GUEST EDITOR: MARTIN ROSS ON THE UNLTD STORY 73 SUPPORT YOUR HIGH STREET SHEFFIELD BUSINESSES ON SHOPPING LOCAL

This month’s guest editor, and one of the founders of unLTD, Martin Ross, reflects on the journey of the magazine since its first issue and how far the South Yorkshire business community has come in the last five years…

It was all the way back in 2017 when the idea of unLTD was first introduced, and it is fair to say it has come a long way since then.

Originally, we came up with the concept because we felt the Sheffield City Region wanted a real outlet for positive and relevant business news, celebrating everything the area had to offer.

While we wanted to share good news stories and bring the local business community together, we also wanted to add something fresh and different, which is why unLTD has always been so visually led and had such a strong presence on social media.

Our aim was to break from the more traditional forums and provide a platform that was engaging, newsy and informative while still being interesting and entertaining.

From stories on overcoming the challenges faced by businesses in every sector, to after-hours pieces on the best places to visit with your colleagues, we have worked hard to produce a wellrounded product that has something for everyone.

We have championed local independents as well as larger firms, told some incredible success stories and highlighted the wealth of talent we have right on our doorstep.

In the five years – and 50 issues – since the magazine first started, I don’t think that has ever changed.

However, what has changed is the wonderful team working on unLTD behind the scenes.

The idea was first discussed between myself and Richard Wright, then chief executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, before we engaged with Phil Turner at Blind Mice Media, and, as they say, the rest is history.

Over time there have been plenty of talented and creative people working on this magazine, from former editor Richard Fidler to designers Simon Garlick and Simon Waller, and features writer Jill Theobald, all of whom have made unLTD what it is today.

Head of sales Dan Laver has been integral to the continuing expansion of the brand, and there would be no magazine at all without the copywriters at HRM – and, of course, our fantastic columnists and contributors.

However, in true business style, the magazine has evolved a lot since that first issue in 2017, picking up plenty of fresh faces along the way.

Rather fittingly, the theme for our 50th issue is ‘regeneration’, and there is plenty of that here at unLTD, as well as across the wider city region.

In the last few months alone, we have appointed a new designer and photographer, Marc Barker, and news and features editor Brogan Maguire, to help unLTD continue on its journey.

Coupled with the arrival of HRM’s new chief executive, Jen Beal, the magazine really is entering a whole new phase of its life.

And isn’t that true of our businesses as a whole, reemerging after two gruelling years of the pandemic and ready to move on to the next chapter.

A lot has changed in our region in the last five years and there has been so much to celebrate. From the Sheffield Business Awards to the growth of the Advanced Business Park, and the opening of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Stadium - headed up Government minister Richard Caborn.

Former chief executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Richard Wright, said: “I am personally delighted to see unLTD go from strength to strength.

“As the chief executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce at the time, I met with Martin Ross from HR Media and Phil Turner from Blind Mice Media, believing their relevant experience would prove to be a catalyst for the creation of a successful business publication serving Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley.

“It is the responsibility of an organisation like the Chamber, and a platform like unLTD, to ensure that the independent voice and opinion of the business community is heard. “I am so pleased to see to see that my encouragement was not misplaced. “As a result, our business community now has a publication that it can be proud of. Here’s to the next 50 editions!”

ISSUES

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The Heart of the City development is progressing rapidly, with New Era Square bringing unique dining options to Bramall Lane, and the creation of Leah’s Yard in the city centre offering an interesting new space for independents and creatives.

The Levelling Up fund, for which Sheffield is at the forefront, is set to offer the city the money, resources and opportunity it needs to reach its full potential, with £13m pledged to new projects.

In Barnsley, The Glass Works has brought exciting new retail and leisure opportunities, breathing life into the heart of the town centre.

The Urban Centre Masterplan in Doncaster is seeing changes to the cultural landscape of the area, as well as a brand-new look for the entrance to the rail station, and the £12.6m awarded to Rotherham Council is helping to regenerate the market and other key areas.

In the wake of COVID-19 we have shown true resilience and I am so proud of the business community for pulling together and adapting even in the most challenging of times.

While it was difficult at first, we have all persevered, and things that once seemed scary now feel second nature.

Some of the changes we made during the pandemic are definitely here to stay.

From being able to conduct business further afield through the use of Zoom, to offering roles with more remote and hybrid working, many of the systems we put in place have opened up the possibilities and made for a better work-life balance. Our fantastic businesses can now capitalise on the pool of talent across the country – or even the world – and that can only be a good thing.

The colleges and universities across our region are also thriving and we are so lucky to have so many well-educated and talented individuals living in our area, joining our businesses and shaping the future of our towns and cities. Now is the perfect time for us to open up the landscape for the younger generation, using all the tools and skills we have acquired over the last few years to ensure our markets continue to grow.

While we may have the years of experience, fresh perspectives and ideas may just be the key to propelling

Former Government minister and current chair of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, Richard Caborn, said: “I am delighted that unLTD is celebrating its 50th edition.

“The Sheffield City Region deserves a publication which has a capacity to focus on key issues impacting on our area such as the economy, transport and education. “unLTD has tapped into the ambition of the area providing a rich mix of relevant content and opinion underpinned by strong imagery and design which has brought to the attention of influencers, decision makers and the business community at local, regional and national levels the challenges and, indeed, the progress being achieved. “Happy Birthday and keep up the good work.”

our region forwards and putting us on the global map.

And there is still so much more to look forward to, with games in the UEFA Women’s EURO tournament arriving in the region later this year, as well as the Rugby League World Cup.

It really is going to be the summer of sport and culture (with another successful Tramlines to come) right on our doorstep.

All of that will be celebrated right here in this magazine, with the new team doing everything they can to champion our area and everything it stands for.

On a personal note of regeneration, since my retirement I have handed on the baton to my son Mark and the Redbrik Group, seeing a new era begin for both unLTD and HRM.

As well as his own successes with Redbrik, Mark is doing a fantastic job of taking the companies on the next leg of their journey.

I have got tremendous pride in what we’ve created, and the team and individuals I have worked with at HRM since 1997 – and unLTD since 2017 - it’s a real lasting legacy.

The future is bright and I can’t wait to see what comes next.