unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #12 by unLTD magazine

APRIL 2019 | ISSUE 12 | FREE | WWW.UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

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ABOVE How a hairdresser boss inspired Andrea Chatten to start her business helping children ‘Unravel’ their potential

CHARITY

BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT...

TWITTER TOP TIPS

: N O S U FOC

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EVENTS CALENDAR | THE BEST PLACES FOR SUNDAY LUNCH | MENTAL HEALTH IN THEunLTDBUSINESS.COM WORKPLACE

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CONTENTS

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CONTENTS

ALSO INSIDE... 6: News Business acquisitions, entrepreneur support, Heart of the City II latest and award wins. 14: If You Ask Me... Business experts give their views on mental health in the workplace. 24: Calendar We highlight some of the great events happening in April and look ahead to a bumper filled May. 33 & 57: Five minutes with... We have a chat with Jess Widdowson from Performance Arts and content and PR specialist CK Goldiing. 53: Your Pitch Emma Knight-Strong from Green Arch Consultancy tells us about her business. 55: Social media support Top tips to boost your Twitter from @HelpSheffield. 63: Company Culture We spoke to some of Sheffield’s high profile organisations which are also charities.

70: Weekend Escapes Leaving on a jet plane... This month we’re off to the Swiss city of Geneva. 74: Number Crunch We pick out some facts and figures about Barnsley.

EVERYTHING ELSE... 11: Appointments 13: Diary 21: In a nutshell 23: Evolving technology 51: Charities

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UNLTD’S ALEXANDRA AND PHIL AT THE DONCASTER BUSINESS SHOWCASE @UNLTDBUSINESS

THE JOYS OF SPRING It’s the April issue of unLTD and we’re full of the joys of Spring …. and the Sheffield City Region (SCR). Our optimism has been buoyed by our LEP board Chair James Muir article who kicked off our interview with a comprehensive list of strengths and positives of the SCR including jobs growth, committed public leadership, and a dynamic Mayor. He goes on to tell us about his first 100 days in the role after Sir Nigel Knowles’ term of office ended in December 2018, and how his schedule so far has been very busy ‘learning how things operate, what works, what doesn’t, information gathering – it’s all part of building a picture up’. Our cover star Andrea Chatten is MD of Unravel, a specialist psychological intervention service for school-age children helping them ‘learn essential strategies to manage their brains and emotions at difficult times’ and, ultimately, ‘move towards becoming positive and happy’. Andrea shares her own story with the children she works with today because ‘it’s so important to realise your potential’ – she tells us all about her inspirational hairdresser boss back when she herself was a teen ‘Saturday Girl’ and how he championed her on the road to further education and beyond. Another dose of optimism can be found in our Focus On feature where we take a renewed look at the regeneration of Attercliffe. Its ‘modern, quirky business headquarters’ and ‘green, open spaces’, mean the area is now looking ahead to a ‘spectacular’ new era. Does your business’s social media need a bit of a Spring clean? You’re in luck, as the nice folk at HelpSheffield are here to stop your Twitter profile looking like an empty café and instead generate the engagement of an enticing eatery on London Road. Speaking of food, our After Hours is looking ahead to the weekend with a lovely ‘spread’ on Sunday Lunches. And the good food – sorry, MOOD – doesn’t stop at Sheffield’s borders, either, as our Number Crunch asks: When did you last explore all Barnsley has to offer? And goes on to break down the stats on the town’s great shopping spots, leisure venues and revitalised town centre.

UNLTD BUSINESS UNLTDBUSINESS EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General editorial@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7760 ADVERTISING Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 Alexandra Scrivener alexandra@unltdbusiness.com 07944 325 861 Nick Hallam nick@unltdbusiness.com 07843 483 536 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Sarah Koriba and Faye Bailey accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Waller and Simon Garlick CONTRIBUTORS Dean Atkins Jo Davison Marc Barker Mike Durham Emma Blackburn Sarah-Louise Kelsey Stella Bolam Ash Young Isobel Buffin unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media LTD Unit 1B Rialto, 2 Kelham Island Square, Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD and HR Media LTD Unit 1a Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media LTD and HR Media LTD and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media LTD and HR Media LTD cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

AGENDA NEWS Next stage set for ‘prominent business gateway’

‘LOCAL BUSINESS HEROES’ RECOGNISED BY FSB AWARDS Businesses from across the region battled it out for honours at the Federation of Small Businesses’ Celebrating Small Business Awards Yorkshire and The Humber Area finals. The region’s finest small businesses were recognised for their endeavours at the ceremony at The Principal Hotel in York, including Micro Business, Ethical-Green Business, Scale-Up Business, and Family Business of the Year. Winners at the event, now in its second year, will go through to the FSB’s UK National Finals in London in May, where they will go head-to-head with other regional finalists from across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The 2019 winners included two from the Sheffield City

11 The awards were held in 11 categories

Region – The Elite Wax Group took the Business and Product Innovation Award, with young entrepreneur Natalie Sanderson’s Rotherham-based business moving from a pure service provider to offering training and a product range. And Roundabout took the Community Business of the Year

Award. The Sheffield-based organisation plays a major role in assisting young people experiencing homelessness through providing shelter, support and life skills and was recognised for Bangers and Cash – the charity’s biggest ever fundraising event and the UK’s first art road show banger rally. Simon Williams, FSB Yorkshire, The Humber and North East England Regional Chairman, said: “We congratulate all the finalists on their excellent year in business in a competitive range of categories. “Our winners now go on to the finals in London where we hope to see their successes recognised on the national stage. We are sure they will do us proud.”

SCX’s ‘ground-breaking’ Spurs pitch gets first public showcase Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur’s new £850m stadium, featuring the work of Sheffield engineering specialist SCX, has been showcased to the public for the first time. The world’s first dividing retractable pitch – designed, engineered and installed by SCX – is a key feature. The stadium was used at a ground safety test event for nearly 30,000 people at

an Under-18 Premier League game between Spurs and Southampton, ahead of another test featuring a Spurs Legends squad. The integration of SCX Special Projects’ groundbreaking pitch into the stadium brings new commercial opportunities and a world-class bespoke home for the club. SCX has worked closely with lead architect Populous

to deliver cutting-edge construction techniques, architectural design and engineering. SCX’s lead engineer, Danny Pickard, said: “It has been a phenomenal success, equal to what we have achieved with the retractable roofs for Centre Court and No.1 Court the All England Lawn Tennis Association at Wimbledon and within a very tight timescale.”

Sheffield Business Park (SBP is set for further expansion after a planning application for ‘Phase 4’ was submitted. Already home to the UK’s first state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, The University of Sheffield’s Factory 2050, the latest proposed project will transform 18 acres between Europa Link and the A630 dual carriageway in Rotherham – creating a prominent business gateway to the wider Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID). Phase 4 will provide opportunities for OEM and supply chain partners to relocate to SBP to co-locate close to the world-leading manufacturing expertise. Sheffield Business Park is one of the largest in Yorkshire measuring

200 ACRES

It’s projected the development will bring around 1,000 more jobs to the park, adding to the 2,000 individuals already employed at facilities across the development and potential for even more on the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Campus. SBP MD Graham Sadler said: “Phase 4 is at the nucleus of AMID and provides a great opportunity to create a natural gateway between Rotherham and Sheffield, as well as driving forward the vision of supporting the prosperity of the region’s economy and positioning South Yorkshire as leading the way in advanced manufacturing.”

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AGENDA

REDBRIK ACQUIRE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY Leading estate agency Redbrik has strengthened its lettings proposition with the acquisition of a business with a “very similar ethos”. Redbrik has purchased the assets of Chesterfieldbased Noble Hardy Property Management and will take over managing the company’s portfolio of properties with immediate effect. Peter Lee, lettings director at Redbrik, said: “We were attracted to the business as it had a very similar ethos to Redbrik in terms of delivering outstanding customer service and striving for 100 per cent occupancy. “The company has been run very well by Wilson Spencer, aided by Sam Cauldwell and Joshua Whittaker, and we have inherited a great business with no debt or arrears. It is a really nice fit for the Redbrik brand and a great opportunity to expand our lettings offer in Chesterfield.

Sheffield makes top 10 for LGBT support

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: WILSON SPENCER, REDBRIK LETTINGS DIRECTOR PETER LEE AND ABIGAIL WILKS FROM REDBRIK

Redbrik has taken over Noble Hardy’s portfolio of

30 PROPERTIES

“We are continually looking at ways to attract new landlords so we can work with them and help to maximise their assets. We have an extensive database of tenants waiting for properties and are always eager to add new properties to the market.”

Toolkit to help identify students at risk of becoming NEET Researchers at the University of Sheffield have launched an early-warning toolkit to help schools and colleges identify young people who are ‘quietly disengaging’ from education and at risk of dropping out or becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). The School Engagement Risk Assessment Toolkit (SERAT) has been designed to help schools put more effective and targeted measures in place to prevent students from leaving education prematurely. Professor Louise Ryan, from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Sociological Studies, said: “The early identification of young people who may be at risk of

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disengagement can be crucial for putting in place measures to re-engage them and prevent school dropout or becoming NEET later on.” Researcher Neil Kaye said: “We hope this work will help tackle the prevalence of NEETs

– which continues to be a serious challenge facing British society today.” The SERAT toolkit comprises a student questionnaire with up to 25 questions and a spreadsheet to help interpret the results.

Sheffield City Council (SCC) has been named in the top ten local authorities for tackling anti-LGBT bullying and celebrating difference in schools by lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality charity Stonewall. The national initiative showcases how well each local authority celebrates difference and supports LGBT young people in school and their local community. Sheffield Council was also named one of the most inclusive employers in Britain in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list for 2019, placed 61st. The Top 100 competition was the largest ever with

445

employers entering

Stonewall collects more than 92,000 anonymous responses from employees on their experience of Britain’s workplace culture and diversity. Councillor Olivia Blake, Deputy Leader of SCC, said: “Our vision is for Sheffield to be the fairest city in Britain, where all people feel included regardless of their age, race, gender, sexuality or ability. We have come a long way and we will continue to build on this success so that everyone feels accepted in our city. “I am extremely proud of the work we have undertaken over the last 12 months. Our Equality Champions project has continued to grow and through it we have shared the powerful stories of some of our LGBT staff and allies.”

AGENDA HOT Plans have been lodged for the latest phase of Sheffield’s iconic Park Hill Estate redevelopment, including almost 100 flats and a flagship arts and culture venue.

Twinkl has been presented the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade by the Mr Andrew Coombe HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire – The Queen’s personal representative.

Sheffield-based Glu Recruit has expanded with the acquisition of Tiro Talent Services.

The Chesterfield-based asbestos training association UKATA has been shortlisted for two major industry awards, the winners of which will be announced in April.

COOL Confidence among small retailers is the lowest of all sectors, according to FSB research, with pressure from employment costs, high rents and competition from large online brands ‘all ramping up’.

Y-ACCELERATOR WINNER LEE PRICE (CENTRE) AND FINALISTS

BUDDING ENTREPRENEUR SECURES ‘INSTRUMENTAL’ SUPPORT The inventor of a wearable, waterproof and easilydeployable tent claimed top prize at an event to recognise some of the Sheffield City Region (SCR)’s most promising start-ups. A four-figure prize fund was awarded at the finale for the Y-Accelerator scheme, which offers opportunities to the SCR’s next generation of business leaders via a threemonth intensive development programme. Budding entrepreneurs pitched their innovative ideas to a panel of high-profile investors with a chance to win a £1,000 prize from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE) as well as

potential investment. Lee Price, and his product Zelter Shelter – a unique wearable that deploys into a sturdy waterproof, breathable tent – came out on top after he impressed the judges with “both business acumen and enthusiasm throughout the process”. Finalists also included tech start-up The Quantum Photon Company, authentic West African hot sauce producer Fula Flavour, and automated construction enterprise Rocassa. Among the speakers were representatives from supporting organisations Gripple, Sheffield Hallam

University, and Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO). The programme is also supported by Sheffield City Region Growth Hub. Zelter Shelter founder, Lee Price, said: “The grant from UKSE will be instrumental in allowing me to further develop the next generation of shelter, as well as bring some of my other product ideas to market.” Amanda Parris, business growth manager for RiDO, said: “It’s been fantastic to see some innovative ideas turn into forward-thinking and creative business opportunities, as well as see the growth and success which our previous participants have enjoyed.”

National milestone for ‘people business’ Yorkshire and North Derbyshire’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants, BHP, has been named in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list – the only South Yorkshire firm to make the grade. Now in its 19th year, the hard-fought and nationallycelebrated list recognises the very best in employee engagement. Louise Allen, Head of HR at BHP, said: “This is an extremely proud moment for the team at BHP. This is

one of the best-known and most prestigious employee engagement rankings in the UK and recognises those companies which truly value and care for employees. Over the last 10 years the business has increased turnover from £8m to over...

£22M

“BHP is a ‘people business’ through and through. That said we want to be an even better firm and strive to carry on making improvements. We will be using the feedback from the survey to focus our people strategy for the coming year.” BHP has more than 300 staff, including 31 partners. The firm remains in the top 35 accountancy firms in the UK and was also recently recognised with the Community Award at the Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards.

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AGENDA

NEXT BLOCKS OF HEART OF THE CITY II GET GREEN LIGHT As phase one of Sheffield’s Heart of the City II moves towards completion, the next two blocks (B and C) in the city centre regeneration scheme have been granted approval. Block B and Block C front on to Pinstone Street and the approved designs, drawn up by Leonard Design Architects, include retaining the attractive Victorian façades of the existing buildings, while redeveloping and expanding the structures behind them. Plans for Block B include the sensitive renovation of the residences and smaller retail units within Laycock House.

Heart of the City II scheme involves a

1.5 MILLION SQ FT masterplan

Block C sits between Pinstone Street, Cambridge Street and Charles Street, alongside the soon-to-be completed Block D, which is home to the new HSBC office. Known locally as the Pepper Pot, the plans include five retail units on the ground floor and 37,000 sq ft of premium Grade A office space on the seven floors above. Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment, said: “The two blocks will transform the Pinstone Street retail scene and add more much-needed quality office space and new homes.”

Rotherham day-care centre opens following grant from town regeneration fund Vintage Years, an adult day-care centre providing respite for the elderly – in particular those with dementia – has opened at the Unity Centre in Rotherham town centre after support from UK Steel Enterprise (UKSE). Launched by friends and former dementia support workers, Debbie Wilson and Helen Hermoso, the centre enables people to enjoy crafts, games, light exercise and quizzes to combat loneliness, support wellbeing and meet friends. UKSE, which supports businesses in areas affected by

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changes in the steel industry, awarded Vintage Years £500 as part of its Kickstart Grant scheme which the duo put towards the design and printing of exterior

Vintage Years welcomes visitors

3 DAYS a week

signage and marketing collateral. Co-founder Debbie said: “Helen and I are committed to making a difference to the lives of the people we work with and launched Vintage Years to support both the individuals we serve as well as their families.” Alan Stanley of UKSE added: “It’s great to see that Debbie and Helen are working to provide the much-needed support that many individuals and families in the area rely on, especially since Rotherham has seen a number of its adult day-care centres close down over the last few years.”

‘Milestone year’ for awards sponsor AAG IT Services have signed up as headline sponsor of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, which returns to Magna later this year. 2019 is a milestone year for AAG IT Services, with the business opening a new London office, and due to celebrate its tenth anniversary. In 2018 the Awards saw more than 500 representatives of the local business community attend. This year’s event will see 14 awards up for grabs, and businesses with an “S” postcode as well as members of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber are eligible to enter the awards, which open for entries on Monday, June 3. AAG IT Services MD Michelle Walker said: “It is always good to see so many local businesses continue to flourish, and the awards are a great opportunity for those businesses to celebrate their hard work and success.” Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive, Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber added: “We try to make sure that each time we surpass the previous year’s event and I am sure we will achieve that working towards October 18.”

AGENDA

JAMES IS ‘PERFECT EXAMPLE’ OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES A former homeless man is getting his career back on the road thanks to city homeless charity Emmaus Sheffield. And with the support of the charity, companion James is now the holder of a Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Certificate of Professional Competence, meaning he can drive a 7.5 tonne vehicle and a mini bus and has full working knowledge of drivers’ working hours, tachograph rules, fire safety regarding vehicles and dealing with uncooperative customers. Emmaus Sheffield is a working community with self-contained accommodation, training facilities and a workspace for its companions – previously homeless men and women aged 18 years and over. Deputy manager Charley Fedorenko said: “James is a

THANKS TO EMMAUS, JAMES IS GETTING HIS CAREER BACK ON THE ROAD

James is now qualified to drive a

7.5 TONNE vehicle and a mini bus

perfect example of somebody who can come to us after a life on the streets and, with the proper support of all the Emmaus team, start to make the changes that will help them in the future. “Everybody here is proud of what he has achieved, and his new qualifications really do make a great difference to the level of service we are able to provide to our supporters.”

CPP secures new 10-year lease for Barnsley unit Leading property consultancy Commercial Property Partners LLP (CPP) has secured a new 10-year lease for an industrial unit on Junction 38 Estate. Acting on behalf of Summer Estate Holdings Ltd, CPP has secured Z Hinchliffe, a family-run business supplying quality yarn to the UK and worldwide knitwear industries, as a tenant for the recently refurbished unit. With easy access to major transport links and just five miles from Barnsley Town Centre, the industrial unit sits on the popular industrial estate situated less than two miles from the M1. Helen Macrow, of South Street Capital and acting for Summer Estates Holding, said: “The letting confirms our confidence in both the location and the building on offer. We will continue to look to improve our existing stock to benefit from the existing market conditions.” The semi-detached warehouse unit is

19,543 SQ FT

A top chef has returned to The Sheffield College to inspire the next generation. Home-grown catering talent Daniel Ashmore has returned to the College and wowed students and diners with his culinary expertise. Daniel, 28, is the award-winning Head Chef of The Pompadour at the five-star Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh as well as a Sheffield College alumnus.

Ed Norris, Partner at CPP, said: “The premises now boast a range of impressive and high quality features which, when coupled with the excellent security facilities offered at Junction 38 Industrial Estate, meant we were well-placed to attract potential tenants and secure a long-term lease agreement very quickly. “Such a quick turnaround is indicative not only of the demand in the market for quality industrial premises, but also the confidence that logistics and manufacturing businesses have when it comes to investing in the area.”

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AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

Managers check in to ‘student hotel’ Two key appointments are steering Sheffield’s newest student residence towards its September launch. LIVStudent, the £33 million deluxe accommodation block under construction on Ecclesall Road, heralds a new era in university accommodation, where students live like hotel guests. Lewis Richards, 29, from Chesterfield, is now general manager of the 14-storey block, which will boast 586 en-suite rooms and communal facilities including a sky garden, cinema and gym. After graduating, he started with the company and by age 26 was manager of The Pinnacles on Broad Street, which had been his home for the first two years at uni. Said Lewis: “I went straight from being a student to looking after them so understanding their needs is second nature.”

High five at Resolve Sheffield-based IT support provider Resolve has expanded its team substantially in order to support the rapid increase of sales in 2018, employing Jordan Wooding and Oliver Rowan as apprentices, Adam Ridsdale as technical account manager, and Joe Winstanley and Luke Elsom as helpdesk engineers. Resolve concluded 2018 with its strongest quarter to date, procuring eight new support contracts in just three months, breaking all previous sales records in the business’s 14-year history. MD Andrew Seaton said: “Resolve has had a long tradition with apprentices, and we are pleased to be developing the next generation of IT experts.”

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Airmaster promotes ex-apprentice to director Leading Swallownestbased mechanical services company Airmaster has promoted former apprentice Gareth Campbell to contracts director.

Knight Frank bolsters northern team LIV STUDENT SHEFFIELD’S NEW RECRUITS LEWIS RICHARDS AND ABI LEUNG

Thirty-year-old Sheffielder Abi Leung joins as marketing manager after studying at Nottingham Trent University and following her first marketing role with Sheffield International Venues.

She said: “I love LIVStudent’s people strategy and their motto, Work Hard, Have Fun and Help Others. “The passion and energy within the company is so inspiring.”

EXECUTIVE ROLE FOR HR DIRECTOR GEMMA Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd has promoted 33-year-old Gemma Allchin to HR director. The promotion takes Gemma, who’s worked at the engineering specialist for nine years, from the role of HR manager, to become the tenth member of the executive management team. CEO David Bond said: “Gemma has moved from the operational side of HR to working alongside our other divisional directors to create and deliver our HR strategy, which forms a crucial part of the company’s five-year business plan.”

International property consultancy, Knight Frank, has bolstered its Yorkshire residential development team with the appointment of Tim Mather as associate.

New female trio at Pricecheck

Gemma said: “We have already done work through focus groups across the business to get the workforce more involved in ways that they can input into the development of the company. “It is a significant shift in approach towards our people and business culture creating greater dialogue and establishing clear company values and behaviours that our staff will help to develop and work towards.”

Global wholesaler and distributor Pricecheck has made a trio of key appointments (from left to right) Jane Whitham joins as head of marketing, Helen Coulthard as a project manager and Jessica Ellis as sales support manager.

Further growth with latest Diva hire Marketing agency Diva Creative has appointed Chesterfield-born Alex Avis as a new business development executive.

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AGENDA

THE DIARY BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor talks regeneration, recruitment and radio rage!

Top candidates

KEEPING THE FAITH IN A FLOURISHING AREA The regeneration continues apace in Attercliffe, which for future generations should have a completely different reputation than it does for us. In my grandad’s day it was the heartbeat of Sheffield with steelworks and factories employing thousands of people and contributing greatly to the economy not just of the city but the entire country. During the 1970s and 80s the area became increasingly derelict as the works were shut down, demolished and a certain pride was stripped from the steel city in a way that only those who have been through it can understand. And then along came the much-maligned World Student Games. A superb indoor arena began attracting world stars to the city to perform.

The Don Valley Stadium was built and suddenly Sheffield was back on the map, but this time as a home for top level sport. Further sporting facilities were developed between the two in the shape of iceSheffield and the magnificent English Institute of Sport but still the wider area felt run down, unsafe in places and a general air of neglect hung over large swathes of land. There have been people who have kept faith with Attercliffe. A special mention should be given to property developer David Slater who has championed the area for almost two decades. David has constantly pushed the area and there are many thriving small businesses who began their journey in one of his ‘Gateway’ offices. The original Gateway on

Leeds Road overlooked Don Valley Stadium and the view from there has certainly changed as the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park has grown out of the stadium’s footprint. What’s needed now are for the service type businesses to begin to thrive again. Further towards Meadowhall a Starbucks is taking shape in what was the Carbrook Hall pub. Now whether you approve of high street names or not, they generally don’t move into areas without promise. Hopefully the Attercliffe high street heading towards the city centre will begin to flourish. Places like Accelerate running store have created a great community feel, but they need more to follow their lead. Our Attercliffe feature on page 44 shows an area that is rediscovering its confidence – and long may it continue.

Got views of your own? Let me know: richard@unltdbusiness.com LinkedIn: Richard Fidler

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Publishers of unLTD, HR Media, the firm I work for, are undergoing a period of recruitment which is heartening in these times when commentators seem to revel in the uncertainty of the country’s economy. When we advertise for jobs, I’m never ceased to be amazed by the quality of candidates out there. We have been lucky to interview some seriously talented people, all based in Sheffield City Region, who are a credit to their professions and to themselves. I read somewhere that a business leader should always ensure they’re the least knowledgeable person in the room when it comes to building their own team. Some of my colleagues may say that is a simple task for me, but I’d prefer to think I’m lucky to work with people who are amazing at what they do.

Wireless wars! Does anyone else have office music wars? At unLTD HQ we don’t quite fall out over what is being streamed but there is definitely a difference of opinion. Some of us are fairly laid back, however others are adamant that unless the station is their own particular favourite then productivity will suffer. I’m exaggerating (a bit) of course, but the office atmosphere is important and it’s worth knowing which battles to fight. For the record (or vinyl, if you prefer) we listen – yes, we do have a PRS licence – to Planet Rock which pleases 50 per cent of us and doesn’t totally annoy the rest.

AGENDA

IF YOU ASK ME...

MENTALHEALTH Workplace pressure contributes to mental health issues for the majority of business leaders, according to the Institute of Directors (IoD). We asked unLTD contributors what business leaders can do to address the problem – for their staff and for themselves As Junior Chamber International UK’s National President (JCI UK), one of my key aims is to empower our members. A not-forprofit network for young professionals, JCI’s mission is to provide development opportunities to create positive change and this year JCI UK is prioritising the importance of mental health and wellbeing. It’s vital that our organisation helps its members grapple with internal negative voices, selfbeliefs or feelings of anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions that so many young people face. If you’re struggling with your mental wellbeing, it can be a real challenge to get out of bed or decide what to eat every morning – never mind pitching for new business or feeling confident enough to attend networking events which are all things people in business can often take for granted. It’s easy to say, ‘Just be positive,’ but it can be incredibly difficult when you compare yourself with other people, especially people who seem so naturally confident in life. It reminds me of my favourite analogy: the swan glides

MARK SMITH, JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL UK’S NATIONAL PRESIDENT

gracefully over the pond, yet no one sees it frantically paddling underneath the water. Throughout my life, I have often doubted my abilities and been my own worst critic. Yet, through the support,

encouragement, mentoring and learning I’ve gained from others – particularly through my involvement with JCI – I finally believe in myself. Last month JCI UK hosted a conference focused on

breaking down the negative stigmas that are still – unfortunately – attached to mental health. Held at the Central Fire Station, ‘Mindful Matters: Step Up Your Mental Health Awareness’ featured insightful talks from business stakeholders in the region, including representatives from the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Westfield Health. While reading the event feedback, one response particularly resonated with me. When asked, ‘What key thing did you learn at today’s conference,’ they had succinctly yet emphatically answered: ‘Knowing that people are willing to listen.’ From a business owner’s perspective, investing in your employees is the best investment you can make. By developing an open and supportive culture in the workplace, you’ll have an empowered and productive workforce. Mental health in the workplace is an ongoing and constantly evolving discussion. However, if companies are willing to listen to employees and be proactive rather than reactive, we’re on the right track.

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AGENDA Work is important to our wellbeing – it is a primary determinant of our health, for our business leaders, staff, families and our communities. ‘Good work’ can have a positive impact on our health. In my view, ‘good jobs’ are paid fairly, are in a safe and healthy workplace, have regular hours and the opportunity to learn and progress at work. We know that this is not always the case and that job insecurity, heavy workloads and unsafe workplaces, a work-life imbalance and a feeling of lack of control can have a significant negative impact on our mental health. There is a clear return on investment for employers to improve the health of their workforce. It is estimated that the cost of poor mental health to local employers is as much as £420 million a year resulting from people who are less productive due to poor mental health in work, sickness absence and staff turnover. This is a national issue, mental health conditions are a leading cause of sickness absences in the UK. One in six people have a diagnosed mental health condition and many more maybe feeling the pressures of stress, anxiety and depression. Despite this prevalence, a recent mental health at

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CLLR MAZHER IQBAL, CABINET MEMBER FOR BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

work report ‘Business in the Community’, highlights that only 11 per cent of employees discuss mental health problems with their line manager and only 24 per cent of managers have received some form of training on mental health at work. This is a priority for the city.

In order to assist employers there are a number of services employers and individuals can access. Be Well at Work is a free service which helps employers to identify priorities to improve employee health and wellbeing and provides them with access to a suite of information, resources and training.

South Yorkshire is one of only two locations in the country which is running a health led employment trial with the NHS – Working Win (www.workingwin.com). This is available for individuals both in and out of work, and they will receive up to 12 months of face-to-face support. It provides free mental health awareness training for employers in the form of workshops and workplace training. Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service (SOHAS), works closely with a wide range of employers of all sizes and sectors to support employees with mental health conditions back to work and ensure that the return is a sustainable one. Tackling mental health is not just a workplace issue – it’s an economic and social issue, as half of all people on out of work benefits are experiencing mental health conditions. It is one of the biggest barriers to work. It doesn’t discriminate – it affects men and women and every age group. This is an issue of increasing importance, to individuals, businesses, healthcare providers and policy makers. We need to work together not only to raise awareness about this critical issue but to collaborate on long term solutions.

AGENDA Just to be clear – for me this isn’t about irradiating all pressure and stress in the workplace. Not only is that unrealistic, but we also can thrive on a bit of both! Yet constant high pressure is not an environment where we thrive so it’s really important to create a balance. Of course, there’ll be times that workplace pressures will negatively impact our mental health. Work makes up a big part of our life and no matter what work looks like for us, we’ll no doubt feel that pressure at some point. I can’t emphasise enough that we are all individuals and what works for one may not for another. And so, we need to take responsibility for ourselves and our own development in this. As a leader, creating an environment where people feel safe enough to talk about what they are experiencing without fear of judgement is key. There are many ways to do this, from how you promote people taking ownership of their own health, to what constitutes wellbeing at work, to asking how the company can support and develop people and recognising that both work and homelife will play a part in this. A clear plan needs to be in place so that when staff report that they need support in this area, they are heard, understood and feel supported. One-to-one sessions are important, too. Start them by simply asking what’s going

HOLLY CROSBY, SIMPLYOU COACH AND TRAINER

on in life! And ask if there’s anything the organisation can do to support. Their answer may not be possible, maybe it will be, but until that discussion starts neither side will ever know. I think it’s really important how you spend your time out of work, too. Work and home life are not separate entities that won’t impact on each other so don’t treat

them like they are. What do you do that makes you smile? Are you spending time with supportive people? Do you feel a sense of satisfaction in life? What helps you to relax? All good questions to ask yourself to get a sense of what you need to change. When life revolves around work and work is demanding a lot from you, you can feel like you’re sinking in it and

can’t get out, so it’s important that time spent out of work is in a happy positive environment. Above all else, I’d always encourage people to talk! To build connections with others in all areas of life. We live in a digital world, but nothing beats that face-toface conversation – especially when someone is having a difficult time.

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AGENDA Let’s accept that pressure in the workplace happens. We can all handle a small amount of stress – the key is doing something about it before it becomes too much. I coach one of the most under pressure group of professionals there is – headteachers and teachers. They have to deal instantly with a wide range of situations during the school day. Plus there is the pressure to deliver on targets, the pressure of budgets, meeting the expectations of parents and other stakeholders, planning quality lessons, being observed regularly, the immensity of an Ofsted visit… the list goes on. They can’t change what they face every day, but what they can do is be better prepared to handle the pressure and stress of their environment. The strategies I use to help them begin this process are not confined to educational establishments, they are transferrable across other pressured working environments. When I meet teachers who are struggling, I ask first: ‘Why do you teach?’ Understanding why gives people something to go back to when the pressure is on. Ask yourself, and your staff: ‘Why do you do what you do?’ Secondly, I look at how my

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NICK MATHER IS THE HEALTHY TEACHER, A SUPPORTIVE COACHING SERVICE AIMING TO PREVENT TEACHER BURN-OUT

clients refill their emotional tanks. As a teacher, giving out emotionally is a constant. But you need to put back what you give out. If you don’t, then your tank will be empty and when

pressure hits, you have nothing left to give. Time alone, time with friends and family, holidays, walking in the fresh air … they all help fill the tank, whatever your place of work. We talk about what I term ‘Off-Loading’. Any environment that involves working alongside, with or for people will mean that you pick up emotional baggage. You need to have a system in place to give it away. The more baggage you carry, the harder it gets to deal with other pressures. I recommend supervision for the teachers I coach. One session every two weeks makes a huge difference. Lastly, watch out for isolation in your colleagues. People feeling stressed tend to withdraw. They don’t take a break in the staffroom, normal conversation stops. Step in. A gentle ‘How are you doing?’ or ‘I’ve noticed you’re not in the break area much’ will start to allow the person under pressure to release some of that. Having these conversations and putting in place simple strategies will increase the ability to handle pressure and stress. It will raise awareness of mental health in your workplace, so that when things get tough, your staff know what to do and where to go to release the pressure.

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AGENDA Work is the most common cause of stress in British adults. With mental health related absence costing the UK workplace £7.9bn, it has never been more important for business leaders to invest in their own mental health and the support offered by their organisation. With business leaders often experiencing significant pressure in their job, high levels of stress are common which can lead to burn-out. A state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress – burn-out can lead to detachment, reduced productivity and even mental health issues. It’s crucial to understand and recognise these symptoms to prevent burn-out from occurring. Developing unhealthy or out of character habits, spending minimal time at home, or discussing work constantly, are all signs that mental and physical health are at risk. There are many ways that business leaders can address the problem of mental health at work, for both themselves and their employees. Good mental and physical health is key for anyone to be happy and productive at work. 1. Support systems To avoid burn-out, support systems are crucial. It can be common for business leaders to avoid seeking out help but this can lead to an increase in stress. It’s crucial business leaders feel they have someone that they can turn to for support in highly stressful times. With leaders

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DAVID CAPPER, CEO OF WESTFIELD HEALTH

getting support when they need it, will help to create a culture where people take responsibility for their own wellbeing. The culture of a workplace also needs to be sympathetic, with friendly and approachable line managers, and different options available for employees, because one size doesn’t fit all. A Wellbeing Plan is a great resource for employers looking to provide more support on a range of different health and wellbeing topics.

Good mental and physical health is key for anyone to be happy and productive at work

2. Recharge Although it’s important to work hard throughout the week, when this impacts evenings or weekends, productivity can be affected. Business leaders need to make sure that they give themselves enough time to recharge in the evenings and at weekends, preferably doing something that they really enjoy. Employees should also be encouraged to take time out doing something fun or relaxing to make sure they’re at they’re happiest, and feel rested and recharged at the beginning of each week. A tired leader is more likely to make poor decisions. 3. Mental resilience With business leaders responsible for the mental health and wellbeing of themselves and their employees, it’s a great idea to go through training – such as a wellbeing workshop which covers resilience, coping with pressure and emotional wellbeing – to learn how to differentiate between pressure and stress and make positive lifestyle changes. Business leaders should develop self-awareness, and have an understanding of the effects of stress, in order to offer support to employees and identify the signs and symptoms of burn-out. By being more aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, it will be easier to spot when workplace pressures may be contributing to a decrease in wellbeing and why it’s so important to implement these simple steps.

APPRENTICESHIPS WITH THE SOURCE Looking for an apprenticeship provider who specialises in Business Administration, Marketing, Customer Service, Retail, IT, or Warehousing and Storage? Find the right apprenticeship programme to suit your needs, funding options and business goals with The Source. Contact us today on 0114 263 5600 or visit us online.

www.thesourceacademy.co.uk unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

IN A NUTSHELL BY JILL THEOBALD

Our features writer Jill Theobald says move mental health to the top of the agenda

IT’S GOOD

TO TALK I have suffered from mental health problems. Ten years ago I don’t think I would have opened a column or blog I was writing with that line. To be honest, maybe not even five years ago. But the issue, and importance, of mental health awareness has moved on in the last decade to the point where any sense of stigma and shame that I may have, sadly, felt by making such an acknowledgement previously has, largely, gone. And that movement is down to a greater awareness and understanding in society at large – so it is reassuring to see it moving up the agenda for employers, too. I was fortunate. When I suffered from depression and, a few years later, stress, I was working for a company that enabled me to get speedy access to counselling, as well as take a few weeks off. I know not every employee out there was as fortunate, and, frustratingly, am sure

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there are far too many today feeling they could not possibly have a conversation with their employer about their mental health – let alone receive support. So, following on from interviewing The Happiness Bootcamp founder Aimee Browes for unLTD issue 10 and finding out about her mission to tackle Sheffield’s mental health problems, all our If You Ask Me contributors make for very encouraging reading for me, personally and professionally. I was really impressed by Mark Smith after meeting him at a Social Good Sheffield event last year when he told me he was choosing ‘prioritising the importance of mental health and wellbeing’ as the theme for his year of office as Junior Chamber International (JCI) President. And he got off to a very positive start to his presidency this year after arranging ‘Mindful Matters: Step Up Your Mental Health Awareness’, a

conference featuring business stakeholders. Nick Mather is The Healthy Teacher, a supportive coaching service aiming to prevent teacher burn-out, but his advice could equally be applied to any profession: “You need to put back what you give out. If you don’t, then your tank will be empty and when pressure hits, you have nothing left to give.” We’ve also got some wise words from Simplyou coach and trainer Holly Crosby: “As a leader, creating an environment where people feel safe enough to talk about what they are experiencing without fear of judgement is key … A clear plan needs to be in place so that when staff report they need support in this area, they are heard, understood and feel supported.” Just like I was. And it’s worth noting that when I experienced my bouts of poor mental health (I like to refer to them by that term – a ‘bout’, putting them

on the same level as you would a physical illness) social media was in its infancy and WhatsApp did not exist. Workers today are constantly contactable, adding to the inability to ‘switch off’. All of which means Cllr Mazher Iqbal is right to point out that mental health ‘is an issue of increasing importance, to individuals, businesses, healthcare providers and policy makers’ and identify programmes such as Working Win and Sheffield Occupational Health Advisory Service (SOHAS). Add to that David Capper from Westfield Health’s top preventative tips and all of these back up what Mark Smith JCI President ends with – and so shall I: “Mental health in the workplace is an ongoing and constantly evolving discussion. However, if companies are willing to listen to employees and be proactive rather than reactive, we’re on the right track.”

Award-Winning Digital Marketing, Web Development & Digital Design Contact Our Team For Help Growing Your Business Online www. evoluted.net

info@evoluted.net

0114 272 9753

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AGENDA

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY BY ASH YOUNG

Our digital expert Ash Young shares how to stop a decline in web visitors

HOW TO RECOVER LOST WEBSITE VISITORS In recent columns, we’ve been looking at the importance of tracking your digital activity. So now you know how to spot a drop in performance, we’re going to show you what to do if you do see a decline in organic (SEO-driven website visitors) traffic and revenue.

via the organic search results, but instantly ‘bouncing’, this will flag to Google that your site isn’t relevant. • Algorithm updates: Google regularly updates the way it determines search results, and this can hit your site if you don’t align with their changing value metrics. What Could Be Causing the • Featured snippets: If Google Issue? has introduced a featured A decline in organic snippet for a search you performance could be down to rely on for website traffic, many different issues. The first it might see your own site step is to try and identify what pushed further down the could be the cause of your search results. website dropping in the search • Competitor push: If one results. of your competitors has invested heavily in SEO, Some of the common things they may surpass you and that could be causing this to take your traffic – directly happen are: impacting your revenue. • An increase in bounce rate: If • Major website changes: visitors are landing on your site Major changes such as a

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new site launch could have a huge impact on your visibility, depending on the smoothness of the launch. Actionable Steps Now you know some of the potential causes, you can look to take action. Firstly, don’t panic. The best way to deal with traffic issues is to calmly analyse what might have gone wrong and devise an appropriate response. Here are some ideas you can use: • Create great content that improves the user experience and signals relevancy to Google. • Conduct a technical audit to identify any issues such as broken pages or links. • Develop relationships with

valuable websites and encourage them to link to your site, most commonly via great content. • Research the activity of your competitors and see what they’re doing well and aren’t doing so well. • Remain patient – if an algorithm update has caused a drop, it may only be temporary. These are just a few of the actionable steps that you can take to bring performance back on track. For help addressing website issues and improving SEO results, contact Evoluted today! Ash Young, Evoluted www.evoluted.net

AGENDA CALENDAR

EDITORP’SICK EVENT

3RD APRIL TOUR AND TALK

Venue: Jaywing, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG Time: 2pm-4pm Cost: Free, but space is limited About: Sheffield Creative Guild has partnered with Sheffield Institute of Arts to host a series of events aimed

2ND CITY REGION BUSINESS BREAKFAST

Venue: Hilton Sheffield, Victoria Quays, Furnival Road, Sheffield S4 7YA Time: 7:30am-9:30am Cost: £14.95-£21.95 plus VAT About: Bring a generous amount of business cards to make the most of this opportunity to make new contacts from across the City Region. Contact: 01709 386200 or via events@brchamber.co.uk

2ND KNIGHTS NETWORK Venue: Castle Park, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster DN2 5QB Time: 12pm-2pm

Cost: £12 early bird booking, or £15 on the day About: Monthly networking meeting with club sponsors, fans and other local businesses. Contact: ehughes@ castle-park.co.uk

3RD PRIME YORKSHIRE AND MIDLANDS REGIONAL NETWORKING EVENT

Venue: Room 9234, Cantor Building, City Campus, Sheffield Hallam University Time: 12:30pm-4:30pm Cost: Free About: An in-depth discussion on plastic waste, hosting experts from across the higher education sector and aiming to understand

at bridging the gap between graduating and professional life. Hear how artists and creatives can make their skills work for them in the world of work. Contact: bit.ly/2TWPWwt

the problem with plastic, and how best to counter this global challenge. Contact: 0114 225 5555

3RD RE-ENGAGE YOUR TEAM TO ENERGISE YOUR BUSINESS

Venue: Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, Unit 6 Genesis Business Park, Sheffield S60 1DX Time: 2pm-4pm Cost: Free About: Around 66 per cent of the UK workforce are disengaged, which is why it is important to do everything you can to maximise your employees performance to ensure you are driving revenue as high as possible.

Contact: craigrussell@ engageandgrowglobal.com or 0114 478 9270

5TH-7TH STARTUP WEEKEND SHEFFIELD Venue: Sheffield Hallam iLabs Level 6 (Top Floor), Aspect Court, Pond Hill, Sheffield S1 2BG Time: 6pm-9pm Cost: £42.69 About: Anyone and everyone is welcome to pitch an original idea for this 54-hour marathon event. Teams naturally form around the best pitched ideas, and spend the weekend designing and analysing the market before presenting to local entrepreneurs for critical feedback. Contact: tswsheffield@ startupweekend.org

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AGENDA

8TH-9TH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

Venue: Hilton Sheffield Hotel, Victoria Quays, Furnival Road, Sheffield S4 7YB Time: 10am-5pm Cost: £275 for early bird course tickets (+ £18.74 booking fee), £290 for normal price tickets (+ £19.73 booking fee). About: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised training course which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. Contact: bit.ly/2Jgmtcb

11TH DEVELOP A MARKETING PLAN IN A DAY

Venue: Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, Unit 6 Genesis Business Park, Rotherham S60 1DX Time: 9am-4pm Cost: Chamber Members:

£195 plus VAT, Non-Chamber Members: £245 plus VAT About: Take part in this oneday marketing plan seminar to become a leading-edge critical thinker, plus the seven steps needed to create a plan which will help develop new clients and take your business forward. Contact: 01709 386200, or via training@brchamber.co.uk

14TH SHEFFIELD HALF MARATHON Venue: Sheffield City Centre Time: Start at 9:30am Cost: General entry £37 (+£2.40 processing fee), UK Athletics Club member £35 (+£2.40 processing fee) About: A major event in the UK’s running calendar, the Sheffield Half Marathon attracts thousands of runners of all abilities and spectators to the city’s streets and raises many thousands of pounds for good causes. Contact: bit.ly/2oJt94Z

10-11TH EASTER LAMBING AT WHIRLOW HALL FARM TRUST

Venue: Wortley Hall, Wortley, Sheffield S35 7DB Time: 9:30am-11:30am Cost: £15 About: Meet our gorgeous new lambs and other farmyard

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15TH BISEA ROADSHOW IN THE UK

Venue: Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Albion House, Savile Street Sheffield S4 7UD Time: 9am-4pm Cost: Free for Sheffield Chamber members, £20 for non-members plus VAT. About: BiSEA, in cooperation with the UKABC, DIT, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and South Yorkshire International Trade Centre, invite you to meet their representatives of Britchams to discuss export opportunities in South-East Asia at a 1-2-1 meeting. Contact: 0114 201 8888 or via npatrick@syitc.com

16TH THE ACCOUNTANT ENTREPRENEUR Venue: Mercure Sheffield Parkway, Britannia Way, Catcliffe, Sheffield S60 5BD

Time: 7:30am-10am Cost: Free Speaker: John Sutcliffe, CEO of Henry Boot plc About: John will discuss the challenges he’s faced along the way, and how he overcame them to grow Henry Boot to the company it is today. Contact: martin.slathia@ connectyorkshire.org

17TH DEVELOP3D LIVE Venue: Sheffield University, INOX and Octagon Buildings, Durham Road, Sheffield S10 2TG Time: 8am-5:15pm Cost: Free About: DEVELOP3D LIVE is the UK’s leading conference and exhibition celebrating design, engineering and manufacturing technology. Tickets are strictly limited and only available to registered DEVELOP3D LIVE delegates. More info: bit.ly/1n4Yqda

friends this Easter holidays at our Easter Lambing event. Complete with food, crafts, Punch and Judy and an Egg Hunt – it’s the perfect family day out in Sheffield. Contact: bit.ly/2HLQPAU

AGENDA

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AGENDA

25TH SHOWROOM FUNDRAISING GALA DINNER

Venue: Showroom Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX Time: 6:45pm Cost: £80pp, tables of 8-10 available or smaller groups on

24TH BREATHING SPACE - SOUTH

25TH FSB HOW TO GROW YOUR

Venue: AVN House, 7 Midland Way, Barlborough Links, Barlborough S43 4XA Time: 6:30pm-8pm Cost: £47.71 for 6 sessions About: A monthly meeting for business owners intent on helping each other develop a successful business and enjoy life at the same time. Contact: bit.ly/2FrpfWI

Venue: Quba, Belgravia House, 115 Rockingham Street, Sheffield S1 4SB Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm Cost: Free About: Come along to hear valuable lessons from Ajaz Ahmed on how to grow your business through digital channels Contact: bit.ly/2U59JZX

request, includes dinner, wine, cocktails and entertainment. About: A glamorous evening supporting a unique and muchloved venue in our region, hosted by broadcaster Harry Gration. Contact: bit.ly/2W0mkLh

26TH LOCAL BIZ NETWORKING

SHEFFIELD - WEDNESDAY EVENING BUSINESS DIGITALLY

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Do you have an event? Email us editorial@ unLTDbusiness.com with all the details of your event and we’ll try and get it in our calendar next issue.

Venue: BizSpace Barnsley, Oaks Business Park, Barnsley S71 1HT Time: 10:30am-12pm Cost: Free About: Monthly event based around networking with a local vibe. Hot drinks will be provided and at every event we will invite an interactive speaker along to talk about the latest ‘Hot Topic’. Contact: bit.ly/2HFf0Sa

AGENDA LOOK AHEAD TO MAY

2ND MAY INDIE BUSINESS FAIR

Venue: Showroom Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield S1 2BX Time: 9am-2pm Cost: Free About: The Indie Business Fair is an unmissable opportunity to tap into Sheffield’s network of independent businesses. There will be tons of talented people attending, who are eager to work with you to share ideas and find new ways to work together. And speaking of talented people! Make sure you don’t miss our very own head of sales, Alexandra Scrivener, showing you how to make the most of “The Power of Networking” at her 1.15pm talk. She’ll be taking you on a networking journey to explain how to maximise the potential of events to make the most of your valuable time. Now in its third year, the event has evolved to include an exciting array of talks and masterclasses held throughout the morning to accompany the main exhibition, which showcases different sectors from all across South Yorkshire. Talks and sessions: • 3 Easy Ways to Grow Your Business Online in 2019 – Hannah Weinhold, GrowTraffic • Creating ‘Customer Delight’ With 3D Service! – Andy Hanselman, Andy Hanselman Consultancy • How I came to be Chief Sender of Hugs – Faye Savoury, BearHugs • How to Get into the Headlines – Faye Smith and Jo Davison, Keep Your Fork • The Power of Networking – Alexandra Scrivener, unLTD Contact: bit.ly/2SLv6zR

9TH UNLTD BUSINESS SOCIAL

Venue: Virgin Money, 66 Fargate, Sheffield S1 2HE Time: 4pm-6pm Cost: £15 About: The unLTD Business Social is an opportunity to benefit from our networks with like-minded companies and hear how our publication showcases the best of business is Sheffield City Region. Keep your eyes peeled for info on guest speakers and how you can get involved! Contact: Alexandra@ unltdbusiness.com

12TH ARCHER PROJECT ABSEIL

Venue: Owen Building, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard St, Sheffield S1 1WB Time: 9:30am Cost: Participants will be asked to raise a minimum of £100 About: Join the Archer Project and Bold Adventures for a challenge that reaches new heights supporting homeless people. The Owen Building provides views across Sheffield city centre to enjoy before you abseil. On registering, you’ll receive an information pack, including a medical declaration and your abseil time – then, get fundraising! Contact: Emily@ archerproject.org.uk or via 0114 321 2318

17TH STATE OF SHEFFIELD

ENGAGEMENT EVENT

Venue: Sheffield United Football Club, The Tony Currie Suite, Entrance via the John Street Stand, Sheffield S2 4SU Cost: Free About: Building on Sheffield City Partnership’s Framework for an Inclusive & Sustainable Economy, this State of Sheffield event is all about people’s real experiences of life in our city; rather than launching a 2019 report, we will be listening to people from across our neighbourhoods and communities talk about what Sheffield is like for them. Contact: bit.ly/2ujNqBo

16TH EXPOSED AWARDS 2019

Venue: 92 Burton Road, Sheffield S3 8BX Cost: £35 About: This year Exposed will be throwing a big Mardi Gras – so expect a New Orleans-influenced carnival atmosphere with bold colours, vibrant party music and extravagant costumes (prizes will be available for best-dressed on the night). Voting is open right now and will remain so until the end of April, so all you need to do is head to exposedmagazine. co.uk and pop in your choices! Contact: nick@ exposedmagazine.co.uk

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AGENDA

9TH KEEBLES PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS AND STAFF – THE #METOO MOVEMENT

Venue: Advanced Manufacturing Park, Brunel Way, Catcliffe, Rotherham S60 5WG Time: 8.30am-12pm with breakfast included Cost: Free About: Sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement are

16TH SOUTH YORKSHIRE EXPO

Venue: Magna, Magna Way, Templeborough S60 1FD Time: 10am-3pm Cost: Free About: South Yorkshire Expo is the region’s premiere business event and offers the opportunity to connect with more than 600 delegates. It’s a great chance to learn how to best develop your business, with ten free-toattend seminars held across the day on key business topics as well as the chance to meet and network with over 60 exhibitors. Speakers include: • Rob Temple – hypnotist and internet entrepreneur • Kate Cooper-Fay – Customer Experience expert • Becky Stevenson – Smart Business Solutions • Matthew Soakell – Mabo Media PPC agency Contact: bit.ly/2Y4zusE, 0191 511 1467, or via connect@freshstartevents.uk

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currently hot topics both in the media and at Employment Tribunals. Whistleblowing and settlement agreements are hitting the headlines so join this keynote to find out how to protect your business and staff. Contact: molly.rae@keebles.com

22ND FSB SPRING NETWORKING

SPECTACULAR - EXHIBITOR STANDS

Venue: Costco Wholesale UK, Unit 8, The Parkway, 1 Parkway Drive, Sheffield S9 4WU Time: 4pm-6pm Cost: £25 to exhibit – refundable after the event once attendance is confirmed About: FSB, in association with Costco Wholesale Ltd, will once again be presenting their legendary Spring Networking Spectacular, It represents an opportunity for local businesses to meet their fellow-networkers, talk about their business, buy, sell and seek out those all-important joint trading collaborations.. Contact: bit.ly/2Yh69Lq

24TH-27TH SHEFFIELD FOOD FESTIVAL Venue: Peace Gardens, Pinstone Street, Sheffield S1 2HH Time: Begins on Friday 24th, and runs until 6pm on Monday 27th May. Cost: Free to attend About: Join more 50,000 people who come to join in this tasty celebration of Sheffield’s vibrant food scene across the city centre. We recommend stopping by The Artisan Market to see the local food business from across the area. Talented chefs from Proove run the Food Festival Supper Club to support the homeless. Contact: bit.ly/2ObBNW9

AGENDA

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ADVERTORIAL

ENSURING A ROBUST CYBERSECURITY RESILIENCE Chris Barr, Technical Director at CT, tells us why companies should consider a strategic IT review to facilitate growth and shares his top ten considerations With business now in full swing in 2019, many midmarket organisations will be looking at the effectiveness of their business applications and the resilience and security of their IT infrastructure. Most reviews of an IT environment are initiated in response to some sort of compelling event, such as a systems outage, a data breach, concerns over personnel, or issues with an incumbent supplier. However, with the reliance most organisations have on IT, it’s best to preempt issues and ensure the IT infrastructure has the right foundations to facilitate future growth and allow for a robust cybersecurity resilience strategy. Our reviews involve spending time with the business managers and other key stakeholders in the first instance to understand what they are looking to achieve, and the current systems and key applications they have in place that may be holding them back. We then carry out a technical assessment of the IT infrastructure against our standards which are built from our recommendations, industry best practice and guidance from bodies such as the ICO. The scope of our in-depth review covers three key areas: Findings, Risk Analysis and Recommendations. This is presented in a format that allows organisations to see their current positioning, highlighting danger areas, areas for improvement and areas where their IT infrastructure aligns with their business plans. We then work together to agree priorities to enhance and protect business processes.

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CHRIS BARR, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL TECHNOLOGY

Thinking of an IT review? Here are our ten key factors every organisation should take into consideration. 1. Strategy – it is key that any review starts by understanding your organisation’s objectives. It is impossible to align a technology strategy to an organisation without first having understood in detail their overall business goals and how that organisation is hoping to achieve them. 2. Cost – a review is typically chargeable. If the work is being given away for free or heavily discounted, it is probably not going to offer the level of detail you need. 3. Independence – for a review to be most valuable in the business world, it needs to be genuinely independent. It is important that the best interests of the customer

are firmly at the forefront of the consultant’s mind. 4. Format – is the Strategic IT Review going to be delivered back to you in the right format for you? Do you really need a long, wordy report document? Agree the right format for you to spend your time efficiently and really understand the output. 5. Board – it is key that such a review has Board involvement and sponsorship from the outset. This means that the results / recommendations will be aligned to your business goals. 6. Method – how will the review be conducted? Will it be on-site or remotely undertaken, or a combination of the two? How much time will be required of personnel in your organisation, and for what?

7. Interviews – for a review to have most impact, it will need to involve some one-to-one interviews with users of the IT, along with, where relevant, some focus groups. This helps understand what users most need to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. 8. Information – what supporting information will you be provided with? Have a good understanding of additional information on the existing IT environment you will be provided with. 9. Timescale – how long will a review take, and what are the contingencies involved in its preparation? Is there, for example, information required from third parties, such as existing suppliers of IT services? 10. Follow Up – what is the feedback loop process, and the ongoing management of the engagement with your organisation to ensure the recommendations are successfully implemented? If you would like to find out more about the consultancyled IT strategic reviews here at CT, please get in touch with the team: Central Technology Ltd Quantum Point, Sheepbridge Works Sheepbridge Lane, Chesterfield S41 9RX Tel: 01246 01246 266 130 Web: www.ct.co.uk Facebook: @CentralTechnology Twitter: @CentralTechLtd LinkedIn: CT Ltd

AGENDA

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

JESS WIDDOWSON PERFORMANCE ARTS Jess Widdowson tells unLTD how she defied her former teacher’s advice, and doubts over her business plan, to start her ‘blossoming’ arts schools and voice academies I was inspired to start my business by... Being passionate about the arts and wanting to provide a unique service which was inclusive and accessible to all! I wanted to offer young people fantastic opportunities to not only develop as a performer, but also to develop as a person in terms of confidence and team building. For me, these skills are necessary in any role whether you are a sales assistant in a store or the CEO of a multinational company.

The organisations that have supported me and my business include… • The Merlin Theatre • The Montgomery Theatre • Carly Turner MUA • S2 Pictures • Xenium Records • Bobby Dazzlers • Sheffield United • Adams Bay • Beauty Rooms • Doncaster Mayor • Powerhouse • TD Lighting • Edenthorpe Community Centre • Whittington Moor Methodist Church • Serendipity Casting

My favourite thing about running my business is… The people I work with. I work with ages 2-75 and every week I see huge improvements in my students. I see smiles every week. My job is incredibly rewarding. The three words that best describe my business are… Unique, Inclusive and Supportive. Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because… It’s where my own roots lie. Sheffield and the surrounding areas have fantastic theatrical scenes and I get to teach people from all age groups and backgrounds. Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a business because… The scene is so fantastic and the local community are supportive and provide us with excellent facilities.

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JESS WIDDOWSON OF PERFORMANCE ARTS

The best advice I ever got was… ‘Prove them wrong’. During university I was told that my business plan would never work. My A-Level teacher told me I would never be successful and the arts were a joke. I have met so many people that have been quick to knock me down or dampen my success and the best way to overcome that is to prove them wrong! Now I run two schools and four voice academies. I’m proud of my success and the success of my students and team.

The worst advice I ever got was… ‘If you don’t have the money, don’t bother trying’. I started my business with nothing. No flyers, no business cards, no website, no money. On our first day, we opened with 20 students and 20 private singing lesson students. If you want something enough, you’ll make it happen and that’s exactly what I did. Now we also support local charities and have raised almost £3,000 for different local charities including £2000 for the Children’s Hospital Charity.

The main challenges facing my industry/sector are… It’s highly competitive. Prices can often be high and those with financial depravity can become excluded – something that we constantly try to combat and ensure that everyone has an equal chance to do what they are passionate about. In 5 years’ time I expect my business to… Blossom! We hope to have even more fantastic students, more opportunities for them and a fully completed marketing package. We aim to stand out and love to keep marketing fresh. We really do aim for more of the same! Web: www.jessicawiddowson performancearts.com Tel: 07961 062498 Facebook: JWPerformanceArts

COVER STORY

UNRAVEL YOUR POTENTIAL MD of Unravel Andrea Chatten tells unLTD’s Jill Theobald how her specialist psychological intervention service for school-age children began – thanks to an inspirational hairdresser boss back when she herself was a teen ‘Saturday Girl’… How many of us can say we got to where we are in our careers today by being threatened with the sack by their first proper boss? Today a Sheffield-based emotional and behavioural psychologist, children’s book author, and MD Andrea Chatten grew up expecting to be a hairdresser – until the salon owner she worked for as a teenager did just that. Middlesbrough-born Andrea, who says she was ‘from a family who aspired to hard work, but not to higher education’, was just nine when a primary school teacher told her parents she would grow up to be university material. But no member of her family

had been to university, so the idea was dismissed. That might have been that were it not for the aforementioned boss who forced her to confront her abilities and aim higher than a job in his salon. “I set my sights on being a stylist and did a six-week YTS scheme with a local salon Saks in Middlesbrough. The boss was Louis…He changed my life,” says Andrea. “I stayed at the salon as a Saturday girl and went on to get ten GCSEs. When Louis learned that, he took me to one side and threatened to sack me if I didn’t leave and go off to do A levels. He said if I was his daughter, he would

really be pushing me. “I took his advice and did my A levels, but I still studied hairdressing with him to support my studies. When I passed them, I knew I then had to go to university.” And it was Sheffield where she came in 1989 to study education and technology for four years at Sheffield Hallam University. And where she and her family are based today – the mum of two is married to Simon, director of ICT at Parkwood E-Act Academy in Sheffield. The 48-year-old tells the school-age children she works with today her story because ‘it’s so important to realise your potential’.

And those children are part of Unravel, the service she is MD of which supports children’s mental health and wellbeing, and in particular school-age children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, for improved and happier lives. Unravel provides bespoke support to children and young people, either in schools or through private sessions, guidance for parents, carers and families, and training packages to teachers. The work of Andrea’s team of Unravel psychologists is based on her career dedicated to personal research and effective practice.

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

I wanted to understand the life problems of the children I would be working with and learn how to really listen to them with compassion

After gaining her degree, she set her sights on a teaching career. But there was something really important she wanted to do first. She joined Childline, the 24hour telephone helpline set up by Esther Rantzen for children and young people in need, as a volunteer. “I wanted to understand the life problems of the children I would be working with and learn how to really listen to them with compassion. Then I could understand their behaviour,” she explains. She worked in Childline’s Sheffield office from 7-10pm several nights a week for two years, earning a living during

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the day with office temping roles. There were heart-rending calls to deal with, many from children suffering sexual abuse. Andrea recalls: “Some children rang me regularly. My phone would be ringing as I took my coat off. There were horrendous disclosures. I couldn’t cut them off when my shift ended – I often continued talking to them up to midnight. “In the first six months I would get home, get in the bath and just cry. “It took some children weeks to reveal what was happening to them. One girl never spoke a word for two months. There

were long calls where I would gently talk and she would remain silent. Eventually we worked out a way of communicating through a series of taps she could make.” Childline taught her how to build a caller’s confidence to the point where they felt able to speak to a teacher or a parent. But the experience also taught Andrea how to give her all when she was on duty – yet importantly leave the distressing details behind when she left the office. It may sound hard-hearted, she says, but being able to activate a mental ‘off-switch’ is a vital life skill for anyone who works

with victims of abuse. Andrea felt ready to become a teacher at the age of 25 back in Middlesbrough, after a spell of solo travelling to build her resilience and self-confidence. When she returned to Sheffield, she started working at Coit Primary, but seeking a bigger challenge, moved to Mansel Primary in Parson Cross, and stayed in primary education until the birth of daughter Lily in 2002. She went back to teaching a year later, then managed a learning support unit at Yewlands School, Parson Cross, before taking a year’s maternity leave for her second child, Alfie.

COVER STORY On returning to work, she was approached by the Sheffield Pupil Referral Unit, which worked with children across the city who had been excluded. “My teaching career, by default, had steered me to specialise in helping children and young people who struggled emotionally,” she says. For the next five years she worked at teaching these children how to be happy and amend their behaviour so they could go back into mainstream school. She became a team leader, her 12 staff looking after children with some of the most complex needs in the city. “It was about empowering them, helping them to become assertive or manage their anger so they started to like themselves and feel proud. “It is also about setting boundaries. Kids need to know that adults are in charge. It makes them feel safe and grounded and that’s how I ran that unit,” she says. Her job fulfilled her until the death of her father in 2011 made her reassess her life at 40. A year later she left her job to study for a Masters in Developmental Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University. She also began writing her The Blinks children’s novels to

help young readers deal with their emotions. “Since my teaching career began, almost 30 years ago, children’s emotional and behavioural expression has always been my fascination and the area that I feel most passionate about. I strongly believe that all children deserve to be accepted and happy regardless of the challenges they present.” Of her studies, she says: “I felt a lot of doubt doing it – my inner Middlesbrough girl really came out. I had to use my own psychological tools on myself to get through. But afterwards I knew it had given me the confidence that what I had been doing was right and fired me with the courage to set up my own business.” In 2014, when her children were aged nine and seven, she set up Unravel to develop a new model of psychology to sit between the current provisions, one that harnessed her expertise in recognising and dealing with the issues that sit behind children’s emotional responses. She explains: “Unravel is passionate about helping children learn essential strategies to manage their brains and emotions at difficult times. “Key themes are always present in children showing behavioural problems and

Unravel is passionate about helping children learn essential strategies to manage their brains and emotions at difficult times

need addressing so that children can move towards becoming more positive and happy. “I set up my own service because I wanted to do more to help them than schools and the medical world are able to. “We are filling the void between current services provided by Educational Psychology and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), which cannot meet demand. We also work within schools and with families privately to break through the numerous barriers to accessing such services.” One of her first contracts was with Handsworth Grange in Sheffield. Unravel began working with children and young people on a weekly basis and negative behaviour at the school improved. Four years on, Unravel has now helped pupils at schools in Doncaster, Rotherham, Leeds, Kirklees, Lincolnshire, and London. Sheffield City Council is particularly supportive of Unravel’s work with children who are being failed by the current system. And a number of parents pay privately to work with Unravel, having found out about Andrea’s skills from The Blinks books, or via her TV and radio appearances – she has become a go-to expert on children’s behavioural issues.

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COVER STORY “I love being able to help children,” she says. “Parents and teachers call me in despair. Many have been struggling for years to get to the root of a problematic child’s issues. “I have been doing this work so long I can swiftly identify what the underlying issue is – and unravel it.

“I see children change in front of my eyes. I have watched them go from being locked into their own worlds, or crying all the time, or living in fear of parents dying, to bounding out of their last Unravelled sessions feeling empowered and full of joy and hope.”

TOP TIPS TO HELP SUPPORT YOUR CHILD’S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING 1. Get in sync – emotional connection is key. It is normal to disconnect with our children, life is demanding. However, when children don’t feel positively connected to us, it impacts on their well-being which is often communicated by negative behaviours. 2. Communicate as much as possible from as early as possible. Talking with each other is how we learn, and problem solve, and it starts younger than we once thought. If you want to be having meaningful conversations with your teenagers start being open and honest when they are two or three. 3. Listen to what your children tell you – they will teach us. It can be difficult hearing hurtful things from our children, but they are telling us what they need. Don’t hear what they – say actively listen. 4. Avoid general praise – be specific. Avoid using words like good and bad with kids. This can negatively impact on identity and well-being. Instead reward and praise the action, progress or value. They are less likely to reject this kind of praise and it fosters healthier self-esteem. 5. Keep reflecting. The only difference between a positive parent and a negative parent is reflection. It certainly won’t stop us making mistakes, but we might make less mistakes and certainly not keep making the same ones! 6. Help children to name and claim emotions. Our emotions are designed to keep us alive. We must acknowledge them otherwise the brain will turn the volume up on them meaning we feel emotions much more intensely. Once we name them our brain relaxes in the hope we will then do something about it. 7. Help your child challenge their worries and fears with evidence. Most of our thoughts are just guesses. Become emotions detectives with your kids and help them to learn that our brain isn’t always our friend. 8. Don’t be afraid to show your variety of emotions so that children see that they are normal and that they come and go. Talk about them together and if you have not dealt with an emotion as well as you would have liked, apologise and explain. 9. Model the behaviours you want to see in your child. If you are shouting and slamming doors because you are stressed, then they will learn to do the same. 10. Check in on your own well-being. If you aren’t feeling great, then neither will your children and vice versa. As parents we must make sure that parenting goes one way and that is from us to them. Invest positively into your children even if you aren’t always feeling it and their behaviour will follow suit meaning you benefit too – win-win.

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ADVERTORIAL

‘PEACE OF MIND

FOR A NECESSARY EVIL’ Needing insurance? If peace of mind is your key concern, Westminster Insurance owner Neil Lifford says to forget the ‘faceless call centres’ and turn to ‘a local, family-run business that has stood the test of time’ Insurance is a necessary evil. You have it because you feel vulnerable without it, and with luck you’ll never feel the need to put the policy you pay every month or year to the test. Sadly, for most of us, that luck will run out at some time in our lives. When that moment comes you want to pick up the phone and find someone trustworthy, who takes an interest in your situation and offers immediate, practical advice. You also want that moment of truth to confirm you were sold the correct insurance in the first place, and that, as well as a competitive price, you were also offered practical cover that will kick in during times of crisis. We all know that online insurance for virtually anything is instantly available at the click of a computer or smartphone.

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But if peace of mind is your key concern, the best option is a local, family-run business that has stood the test of time and does not leave you to deal with call centres and ‘faceless people’ during what is probably a stressful situation. Westminster Insurance has been a name the Sheffield business community have been able to rely on since it was set up by my father in 1964, as a company primarily ‘run by taxi drivers for ‘taxi drivers’. I took over as owner in early 2000 and, since joining forces with Clegg Gifford in 2015, the scope of business has increased greatly to include a wide range of commercial needs. From properties to landlords’ insurance to public liability, Westminster Insurance will give you

competitive rates and peace of mind. Shops, restaurants, takeaways, pubs and wine bars are also covered and many local businesses in the north Sheffield area have chosen Westminster Insurance. We are people you can talk to. It’s not just about having to make a claim, if you just need some advice there is someone on the end of the line who can help. Over the years we have come to know some longstanding clients very well, and even ex-customers sometimes call for advice and we’re happy to help them. While I am moving towards semi-retirement, the Westminster Insurance family connection will remain, with son-in-law Kirk Ollerenshaw taking over at the helm. The business is geared towards commercial insurance

rather than personal these days, but even so it’s the personal approach that helps customers feel reassured they have been given competitive rates and a policy tailored for their individual needs. Westminster Insurance is a local insurance provider specialising in: • Taxi and Motor Trade • Commercial vehicles and properties • Landlords Insurance • Public Liability • Shops, restaurants & takeaways • Pubs and wine bars • Goods in transit • Office and Surgery • And more Westminster Insurance 29 Loxley Road, Sheffield S6 4TE Tel: 0114 234 8205 info@westminstersheffield.co.uk

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SHEFFIELD THE REGIONAL HUB OF INNOVATION Desmond Conway, Keystone Property Group CEO, tells unLTD why the developments across Sheffield are securing the city a reputation as a ‘regional hub of innovation’

Nestled in the eastern foothills of the Pennines with a proud industrial history, Sheffield, perhaps, isn’t the first city that comes to mind for a property investment business to call home. But with a rising profile attracting the attention of both foreign and domestic investors, the face of the city is changing with the emergence of historic new developments that will secure Sheffield’s place as a regional hub of innovation. For a business such as Keystone, Sheffield has a lot to offer. It’s within easy distance of the rest of Yorkshire, the Midlands, the North East, Greater Manchester, and London especially, making it easy to meet our clients and partners

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outside of the city we call home. The business community within the city itself is incredibly supportive, allowing us to network, forge and maintain long-lasting relationships with other businesses and freelancers respectively, no matter what their size. The dawn of the Northern Powerhouse initiative enticed investors to cast their imaginations beyond the capital and the South East. Sheffield is one of the core cities to benefit from the growing interest and appeal of regional cities. The city is now one of the UK’s top ten cities for house price growth, and has seen high rises in employment which has and continues to underline the

strength of the local economy. As the city’s grown, so has Keystone. 2018 was our most successful year yet, as we delivered average accumulative returns of 63 per cent, or 21 per cent per investment to our clients over three projects. A year-on-year increase of 18 per cent, versus the 45 per cent total that was achieved in 2017. We’ve been able to embrace new opportunities, such as exhibiting at both the autumn Property Investor Show and Luxury Property Show for the first time, not to mention having the opportunity to showcase some of our premier projects, including Hadrian’s Tower and Westminster Works. One of our goals going into 2019 was to have a larger

role in the local community and ‘give a little back’, so to speak. And as such, no sooner than this April, our group operations director Mr Wesly Jay will be running in the London Marathon for Age UK Sheffield, one of the only charities in the city dedicated to benefiting the lives of the over 50s. Then, Keystone’s head of admin, Chelsea Butler is going to be abseiling to raise funds, however, for the local branch of the RSPCA. A quarter of the way through 2019, we have plans for more charitable events, our popular headline product is about to close, and with Sheffield’s growing reputation as a leader and innovator, we’re even more inspired and excited by the prospects ahead for both Keystone and the city.

FOCUS ON

FOCUS ON ATTERCLIFFE A long-overlooked part of Sheffield with ancient roots as far back as the Doomsday Book, Attercliffe is steeped in industrial and civic heritage. But the area is now looking ahead to a ‘spectacular’ new era, says unLTD’s Stella Bolam

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FOCUS ON Modern, ‘quirky’ business headquarters. Green, open spaces. An ‘Andy Warhol vibe’. Home to one of the most ‘exciting development opportunities in the north of England’. Be honest – was Attercliffe the first area in Sheffield that sprang to mind when reading the above? You’re probably not alone. Getting to Attercliffe from Sheffield city centre is straightforward and quick – (just nine minutes on the SuperTram or a few minutes by car) – but despite the close proximity, for generations this once-proud and booming district wasn’t really considered by many to be a destination (bar the various sex shops and massage parlours that have become synonymous with the area). It’s a place that has had its fair share of neglect since the decline of its heavy industry economy and the housing, schools and communities that were connected to it also disappeared.

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The 1990s saw major retail and leisure destinations including Meadowhall, Centertainment and FlyDSA Arena open, which helped to put Attercliffe back on the map. Plus, this East End of Sheffield kept its industrial heart. For instance, Gripple the employee-owned, marketleading manufacturer of wire joiners, has remained loyal to its local birthplace which it still considers to be home. This multi award-winning company, inventor of the iconic Gripple joiner, has four bases in the Attercliffe area with 250 employees, all within easy reach of each other. Gripple has demonstrated its commitment to the area’s industrial heritage and ongoing regeneration by transforming two original local factories – The Old West Gun Works (its original HQ) and the Hog Works – into modern, ‘quirky’ operations. A third contemporary building it developed, its Riverside production factory, has been

Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is a

LONDON 2012 Olympic Legacy Project

described as an ‘Industrial Cathedral.’ Gripple’s latest development, a £2m conversion of a listed school building into a training academy, preserved many of the site’s educational features. Times keep radically changing for Attercliffe – and going in a healthy direction. One of the vital cornerstones in the area’s latest resurgence has been created by Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Ltd, a joint venture between Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield City Council, which was formed in 2015. Facilities already in operation on the site include the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS), iceSheffield, Don Valley Bowl, Oasis Academy Don Valley, UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, Community Stadium with 3G pitch and park environment with cycle paths and green open spaces, with more expansion set to come.

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There’s only one reason why this café is open – the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park

JUSTIN BROOKS, OWNER AND CHEF AT THE LIBRARY

The Lower Don Valley area was the obvious location for regeneration following the closure of Don Valley Stadium in September 2013 and the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is a London 2012 Olympic Legacy Project for health and wellbeing research and learning. The four legacy themes from London 2012 are sport, local community, environment and economic regeneration and all these themes are being delivered at the Park. Former Minister for Sport and Project Lead for Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, Richard Caborn, said: “Through Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park we’re proud to be delivering four key themes from London 2012: Sport – improving infrastructure and providing access for all levels of ability; Community – providing opportunities in education, skills, training and jobs; Environment – enhancing the amount and quality of green space and promoting sustainable travel; and Economy – creating jobs and wider employment opportunities.” David Slater, Director of Operations at Spaces Sheffield, was an early business investor – and strong believer – in Attercliffe, who

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in 1996 began buying disused commercial properties there. Over a ten-year period he transformed these abandoned places back into commercial use. “I had this vision for Attercliffe gateway – that’s what I called it – to be as spectacular as it had been, in a very different way, all those years ago,” he explains. “I thought: ‘I’m going to do this because I believe in it and it’s going to work because it’s right.” Slater now leases and manages various commercial spaces, totalling about 100,000 sq ft, including café and live music venue, The Library (a development which has revitalised Sheffield’s oldest library building built in 1894). Opened last October, the venue has already quickly established itself, not only as a local community hub serving delicious tapas made by head chef/owner Justin Brooks, but as a major destination for jazz and soul lovers from across Sheffield and beyond. Crucially, it is a stone’s throw away from the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. “There’s only one reason why this café is open – the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. I’m confident, because it’s happened. It’s a knock-on effect. My company

The Library is Sheffield’s

OLDEST LIBRARY building built in 1894

1200 SQ FT

of business space at Waverley Works, in Effingham Street

is called Spaces Sheffield for a reason – my thing is wherever I go I make the space I go to better than it was when I got there,” says Slater. David’s future plans, still at drawing board stage, include opening an Italian café, La Banca, to be run by Justin and converted from an old TSB bank, and developing an apartment complex close by in Attercliffe centre. The vision is for the café to service these new residents, who would mainly be as David says “young families, returning retirees and keyworkers.” The district of Attercliffe starts at Meadowhall and ends at the Wicker, and perhaps surprisingly, it’s the ‘city end’ of Attercliffe which is getting the least attention. For some businesses based there, that’s not all bad. Specialising in providing design and e-commerce services, the If Collective team are newcomers to the area, based at this Wicker end of Attercliffe sharing a whitewalled and high-ceilinged 1200 sq ft space at Waverley Works, in Effingham Street, alongside photographer Nigel Barker. “It’s a great location, literally 10 minutes’ walk into town but at the same time we’re reasonably anonymous, which

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Cleaning up in Attercliffe Ace Janitorial Supplies have been supplying commercial cleaning products and hygiene supplies from premises in Attercliffe for over 45 years. The iconic shop and sales offices, which sit prominently on the corner of Attercliffe Road and Brinsworth Street, are hard to miss, boasting a proud display of all manner of cleaning materials including vacuums, floor scrubbers, polishers, janitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; carts, washroom dispensers and disposables, and so much more. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to think that this is just another local family run small business. But walk just

a few yards up the road and you find the 15,000 square foot Ace warehouse & distribution centre. Ace run a fleet of very recognisable delivery vans, and these are servicing our regions schools, hospitals, shopping centres, and almost any conceivable industry with essential products we all take for granted. They ship products daily across the UK via TNT and pallet-line to meet demand further afield. Whether looking for a new vacuum cleaner or kitting out a new facility from top to bottom, Ace supply everyone for the independent contractor to the largest organisations.

Feel free to call in and pick up a copy of their new catalogue, call 0114 244 4474 or check them out online at acejanitorial.co.uk, Twitter @AceJanitorial and Facebook @AceJanitorialSupplies.

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FOCUS ON

THE ORIGINAL GRIPPLE HQ AT THE OLD WEST GUN WORKS

is intentional. We feel like we’re part of a Sheffield that often gets ignored,’ says Andy Turner, If Collective creative director. “It goes hand in hand with being liberated, having a space that doesn’t have any pretence attached to it.” Their unit is housed within the Cromwell Tools building. “This isn’t a prefabricated building made to look like something from the past. It is from the past but it’s got a modern application,” says Andy. “I joke with most clients that we’re going for the Andy Warhol vibe here – it’s a proper factory. As funny as it sounds there’s a certain element of truth to it.” Photographer Nigel Barker, who has worked from this space since 2003, appreciates the different perspective it gives him. “You feel like you’re part of the city, but you can step back from it too,” points out. “This section of Attercliffe is one of the least developed areas. It’s a diverse area. There’s a real mixture – industry, light industry and all sorts of other businesses here.” Better public transport would be one way that Nigel sees the area could be improved, although on the plus side, he says “we do have parking here which probably wouldn’t get in the city centre.” With all this talk about

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regeneration in a Sheffield context, the obvious question is: are we about to witness another Kelham Island emerging in the east end of the city? “I think if Attercliffe was to be developed, I would hope it doesn’t become another Kelham Island. This side of town is ‘applied’ - it’s got UTC, it’s got the sports centres, it’s got international venues and then it’s got all the makers,” said Andy. “This area should hold on to being ‘applied’. Attercliffe is unapologetic over what it is because it is still very much a working area.” David Slater regards Attercliffe as a place with wider potential to create a thriving community than Kelham. “We’ve got a different kind of offer, for families, for retirees and for a multi-cultural mix. ‘You can fall out of your bed and go ice-skating, or go to the Arena or go for a walk down the canal – there’s so much opportunity.” For the last 20 years he says “I never ever for one second doubted Attercliffe. I thought that if you look at what we’ve got, eventually everyone will see it.” That vision may become a reality sooner than expected – especially given the recent news of another important site for regeneration in the area.

I never ever for one second doubted Attercliffe. I thought that if you look at what we’ve got, eventually everyone will see it

A 22-acre urban regeneration site, next to the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, and billed as ‘one of the most exciting development opportunities in the north of England’, has gone on the market. Acting on behalf of a consortium of three owners in Sheffield, CBRE’s Northern Land and Development team and Sheffield agents Fowler Sandford are marketing Attercliffe Waterside. It will be familiar to thousands of people who use the canal each week as a popular running and walking route. Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment said: “This is a really important site for the regeneration of Attercliffe and the Lower Don Valley. It is a exciting opportunity for an imaginative team of developers to help us to make the East End of Sheffield a fantastic place to live as well as to build on the existing network of great places to work and play. “As a proud East Ender, I can’t wait to see these improvements come forward and help to showcase the beauty of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal for a new generation and springboard further regeneration and opportunity across the area.”

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CHARITIES Our round-up of some of the great work charities are doing in the city business region – and the companies that are doing their bit to support them

BEARHUGS ALL ROUND AT BLUEBELL WOOD A young entrepreneur whose business was inspired by the ‘hug in a box’ gift she received while poorly is now ‘parcelling up the love’ for patients at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. Faye Savory’s gift hamper delivery business BearHugs launched in 2015 with the same sentiment of kindness which so moved her when a friend sent her a box of gifts through the post. “Lyme Disease had badly affected my life. I had to give up my job and was bedbound,” Faye, 29, of Walkley, said. “A delivery of little treats BEARHUGS FAYE SAVORY DELIVERS A ‘HUG IN A BOX’ arrived and made me feel less TO EMMA DOUGHTY AT BLUEBELL WOOD alone.” Faye has ensured the business has a social purpose, too. For every 50 boxes sold, Head of family support and families and staff nominate Faye gives one to charity – wellbeing Emma Doughty deserving recipients for a ‘hug and Bluebell Wood at North said: “We have been receiving in a box’. We are gifting them Anston is the latest to benefit. ten boxes a month and to family members as well as

children and so far, BearHugs have thoughtfully tailored boxes for grandparents, mums and dads.”

TDC cycling miles for MIND and ‘Aky’ Technology Display Consortium - TDC Ltd’s Emma Simpson has helped organise a charity event in aid of MIND and Leeds Rhinos – and in memory of a much-missed friend PC Mick “Aky” Atkinson.

The ‘Tour De Aky’ on June 14 will begin at Scarborough police station – where Aky started his career – and end at Headingly ahead of the Rhinos’ game where cyclists will complete a lap of honour.

TDC’s Emma said: “Aky served with North Yorkshire Police and had become the father of a baby daughter when he took his own life in October last year. “He was a passionate Rhinos

fan and 90 close friends and family will be cycling 10.66 miles because Mick’s police badge number – since decommissioned by the police as a mark of respect – was 1066.”

RETURN VISIT ‘4’ STEVE – 4 DECADES ON! Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC) had a blast from the past – when Sheffield Chamber of Commerce President and joint MD of Universal Office Products Steve Manley paid a return visit...four decades after his first! Ericka Hill, SCCCC marketing, communications and fundraising officer said: “We had a visit from Sheffield Chamber President Steve Manley – and his mum Bridget.

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“When we were announced as Sheffield Chamber’s Charity of the Year 2018/19 Steve mentioned us to his mum, but Bridget knew exactly who we were as she was a volunteer on our Good Neighbours Befriending Scheme back in the 1970s. “And it turns out baby Steve also went along with her, so you could say he was one of our youngest volunteers! It was great to see them both!”

SCCCC CEO MARK STOREY, SCCCC’S ERICKA HILL AND BRIDGET AND STEVE MANLEY

Archer Project Abseil!

In partnership with

Sunday 12th May Owen Building Sheffield Hallam Uni £15 Per Person Reserve your place now archerprojectabseil2019. eventbrite.co.uk Participants are encouraged to raise at least £100 in sponsorship.

Join us! Rise to the challenge on a fantastic Summer’s day adventure in the heart of the city and help raise money for the homeless and vulnerable.

Charity Reg No — 1064818

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YOUR PITCH

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Sustainability adviser Emma Knight-Strong tells us how Green Arch Consulting is the ‘link’ for organisations wanting technical advice on energy efficiency issues AND a practical business strategy to back it all up

GREEN ARCH CONSULTING Tell us about your business – sell yourself! All businesses are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate commitments to the environment and communities – clients and customers want responsible products (most clearly seen in the single-use plastics issue), and investors want commitments to environmental, social and governance processes (ESG). I collaborate with businesses to adapt and enhance the way they make decisions, integrating ‘People, Planet and Profit’ so that any changes they make are relevant, proportionate, riskdriven and make a material difference to the business. I coach businesses in how to apply sustainability principles in-house – reducing reliance on outside expertise for every-day decisions. This leads to benefits such as enhanced efficiency, reputation and employee engagement, as well as reduced costs, leading to increased sales and revenues. By coaching businesses on how to expand on their existing efforts, or where to start if they haven’t begun yet, I help them adapt to a changing business environment in the most cost-effective way. What gave you the idea for your business? There is plenty of technical advice available on issues such as energy efficiency, but a lack of practical business strategy advice. This results in a disconnect between what stakeholders want, and what businesses can provide. I act as the link – joining technical, business and stakeholder interests to provide a workable, and cost-effective,

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EMMA KNIGHT-STRONG OF GREEN ARCH CONSULTING

sustainability strategy. This helps businesses wanting to differentiate themselves from their competition or needing to respond to challenges from stakeholders. Who are your customers and how are you targeting them? My customers are businesses that recognise the value of being sustainable but need help in achieving their goals – or even setting goals in the first place. From plastics strategies to environmental policies, reporting and beyond, I work

with my clients to design a strategy that can flex with their business needs. I support businesses of any size, in any sector. Contact me for a free consult to see how I can help.

I collaborate with businesses to adapt and enhance the way they make decisions

How can people get in touch with you? Website: www.greenarchconsulting.com Email: emma@ greenarchconsulting.com Tel: 07855 396 032 LinkedIn: Emma Knight-Strong Twitter: @StrongEmma

Somewhere to meet, greet and treat… Set high up in large, beautiful gardens to the south of Sheffield, Clifford House is a unique and intimate venue for small-to-medium sized events. This charming Victorian property has been fully renovated to accommodate meetings, conferences and any event that requires just that touch of something special. Receive a 10% discount* on your first booking by quoting ‘unLTD Magazine’.

www.stlukescliffordhouse.org.uk/venue-hire T: 0114 235 7655 E: cliffordhousebookings@hospicesheffield.co.uk

*T&Cs apply

Registered Charity No. 254402

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SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT

SOCIAL MEDIA BOOST Struggling with your Twitter presence? Never fear! The nice folk at @HelpSheffield are here to stop your profile looking like an empty café and instead generate the engagement of an enticing eatery on London Road… We’ve been up and running with @HelpSheffield for just under six years and in that time, we have noticed the numerous different ways Sheffield businesses use social media, and in particular Twitter, to greater or lesser effect. The most crucial thing people need to remember is the word ‘social’ – if you have a presence on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc then the purpose of that account is to be interactive, friendly, warm and not pushy. Many accounts Tweet about their wares and their activities and nothing else. If customers are being fed the same information time and time again, they’ll quickly get bored. Think of the way many of us avoid the ‘chuggers’ on Fargate – we do that because we know what they’re offering and even if it might be worthwhile, we still ‘chat to our friend’ on our phone as we pass to avoid them. Adding to the social nature of the various mediums involves interacting on a human level, so if someone asks an intentionally silly

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question provide them with an intentionally silly answer. Be polite but let your personality shine through. Provide your followers and likers with as much original, interesting, interactive and visual content as you can muster. Sharing the work of others might get good responses but they are not reactions for your business or your work. If you put out content, then ask a question – otherwise there’s not always the impetus for people to reply. Visual posts paint a shedload of words, not only saving you characters but more than likely gaining you a better response from your audience. Businesses often see other Twitter accounts as their rivals rather than potential collaborators or lead creators. On the @HelpSheffield Twitter account we have created hundreds of Twitter lists with thousands of accounts categorised, as we see them. So if you’re an accountant and your tweeting isn’t working for you go and follow some other accountants, chat to them, steal the ideas of their good tweets and share information.

Provide your followers and likers with as much original, interesting, interactive and visual content as you can muster

It’s like the agglomeration effect of high street businesses – people go to London Road to eat because they have lots of choice, not always because they know where they are going. If someone is searching Twitter for ‘Accountants’ and ‘Sheffield’ they will find your interactions and may well pick your firm rather than the multi-million-pound Twitter dominators. Businesses need to do all of this and more on a regular basis. If you don’t have the time, the will or the knowledge to use social media effectively you might ask yourself why you have a presence there at all. A dormant or little used account is pretty much the equivalent of an empty café or shop. Discovering what works on social media for your business can take a long time but is definitely worth it. It’s mostly free, it’s quick, it’s relatively easy and it is everywhere. If you are not managing to work it out on your own, feel free to ask @HelpSheffield for assistance, a chat over a cider or a more formal training session. Good luck.

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5 MINUTES WITH...

ICONS & MACHINES Content and PR specialist CK Goldiing tells unLTD how ‘curiosity’ inspired him to start creative agency Icons & Machines, which crafts a range of digital branded assets for his ‘brave’ clients I was inspired to start my business by... Curiosity. Before officially launching Icons & Machines in 2018, I was a writer/creator. I am still both of these things, and I regularly create personal projects that attract generous media coverage, including BBC, Red Bull, Huff Post, Metro and more. Thanks to the success of these personal projects, I grew curious, wondering if my storytelling approach would work for commercial brands, too. The 2018 Christmas ad campaign I produced for Sheffield Gift Card was my debut commercial outing, and employed the exact same techniques used in my personal content. I remain stunned by the attention it attracted. My favourite thing about running my business is… Brave clients. When clients are fearless in their pursuit of creating inspiring, innovative, provoking content, there’s nothing finer. Headteacherturned speaker/coach Kate Grosvenor is a perfect example. Imagine me suggesting we produce a documentary that reveals the unsolicited sexually explicit images that she, and other women in their forties, are sent from men. She committed to the idea in a heartbeat. Initial apprehension aside, Kate saw the potential to begin a vital conversation society and mainstream media chooses to ignore. The response from her clients and online community has so far been overwhelming. Speaking of brave clients, imagine further me pitching the idea of rigging The Crucible and Boots chemist with hidden cameras for a Christmas ad campaign. This unlikely offering seemed not

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CONTENT AND PR SPECIALIST CK GOLDIING

to frighten Sheffield Gift Card, either. You have to love that. The three words that best describe my business are… Brave, impactful, talented. Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because… The resource structure is vast, and the business community warm. Additionally, with powerhouse neighbours like Manchester and Leeds, the growth potential is undisputed. Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a business because… People’s willingness to share connections and initiate business introductions is second-to-none. Within hours of being invited to feature in unLTD, I received two hearty business introductions, both out of the blue. The first from Rob Taylor of 0114 Marketing, putting me forward to speak

PHOTO: PAUL DRABBLE

at the South Yorkshire Expo., and the second from Sheffield Chamber’s Dan Laver, who introduced me to someone who is keen to elevate the profile of their business. What more need I say? The best advice I ever got was… “It’s not about you, though, is it? – my big brother rocks. The worst advice I ever got was… It wasn’t the worst, but definitely wasn’t the best. I attended a public speaking workshop out of pure curiosity. Thanks to my TV and radio background, I’ve always felt incredibly comfortable speaking in front of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people, but I was fascinated to see how these workshops help people who aren’t. I was invited to deliver a one-minute speech without the organiser’s coaching, then another one-minute speech after their coaching. Everyone

in the room then voted on which of my speeches they preferred. Unanimously, my first presentation was everyone’s favourite. Ouch. The organisations that have supported me and my business include… Dan Laver at Sheffield Chamber for supporting my recent PR and Media masterclass. Thanks to Dan, it was delivered at a wonderful venue, Virgin Money, Fargate. Also, Sheffieldbased business coach Jon Covey is a source of endless brilliance, motivation and mindset genius. The main challenges facing my industry/sector are… Lack of imagination. In 5 years’ time I expect my business to… Have elevated the profile of at least 61 more brands and entrepreneurs. Why 61? Lets just say it’s my lucky number.

SHEFFIELD CITY REGION

THE BIGGER E R U T C I P “We’re growing jobs in the region. We’ve got some very committed public leadership. “We’ve got an excellent Sheffield City Region team. “We’re got a dynamic Mayor. “And in comparison with other places, we’ve got one of the best performing LEPs in the country.” That’s quite the comprehensive list of strengths and the positives I receive when I ask James Muir about his first impressions of the Sheffield City Region in the run-up to his first 100 days in the role of LEP board Chair. “There are still things we need to fix, but there’s some real momentum in the region.” The appointment of the former Head of Group National Sales at Volkswagen, and Astrea Academy Trust Chair of Trustees, was welcomed in January by SCR Mayor Dan Jarvis who described him as an “outstanding candidate for the job”, adding: “With James’s business expertise, passion for our region and his dedication to social mobility, I’m confident he will provide strong leadership to the LEP, be the voice of our businesses and represent

the Sheffield City Region on a Northern, national and international level.” It’s certainly been a strong start, with that passion and dedication reflected in his plan from the get-go. “I’ve decided to develop a plan where it’s not just the five or six days I’m engaged for a month, I’m putting in a lot more time than that. “I’ve spent time learning how things operate, what works, what doesn’t, information gathering – it’s all part of building a picture up.” And building that picture has involved a very busy schedule. “That requires a lot of contact with the Sheffield City Region Executive Team,” says James. “The rest of my time is reaching out with the SCR Mayor and the LEP stakeholders throughout the region. “Then there’s meeting public sector leaders and CEOs, private sector board members of the LEP, and different representative bodies such as Chambers of Commerce and the Cutlers Company. “Then there’s the CBI, Sheffield City Partnership which is chaired by Lord Blunkett, and I am meeting as

James Muir became LEP board Chair in January. unLTD’s Jill Theobald found out about his first 100 days in the role...

many local MPs as possible, as well as a number of other forums out there. “I have begun meeting people like Prof Keith Ridgway founder and Executive Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and others involved in SCR Global Innovation Corridor innovation corridor but by end of May/June I hope I will have engaged with, either formally or informally, all of the different stakeholders. “All of these elements are going to feed into the bigger picture. “People are very keen to understand what the LEP can do, what role it can perform, it may not particularly clear to everybody what the LEP can do and how it works with the Mayor to give him the best commercial input and advice to improve the economy. “The remit of the Mayor is much wider so the LEP is the ‘business arm’, the private sector voice. “I want to be out there locally and want to be able to get to everybody. My engagement is far from complete but it’s a matter of time. I’m making contact with lots of businesses who want to meet me as soon

as possible, ranging from smaller firms to the high-profile larger ones, and understanding their challenges.” One of those challenges is clear: “There’s a need for more engagement from the private sector – that’s the point I’ve been given from businesses, and that’s what I’m aiming to address, although the other stakeholders are, of course, critical. “Working with ALL of the LEP stakeholders is crucial – it’s important that we are communicative and collaborative.” And James is also keen to ensure he engages with all the Sheffield City Region’s sectors, both emerging and wellestablished. “Our obvious strengths are engineering, manufacturing, and new technologies, but that’s by no means an exclusive focus. “I am looking at growth sectors for the future, but a lot of those more traditional sectors are a part of that. It’s all about identifying what sorts of products, what sorts of goods, what sorts of skills are going to be needed.

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SHEFFIELD CITY REGION

Our obvious strengths are engineering, manufacturing, and new technologies, but that’s by no means an exclusive focus

“The growth sectors that offer the region potential are sectors that require a higher skill set to tackle things like poor productivity, not that we need to import these skills. It’s learning how we deliver the best jobs for our existing workforce – better paid, higher quality, better skilled jobs to meet that challenge. “We all recognise that we as a region don’t always punch according to our weight and need to have much more of an impact, that’s pretty well known. “The value that’s being generated is not in line with the potential. There’s bags more room to grow. “Productivity is below the national average, but that’s not because of negligence and we need to turn that around and fix that. “That means me working with the SCR Mayor on the Strategic Economic Plan, and on Government funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund so we secure the best resources to move the region forward. “That’s what an ambitious transformational industrial strategy needs to deliver on.”

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Start your business journey with us Free space & support for tech-based pre-starts & start-ups

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ADVERTORIAL

SUPPORTING SHEFFIELD’S THRIVING MEETUP SCENE Taking a look at the support Sheffield Technology Park offers beyond office space and business advice Something we’re most proud of is helping 18 tech-based ‘meetup’ groups over the last year, in collaboration with Sheffield Digital, the digital sector employer association. Over to Chris Dymond, co-founder of Sheffield Digital, to tell us why meetups matter.

CHRIS DYMOND, CO-FOUNDER OF SHEFFIELD DIGITAL

SHEFFIELD TECHNOLOGY PARKS MANAGER TOM WOLFENDEN

Meetups are the lifeblood of every digital tech ecosystem – the crucial fora in which technical knowledge is exchanged between professionals, students, novices and people from outside the city. They are also communities of practice that are able to collaborate and create together, bringing additional value to the local economy and the city in general. Sheffield has had a thriving meetup scene for a long time, and supporting and developing it has been a cornerstone of Sheffield Digital’s strategy since it was formed in 2015. Meetups

Join one of the meetups… • Agile meetup • A.I meetup • Code Up • Front End Sheffield • GoSheffield • Immerse Sheffield • PHP meetup • Sheffield Digital Leaders • Sheffield Women in Tech (ShfWIT) For dates, please see: www.sheffield.digital/events

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can never be taken for granted – they rely on the hard and determined work of volunteer organisers and the commitment of sponsors. We are able to do several things to support these organisers: we collect events into a central calendar, promote them on social media, provide online channels to organise and engage, and bring organisers together in person via our Meta-meetup series – meetups specially for meetup organisers. What we can’t do, though, is provide organisers with the venue to really get their meetup off the ground – to

bridge the gap between a few people getting together in a pub, and a flagship event series that attracts big audiences and commands significant sponsorship revenue to cover the costs. This is the gap that Sheffield Technology Parks has begun to fill this past year, and the impact has been profound with several existing meetups now on a better footing, and many new event series springing up. It’s a perfect complement to the work that we do and is adding greatly to Sheffield’s burgeoning reputation as a thriving, vibrant place to work in technology.

Front End Sheffield, Laura Kishimoto We meetup on the last Thursday of every month at Sheffield Technology Parks to discuss and learn about web development, usability, design, and related topics.

Sheffield Women in Tech (ShfWIT), Katie Attwood We aim to support and raise the profile of all women working or wanting to work in technology or digital roles in Sheffield and the surrounding area.

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COMPANY CULTURE

CHARITY BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT…

Sheffield City Trust (SIV), Showroom Cinema and Museums Sheffield are some of the city’s high profile organisations – and they’re also charities. Who knew? We did! Jill Theobald chatted to them to find out more about fundraising, finance and future growth Sheffield City Trust (SIV) Andrew Snelling, chief executive Sheffield City Trust was the first leisure trust formed in the UK. Since 1987 we've led the way with an unrivalled mix of sport, leisure and entertainment venues to become The Health and Wellbeing Charity. Everything we do is focused on delivering our main objective – improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Sheffield. Our not-for-profit status means all our surplus is reinvested in

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improving our activities and venues to ensure we are here for the communities we serve. All organisations (for-profits and not-for-profits) have to be sustainable, so the objectives for all organisations is to make surpluses (or profits). The main difference is what’s is done with these profits. At a not-for-profit, all surpluses are reinvested back into the organisation – either through improvements to existing services or doing additional activities. At Sheffield City Trust, we allocate monies to fund specific projects that may require

funding, but that meet our overall organisation mission and values. Some examples of this would be working in the community rather than in our own venues, such as the project with Sheffcare Care Homes, or community initiatives, such as the Toothbrushing Club we supported in Firth Park. Charities or not-for-profit have a range of funding options. The most commonly thought of is donations – however, most charities ensure they have an income stream, for example shops selling donations to the general public.

Sheffield City Trust runs a range of income generating activities from teaching children to swim, to fitness and golf memberships as well as hosting gigs and shows at the FlyDSA Arena and Sheffield City Hall. While we are an independent charitable organisation, the majority of the venues we operate are owned by Sheffield City Council – we also receive funding from the council – so we therefore naturally work closely with them to ensure the continued provision of these services for the people of Sheffield.

COMPANY CULTURE Showroom Cinema Meabh O’Donovan, development manager We receive some grant funding from BFI but we’re not Arts Council funded, and we don’t receive much funding from elsewhere. Ours is an interesting business model with a commercial arm that supports the aims of the charity, but we also need to fundraise. Our building – which we took on 25 years ago – is not listed but it is quite an iconic 1930s building which we refurbished so there was fundraising around that and today for the maintenance. We’ve refurbished screens one and two and want to do three and while we have used grant funding for the new terrace being outside, maintaining our cinemas relies on fundraising. Sheffield punches above its weight when it comes to film and our fundraising dinner in April (read more details on our calendar pages) is a celebration of Sheffield film, and acts as a launchpad event

for that year’s fundraising. Our cinema programme allows us to screen culturally diverse films from all over the world that no one else in Sheffield screens. As an independent, fourscreen cinema, we are the only one in Sheffield to have an in-house programming team and there are only a handful of similar venues around the country. Not being centrally programmed means we can respond to what people want to watch – for example, the Everyone’s Talking About Jamie theatre production was screened a long time after others had stopped because people still wanted to see it! Other cinemas can’t do that. We’re an educational charity – that’s the crux of it. We run quite a robust education programme and can deliver school cinema sessions as a ‘treat’ or they can be linked to the curriculum. Schools can put on their own films using our facilities and we run residential programmes for some age groups.

For us as a charity, it’s not just about promoting the arts but promoting the arts through the community and one of our key aims is helping people develop a lifelong love of cinema

Our Student Study Days are a new partnership with the BFI that uses film to support learning for 16-19-year olds. The BFI run regular events across all key stages in London, but this is the first time they’ve rolled them out across the country to provide greater access to schools and colleges in the regions. It’s an exciting opportunity for us to expand on the work we do with schools, and show just how beneficial film is across the curriculum and how it can be used to motivate students to engage with their studies in new ways. For us as a charity, it’s not just about promoting the arts but promoting the arts through the community and one of our key aims is helping people develop a lifelong love of cinema. This means Kino Bambino (when children aged under one come into the cinema with parents), Cine 26 (which is free and allows everyone aged 26 or under to see any film from the regular programme, any day at any time for £4.50), and our dementia friendly café and film screenings.

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COMPANY CULTURE Museums Sheffield Partnership development officer Grace Brierley We’ve been a charity since 2008 and it costs more than £3m to run Millennium Galleries, Weston Park and Graves Gallery every year. Our external funders are Sheffield City Council and Arts Council, but we still have to find £1m ourselves. We welcome more than 1 million visitors a year across all three sites and showcase international and national arts exhibitions, but all our exhibitions are free. Graves started the collection saying there needed to be a library and a gallery within the city centre, he created that and gave a lot to the collection, but it was based on business people supporting and continuing that – Museums Sheffield wouldn’t exist without those early businesses – meanwhile Ruskin wanted to give to the people of the city somewhere to go to enjoy outside of their working life. Graves and Millennium Galleries are in the city centre close to Sheffield Hallam University and lots of businesses, and Weston Park is close to University of Sheffield and the hospitals so is often used for respite or the first place people visit out of hospital. We support communities by offering safe spaces for everyone to come and use. More than 15,000 school children have used our workshops, we host Conversation Clubs – come along and learn and talk about art, do something different on your lunch break – and we started our Dementia Cafes last Spring with the help of Counter Context. People need to feel our collection is their collection, have that sense of ownership – that it’s a people’s gallery and a destination for Sheffield. We bring people to Sheffield who want to live here, work here, spend a weekend here and contribute to the city’s visitor economy. People must feel the

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KIM STREETS, CEO AT MUSEUMS SHEFFIELD, AND REBECCA MORRIS, OPERATIONS MANAGER AT BENCHMARK

museums are there for them – I went as a child while I was a patient at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, my parents and grandparents took me, and I want to take my children. In order to do all of this we need people’s support to continue our work and it’s challenging as an arts organisation as it’s not necessarily what people tend to think of as a ‘quintessential charity’. We’ve built a relationship with Sheffield Property Association to communicate the message that its not just the beautiful architecture of the buildings, but what’s inside them and are also working with an eclectic mix

People need to feel our collection is their collection, have that sense of ownership – that it’s a people’s gallery and a destination for Sheffield

of businesses including Vine Hotels and Together Money. Businesses can support us by choosing us as Charity of the Year – like our friends at Benchmark have just done! – or by becoming a corporate sponsor, giving gift-in-kind donations or sponsoring an exhibition like Arup and CMS did most recently with Leonardo Da Vinci: A Life in Drawing. Our corporate partners can use our ever-changing exhibitions to entertain clients or have special event views or tours for staff – it’s helping grow employees’ skills and knowledge of so it’s as much a partnership as it is sponsorship.

AFTER HOURS

SUNDAY LUNCHES

You’ve worked hard all week, had a chilled out Saturday and now it’s nearly time to head back to the office. But not before you make the most of the last day of the weekend with a leisurely Sunday lunch…

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AFTER HOURS

SUNDAY ROASTS WITH A TWIST AT THE RUTLAND ARMS

LOCALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS SERVED UP AT THE MILESTONE

The Rutland Arms Address: 86 Brown Street, Sheffield S1 2BS Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 12pm-11pm Sun: 12pm-6pm Social Media: Twitter: @RutlandArms Facebook: @rutland.arms Instagram: @rutlandarms About: A traditional pub is exactly what the Rutland Arms is NOT. Originality is its strong point and the chef is always looking to try out new meat dishes to avoid serving up too much of what he terms ‘brown’. Keep an eye out for Sunday Roasts with a twist like pigs in blankets and Paneer stuffed lamb shoulder. Plus there’s the bonus of a Spice Girls-themed heat scale – from Baby right up to Scary!

Social Media: Twitter: @TheMilestone Facebook: @TheMilestoneSheffield Instagram: @themilestonesheffield About: Sheffield’s Premier Gastro pub is an ideal place to grab your Sunday Lunch, especially after its inclusion in the Michelin Guide 2018. Every dish is sourced locally whenever possible and the chef’s love for food really shines through. Not only that the chefs have nothing to hide – if you walk upstairs to use the loo you’ll wander straight past their open kitchen where you can see your delicious food being prepped to perfection.

The Roebuck Address: 72 Charles Street, Sheffield S1 2NB Opening Times: Sun-Thurs: 11am-11:30pm Fri-Sat: 11am-12:30pm Social Media: Facebook: @pubsinsheffield About: Probably one of the most ‘Sheffield pubs’ in Sheffield, it prides itself on serving breadcakes (NOT bread rolls, baps, teacakes…) and Hendo’s is a must,

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especially on your Yorkshire puds. If a friendly, warm atmosphere is where you like to spend your Sundays while also enjoying some nononsense grub, the Roebuck is the pub for you. The Doctors Orders Address: 412 Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JD Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 12pm-11pm Sun: 12pm-7pm Social Media: Twitter: @DocsOrdersSheff Facebook: @thedocsorders About: Roast pork? Roast beef? Roast turkey crown? Or even a homemade nutloaf? You guessed it, it’s just what the doctor ordered. If you fancy something a little bit different on a Sunday, try their slow cooked beef brisket wrap, succulent beef, drenched in gravy all within a Yorkshire pudding wrap – you can even add a splash of Hendo’s if you’re feeling fancy. With plenty of sweet treatments for after you’ll have never felt healthier … well, fuller! The Milestone Address: 84 Green Lane, Sheffield S3 8SE Opening Times: Mon-Sun: 11am-11:30pm

The Summer House Address: 289a Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S17 3LB Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 8:30am-11pm Sun: 9am-9pm Social Media: Twitter: @sheffield_the Facebook: @thesummerhousesheffield Instagram: @summerhousesheffield About: Seeing as a Sunday Lunch only comes around once a week, why not treat yourself and head over to Summer House on Abbeydale Road, it’s

certainly worth the journey. The meats on offer are pork, turkey and sirloin but if you can’t make your mind up why not have a selection of all three. You can even go the full works and go starter, main and dessert but be warned there’s loads to choose from so maybe have a glance at the menu before you head on over because it certainly won’t be a wasted visit. Graze Inn Address: 315-319 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield S11 8NX Opening Times: Sun-Thurs: 9am-9:30pm Fri-Sat: 9am-10pm Social Media: Twitter: @GrazeInnSheff Facebook: @grazeinnofficial Instagram: @cowshed_graze_inn About: Although Graze is all about the chicken (rotisserie chicken!) they also offer not only a gluten free menu but a vegan menu as well. Speaking of offers, there’s a late-night bar offering – not just one happy hour but three. On a Friday its from 5 o’clock onwards meaning happy hour turns into every hour. But if you fancy a lazy Sunday or a place to “graze” the Graze Inn is the place for you.

AFTER HOURS

EAT . DRINK . DANCE CUBANATAPASBAR.CO.UK Call 01142 760475 76 Cubana_Logo_Advert_Exposed_ARTWORK.indd 1

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AFTER HOURS

GRAZE INN ON ECCLESALL ROAD

The Florentine Address: Tapton Park Road, Sheffield S10 3FG Opening Times: Mon-Thurs: 7am-11pm Fri-Sat: 8am-1am Sun: 8am-10:30pm Social Media: Twitter: @florentinepub Facebook: @TheFlorentineSheffield Instagram: @the_florentine_sheffield About: Excellence is key for the Florentine, be it in the food, drinks or hospitality. Although they have their usual Sunday roasts on offer, they also have an entire menu dedicated to Sundays with burgers, pizzas and steaks galore. Its fancy furnishings match the fancy food so it’s an all-round fantastic place to grab your Sunday lunch. Silversmiths Address: 111 Arundel Street, Sheffield S1 2NT Opening Times: Mon-Thurs: 12pm-9:30pm Fri-Sat: 12pm-10pm Sun: 12pm-4pm Social Media: Twitter: @Silversmiths Facebook: @silversmithsrestaurant Instagram: @Silversmiths_Restaurant About: Silversmiths restaurant offers some smashing prices for Sunday lunches with two courses for £20 or three for £25. Their Yorkshire cuisine is locally sourced, and you can enjoy it in their beautifully

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designed wood-panelled, former cutlery works room. The multi award-winning independently owned restaurant aims to provide their customers with a true ‘field to plate’ experience from supporting regional farms where they have the best Yorkshire produce so they can call themselves ‘The Yorkshire Restaurant’. The Broadfield Ale House Address: 452 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 1FR Opening Times: Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-12am Fri-Sat: 11:30am-1am Sun: 11:30am-11pm Social Media: Twitter: @TheBroadfield Facebook: @thebroadfield About: This traditional pub dates all the way back to the 1890s. Although it had a refurbishment in 2002, the aim was to restore the pub to its former glory. It now has award-winning dishes and you’ll be sure to find something which tickles your fancy with the beer and the food. There’s a Sunday menu and a Sunday Roasts menu featuring a choice of meats and if you’re really peckish, go for a double portion for an extra two quid. The Red Deer Address: 18 Pitt Street, Sheffield S1 4DD Opening Times: Sun: 12pm-11pm Mon-Thu: 12pm-12am Fri-Sat: 12pm-1am

Social Media: Twitter: @reddeershef Facebook: @reddeershef About: A cosy traditional pub in Sheffield City Centre, the Red Deer has an impressive range of drinks from eight real ales plus a fine range of craft beers, lagers and cider. The Special Sunday Menu includes traditional and vegetarian roasts, with all meats supplied by John Crawshaw Butchers and locally sourced and fully traceable. Plus the fish is from William Howe and Son local fish merchant. Miller and Carter Address: 345 Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PW Opening Times: Mon-Sun: 11:30am-11pm Social Media: Twitter: @MillerandCarter Facebook: @millerandcarter Instagram: @millerandcarter About: There’s nothing better than getting the family together for a meal on Sunday, and Miller and Carter Steakhouse is the perfect place. It’s not just steak on offer on the ‘indulgent Sunday menu’ either, which the restaurant bills as ‘a luxurious different change to the traditional norm’. Enjoy three courses from £24.95 and discover your new favourite dish from 30 day, aged premium steaks, or explore other delights such as the Pesto Crusted Sea Bass or the Buttermilk Chicken Experience.

The Prince of Wales Address: 95 Ecclesall Road South, Sheffield S11 9PH Opening Times: Mon-Thurs: 11am-11pm Fri-Sat: 11am-12am Sun: 12pm-10:30pm Social Media: Facebook: @princeofwalessheffield About: If you’re stuck for where to go one Sunday, give the Prince of Wales a go. Even if it’s a hangover cure you’re after, the Prince can provide. They know not every Sunday has to be filled with their plump and fluffy yorkies, so they have a wide range of other dishes available for your choosing. Step inside for roaring log fires, a unique dining space, and modern interiors. There’s even a lovely garden patio to dine and relax on a sunny Sunday. Red Lion Address: 109 Charles Street, Sheffield S1 2ND Opening Times: Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-11:30pm Fri-Sat: 11:30am-12am Sun: 12pm-11:30pm Social Media: Twitter: @TheRedLion_SHF Facebook: @TheRedLion.SHF About: A proper traditional old boozer, it’s not just the real hand-pulled ales that draw in the punters. It’s a great pub for a roast with its home-cooked food. There’s a choice of beef, pork or chicken, fresh veg, massive portions and fantastic value for money.

AFTER HOURS

WEEKEND ESCAPES

Geneva â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it may not be the first holiday suggestion that springs to mind, but where else can you explore the skies, secret passageways and time itself, asks Sarah-Louise Kelsey

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AFTER HOURS

GENEVA Geneva will light up your life for the duration of your stay and you’ll never go hungry as its home to the greatest Swiss chocolate makers in the business. There’s not 101 things to do but actually a list of 1001 so whether it’s hiking, skiing, watchmaking or eating (chocolate) Geneva is generous in its activities – you’ll be spoilt for choice and asking for more time (from the watchmakers) to explore.

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Sadly, we don’t have time (or room) to do a top 1000 list so here’s our top five instead!

Somewhere which has influenced everyone’s lives and the reason why you can go and fill your Instagram feed with stunning photos of Geneva. Guessed what it is yet? It’s The Globe. Geneva is home to the European Nuclear Research Organisation where in 1989, Tim Berners-Lee made a proposal to his boss – a way to

link and share information via the internet – in simpler terms, The World Wide Web. The Globe represents the Earth and is an unprecedented landmark in Geneva from sunrise until sunset. Inside you can be immersed in the ‘Universe of Particles’ exhibition and you can even be soared straight up to the Big Bang.

Speaking of soaring, the next on the list – jump on board and soar into the sky…

in your very own hot air balloon! An unforgettable experience as you take off for more than hour of flight and see the famous Alps, Lake Geneva and, if you’re lucky enough, maybe even Jura. But it doesn’t end there, why not treat yourself while you’re up there to a gourmet flight and enjoy a meal freshly prepared by a renowned chef. Eating and flying not your thing? No worries at all, try the adventure flight instead and see the magic of Geneva in the night sky.

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AFTER HOURS

TAKE IN PANORAMIC VIEWS OF GENEVA FROM ST PETER’S CATHEDRAL

Let’s put our feet back firmly on the ground now for number three and explore the most historical part of the city – the Old Town full of little secrets and home to medieval charm. It’s one the history buffs will not want to miss. The Old Town is encapsulated by St Peter’s Cathedral, the centre of the Reformation. The cathedral offers a way of seeing the city from above by staying put on the ground, the only issue is you have to climb 157 steps to see it, but at least that can be your exercise done for the day. On departure from the cathedral you can then surround yourself with history by wandering through the narrow medieval streets. Not to ruin the surprise, but there’s also secret passageways which link up the streets of the surrounding cities so follow them and find yourselves on a little adventure through history.

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The Geneva Old Town is full of little secrets and home to medieval charm

After exploring history and the passage of time, why not explore time itself and create your very own Swiss Watch. Although they can’t offer time travel, they can encapsulate you in the weird and wonderful world of the ancestral skill which immersed not just a region, but an entire country. You’ll have the opportunity to put theory into practise and, with some simple tools and the help of a masterwatchmaker, you’ll be able to see the watch you assembled tick to life. The experience is one you won’t forget – and it’s a great way to ‘pass the time’!

What better way to end the day than delicious Swiss chocolate? Favarger is the only chocolate manufacturer in Geneva that masters every stage of the chocolate making process – and for this factory it all began with a romantic love story.

There once was a watchmaker who fell in love with the daughter of a chocolate maker from Geneva. They got married and he embraced the chocolate making profession. Seven generations later, the Favarger family continues to lovingly create chocolate which draws upon its past to influence its future. Staying in the 21st century, you can visit the factory and discover the magic through guided tours and workshops with a chef chocolatier. So, there we have it – a top 5 things to do during your visit to the postcard perfect Geneva. But remember it doesn’t stop there – from art exhibitions and flea markets to riding the waves of Lake Geneva, the city appeals to everyone. We’d definitely recommend adding to our Top 5 and make it a Top 10 or even 100 – if you have the time!

NUMBER CRUNCH

BARNSLEY When did you last explore all Barnsley has to offer?

This semi-rural town in the heart of Yorkshire might be small on size, but it is big on character. Barnsley not only has a rich history with old villages and historic parkland, but also has loads of exciting stuff to check out – including great shopping spots, leisure venues and a revitalised town centre. In fact, we’ve put together some of the best of Barnsley in facts and stats below in this month’s Number Crunch:

27TH £120M

Cooper Gallery is showing the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, – the first time the images have been seen outside Greenwich – until

APRIL

How much Barnsley Council has invested in the town centre to revitalise the area

Around

227K

Approximately

116,000

people live in the semi-rural town

people visit the Alhambra Shopping Centre every week

Barnsley market is more than

Barnsley has more than

700

900

Barnsley College has more than

Barnsley is a close neighbour to some of Yorkshire’s biggest cities

years old

300 different courses to choose from

voluntary and community groups

Leeds 25 miles to the North

Sheffield 17 miles to the South

Barnsley is home to the awardwinning Metrodome Leisure Complex, which can house up to

1,800 people in the arena

4,000 More than

people turn out every year to LIVE in Barnsley, the town’s premier music event celebrating local talent

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