Business lancashire january 2018

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Tips on how to be GDPR ready

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YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

BAE Systems – Qatar agrees £5bn contract for Typhoon aircraft

BAE Systems and the Government of the State of Qatar have entered into a contract, valued at approximately £5bn, for the supply of Typhoon aircraft to the Qatar Emiri Air Force, along with a bespoke support and training package.

The contract is subject to financing conditions and receipt by the Company of first payment, which are

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expected to be fulfilled no later than mid-2018. The contract provides for 24 Typhoon aircraft, with delivery expected to commence in late 2022.

BAE Systems is the prime contractor for both the provision of the aircraft and the agreed arrangements for the in-service support and initial training.

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Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to begin a new chapter in the development of a long-term relationship with the State of Qatar and the Qatar Armed Forces and we look forward to working alongside our customer, as they continue to develop their military capability”.

Lloyd Motor Group.

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YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

WELCOME to the first Business Lancashire edition of 2018, our monthly newspaper, which is available on all the Blackpool Transport buses between Preston and Blackpool, transporting passengers, whilst the existing Network Rail network has a new electric railway system installed.

As a website and daily newsletter, Business Lancashire has been highlighting good news Lancashire focused business stories throughout 2017, achieving a total audience reach of over one million. We intend to continue to give companies the opportunity to promote their success stories in 2018.

Once again, we would like to thank our partners, North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Blackpool Transport, Rotala, Shout Network, Lloyd BMW and MHA Moore & Smalley for all their support and help in distributing the newspaper each month.

The digital version is also available online and emailed to over 10,000 business contacts, giving Lancashire businesses a huge voice. As we continue to expand, more and more distribution channels will be introduced.

Happy New Year and we hope you enjoy this edition.

CONTENTS MANUFACTURING 4 CYBER SECURITY 6 EDUCATION 10 AWARDS 12 BUSINESS SUPPORT 16 INTERNATIONAL 30 AQUISITIONS 32 TRANSPORT 33 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 38 APPOINTMENTS 41 EVENTS 43 PROPERTY 44 CONTACTS & CONTRIBUTORS If you would like to be involved with BUSINESS LANCASHIRE, please get in touch with the below: Editorial:

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Andy Mann - 01772 364152 / 07951 731722

Stuart Box - 01772 364150 / 07939 512152

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Phil Ghayour- 01772 364152 / 07825 884003

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This publication is produced by The Samuel James Group Ltd, Suite 2, 290 Blackpool Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 3AE. Reproduction of the contents of this newspaper in any form is not permitted, without the permission of the publisher.

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors and/or omissions in advertisements, information, photographs or illustrations.

The opinions and advice in this newspaper do not necessarily express the view of the company.

Published by The Samuel James Group

Contact editor@businesslancashire.com

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Vote for those who make Preston ‘Smiles Better’ PRESTON’S public has the opportunity, once again, to vote for their high street heroes, with the return of the ‘Preston, It Smiles Better – The Awards’.

The Awards, sponsored by Abbey Telecom, are back for a third year, after a hugely successful competition last year, which saw more than 200 nominations and 128,000 public votes! They are organised by Preston Business Improvement District (BID), in association with Business Lancashire and provide Preston‘s visitors with the chance to show their support and appreciation for the work and efforts of the city’s leisure and retail businesses.

“The Awards are a great opportunity for city centre businesses to take the limelight” said BID manager, Mark Whittle. “We have a vibrant city centre that offers something for everyone.

Whether people are coming for a shopping trip or a night out, Preston is an excellent choice.

“Our city centre venues have long been synonymous with offering outstanding service and choices. These awards recognise those businesses that excel, by keeping Preston’s customers happy and continually returning to repeat the experience – consequently, we want to encourage everyone to go online at: www.BusinessLancashire.co.uk/ Smiles and vote for their heroes.”

Tony Raynor, Managing Director of Abbey Telecom said: “We always strive to offer

outstanding customer service to our clients, which is why they return time after time. We are delighted to be supporting BID’s ‘Smiles Better’ awards to seek out and honour those individuals and companies, in Preston, who share our ethos of offering outstanding client care”.

Sam Whitear, Director, Business Lancashire added: “It is recognition of the progress we have made that Preston BID has teamed up with Business Lancashire, the county’s trusted source for good news business stories, to provide the voting platform and coverage of the event.

“This year, there are 15 categories for the public to vote in, as well as one special recognition award. We wish all the finalists every success and congratulate the ultimate winners. So, if your favourite is out there, please vote for them and help them get the recognition they deserve.”

One of the highlights from last year’s awards ceremony at Evoque Nightclub, saw Church Street-based angling retailer, Ted Carters, take home the special recognition prize, for more than 50 years’ service to Preston city centre. Guests were also treated to a special appearance from EastEnders star, Jake Wood (Max Branning).

Voting is now open at: www.Business Lancashire.co.uk/Smiles

4MANUFACTURING YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Local fuel tank manufacturer builds on previous success OFF the back of an enquiry, following delivery of the firm’s biggest ever order, to Birmingham Airport, Heysham based manufacturer, Fuel Proof Ltd., has supplied two specialist fuel storage tanks to TAG Farnborough Airport in Hampshire.

The order came about as a result of Fuel Proof providing three 85,000 litre fuel tanks to Birmingham Airport earlier in 2017, which was the biggest order in the firm’s history.

TAG Farnborough Airport is now taking delivery of two 85,000 litre aviation fuel tanks, which Fuel Proof will install alongside the airports’ existing tank farm, increasing capacity to over 500,000 litres.

Fuel Proof Ltd. is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of customised, high quality fuel storage equipment for diesel and aviation fuel. They have 75 employees and exports account for circa 15% of their sales. Their global client base

spans every continent, including many of the world’s largest companies.

Andrew Hargreaves, MD, Fuel Proof Ltd., said: “We are delighted that this additional order was a direct result of publicity and industry feedback associated with the success of our largest ever order, when we supplied our market leading fuel tanks to Birmingham Airport.

This latest sale highlights that the aviation sector is increasingly important to Fuel Proof, as demand for our products in that sector increases.

“It’s no surprise to us that our client base is continuing to grow, since the state of the art fuel storage systems we provide, are great value for money; customised to be fit for purpose and made to the highest quality, by our staff who take great pride in their work.”

Nelson firm donates Virtual Reality headsets to local youngsters NELSON based Blackburn Distributions has kindly donated 50 Virtual Reality headsets to children in the East Lancashire community.

The mobile VR headsets hold smartphones in place and feature Bluetooth controls, allowing users to be completely immersed in the gaming experience.

The supplement specialists are gifting the high-tech headsets to both the Children’s ward at Blackburn Hospital and to the local Burnley community, via a competition with the Burnley Express, to find the most deserving recipients in the area.

Ben Blackburn, Founder and CEO, Blackburn Distribution said: “We believe it is really important to give something back to the local community, especially at this time of year. We hope the virtual reality headsets are enjoyed by the children that use them.

“Furthermore, giving a gift at Christmas to those that deserve them most, should stretch beyond family and friends. I hope that other local businesses will follow our example and give something back to their local community.”

Contact editor@businesslancashire.com

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Metamark Ltd expands manufacturing capacity in Lancaster LANCASTER based self-adhesive materials manufacturer, Metamark LTD, has commissioned a further coating line at its Lancaster manufacturing location.

Metamark is among the UK’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of materials to primarily the signs and graphics industries, and is well known among its customers for industry leading products, such as its MD5 digital media of which the company has manufactured and sold over thirty million square metres.

The new line will enable Metamark to expand its production output to include new types of specialist adhesives, offering its customers greatly enhanced specification choices and application specific performance. The line includes state-ofthe-art energy optimisation controls and process monitoring measures that will help Metamark improve yields from the resources it employs.

The company confirmed that the new line sailed through its commissioning and that it’s now a fully employed and very productive asset.

To handle the increased coating capacity in Lancaster, Metamark has also improved its co-located materials conversion and distribution capability. The primary targets for the new production are the graphics markets and developing demand for functional films in construction and other sectors.

Metamark has an impressive record of recent growth and is recognised as a leading brand in the industries it supplies. Recently the subject of its own MBO, Metamark is pursuing further growth through organic development, geographical expansion and new market initiatives.

Padiham company acquires TSR Plastics Ltd WHAT More UK Ltd. is the UK’s largest supplier and brand leader of plastic housewares and a major exporter to 71 countries. The majority of its products are manufactured in the UK, predominantly at its Padiham and Altham, Lancashire bases.

As part of its growth strategy, What More UK Ltd. recently purchased Northamptonshire based TSR Plastics Ltd.’s stock of moulds and the intellectual property rights associated with the products.

Commenting on the acquisition, TSR Plastics’ Managing Director, Carlo Tai, said: “After a recent period of uncertainty regarding the supply of our B-Line, Kiddyland and associated brands, I am delighted to confirm that the future has now been secured, with our assets being purchased by What More UK Ltd. “We wish What More UK well in the use of this acquisition and I am sure it will serve them well. Our customers can expect the same first-rate service from them, that they had received from ourselves”.

In response, Tony Grimshaw, Director, What More UK Ltd. said: “The acquisition will add another 300 products to our extensive catalogue and the B-Line, Kiddyland and associated brands will be added to the What More UK portfolio.”

6CYBER YOUR FREE Business Newspaper SECURITY

January 2018

Why everyone needs to be GDPR ready by 25th May 2018 At this time of year, it is customary to set a new year resolution.

Normally something along the lines of “I will eat less and exercise more” in an effort to shift some of the extra pounds accumulated during the festivities. With a resolution like this, the aim is to have that “beach ready body” you always tell yourself you COULD have, in time for your summer holidays. With all the best intentions, these things often slip.

If you are in business, your new year resolution for 2018, observes Chris Hunter, should be “get my organisation in shape for GDPR,” with the aim to have your business ready for when GDPR kicks in properly from 25th May 2018. You know what GDPR is, right?

You will no doubt have seen the acronym GDPR more and more towards the back end of 2017 but perhaps didn’t know what it was, or how it might affect your business.

I will guarantee that once GDPR is on your radar, you will start seeing those four little letters more and more… everywhere you turn, certainly on Linkedin, Twitter and in the business press. If you were NOT previously aware of GDPR or the General Data Protection Regulation (to give it its proper name), you should make yourself familiar with it NOW. TWO YEARS… and only five months of it left In 2016, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) gave businesses two years to get ready GDPR. In five months time (25th May 2018) that two year lead in will be over, and GDPR will become law and enforceable. It marks the biggest change in Data Privacy laws in 20 years. These changes are actually long overdue. Much of what the GDPR requires is based on things you should already be doing, but you should take some time to check if you are following the current regulations around Data Privacy and also Electronic Communications.

If you think back to 1998, we didn’t really spend all that much time online, certainly not compared to how much we do today. Virtually

everything we log into nowadays has a social media logon option (where your profile openly provides a lot of information whether you are aware or not). If no social option is offered, then logins and sign ups will certainly ask for a username, password (as a minimum), maybe your gender, age, postcode, perhaps even your inside leg measurement.... this is all personal information which can be used to build up a profile of us. Providing information of this nature of our own free will is one thing, but it being taken without our consent, or being used in ways we did not intend it to be, is another.

GDPR is basically harmonising laws across the EU about how data is collected, stored, used and processed. It will give more rights to the “data subject” ie a “living” or “natural person” to be able to ask organisations what information they hold on them. It will require organisations to be Transparent and Accountable. If you run a business that holds personal data., this means that you will need to have procedures and policies documented to be able to deal with this.

GDPR will put in place tighter rules so that if data is misused or leaked (because the proper security measures were not in place to safeguard information), the parties responsible for its misuse will be held accountable. In turn, this could lead to action being taken and even some rather serious fines: Up to £17m or 4% of global turnover (whichever is higher) depending on the severity of the situation in hand.

HELP! If you hold or process personal data and you have not yet started planning - don’t worry, you are not alone, many businesses are in the same boat. There is a lot of help and support available if you know who to ask and where to look.

A recent survey showed that the UK businesses who are on the ball, have spent around 600 hours on researching and preparing for GDPR. Assuming that was one person in a business, that is around

75 solid days, or 15 working weeks, if you work on the basis of an 8 hour day. As an SME, we know first hand how much work goes into it. Typical GDPR readiness preparations can take between 3 and 18 months,.

How long did I say we had until May 25th again?

Before investing any money into your GDPR readiness, the first thing you need to invest is your time to get the buy in of the people you work with. Ignorance is not bliss.

You need to ensure you know what the law requires of you if you hold or process personal data. This isn’t just customer data either, it includes information you hold about current/ ex staff too. It is also important that you understand that GDPR is not just digital data - it includes paper records, cctv footage… in fact any medium where the information held can be used to personally identify someone.

DON’T BE AN OSTRICH There are still plenty of businesses burying their heads in the sand. Out of around 5.5 million registered UK businesses, 2.1 million are yet to start planning for GDPR. To add to that, only around 400k of UK business are registered with the ICO. With five months left, there is still time to act, and with the right support, you can be well on your way by May 2018.

Contrary to popular belief, this is nothing like the Y2K millenium bug. It won’t come and go on 25th May. That is the date when the new regulations become law. Businesses ask us who can possibly police this, with so many businesses in the UK… the public will most likely be the ones reporting incidents, if their information ends up in the wrong hands and notice fraudulent activity, or they start getting marketing from places they have never given permission to.

HM Network has been running a number of GDPR awareness sessions called GDPRexpress to help Lancashire business get up to speed. A couple of subjects that keep getting mentioned are not knowing where to seek help, or how to judge

if privacy impact assessments / data protection executive assessments are worth the investment. The reality is everyone’s businesses are different and therefore the support needed will differ too.

Many micro businesses and SMEs are getting confused about where to start, they are understandably wary about spending any money - especially if it is hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of pounds on audits/assessments that they have not had before. Be wary - there are a lot of opportunists out there. Some businesses will probably need to invest quite heavily. Others might just need some guidance or a hand with a few areas here and there.

This was at the forefront of our minds when we started our GDPRexpress events in June. We wanted to stage FREE sessions and share real world experiences from a business going through our own GDPR preparations..

We wanted to bring in a variety of specialist support options to talk to organisations in Lancashire and help businesses get an idea on how to tackle GDPR related tasks.

Especially if the knowledge was not readily available in house. We had an aim to HELP people, not scare people, no matter how large or small and no matter what they do.

If businesses then wanted to engage with additional support available, they had an idea of what they should be looking for and what was available We hear a lot of people asking why all this new Data Protection stuff has come out of nowhere all of a sudden. The reality is that the DPA (Data Protection Act 1998 ) and PECR (Privacy of Electronic Communication Regulation 2003 ) have been around for over 15 years so businesses who hold personal data and especially businesses who market electronically should always have been adhering to them.

So, if you are at a standing start, which we suspect some of you are, here are some basic pointers to help you.

Please be aware that this is simply a start. There is no magic

wand that will make you compliant, you will need to work on these, do what you can in house, but we recommend you DO get professional help where needed.

Just ask, we can point you in the direction of lots of support mechanisms.

1 RAISE AWARENESS Make sure the key people in your business are aware of what is happening with regards to GDPR. Start here https://ico.org.uk/ Get the buy in from ALL the people you work with. Everyone is in this together. There are plenty of free events like our GDPRexpress events offering high level overviews as well as more in depth sessions which you might need to pay for. In addition, there are people willing to offer you help and initial consultations without it breaking the bank. Be wary of anyone trying to charge you an arm and a leg, before they will even talk to you about your needs. If you need help, we can provide support.

2 ASSESS WHAT YOU HOLD + PLAN You will need to document what personal data you hold, including what you have, who you share it with, where it came from and why you have it. You might need to have an audit carried out, so that you can then plan what steps to take next and especially prioritise what to do next and when you aim to have it done by. Having an action plan can make a lot of difference if you have a knock at the door from the ICO. 3 PRIVACY INFORMATION As a business, you will need to communicate your legal basis for processing the information you hold, plus you will need to advise what your data retention policies are. The people whose information you hold have a right to complain.

You should also list the contact details of the person or department who will deal with these matters.

Even if you do not need to legally appoint a Data Protection Officer, you will need to have a go to

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Contact editor@businesslancashire.com person or team who will lead your programme.

days, compared to the current 40 days.

4 INDIVIDUALS RIGHT The rights for individuals under GDPR are primarily: • Subject access • Ability to correct inaccurate information • The right to erasure • To prevent direct marketing, • To prevent profiling and automatic decision making • Data portability.

• Respect peoples rights.

6 THE LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING You should look into the various types of data processing that you carry out and document the legal basis for doing so. Consent is just one of them… look into the others too.

5 SUBJECT ACCESS REQUESTS You will need to put procedures in place that explain how you will handle Subject Access Requests (when someone asks you to provide info you hold on them). From May 25th, you will need to do this at no cost to the individual and must do so within the new timescale of 30

7 TRAIN STAFF Changing cultures, educating staff and being able to evidence you have provided training is essential. There are lots of ways staff can be trained on subjects like data protection and cyber-security. A lot of it is common sense, but being able to document who has had what training, when, and what was covered is vital. Again this does not need to cost the earth.

We can point you in the direction of a variety of really cost effective options suitable for sole traders right

up to multinational organisations.

8 ASSESS YOUR SYSTEMS Check that the systems you operate are secure and compliant. Reduce the risk of a breach etc… Boomerang video has a website hacked in 2014 and approx 26,000 customer records were leaked. Unfortunately they faced a penalty of £60,000 as a result. Don’t be fooled into thinking potential fines will only start from May 2018, correctional measure and financial penalties are being issued all the time.

9 REVIEW REGULARLY Like the shampoo bottles say - lather rinse repeat. Just washing your hair once does not keep your hair clean forever. You need to keep on top of it The same goes for GDPR, Data Privacy and Cyber Awareness. 25th May 2018 will not be a box ticking exercise. The steps above and plenty more will need to become part

of your working routines moving forward.

Plan, assess and review.

10 TALK TO SOMEONE WHEN NEEDED If you have questions, seek advice.

Talk to other businesses to see what help they have had, or how others are tackling GDPR. We run all sorts of sessions from regular CONNECTIVITY CLINICs, and GDPRexpress events, right up to in depth training , where businesses can get together with others and talk through scenarios and get help from professional trainers EMBRACE IT GDPR is actually a good thing.

It will set the bar for standards in a similar way to food safety standards. If you had a choice of two restaurants offering the same meal at the same price, but one had 1 star,

and the other had 5 stars - which do you think would have the best food hygiene? Use GDPR to gain competitive advantage and show the people whose data you hold, how you value their privacy. It could set you and your competition apart.

If in doubt seek advice. We can always provide help and put you in touch with a variety of support mechanisms if anyone has any questions.

Big businesses have teams and budgets to address things like this, smaller businesses need people to talk to and a “virtual board” to seek support from. We can help provide that support. A chat will cost you nothing, feel free to call.

If you have any questions about Data Protection, Cyber Security, Training or need help with your own GDPR preparations, contact Chris at HM Network info+gdpr@hm-network.com 03333 444 190

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YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Standish accountancy firm hosts GDPR seminar LOCAL accountants McGinty Demack has recently hosted a GDPR focused seminar at Kilhey Court House, Standish.

The seminar, which featured speakers from Attain Digital and Taylors Solicitors, educated guests on how GDPR could impact their business and their employees.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) comes into effect on 25 May 2018 and as part of the GDPR legislation, large companies will be required to appoint a Data Protection Officer and everyone could be potentially subject to hefty penalties and fines, if they do not comply with the new rules and regulations.

Karen Richardson, MD, McGinty Demack said: “The seminar was a great success, attendees recognized the quality of speakers and the valuable information they could take away from the event.

“We held this seminar because we feel it is important to educate local businesses on becoming GDPR ready, before it is implemented in May next year. GDPR could have a big impact on how businesses across the Wigan area operate and it is vital they are up to date on what they must do to be compliant.”

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Apprenticeships How to make them work for you and future-proof your business • Discover more about the government’s apprenticeship Standards and enjoy a brew and a breakfast pastry or bacon butty!

• Network with other local businesses • Discuss best apprentice practice in your sector irement • Learn strategies for working with the new ‘20% off the job’ training requ

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10EDUCATION YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Lancashire Energy HQ students visit Heysham Power Station STUDENTS from Blackpool and The Fylde College’s Lancashire Energy HQ were given the opportunity to see energy in action during a visit to Heysham Nuclear Power Station.

The Renewable Energy Engineering students were shown around Heysham 2 to help them understand how the theory they

have learnt in the classroom is put into practice.

Representatives from EDF Energy spoke to the students about how electricity is generated using nuclear energy and how various engineering and construction disciplines work together to build, maintain and run a facility as complex as a power station.

The team also highlighted the importance of getting the right qualifications while at College and what sort of jobs and further training opportunities are available.

David Underdown, who is studying Renewable Energy Engineering at the new Lancashire Energy HQ, said: “We really enjoyed the visit and were really impressed

with the facility. It certainly gave me a good insight into some of the job options I can pursue once I complete my course.”

During their tour of Heysham 2, the students were shown the nuclear reactor and the massive steam turbines used to generate enough low carbon electricity to power two million homes.

Iftikhar Bokhari, Curriculum Leader in Renewable Energy Engineering at B&FC, said: “We are committed to helping students to better understand that what they learn in the classroom has a real application in industry.

“Visits like these also allow them to explore opportunities for their future development. The College continues to maintain working relationships with industry partners, such as EDF Energy, to offer our students the best options for the future.”

Mandy Pritchard, Head of Lancashire Energy HQ, added: “We firmly believe students should get out of the classroom and see how what they have learnt is put into action. In fact, one of our key targets is ensuring students do meaningful work placements in industry as part

of their programmes.

“I know our students got a lot out of this visit and we’re currently looking at other energy sectors they can spend time in to get a picture of how the theory they are learning works in the real world.”

John Munro, station director at Heysham 2, said he hoped the visit also gave students a better insight into future career opportunities in the industry.

He added: “It was great to see the students out on the plant seeing what we do here at the power station.

“Since opening the Visitor Centre in 2013, we have seen around 20,000 people coming through our doors, many looking at potential career opportunities at the two stations.

“Hopefully some of those students from Blackpool and The Fylde College will be applying to join our apprenticeship scheme in the autumn.”

The new Blackpool and The Fylde College's £10.7m Lancashire Energy HQ opened in September on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

Lancaster University join forces with Lancaster City Council and local businesses to reduce city’s waste LANCASTER University’s Centre for Global Eco-Innovation is working with local businesses and Lancaster City Council to create an action plan to tackle the growing problem of the city’s waste.

After councillors voted to support a motion to tackle the vast amount of plastic ending up in landfill and polluting the world’s oceans, Lancaster City Council approached Lancaster University for help. The University was able to issue this as a challenge for business leaders working on an initiative called the ‘Low Carbon Innovation Forum’. The Forum, which is run through the Lancaster University Management School, supports local business leaders and aims to provide small and medium sized businesses with the tools and techniques they need to innovate and reduce their carbon footprint.

Eight business leaders from the Low Carbon Innovation Forum visited Lancaster City Council for a meeting with Chief Environment Officer, Mark Davies, and members of Lancaster University Management School. They saw the scale of the problem when they visited the Waste Transfer Centre in Middleton and were greeted by a mountain of plastic – a fraction of the 28tonnes of recyclables collected just that morning. Afterwards, the team took

part in a workshop to brainstorm innovative ways to tackle the problem.

Mark Davies, said: “Landfill across the UK is running out and is very costly. Reducing waste and finding more sustainable, environmentally friendly waste management solutions is an absolute priority – but the problem can’t be tackled by Councils alone.

“Lancaster University is also supporting us from a research perspective to help achieve our ambition of reducing waste in the district. However, a serious problem that needs to be tackled right now is the excessive use of plastic bottles and single use coffee cups– so we asked the University to help us create a taskforce to put some energy and innovation behind the problem. An initiative allowing a group of local business leaders to see and respond to the challenge was a first step in our collaborative efforts to solve the problem.

“Working closely with the Low Carbon Innovation Forum makes perfect sense. Participants are a diverse mix of business leaders from the local area – with some from local retail and coffee businesses that we really need to engage with to generate ideas for sustainable, practical solutions for the future.

The over use of plastic and single

use coffee cups is something that’s affecting the globe, not just Lancaster – but I hope that by working with business, academics, schools and local residents, Lancaster can find an innovative way forward.”

According to the national recycling campaign, Recycle Now, around 35.8 million plastic bottles are used every day across the UK, but only 19.8 million are recycled so 16 million plastic bottles end up in waste every day. More locally, we are finding little appetite for recycled plastic in the marketplace, which means we are only able to recycle around 7 per cent of the plastic we collect daily.

Helen Wilkinson runs the Low Carbon Innovation Forum at Lancaster University. She said: “The Forum supports Lancashire SMEs to develop low carbon ideas and solutions for their own business, whilst thinking about global problems. The visit to Lancaster City Council provided real food for thought and although we were all aware of the challenge that plastic poses, seeing mountains of it on your doorstep was a shock. The group will all meet again in a few weeks’ time to put forward their ideas for the Council and wider community.”

The Centre for Global EcoInnovation offers both research and development opportunities

for business to develop emerging technologies and management support through the Low Carbon Innovation Forum. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) the Low Carbon Innovation Forum is open to small and medium sized businesses from across Lancashire and is an excellent first step at engaging with the University. Launched in June 2017, it aims to provide local business with the opportunity to understand and capitalise on the eco-innovation market - estimated

to be worth £2billion to the regional economy. Through these initiatives, businesses have access to research and development support from across the scientific disciplines and management support through the Lancaster University Management School. The University is also working on this project together with the Natural Environment Research Council’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and Liverpool John Moores University to further broaden the understanding available to local businesses.

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Businesses can help shape new Creative Innovation Zone The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is calling upon the county’s businesses to help shape a new initiative, which will explore

how collaborations between creative disciplines can improve service delivery and enhance work within communities.

The Creative Innovation Zone is being launched by the University’s Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries in spring 2018.

Young Engineers 2018

It will take on an innovative approach to providing solutions to cross sectoral challenges, whether related to product, service or delivery, utilising the University’s specialist expertise.

Lancashire businesses are now being asked to complete a survey, the results of which will be used to shape the new zone.

The survey can be completed by visiting https://websurveys. uclan.ac.uk/snapwebhost/s. asp?k=151153500091 and responses must be received no later than Monday 15 January 2018.

As part of the development of the Creative Innovation Zone, an event held at The Harris Museum showcased the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries’ creative and innovative cross disciplinary work, while providing an opportunity for UCLan staff members and guests to discuss ideas and projects for potential partnerships.

Attendees heard from two key speakers, social documentary photographer Ian Beesley, Reader Practitioner for Visual Representation at UCLan, and Professor John Wright, a clinical epidemiologist, Director of the Bradford Institute for Health Research and Clinical Director for the Yorkshire and Humberside Improvement Academy.

STUDENTS in science and engineering from 26 schools across the Fylde Coast will be out to impress in the hope of winning a prestigious competition with a £10,000 first prize.

The sixth annual Young Engineers challenge, jointly organised by The Gazette and Blackpool and the Fylde College, is sponsored by Cuadrilla and Centrica, and encourages pupils to apply their knowledge of the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) subjects.

Cuadrilla is at the forefront of the battle for shale gas in Lancashire and wants to promote the search for tomorrow’s engineers and scientists in a fun and engaging way.

Cuadrilla CEO Francis Egan led a party of VIP visitors to last year’s winners, Lytham St Annes High Technology College, to see how the cash prize had been spent - and to launch the 2018 competition, which starts in January.

Headteacher Philip Wood said the huge prize had made a massive difference to the school’s science facilities.

Head of STEM Jamie Howard explained that the school purchased four 3D printers, which had enabled students to have a more hands-on experience in the classroom. The win had increased students’ interest in science subjects and their afterschool STEM club has seen a rise in numbers since last year.

Francis Egan said: ‘We are delighted to be a part of this competition once again and to encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers. For me it is all about the children taking part.

Every year, the standard gets better and better and the students gain skills which they can take out of the classroom and use in the real world.

They learn to work in teams and most of all have fantastic fun seeing what they can achieve.’

Tim Lemon, Executive Director of Commercial Strategy at B&FC, said: “We’re extremely proud to be hosting the Young Engineers competition for the sixth year, as producing skilled workers for industry is something we are renowned for at B&FC. “It was great to see last year’s

The Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries is made up of the School of Art, Design and Fashion, the School of Journalism, Media and Performance, the School of Language and Global Studies, the Lancashire Law School and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

In 2016, it was awarded the Times Higher Education award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts.

Emma Speed, Creative Industries Innovation Manager at the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries, said: “The event highlighted the potential of the Creative Innovation Zone, which is a concept exemplifying the unique approach we are taking at UCLan, to work closely with different sectors to overcome challenges through innovation.

“Whether it is a product, service or delivery challenge, utilising our expertise in areas like animation, games design, virtual reality, media and music production, could help businesses rise to it.

“We’re now asking Lancashire SMEs to spare a short amount of time to complete the survey and help us shape the zone, so we can ensure it meets the needs of the region’s businesses.” winning students working on the equipment which was bought with the prize money and our engineering team is already working hard on finalising this year’s challenge. Good luck to everyone who enters.”

Details of the 2018 task for the students are being closely guarded.

The competition will once again be a ‘blind’ challenge and full details only revealed to the students at the qualifying event at Blackpool and The Fylde College 26th February in the Advanced Technology Centre.

The most successful schools will be invited back to take part in the final on 2nd March when one school will walk away with the £10,000 prize.

In addition to the main £10,000 competition, another element of the challenge is the STEM Champions competition, where students have the opportunity to showcase their STEM Club activities to a panel of judges, with £2,000 in prize money up for grabs. This will take place at Blackpool and The Fylde College on Friday 19th January.

12AWARDS YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Industry award for East Lancashire logistician THE inaugural Logistics Leadership Awards, recently held at the St Johns Hotel, Solihull, brought together a cross section of senior logisticians in manufacturing, retailing and wholesaling.

Hosted by the Managing Director of the Logistics Leaders Network, Peter Acton, guests enjoyed an evening celebrating the achievements of key players within the industry.

The Emerging Logistics Leader of Year category, presented by former star of The Apprentice TV programme Alex Epstein, was won

by Sam Fagan of Padiham based Fagan & Whalley Ltd. Awarded to an individual under the age of 35, who in the judge’s opinion, has made the most positive contribution to the development

of the art and science of logistics and supply chain management in any sector.

Peter Acton commented: “Sam is a worthy first winner of this award for his commitment, working for the business. whilst studying for his degree; the success of all his projects including the new build 92,000sq. ft. semiautomated warehouse facility at Burnley Bridge and his continuous voluntary contribution to the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport as Chairman of the Lancashire Group.”

Alex Epstein, Managing Director of the Logistics Leaders Network, added “This is a richly deserved award for Sam and I wish him every success in his future career at Fagan & Whalley.

Create Construction wins constructing excellence national SME of the Year award BLACKPOOL based Create Construction is celebrating after scooping the national SME of the Year award, at the Constructing Excellence Awards, which took place in London.

Create Construction, provides a specialist construction service to a UK wide client base. With project values ranging from £5m to £35m, Create Construction works primarily in the Student Accommodation and Hotel Sectors. Clients include; CBRE Global Investments, Primus Property Group, Liberty Living Plc, Crosslane and Hilton Hotels.

Over 800 guests attended the London Marriot Hotel, to hear the accomplishments of the nine regional winners, celebrating the very ‘best of the best’ in the construction industry.

This year, the judges saw great potential in Blackpool based Create Construction and awarded the team, the highly coveted ‘SME of the Year Award 2017’. Judges were looking for an exemplary organisation, with 249 or less employees and with turnover less than £42 million.

The Judges were impressed with Create’s ability to negotiate all its workload, with a number of long standing, repeat business clients, together with its bespoke service offering, which had set it apart from its competitors within the construction industry.

Adrian Tottey, Managing Director of Create Construction said: “What an amazing team we have at Create Construction. This is due reward for all of the hard work that each member puts in. This is an amazing achievement to have won the award in one of the toughest categories. It is an honour to be recognised by the industry in this way.’”

Formed in 2003, the Constructing Excellence Awards is a platform for industry improvement to deliver excellence for clients, industry and users through collaborative working.

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Pronar-UK wins Outstanding Importer award BLACKBURN based agricultural machinery specialists, Pronar-UK, has won the Outstanding Importer Award at the recent East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce’s International Trade Awards.

The Awards celebrate the very best in international trade performance, over the last year, by a Lancashire based company.

David Orrell, Founder and CEO, Pronar-UK said: “As a relatively new Start Up, we’re delighted to have received the Outstanding Importer Award, after trading for only seven months. The award is tribute to a great team effort and reflects all the hard work we have put in to establish our network of dealerships and deliver an exceptional customer service, at competitive prices.

“The business is growing rapidly and as the sole UK distributor for Polish agricultural machinery giants, Pronar, we are continually expanding our range of cost-effective, high quality agricultural and municipal machinery, including trailers, gritters, and spreaders.

“We look forward to building on this award success, by providing an even better service to our existing and potential customers in the UK during 2018.”

NWLCC wins national award

North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is celebrating after winning the Most Effective Campaigning award at the British Chambers of Commerce’s annual Chamber Business Awards 2017 having triumphed over some of the largest Chambers in the country.

Babs Murphy, Chief Executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said: “Never in our wildest imagination did we expect the twists and turns that this campaign presented since the Chamber took a position to support the establishment of a Shale Gas Industry in Lancashire.

“Our support was based on the premise that if shale extraction is found to be commercially viable in Lancashire then we want local companies to be at the forefront of supply chains, and local residents to have first choice of employment opportunities.

The Chamber believes that it is our responsibility – with partners – to ensure that the economic benefits are felt here in Lancashire.

“But our campaign went beyond a campaign. It has tested

our grit, determination and values in standing up for the rights of businesses and workers to pursue new ventures in a responsible manner”.”

It is understood that the sense of urgency for the Chamber’s campaign was driven by the competing campaign against the shale industry, mostly run by professional, national environmental campaigners, and to challenge their alleged emotive, misleading and at times, hostile tactics.

Ms Murphy continued: “We believe this campaign encapsulates the core values upon which we were founded over 100 years ago, and are an amazing testament to the strength and resilience of our character today”.”

The judges praised the Chamber’s teamwork and outreach to local and business communities. Despite the time consuming and emotional nature of the campaign, the team kept their objectives at the forefront, and their focus never ceased despite the adversity faced.

In congratulating the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Francis Egan,

chief executive of Cuadrilla said: “We’re delighted that the British Chambers have recognised the achievement of Babs Murphy and her team in tenaciously supporting Cuadrilla and other Lancashire businesses in our journey to unlock the County’s energy prize.”

Despite facing challenges in their campaign for energy exploration in the county, the Chamber continued to make the economic case, and worked to ensure that members and the wider business community should be at the forefront of supply chains and local residents at the top of the list for job opportunities.

The President of the British Chambers of Commerce praised the Chambers by saying: “North and Western Lancashire Chamber has delivered an impressive campaign, led by the strength of the economic case and always with the local business community at its heart.

Despite considerable challenges, the Chamber has persevered and remained focused on their objective. Congratulations to the North and Western Lancashire team for this well-deserved win.”

14

YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

B&FC apprentice receives national recognition at awards A BLACKPOOL and The Fylde College (B&FC) apprentice plumber has been highly commended in the national Association of Colleges Student of the Year Awards.

Shaun Lamb, 23, from Blackpool, who works for E Dugdale & Sons of Anchorsholme, said he was pleased to have received the accolade – although it had come as a surprise.

He said: “I’m still quite shocked by it really, but I’m really proud to have received the commendation. It will definitely look good on the CV. “The staff at B&FC are excellent and the teaching is really in-line with industry practices so I have enjoyed my time at College – as well as the practical experience and

Hardman McNeal triumph at the Wyre Business Awards DECEMBER saw the return of the Wyre Business Awards at The Marine Hall in Fleetwood, and two local ladies were presented with a prestigious award, the icing on the cake of a phenomenal year in business for the pair.

The evening was attended by over 250 local business people, and there were over 180 nominees over 15 categories for these coveted awards. The award ceremony commenced after a fabulous gala dinner, in the glittering and bedecked main hall, hosted by Wyre Borough Council.

Jenny Hardman and Cate McNeal were there as nominees for the evening along with many of their peers and clients, and were delighted to win the Special Recognition Award, a category with very stiff competition. Hardman McNeal won the special award for their outstanding work in 2017, supporting local businesses and helping them in their own unique way with their blend of support, coaching and training.

Jenny Hardman said, “This is such a fabulous achievement and one that was so unexpected! We really feel that what we do for local businesses makes a difference to them, and it is just so amazing for that to be recognised in the wider business community. We strive to collaborate with other businesses and organisations, many of whom were attending these awards, and

the Fylde Coast business community is an exciting place to be right now.”

Part of Hardman McNeal’s core values is to make coaching, training, seminars and workshops accessible and available to everyone in business, and working with the areas micro businesses and start-ups is at the heart of all they do. Alongside their business support business, the duo also run the Lancashire Business Owners Network, which is a free non-corporate network boasting over 1200 members, and regular sell out local meetings.

Cate McNeal said: “We set our stall out at the very beginning to be able to support those smaller businesses who may not be eligible for other help. Business to consumer, sole traders, creatives, online sellers, micro businesses in the area – these are all business people who are adding to the growth of the local economy, but fall under the radar for conventional help, funding and support and it is our mission to make sure that these business owners are provided for and nurtured. This award recognises that our work is noticed and is making a difference and that is fantastic.”

2018 is set to be another epic year for these local ladies, with an abundance of new material and workshops, big ticket events and partnerships with other local businesses, as well as a few surprises. Watch this space!

help I have been given by my employer.

“I really enjoy work and am looking forward to completing my apprenticeship, but my dream is to start a business with some friends renovating properties.”

In total, the Association of Colleges received 115 nominations across three categories - each of which highlighted the exceptional work of students.

Colleen McLaughlin, Head of Apprenticeships at B&FC, said: "We’re all really proud of Shaun, who has excelled throughout his apprenticeship.

“I’m sure the standard of entries was extremely high and so it is a great achievement for Shaun to be recognised in this way.”

Members of the judging

panel said they were overwhelmed by the variety of applications and the extent of the success of the students, whether in college work or extra-curricular activities.

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, added: “The Student of the Year awards showcase the very best of college students across the country. They celebrate the achievements of the exceptional students who stand out from the crowd.

“It isn’t only about whether someone has achieved the top grades, but rather the inspirational nature of accomplishments.”

This year’s judging panel, including representatives from the National Union of Students and youth social action organisation, Step up to Serve.

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First batch of traders for the new Preston markets announced CUSTOMERS can look forward to shopping with their favourite traders alongside some new faces, when the stunning new Market Hall opens in February 2018.

Traditional butchers, fishmongers, dairy and fruit and veg stalls will be found including

Livesey’s Butchers, Clarke and Sons, Mark William’s Fishmonger, Superveg and Pickles cheese stall.

Redmans’ fantastic fresh sandwiches and hot food offer will be trading opposite a brand new bakery – Lovingly Artisan. Customers will be able to enjoy a taste of the

Caribbean at World Foods, with international street food at MoMoz – a current trader turning his hand to a new business.

Customers will also be able to enjoy their usual cup of coffee and great value traditional food at Aunty Dolly’s café and something different

at new venture, Cherry Pie – offering cakes, desserts and hot drinks throughout the day and into the evening. Brew + Bake and Crunchy Croutons, both new to the market, will also be offering lunchtime options, with snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Customers will still be able to purchase their pies, cooked meats and black pudding from Arthur Strand and favourite sweets from Sugar Rush.

Current market traders, A&J Sheridan, UR Phones, The Market Jewellers, Wisebuys, Capelli Remi and Restvalenewsagents all have stalls too.

Customers will be able to enjoy craft and real ales at The Orchard Bar, cheese from Doormouse, flowers from The Rain Florist, and mind, body and spirt themed jewellery and gifts from Attract.

Market customers are already loving the refurbished Outdoor and Second Hand Markets, which moved back under the fully renovated 1875 canopy in December.

Shipping containers for the Box Market have been delivered and are now in location ready for fitting out.

These will provide contemporary trading spaces and a unique shopping

environment not found anywhere else in the North West. They will welcome Passi Fashions and Pet Stop Pet Supplies from the current market as well new traders, Priest Town Brewing and Jonah’s Coffee to name a few.

Councillor Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome so many of our current traders to our new Market Hall and Box Market, alongside some new and interesting local businesses. The mix of traders will complement each other and present an inspiring offer for our loyal customers as well as enticing in new faces.

“Shop fitting will begin in earnest in the New Year and we look forward to seeing the opening of the Market Hall in February with great excitement.”

Sam Livesey, Chairman of the Preston Market Traders Association, added: “We cannot wait to be in our new home, along with some of our neighbours and are also excited to welcome new traders to Preston Markets.

“In the meantime, we look forward to serving our loyal customers from our current home.”

Local company’s name change reflects its business growth in new areas CHORLEY based CIC Solutions is now trading as Interact IT, to reflect their increased emphasis on software development and artificial intelligence activities.

With over 20 years’ experience as a full-service web development and marketing agency, Interact IT delivers bespoke web based applications to enhance businesses’ profitability and efficiency, whilst providing marketing solutions that deliver measurable results.

“We’re really pleased to announce the name change to Interact IT” said Darren Bentham, MD, Interact IT. “The new name reflects our vision to be recognised as a software and specialist IT based company, helping clients enrich their businesses with bespoke software applications, web design, training, and online marketing services.

“We are currently working with local company NIS

Ltd in developing a bespoke software solution to enhance their production planning and manufacturing process. ASL Search is also getting the benefits from our added value services and we look forward to providing similar services to both existing and new clients in the future.”

Despite being in the midst of rebranding, Interact IT did not forget its commitment to supporting the local community and has recently helped RSPCA Preston and District build a badly needed new website.

Darren Bentham commented: “Helping a charity and giving something back to your local community is a key part of being a socially responsible company.

At Interact IT, we certainly like to practice what we preach, so we were delighted to be able to help the RSPCA Preston and District Branch when they approached us.

16BUSINESS YOUR FREE Business Newspaper SUPPORT

January 2018

800 not out: Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff opens milestone store for Specsavers CRICKET legend Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff officially opened Specsavers’ 800th UK and Irish store in the Sainsbury’s Superstore in Preston, Deepdale on Friday 1 December.

The cricketer turned broadcaster cut the ribbon at the store on Flintoff Way alongside Specsavers co-founder Dame Mary Perkins and store partners Chris Shore and Sean Buckley.

Dame Mary said: ‘When we opened our first Specsavers store in Bristol in 1984, it was impossible to imagine that we would one day be opening our 800th store; it is an amazing milestone.

‘The Deepdale store is the fifth we have opened in a Sainsbury’s since August 2016. We are delighted with the success of this collaboration

with Sainsbury’s and have agreed to open a further nine locations in Sainsbury’s before the end of March 2018.’

Andrew Flintoff said: ‘One of the first lessons they teach you in cricket, football or any sport as a kid is to “keep your eye on the ball” but so many of us take our sight for granted.

‘To see how far eye and audiology healthcare has developed since Specsavers opened its first store is incredible. I’ve heard how nearly half of all sight loss is preventable so I’m fully behind Specsavers.’

Andrew also tried out the Eye Pod, an interactive sight loss simulator funded by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Specsavers.

The Eye Pod demonstrates how the four main eye conditions (age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) can affect your sight.

The trailer has two cameras on top of the pod which link to screens inside where the public can view their surroundings with symptoms of each condition. In each case the experience lasts around one minute, with key facts and statistics about the condition then appearing on the screen.

The Eye Pod has been on tour around the UK as part of the Specsavers and RNIB Transforming eye health campaign In addition to the new Preston Deepdale store, retail director Chris Shore and ophthalmic director

Sean Buckley also own and run the Specsavers store in Preston, at 1 Friargate, as part of a joint venture partnership.

Chris said: ‘We are really proud of the new store and we enjoyed being able to celebrate with our staff and customers and, of course, local legend Freddie Flintoff. As well as offering the latest in optical technology, I’ve no doubt that the store’s location in Sainsbury’s will provide a convenient option for local families and commuters.’

The new Specsavers store features the latest technology including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which is usually found in hospital eye departments.

The technology produces a very detailed picture of the eye that

allows clinicians to identify signs of disease years earlier than traditional methods. OCT can be used to help screen for and manage conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: ‘Sainsbury’s has been a part of the local community for a number of years and we are really thrilled to welcome Specsavers and its team to our store.

The Deepdale store is open seven days a week and provides the same optical and hearing services experienced in other Specsavers, including eye examinations and hearing tests, contact lens fitting, and a range of affordable and designer glasses.

17

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Display Wizard has magical year OVER the past year, Garstang-based display stand supplier, Display Wizard has seen record growth; adding new staff and expanding their premises to become one of the major players in the UK exhibition industry.

Since being founded in 2004 by codirectors, Sally Hiscutt and Diarmuid Beary, Garstang-based Display Wizard has established themselves as one of the most reputable companies in the display and exhibition industry. However, 2017 has been a record year for the business, with their highest turnover and sights firmly set on even bigger expansion.

In 2017, the business has added six new ‘wizards’ to their team of display experts, adding talent and enthusiasm, to their existing team of graphic designers, sales staff and print production personnel. They have also increased their printing capacity, refurbished their offices and added a greater array of exhibition equipment to their e-commerce website.

Co-director Sally Hiscutt explained: “Display Wizard has always focused on having a fantastic online offering, but this year we have seen a record number of orders come through as we became the go-to display stand supplier for companies looking to exhibit. Although we are proud to be based in Lancashire,

we are very much a national business, offering delivery across the country and abroad.”

The biggest growth area for Display Wizard is their exhibition stand hire service, catering for the design, build and breakdown of large-scale exhibition stands. Display Wizard provides this service across the country, for venues such as the NEC in Birmingham and Excel in London, becoming their exhibition teams’ home-from-home.

Co-director Diarmuid Beary continued: “We have expanded our new aluminium Vision exhibition system, which has shaken up the industry. This cutting-edge system means we can build stunning bespoke stands at events, in a fraction of the time and cost it usually takes.”

Whilst 2017 was a record year for the business, the company has no plans for slowing down – with plenty of scope for growth as Sally explained: “We are finding that the appeal of trade shows is not slowing down, with the benefits of speaking to people face-toface becoming more important in the increasingly digital age. We see ourselves continuing to maintain our supportive relationship of businesses looking to exhibit – helping businesses of all sizes to maximise their presence at events.”

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January 2018

BAE Systems Academy for Skills and Knowledge celebrates one year anniversary A training facility built by BAE Systems has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors in the first 12 months since opening.

The Academy for Skills and Knowledge was officially opened on 1 December 2016 to train BAE Systems’ future workforce and provide life-long learning for its employees. The Academy also offers school-aged children the opportunity to discover more about careers in engineering and technology.

In its first year, the Academy has had almost 50,000 visits, delivered more than 250,000 learning and training hours and welcomed more than 1,000 school children. More than 550 apprentices, graduates, industrial placement and interns have been through the Academy.

The Academy has welcomed visitors from India, Turkey, Malaysia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, USA and Australia as well as trainees from Saudi Arabia.

HRH The Prince of Wales visited the Academy in March and a number of senior Government Ministers, MPs, councillors and representatives from local Government have also been hosted in the past year.

The Academy has been shortlisted in this year’s Association for Project Management award for Project of the Year: Specialists.

Nigel Davies, Principal at the Academy for Skills and Knowledge, said: “Over the past 12 months the Academy has showcased BAE Systems’ skills, training and education capabilities and grown into a truly demand-led and inspirational learning place. I have seen young people from local schools as well as our next generation of designers and engineers, embrace new and advanced technologies in the Academy..

“It has been a delight to welcome visitors to the Academy from across the world and demonstrate the investment we are making in learning and development with our existing and future workforce.”

BAE Systems is committed to investing in its current and future workforce. In 2017, BAE Systems took on over 800 graduates and apprentices across the UK and had over 2000 graduates and apprentices in training.

Applications for apprenticeships are currently open until 28 February 2018.

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Outdoors entrepreneur takes aim at shooting safety and has light bulb moment A LANCASHIRE entrepreneur has started his own business in a bid to make the sport of shooting safer and more enjoyable for those taking part.

Simon Ward, of Scorton, Preston, has launched his company, Wardfield Sporting Goods, to manufacture and market a unique product aimed at the shooting enthusiast market. He first thought of this revolutionary idea approximately four years ago.

The businessman has run his own ground-working company for a decade, which continues to be successful. A lifelong passion for shooting picked up from his father Robert, has given him the inspiration to start another business to promote his brainwave, which he has called the LightGun. Simon reveals that the average

shotgun weights around 5-6kg, which can be an inconvenience when enjoying a day’s shoot, but also potentially raise safety issues if the person carrying the gun becomes fatigued while in the field. He says tired arms can lead to shooters carrying their guns incorrectly, and the LightGun is a holster designed for safety, with the barrel pointing downwards and webbing distributing the weight across the shoulders.

Simon said: “I came up with the idea while on a shoot, when I heard more and more of the party complaining their shotguns were weighing heavily. People were tempted to break them over their shoulders or put them on the ground, and when they came to shoot, they were less accurate and it was a poorer experience all round.

“There is no substitute for adequate safety tests, training and precautions ahead of any shoot, but we feel our product can help mitigate the potential risks of inexperience and mistakes. Feedback we have received is that the LightGun can reduce fatigue, and improve both comfort and accuracy. It looks great too and is another accessory in the shoot-kit box.”

Simon has dedicated four years to the LightGun shotgun holder, which has not only been an exciting journey and testing at times, but it has been educational and he has seen the product evolve over time to where it is now. The product is handcrafted in the UK by Cheshire leather specialists Rutherfords, with customisation options offered for the leather and stitching.

Millennials in the North West searching for worthwhile and secure careers THREE-QUARTERS of students and recent graduates in the North West feel that emotional rewards in their future career are equally – or more important – than practical ones. New research released today shows that millennials, the newest entrants to the job market, are looking for personal fulfilment in their careers with 55% wanting to feel their job is worthwhile.

The survey of over 3,000 students and graduates, for the national Get Into Teaching campaign, found that this generation are motivated by altruistic goals with 43% in the North West wanting to make a positive contribution to society.

Almost a third are also looking for a job that will make them feel proud.

Coming of age during the recession and the changing world of work may have influenced North

West-based millennials - 54% report that good job security is an important practical element of their future career, with a further 34% saying clear progression routes are a key consideration.

Given these factors, the research found that this audience view teaching as a career positively with three-fifths feeling that being a teacher would provide more daily emotional rewards than most other careers. Moreover, almost half (45%) of current degree-level students and recent graduates in the North West say they have experience of working with young people on a voluntary basis, and over threequarters (76%) believe they would make a good teacher. Half of all the North West respondents felt a teaching career would offer the opportunity to make a positive impact every day.

Commenting on the findings, Roger Pope, spokesperson for the Get Into Teaching campaign, and Chair of the National College for Teaching and Leadership, said: “As a lifelong teacher myself, I see how young people’s attitudes and ambitions change with the generations, which is something that helps to keep the teaching profession fresh too. It’s fantastic to hear that so many students and graduates believe they would also make a good teacher.

“The research also shows that students and graduates in the North West are looking for secure, fulfilling and impactful careers, which is why teaching should be a real consideration for them. It marries the things that this cohort cares most about: helping make a difference to other people and the world around us, whilst also

allowing committed and dedicated professionals to pursue their own career goals. Pupils in school today will go on to do jobs that haven’t been invented yet, so this generation of tech-savvy, passionate graduates would do well in teaching, guiding our children and young people as they enter a world which is changing at a faster rate than we’ve ever seen.”

Furthermore, 88% of students and graduates in the North West also believe teaching would be a fulfilling career most or all of the time, with 40% believing teaching to be in the top five jobs that make a positive impact on society.

The Get Into Teaching team organises a whole calendar of online and face-to-face events where students and graduates can speak to those within the profession and find out more about the teacher training options, school experience and the

benefits a career in teaching offers.

Last month the funding available to trainee candidates in a range of subjects was announced.

You could get a £26,000 tax-free bursary to train as a teacher in key subjects including science, computing, geography and languages. This year candidates could get £30,000 to train to teach maths – a £20,000 tax-free bursary while training as a teacher and a further £10,000 after tax once in teaching. Alternatively, prestigious scholarships of up to £28,000 are available in priority subjects for graduates with a 2:1 or above who are passionate about their subject and have the potential to be teachers.

Applications to start teacher training in September 2018 are now open.

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January 2018

Entrepreneur Hussain backs new venture – Cryo Express in Blackburn WAJID HUSSAIN who exited Accrol Holdings following its successful AIM listing in June 2016 is backing a new venture, with the launch of Cryo Express, Lancashire’s first whole body cryotherapy centre in Blackburn, and plans for national expansion.

Well established as an aid to rapid recovery in professional sports, cryotherapy has also become popular with the rich and famous in recent years, due to its renowned rejuvenating, cosmetic and rapid recovery benefits.

Reportedly used by the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr, Daniel Craig, Christiano Ronaldo, Jennifer Aniston and many other famous names to help with sports recovery and hone their famous physiques, the treatment involves the use of very low temperatures to accelerate the body’s natural recovery processes.

Whole body cryotherapy involves exposing the whole body to ultra-low temperatures (-200°F to -240°F) for a short

Significant growth for local accountancy firm LOCAL accountancy and advisory firm, CLB Coopers, has reported significant growth during the past 12 months, following its acquisition by national business services group, Baldwins, in November 2016 The firm, which has an office in Lancaster city centre, has seen its turnover rise to £10.5 million, and following the year-on-year growth reported for 2016, it has achieved an increase in turnover of 25 per cent over the past two years.

CLB Coopers' organic growth was achieved by a significant increase in new audit appointments and growing demand for its specialist corporate finance, corporate & personal tax and restructuring & insolvency services.

This is in addition to the revenue generated by the new specialist services, including banking & finance and forensics, that being part of the wider national group brings to support the firm's clients and intermediary networks.

This year also saw the firm's Corporate Finance team achieve record levels of

merger & acquisition transactional activity, with deals advised on during 2017 totaling in excess of £200million, supporting acquisitive UK corporates, management buy-out teams and international purchasers.

David Travis, Managing Director of CLB Coopers, said: "This is an excellent result for the year and one which follows our integration into the Baldwins group.

It is a real credit to our team and follows a period of significant investment.

"The last 12 months have brought a number of key senior appointments and promotions, particularly across our tax and corporate finance teams, with more announcements to come over the next few months. These changes have allowed us to strengthen our teams and to service the increasing demand for both compliance and specialist services.

"The next year will see us embark on our growth plans throughout the North West and we can certainly look forward to another exciting year of opportunity and growth, for our clients and for our people."

period –of up to 3 minutes –of which has been shown to have powerful restorative benefits.

With Hussain’s backing, Cryo Express has been launched with his business partners Debs Masson and Nargis Akhtar Malik. It is the first to offer whole body cryotherapy to the public in Lancashire, and also the first Cryotherapy Centre of Excellence in the UK, supported by a dedicated medical advisory board.

Cryo Express director and physiotherapist Debs Masson says: “Cryotherapy is well recognized and established in cutting edge sports therapy. It is now being widely used for player recovery in Premiership football clubs and other top-level elite professional sports.

“Nargis has been actively working in the cryotherapy industry for the past three years and is highly experienced in this field and we are very excited and proud to be launching our brand, Cryo Express, with Wajid, with the first clinic in Blackburn now

open.

“The benefits of cryotherapy are vast. It can help treat pain and aid recovery from sports injuries to chronic pain. It also works on the skin to deliver a youthful appearance with our pharmaceutical grade skincare range and is proven to give a significant boost to metabolic processes.

“It has also been documented and experienced first-hand to help mental wellbeing, by releasing endorphins and energizing the body to give an overall feel good factor. This is all pretty amazing for a treatment that takes only three minutes.

“We have worked with our clinical and medical partners to develop this Centre of Excellence and we are aiming to forge strong relationships with our clients and professional institutions to further develop the efficacy of cryotherapy in the UK.” Cryo Express plans to expand the clinics nationwide with the next clinic to be established in Manchester city centre.

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Two robots to help Northern Industrial with repairs BLACKBURN-based automation spare parts and repairs company Northern Industrial has taken delivery of two used robots, previously employed on production lines in Germany, to help ensure the integrity of repair work and spare components before shipping worldwide.

Northern Industrial provides reconditioned and obsolete parts and repair services to customers in 132 countries.

Sourcing parts from over 1,350 manufacturers, the multi-award-winning company covers over 200,000 part numbers and holds approximately £7m in stock.

Installed at the company’s 30,000 sq ft repair facility on Shadsworth Business Park, the Kuka KRC2 KR125L-3 and KR150 robots will be used as a testing ground for teach pendants, axis drives and motion controllers that the company supplies and repairs for customers in a wide range of industries.

Managing director David Lenehan said: “In the modern economy, ever changing customer expectations and demands are meaning manufacturers need advanced production systems to keep up. New robot technologies provide the flexibility to meet these demands.

But with increased flexibility comes increased complexity. And, simply put, increased complexity means more things can go wrong.

“With the amount of signalling, peripheral equipment and tooling involved, robot processes are, by nature, complicated and the latest developments only increase that, adding to risks of damage and longer production schedules.

“At Northern Industrial, we are in the business of keeping factory processes up and running, so adopting these robots ourselves will help us stay at the forefront of the movement, to support our customers in their own robot adoption.

“While the Kuka robots are usually used in automotive production, they are applicable in a wide range of industries, from packaging to processing.

“Machinery breakdowns are not only stressful, they’re expensive too – a recent report suggested they cost an average $260,000 an hour across all businesses.

“Our aim is to provide the spare parts and repairs customers need as quickly as possible, to minimise downtime in a breakdown situation.

The two new robots will allow us to test and ensure all repair works have been successful, and parts are in full working order before we deliver them to an already stressed out customer, who could be literally anywhere in the world.”

Over 100 businesses attend networking group launch BNI (Business Network International), the world’s biggest referral organisation, formally launched its first Platinum group at an event attended by over one hundred businesses at Shaw Hill Golf Club, Chorley.

Established over 30 years ago, BNI now has over 200,000 members in over 70 countries worldwide. It works by organising weekly networking meetings for groups of businesses, who use their own network of contacts to find business opportunities for one another. Each group, or chapter, follows proven networking processes to ensure the maximum amount of business is generated for members.

With eleven chapters already operational across Lancashire, the new BNI Summit chapter brings the total number of chapters in Preston and South Ribble to four.

Speaking at the launch, Mike Holman, Regional Director for BNI Lancashire, said: “BNI is one of the great untold success stories of local business. With £20million in business acquired by referral through its chapters last year in Lancashire alone, the numbers tell their own story.

“One of the reasons BNI stands out so strongly from other types of networking groups is that we have proven procedures

that ensure we take a proactive approach to generating a significant amount of business for each other.

“We are very proud to formally launch this group, which has been building gradually over the last twelve months, as the first to be entirely based on our new Platinum standard, aiming to generate £1million per year in its first year, £3million in its second and £5million by end of year three.

“I was inspired to launch the Platinum standard in Lancashire after seeing other chapters across the world and in other parts of the UK generating business for one another that far surpass our traditional goal of £2million a year. I thought, if they can do it, there is no reason at all why we can’t do it here in Lancashire.

“The group has been building gradually, because one of our core values is that members have to know, like and trust one another before they can be expected to refer business to one another.

“Now the chapter has formally launched I am looking forward to working on an extensive training programme which will enable the group members to get the very best returns for one another through our proven referral marketing strategies.”

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January 2018

Bonds is back!

TODAY has seen the re-launch of the iconic Bonds of Elswick. After nearly a year of speculation and concern about its future, the Elswick site has been lovingly restored, maintaining its original charm and character which has been synonymous with the much-loved ice cream since 1947. It is now part of a recent buy-out by serial entrepreneur Simon Rigby.

It was just under a year ago when Martin Molloy of Bonds of Elswick announced that he would soon be closing the doors. Opened in 1947 the ice cream parlour had experienced great success over the last 70 years and remains a firm family favourite today.

Using a traditional recipe handed down through the family, comprising of only the best fresh ingredients for naturally delicious flavour, it is easy to understand why generation after generation have returned to Bonds for their ice cream treats for all these years! For many, Bonds brings back fond memories of family days out and coach stops on the way to Blackpool, so the sad news had left many disappointed.

But at age 68 and having taken over the family business in 1993 and worked at the Elswick site since he

was 14, dedicating most of his life to ice cream, Martin was ready to retire.

There was talk of numerous uses for the site and even demolition, which was heart-breaking for Martin and his family.

But one year on and Simon Rigby, renowned for taking on and breathing new life in to Preston Guild Hall since its acquisition in 2014, has come to the rescue once more!

Simon said, “I am pleased to be able to keep such an iconic brand alive and continue the Bonds story, welcoming customers old and new.”

As one of the biggest farming families on the Fylde Coast, the Rigby’s feel an affinity with the history of Bonds, also originating from a family of farmers, Simon added: “I am proud to be associated with a company with such strong family values and traditions and will be working closely with Martin to ensure that we maintain this.”

Of the take-over Martin said, “I am delighted that this is not the end of the road for Bonds and that the story can continue for many more years to come.”

Connect 2 Cleanrooms turns 15 with a bang!

LANCASTER firm Connect 2 Cleanrooms has recently celebrated turning 15 with a party to mark the occasion and thank its employees.

After a speech from MD Joe Govier, family and friends were invited to join in the celebrations, which included live music, fireworks, hog roast, popcorn and candy floss.

Connect 2 Cleanrooms make clean manufacturing environments for healthcare and manufacturing sectors and more, and have grown year on year since it was founded in 2002, by Joe and Lizzie Govier.

The company now employs 60 people at its Head Office in Halton, as well as its Regional Office in Towcester and Dutch office in Utrecht.

Joe Govier was reflective over the journey the company had taken, “If someone had told me in 2002 that one day I would be standing in front of my team of 60, with offices in Europe, supplying some of the world leading companies with my product, I wouldn’t have believed it. But now, after the experiences I’ve gone through, I know it’s possible and I hope that our story helps inspire others too.”

With ambitious growth plans, Connect 2 Cleanrooms is now looking forward to the next 15 years and more.

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Chorley firm responds to continued growth with search for Engineering Inspector CHORLEY engineering specialists, Lyndhurst Precision Engineering, is looking to expand their team as a result of continued demand for its internationally renowned services.

Lyndhurst Precision Engineering specialises in customised engineering solutions, based on thorough research and development, including reverse engineering where necessary.

The company has major blue-chip clients in numerous key sectors, such as nuclear, aerospace and defence, automotive, renewable energy, food and medical.

Mark Marriner, Managing Director, Lyndhurst Precision Engineering said: “We’re delighted to be in a position where we’re looking to bolster the team with an Engineering Inspector. The ideal candidate will have experience within the industry and the managerial skill sets to control a busy inspection department; be capable of operating various CMM systems, as well as a knowledge of process inspection for machine components, fabrications, and precision assemblies.

“At Lyndhurst, we work with a wealth of industry leading clients across global sectors and put great emphasis on team work and personal development, to help us manage our continuing growth. Anyone who has capabilities which would add to our team, should forward their CV to ruth@lyndhurstprecision.co.uk”

BAE Systems and The University of Manchester set to change the future of aircraft design with unique flight control technology BAE Systems and The University of Manchester have successfully completed the first phase of flight trials with MAGMA – a small scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which will use a unique blown-air system to manoeuvre the aircraft paving the way for future stealthier aircraft designs.

The new concept for aircraft control removes the conventional need for complex, mechanical moving parts used to move flaps to

control the aircraft during flight. This could give greater control as well as reduce weight and maintenance costs, allowing for lighter, stealthier, faster and more efficient military and civil aircraft in the future.

The two technologies to be trialled first using the jet-powered UAV, MAGMA, are: Wing Circulation Control, which takes air from the aircraft engine and blows it supersonically through the trailing edge of the wing

to provide control for the aircraft Fluidic Thrust Vectoring, which uses blown air to deflect the exhaust, allowing for the direction of the aircraft to be changed.

The flight trials are part of an ongoing project between the two organisations and wider long-term collaboration between industry, academia and government to explore and develop innovative flight control technology. Further flight trials are planned for the coming months to

demonstrate the novel flight control technologies with the ultimate aim of flying the aircraft without any moving control surfaces or fins. If successful, the tests will demonstrate the first ever use of such circulation control in flight on a gas turbine aircraft and from a single engine.

Clyde Warsop, Engineering Fellow at BAE Systems, said: “The technologies we are developing with The University of Manchester will make it possible to design cheaper, higher performance, next generation aircraft. Our investment in research and development drives continued technological improvements in our advanced military aircraft, helping to ensure UK aerospace remains at the forefront of the industry and that we retain the right skills to design and build the aircraft of the future.”

Bill Crowther, a senior academic and leader of the MAGMA project at The University of Manchester, adds: “These trials are an important step forward in our efforts to explore adaptable airframes. What we are seeking to do through this programme is truly groundbreaking.”

Additional technologies to improve the performance of the UAV are being explored in collaboration with the University of Arizona and NATO Science and Technology Organisation.

Innovation is a key focus for BAE Systems, which has invested £4.4 billion in Research and Development (R&D) over the past five years, representing a major asset to the UK defence industry. The company has spent £1 billion on R&D in 2016 alone, including £10.7 million partnering with leading UK universities in areas such as novel materials, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, air vehicles and avionics testing. The company has made strategic investments in a range of evolving technologies in the aerospace sector including the SABRE air-breathing rocket engine with Reaction Engines Ltd and mixed reality cockpit technology in partnership with The University of Birmingham as well as flapless flight control technology with The University of Manchester.

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January 2018

CircleLoop flies the flag for the north as it wins KPMG’s Best British Mobile Startup CIRCLELOOP was chosen as the winner of KPMG’s Best British Mobile Startup in the northern regional final held in Manchester. The innovative cloudbased phone system provider will now head to Barcelona for the finals in February 2018.

The annual competition gives businesses the opportunity to exhibit and present their offering at the world's largest mobile event, Mobile World Congress (MWC), which takes place in Barcelona each year, attracting over 100,000 attendees . It also provides an unrivalled opportunity for British startups to raise their profile, enabling them to gain access to investment opportunities, build corporate connections and to present their business.

KPMG receives hundreds of applications from technology startups each year, from which an expert panel selects 10 finalists to pitch at each of the regional events. Further regional finals take place in Birmingham, Bristol and London, with the winner of each securing a trip to pitch in the final.

Co-founder of CircleLoop, Damian Hanson, commented:

“We are delighted to have won the regional heat for KPMG Best British Mobile Startup.

We were up against eight other hugely impressive businesses and I was blown away by the quality of pitching on the day. The plaudits go to the talented team at CircleLoop who have worked extremely hard this year to get our product out of beta and into the UK business community. Next stop, Barcelona!”

Kushal Puri from KPMG high growth team commented: “Our competition offers the North’s bustling tech start-up community the opportunity to pitch in front of major industry players looking for exciting businesses to invest in, buy from, or form an alliance with.

“We were looking for innovative businesses who can showcase just how strong the UK is in disruptive mobile technologies and innovative business models on an international stage.

“CircleLoop really stood out during the judging process and we’re looking forward to seeing how they get on in Barcelona.”

Local firm Scancapture rebrands to Anthem Engagement BLACKBURN based Scancapture, specialists in document scanning, employee surveys and staff surveys is rebranding to Anthem Engagement.

The change is in reaction to the firm’s continued focus on providing insight into employee, customer and supplier engagement through surveys, analysis and consultancy.

Anthem Engagement’s highly skilled team identify patterns and make meaningful connections between what people feel and think, and how it influences their behaviour.

Boasting a client base that includes the likes of household names John Lewis, Waitrose, Regatta, Missguided, and Sofology, Anthem Engagement drive regional change through people engagement focused events, demonstrating the importance people focused initiatives play in the success of a business.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of Anthem Engagement said: “In the early years the business scanned documents and captured

data from surveys (hence the name Scancapture) however, for the last seven years, we have evolved into an organisation that is passionate about people, and we are playing a key part in helping organisations better engage with their employees, customers and suppliers, that’s where the magic is.

“The purpose of Anthem is to engage people and deliver results.

One of our unique abilities is to offer both engagement strategies and practices that not only seek to engage people in the workplace, but to ensure that employee engagement is having a measurable and positive impact on customers too.

“We enable businesses to gain a true insight into what their people think, feel and do, and gauge the impact through factual data on how this affects customers’ engagement levels and buying behaviour. We are passionate about making the North West the best place to work in the world.”

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Vibe celebrates fast-growth with #BringTheVibe party Vibe Tickets, Lancashire’s most exciting technology start-up, officially opened its new HQ and this week and celebrated the firm’s continued growth by entertaining investors, friends and users with talent from across the region at the #BringTheVibe party.

The fast-growing business, which began by bringing fans together to buy and sell tickets at negotiated prices, disrupted the secondary ticketing market and has now evolved into the first entirely transparent international social marketplace for live events.

As well as celebrating the recent move into a larger head office in Lancaster, the #BringTheVibe party also marked a momentous six months for Vibe, during which it opened a second office in central London, and expanded its team with the addition of senior staff from industry giants Ticketmaster and MTV. On the evening, guests were treated to a performance from The Voice UK's Hayley Eccles, followed by a DJ set by KISS FM's Tom Green, which went

into the early hours of the morning.

Vibe’s founder and CEO, Luke Massie, has built up a user-base of 75,000 followers since 2013. After raising £600,000 via crowdfunding within four weeks, Vibe now has funding amounting to £1.7 million from a number of investors, including Richard Branson.

Luke said: “I’ve been told time and time again that I should abandon my roots and migrate Vibe’s head office to London. I have always profusely disagreed as I’m a firm believer in Lancashire’s abundance of talent. The overwhelming growth we’ve achieved from our Lancaster base proves that point.

“Vibe is all about connecting people, so having set the business up just four years ago on Twitter, it’s a special moment to have all the people who have made a difference to our journey so far gathered in our new office. We’re heading in an extremely exciting direction and I can’t wait for the next chapter in Vibe’s story.”

Lancashire Crocodile Oil business celebrates first anniversary IT has long being recognised that Crocodiles have fantastic natural healing abilities A Lancashire skincare range with extra bite has just celebrated its first year in business using an ingredient that’s natural and as old as the hills.

Husband and wife team Lloyd and Babs Bantleman from Preston, launched ‘CrocodOil’ last December that addresses the problems of dry, flaky, blotchy and blemish prone skin. 100 per cent natural and fully cosmetic tested, certified and processed in the UK. CrocodOil is mainly comprised of ethically sourced crocodile oil which is a by-product of the crocodile farming industry.

It has long being recognised that Crocodiles have fantastic natural healing abilities. They are renowned for being able to resist bacterial infection and have a natural defense system against invading bacteria, viruses and fungi. Now in CrocodOil, these properties have been captured in a unique range of face, hand and body care products.

The CrocodOil range contains Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), Omega 3, 6 and 9, which are essential for the body to function properly, as well as having strong anti-inflammatory properties. CrocodOil products also contain Vitamin E – a major antioxidant and healing agent; Vitamin A – a skin repairer and

antioxidant; naturally occurring Oleic Acid – a natural skin cell rejuvenator; Turpines – which are naturally occurring antiseptics and Sapogens, which keep the skin supple.

CrocodOil source pure oil from ethical, government registered farms in South Africa which is then formulated and filled in the UK in line with strict EU Cosmetic Standards legislation.

Babs Bantleman, founder of CrocodOil, said: “I discovered what Crocodile oil could do for skin problems when I was recommended to try it whilst on holiday in Zambia.

Over the past 18 months, we have been developing CrocodOil as a range of products that can help to relieve a variety of skin conditions on the face, hands and body for any age and any skin type, even very sensitive types.”

Although CrocodOil is relatively new to the UK market, Crocodile oil is not a new treatment. It has been renowned since the 1500s for its legendary healing powers, when it began to be used by the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty.

It has been used as a valued skin enriching oil for centuries by many ancient civilizations, such as the Eqyptians and native Australians. For centuries, these diverse cultures have used crocodile oil to help ease and soothe the discomfort of those with

significant skin issues including dry, flaky and itchy skin. Now produced under laboratory controlled conditions, this product brings a new level of comfort to people who have genuine skin concerns.

Babs adds: “We have formulated a range of products that can counteract the negative effects of the environment we live in and the skin problems prevalent in the 21st century and especially so in this extra cold time of year. There were no nasties added to crocodile oil in previous centuries and we’re keen to make sure that our CrocodOil contains no parabens, palm oil,

paraffin, or other additives which can be detrimental to our skin or the environment.”

The crocodile farms in South Africa have been licenced by the South African Govt, but Babs was keen to visit personally and ensure that animal welfare allowing crocs to display natural behaviour and with plentiful access to running water and areas to bask was essential before going ahead with the venture.

CrocodOil is the only oil of its kind which is processed under strictly controlled conditions here in the UK. Due to the latest advances in technology and science, every drop

of CrocodOil is premium quality, as every step of the purification process is carried out under stringent conditions. What customers are buying is a pure high grade oil, with only additions being added to enhance the performance on skin.

It’s been a busy year for the team and new product developments for treating equine skin disorders and smaller pets is well underway for a launch in 2018. “Our first year in 2017 has been a whirlwind” said Babs, “and with the new products coming out to help soothe pets and horses, 2018 is looking to be even busier”.

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January 2018

Lancaster and District Chamber of Commerce raises £3,500 for the district’s homeless LANCASTER and District Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its Christmas lunch at the Midland Hotel in Morecambe, with close to 100 people in attendance. During the event attendees donated to this year’s chosen charity Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service Ltd. (LDHAS). Due to the generosity of local businesses and individuals, £3,500 was raised which included a sizeable donation from Chamber President, Alistair Eagles.

Before lunch guests were treated to a number of speakers, including Phil Moore from LDHAS, Steven Cochrane from BOOST, and Michael Gibson from Digital Lancashire.

LDHAS is the leading homeless charity in the Lancaster region. They work with people from many varied backgrounds where circumstance has led them to be sleeping rough or struggling to manage their own accommodation. The service is committed to helping people find accommodation and learn the life skills essential for independent living and provide help and support to engage with the job market.

LDHAS operates a day centre based in Edward Street, Lancaster which provides housing advice to the roofless and those in housing poverty. This is done by a dedicated team of staff who work alongside other organisations to provide support.

The ultimate goal of this work is to find suitable long-term accommodation for homeless clients and to equip them with skills needed to sustain a tenancy. Alongside this work, LDHAS also provide for clients’ immediate needs i.e. food, shower and laundry

facilities. The food service relies upon one part-time staff member and many dedicated volunteers.

LDHAS also visit clients in their homes in order to enable them to maintain their accommodation. This work assists their client’s by supporting them to learn to set up their own tenancies and to teach them to budget, deal with debts and liaise with various agencies so they are empowered to deal with any issues they may encounter in the future.

Gary Welsh, Centre Manager for LDHAS said: “Homelessness does not discriminate, it will happily take anyone it can. The homeless population in England has more than doubled since 2010 and having the support of the local Chamber of Commerce to tackle this problem speaks volumes for their member’s awareness and understanding of this growing issue.

Thank you so much for all your support”.

Alistair Eagles, President of the Lancaster and District Chamber of Commerce, added: “Homelessness is one of those societal problems that many people see but find very hard to acknowledge exists. Christmas time, especially, is a difficult time for the homeless due to the weather, and the season’s focus being on family and friends. It’s times like these that everyone should dig a little deeper into their pockets to help those less fortunate than us. After all, homelessness knows no class or wealth boundaries.”

LDHAS offers practical and emotional support to homeless people aged 16 and over.

In a typical year they have over 1000 visits by people who require varying levels of help and guidance. There is a team of eleven part-time workers.

Expansion for Organisational Healthcare PRESTON based Organisational Healthcare has seen a period of growth which has resulted in the occupational health business expanding into the second floor of its premises on Eastway Business Village in Fulwood.

In recent months, the business has been joined by Helen Buchan as Marketing and Business Development Manager and most recently, Kate Hornby has joined as Client Services Assistant. Three other members of staff have also increased their hours, meaning the business could no longer operate in the current space.

The previously unused second floor of the building has been revamped to allow for the extra desk space needed and also to allow

for further growth plans over the coming months. As well as allowing capacity for extra staff, a training area has been added to enable additional services to be offered to clients.

Tony Mawson, Managing Director commented: “It has been a very busy few months with a number of new clients coming on board. With service delivery our top priority, it is important that we have the capacity to continue to provide an exceptional service to all our clients. We have further growth plans in the pipeline and with the expansion of the office, we now have ample space to be able to service these plans. It is a very exciting time for everyone in the business.”

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Recycling Lives’ rapid growth continues with ninth site nationally A RECYCLING firm has topped off a year of rapid growth with its fifth site acquisition in 12 months.

Recycling Lives, a recycling and waste management firm headquartered in Preston, Lancashire, has announced its takeover of a facility in Erith, Kent.

It has taken over the former Picka-Part business, securing the jobs of 12 staff and is set to create additional roles in the business.

The site is now Recycling Lives’ ninth nationally, having opened five across Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Midlands and South East in 2017 alone, to add to its four sites in Lancashire.

The facility will allow the firm – which specialises in scrap metal and scrap car processing – to depollute and recycle End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) in the region. The organisation is also looking to introduce its charitable activities into the South East, having already expanded its food redistribution programme further across the North West this year, including introducing its offender rehabilitation model into the area.

Managing director William Fletcher said: “This move tops off

our biggest year to date, where we’ve tripled our turnover and more than doubled our national footprint.

“We’re proud to have secured the jobs of a great team in Erith and are excited to introduce our unique business offering to the South East. We’re already exploring opportunities to expand our charitable and social activities into the Kent area.”

Recycling Lives runs a unique social business model, using its commercial recycling and waste management operations to directly support and sustain a number of its own charity and social programmes.

It manages its own residential facilities to offer a safety net to homeless, marginalised men; runs an offender rehabilitation programme in nine North West prisons; and manages food redistribution in partnership with national charity FareShare to reduce food waste and tackle food poverty.

Operations at the Erith site, on Darent Industrial Park, will now shift from breaking cars for parts to processing and recycling vehicles down to composite parts ready for reuse or remanufacture.

Roll up, roll up!

Blackpool named as City of Circus 2018 BLACKPOOL has been named as one of the UK’s six Cities of Circus.

The resort will be included in a yearround programme of events in 2018 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the very first circus in this country.

In 1768, in the heart of London, entrepreneur and showman Philip Astley drew out a ring and filled it with astonishing acts – tumblers, horses, acrobats, jugglers and clowns.

Since then, circuses have become an integral part of live entertainment throughout the world – and no more so than in Blackpool, where The Blackpool Tower Circus first opened to the public in May 1894 and has not missed a season since.

The six Cities of Circus – which also include Bristol, Great Yarmouth, London, Belfast and Newcastle-underLyme – will each put on a series of special events in 2018 as their contribution to the anniversary.

In Blackpool, the finishing touches are being put to plans to celebrate with a

programme of live entertainment and art exhibitions.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We are delighted that Blackpool has been named as one of the UK’s six Cities of Circus.

“The Blackpool Tower Circus is one of the best known across the world and has made the resort synonymous with this form of family entertainment. We look forward to showcasing our contribution to the celebrations during 2018.”

Dea Birkett, Ringmaster at Circus250, says, “Circus250 celebrates the past but looks to the future. Over the last 250 years, circus – the original pop up – has continually evolved and reinvented itself. Each of our six Cities of Circus demonstrate through their fabulous histories and awe-inspiring current circus, just how enduring and innovative circus is.’

British artist Sir Peter Blake has designed the Circus250 logo so all participating events are instantly recognisable as part of the UK-wide celebrations.

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World Leisure provides hydrotherapy pool for £15m Special Educational Needs School

January 2018 Leyland-based World Leisure has provided a hydrotherapy pool for a £15million special educational needs school in Benfleet, Essex.

The pool was installed at the new Glenwood School, delivered by construction and infrastructure company, Morgan Sindall.

The specially-designed education facility includes state-of-the-art facilities to support 210 children and young adults aged 3-19 years, with severe and multiple learning difficulties.

The hydrotherapy pool is one of a number of specialist facilities to help meet the young people’s needs, including different types of sensory rooms, an in-floor trampoline room and an immersive room.

All of these will help promote levels of engagement, autonomy, body awareness, sequencing, postural control, organisation of the senses, self-regulation and the confidence needed to access community spaces.

The hydrotherapy pool will facilitate the implementation of young people’s physical support programmes in a specialist environment. It also provides an opportunity for young children to gain water confidence and to learn behaviours that increase their ability to access community resources safely.

World Leisure managing director Simon Smith says: “The main benefit of hydrotherapy is the combination of warm water, high air temperature and relief of bodyweight, which results in optimum conditions for the delivery of individualised physiotherapy programmes. For children with significant physical disabilities, this resource may be the only place where they can move independently.

“This area can also help encourage social interaction, allowing young people to participate in some small group activities.”

Glenwood School head teacher Judith Salter says: “Glenwood School always tries to provide the very best they can for all learners. We are looking forward to using this specialist area, which is fully accessible for all.”

Trilanco Ltd announces exclusive trade distribution deal with Westgate EFI LANCASHIRE-based Trilanco Ltd, the UK’s leading agricultural, equine and pet products wholesaler, has agreed exclusive trade sales and distribution rights for the Westgate EFI (WEFI) brands.

Trilanco will distribute WEFI’s own brands including The Mark Todd Collection, Gatehouse, Jumper’s Horse Line ( JHL), JHL Pro-Steel, Rodney Powell, Saddlecraft, StableKit and Plus Equine. Additional ranges will also be available from January 2018.

Martin Balmer, Managing Director of Trilanco, said: “I’m delighted to announce the addition of WEFI’s brands to our product catalogue. They really enhance our offering to the varied needs of equestrian retailers.”

The deal adds to Trilanco’s growing catalogue of 16,000 products, which includes a comprehensive range of products for both horse and rider.

Bruno Goyens de Heusch,

Managing Director of Westgate EFI, said: “We recognised our individual strength as a manufacturer. Trilanco has an impressive new warehouse and distribution operation and this partnership will allow us to focus on the continued development of our brands.”

Martin added: “Our aim is to provide retail customers with the best products and service in the industry. Bringing together great brands at competitive prices with excellent sales support, helps to create a fantastic buying experience for our trade customers.”

Trilanco will be showcasing WEFI brands on its stand at the BETA International trade exhibition in January 2018, giving visitors to the show a chance to preview and order products.

Trilanco moved into purposebuilt 110,000 square foot premises in Lancashire in January 2017, which has created the space to substantially increase its range and depth of stock.

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Colne based company make the Prolific North Tech 100 FOR the first time, Prolific North, in association with Manchester Tech Trust and RSM, have announced their Tech 100, a list of the 100 biggest tech companies in the North - to signify the growth of tech-based companies in this part of the country.

Tharstern, a printing MIS software company, based in Colne, Lancashire, is delighted that they have made the list, at number 77.

Added to their success of making the list, they are also very proud to be the only tech company from the graphic arts industry.

Tharstern, which was formed more than 30 years ago, has maintained sustained growth since a management buyout in July 2014.

Technical Director Antony Lord, Sales Director Lee Ward, and Managing Director Keith McMurtrie acquired a significant ownership stake in the business and retain direct day-to-day running. In 2015, the company launched into America and it now has a total of 7,000 users of its MIS and workflow solutions worldwide.

“We are very proud to be part of the first Prolific North Tech 100 list.

It’s fantastic to gain the recognition our hard-working team deserve.

"It’s been an exciting couple of years for us, especially with the launch of Tharstern Inc. in the USA, and we’re looking forward to growing our team and our customer base even further next year. There is some real innovation happening in the North of England, and not just in the cities, and we’re proud to be a part of that.”

Peter Lusty, chief executive of Manchester Tech Trust, said: "The strength of the Northern tech sector is clearly demonstrated by the great companies in this list, many of whom are innovating and creating new IP. These organisations are important employers in the region offering highly skilled jobs for the science and technology graduates coming out of our excellent universities. It also makes a strong case to global tech companies looking to locate themselves in a region that has the right mix of skills and human capital.”

Jonathan Lowe, audit partner and technology expert at RSM in Manchester, said: "The Top 100 showcases the leading technology

companies in the North, which is not only an impressive list but it demonstrates how far the sector

has come. Over the last 10 years the digital ecosystem in the North has been steadily growing and the

upward trajectory continues to build momentum."

Ensuring security and prosperity: Report reveals BAE Systems’ major contribution to the UK’s economic prosperity THE nation’s largest defence, aerospace and security company accounts for almost 1 per cent of all UK exports and 0.6 per cent of the country’s entire economic output, according to an independent report by Oxford Economics. BAE Systems is one of the most productive companies in the UK, with labour productivity levels almost 80 per cent greater than the national average, reflecting its investment in its highly skilled workforce, research and development expenditure and capital investments.

With some 50 sites across the UK, including major centres of expertise in military aircraft in the North West, and thousands of suppliers nationwide, BAE Systems makes a significant contribution to regional economies across the UK. The company spends some £700 million with suppliers in the North West alone.

BAE Systems Chairman, Sir Roger Carr, said: “BAE Systems plays a critical role in ensuring the security and prosperity of the UK and we prioritise investment in skills, capital and technology to support our continued growth in productivity and

exports. We recognise our responsibility to support wider industry and the positive role we can play in addressing the UK’s productivity challenge. We are proud to work with the thousands of UK companies across our supply chain on some of the world’s most complex engineering programmes and together we create skilled jobs, develop new technologies and play our part in driving prosperity in regions across the UK.” ADS Chief Executive, Paul Everitt, said: “Productivity is a national challenge, but this report shows that companies like BAE Systems who invest in skills and technology are making great strides forward. The UK defence sector has seen productivity rise by 23 per cent since 2010 compared to 3 per cent in the economy as a whole, and BAE Systems is playing a key role in that vital success story.

“With almost 9,000 companies in its supply chain right across the UK, the beneficial economic impact of BAE Systems’ success both at home and overseas is felt on a truly national scale.”

30INTERNATIONAL YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

Levity CropScience appoints Jordanian distributor

Lancashire company appoints American distributor LEVITY CROPSCIENCE has responded to the increasing demand for its smart fertilisers by appointing its first distributor in the USA – OMEX Agrifluids USA. Levity has an innovative approach to agronomy and their specialist scientists offer tailored advice to growers. This is because their scientists understand the problems of growers and create chemical based smart fertiliser products to solve those problems.

Levity’s Lono fertiliser range will be introduced to the American market

by OMEX Agrifluids USA, based in California, where it will be marketed as ’Size N’.

During independent trials, Size N has been proven to increase potato yields by $1000 per hectare. It is a foliar applied product, that exposes the crop to bursts of amine N, which helps to direct growth towards tuber development.

Anna Weston, MD, Levity CropScience said: “We’re delighted to be increasing the availability of our pioneering products across the USA in partnership with OMEX Agrifluids

USA, part of the British company, OMEX. There is a clear demand for our high quality, yield increasing, smart fertilisers across the globe.

“The trial results we had this year in the USA, showed excellent yield increases on a range of crops. In essence, the 2017 trials confirmed similar levels of performance to Europe on potato crops, and yield increases of over 20% on strawberry and fruit crops.

Ultimately our products will help grow more crops, minimise waste and be better for the environment. They will help increase income for hard working American farmers” Added Mike Williams, CEO of OMEX Agrifluids USA: “‘OMEX Agrifluids USA is very excited about this opportunity. We have been in the USA since 1997 and size N and other Levity products will complement our innovative product range.

“We have been bringing scientifically proven products to the US market for over 20 years and we will continue to add to our excellent portfolio to benefit local growers.”

January 2018 LANCASHIRE based Levity CropScience has broadened its reach across the Middle East, with the appointment of a Jordanian Distributor, Yasser Abusnaina, based in Amman.

The Jordanian distributor owns the Gheras and Fanan for Agriculture company and this agreement will allow growers in Jordan to access Levity’s innovative products; Lono, Lono Plus, Albion, and Damu.

Lono and Lono Plus have been proven to increase potato yields by as much as $1,000 per hectare in international independent field trials.

Cucumbers, potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes, are all grown in Jordan, particularly in the Jordan Valley, although much of the country is unsuitable for sustained crop growth, due to the arid climate and water availability.

David Marks, MD, Levity CropScience said: “Demand for our products is growing exceptionally and we’re excited to be entering the Jordanian market with the Gheras and Fanan for Agriculture company.

“All of the products are developed by ourselves and designed to get the maximum quality, life span and yield for users. It has been scientifically proven that our products, such as Lono, can produce up to an extra eight tons of potatoes per hectare.

“Levity products particularly help crops in dry, arid and stressful climates, boosting yields and giving them resilience against fungal and viral attacks, which is driving the demand across the Middle East and North Africa. An additional benefit is that Levity products will also help growers overcome heat and salinity stress, resulting in the production of larger, more resilient yields.”

Contact editor@businesslancashire.com

31

32AQUISITIONS YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Hotel group expands with St Annes acquisition A NORTH WEST hotel group has acquired a well-known venue on the Fylde Coast as part of its expansion plans.

HY Hotels has acquired the Lindum Hotel, South Promenade, St Annes, from the Rowley Family. The hotel group operates seven sites in total, including the nearby Howarth House Hotel and Aparthotel, and Chadwick Hotel in St Annes; Manchester’s Ainscow Hotel and The Block serviced apartments in Liverpool.

The Lindum Hotel was operated by the Rowley family for more than 50 years, and boasts 80 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant and function rooms.

HY Hotels owner Dan Yates revealed that the purchase is part of plans to expand in the North West, with further acquisitions likely in Blackpool and Preston.

Legal advice was provided on the transaction by David Hill, partner in the Commercial Property team at regional law firm Napthens.

Funding advice was supplied by a team from NatWest, led by John Platt, relationship director,

and accountancy services by RSM Tenon.

David Hill of Napthens said: “The Lindum Hotel has been a popular venue on the Fylde Coast for generations, and this acquisition will continue that history.”

Dan Yates added: “We saw this as a great acquisition to complement both businesses. We’re now working with the former owners to plan an easy transaction to secure the future of both the hotel and the staff employed there, and take it onto new levels of success.

“We’ve got some great plans for the hotel and believe it will continue to attract visitors to the Fylde Coast for years to come.

“HY Hotels has grown well over the past couple of years and the senior management team is now looking at sites in Blackpool, Preston and further afield.”

John Platt, of NatWest, said: “HY Hotels has an excellent portfolio of hotels across the North West and this latest acquisition enhances their offering. We wish Dan and HY Hotels every success for the future.”

Lancashire accountants taken over BALDWINS, one of the UK’s fastest growing accountancy practices, is further expanding in the North West following its successful move into the regionin 2016.

Leading chartered accountants and business advisers Cassons,

which has offices on St Crispin Way, Haslingden, Rossendale and on Bridge Street, Manchester has joined forces with the Baldwins Accountancy Group.

Baldwins, a CogitalGroup company, is one of the UK’s leading

business services groups. Currently, CogitalGroup has 4,700 people, operating from 150 offices in seven countries, with revenue in excess of £320 million.

Cassons, which has become the landmark 60th office within

the Baldwins Accountancy Group, services around 3,000 clients located across East Lancashire and further afield.

Les Nutter, Managing Partner at Cassons, said joining Baldwins will enable the business to continue to grow and develop as it has done throughout its history.

He said: “We are very positive about joining the Baldwin Group as we are totally committed to our shared ethos of developing relationships with local businesses in local communities, and providing the best level of service through local people.

“Our own personality and values will remain the same.

“We have advised many clients throughout the generations who have grown and developed with the help and support we have given them, and of course, through our active participation in BKR International, we will continue to advise clients as they expand and trade overseas.

“By joining Baldwins, our clients will be able to access the group’s various national teams of technical and sector specialists including banking & finance, which will help our clients in the North West to strengthen and expand.

“The support and investment from Baldwins will mean that we can provide extra services and give added value to our clients, particularly in terms of technology.

“The investment will also mean that our people will have access to even better learning and development opportunities which will further enhance the programmes that we already have in place.

“We are looking forward to 2018 full of confidence.”

Shaun Knight, director at Baldwins Accountancy Group, said this was a great opportunity to invest further in the North West, following the successful acquisition of CLB Coopers in November 2016.

“We are always looking at areas where we can expand and Cassons has built an impressive and varied client base,” he said.

“We are looking forward to working with Cassons to help the business and their clients identify growth opportunities moving forward.

“Since we moved into the North West last November, CLB Coopers has grown at a significant rate and we are confident 2018 will be another exciting year.”

TRANSPORT33

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VAT on cars, vans and fuel explained CERTAIN times of the year it seems my job description widens to include being a petrol head.

Despite providing a broad range of tax advice on benefits & expenses, VAT and CIS, my advice is very often required on cars, vans and fuel.

Electric cars are interesting for tax, as the treatment of their “fuel” provision differs between direct supply by the employer and reimbursements of electricity from employee’s homes.

But the “when is a van not a van” debate is even more controversial.

For direct tax, a vehicle is treated as a van when it is a mechanically propelled goods vehicle (a road vehicle of a construction primarily suited for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description) which has a design weight not exceeding 3,500kg.

So when an employer provides a vehicle, to an employee, the first question should be, is it a van?

Well, do you feel lucky?

Perhaps not, if you provide an employee with a panel van with seats and windows behind the drivers’ seat. Or where you have Jets-Advertising-128mmx170mm.qxp

had the original panel van adapted to have seat and seat belt fittings added in the rear space.

Sometimes the HMRC officer’s work has been made easier by the van having a name such as “crew carrier” or “combination van”.

The potential cost of a four-year tax assessment on the difference between van/ van fuel scale charges, the car/car scale charges could be significant.

Where an employer hasn’t included the van on the P11D, because the private use is limited to ordinary commuting, but the vehicle is subsequently determined to be a car, the arising assessment for tax and Class 1A NIC will be significant.

The officer’s VAT colleagues might then become involved and recover the input VAT claimed on the purchase of the “van, now car”, together with the VAT on the fuel provided.

In a recent Tax Tribunal, three vans were considered, all of which had been altered to add various seats, windows, shelving, racking, netting etc. The Tribunal disregarded the use to which the vehicles were actually put. The Tribunal’s15:41 decision 26/10/2017 Pagewas 1 based

on an objective view of all the characteristics of the vehicles.

Despite two of the vans in the case retaining significant cargo space, they both had additional seats to the rear of the driver. This, in the judged view made them multi-purpose. With no primary suitability for either passengers or goods, they failed the test set in law to be treated as vans, and so were assessed as cars.

The short checklist for every employer providing vans should be: • Is it primarily suited for the conveyance of goods, as per the above definition?

• Do you have records to show the private mileage travelled in the vehicle is only ordinary commuting?

• Do you prevent additional private use, or do the employees occasionally use it for private use but it’s not declared on the P11D because they make good the cost of that private use (incorrect)?

For VAT, the definition for a van is different than that used for direct tax, and ordinary commuting will not be disregarded for VAT purposes, leaving a difficult calculation for recoverable input VAT on purchase and fuel

provided.

Chorley Group founder pledges support to local students

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ANDREW Turner, founder and chairman of the award winning motor dealer Chorley Group has pledged his support to continue a memorandum of understanding between Chorley Group and Blackburn College.

Chorley Group, who were recently awarded the coveted ‘Nissan Global Award 2017’ for outstanding sales and customer care, has offered invaluable support to staff and students at Blackburn College since 2015.

Providing continual professional development for staff; the memorandum also helps to bridge the gap between industry and education, addressing industry requirements within curriculum development; and offering invaluable Apprenticeship opportunities for local students.

The active Apprenticeship programme between Chorley Group and Blackburn College offers the chance for students to build their subject knowledge, access industry and employability skills and increase their confidence within an engaging and relevant workplace.

Andrew Turner, Chorley Group’s Chairman said: “Apprentices are really important to our business.

“As part of the partnership, Blackburn College provide Chorley Group with Apprenticeship recruitment and training, and the latest recruits are due to start this month.

“By working in partnership with Blackburn College we are able to bring new talent to our organisation, as well as helping the College to develop their students’ industry

skills.”

Andrew Turner was also one of many inspiring individuals who delivered a series of masterclasses for students and staff at Blackburn College, as part of a busy programme of events for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2017.

Speaking to Level 1 to 3 Motor Vehicle students, Andrew shared how he grew his business to have a 100 million pound turnover and offered tips for success, speaking about the importance of consistency and motivation.

Global Entrepreneurship Week has been a fantastic success at Blackburn College, with over thirty motivational and engaging speakers delivering interactive sessions for students, focusing on motivation, employability and entrepreneurship.

Nicola Clayton, Director of Business Development and External Engagement at Blackburn College said: “Our employer partnerships are immensely important to us – they provide our students with vital industry experience which prepares them for their future careers.

“Chorley Group is an excellent example of an organisation who invests in the development of their own workforce, and who also supports the workforce of the future by sharing their expertise”.

Blackburn College is in the top 10 in England for Apprentice Success and is No 1 for Female Apprentice Success, working with over 3,000 employers to increase students’ employability and confidence.

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YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Kia’s Optima makes a smart business choice – without any compromises If you’re in the market for a luxurious executive saloon or estate, you could be forgiven for maybe considering one of the typical German marques.

However, now is your time to stand out from the crowd, and do it in style - why not look at what Chorley Group Kia in Blackpool can offer with its new range of diesel and plug-in hybrid Optimas.

Refined proportions, sleek lines, a more swept back dynamic shape and precise attention to every angle – and every detail – gives the All-New Optima its impressive style.

Whatever your choice – refined Saloon, spacious Sportswagon or eco-friendly Plug-in Hybrid – the All New Optima’s impeccable

quality, unmistakable style and luxurious comfort will make every journey enjoyable.

The All-New Optima Saloon and Sportswagon ranges comprise of three stunning models – the “2”, “3”, and the range-topping “GTLine S” which are available in a choice of two powertrains – either the 1.7 litre CRDi (diesel) ISG 6-Speed manual, or a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. The All-New Optima PHEV is available in a 2.0 litre Gasoline Direct Injection (GDi) petrol engine with a 6-speed Automatic transmission mated to a 9.8kWh battery. Of course, all versions of the Optima come with Kia’s industry leading 7-Year /

100,000 mile warranty as standard.

Plug-in Hybrids offer the benefits of an electric car – quiet, refined ride, instant torque, low running costs, ability to drive into low-emission zones in cities – with the reassurance of a petrol engine to complete long-distance journeys without deviation from your usual routes to charge.

The Optima PHEV could cut your fleet operating costs as well as your personal BIK tax liability. The BIK rate is just 9% (as the official CO2 emissions are less than 49g/ km), so the company car tax payable by an employee on the 20% band is just £52 per month.

The six-speed Automatic gearbox

is silky smooth and makes for easy driving both in town and on the motorway. With over 30 miles of electric range, shorter commutes and city driving can be very economical, with a cost of just £1 for a full charge.

With combined fuel consumption up to 201.8mpg, yet also with a formidable 205bhp, you truly get the best of both worlds.

The diesel Optima is available from £179 per month on business contract hire from our awardwinning Chorley Group team. In addition, the new Optima PHEV Sportswagon and Saloon are both available from just £285 per month on business contract hire – meaning

we can deliver a variety of options at a price suitable for your business needs.

The Optima is a car that has to be driven, and Chorley Group fully appreciates the high demands your business day will bring, every day.

That’s why we can offer you a free 2 or 3 day test drives in our full Kia range, giving you a true understanding of whether one of our Kia range will suit your personal and business needs.

Contact our dedicated team of Kia specialists today on 01253 400510 or find us at chorleygroup. co.uk.

Contact editor@businesslancashire.com

35

36

YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

BE THE ONE WHO DARES. THE FIRST EVER BMW X2.

January 2018

37

Contact editor@businesslancashire.com LEAVE THE STATUS QUO BEHIND. By bringing together a coupé-like design with the ruggedness of the BMW X model, the BMW X2 creates a look and feel that is undeniably youthful. Boasting an athletic yet elegant design, which features prominent wheel arches, stunning air inlets and stylish side skirts, this SAC feels at home in almost any situation. n SPECTACULAR SILHOUETTE. With its athletic shoulder line and gently sloping roof line, the dynamic styling of the BMW X2 has a coupé-like character that will definitely grab attention. n BMW EMBLEM. For true distinction, the BMW emblem has been repositioned next to the Hofmeister kink on the C pillar.

Just another case of breaking the rules. n 400 NM. The heart of the BMW X2 is the BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder diesel engine, which delivers 400Nm of maximum torque. Within an instant you’ll notice the supreme pulling power, thrilling acceleration and, more importantly, the confidence to go for it. n Visit www.lloydmotorgroup.com/BMW for more information or to arrange a test drive^, please call one of our Business Development Managers at your local Lloyd BMW Centre who will be happy to help guide you through the BMW Range making sure you choose the right model that suits you and your requirements.

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38CORPORATE YOUR SOCIAL FREE Business Newspaper RESPONSIBILITY

January 2018

Race organisers are urging people to ‘keep on running’ IF you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, sign up to the East Lancashire Hospice 10K to keep you focused.

The popular event, which is viewed as the first race of the season by many clubs, will be held on 14 January 2018 and has raised a staggering £49,804 for East Lancashire Hospice in the last four years.

The next 10K race, hosted by Gaskell Motor Bodies, is expected to attract over 500 people for the adult, junior and 2k fun run categories.

Nick Gaskell, owner of the business, has supported the hospice for around eight years. He said: “The race has become more and more popular. It’s seen as the first race of the season and is used as a training run by a number of clubs.”

Keen runner Nick, 46, from

Whalley, said: “It’s an undulating route with a couple of challenges – including the last push to the finish line. Me and Chris Knagg started the 10k in 2012.

“This is the fifth annual event and all the money goes to the hospice. We hope the event is still running in 30 years.”

The 10K starts at Gaskell Motor Bodies on Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood, and follows cycle tracks, the old railway, Cutwood Park and back along the canal tow path.

Other supporters of the event include medal sponsorship by Universal Cooling in Oswaldtwistle; health and safety support from Chris Knagg; funding from SB Tippers; t-shirt sponsorship from Metflex, and marshalling provided by East Ribble District Freemasons.

Hospice conference aims to raise the bar on compassionate communication A LEADING Lancashire hospice is set to host a conference designed for legal and financial professionals sharing good practice in how to communicate with clients and their loved ones about end of life issues.

St Catherine’s Hospice near Preston has organised the Raising the Bar on Compassionate Communication event on 9th February 2018, which will share practical skills and expert advice in order to help patients and families have the best possible experience at an already difficult time.

It is aimed at solicitors and other legal professionals, as well as financial planners and advisors. The idea came about following the hospice’s Advance Care Planning conference last year, which was attended by solicitors who expressed an interest in developing their skills and knowledge further.

Other legal professionals also worked with St Catherine’s on the national Dying Matters Awareness Week campaign in May – an initiative which aims to open taboo topics around death and dying – and the conference builds on the positive relationships formed as part of that.

Lynn Kelly, Director of Knowledge Exchange at St Catherine’s, explained: “When someone receives a diagnosis of a serious illness, not only are there so many emotions to deal with – shock,

sadness, fear, to name but a few – there are also practical implications which can arise.

“Along with the more obvious tasks like writing a will or arranging a lasting power of attorney, someone might need advice on financing their future care, or be trying to wade their way through the ins and outs of inheritance tax legislation.

“Legal and financial professionals offer a vital service but how they approach and handle situations like this can make all the difference to the person whose life has recently been turned upside down.

“We know that talking about death, dying and planning for the end of life is difficult, and that while such professionals are highly trained and skilled in other areas, it can be an area that some struggle with. We have designed this conference to share insight gained through our extensive experience in end of life care, alongside practical skills and tips. We want to help professionals feel more confident when dealing with sensitive situations and taboo topics, whilst raising awareness and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the many different issues someone might be facing towards the end of life.

“It all fits with our wider work around developing a compassionate community whereby everyone feels confident and ready to support

relatives, friends and neighbours at the end of life. From the neighbour who calls by to check on someone living alone at the end of the street, to the professional providing a valuable service, we want everyone to feel able and prepared to respond with care and compassion to the people around them.”

St Catherine’s trustee John Chesworth, Executive Chairman of Harrison Drury Solicitors, welcomed the launch of the conference.

He said: “We know that contacting a legal or financial professional is often the last thing that someone in this situation wants to do – but at the same it is vital that people have the correct measures in place to be sure their wishes are carried out and their loved ones are protected and looked after.

“By taking the time to learn more about the circumstances people could be facing, and picking up some practical tips in how to deal with these conversations sensitively, legal and financial professionals can reduce the stress and anxiety of their clients, helping them to tick off some of those difficult jobs that need to be done.”

The event will feature speakers from the hospice, medical and legal sectors and takes place at the hospice in Lostock Hall.

39

Contact editor@businesslancashire.com

Blackpool Transport introduces Safe Haven to support disabled customers THE Customer Centre on Market Street, Blackpool, is now a Safe Haven for sufferers of dementia.

Blackpool Transport has worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to ensure all of its staff have received Dementia Awareness training to better cater for the needs of their customers.

Now, every member of the team is a ‘Dementia Friend’ and equipped with the ability to better understand the additional support which persons with hidden disabilities may need.

The busy hub of activity within the public transport operator’s customer centre now has a quiet area for any customers, or members of the general public, to make use of as required.

The Safe Haven, which is an initiative rolled out across the country, is available for anyone who is living with dementia and other related conditions. The Safe Haven provides a place where they can temporarily go if they are confused in public and are unable to provide sufficient information to be taken home.

Alzheimer’s Society research, carried out with people who have dementia, revealed that nearly 70 per cent were concerned about becoming confused and lost while in public.

The Safe Havens project aims to address these concerns and make people who have dementia related conditions feel comfortable and assured in their local areas.

National Fellowship for Lancashire social enterprise leader THE driving force behind Selnet – the Social Enterprise Lancashire Network – has been awarded one of the first Honorary Fellowships of the national body, Social Enterprise UK. The Honorary Fellowships were awarded to 15 outstanding sector leaders who have taken their own organisations from strength to strength but also play a large part in shaping, guiding and championing the social enterprise movement as a whole.

Recognising those who have contributed to creating a diverse, thriving and truly impactful community of businesses, the Fellowships celebrate key individuals who are making great strides to drive the sector forwards now.

Selnet Chief Executive Liz Tapner was named along with the leaders in the social enterprise world alongside the founder of the Big Issue magazine, Lord John Bird, and Sophi Tranchell MBE of pioneering Fairtrade company Divine Chocolate.

Since joining Selnet over 10 years ago, Liz has grown the organisation from a small project to a major body which represents and supports the social enterprises that operate across Lancashire.

Liz led Selnet in securing a £9.2m project called Building Better Opportunities, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, where a partnership of 64 organisations are helping the most vulnerable in society to be more resilient and closer to the world of work.

Social Enterprise UK is a national body which regularly has the ear of government to advise them on issues within the sector and, as it has been running for 15 years, has appointed 15 honorary fellows.

Speaking of her appointment, Liz said: “It is a huge honour for me personally and a great testament to the work that we achieve here in Lancashire.

My job is to secure and manage contracts, but I get my satisfaction from seeing the work being undertaken by the social enterprises that we represent who are helping people when they need it most.

“I am supported by a fantastic board of directors drawn from social enterprises across Lancashire and have an amazing team working with me.

“And we don’t work in isolation – our projects are often delivered in partnership, particularly with Lancashire County Council, the LEP, local authorities and funding bodies nationally and across Europe.”

It’s a view echoed by the chair of the board, Graham Jones from Bootstrap Enterprises, based in Blackburn. He said: “When you think of social enterprise in Lancashire, you think of Liz Tapner.

She has put her heart and her soul into the job and the board is delighted that she has been recognised on the national stage by Social Enterprise UK. “Liz is undoubtedly one of the main reasons why Selnet has been so successful over the last 10 years and we’re delighted to have her at the helm.”

40

YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Jets GPS is proud to donate to local causes BLACKBURN based Jets GPS Tracking has donated two high-tech vehicle trackers to the Special Educational Needs Centre at White Ash School, Oswaldtwistle, whilst continuing its monthly donations to East Lancashire Hospice.

This support is part of Jets’ continued commitment to giving something back to the local community, as part of its philosophy of being a good corporate citizen.

The ‘Plug and Play’ vehicle trackers will be integrated into the minibuses which are used to transport children around the county. This will provide accurate feedback on distance covered; awareness of where the minibuses are at any time and driver skills and behaviour.

Jan Evans, Owner of Jets GPS Tracking said: “From the moment I set up the company, I wanted part of our vision to be a commitment to give something back to the local community where we are based and which has supported us so well.

“Both of the causes are close to our hearts and we want to continue helping

them in the future. Hopefully the donations will help the organisations in their day to day activity and make a difference to the lives of the people they so tirelessly support.”

Jennifer Quinn, Corporate Fundraiser, East Lancashire Hospice added: “We are really grateful to Jets GPS Tracking for its generous donation. We rely heavily on the support of the community to help us to care for our patients and this is a perfect example of a company that sees how vital the hospice is and wants to support it.

Thank you so much Jets GPS Tracking”.

Mark Montgomery, Headteacher, White Ash School said: “White Ash School would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks and gratitude to Jets GPS Tracking for its donation. The trackers are a fantastic addition to our mini bus fleet giving us not only peace of mind regarding the whereabouts of the vehicles at any point in time, but also being able to monitor our drivers’ behaviour and ensure the safety of our children.”

East Lancashire company’s delight at 2017 fundraising COLNE Tyre Centre is proud to have raised and donated over £18,000 for local charities and not for profit organisations, for the third year running, since the business started in 2014.

Typical beneficiaries of their fantastic commitment to being a good corporate citizen, have included Pendleside Hospice, East Lancashire Hospice, Colne in Bloom, Homeless in Colne, Pendle Dogs in Need, Alzheimer’s Society, Care after Combat and other local good causes. Also, not for profit organisations such as Rotary Club of Colne Noyna and Pendle PowerFest.

The car and van tyre specialists, based in Colne, have hosted a range of fund raising activities throughout the year, such as family fun days on site; head shaves and car washes.

Colne Tyre Centre offers both car and van tyres, at

competitive prices, as well as free no obligation tyre inspections.

They also provide cleaning and valeting services, to bring your car back to showroom conditions.

Azhar Iqbal, Founder and CEO, Colne Tyre Centre said: “There are only six of us in the business and we are delighted, with our customers’ help, to have raised so much money. We firmly believe in the importance of giving back to the local community and hope that others will follow our example.

“We’re excited to be continuing our work for local causes in 2018 and we are already planning a series of charitable events. We hope our customers and the local community will continue to support our activities and contribute to these worthy causes, which provide such vital services in our local community.“

APPOINTMENTS41

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Forbes promotes Justine and Jennifer LANCASHIRE-based Forbes Solicitors has announced two promotions within its expert Housing and Regeneration Team.

Justine Hunkins has been made Partner and Jennifer Hankinson is now an Associate at one of the North’s leading law firms.

Justine is Head of the highly successful specialist Housing Litigation Asset Management Team and advises social landlords in relation to their housing management functions.

She specialises in disrepair claims and rent possession actions which have complicating factors such as anti-social behaviour, capacity issues, disrepair counterclaims and counterclaims for unlawful interference with goods.

Justine also assists social landlords with a wide range of matters such as policy drafting, implementing tenancy agreement amendments, dealing with legislative change, granting tenancies to minors, boundary and nuisance disputes.

She also has extensive

Case IH appoints new dealers in Lancashire and Norfolk Case IH, a global leader in agricultural equipment, has appointed two new dealers in the UK to enhance network coverage, increase sales and deliver customer satisfaction.

John Cornthwaite (Farm Machinery) Ltd., located in Nateby, Lancs., was established in 1977. With 40 years of experience in the industry, they will represent the Case IH brand in Central West Lancashire and the Fylde.

Their excellent reputation will fit well with the existing Case IH network, providing customers with first-class sales and service facilities from their well-resourced and modern agricultural machinery dealership.

Managing Director John Cornthwaite, said: “We are delighted to be working with Case IH. Our strong customer base understands the value of investing in reliable machines from a company that is continually improving its range of products, and constantly

launching new innovations. Joining forces with Case IH will bring our customers quality products sourced from Austria and the US.” Case IH’s Sales Area Manager, North, Barry Ward, and Commercial Business Unit Manager, Robin McArd expressed their delight in the appointment of John Cornthwaite Farm Machinery. “This is a well-respected business, renowned for its high level of customer support,” commented Barry Ward, “it will bring our industry-leading products to a whole new customer base, and we look forward to working closely with them.”

Nicholsons will represent the Case IH brand in the Norfolk Broads. Based in Stalham, Norfolk, it is a family business, established on the same site in 1938 and operates in three main sectors; agricultural machinery and services, new car sales and motor services, and garden machinery.

experience of advising in relation to homelessness, allocations and unlawful eviction.

Jennifer specialises in housing and regeneration property law and worked as an in-house lawyer for a registered provider for almost five years before joining Forbes.

She brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the role and prior to her qualification as a solicitor she also worked in the private sector, bringing a wider commercial expertise.

Jennifer is experienced in a wide variety of areas of property work in the housing and regeneration sector including sales of land, acquisitions, site acquisitions, s106 Agreements (and variations), licence for works, golden brick acquisitions and development agreements.

Lucy Worrall, Partner and Head of Housing and Regeneration at Forbes, said: “We are delighted to announce these promotions as a reward for all the hard work both Justine and Jennifer have put in for the benefit of our clients.”

Rebekah joins East Lancs Employment & HR team The East Lancashire office of regional law firm Napthens has grown with the appointment of a new Employment and HR team member.

Employment law adviser, Rebekah Lindeman has joined the team based in Blackburn.

Rebekah joins from former employment positions with DWF and Kirwans, where she advised on insurance claims in the Employment Tribunal.

An associate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, she has advised clients across a range of sectors from technology to the care sector, and will advise Napthens’ clients on issues, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, drafting contracts and managing cases in the Employment

Tribunal.

Oliver McCann, Employment partner and head of Napthens’ East Lancashire office, said: “Demand for our services in East Lancashire continues to grow year on year.

“Employers are looking for clear, practical employment and HR advice, combined with an excellent level of service.

“As our HR3 retained service has developed over the past few years, we have seen our client base expand. To meet increased demand, Rebekah now joins our team and we will have further appointments to announce in the coming weeks.

“Rebekah has some great experience and will bring a lot to both the team and our clients in the region.”

42

YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Voiteq announces the appointment of new UK Sales Director VOITEQ the leading global provider of voice solutions is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Gregory as UK Sales Director.

Matt will be responsible for the sales strategy and increasing offerings to both new and existing business. He will oversee the sales team, strategic business partnerships and the marketing function, reporting into Isabel McCabe, Voiteq’s Managing Director.

Matt joins Voiteq from Honeywell International where he held various roles since 2010. His last role saw him responsible for delivering cloud-based solutions to the SAP market. Prior to this he was responsible for the successful growth and development of the voice market in multiple regions and territories including the UK, South Africa and Scandinavia.

Matt brings with him a wealth of experience in voice technology and specifically the enterprise mobility market across numerous continents. He understands first-hand the transformation that modern supply chain technology has

New Sales Manager appointed to help grow Vision’s hospitality division GLOBAL textiles giant, Vision Support Services, have appointed a new Sales Manager, Salma Kayani, to ensure growth of their hospitality division and to service the needs of their hotel clients across the UK. Salma, who previously worked for the company until 2012, rejoined Vision last month and will now be responsible for sales into new and existing hotels on the M25 corridor as well as central London.

She began working across the hospitality industry in 2006 as a Sales Account Manager and so brings with her a vast knowledge of working with both independent hotels and groups.

Describing her decision to come back to Vision, Salma said: “The growth, opportunities and success Vision are achieving led me to come back here and I’m delighted to be working alongside Jacqui Hurst and the rest of

the team once again.”

Vision, who count half of the major global hotel brands as their customers, are proud to have an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality sector – with their famed Irish linen product brand, Liddell, having been seen in some of the world’s most prestigious locations including the RMS Titanic back in 1912 and, more recently, the opening of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

Sales Director for UK Hospitality, Jacqui Hurst, said: “It’s a real pleasure to have Salma back on board. It’s been a phenomenal year for Vision; we’ve concentrated on attracting new clients, nurturing existing relationships but we’re also investing in our people.

Having worked with Salma previously, I have no doubt that she’ll be an invaluable asset to the Vision family and will undoubtedly help bring Vision to the forefront for 2018.”

on a business and its future success.

Commenting on the new appointment Isabel McCabe, Managing Director said: “Matt’s track record, international experience and knowledge of the industry is second to none and we are thrilled to have him on board. Attracting someone of Matt’s calibre into the business is a great endorsement of our strategy and ambition.

He brings with him a comprehensive knowledge of the European supply chain, both inside and outside of the warehouse, which will be vital as we continue our ambitious plans to enhance the value that we offer to our clients.”

Matt Gregory said: “Voiteq has an excellent reputation and many of the UK’s largest businesses rely on our Voice solutions. We have a tremendous opportunity to influence the industry by embracing new technology and enhancing the value we bring to the marketplace.

Voiteq is a genuine people focused business; delivering world class solutions to our customers and I’m excited to be part of what I’m confident will be a bright future leading the sales and marketing team."

EVENTS LISTINGS43

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INTRODUCTION TO EQUITY INVESTMENT FOR SMES 18TH JANUARY 2018 FROM 12:00PM TO 4:30PM UCLan Greenbank Building, room 357 Victoria Street Preston PR1 7DR Victoria Street, Preston, PR1 7DR United Kingdom • Need finance for growth?

• Want to understand what venture capital is and how to successfully apply?

• Perhaps unsure whether venture capital or business angel finance is right for you?

Price: Free For further information on the programme please call 01772 895656 or email investmentreadiness@uclan.ac.uk

FRIDAY 2nd MARCH 2018 • 9AM – 3PM

TRANSMISSION LAUNCH EVENT 23RD JANUARY 2018 FROM 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Media Innovation Studio, 4th Floor Media Factory Kirkham Street, Preston, PR1 2XQ United Kingdom Transmission will take the form of an innovative approach to building leadership capacity and capabilities within the advanced manufacturing, engineering, creative and digital sectors.

The programme will also aim to add value and bring efficiency to businesses by embracing the competitive advantages that will accrue from a more digitalised economy.

Price: Free

 : Friday 2nd March 2018, 9am – 3pm  : Preston Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston. PR1 1HT  : www.lancashirebusinessexpo.com

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transmission-launch-event-23-january-2018-tickets-41136176411%20

Lancashire’s Largest Business Event is FREE to attend.

With over 160 Exhibitors & 2000+ Delegates attending it’s the biggest event on Lancashire’s business calendar

TUE 16 JANUARY & 6 FEBRUARY 2018 FROM 09:00 – 10:30 Runshaw College, Euxton Campus, Euxton, Chorley PR7 6AQ

To register your attendance, please log on to

www.lancashirebusinessexpo.com/attend

APPRENTICESHIPS: HOW TO MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU & FUTURE-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS...

If you currently work in a Service Sector (Catering, Hospitality, Hair & Beauty) this is an opportunity to discover more about the wonderful world of apprenticeships within the Service Sector with a bacon buttie and a brew! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/apprenticeships-how-to-make-them-work-for-you-future-proof-your-businessservice-sector-tickets-39867806683?aff=es2

COASTAL CONNECT WITH THE VILLAGE HOTEL

BUSINESS RESILIENCE: INTERACTIVE BREAKFAST SEMINAR

CHINA FOOD AND DRINK INTERNATIONAL TRADE ERDF EVENT

17TH JANUARY 2018, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

FEBRUARY 6, 2018 @ 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, Preston

30TH JANUARY 2018, 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

This is the Third of the brand NEW Fylde Coast Monthly Networking event arrives on Wednesday 17th January from 4pm until 6pm at the Fantastic Village Hotels Blackpool.

The expert panel will cover: • Cash flow management: Potential stresses and sensitivities – How to successfully scale up a business • Areas of risk and how to mitigate them • Management structures and successful delegation • Investment: How to get funding and how to manage investors – Business agility, why it is important and how to achieve it

Making the most of China’s growing taste for imports An essential briefing for food & drink producers in the North West Join food & drink specialist Antoaneta Becker for an insightful China briefing that will cover – What sells well in China – Market access and compliance issues – How best to develop your business in China in a costeffective way.

Reserve a place: Contact Julie Treverton by e-mail at julie. treverton@mooreandsmalley.co.uk or call 01772 821021.

To book a place at this event email export@lancschamber.co.uk or call 01772 706589

This event is included in your Membership.

This event is complimentary to Non-Members Contact our events team on 01772 653000 or email chamberevents@lancschamber.co.uk to book your place on this network event.

To list your Events here and on www.businesslancashire.co.uk Contact sales@thesamueljamesgroup.com or call 01772 364150  : Friday 2nd March 2018, 9am – 3pm  : Preston Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston. PR1 1HT  : www.lancashirebusinessexpo.com Lancashire’s Largest Business Event is FREE to attend.

With over 160 Exhibitors & 2000+ Delegates attending it’s the biggest event on Lancashire’s business calendar

FRIDAY 2nd MARCH 2018 • 9AM – 3PM

To register your attendance, please log on to www.lancashirebusinessexpo.com/attend

44PROPERTY YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

FEATURED PROPERTY

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Euxton Lane, Chorley PR7 6DN

CHOOSE CHORLEY FOR BUSINESS

If new development is a sign of a growing economy, then the future is looking bright for Chorley.

Driven forward by the proactive and forward-thinking local authority the borough now boasts several major improvement schemes happening at the same time with one standing out as a real coup for Chorley.

Work is about to start on the Strawberry Fields Digital Hub providing state-of-the-art office accommodation for businesses in the digital sector. This will include a high capacity server and super speed broadband plus a new intensive business incubation facility for startups.

The development is being driven forward

by Chorley Council and its Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, believes the opportunities Chorley offers makes it an attractive proposition for businesses.

“The Strawberry Fields development is really exciting for us because this is the type of development that you might ordinarily see in the city regions, but there aren’t many places the size of Chorley that would attract this type of interest and independent experts say it could boost the local economy by £18.5 million.

“What is helping us to attract this type of

development, apart from our very proactive approach, is our perfect location – we are situated on the M6, M61 and M65 motorways and we are a gateway to three of the major northern cities - Manchester, Liverpool and Preston.

“And because we are telling our story, people wanting to be a part of the Northern Powerhouse are starting to look north of Manchester and Liverpool, rather than looking south to Cheshire, because we have got everything you need to succeed.”

The Strawberry Fields development is an £8.4 million scheme which has attracted more than £4 million of European funding.

The digital hub will have a business advisor specialising in the digital sector and a university researcher who are able to support those wishing to start a digital business, or develop and grow an existing business by accessing new markets.

“I would urge anyone who is looking to set up a business, whatever type that might be, or who may just want to sound out a business idea, to give us a call on 01257 515300 or email edu@chorley.gov.uk and see just what help we might be able to offer you,” said Councillor Bradley.

45

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FWP to unlock ‘£70m investment’ with new sports village on the south coast THE Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) has been appointed to design a £12 million sports village masterplan that is set to deliver up to £70 million of investment into an ambitious non-league football club on the south coast.

Hastings United is the latest sports club to take advantage of FWP’s ability to maximise revenue – particularly on non-match days – with the creation of a multi-use sports village in East Sussex.

Preston, London and Manchester-based FWP is designing a 3,000 capacity football stadium for Hastings United, which will form the centrepiece of the mixed use Combe Valley Sports Village development as the Isthmian League side seek a move from their home in The Pilot Field in Hastings.

It is the latest detailed masterplan from FWP, the sports stadia specialist, which has successfully advised more than 80 sports clubs across the UK on their redevelopment and modernisation plans.

The chosen location for the sports village is a former landfill site next to Combe Valley Country Park owned by Hastings Borough Council.

It’s on the A259 road to Bexhill next to Hastings & St Leonard’s Priory Cricket Club, which is also going to be a major beneficiary of the ambitious scheme. There will be a clubhouse and changing facilities for the semi-professional football club to be shared with St Leonard’s Cricket Club and South Saxons Hockey Club.

The masterplan provides for a 3G pitch and internal and external allweather sports facilities for the local community and the external floodlit artificial pitches will accommodate a range of sports, including a county size boules (petanque) court and a netball court.

The indoor sports hall has changing facilities as well as space for indoor sports such as tennis and badminton, a gym for sports, fitness and healthy living activities and a dance studio, together with meeting

rooms and full catering facilities.

Conference and banqueting rooms will enable the football club to generate non-matchday revenue to reinvest into the Hastings United Football Academy, as well as in the first team.

This would give the club the support it needs to hopefully climb through the non-league football pyramid. The club is currently four promotions off league football.

FWP is working with a range of partners to see the sports village come to fruition, including local authorities and national housebuilder Keepmoat Homes.

Neil Ainsworth, partner at FWP and the architect behind the sports village vision, says: “This is a complex masterplan bringing together different sports clubs, councils, the planning authority and key development partners.

“To make such an ambitious plan work we need to release land elsewhere for a major new housebuilding programme, which will enable the £12 million sports

facilities to be self-funded.

“It’s a classic example of how we work, particularly with sports clubs in the lower leagues, to finance redevelopment projects and help the clubs and communities thrive.”

To date more than 80 sports clubs large and small across the country have benefitted from FWP’s advice, with many of them going on to design and build modern new facilities.

It is a growing list. Championship club Preston North End’s striking Deepdale ground was led by FWP and ambitious National League club AFC Fylde’s new home at Mill Farm on the Fylde coast is another awardwinning project from the FWP team.

FWP is also working with Scunthorpe United to design a striking 12,000 capacity all-seater stadium for the Football League club.

It has created stunning new facilities for Fleetwood Town, Peterborough United and Oldham Athletic and is developing stadia and community assets for clubs such as Leamington, Forest Green Rovers

and 1874 Northwich.

FC United of Manchester is another club that has benefitted from FWP’s expertise in its work to create its first home.

FWP today has a 65-strong staff in its Preston, London and Manchester offices helping it deliver success for its sporting clients, which aside from football include the owners of Doncaster racecourse and Leicester Tigers RU club.

Neil added: “The Combe Valley Sports Village project is gaining momentum and we will be holding a public consultation shortly followed by the submission of a planning application in early 2018.

“We could be delivering all these first class facilities for the start of the 2019/20 football and hockey season.”

It is estimated that the scheme would bring £70 million of new investment into Hastings and St Leonards, made up of £58 million for much-needed new homes and £12 million for brand new sports facilities.

46

YOUR FREE Business Newspaper

January 2018

Meeting your short-term business room requirements in Chorley CHORLEY town centre based, Jeff ’s Orange Rooms, has found an innovative and cost-effective way to utilise four spare rooms in their building – why not offer them on an hourly hire basis to the local business community for presentations and networking.

Consequently, four Executive rooms have been refurbished at a cost of over £120k: • Board room – seating up to 6 people • Presentation room – for 25 people theatre style • Interview room – with Skype • Networking room – circa 20 people Jeff ’s Orange Rooms, whilst a stand-alone company, is based in the Sharples Davies building and is named after a former Sharples Davies MD, Jeff Hulme. Sharples Davies is a national recruitment company, specialising in the building products sector.

Typical users of the facilities include solicitors (for CPD work); HR managers for assessment centres and educational activities.

Commented Jennifer McDermott, MD: “We are really excited to be opening our new business in Chorley town centre.

Chorley is continuing to grow in terms of new and existing local businesses and we are really proud to now be a part of that. Also, to help raise awareness of these great opportunities, Jeff ’s Orange Rooms is pleased to have recently become a member of the NWLCC.” Added one of their clients, Darren Hayward, MD, Fertile Frog, a local digital marketing company: “I’d like to thank Jeff ’s Orange Rooms for providing us with a quick solution for room hire. The rooms are well equipped and spacious, with a modern and professional feel. We’ll be using their services again and we are more than happy to recommend them to our business associates.”

CPUK wins contract to deliver much needed crematorium in North Wales NORTH WEST construction firm Construction Partnership UK (CPUK) has won the contract to build a much-needed crematorium in North Wales.

The £1.78 million project near Connah’s Quay in Flintshire has been awarded by Memoria, the 3rd largest private crematoria operators in the UK, and is CPUK’s second in the £1 billion UK funerals sector.

It’s the first crematorium in Flintshire and it is expected to reduce waiting times for local people currently traveling further afield to use facilities in Chester, Denbighshire, Wrexham or Colwyn Bay. The Flintshire crematorium will be Memoria’s third Welsh site following new builds in Glamorgan and Denbighshire.

CPUK will be on site for 40 weeks on the greenfield site in Oakenholt Lane with the expected completion date around mid 2018.

The architect is Richard Vest of Ipswich, an experienced crematorium designer, who has proposed a single storey steel framed structure incorporating a 95 seat chapel, crematorium area, storage rooms and all the landscaping.

In 2012, CPUK was named

Contractor of the Year after successfully completing construction of a £1.5 million funeral parlour for Co-operative Funeral Services in Oldham, on time and to budget, as part of the crucial enabling work on the £275 million upgrade of Manchester’s Metrolink system.

Steve Burke, managing director of CPUK, said: “This scheme provides another great example of our group businesses working together to bring innovation and savings to our customers.

“Our in-house remediation division has created a very cost effective earthworks solution before we start the main construction work which, in addition to the crematorium itself, will include new access roadways, car parks, formal ponds and ornamental fountains, memorial gardens and extensive soft landscaping.”

The project has been welcomed

by Flintshire Council member Ian Dunbar who has said: “We have been waiting quite a while for this.

“People have had to wait for weeks with their loved ones who have died because of the waiting lists in Chester and Pentrebychan.

“I think the good thing is we will definitely have a crematorium in the

county and it is on the doorstep for the people of Flintshire.”

For CPUK, the project demonstrates the firm’s ability to negotiate competitively for work in all sectors and sees the Skelmersdalebased builder extend its construction footprint to North Wales.

Steve Burke commented: “Our order book is now approaching £50

million for the current financial year.

“We are working across all sectors and continue to win the majority of our contracts through negotiated work with repeat clients, which I believe is testament to the quality of service we provide to our customers.

“We have specifically targeted Memoria as a potential key partner due to their exceptional track record

in this sector and their ambitious plans for continued expansion.

Hopefully this will be the first of many contracts between Memoria and CPUK.” CPUK Group has achieved Investors in People Status and is Constructionline and CHAS accredited for major schemes in excess of £5 million.

47

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FEATURED PROPERTY

Edward VII Quay, Navigation Way, Preston, PR2 2YF Property Type: Office Tenure: Leasehold Asking Rent: £10 Per sq ft VAT: VAT will be charged at the prevailing rate Accomodation: Please see availability schedule for full details: TO LET: 3b - 4,294 sq ft, 4b - 4,301 sq ft, 5a - 4,294 sq ft 5b - 4,293 sq ft, 6 - 5,312 sq ft, 7a - 3,216 sq ft, 7b - 3,216 sq ft FOR SALE: 5 - 8,599 sq ft, 6 - 5,312 sq ft, 7 - 6,432 sq ft

Prestigious waterfront offices at ground and first floor level providing the following features: *Individual open plan offices (capable of tenant partitioning) *Secured lobby entrance *Suspended ceiling incorporating recessed CAT II lighting *Fully carpeted *Passennger lift *Generous parking provisions within a landscaped site Additional car parking is available by way of a separate licence at a cost of £500 per annum per space

North Quay Offices, Heysham Port, Heysham, LA3 2UL 22, Market Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1EX Property Type: Retail Tenure: Leasehold Asking Rent: £12,500 Per Annum Exclusive VAT: The rent is subject to VAT. Accomodation: 664 sq ft (62 sq m) The ground floor premises benefits from a full width window display frontage to Market Street and provides a large open plan sales area at ground floor with ancillary ground floor storage, which incorporates WC and kitchen facilities.

Property Type: Office Tenure: Leasehold Asking Rent: £290,000 Per Annum Exclusive VAT: The property is subject to VAT. Accomodation: 41,000 sq ft over two floors.

The property comprises a detached, HQ office premises of traditional construction, situated within its own secure, fenced site. Internally the property provides open plan and cellular office accommodation over two floors along with ancillary support rooms such as canteen, medical room, prayer room, post room, reception, meeting rooms and an auditorium. The property provides trunking for data cabling and electric, primarily carpet tile floor coverings, suspended acoustic tile ceiling with recessed grid lighting, secure fob access control to the inner doors and an air-conditioned heating system. The canteen has a fully-fitted kitchen and serving area. Externally there is a secure intercom entry system and 150 car parking spaces.

For more information please contact our Agency Team on 01772 769000 or visit wwww.pinkus.co.uk

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