the charm that London once had was starting to fade. He decided to move north, and although his management business was still booming, James knew he needed a complete change in lifestyle. “We were doing great stuff and had two top 10 hits in 2013/14. Music should be multi-generational, but I found myself aged 35 talking to excited creative people in their early 20s, and I had a realisation that I didn’t want to be telling these people what was cool anymore. I know this sounds clichéd, but I wanted to get into helping people.” James Googled ‘outdoor jobs in Sheffield’ and found Lane End Farm Trust, and 18 month on, Down To Earth is going from strength to strength. “Most of our customers are restaurant owners and chefs. I send them an email at the beginning of the week saying what we’ve got, then we harvest it ourselves with the farming students, deliver it and it all goes back into creating a sustainable charity, where we can pay our staff wages and give our students access to a therapeutic environment.”

report’s findings: “Small businesses have long been the engine room of the UK economy, so the fact that more people are taking control and setting up their own enterprises is likely to have a positive impact across all sectors.” The report also identifies two distinct types of re-setters; ten per cent of the population are recent career re-setters, of which 68 per cent have changed their career to something they feel more passionate about in the last year, gone freelance (23 per cent) or set up their own business (26 per cent). Their average age is 35, they are more educated (49 per cent have a degree compared to 29 per cent of the general population), less likely to own property (49 per cent compared to 61 per cent) and are less likely to have children (48 per

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cent do not have children compared to 39 per cent of the general population). They are also more likely to have some savings and investments (84 per cent versus 78 per cent).

showed that over a quarter of the 134,000 creative businesses in the UK are run by women, with 95 per cent citing a greater sense of achievement due to running their own business.

The second group are seasoned ‘resetters’, which account for 19 per cent of the population. This group has achieved both a career change and lifestyle change; 32 per cent have set up their own business and 26 per cent have made a hobby pay. They tend to be older with an average of age of 52, and almost three quarters (70 per cent) are property owners, compared to 61 per cent of the general population. They are also more likely to have higher value savings and investments.

These findings have major implications for the way that people in Britain today approach planning their futures, as they seek to take greater control of their lives. The changes are not random but strategic, and resetting requires planning particularly financial- to ensure that the goals people want to achieve are attainable.

Meanwhile, a new report from Not on the High Street and Oxford Economics

Often these businesses employ only the owner, but in other cases, companies growing out of hobbies can grow very large. Here are two real stories of entrepreneurs that turned their passion into profit.

OFFICE PARTIES

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PARTY ON CHRISTMAS IS ON THE HORIZON SO IT’S TIME TO START PLANNING FOR A TRULY MEMORABLE OFFICE DO.

he countdown to the festival party season is on With the warm weather drawing to the close and summer holidays a distant memory, it can only mean one thing the countdown to Christmas and the festive party season is on. This December, across the Sheffield City Region work colleagues will be putting on their glad rags and enjoying a drink – or - together. A well organised party in a quality, popular venue can give dedicated, hardworking staff something fun to look forward to as the year draws to a close. It is not only good for team morale but a great bonding experience for all.

The key to a really memorable Christmas work ‘do’ is to make sure it is booked well in advance, so you’re not left to find out every venue is fully booked, leaving the only option to be an office party, telling cheesy Christmas cracker jokes whilst dancing around the photocopier to Bowie.

dance evening or a traditional turkey meal with all the trimmings at a cosy pub, there are plenty of venues to choose from that can accommodate your festive plans, whether you are a small business with a handful of staff, or a huge organisation with hundreds of employees.

It doesn’t have to be the manager who is tasked with the booking of the party either. Hand the party planning over to the one in the office who loves to socialise, as they will relish the task of getting everyone on board and booking a fantastic Christmas party.

So, no matter what the budget or scale of your party get into the Christmas spirit and get your party booked now.

So whether it’s a lavish five-course spread at a top restaurant, a dinner and

If you’re short of ideas of what to do and where to host your Christmas party this year, take a look at some of the fabulous venues showcased on the following pages

FULLY LICENSED ITALIAN RESTAURANT Open 7 days a week 6pm til 11. 30pm

Will open lunchtimes with prior bookings.

All parties catered for • Supervised car park

Certificate of Excellence Winner 2015

Best UK Family Italian Restaurant Runner Up

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS for Lunch & Evening Christmas 2017

3 Sharrow Lane, Sheffield, S11 8AE

0114 2588164

www.rossisrestaurant.vpweb.co.uk

NG S BER I PL ND ECEMr beers M SA EKE UT Dple oouu buy! WEOUGHnOg, seafmore y

Come and visit our brewery shop where you’ll u’ll ﬁnd a great range of Farmers Ales available in bottles, tles,, ju jjugs, g , gs mini kegs and 10ltr “beer in a box”. 5ltr m x”. ”

o b try nd

R al TH me Co a

You’ll also ﬁnd Y n a great range of high quality and practical gifts, clothing and merchandise – ideal for the t “Farmers fan” in your life!

now available

BROWN HOUSE LANE

K I R K

St Nicholas Church High Bradfield LA

OODFALL

LITTLE LANE LO LE

CHRISTMAS CHEER STARTS HERE!

WE ARE HERE

HIGH BRADFIELD

TO BRADFIELD VILLAGE

OUGHTIBRIDGE E D GE R O A D

TO NAGS HEAD AND DAM FLASK

Visit our facebook page or follow us on twitter for the latest news and offers

32 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

mas Christers d or ing e now b en tak

GREAT AS GIFT IDE R A E Y ALL ! D N ROU

From November – our ever-popular festive F tipple will be available in 500ml bottles and tip 5 litre mini kegs (while stocks last) THE PERFECT STOCKING FILLER TO BE ENJOYED AT HOME ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT.

ON SIT ON-SITE ITE BRE B BREWERY RE EWERY SHOP OPEN E OPEN: MON – FRI 8AM – 4PM & SAT 10AM – 4PM AND every Sunday in December: 10am-2pm LATE NIGHT THURS Christmas Eve and New Years Eve (Sunday 31st): 10am-2pm Wed 27th to Fri 29th Dec: 8am-4pm. Sat 30th Dec: 10am-4pm & FRI UNTIL 8PM: CLOSED - Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day & Mon 1st Jan 2018

TUES 2ND JANUARY – NORMAL HOURS RECOMMENCE Tel: 0114 285 1118 • info@bradﬁeldbrewery.co.uk

1st, 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS

First For Business

NOVEMBER 2017

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ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHRISTMAS! THE HOLIDAY INN ROYAL VICTORIA HAS THE FESTIVE SEASON ALL WRAPPED UP.

he Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Sheffield provides an ideal setting for a festive get together for families this December.

With a Christmas carvery lunch, novelties and a special visit from Santa to entertain the children, their Christmas Lunch with Santa is an excellent way to spend a Sunday. Book your space by calling the hotel on 0114 252 6517. Above all, there is a little gift from Father Christmas for all children under 12 years of age. All December, the afternoon tea offerings are themed to festive delights with an option to upgrade with a glass of bubbly to make that casual catch-up a lot more memorable.

The Holiday Inn Royal Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Gala Ball is a perfect way to say good-bye to the year 2017. Welcome in 2018 in style with an arrival glass of Champagne and canapes, seven course meal paired with a glass of wine each. Entertainment on the night will be in the form of a string quartet and disco as well as a traditional Scottish piper who will pipe in the New Year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it is sure to be unforgettable.

CONTACT: The Holiday Inn Royal Victoria Victoria Station Road, Sheffield, S4 7YE Tel: 0114 276 8822

Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201E;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2018;Â? Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â&#x17D;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x2122; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013; Ć¤Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â&#x160;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2022; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x17D;Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x160; Â&#x2122;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x192; Â&#x2DC;Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x192;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2018;Â?Č&#x201A; Í&#x203A;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;ÇĄ Í&#x2122;Í&#x2DC;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160; Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026; Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2020; Í&#x2122;Í&#x;Â&#x2013;Â&#x160; Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Í&#x2039;Í&#x2122;ÍĄÇ¤ÍĄÍ? Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x192;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2013; ĆŹ Í&#x2039;ÍĄÇ¤ÍĄÍ? Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Í&#x2122;Í&#x161; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022; Č&#x2039; Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â? Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Í&#x203A; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6; Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Č&#x152;

Â&#x2018;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2018; Â&#x201E;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â&#x2013;Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2021;Â? Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D; Â&#x160;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x203A; Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2026;Â&#x160; Í&#x2039;Í&#x17E;ÍĄÇ¤Í&#x2DC;Í&#x2DC; Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x192;Â&#x2020;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2013; ĆŹ Í&#x2039;Í&#x203A;Í&#x161;Ç¤Í&#x2DC;Í&#x2DC; Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Í&#x2122;Í&#x161; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022; Č&#x2039; Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â? Â&#x2014;Â?Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Í&#x203A; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2022; Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6; Â&#x2026;Â&#x160;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2030;Â&#x2021;Č&#x152;

Â&#x2018; Â?Â&#x192;Â?Â&#x2021; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â&#x201E;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2039;Â?Â&#x2030; Â&#x2019;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026;Â&#x192;Â&#x17D;Â&#x17D; Í&#x2DC;Í&#x2122;Í&#x2122;Í&#x153; Í&#x161;Í?Í&#x161; Í&#x17E;Í?Í&#x2122;Í&#x; Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D; Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2039;Â&#x17D;- Â&#x160;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2013;Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2022;ĚťÂ&#x160;Â&#x2018;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â&#x203A;Â&#x2039;Â?Â?Â&#x2022;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021;ĆĽÂ&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2020;Ç¤Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Ç¤Â&#x2014;Â?

First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 33

Eat Healthy, Eat Greek

ENJOY GREAT FOOD WITH THE GREEDY GREEK DELI AND GREEK DELI DIRECT A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Order direct

Why not join us for a Christmas get together Greek Style? Party Menus from £10.95pp

Download our APP & save 5%

You can bring your own wine and beer, no corkage charge. Seating for 30 people upstairs at the Deli.

Having a party at the office or home then let the Greek Deli Direct do the hard work for you. Hot and cold food ready to eat. If you have a larger group or party our mobile unit may be what you are looking for We also do outside catering for Weddings, Party’s, Events and Festivals large or small, check out our new Mobile vans www.greekdelidirect.co.uk or give Helen a call on 07927673990 We are open from 10am to 10pm 7 days a week at 418-420 Sharrowvale Road, Hunters Bar, S11 8ZP (Next to Nat West Bank) Tel: 0114 2667719

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34 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

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Brittains is an extraordinary spirit. Created from the highest quality 5 times distilled premium vodka and combine it with the finest ingredients and a healthy dash of good old fashioned British eccentricity to create a truly extraordinary drinking experience.

Telephone 01302 639498

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Westbourne Senior School Educating girls and boys for life

Inspired teaching… Outstanding learning

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• Small Class Sizes • Some of the Best GCSE Results in the area

• Exciting new facilities • Academic Scholarship Class

An Advertising Sales Executive is required for Westside Magazine, covering the Derbyshire and Sheffield Areas. Preference will be given to candidates who can show previous success in the field of selling print/internet advertising. OTE - upon application and dependent upon experience A company car can be supplied Holidays - 25 days plus statutory Bank Holidays - Pro-rata

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(Discounted places for Year 7 entry September 2018)

Call 0114 266 0374

Dealers in quality watches & diamonds

339-341 Ecclesall Rd, Sheffield S11 8PF 36 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

westbourneschool.co.uk

Tel: 0114 2664040

CHARITY

First for Business

NOVEMBER 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

IMPROVING SUPPORT NEW SERVICE PROMISES MORE HELP FOR ROTHERHAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DEAF AND BLIND COMMUNITIES.

everyone in the area with sensory impairments benefits from accessing the service.

Rotherham Sight & Sound provides services to people with a visual impairment and to deaf people, both hearing aid users and British Sign Language (BSL) users, as well as people with a dual sensory loss (deafblind).

There is an equipment centre selling specialist equipment to assist people with a variety of everyday tasks and a technology trainer to show people how to use computers, smart phones, and tablets. The new centre also provides a base for a variety of self-help, sports and leisure groups. A team of Community Advice Officers will also be operating throughout Rotherham. Services will develop further over the coming months.

heffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB) opened a new sensory service in Rotherham recently.

It is the result of months of hard work between SRSB and Rotherham Council to get this much needed provision up and running for the Rotherham community. The charity wants to ensure that

Clients at Rotherham are busy raising funds to buy a minibus for the centre and have so far taken part in Skydives, Firewalks and Blind Driving events. Anyone wishing to help is welcome to take part in their fundraising initiatives. The charity wants to establish relationships with corporate supporters and welcomes the opportunity to meet with organisations of all sizes to explore ways to work together on mutual objectives and fulfil Corporate Social Responsibility policy. Contact 01709 722 420 or email fundraising@srsb.org.uk

First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 37

Behind every How do you say goodbye? great chef... When a loved one dies, it is always a very painful and distressing time. As a professional Celebrant I can help and support you to create a personal, meaningful and memorable ceremony for this final act of love and respect.

Beyond With over 40 fabulous recipes from the kitchens of The Brilliant

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OWN Inside the UK’s top school for the culinary stars of tomorrow

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38 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

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FUNERALS

First For Business

NOVEMBER 2017

www.ffb-online.co.uk

A NEW ERA FOR G&M LUNT EXPERIENCED FUNERAL DIRECTOR MARTYN JOINS OLD-ESTABLISHED FAMILY FIRM.

he clocks may be going back but things are moving forward at G&M Lunt, family funeral directors for over 80 years.

Michael Lunt has announced that Martyn Askew, who is Woodseats born and bred with over 40 years in the profession, has joined the company as director of funeral services, responsible for the day to day running of the company after many years’ experience managing the John Fairest Funeral Homes. G & M Lunt was established by George Lunt in 1932 with his wife Mabel, son Jack and daughter Mary, who joined the company as the business grew. Michael joined in 1969. In 1976 George passed away and Mary’s son Andrew joined in 1985. Sadly Jack passed away in 1987, so Michael and Andrew ran the business together until Andrew retired. Michael carried on running the business for many years with the support of his dedicated staff. Now time has come to hand over the reins to Martyn, a friend for over 40 years and an outstanding funeral director. Michael Lunt will still be actively involved in the business on a day to day basis.

Martyn said: “It is a privilege to be asked, and an honour to accept this appointment. Our families have been linked in many ways over the years. It is like coming home, and I am looking forward to working for such a wellestablished and much respected funeral directors as G & M Lunt.” While G & M Lunt are moving forward, the core values that have enabled them to help grieving families and loved ones when they are at their most vulnerable remain at the heart of everything they do. With this very firmly in mind they offer the following, to ensure peace of mind to anyone faced with the task of arranging a funeral: I a personal family service at all times I home visits to make all necessary arrangements I private Chapel of Rest and Service Chapel I floral tributes, catering, newspaper notice and printing I religious and non-religious services I all areas of the UK covered I pre-paid funeral plans available

Michael Lunt (right) welcomes Martyn Askew to the firm

CONTACT: G & M Lunt Ltd 1/13 Camping Lane & 36 Abbey Lane, Sheffield, S8 0GB Tel: 0114 274 5508 Email: info@gandmluntltd.com www.funeralservicessheffield.com

First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 39

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Do you have a business news story worth shouting about? If you are expanding, celebrating an anniversary or recruiting new faces, put the word out via First For Business... the only monthly independent voice of business in Sheffield City Region. Send your stories and press releases to Mandy Ogle at mandy.ogle@rmcmedia.co.uk or telephone 0114 250 6300.

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First For Business

NOVEMBER 2017

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GREAT GETAWAY PICTURESQUE CHESHIRE MAKES FOR A VERY RELAXING BREAK, WRITES HANNAH SANDERS.

elaxing on plush leather seats, in front of the cast iron stove while enjoying a tipple – or two – was an ideal way to admire the rustic chandelier and array of violins balanced delicately on wooden beams along with a pictureperfect view of blooming-foliage and lush green fields, all making for a quintessentially British setting. The Vicarage Freehouse & Rooms is nestled in the picturesque Cheshire countryside, near the River Dane. With its rustic exterior and climbing ivy, it blends perfectly into its surroundings, creating the perfect British getaway. The hotel is run by Flat Cap Hotels and inside it’s spacious and well thought out with three comfortable lounges, contemporary outdoor dining area, games room as well as light and airy conservatory area and country house style restaurant. We didn’t want our stay to end. The hotel has six exquisite signatures rooms, each with its own quirky touch such as a large chess board, which as competitive people, we took full advantage of. With its shabby-chic décor, including checked cushions, a deep blue chest, vintage gold mirror and finished with a delicately painted ‘do not disturb’ sign hung on the door, the room lived up to 42 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

expectations as luxurious retreat from home. The bedrooms are well-designed with luxury bathrooms to match – ours came with a huge bath and a rainmaker shower, the perfect place to unwind and put on your glad rags before experiencing The Vicarage’s restaurant. They source their produce locally with a menu driven by the gardeners, foragers, farmers and suppliers of Cheshire, and we were blown away. Stand-out dishes included pan-seared prawns in chilli butter, Cornish crab with a chilli and lime jam, Vicarage burger and chocolate and strawberry brulée with pastry tuille. The dining area was bustling all evening, and I immediately fell for the rustic décor. From a wall of antique mirrors, to fabric animals busts, riding hats, plush velvet seats and family crests hung on the wooden beams, I felt like I was Elizabeth Bennett enjoying a weekend away with Mr Darcy. After a restful night’s sleep in the comfiest of beds, a hearty breakfast in the conservatory was just what we needed before taking a ten-minute drive to Knutsford to wander around the many independent shops, enjoying the cobbled streets and brightly painted facades, before lunch at another of the family-run group’s

hotels – The Courthouse. The former Crown Court has been converted into the Barristers Restaurant and Rooftop Gardens, and the refurbishment emulates the building’s history and grandeur-style. Sitting where the judge used to reside, looking down on the defendant – now the fully-stocked bar framed with towering plants – was a fun experience whilst we enjoyed a luxurious lunch. Service was outstanding and we were treated to a tour of the grand building. The lush surroundings of The Vicarage make for the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a peaceful and memorable weekend away, whilst enjoying the close-by historic town of Knutsford with its Gaskell Tower.

DETAILS: Prices start from £125 for a signature room with breakfast View the latest offers at www.thevicaragecheshire.com/offer For more information or to book visit www.thevicaragecheshire.com or www.thecourthousecheshire.com Don’t forget to visit them on social media – @courthousechesh and @vicaragechesh

TRAVEL

JOIN THE CREWE HISTORIC NORTHUMBERLAND HAS PLENTY TO OFFER, WRITES PHOEBE SEYMOUR – PERFECT FOR A SHORT STOPOVER.

itting next to a huge fireplace, surrounded by stone walls and a wooden beamed ceiling, sipping ale from tankards, this could easily be an iconic scene from Game of Thrones. But we were not at Castle Black on the icy northern border of a fictional land, we were at Lord Crewe Arms, on the border of Northumberland. Built in 1165, this hotel was originally part of Blanchland Abbey, home to the White Canons of the Roman Catholic Order. These monks famously dressed in white and as blanche is French for white, the village became known as Blanchland. This building was originally the Abbot’s lodge, guest house, kitchens and dining room, and the gardens served as cloisters for the monks of the Northumbrian moors. The abbey was dissolved in 1539 and was bought by the Radcliffes, then the Forster family, before being taken over by Lord Nathaniel Crewe in 1708. And if you like a good ghost story, they say Dorothy Forster still walks the abbey to this day. Back in the land of the living, hotel guests and visitors alike can enjoy the Lord Crewe Arms’ Crypt Bar, the cosy adjoining Derwent room, or sit next to the afore mentioned grand fireplace – just the thing in these colder months.

dining room window at the gorgeous gardens, whilst eating breakfast. I had eggs royale with salmon that had been smoked and cured on the premises. The hotel is also proud to grow its own vegetables and has a biomass shed to generate its own energy. And it’s not just a great place for a leisurely stay. There are also brilliant facilities in the adjoining Gatehouse for business conferences, containing a meeting room, sitting room and kitchen. Once we had checked out, the receptionist suggested several walks, but the bottom line was, “Whichever direction you walk in, you’ll get to the North Pennines!” With Derwent Reservoir just a couple of country miles up the road, the Crewe is well-placed for sailing and water sports, as well as cycling, fishing and shooting. It’s also a great base for day trips to the Beamish Museum and Hadrian’s Wall, or even for a shopping trip to Newcastle. On our walk, we came across a chicken crossing the road – a sign we were truly in the country, and the ruins of the old Shildon Engine House – a symbol of the area’s industrial past.

Back in the village, we perused the traditional sweets and the homemade cards and gifts at a local shop, before going to the Monk Tearoom, an old school room-turned-café, for a pot of tea before returning home. So if you want to feel like the king of the castle, venture over the North Pennines or explore the nearby museums, Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland is a cosy and comfortable home from home. What’s more, they have been named ‘Inn of the Year 2018’ by the Good Pub Guide.

DETAILS: Accommodation and full Northumbrian breakfast is from £119 per double room. Offer: Readers are offered 20 per cent discount off events at The Gatehouse (valid until 1 March 2018, excluding Valentine’s Day). To qualify please book direct on 01434 677100 and quote RMC Media. To find out more, visit www.lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk

Upstairs is the more formal Bishops dining room, but you can eat in the casual surroundings of the lower fireplace room if you wish. The evening we arrived, my partner enjoyed an Isle of Wight salad with Langley Farm cottage cheese to start and a juicy flat iron steak for his main, while I had chilled, white gazpacho, followed by tender roast suckling pig porchetta with whipped polenta and spinach. Back in our room, I relished the chance to dip into the deep bathtub and cosy up to the wood burner with a cup of tea, before settling into a sumptuous double bed. The next morning we gazed out of the

The stunning fireplace at The Lord Crewe Arms

First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 43

Transform your life and your body Alongside Alevere, G&M Healthcare offer a series of complementary cosmetic treatments. DRACULA THERAPY (VAMPIRE FACELIFT) (Also known as PRP Therapy)

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First For Business

NOVEMBER 2017

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SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S BEST HONOURED Businesses across the region were recognised at the annual Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards, held in Rotherham. This year’s awards saw 14 businesses, charities and individuals honoured at the prestigious awards ceremony, as they battled against a shortlist of five in each category. Cannon Hall Farm, located near Barnsley, was crowned the Universal Components Business of the Year, after triumphing over the evening’s competition. The ceremony, hosted by BBC Radio Sheffield’s Andy Giddings, was held at Magna, with 480 guests in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the shortlisted individuals and organisations, sponsored by RNN Group.

The evening’s individual awards were presented to Jacob Fox of Berneslai Homes, winner of the Apprentice of the Year award, and Allan Ogle of Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids who picked up the Business Person of the Year award. The Chamber presented a special Lifetime Achievement award to Edward Naylor of Naylor Industries PLC for his hard work and devotion to the local community. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Andrew Denniff said; “As always the evening was superb, reflecting all that is best in our region. My congratulations go out to all of our winners and especially

Cannon Hall Farm, the Business of the Year.” This year also saw the Chamber present their Charity of the Year award, sponsored by Fortem, to City Hearts UK, who received £3,000 prize money and will become this year’s Chamber Charity of the Year.

WORK AND PLAY

A MONTHLY ROUND-UP OF NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS, CELEBRATIONS AND NEW FACES

Rebecca Knight

TWO NEW DIRECTORS AT OVO SPACES Sheffield commercial interior design and fit-out specialist, Ovo Spaces has appointed two new faces to its board of directors. Rebecca Knight, who has spent her entire career working in property and interiors at companies throughout the north, came to Ovo Spaces as sales and marketing manager two years ago.

Stephen Ashmore

Joining her as a director will be Stephen Ashmore, currently the company’s contracts manager. “Since coming to the company I have been seeking and nurturing new contracts and working on strengthening our market presence, utilising to the full my expertise in such areas as social media and networking opportunities,” Rebecca said. “In my new role as a director of the company I feel I am now in an

46 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

even better position for helping to deliver a new phase of successful growth.” Stephen added: “There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the Ovo Spaces team and I am delighted to now be moving onto the board of directors. “As we continue to expand, we are taking on some hugely important new contracts and I believe that my new role at director level will only add to the strength of our business relationships across the country.” Ovo Spaces managing director David Baldwin commented: “I am tremendously excited to have Rebecca and Steve on board. They both have the drive, enthusiasm and dedication to take this company into its next decade.”

WORK & PLAY

L-R: Chris Wilson (managing editor, RMC Media), Su Sutton (My Fathers Heart), Harriet Coulthard (My Fathers Heart), John Murphy (managing director, RMC Media)

RMC MEDIA WELCOMES STRENGTHENED BOND WITH MY FATHERS HEART. MC Media and My Fathers Heart, two Sheffield businesses dedicated to bringing the finer things in life to the Sheffield public, have renewed their bond and will be working together for another year.

My Fathers Heart, which designs and builds the region’s finest, bespoke, handmade kitchens, bedrooms and furniture, will continue to sponsor and host one of the key events in our sister magazine Westside’s calendar... our search for the Best Young Chef in Sheffield.

heritage is built on its precision, craftsmanship and authenticity – from its cutlery to its kitchens and furniture. “As the region’s leading handmade kitchen and furniture makers, My Fathers Heart typifies all that is the finest in Best Young Chef judges (l-r): Mick Burke, Natasha Holland, Stefan Rose and John Murphy

showroom as a centre of design excellence, inspiring, celebrating and showcasing the very best of the city’s talent, such as Best Young Chef, as well as hosting a range of events for our clients and to support our local community.” This partnership will see My Fathers Heart encouraging Sheffield’s growing desire for quality and finesse. With RMC Media, My Fathers Heart will work with local businesses and organisations throughout the competition to support and inspire the very finest in Sheffield to shine.

The 2017 inaugural event was a huge success with the cream of the region’s young culinary talent coming together at My Fathers Heart’s award-winning showroom for a day of high drama and superb culinary endeavour. “RMC Media is delighted to continue its association with My Fathers Heart,” said RMC Media director John Murphy. “With its spectacular kitchen displays, four of which are live, state-of-the-art work stations, My Fathers Heart, has proved to be the perfect setting for this event.” My Fathers Heart owner Jonathan Coulthard said: “Sheffield’s proud

quality, beauty and elegant living. We are 2017 Best Young Chef winner Dave Cockerill of The Tickled Trout collects his award always looking for new ways to use from Howard Middleton (left) andour Jonathan Coulthard, My Fathers Heart (right) First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 47

First For Business

NOVEMBER 2017

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CHARITIES BENEFIT FROM A YOUNG ENGINEER WALKING TEN MILES TO WORK DAILY Three charities shared more than £1,700 after a young Sheffield engineer covered 50 miles by walking to work for a week. In aid of Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SRSB), Breast Cancer Care and Alzheimer’s Research, the cash was raised by Jack Durham, 26, who is a technical engineer at Gripple in Sheffield. He covered 50 miles in five days – 36 miles running and 14 walking – taking approximately 98,000 steps and earning multiple blisters. In addition to the Walk to Work Challenge, Jack took part in the 2017 Night Strider Charity Walk to raise funds for St. Luke’s Hospice, completing the half marathon route in only three-and-a-half hours.

FREE INVESTMENT SUMMIT TO UNLOCK INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN CHESTERFIELD With £1billion of developments underway and a HS2 stop and maintenance depot set to be built in Chesterfield by 2033, businesses across the region that want to capitalise on the town’s growth trajectory are being invited to attend the Chesterfield Investment Summit. The free to attend event, which is being supported by Marketing Derby, will be held on 30 November at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield from 8.30am-12noon. It aims to give delegates a detailed overview of investment opportunities in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Anne Murphy, cuts the ribbon with Peter Clark

Graysons Managing Partner Peter Clark (right) with artist Alan Pennington

LAW FIRM’S OFFICE UNVEILING COMES WITH A SPLASH OF HENDERSON’S Up-and-coming Sheffield artist Alan Pennington enjoyed a setting with a difference for his biggest ever exhibition. He teamed up with Graysons Solicitors and hung his new collection at a launch party to unveil the firm’s new offices. Graysons Solicitors, which now employs around 70 staff, has moved to bigger, more modern premises at Courtwood House, Silver Street Head, very near to its former Paradise Square home in the city’s professional quarter. Scores of guests joined the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Anne Murphy, as she officially unveiled the brand new offices with walls adorned with Alan Pennington’s work – including three brand new 48 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

Henderson’s Relish-inspired artworks. Peter Clark, managing partner at Graysons, said: “Paradise Square has served us well for many years but we now have a lot of new blood in the firm with exciting ideas. The move to Courtwood provides us with the platform we need to move forward with our future plans. We’re very honoured that the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and artist Alan Pennington were part of the opening celebrations.” The new-look Graysons recently welcomed Chris Rodgers as the Head of Business Development, Jennifer Walker as Head of the firm’s Employment Department and Anne Rogers as Head of the Wills & Probate Department.

Speakers at the conference include Richard Brown CBE, a Board Member of HS2 and a nonexecutive member of the Department for Transport Board, Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council and Simon Quin, Director of the Institute of Place Management. Although 16 years away, delegates will hear at the summit how the town is preparing now for the opportunities that HS2 will bring to Chesterfield. Alongside HS2, representatives from the town’s key developments – Chesterfield Waterside and Markham Vale, will also be attending the summit which is being organised by Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Economic Partnership and Marketing Derby – joint partners in the EU funded “Invest in D2N2” project with a focus on promoting Derbyshire both nationally and globally as the place to invest for growth and quality of life.

WORK & PLAY

PUCKATOR PRESENT THEIR NEW HOME Giftware supplier Puckator has secured new, bigger business premises in the city’s iconic Park Hill, seeing the company, which currently employs 160 people worldwide and has a turnover of £20million, buy office space in Sheffield’s newest creative quarter. Sales director, Matt Shaw, said: “We were looking for somewhere to buy and I saw Urban Splash’s development of the iconic Park Hill Flats. We were attracted to the commercial units because of the location and space. It is unique – there is nowhere else like it. The firm have also taken on a German-speaking workforce and are hoping to employ at least three more designers in the next 12 months, to satisfy an increasingly growing market share.

PLANS FOR THE BUSINESS PARK DEVELOPMENT AT DONCASTER SHEFFIELD AIRPORT REVEALED Peel Land, a subsidiary of Peel Holdings (Land and Property), has submitted a formal request for an environmental impact assessment screening opinion to Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council for a new business park at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The 35-acre site comprises vacant brownfield land that is capable of immediate development. The documents, submitted by Peel, said: “The proposals will make a positive contribution towards local priorities for economic development in Doncaster, without infringing on land that is identified as being particularly sensitive. “A significant number of new jobs will be created by the development and through the construction process and supply chain.”

SHEFFIELD CHAMBER SHORTLISTED FOR TWO NATIONAL AWARDS Sheffield Chamber has been shortlisted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) for two awards. The recognition comes in two out of the four categories awarded annually by the BCC, which attract scores of entries. ‘Excellence in Membership Services’, and ‘Excellence in International Trade’ are the categories where the Sheffield Chamber have been shortlisted. Richard Wright, executive director, said: “This shortlisting is a just reward for the hard work many people have put into the Chamber over several years and the support we get from our hundreds of members. Our strategy has been to remove our reliance on public sector contracts but focus on real business services. “The membership offer reflects that, but international trade is something we believe we are best in class at and reflects business reality. We firmly believe that this will be the Asian century. By 2050 we will be more interested in trade with Asia and India than we will be with Europe. Brexit is important but only for a while.”

Matt added: “We have been trading for 27 years but have grown rapidly in the last four years and this move reinforces our growth and ambitions.”

CHIEF OF LEADING REGENERATION COMPANY JOINS SHEFFIELD LEP BOARD The head of one of South Yorkshire’s largest publicly listed companies has been appointed to the business-focused board of the Sheffield City Region. Owen Michaelson, chief executive of the Harworth Group, the £400million land and property regeneration company, has joined the Board of the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Mr Michaelson has held non-executive director appointments in nongovernmental organisations and the charitable sector and is highly experienced in working with public bodies and Whitehall departments including the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, the Pension Protection Fund, the Coal Authority and the Treasury. He has also been a trustee and director of the Tall Ships Youth Trust, the North West Forest Trust, and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Another four new members of the Board were announced recently: Laura

Bennett, a Sheffield-based specialist in entrepreneurship and digital technology; Alexa Greaves, chief executive of AAG, the IT managed services company of Barlborough, Chesterfield; former Master Cutler, Neil MacDonald, finance director in international engineering industries; and Richard Stubbs, senior manager in national health and innovation organisations, Yorkshire and Humber. They will be supported by former members Chris Scholey and Simon Carr, as well as Professor Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University.

First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk 49

First For Business

10 THINGS

NOVEMBER 2017

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10 THINGS...

BUSINESSES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ENGINEERING DEGREES AT THE AMRC TRAINING CENTRE Louise Cowling

LOUISE COWLING, HEAD OF DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS. 1 DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

4 UPSKILL EXISTING EMPLOYEES

7 ENERGISE EXISTING TEAMS

Degree apprenticeships combine university study and workplace learning to enable apprentices to gain a full bachelor’s or master’s degree.

There are no upper age limits for degree apprenticeships. Staff across your organisation, in a variety of roles (professional, managerial, engineering and manufacturing) are all eligible for degree apprenticeships.

Employers report that their degree apprentices are highly motivated, enthusiastic members of staff who quickly develop skills and have an energising impact on the colleagues they work with.

2 CO-DESIGNED WITH EMPLOYERS Our degrees have been co-designed with employers. They have the academic rigour that you would expect from a Russell Group University, are tailored to sector needs, and are taught by dedicated staff who are active researchers based at both the AMRC and University of Sheffield.

3 IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY Productivity gains from employing an apprentice long-term average at £414 per week in engineering and manufacturing (Productivity Matters, Centre for Economics and Business Research Report, 2013).

50 First For Business | www.ffb-online.co.uk

5 ATTRACT NEW TALENT Degree apprenticeships are an attractive proposition for potential and existing employees with A levels, or a progression route for employees with an advanced apprenticeship. Degree apprenticeships can form an important element of your organisation’s recruitment and development strategies.

6 DEMONSTRATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO TRAINING Use degree apprenticeships to demonstrate your commitment to training, which may in turn improve staff retention and morale creating a virtuous circle of professional development.

8 FILL HIGHER-LEVEL SKILLS GAPS OR SHORTAGES Fill higher-level staff skills gaps or shortages by supporting existing members of staff to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

9 APPRENTICESHIP LEVY RETURNS You can use your apprenticeship levy to fund degree apprenticeships.

10 LET US MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU We can help you navigate the levy, digital account and co-investment rules.

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