unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #38 by unLTD magazine

MAY 2021 | ISSUE 38 | FREE | UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

RETAIL

RE-TOLD Frenchgate Shopping Centre general manager Karen Staniforth on re-defining retail –and why the ‘determination’of Doncastrians is a ‘triumph’ for South Yorkshire

ROCK THE B(R)AND THE LUXURY MERCHANDISE LABEL COLLABORATING WITH SHEFFIELD HEAVY METAL ROYALTY

FOCUS ON: BS

O J G N I V O M NG THE DURI EMIC PAND

unLTD PODCAST ● IF YOU ASK ME: PROPERTY ● SUCCESS STORY: LENSGO ● NEWS & APPOINTMENTS

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CONTENTS

YOU ASK ME: 38 IFPROPERTY

STORY: KAREN STANIFORTH, FRENCHGATE SHOPPING CENTRE DONCASTER 30 COVER

ON: MOVING JOBS IN A PANDEMIC 68 FOCUS

LYRICS 54 LEPPARD

MINUTES WITH: BLEND KITCHEN 79 FIVE

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CONTENTS

INSIDE... 6-9: News A round-up of news in the region, including award wins, events listings and property news from Austin Fletcher, Celebrate Chesterfield, and Banner Jones. 10, 11 & 13: Appointments All the latest appointments from around South Yorkshire, including news from Glu Recruit.

@UNLTDBUSINESS

29: Data Security Chris Barr, CT’s technical director, with a handy guide to data security. 37: Property Column Auction House UK on the ‘booming’ investment opportunities in the region.

48-51: Success Story LensGo on three years of working with big brands, sports clubs, and rock stars. 80: Sheffield Chamber How the right people and vision is putting the city on the right track.

EVERYTHING ELSE: 15: The Diary 17: Financial Health 19: Entrepreneur Support 21: Legal Matters 23: Evolving Technology 25: Skills Focus 27: Securing Your Assets 43: Launchpad 61: Podcast Spotlight 81: Your Pitch 82: Charity

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UNLTD BUSINESS

AT THE HEART OF THINGS “Doncaster people have got real determination and grit. It’s a really accepting town and a true northern community that can face and tackle most things. We’re at the heart of things and it is important we never forget that.” So says our May cover star Karen Staniforth, general manager at Frenchgate Shopping Centre Doncaster. Karen tells features writer Jill Theobald how the retail industry, and the Centre itself, were redefining themselves long before COVID-19 – and why the ‘determination’ of Doncastrians is a ‘triumph’ for South Yorkshire. Read the full feature from page 30. And talking of redefining – in this month’s property-themed If You Ask Me, we turn the spotlight on change of use in the sector. With this being a key theme during and post-COVID, unLTD chats to a host of industry experts about the evolution of our high streets and workspaces. Turn to page 38 to read the article. And the pandemic has meant a lot of employees have redefined their career and work expectations, too. The impact of COVID-19 meant unexpected redundancy for both Tracey Banks and Chris Dye, but it also offered the pair the ‘opportunity to reevaluate our aspirations for the future’. Check out page 43 to find out how Launchpad support turned their love of dogs into a start-up success. Others have chosen to move jobs during the pandemic – and it hasn’t stopped other companies like Evoluted from growing and continuing their team development and interaction, either. Our Focus On feature from page 68 is all about moving jobs over the last year, after Tomasin Reilly decided to do just that, despite initial misgivings. We also hear from Andy File Associates who review the impact of COVID-19 over the last year on the recruitment industry – and shares his firm’s predictions for the future, too. And there are jobs and promotions aplenty over on our appointments pages, thanks to new sponsors Glu Recruit who also reveal some survey results and predictions of their own, too, from page 10.

UNLTDBUSINESS EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General hello@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7781 ADVERTISING Dan Laver dan@unltdbusiness.com 07867 313995 Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Michael Johnson accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Waller and Simon Garlick CONTRIBUTORS Marc Barker Chris Barr Chris Coates Jo Davison Dax Keeling Mike Durham

Matt Holmes Sam Leeder James Marriott Raj & Fiona Shah Helen Williams Ash Young

unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1B Rialto, 2 Kelham Island Sq., Kelham Riverside, Sheffield S3 8SD and HRM PR | Creative Unit 1A Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and HRM 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 HRM cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

AGENDA NEWS

EVENTS

Date: 11th June Event: St Luke’s Hospice 2021 Golf Day – sponsored by Bruce and Butler. Venue: Abbeydale Golf Club, Twentywell Lane, Beauchief, Sheffield S17 4QA Cost: £275 – includes dinner and prizes for team and individual competitions. Contact: 0114 235 7556 or email: c.collingworth@ hospicesheffield.co.uk

Date: 17th October Event: Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k. Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K – aged 15 and over. Fun Run – 1km route for everybody. Venue: Queens Park, Chesterfield, S40 2ND. Time: 10am. Cost: £22.50. Contact: bit.ly/3x8I8rl Email: info@ chesterfield10k.com. Date: 17th October Event: TEDxDoncaster Venue: CAST Theatre Sir Nigel Gresley Square Waterdale, Doncaster, Doncaster, DN1 3BU Time: 10am – 5pm Contact: marcus.isman @redeverywhere.co.uk Date: 17-21 May Event: Doncaster Chamber virtual careers fair Opportunities Doncaster LIVE event Venue: virtual event Cost: Exhibition stands £99 and will be live between 17-21 May. Contact: bit.ly/2OI8sav

THRICE AS NICE – SUIT WORKS ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD, NEW CHAIR AND NEW SERVICE The Suit Works has announced a new chair, board of trustees, and a boutique service. The Sheffield charity, which helps unemployed people to succeed at interview by building confidence and self-esteem through personal styling, has welcomed new chair JWJ Finance director Sharon Fudge, after Alex Swallow – The Influence Expert and Social Good Sheffield co-founder– stepped down after two years. The free service has also announced a new board of trustees: Ben Wright from Tenet Group; Alexis Foster a researcher at the University of Sheffield; SCCCC fundraiser Ericka Hill, Liam Pearce from the DWP, and retired Lieutenant Colonel Mac McPherson, who will be High Sheriff of South Yorkshire in 2023. Faye Mellors, project lead, said: “Our new board – plus our new volunteers – and their combined backgrounds, skills and experiences mean we are now in a great position to grow and expand on the plans we have been working on for a while.”

FOUNDER VANDA KEWLEY, LEFT WITH PROJECT LEAD, FAYE MELLORS

The Suit Works has launched The Boutique Works – an online retail service which will see quality donations re-worked and sold to raise funds for the core service. Faye added: “We had the retail idea for a while but now is the right time – COVID means fundraising is going

to be more difficult than ever, and financially we need to be more self-sufficient. “We want it to be a sustainable online hub that bridges the gap between charity shop and high-end for people who also want to be environmentally friendly in their purchases of unique, quirky clothing items.”

PARKWOOD SPRINGS CELEBRATES PARTNERSHIP WITH AWARD-WINNING ARTIST JULIA GASH Parkwood Springs has announced its first major collaboration, with the creative giftware brand Julia Gash, to serve as the starting point for future collaborations with a curated portfolio of emerging artists and designers. The ethical Sheffield-based company produces creative giftware merchandise ranges printed with art from artists across the globe and takes pride in manufacturing

merchandise that is justly sourced and environmentally friendly. Partnering with Julia Gash reflects Parkwood Springs intention of ‘working with artists that share the same core values in ethical supply chains and green manufacturing’. Julia said: “I am delighted to be bringing my brand back to Sheffield, where I first set out to draw map-like illustrations in 2012. Almost a decade on, it’s grown into an international

brand, selling across more than 20 countries and it’s great to see that Sheffield will again be at the heart of this commercial success.” MD of Parkwood Springs Daya Ram Singh said “Julia Gash is a pioneer in this industry and is well-known for her unique and iconic products. We are honoured to be producing as well as distributing her distinctive artwork on to ethically sourced products worldwide.”

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AGENDA

ACCOUNTANCY FIRM PARTNERS WITH YORK SCIENCE PARK TO GIVE BOOST TO START-UPS A Sheffield chartered accountancy and business advisory firm has partnered with York Science Park to deliver free advice and guidance to students and start-up businesses that are part of the Park’s innovative Phase One initiative. Hentons is offering students, entrepreneurs, and startups free advice at a series of workshops for Phase One which provides entrepreneurial startup space and a programme of support to students, digital, TIM BAUM-DIXON creative, tech and science innovators, helping them to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. York Science Park is a supportive Olivia Chatten, from York environment for more than Science Park, said: “The first workshop with Hentons, which we also opened up to entrepreneurial students at the businesses from various sectors University, was very popular, with positive feedback from attendees on its relevance our residents a valuable added and clarity. By partnering benefit that will ultimately with such an experienced accountancy firm, we are giving help business growth.”

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DANIEL BUMBY

Simoda deliver rapid NHS COVID vaccine response

Tim Baum-Dixon from Hentons, said: “Our region, and York Science Park in particular, are fantastic places to launch a business from, but to succeed, people need the right guidance. We are proud to play a part in the development of so many pioneering and original ideas and hope to continue supporting them as they come to life and grow.”

KEEBLES LLP WINS CORPORATE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR FOR FOURTH TIME Leading Yorkshire law firm Keebles LLP has been named the Corporate Law Firm of the Year for the fourth year running at the 2020 Sheffield City Region Dealmakers’ Awards, as well as winning two other categories. The Corporate Law Firm of the Year award recognised Keebles’ corporate team for advising on more than 35 deals across the 2019/20 financial year. Keebles completed a hat-trick by also winning the

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MATT AINSWORTH

£10m+ Deal of the Year for advising on the Investment in SCX Special Projects by Elysian Capital, and the Mid-Market

Deal of the Year category for the management buyout of Nationwide Stainless. Partner and head of corporate Matt Ainsworth said: “Achieving all of this is a credit to the whole team. I would like to thank all of them for their hard work in continuing to provide our clients with the very best service. “To have achieved this wide-ranging and consistent recognition against such stiff competition is a fantastic achievement.”

Simoda Digital Transformation Solutions, based in Kelham Island, were called upon to help procure, deliver, install and connect routers to the NHS network for five new vaccine centres which were being set up in Sheffield and Worksop. However, three locations didn’t have a live broadband connection – to solve the issue, Simoda provided 5G backup routers to ensure the sites were 100 per cent operational and able to administer the vaccine to patients on time. MD of Simoda Daniel Bumby said: “I am very proud of the support we provide the Sheffield City Region’s local NHS CCGs and our team are very familiar with the speed of response the NHS require in situations of need where patient care is priority. “This was highlighted in the rapid response needed to ensure our region was ready to deliver the approved COVID-19 vaccine. “We had five days to complete the project which meant, in typical NHS fashion, time scales were very tight – i.e. ‘We need this completing yesterday’! “I’m pleased to say we completed the project on time and within budget, but this project was more than just a job to us and worth much more than the purchase order.”

AGENDA NEWS TJ Hughes pursues digital growth with The SEO Works Sheffield digital agency The SEO Works has been chosen to partner with TJ Hughes on their online organic growth strategy.

Next generation mathematicians crack the code Mathematicians from the University of Sheffield are helping UK school children crack the code using Alan Turing’s theory of biology, to celebrate the new £50 note.

Decorators asked to wield a brush for Wentworth Wentworth Woodhouse hopes to find a big-hearted painter and decorator willing to make a splash at the Rotherham stately home’s two new garden cabins.

Yorkshire Windows plants green campaign Yorkshire Windows is fulfilling its green promise, planting its first 75 trees as part of a new carbon footprint campaign.

Tech firms support hackathon The Curve and The Developer Academy backed an online learning event to help tackle the digital skills shortage.

MINA SCOOPS INNOVATION IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES AWARD Mina has won the award for Innovation in Electric Vehicles for its fleet EV Charging solution at the prestigious 2021 Fleet World Great British Fleet Awards. The solution allows fleets to move at scale to electric vehicles, without having to worry about managing the complexity of EV charging costs. It is the only product in the UK that allows businesses to easily pay for their employees’ EV charging costs on a single invoice, whether they charge at

home or on the road. The 2021 Fleet World Great British Fleet Awards celebrate the best of corporate motoring in the UK and honour excellence in fleet management, and the products and services which support operators running safer, greener, more cost-effective fleets. Mina co-founder and COO Chris Dalrymple said: “We’re incredibly proud to have won this award. From the very early days at Mina, we identified helping fleets

to easily manage their EV charging costs as key to our mission to make EV charging radically simple. To have this vote of confidence from the fleet industry and Fleet World means a lot.” Natalie Middleton, business editor at Fleet World, added: “The path to fleet electrification brings a number of issues for operators to address, not least the challenge of charging. However, an answer lies at hand in Mina’s fleet EV charging solution.”

Sheffield teens inspired by social enterprise helping people living with dementia More than 50 sports students at the UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park benefited from guest lectures delivered by a social enterprise that works to improve the lives of the region’s ageing population. Golf in Society, a Yorkshirebased start-up that introduces people living with dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s, loneliness and depression to the health and wellbeing benefits of golf, has provided virtual workshops and lectures about widening participation in sport, broadening students’ understanding of the key skills

The sessions are facilitated by SHU’s Wellbeing Accelerator, based at the world-leading

£14M

Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre in Darnall

and attributes required to work in the sports industry. UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Year 12 student Elena Whalley said: “I have

found working with Golf in Society really useful as it’s allowed me to see how what we are learning can be directly applied to an increasing participation environment and has provided us with a real-life example of this.” Golf in Society founder Anthony Blackburn said: “The unique way we engage some of the most in-active, disadvantaged and vulnerable people in society with sport, will hopefully inspire the students to consider playing their part in improving the health of future generations.”

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AGENDA PROPERTY NEWS

WORK STARTS TRANSFORMING PROMINENT RETAIL UNIT IN SHEFFIELD CITY CENTRE

Further expansion for X-Cel Superturn with new facility

Yorkshire construction company Harris CM has started work on a £1.5million refurbishment project that will see a well-known building in Sheffield city centre transformed into a new retail environment. The work at 45-47 Fargate, on behalf of Wakefield-based Woodhead Investments and Development Services, includes the installation of a new façade with new cladding and glazing, as well as the creation of a roof terrace, kitchen, seating space, storage areas, WC facilities, platform lift and new stairwell. Once complete, the building, previously occupied by Next, will offer more than 6,800 sq ft of space as well as a 667 sq ft terrace and appeal to a wide range of retail businesses and leisure operators. Harris CM CEO Jason Adlam said: “This development demonstrates continued confidence in Sheffield

A South Yorkshire manufacturing company specialising in producing precision machined components for the renewables, defence and oil and gas industries has acquired the freehold of a second site. The move follows the purchase of assets from Newburgh Precision Engineering Ltd which had operated from a leased 90,000 sq foot facility, Newburgh House, in Rotherham, in January 2019. In January 2021, in a £7.15m deal facilitated by Banner Jones, X-Cel Superturn acquired the freehold of Newburgh House, now known as Vector House, including over an acre of development land.

Once complete, the building, will offer more than

6,800 SQ FT OF SPACE

as a retail centre and leisure destination. It also complements the wider regeneration happening on

Fargate, which is benefiting from a multi-millionpound makeover, following Sheffield’s successful bid to the Government’s High Street Fund.” The scheme’s Yorkshirebased project team also includes professional consultancy firm Austin Fletcher, Pearce Bottomley Architects, Eastwood & Partners Consulting Engineers and M&E specialist, Silcock Leedham.

Chesterfield’s first Property and Construction Group launched A pioneering Chesterfield Property and Construction Group has been launched at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event. The new group, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield, brings together leaders from the area’s property and construction sectors to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability, and skills within Chesterfield. It is chaired by Andy Dabbs, architect and board director at Chesterfield-based Whittam Cox Architects which is behind the town’s £19.9 million Northern Gateway

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Development project. He explained: “Within the new group there’s a diverse range of talent – architects, construction specialists, landowners and developers – a true collective who have joined forces for the good of the town and to benefit everyone living here. “We’re all passionate about Chesterfield and what it has to offer everyone living and working here. It’s full of potential, it’s perfectly located, and offers a plethora of independent shops and hotels and collectively we shall be flying the flag for the town not only locally but regionally

and nationally through our individual networks.” The new Chesterfield Property and Construction Group is one of a number of sector-specific Destination Chesterfield groups, including the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Manufacturing Forum, which share a vision to make the town an attractive place to live, work and invest in. The action-focused Chesterfield Property and Construction Group meets quarterly. The next meeting, which is free to attend, will be held virtually on Wednesday 16 June.

X-Cel Group chairman, Andrew Taylor, said: “We now own two of the best engineering facilities in South Yorkshire and we will continue to invest heavily in new plant, equipment and training. Our company is very committed to the area as it provides an excellent technically skilled and loyal workforce and good transport links.” Stephen Gordon, head of the business legal services team at Banner Jones, added: “This is another exciting development for X-Cel Superturn, which has expanded at pace in recent years to accommodate new work and projects that are further adding to the credibility of the region as a centre of excellence for manufacturing and engineering across Europe.”

AGENDA

APPOINTMENTS

SPONSORED BY

POWERSTAR PREPARES FOR FUTURE GROWTH Sheffield-based energy resilience solution manufacturer Powerstar has bolstered its senior management team with the appointment of new chief commercial officer, Alastair Morris. Alastair brings more than 15 years of commercial and marketing experience from both corporate and SME engineering businesses to the Powerstar board. He was named Business Person of the Year at the Sheffield Business Awards in 2019. Since then, Alastair has also held a nonexecutive director role with the International Trade Forum and South Yorkshire Manufacturing Forum. He said: “The world is rapidly shifting towards

ALASTAIR MORRIS

net zero technologies, and Powerstar is perfectly placed to support that transition. “I am a proud champion of Sheffield manufacturing, and Powerstar are one of the very best examples of that innovation and excellence.”

Powerstar CEO Dr Alex Mardapittas, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Alastair into our management team, and are looking forward to working alongside him at a very exciting time for both Powerstar and green technologies as a whole.”

Glu Recruit helps 53 North grow Dinnington-based asset management company, 53 North have added a new member to their team. Head of asset management services Keith Smith said: “53North are a growing asset care company serving major FMCG (fast-moving consuming goods) businesses. To ensure we remain in a strong and secure position, particularly as the country comes out of COVID-19, we looked at how we could drive the business forward. “With the onset of digitisation and AI-based condition monitoring, we recognised additional analytical resource was needed for our dedicated data analytical centre. “By employing the services of Glu Recruit we reduced

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JAMES PIKETT

time spent on recruitment, concentrating on those candidates who were suitable, allowing us to remain focused on what we were looking for.” New starter James Pikett

said: “53North are a successful and fast-growing company that I’m really excited to become a part of. I’m expecting to learn a lot and hopefully become an integral part of the team.”

‘New energy’ at Professional Energy Purchasing Sheffield-based independent energy consultancy Professional Energy Purchasing (PEP) has expanded its team again to provide new energy management services to businesses. Jason Martin has gained decades of experience in providing energy efficiency solutions for major brands and SMEs across multiple sectors. He was instrumental in the installation of the first battery-powered hotel in the UK for Premier Inn which used off-grid times to generate electricity and save money.

Trio of new appointments at Bhayani Law Leading niche law firm Bhayani Law has boosted its business legal services team. Employment solicitor Lindsey Gaimster – who joined in 2016 – has been promoted to director and head of employment law. Rebecca Stopford is an experienced company commercial solicitor with more than 20 years’ legal expertise, working both in law firms and businesses. James Perry is a specialist commercial litigation solicitor whose main areas of expertise include breach of contract, contentious debt recovery, intellectual property, data protection, and insolvency. MD Jay Bhayani said: “I’m delighted our expansion is moving so quickly. We have recently opened offices in Leeds, Leicester and London and added new staff along the way.”

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AGENDA

THE DIARY BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor on how, post-pandemic, actions will speak louder than words

TALKING THE TALK? NOW WALK THE WALK The one thing we have been able to do a lot of over the past year and a bit is talk. Either locked-down in our homes, walking for miles and miles, or catching up with friends and family over a video call, talking has been our go-to activity of choice. We have been encouraged to talk, to chat, to share, to tell others how we feel and also to listen as others discuss what’s going on with them. It has helped us get through some very dark times and, hopefully, we continue to do it. But we’re now at the point where we’re going to have to back our words up with actions. I’m thinking about all the times we’ve discussed how sad it is that so and so shop

or pub has been forced to close for good because of the pandemic. Now, I’m not saying all store or hospitality closures are a direct result of COVID-19 restrictions – plenty of businesses that require footfall have been clinging on by their finger nails for many years. However, the pandemic has been particularly cruel on businesses who have been barred from opening or operating as usual by government restrictions. Naturally, this has led to an outpouring of sympathy from the general public. We seem to all possess an innate sense of fairness so while the tough times have been shared by everyone, some have

had it tougher than others (usual caveat, from a business perspective). So now we’re in a position where the United Kingdom is opening back up and we’re able to do most things that we could do way back in the mists of time in early March 2020. And how will we react to that? The talk has all been about not being able to wait to get back to the pub, or to visit that cute little independent shop that has been closed all year. No doubt for a few weeks or months people will stay true to their word. Getting a table in a bar or restaurant will be a nightmare and the queues to get into Primark (yes, I know it is not a cute independent) will stretch around the block.

But what happens after that? As I said earlier, running a business that needs people to come through its door has been tricky for some time. We need to decide what we want. If we want places to visit for a drink or to eat then we need to go them regularly. If we want the option of trying before we buy, whether that’s clothes or other goods then we need to make sure we give them our business. The narrative is that people want these things. But, equally, never judge someone on what they say, but what they do. It is good to talk – please don’t stop – but where business is concerned, actions speak louder than words.

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

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AGENDA

FINANCIAL HEALTH BY RAJ AND FIONA SHAH OF BLUE WEALTH CAPITAL

The financial planners ask – in this ‘new normal’, what is true freedom?

PLANNING FOR 'FREEDOM' IN THE NEW NORMAL About this time last year, we wrote an article for unLTD about a different type of clock watching. The inspiration was a post by Tim Urban called ‘The Tail End’ – Tim is co-author of the popular blog ‘Wait But Why’. In the post, the authors had laid out the human lifespan visually. They had managed to fit a 90-year lifespan, in years, on an A4 sheet of paper and this only took up about an eighth of the sheet. When represented in months, 90 years took up just under quarter of the page and when the same lifespan was set out on the page in weeks and then in days, this really blew our minds. Just think, those lucky people who do live to 90 will have no problem fitting every day of their life on one sheet of paper! Less than three weeks after that article was published, the country went into lockdown as the world was impacted by COVID-19. Our lives changed in ways many of us could never have imagined. We

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were forced to stay at home to save lives. Many of us worked at home. WFH or ‘working from home’ became the new normal. Those with children may have taught them from home, a lot of us exercised from home and socialised there too (thank goodness for Zoom and take-outs!). A year on, we are now tentatively easing our way out of lockdown. We are starting to socialise, shop, visit the hairdressers, go to the gym. The guidance on working, however, is ‘you should remain working from home where you can’. Many believe WFH is here to stay with several international companies announcing renewed contracts with WFH becoming the new norm. But will we be WFH – or living from work (LFW)?! “I’ll just see if that email has arrived” – how and when can you actually switch off? “Mummy, please can you read us a story – sure, but let me just check my inbox” – how will this impact your home life?

“Please don’t move my stuff – I’m in the middle of an important project” – is working from the same table you eat at with family a good thing? “I cannot wait to get away” – will you want to escape from ‘the office’ (i.e. home) more? And how will this impact the choices you make about how you spend your money and subsequently plan for when work becomes optional (note: we still don’t use the word ‘retire’)? Morgan Housel, partner at The Collaborative Fund, recently tweeted a quote from Nassim Taleb – essayist, scholar, and former option trader and risk analyst – “My only measure of success is how much time you have to kill”. This got us thinking again – with this new normal, what is true freedom? So many people think retirement is their goal. We prefer to say planning for freedom: • Freedom to go for walks.

• To play with your kids or grandkids. • To put your smartphone away. • To take days off. • To ignore emails. • To cancel meetings. • To say no and embrace JOMO (the joy of missing out!). Working with a high-quality financial planner who understands this could be the key to ensuring your one sheet of paper is filled with the things YOU did on YOUR terms. Raj Shah is founder of Blue Wealth Capital and has been shortlisted for Financial Planner of the Year and Investment Adviser of the Year. Raj can be reached at: raj@bluewealthcapital.com Fiona Shah is operations director at Blue Wealth Capital. Fiona can be reached at: office@bluewealthcapital.com www.bluewealthcapital.com

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ENTREPRENEURSUPPORT BY HELEN WILLIAMS, HELPING ENTREPRENEURS WIN

Our columnist on protecting your goals, your energy – and your wellbeing

WHEN IS TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH? Is it really a thing to take too much on? As a business owner, entrepreneur or, equally, if you are a high-flying, careerled individual, the natural thing to do is to take many opportunities on. And often all at once. We tend to say ‘yes’ to things and figure it out later. And while we are huge fans of this kind of attitude – as it screams ‘can do’ and demonstrates the willingness to learn as you go – it can also add a huge strain to an already bulging plate. This is, therefore, when ‘too much’ becomes apparent and overwhelm becomes a side effect. Too much at once is becoming quite the norm

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and is having diverse effects on people’s progress. We stand firm on the fact that it is completely okay to say ‘no’. The issue here is that saying ‘no’ isn’t a regular occurrence so can often prove to be a challenge in itself. We need to start to establish when it is required for us to push back on things. Doing so will protect yourself, the goals you are working on currently, and also your energy and overall wellbeing. If we keep loading more on, then it is just a matter of time as to when this will implode – especially if things aren’t being managed. Boundaries are crossed and it’s hard to reinstate them if we aren’t clear on what is effective and manageable for

ourselves in the first place. It’s like building a fence round the edge of the field once the sheep have already escaped. What is needed is clearly identified boundaries first and foremost – and then for you to stick to them.

Defining your boundaries 1. Know your tipping point or benchmark. And yes, more often than not this line is often initially crossed which then sets the alarm bells off for it not to be territory that’s entered into again. 2. How much work/ responsibility/flexibility are you prepared for and able to carry out? 3. What structure are you working with?

4. Where and with whom are you willing to spend your time and energy? Are you aware of what you are saying yes to, what you are taking on and allowing into your space? Remember: It is okay to communicate your boundaries. It is okay to say ‘no’. It is okay to say ‘not yet’. And it is okay to deal with what is in front you in order for you to execute effectively, efficiently – and not burning you out and tipping your balance over in the process. Avoid the ‘too much’ trap. It is messy, chaotic and not much fun for anyone – least of all you. helpingentrepreneurswin. com

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LEGAL MATTERS

BY DAX KEELING, BELL & BUXTON INCORPORATING IRONMONGER CURTIS The commercial litigation solicitor on COVID-19’s ‘huge impact’ on residential landlords

Rodgers

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES DURING THE PANDEMIC The Coronavirus Act 2020 has had a huge impact on the ability of residential landlords to recover possession of rented properties. In my experience, the vast majority of possession claims brought by landlords are as a result of the tenant having accrued rent arrears, or because the landlord decides to end the tenancy effectively on a ‘no fault’ basis. In a ‘standard’ rent possession claim pre-March 2020, where the tenant had accrued at least two months’ rent arrears, a landlord would serve notice on the tenant, giving the tenant 14 days before issuing a claim for possession of the property and judgment for the rent arrears. You could expect to get to a possession hearing at Court within about six

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weeks of issuing the claim. Assuming that a possession order was granted, the whole process – from the date of serving the notice to obtaining a possession order – might take two or three months. The situation now is that, unless the tenant owes at least six months’ rent, the initial landlord’s notice must give six months’ notice before legal proceedings are issued. There might now be at least a four month wait between issuing legal proceedings and attending a hearing to obtain the possession order. In ‘no fault’ possession claims, pre-March 2020 the landlord could serve a twomonth notice terminating the tenancy, and then issue a claim for possession at

the County Court. The time period that now has to elapse between service of notice and issuing a claim is six months. Even assuming that the landlord obtains their possession order at Court, currently, unless the tenant owes at least six months’ rent, any possession order cannot be enforced by evicting the tenant. It is still possible for landlords to issue debt claims against tenants for unpaid rent, but how useful that is to a landlord at the current time is open for debate. The current rules regarding timescales when issuing possession proceedings are in place until at least 31 May 2021 and realistically, that date is likely to be extended further.

It may be that we find that there is an unintended ‘knock-on effect’ in the future here. In the past, residential landlords faced with a tenant not paying their rent might have applied for possession on a ‘no fault’ basis, purely in order to regain the property and hope to find a new tenant. Now that the residential landlord has to wait six months before a ‘no fault’ notice expires, they may be more inclined to seek possession of the property as a result of the rent arrears, and also to seek judgment for the arrears debt in addition to the possession order. For further information please contact d.keeling@bellbuxton.co.uk, visit bellbuxton.co.uk or call 0114 2495969.

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EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY BY ASH YOUNG

Our tech expert on getting the right potential customers to your site

5 ESSENTIALS FOR A GREAT LANDING PAGE A landing page should aim to drive more traffic and ultimately increase sales and leads. An effectively optimised landing page will help to attract more organic, relevant traffic – getting the right potential customers to your site will increase conversion rates. A good landing page for search engine optimisation (SEO) focuses on your target keywords, and is clear, with the aim of providing a positive user experience – something Google takes into account when ranking sites organically. Here, I’ve put together my top landing page tips for SEO: Include your most important keyword in the title tag

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A title tag is a HTML element that is displayed on search engine results pages (SERPs) as the clickable headline, taking someone through to a landing page. Your landing page’s title tag should include a short, high-quality keyword – ideally the keyword that is most important for you to rank for. Include internal links The amount of internal links that point to a page signals to Google about the relative importance of this page. Therefore, when you publish your new landing page, link to it from elsewhere on your site. I’d recommend using the linked page’s

primary keyword as the anchor text. These links will also help the algorithm to further understand the content of your page. Ensure the page speed is fast Page speed is an important ranking factor for Google because fast loading times mean a good user experience. You can check page speed here – if the loading time can be improved, Google will generate a list of suggestions on how you can do this.

Make use of H tags The title of your page should be in a H1 tag. Include your primary, most important keyword you’d like to rank for in this.

H2 tags split out your content, helping readers to navigate your page, but they also help Google to understand what the landing page is about. They should be userfocused, but also include your secondary keywords. Always include a call to action Have a think about what action you want the visitor to take. Is it to fill out an enquiry form? Call you? Make a purchase? Include a direct call to action matching this, to help improve conversion rates.

For help with SEO, PPC or any other digital marketing, contact the Evoluted team today.

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SKILLS FOCUS

SPONSORED BY THE SOURCE SKILLS ACADEMY The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff.

OUR DOORS ARE OPEN AND WE’RE READY TO HELP, SAYS THE SOURCE The Source is open and ready to help businesses bounce back and support people the pandemic left jobless. Since 2003 the Skills Academy, a not-for-profit charity, has helped thousands of people into work or to boost careers. It served the community throughout the pandemic, going online to upskill furloughed staff at more than 70 Sheffield City Region (SCR) companies, and reintroducing vital face-to-face training for First Aiders. The Meadowhall Way organisation opened some learning and conference events spaces on April 12 when the government allowed education and training to recommence. A new community learning zone on the ground floor is giving jobless people support

CEO TRICIA SMITH IN THE NEW COMMUNITY LEARNING ZONE

and the Community and Employability team is assisting the young unemployed and others made redundant by the pandemic.

Companies are already booking conference rooms and renting short and long-term office spaces on the premises, a scheme launched last autumn.

Carefully planned on-site safety includes socially distanced layouts and one-way systems, hand-sanitising and COVID-19 lateral testing stations. The academy aims to fully re-open from June 21, in line with government guidelines. Meanwhile it is helping workers gain free skills training and businesses to fill workforce gaps with jobless young people via apprenticeships – which come with up to £4,000 of cash grants – and work placement scheme Kickstart, which provides a £1,500 grant and funds six months of wages. “In this fragile economic climate, we are needed more than ever by businesses and unemployed people alike,” said Tricia Smith, CEO. Go to www.thesourceacademy. co.uk/coronavirus-update

PAIGE TURNED OVER A NEW LEAF WITH A TRAINEESHIP The pandemic has led to more students exiting school without qualifications and many risk long-term unemployment. Traineeships at The Source can turn their lives around. Lasting up to six months, the educational training programme prepares unemployed 16-18-year-olds for work by building confidence, improving their Maths and

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English skills, and giving them a professional attitude to work. Work experience with a local business is vital to the learning process and has led to many trainees gaining apprenticeships or jobs. The academy is appealing to SCR businesses to provide work placements or recruit newly qualified trainees. Paige Jordan, 17, from

Brightside, hated school and left in 2019 with no GCSEs. She gained a qualification at Sheffield College and was resitting Maths and English exams when the pandemic hit. In September 2020 she began a Traineeship, realising it was a chance to start afresh. Paige gained English, Maths and digital qualifications and enjoyed a month with Balfour

Carpets in Sheffield, whose feedback was so positive, The Source itself set on Paige in its Facilities Team. She is also now one of the friendly faces on reception and is set to study a Level 2 Customer Service qualification. Go to community@ thesourceacademy.co.uk for info on a Traineeship course starting in August.

Albion Detection Systems With decades of experience, we have developed a well respected reputation for supplying fire and security systems to a wide and varied client base, including the NHS, Sheffield Hallam University and the DFEE. Your complete security is our priority and we will endeavour to ensure your property, people and assets are meticulously protected at all times by tailoring your security system to meet your exact needs. Whether you have multiple large premises or a single shop, we can install detection systems to cover almost any space to ensure your complete security.

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SECURING YOUR ASSETS BY SAM LEEDER

Sam says deal with your business insurance renewal early to beat potential increases

WHAT DOES A ‘HARD INSURANCE MARKET’ MEAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS? You may not have heard the term ‘Hard Market’ before, but it’s something you may well be hearing over the coming months from your insurance broker. What is it and how could it affect your business? An insurance contract is built on a promise between the customer and the insurer. The customer promises to pay the premium and, in turn, the insurer promises to pay claims within the defined terms of the policy. As a rule, the majority of clients go through a policy year without having to make a claim and, when the insurer has enough clients like this – and can avoid any catastrophic losses – it is able to make a profit. When insurance companies are making a profit, they are an attractive proposition for

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investment and can attract additional capital. This enables the insurers to sell more insurance policies and therefore to grow, generating more profit for their investors. In this scenario, when lots of insurers are looking to grow, they compete for market share which drives down insurance costs for individuals and businesses. The flip side, however, is that when prices fall too low the industry as a whole starts to make losses, paying out more in claims than it is collecting in premiums. At this point, the investors start to reduce their capital invested, meaning that insurers have to reduce the number of policies they write. This lack of insurance capacity then starts to drive premiums up sharply for

all customers and can lead to a shortage in some types of insurance, meaning that businesses can see huge percentage increases or possibly become uninsurable. This is known as a ‘Hard Market’. Typically, what happens in a hard market is premiums increase significantly in a short period of time before the tide turns again and insurers return to profit. Then follows a longer, more sustained period of smaller premium reductions before the cycle starts all over again. This cycle is similar to the ‘boom and bust’ of a recession and the timing of it can be difficult to predict. That said, we are now seeing the signs of premiums for businesses across a variety of sectors starting to harden

and becoming very difficult in certain specialist areas. It is therefore quite likely that most businesses will have seen an increase in their insurance premiums over the last year, which is obviously not ideal on the back of a global pandemic The best way to mitigate against these increases is by dealing with your renewal early to not get caught out unawares. Additionally, it is key to demonstrate why you present a good risk to insurers, through good risk management and mivsitate to get in touch. Sam Leeder ACII Actus Insurance samleeder@ actusinsurance.co.uk 0114 2903624 07718 189476

ADVERTORIAL TECHNOLOGY

DATA SECURITY 101

Data security is at the top of many businesses’ agenda right now due to the increase in home and remote working. Here’s Chris Barr, CT’s technical director, with a handy guide

What is data security? Data security refers to the process of protecting data from being accessed without permission, and from data corruption throughout its lifecycle. A data breach can be a significant issue for most organisations, and for the people involved, if personal data is compromised. Not only are there immediate cost implications, there’s also the potential loss of revenue in the future as customers lose faith in an organisation.

servers connected to the internet and users’ PCs – up to date. The recent flaw identified in Exchange server patched in March 2021 allowed anonymous connections to an Exchange server to download mailboxes and run commands remotely.

Why is data security important? Any information your business stores digitally needs to be properly protected. From financial information to contact details for staff and customers, data usage in the UK is protected by law. As well as this, it can benefit your business in many ways. This includes:

What is data security management? Data security management is the effective oversight and management of a business’s data to ensure it is not accessed or corrupted by unauthorised users. A data security management plan includes planning, implementation of the plan, and verification and updating of the plan’s components.

• Helping to reduce the number of data breaches your business can suffer • Helping to prevent loss of revenue • Helping to protect customers’ privacy • Supports your business’s code of ethics • Gives you a competitive advantage over competitors

What is data security in cloud computing? The convenience of anytime, anywhere data availability makes the cloud a compelling alternative to a traditional data centre. It’s important when considering moving data and systems to cloud platforms that, by making it easier for

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Malware Malicious software can be used to create a backdoor or log user activity – ensure all devices are running an antivirus solution.

CHRIS BARR

staff to log-in from anywhere and any device, the internetfacing ‘surface area’ of an organisation’s infrastructure is significantly increased and it’s then easier for compromised credentials to be exploited to access data. Key causes of data breaches: Weak or stolen credentials Basic controls such as account lockout on multiple failed login attempts and user training on appropriate passwords are recommended. Multi-factor authentication prevented 99.9 per cent of breaches Microsoft saw in 2019.

Application vulnerabilities Keep software – especially

Staff error Increasingly complex security solutions can protect against hackers, who try to deceive users into volunteering passwords or to install software. Running regular training and simulation sessions will keep your staff up to date.

Lost devices Data can end up being stored on portable devices such as laptops and phones. Using an encryption tool gives peace of mind that data is protected if a device is lost or stolen and can’t be accessed without the device password.

Contact CT – call 01246 266130 or visit www.ct.uk

COVER STORY

RETAIL

RE-TOLD From the youngest store manager at Laura Ashley to general manager at Frenchgate Shopping Centre Doncaster, Karen Staniforth tells Jill Theobald how the retail industry and the Centre itself were redefining themselves long before COVID-19 – and why the ‘determination’ of Doncastrians is a ‘triumph’ for South Yorkshire

“Things are happening that are different in Doncaster and that’s what I like – we’re not afraid of trying new things.” Karen Staniforth, who was promoted to general manager at Frenchgate Shopping Centre earlier this year, makes this comment during our Zoom interview about the town she has proudly worked in, on and off, for more than two decades. But she could just as easily be talking about the shopping centre itself and its forwardthinking and proactive approach. Because the team at Frenchgate have always set

out to ensure the customer experience is enhanced and engaging – that the venue is about ‘more than just shopping’. And it’s a concept that ensured Frenchgate was on a firm footing, and a step ahead of its competitors, when it came to re-opening its doors – beyond the essential stores which remained open throughout all three lockdowns – when COVID-19 restrictions eased last month. But let’s start at the beginning for Karen, as she shares her personal and professional story leading up

to how “everything I’ve done in my career has culminated in this role – and I absolutely love it!” “I fully intended on going to art college and becoming an art teacher – that’s my main passion and I still joke: ‘When I grow up, I’m going to become an art teacher!’ I think that was born out of having inspirational art teachers at school. But life got in the way and in the end, I didn’t go to university and was I working in Laura Ashley as a Saturday girl and did really well – they were giving me more and more hours and responsibility.

“I was also studying retail too at the time, but before I knew it, I was full-time and then on a management programme with them. So, at 19 I was the youngest store manager! At Pinstone Street in Sheffield I was assistant manager then I was promoted to store manager in Lincoln. At such a young age, having a staff of 30 who were all a lot older than me was a bit daunting but really good for cutting my teeth in the industry. “I went on to manage Laura Ashley at Meadowhall, which was the region’s flagship store

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COVER STORY

Things are happening that are different in Doncaster and that’s what I like – we’re not afraid of trying new things.

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at the time, and it allowed me to express myself because I really love managing and working with people but also that creative element of interior design, so I went to night school and studied art and design.” That flair for creativity caught the eye of housebuilder Haslam Homes (now Keepmoat) who Karen was looking after the show-homes for on behalf of Laura Ashley and who offered her a job after noting “there was a marked difference with who was doing the interiors in this region”. “So, I left retail at 25 and went into construction and stayed with this for 13 years, eventually becoming the national sales and marketing director,” she says. “Retail gives you a really good grounding in the commercial sector. I had some amazing people around me who were inspirational, and I learned so much. I studied for a post-

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grad Business Management Diploma at Nottingham University and while there I also went to the highly acclaimed Ashridge Business School and developed some really strong skills.” Despite the financial crash in 2008, Karen then took the brave decision to set up her own interior design business – “I opened my shop the day the Lehman Brothers Bank went to the wall. The timing was really, really bad.” Entrepreneur Karen fought on for 18 months in very difficult trading conditions, before closing the shop. After a period of consultancy and freelance work, she started working for Magnan Trust ending up as head officer. She was then headhunted by a very different sector – the music industry with Liz Hobbs Group, including overseeing the marketing for touring bands including British ska legends

We do punch above our weight, but we still want to up the ante as a shopping centre with the experiences we offer.

Madness, before joining Frenchgate in 2015. “It’s all the same thinking and approach, though,” says Karen. “You’re applying the same knowledge to a different product. It almost feels like it was meant to be – I’ve got experience from sales, retail, interior design, construction, leisure and entertainment and all those elements are combined in working for (Frenchgate owners and their management agent) Lambert Smith Hampton and a shopping centre. “It is the bricks and mortar of the building, the sales and commercial liaison, the facilities management and, ultimately, it’s a place of leisure. It’s not just about retail anymore – the climate has changed, and you can’t stand still. We’ve got to keep moving forward to make sure customers have a really engaging experience.

COVER STORY

“I started as marketing manager, was promoted to assistant general manager in 2017 and am now general manager. It’s an interesting and dynamic role and it changes daily. One thing I am really passionate about is the arts – Doncaster has a really lovely emerging scene and there’s loads of talented people in this borough.” Indeed, one of Karen’s first projects was the installation of a public art exhibition in 2016. A year later ‘The Art Space at Frenchgate’ – the thoroughfare connecting the centre to the train station – opened as a cultural hotspot, showcasing selected work by local artists and poets. “We do punch above our weight,” says Karen, “but we still want to up the ante as a shopping centre with the experiences we offer. We’ve got The Arts Space which has won loads of awards and we’re about to launch a new literature exhibition to mark The Booker Prize. I’m trying to deal with the big community issues for people to engage with in a shopping centre – why not? Why not push boundaries and provide those cultural experiences? “We were proud to host ‘The Way We Were’ exhibition last year to commemorate Black History Month in October. The project served as a reminder of what life was like for the Second Generation all those years ago, with a focus on their

experiences and the important contributions they’ve made to Doncaster.” But the retail sector is, of course, changing, too. “We still want to attract the big names,” says Karen, “but it will be interesting to see how people use us in the future, how our leisure offering develops. We’ve got (restaurants) Wowburger and Elephant and Castle, two really high-profile brands that have chosen to invest in Doncaster and launched here at Frenchgate which is massive kudos for us. “Also, Poundland upsized into a larger unit in the centre and one good thing COVID enabled us to do is use the old unit as an artisan emporium. They previously held a regular craft fair, but, with social distancing, we could no longer host them on the Mall. The new unit has helped us think creatively about how we can help start-up and new businesses. “Big businesses are, of course, hugely important and we fight tooth and nail to get – and keep – those names within Doncaster, but it’s also important we’re giving smaller businesses a leg-up.” And as for the future of retail – nationally and at Frenchgate – Karen paints an optimistic outlook. “It’s not all doom and gloom,” she states. “It’s easy to think retail is ruined but it’s not – far from it. We’ve all been forced into shopping

Shopping centres do foster that sense of community – they are a hub for memories.

online, but I’ve personally had enough of it, and I think a lot of the public have, too. “You think ‘actually I want to try this outfit on’ or ‘I want that personal experience’ – we’re social animals at the end of the day and people really need that connection. Shopping online removes a lot of that human element – plus you can’t judge the quality of a product! “It is just not the same as meeting and enjoying a coffee with your best mate and that need is not going to go away. We want to get that element right, so people visit, stay, and enjoy their time here. “We’ve also got to remember we’re responsible for people’s memories. We see lots of children growing up who are adults now that remember meeting at the statue at Frenchgate or at the bottom of the escalators. “Shopping centres do foster that sense of community – they are a hub for memories. I remember with great fondness looking forward to Saturday shopping with my mum and going to British Home Stores for tea and cake afterwards. People want to create new memories because kids still want that connection as much as adults – that family connection. It’s a legacy and part of our social history, as well as the functional and everyday services, that people need.”

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COVER STORY

#DONCASTERISGREAT... OR SO THE HASHTAG GOES! AND KAREN AGREES – HERE SHE SHARES WHY... “Doncaster people have got real determination and grit. It’s a really accepting town and a true northern community that can face and tackle most things. We’re at the heart of things and it ls important we never forget that. “That’s a triumph – it’s something we really should be championing, because it’s unique – that carrying of the banner for Doncaster. The one thing that remains true and never seems to shift is that loyalty. “At Frenchgate, we have got a really strong footfall which has remained constant – except for the dip, of course, due to lockdown – but we have such loyal customers and that hasn’t changed. “Running Frenchgate is like running a mini town in itself. Everything a town has a shopping centre has! Just a different scale. “But mainly it’s that over-riding strong sense of community – doing right by everyone that visits and ensuring our customers are front and centre of everything we do.”

LAST YEAR FRENCHGATE HOSTED 'THE WAY WE WERE' EXHIBITION TO COMMEMORATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH (LEFT) AND THE LAUNCH OF THE FRENCHGATE ART SPACE & POETRY EXHIBITION (RIGHT) PHOTO: DONCOPOLITAN MAGAZINE

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PROPERTY

SCR PROPERTY INVESTMENT GOES ‘BOOM’ You have probably already noticed, but the Sheffield City Region is currently seeing a huge boost in property investment. unLTD’s Matt Holmes caught up with James Holding, regional auction manager of Auction House South Yorkshire, about what we can expect from the future

09:07

“Investors have realised there is strong demand across the Sheffield City Region, and that rental yields for investment properties are regularly in double digits,” says James. “Especially if bought via auction, with open market stock seeing returns in excess of 6-7 per cent.” Developments like Sheffield’s Heart of the City, the Jobs and Business Plan in Barnsley and a £49 million scheme in Doncaster is increasing demand for housing stock in both the homeowner and buy-to-let markets. These developments ensure the linear rise in prices we have seen in the SCR will continue, unlike less-stable peaks and troughs in cities like Manchester and Leeds where returns are generally lower. James explains: “There are a number of local hotspots in the Sheffield City Region that are worth looking at now and in the future.” One is Wombwell on the outskirts of Barnsley, which is benefiting from the aforementioned town centre investment, as well as neighbouring Rotherham with its proximity to major trunk roads such as the M1. Doncaster benefits from the borough’s strong transport links on the East Coast Mainline where passengers can reach London in just over 90 minutes. “I strongly believe that

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these areas will see significant price rises in the future,” says James. “If projects such as HS2 materialise this will further increase prices and, consequently, increase investment income.” The majority of properties sold at auction are subject to an immediate exchange of contracts, bypassing lengthy delays and complications expected via a traditional route.

Completion can occur in as little as 14 to 28 days, gaining quicker access to the investment. “The key benefits of auctions for both buyers and sellers are speed and certainty,” says James. Auction lots are sold with access to a legal pack containing all the information for purchasing the property. Auction House South Yorkshire ensures all buyers are aware

of alleviating any concerns throughout the purchase process. So, how might you go about purchasing an investment property in the Sheffield City Region? “The key here is research and consultation with property professionals, current investors as well as a reputable financial advisor,” says James. “Have a clear idea of your strategy in respect of the returns you want to achieve and the investment you can comfortably make. “Mitigate risk by ensuring you have undertaken all necessary due diligence. If you’re planning on building a portfolio within the City Region, then form a good working relationship with a reputable and reliable solicitor.” The stamp duty holiday and a lack of property stock has the country in a post-lockdown boost. James believes, although prices may plateau in future, our region shouldn’t experience significant decline due to continued investment, and that since the 2008 market crash there has been slow but steady growth. If you want to be part of this local property investment boom, James has this advice: “Don’t leave it too late! The Sheffield City Region has established itself as a force to be reckoned with and we believe is likely to be futureproofed for years to come.”

IF YOU ASK ME

PROPERTY:

CHANGE OF USE In this property special If You Ask Me feature, we turn the spotlight on the change of use in the sector. With this being a key theme during and post-COVID, unLTD chats to a host of industry experts about the evolution of our local high streets and workspaces. Some contributors also share their views on opportunities in city centres and suburban areas, while others discuss the developments which are continuing to prove successful – and, ultimately, the trends that are driving the market right now.

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IF YOU ASK ME WAYNE FLETCHER, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, AUSTIN FLETCHER High street development styles and planning will need to adapt to the requirement of the public. Hospitality should be key to the resurrection of the city centre. Public demand should be high as we move out of lockdown and restrictions relax over the spring and summer months. The key here is whether it can be sustained over the winter months, and if we can avoid further lockdown restrictions, to retain the confidence of the consumer and investor. I envisage European style restaurant and café dominated zones, which provide the ambience as well as the product. Areas of green open space will add to the pro-pedestrianised vibe, offering the consumer a more relaxed, enjoyable dining experience. Retail must evolve to provide a USP that online shopping cannot compete against. It will be interesting to see how retailers approach this and their proposed solutions. We may witness the introduction of more pop-up shops, partnerships and shared retail spaces and I suspect we will see an enhanced city centre ‘consumer experience’, with

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entertainment and added attractions to entice people into the city centre. Public realm and green open spaces should also play a major part in this. High street office space will inevitably change with an increase in flexible working and shared office space, leading to the repurposing and change of use of some buildings. The dynamics of city centre living is in a constant state of evolution due to the changing demands of communities and businesses. City centre living may become more popular as areas are pedestrianised and green spaces start to sprawl, making city centre living a more aesthetically pleasing place to live. This is becoming increasingly more important to particular demographics, with a keen focus on sustainability and eco-friendly choices.

something we need to accept and live with long-term, it is apparent significant changes need to be made to how we operate daily. The pandemic has provided a focus on wellbeing for employers and employees which presents an opportunity to adapt to a more favourable work/life balance which will no doubt lead to some significant changes. Office space will still be in demand for some businesses Historically, the majority as working from home of city centre living spaces (WFH) does not work for all have been occupied by young employees and employers. professionals and students However, COVID-19 has With the introduction of helped to shed the WFH green spaces and areas of stigma and given employers natural beauty, city centres confidence and a heightened will evolve into a much softer, level of trust in employees, warmer, and welcoming enabling them to implement place to live, encouraging new ways of working. I expect young couples and families most will adopt a flexible to areas they may not have working environment, previously considered. downsizing office spaces or As city centres evolve, introducing hot-desking. with some areas inevitably Much existing office space changing to form purposeful will require restructuring and residential zones, there will air quality improvements to be a new demand for retail ensure compliance for social and hospitality generated distancing and ventilation from those areas. Rather than measures. Continued feeding city centre workers 9 WFH practices will also to 5 and weekend shoppers likely mean a demand for from suburbia, it is possible dedicated home office the client base for many space – something property businesses will switch to a developers and agents will more local residential one. be keen to explore. It will be interesting to see how As we start to recognise that this impacts how houses are COVID-19 is not suddenly rented and advertised, going going to disappear and it is forward.

IF YOU ASK ME JOSH WESTON, LEAD DIRECTOR, FOURTH WALL BUILDING CONSULTANCY Sheffield has such a lot to offer. Some of the big retailers leaving the city seems like an immediate hit, but it also presents an opportunity to develop the vibrant and dynamic business offering in the city. There’s a really strong base of innovative independent producers and operators, and in the not-too-distant future we’ll see opportunities arising as hospitality bounces back, more independent SMEs develop, and we see the repurposing of big commercial spaces. When it comes to high streets evolving in the future, people want more now. We’re looking for experiences. We don’t just want to go to a shop anymore, we want to shop with a prosecco in hand, pop to a quality barbers next door and then meet friends for lunch and indoor golf. Our future workspaces are no longer just a desk in a grey room – an office needs to offer more. Although demand for offices may drop, Sheffield always needed more Grade A office space so we could see a more level field of demand versus supply. Changes in working patterns are forcing owners, landlords and businesses to look at

office quality. We’ve worked with landlords in Manchester on schemes to retrofit buildings with showers, bike storage, recreational areas and even cafes. Amenity offering is now seen as essential by employers and employees. Much like retail, the office must now become a destination beyond its primary use. Alongside retail, city living will influence how our centres look in the future. The need to

build upwards not outwards is still evident as demand for homes continues to outstrip supply, but, after more than a year at home, there’s a clear desire for green space and communal areas. Our suburban areas have always had their own centres and as house prices soared over the past year, many looked to move to areas offering greenery and space. Now life is opening up they need a reason to stay. The

hospitality demand was always there, and as we’ve flocked to pub gardens again, that industry may just come back stronger than ever, so we’ll see more independent hospitality and experiencedriven destinations. As the vast industrial heartlands of the north have been forced to find rejuvenation and a new purpose over the last 40 years, so will many of our current city centre retail and office spaces post-pandemic. The key to the success of this, then as now, is dynamic organisations working collaboratively to create positive change. It will require vision and determination against natural pockets of resistance from some. Building Meadowhall in the middle of acres of disused industrial stock was toted at the time by some as doomed to fail. It became one of the most valuable and wellknown shopping destinations in the country, serving as the catalyst for redevelopment of the wider Don Valley area. Change isn’t always a bad thing. If it weren’t for deindustrialisation, I’d probably be covered head to toe in soot down a mine, instead of sat comfortably at home in my shirt with a coffee. ‘Proper work’ my Grandad would say – maybe he was right. A real tragedy, I’ll never know, I’m sure.

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IF YOU ASK ME DEAN PATTISON, DIRECTOR, UTILITY SOURCE The pandemic has influenced a huge change in the way businesses operate, especially small businesses who have become accustomed to staff working remotely, building up the required level of trust to continue this trend in the long term. We have seen small businesses choosing not to renew property leases and many high street brands which have sadly fallen victim to the difficult economic circumstances. This, combined with the continued growth of online shopping, is leaving an aftermath of empty buildings in high streets across the country. Certainly, in the short term we do not see a great number of these properties re-opening as shops and there is a real potential for property investors to convert them into affordable living space. We are seeing a trend of apartment blocks and

BEN ELLIS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, PRODEK DESIGN AND STORAGE SYSTEMS The Sheffield business community is already driving the city towards an exciting future. There are some impressive manufacturing and technology companies, which perfectly complement our innovative small enterprises. Developing a healthy blend of work, culture and leisure in the city needs the support of local government. Businesses will never stop innovating – they just need help to get going and have access to a pool of well-trained local talent. We have seen a surge in business owners wanting to make the most of existing premises. This makes good financial sense because they are avoiding the expense and disruption of moving premises. For Prodek, this trend centres on office fitouts and refurbishments to accommodate growing staff

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houses in multiple occupation become a significant city centre presence. These developments are generally conversions of commercial premises and are popular due to the obvious advantage of city centre access. Suburban areas are slightly different, pubs and commercial premises are still subject to conversion, but there is more

of a trend of small housing estates being constructed. These typically involve ten new plots or fewer and are often constructed by the smaller developer. Recently, we have seen a surge of enquiries and orders to support developers through commercial to domestic developments – specifically, the conversion of pubs and

office blocks into affordable flats or houses in multiple occupation prepared for rental. The immediate attraction for a developer is they have a ready-made shell with little or no structural works to be completed which influences an accelerated development programme. We deliver a service to property investors and developers who are purchasing buildings preconversion. We’d recommend they always incorporate the review of utility infrastructure within their due diligence before purchase. Rarely is a commercial building already equipped with utilities sufficiently configured to enable a conversion into a building of multiple occupancy. For any operational amendments, town centre working can be restrictive and costly and without the required due diligence a developer can incur time restrictions and costs they have not budgeted for.

numbers, and more recently, to safely welcome them as they return to the office. Our designers have been very busy redesigning premises to maximise every square metre. We implement clever storage systems to make room for new COVID-safe desking and meeting areas and use glass partitions to create private offices and break-out areas. The dramatic increase in online shopping has prompted many of our bricks and mortar retailers to embrace ecommerce as an additional sales channel, with online retailers seeing a boom in sales. Distribution and fulfilment centres are investing in existing warehouse operations and fitting out new centres with the best kit available. Speed and accuracy are where the advantage lies in distribution so investing in warehouse racking makes all the difference to pick rates. The government road map has given everyone a

small confidence boost, in our experience – we have seen a rise in enquiries from businesses wanting to increase floor space in existing premises and the solution is a mezzanine floor. We have restaurants, schools, manufacturers, and shops weighing up the cost of a mezzanine compared with moving to larger premises – mezzanines usually win. Most businesses want to remain in their existing location because

they have spent years building a local customer base or because their staff love being able to walk or cycle to work. Most premises can be completely transformed – it just takes an experienced eye to see the potential. The city is brimming with properties which can easily be adapted to suit almost any business – making good use of existing city assets and leaving green spaces in and around the city to flourish.

If you are a property investor it is likely that you have already encountered a negative experience when dealing with a utility provider. Poor communication, navigating a complicated and regulated process, volatile costs or unexpected lengthy lead times are common complaints which cause delay. A delay can of course disturb your lending conditions. At Utility Source we believe in sharing information with our customers to provide ongoing education and understanding.

HERE ARE THREE TIPS WHICH MAY SUPPORT YOUR UTILITIES JOURNEY: Carry out a utilities review before you buy a piece of land or a building. The results may identify potential cost and inconvenience and in some cases can support the land price negotiation. No two jobs are ever the same. Try not to shoehorn data from your last project into your new project as it can lead to nasty surprises. Site specific data will influence an accurate budget and help mitigate any costly delays. Understand timescales! It is normal to allow four weeks to collate utility quotations and 6-8 weeks to have the work completed. There are many unavoidable factors which can slow these anticipated lead times and you need to know what they are.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US ON 01709 763237 OR AT INFO@UTILITYSOURCELIMITED.CO.UK

WWW.BURNETTMORTGAGES.CO.UK INFO@BURNETTMORTGAGES.CO.UK 01302 436333

SIMON IS A LOCAL WHOLE OF MARKET MORTGAGE BROKER. AT BURNETT MORTGAGES WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN MAKING YOUR MORTGAGE JOURNEY AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE BY LISTENING TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS, UNDERSTANDING YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, TAILORING YOUR NEEDS AND BUILDING AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP FOR YOUR CURRENT AND FUTURE MORTGAGE NEEDS Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Burnett Mortgages Limited is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions LTD, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Oce : Burnett Mortgages Limited, Gresley House, Ten Pound Walk, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN4 5HX. England. Registered Company Number : 11224301. Registered in England and Wales. © 2021 Burnett Mortgages Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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LAUNCHPAD

THE DELI DOG BOX COMPANY Self-confessed ‘newbies to the business of business’ Tracey Banks and Chris Dye tell unLTD how ‘invaluable’ support from Launchpad helped the pair turn their love of dogs into a start-up success secured stalls at market stalls and pop-up events in our area. We are also looking to develop our online presence and have ideas and plans to add new products and offers. We have already encountered difficulties and challenges and have realised our approach will need to adapt to overcome these, but the support and encouragement from Launchpad means we will continue to pursue our ambition to connect our belief that canine health really does go ‘hand in paw’ with canine wellbeing.

Tell us about your company? We are The Deli Dog Box Company, and we sell 100 per cent natural dog treats. They are grain and gluten free and contain no hidden nasties! The manufacturing process involves simply air drying with no additives or preservatives used, so they are suitable for all dogs – even those with sensitive tummies – and they are a really healthy alternative treat for your dog. When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you? We run a doggie day care and home boarding service and have worked this around our primary jobs (BA cabin crew and retail) for many

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years. Increasingly, we have noticed our doggie guests have presented with various challenges such as food intolerances and allergies, and we researched the best options for treats and snacks which would be suitable for all their dietary needs. Last year, the impact of COVID-19 meant unexpected redundancy for us both, which gave us the opportunity to reevaluate our aspirations for the future and the push to launch a new business which resonated with the sentiment of our love for dogs and their health. How has Launchpad helped you? We are complete newbies to the business of business! We

found Launchpad quite early on in our journey and their help has been invaluable. From the very basics of setting up a new business, accountancy, writing a business plan (which helped us secure a significant grant), to learning all about social media – not something that we have grown up with – the wizardry of Canva and the witchcraft that is Instagram! And we are still very much learning, knowing we have the help and support on hand of the Launchpad team. What are your hopes and aims for the business? We tentatively launched in February with lots of interest locally, so we would like to expand upon this and have

Launchpad advisor Julia Millea said: “It’s been a pleasure and delight working with Chris and his team on the development of the business and being able to offer him the right support at the start of his business journey. “Chris is an inspiring and confident person who has developed a unique product for the canine market. We wish them every success in this new venture and look forward to the launch of the doggy treat boxes.” “Stop dreaming and do it. Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email growthhub@ sheffieldcityregion.org. uk.”

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Award-winning local firm Bhayani HR & Employment Law is offering free virtual workshops to businesses and charities on COVID-related HR and employment issues. They will cover frequently asked questions relating to COVID, as well as giving general guidance on associated HR topics. MD Jay Bhayani said: “We have been inundated with enquiries, which is completely understandable at this very difficult time. Businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of having robust HR and employment policies and procedures in place and being able to access expert advice easily. “They are certainly recognising the value of

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MAKE YOUR BUSINESS SOAR BY SUPPORTING THE EAGLES FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW SHEFFIELD EAGLES WILL WORK WITH YOU TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS, PLEASE CONTACT MARK HANNIGAN ON 0114 398 1998 OR EMAIL MARK.HANNIGAN@SHEFFIELDEAGLES.COM

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS

AFORPIECE OF CAKE BARNSLEY COLLEGE STUDENTS Barnsley College is celebrating the success of a growing number of students who have launched new business ventures over the past 12 months, with support from the iTrust initiative – here they share two success stories iTrust is a joint venture between the College, Barnsley Chronicle and The Business Village which supports enterprising students by providing access to information and guidance, including mentoring from the College’s Enterprise team, The Prince’s Trust, industry specialists and local businesses from the College’s Talent United networking community. The scheme can also provide a startup grant of up to £250. Jess Widdowson, enterprise team leader at Barnsley College, said: “We are committed to transforming the lives of students, staff and communities. We want all of our students to fulfil their full potential and achieve their aims, and, through iTrust, we’re helping to develop the next generation of successful entrepreneurs.” Kasey Suttle of Kasey’s Kakes Level 3 Performing Arts student Kasey Suttle nurtured a keen interest in baking from a young age and has won several awards while developing her skills and confidence. After reaching the final of Barnsley’s Big Challenge, she decided to launch Kasey’s Kakes. Kasey began experimenting with ingredients and

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KASEY’S POPULAR KINDER SURPRISE CAKE AND ASHTON KNIGHT

flavours while promoting her business on Facebook and has been working on Kasey’s Kakes for three years. She received a £250 iTrust grant which she plans to invest in insurance, health and hygiene certificates and new equipment. She said: “My journey with the Enterprise department at College has been great and I have received so much help and guidance from them. They have helped me with my business massively, making me aware of various procedures and guidelines that ensure the safety of my customers at all times.” Jess Widdowson added: “Kasey knows exactly where the business aims to go and, through iTrust, we are supporting with her certificates, licences and

courses to take her skills to the next level.” Ashton Knight of Ashton’s Sticker Cabin Level 3 Photography student Ashton Knight has turned his love for designing stickers and accessories into a career by launching his own business. Ashton decided to take the leap into the world of entrepreneurship after creating business pages online, advertising his products on social media and receiving engagement from the public. He currently sells his work on eBay and Depop and showcases his product range via TikTok. He said: “My college course definitely helped to boost my creative mindset. During lockdown I have been coming up with new product ideas

I can work on, looking for product inspiration online and asking for recommendations from those around me.” Ashton hopes a £250 iTrust grant will enable him to buy new materials, new ink for his printers and improved packaging materials. Jess Widdowson said: “Ashton has a fantastic brand creating bespoke, handmade products that are really unique. He has a clear idea of where his company is heading, and I can’t wait to see it grow with support from the College’s Enterprise team and iTrust.” If your business would be interested in supporting Barnsley College’s students and aspiring iTrust entrepreneurs, join its Talent United business networking community. Talent United partners can devote as little or as much time as they wish and there are worthwhile benefits associated with the partnership – not least the fulfilment gained from mentoring a young person and watching their business grow. To find out more about iTrust, Talent United or other employer engagement initiatives offered by Barnsley College visit www.barnsley. ac.uk/enterprise or email enterprise@barnsley.ac.uk.

SUCCESS STORY

3 YEARS OF

LENSGO

Director of Visual media company LensGo, Stuart Turner, had a chat with Mike Durham about the firm’s experiences bringing big brands, sports clubs, theme parks and even rock stars to life as they celebrate three years in business

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SUCCESS STORY

Tell me a bit about the business. LensGo Visual Media is an multi award-winning film company which specialises in the production of high-quality promotional videos, online and broadcast commercials, graphics and aerial drone films. Our ethos is to build long-lasting and sustainable relationships with each client, supporting each one to curate unique and engaging content for their marketing channels. Our portfolio includes a whole host of films, from short promotional videos to documentary style adverts and digital TV channels. We’ve

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every step of the way, from generating creative ideas and storyboarding right through to helping them use their video to promote their business.

filmed world-class artists and performers, business owners, rock bands, support dogs, sports teams, theme parks and even Santa Claus! How has it developed over the years?

I’ve been a professional videographer my whole career and, having built an extensive freelance portfolio, I decided to open my own visual media agency in early 2018. We pride ourselves on working with our clients

What projects, products, or services have been particularly successful? Marketing and creating engagement is all about quality and consistency. Our clients have really benefitted from us creating regular video content that they can use to build strong relationships with their audiences. During the pandemic, we were inundated with requests to film virtual versions of

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SUCCESS STORY

events so people could still be involved; we did this for some hospices and the feedback was heart-warming. We also supported Mind with “It’s Okay not to be Okay”, which saw fellow business owners and personalities help raise awareness around mental health during lockdown. What are the key milestone achievements in recent years? Filming Def Leppard at the Royal Albert Hall was a real experience that I’ll never forget. Closer to home in South Yorkshire we filmed the opening of the new Gulliver’s Valley Resort, which had been

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quite literally years in the making. We’ve worked with them for so long that the excitement of opening the doors to their latest park and capturing the smiles on kids’ faces was so much fun. I’m also proud to say LensGo has been recognised with several awards, something which is a real achievement for our team in such a short time since launching the business. LensGo won Best Film and Digital Media Production Company (Yorkshire) at the SME Business Elite Awards 2020, was awarded Marketing Campaign of the Year in 2019 by Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber, and was named SCR

Launchpad Growth Business of the Year and the Launchpad Champion in 2019. What sort of feedback do you get from staff about the company culture and workplace environment? Our workplace changes daily - usually more than twice a day! From theme parks to offices, sports grounds to studios, we’re always out and about. The team love getting to travel and film in so many different locations, although don’t ask for our opinion on that while we’re stuck outside in the sleet, rain, hail or snow… you might get a different answer.

What are your plans for the future to drive further success? We’re going to stay true to what we do best, and that’s to keep our clients right at the heart of everything we do. It might sound cliché, but we enjoy a challenge. We’d love to work with more clients that stretch us creatively, and are prepared to try new things and let LensGo help their brand stand out. To find out more about LensGo and how they can capture you and your brand head to: www.lensgo.co.uk

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SHIFTING INTO A NEW ERA

POST LOCKDOWN Sheffield based training provider, Whyy? Change, covers COVID-19’s impact on business leaders and how they can transform their organisations post lockdown As the world slowly returns to normality, business owners, leaders, managers and employees are likely going to face change. We’ve all got used to working from home, with Zoom calls and unscripted dogs barking, making it difficult to imagine working in an office again. Leaders and managers will have to think differently, whilst also utilizing skills gained during lockdown like trust, accountability and flexibility. It’ll be a test as they aim to find the balance between applying what they’ve learnt, and their previous “status quo” mindset. According to the CMI (Chartered Management Institute), the core attributes that managers will have to work on postlockdown are building trust,

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communication, listening skills, being open to diverse perspectives and creating a sense of belonging. The transition is an opportunity for leaders to change their business direction and improve company culture. Managers should consider adopting the leader-leader model coming out of lockdown to allow their team by making decisions independently. This means leaders can focus on more meaningful tasks whilst trusting the team to decide how best to get the job done, giving everyone accountability no matter their role. Coming out of lockdown will require managers to implement the skills they’ve acquired during lockdown in a new era of working life, or risk

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FEATURE

BEEN THERE, ROCKED THAT GOT THE

LUXURY T-SHIRT

‘Die-hard’ Def Leppard fan Craig Smith has co-founded Project Presents, a luxury merchandise label that has collaborated with one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. Fellow heavy metal fan Jill Theobald rocks out (and tries not to not geek out) as she hears more from the trio behind the business and its Leppard Lyrics range 54

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FEATURE

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY: RICK'S SON, SCOTT SAVAGE, LEFT MODELS ONE OF THE T-SHIRTS FROM THE LEPPARD LYRICS RANGE

“I first went to see Def Leppard in August 1979 with a friend in Sheffield – 42 years ago – so you could say I’m a long-term lifelong fan,” says Craig Smith, co-founder and director of Project Presents. “It’s just been a constant in my life ever since then to have Def Leppard there and I wanted to use my passion for their music to give something back to the band which is where the idea of Leppard Lyrics came from.” His fellow co-founder and director James Holland is also a fan of the Sheffield band

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and a good friend of their bass guitarist Rick Savage. “The first album I ever bought was Hysteria and I absolutely loved it from day one,” says the entrepreneur. “I remember saving all my pocket money up to go and buy this compact disc!” Together they got in touch with retail specialist Fraser Rowlin who was recruited as creative director of Project Presents, their luxury merchandise label. Fraser has over 20 years’ experience working with high-end fashion houses and his award-winning

We aim to grow the brand introducing other artists and concepts on our own online platform.

luxury store stocked some of the biggest brands in the industry. It was from this point that the three friends from Sheffield began the partnership. “Then Craig came up to me and said: ‘I’ve got this crazy idea’ and I’m always up for crazy ideas!” laughs James. The idea was for Project Presents to produce lyricbased merchandise for their favourite band with ‘Leppard Lyrics’. Craig said: “I had this idea for Def Leppard T-shirts with

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FEATURE lyrics across them which really mean something to people. The more we talked about it, we knew it needed to be limited edition and 100 per cent organic cotton so they are high quality. “We’re also mindful of the fact it’s not just a band T-shirt – it’s special, so it must wash well so people can constantly enjoy the experience of wearing and owning it.” Fraser explains: “They wanted something special and liked my eye for detail, presentation and ethically sourced products – something unique in small numbers that was cut beautifully to sit within the luxury platform that I believe ours is.” James continues: “I mentioned to Rick (Savage) that luxury merchandise has not really been done with you guys and I think it’s a massive opportunity. Rick said ‘show me some graphics’ and it started from there, really. We met the management in Sheffield, showed them some designs, and they were really impressed with them.” Rick Savage said: “I’ve known James for a long time and his attention to quality, taste and workmanship is second to none. I know this will be reflected in the Leppard Lyrics clothing line.”

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Project Presents create pieces which “transcend genres and captivate the imagination of lifelong fans and fashion connoisseurs worldwide,” says Fraser. “Using some of the best fabrics and one of the biggest print houses in the UK, the brand is essentially ‘Turning Merchandise into Luxury’. “Creating a label with James and Craig and the first collaboration being with Def Leppard is an honour. Luxury brands is all I know and to be able to put my experience into something special is a dream. “Hopefully, we’ve kept it within the Def Leppard family doing something great for us and for them.” The trio have indeed kept it within the family – literally, as Rick’s son Scott Savage has chosen to front the Leppard Lyrics campaign. Scott had already set his sights on a career in modelling when Projects Presents was

still in its infancy. It was a ‘serendipitous moment’, say the team, when it became obvious he should launch that career showcasing clothing that celebrates his father’s band. “I’m really looking forward to modelling these clothes,” said Scott, “and would like to thank James, Craig and Fraser for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.” The first campaign is the Black Light Project. Scott will be wearing UV-activated products which pay homage to 80s black light posters and the band’s most famous lyrics. This is showcased on T-shirts, sweats, hoodies, and fine art museum grade paper and all produced in limited numbers. The campaign was shot within Project Presents’ HQ, housed within a World War 1 military barracks located in the heart of Sheffield. Project Presents will then launch the Leppard Lyrics

project – all hand-finished, produced in limited numbers, and supplied with bespoke packaging. This campaign will be shot on location within Def Leppard’s original rehearsal studios – Portland Works, Sheffield. Rick said: “I’m delighted that they have asked Scott to get on board with promoting this cool and exciting new brand.” The collection is to be one of many, with other artists and brands already in mind. Added Craig: “We aim to grow the brand introducing other artists and concepts on our own online platform to begin with – with a view to going on to be sold within luxury department stores and independent retailers, as well as other high-end web platforms.” “We’ve got some really exciting projects in the pipeline,” agrees Fraser. “Leppard Lyrics is just a taste of what’s to come.” For more information visit: Online: projectpresents.com Instagram: instagram.com/ projectpresents Facebook: facebook.com/ ProjectPresentsUK Twitter: twitter.com/ PPresentsuk

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South Yorkshire Libraries, in partnership with the British Library, are transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses. We’re supporting a thriving community of bright and inspiring people by partnering with local libraries all over the UK. It is free to join and open to everyone. Business & IP Centre South Yorkshire supports entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and developing a business. The BIPC provides access to a range of business databases, trade publications,

business literature and guides to support your business information needs. Whether you are just starting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property, or are ready to take the next step in your journey, we are here to help. We’re bringing business inspiration and support to more people than ever before with resources available at Sheffield Central Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Doncaster Central Library, Rotherham Riverside Library and Crystal Peaks Library.

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Intellectual Property You may not have thought that you have intellectual property (IP) that you need to protect, or it’s something you can think about later. Most businesses rely on some sort of ‘know how‘, idea or way of doing things, that distinguishes them from their competitors. To be successful and grow your business, understanding what it is that is unique about you is crucial. That’s where we come in. There are many different sorts of IP and we can help you identify the type you need to know about and how to protect it.

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Copyright Copyright is an automatic right that does not need to be registered. It applies to the expression of an idea such as literature, music or art.

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Links to useful start-up websites

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All services are provided free of charge to the local community.

Registered designs Registered designs protect the look and appearance of a product. Designs operate on a first-come, first-served basis. If someone else has already registered or disclosed your design or a similar one, it is not available. Trade marks A trade mark is any sign used by a trader to distinguish their goods and services from those of others. It must be both: • capable of being graphically represented • capable of being distinguished.

Get In touch To find out more about how we can support your business, if you have an Intellectual property query or need advice on how to research a new business idea, drop us an email and we’ll get back in touch.

bipcsheffield@sheffield.gov.uk sheffield.gov.uk/bipc @BIPCSheffield @bipcsheff linkedin.com/in/bipc-sheffield

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Your experts in heating, cooling, ventilation & plumbing Servicing and maintaining your air conditioning & ventilation systems now can help reassure your staff that you are taking additional steps to protect their wellbeing and health as far as possible.

If your buildings are now at low or no occupancy, our engineers can use the opportunity for easier and safer access and will also be providing documented and dated disinfection services at no additional cost. In coordination with our very own in house fully accredited TM44 Air conditioning energy assessor we can also help with. • Optimisation with the controls for units in empty areas to suit low occupancy. This can provide you with a considerable energy saving you never thought of. • Setting up “night purge” to refresh your building with clean fresh air ready for the next day, every day. • Assistance with an ongoing optimisation plan to suit your changing environment. If you are not currently a maintenance customer of Airmaster, but the service we are providing to our customers is of interest to you, get in touch now, we can help.

WORKING FROM HOME? Many of us are now planning to do lots more working from home. If you are only using one room of your house for your home office you could install Air Conditioning and be able to heat, cool and ventilate it separately from the rest of your home. Saving energy and making sure your working environment is comfortable.

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unLTD PODCAST

PODCAST SPOTLIGHT

OPEN FOR BUSINESS This month our podcast producer James Marriott shares the mic with a whole host of business folk whose sectors are opening again post-lockdown – and encourages unLTD listeners to get involved in the audio boom! This month's unLTD podcast explores some of the sectors finally opening up again after a tough time in lockdown. I was joined by three guests: • Nathan Angus from Wildfire, the events and experience agency based in Sheffield • John Harrison from the Beer House micropub on Ecclesall Road • Craig Law from Keebles law firm, who works alongside several hotels in the Sheffield City Region They each cast some light on their industry's experiences during the pandemic and what the future might hold now restrictions are easing. Each guest gives us plenty to think about. You can find the show simply by searching for 'unLTD' in your favourite podcast app.

Podcast Spotlight: Looking Up Sheffield Loz and Nic are back with a second season of their unique and frankly fascinating podcast Looking Up Sheffield. The show's description calls it 'a monthly meander around Sheffield's amazing history, people and buildings', and I'd struggle to phrase it any better myself. It celebrates all that is brilliant about Sheffield – and what makes our city the unique place it is. Among the topics in their most recent episode is that of the John Lewis building and what may come of it. They also catch up with author Martin Dust about his new book Brutal Sheffield. Podcast Q and A Q: Do I need social media profiles for my podcast? A: It's a good question. I guess strictly speaking, no,

you don't. But you're missing out on a really key way of promoting your show if you don't. It's still the best way to get people sharing your show, and interact with listeners, so to be honest, I think you'd be missing out by not having a social presence. But that isn't to say you have to be on EVERY platform. It's worth considering which platforms are going to work for you, and concentrating on them. When it comes to LinkedIn, does your show need a page of its own, or can you promote it effectively using your personal profile, and perhaps getting colleagues and others in your tribe to share? Audio's Getting Social Audio within social media has been getting bigger and is just about to take another giant step.

Facebook's announced a series of new features all designed around audio. Soon we'll be able to host Clubhouse-style audio rooms – something Twitter is also rolling out – and we'll be able to post status updates including clips of audio. These could be recorded on your device as you make the post, or a section of a podcast. You'll also soon be able to discover and listen to podcasts within Facebook itself. These are huge developments and further cement the explosion audio is seeing in 2021. If you thought podcasts were just a fad, think again. Every business needs to get in on the audio boom. If you'd like to find out how to get your business podcasting, get in touch. Just drop me a line at james@unltdbusiness. com and we’ll get a good old chinwag in the diary!

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CTI FLYING THE FLAG

FOR MADE IN SHEFFIELD The team at Casting Technologies Limited tells unLTD how the company is aiming to ‘solidify its status as one of the most innovative presences in the precision casting sector’ thanks to the support of Mercia Asset Management PLC Rotherham-based Casting Technologies Limited will look to further cement itself as a world leader in precision casting, following a successful management buyout (MBO) in early 2021. The company, which provides advanced casting expertise and manufacturing capabilities, has seen significant backing for the MBO, with an investment of £500,000 coming from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, managed by Mercia Asset Management PLC, a move which has helped the business in its imminent rebranding. General manager Richard Cook said: “It’s helped us rebrand the company and helped us take on an additional 15 people. We’ve

looked at both efficiencies and capabilities, especially focusing on training that will stretch from every employee to directors as well.” The main reason for the management buyout, according to Richard, was a change in strategic direction towards a more commercially driven business. “I think that the refocus in strategic direction by the University of Sheffield towards research and teaching

was the catalyst in driving the idea of an MBO. CTI is primarily a commercial-based organisation and the division of the two activities was a logical transition following the commissioning of the plant and equipment.” Executive chair Kevin Parkin was quick to praise the assistance of the Mercia investment team when discussing the transaction: “We worked exceptionally well with Andy Tyas

(investment manager) at Mercia during the transaction. They really did come in and understand the business. In conjunction with Castle Square Corporate Finance together, they helped us put the deal together. Both helped, encouraged and motivated us throughout the year.” Following a difficult year for many, CTI Ltd will certainly look to solidify its status as one of the most innovative presences in the sector of industrial casting for years to come, with the backing of Mercia. If you would like to speak with Mercia on finance for your business email info@mercia.co.uk

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MASTERING LOYALTY THROUGH TRAVEL ON THE JOURNEY OUT OF LOCKDOWN In the last edition our MD Matt Smallwood outlined how TravelMaster are working to ensure staff and customers master travel across bus, tram and train throughout South Yorkshire. Here we take a closer look at what that means for retailers and venues in Sheffield city centre and beyond So, we’re all in the same boat – or bus in this case – as we travel along the roadmap out of lockdown, right? At TravelMaster we believe this means the journey toward recovery needs to be a team effort, and that affordable travel will be a key step in bringing customers back to retailers and venues throughout South Yorkshire. We want to see feet back on shop floors, and bums back on seats as we begin the journey toward a new normal in our city centres. As such, TravelMaster want to support local retailers, big and small, to get people back into stores and help kickstart the local economy. What We Do At TravelMaster we provide an affordable and flexible way to travel throughout

South Yorkshire on any bus, tram or train – regardless of operator – through use of our smart ticketing system. Allowing customers to purchase in advance online, at interchanges or on-board, we provide a valuable service for daily commuters through to monthly ‘big-shop’ goers. We have more than 600,000 smartcards out in the region already, and, as lockdown comes to an end, we are looking forward to the number of smartcards issued and tickets sold continuing to grow. We also anticipate our online purchasing system will continue to be an invaluable asset for reducing in-person

transactions and speeding up boarding at a time where social distancing continues to be essential. Our Offer to Retailers We want to work with our city centre retailers and venues, big or small, to provide discounts to their customers – helping to drive footfall back into the city centre and inspiring loyalty to their store or venue. We have experience working with a range of businesses and can tailor our offer to individual needs to ensure your business – and your customers – are getting a great deal. For a small cost, your

business could receive a set number of discount codes to issue to your customers to reduce the cost of their bus or tram journeys – encouraging them to return to your business, and to choose public transport for a cheaper and greener way to travel. Not to mention that customers travelling by public transport tend to spend longer shopping. TravelMaster make it easy for retailers and venues alike to reward customer loyalty and improve retention – in turn, retailers help to support public transport by getting people back on board. A win-win. Now is the ideal time to get in touch with us at partnerships@ sytravelmaster.com and find out how we can work together for the region.

Learn more about TravelMaster at sytravelmaster.com

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SHEFFIELD MARKETING AGENCY RANKS FIRST FOR B2B CLIENTS An award winning Sheffield based creative marketing agency has become the first in the UK to successfully deliver a Search Engine Optimisation service designed exclusively for B2B clients. The Google Accredited Objective Creative team launched the B2B SEO programme to generate more sales leads for businesses wishing to engage with other businesses.

He added “Covid-19 restrictions were a catalyst for more businesses to move away from old style exhibitions and cold calling, in favour of more effective lead generation services such as SEO.

Search Engine Optimisation is the process of improving the ranking of a website for relevant search terms.

“Businesses are now accelerating growth by engaging more clients online.

Highly ranked websites receive more visitors, and ultimately, generate more sales leads. Objective Creative Managing Director Dan Broadbent said “Most SEO programmes are developed around the needs of B2C clients such as coffee shops and florists. “As the fastest growing B2B creative marketing agency in the UK, we were determined to develop the most effective SEO service to meet the needs of B2B clients. “Our proven approach focusses on B2B sales processes.

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The Objective Creative B2B Search Engine Optimisation process

Define and Agree Target Keywords Research keywords aligned to your business objectives. Keywords with the highest volume of relevant, monthly searches, should be selected.

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FOCUS ON

FOCUS ON:

MOVING JOBS N A PANDEMIC I

With lockdown restrictions easing and some sense of normality starting to return (the ‘old new normal’ perhaps?), employers and employees alike are likely to be planning ahead jobs-wise. Indeed, as Glu Recruit MD Rob Shaw predicted of employees in last month’s Future of the Sheffield City Region (SCR) feature: “As the economy starts to open up again, we should see an increase in confidence from the candidate market. “As furlough comes to an end and employees get to know where they stand with their current employers, this could be the catalyst for them to decide where their future lies.” And he also believes business owners will be reviewing and ‘re-strategising’, too: “SCR businesses are starting to plan their pandemic exit strategies, and this includes recruitment. We have found that a lot of businesses have used the unexpected down time to re-strategise, and this has resulted in identifying new areas which they need to recruit for.” So, this month Jill Theobald caught up with an employee who switched jobs during lockdown, an employer that continued to recruit – and promote team members – throughout the pandemic, and a recruiter to find out their views of the industry now that lockdown is starting to ease again. 68

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FOCUS ON THE EMPLOYEE TOMASIN REILLY, SENIOR ASSOCIATE, CLYDE & CO LLP How did you feel about moving jobs in lockdown – what were your concerns? I knew in the long term I wanted to move firms and I had already put the wheels in motion and received job offers before lockdown. Lockdown put the brakes on me moving – both because I was in shock (like the rest of the world) and juggling home schooling. After ten years of security at my current firm, it didn’t seem like the right time to jump ship when things were so turbulent. Some of the firms where I had received job offers had put staff on furlough, too, so they weren’t in a position to take on new staff after all. After around three months in June 2020 things were becoming a bit more settled and I also decided I couldn’t put my life on hold indefinitely – there will never be the ‘perfect’ time to move so I knew I had to pick up the process again. Fortunately for me, Andrew Wallis and Kevin Fox had that month landed at Clyde & Co (from Irwin Mitchell) when they invited me to join them so the timing was rather perfect after all!

I joined the firm in January at the start of another lockdown when we were all still working from home. I still haven’t visited our office yet but hope to do so soon. It’s been surprisingly smooth joining the firm while working remotely and everyone has done their best to welcome me, but I am looking forward to the team being able to get together. We’ve been really busy, so it

feels like I’ve been here much longer than a few months (in a good way) already! Do you think the pandemic has affected the number of people wanting to move jobs, positively or negatively? I think it’s worked both ways – some people feel lucky to still have a job and so think they should keep the

security. But I also think it has made people truly assess what is important in life – whether that means doing something different altogether or just realising that life is too short to put your life on hold. Any industry predictions for people moving jobs now that lockdown is starting to ease again? Businesses that are thriving are still recruiting (as are we) and people will always have a desire to move. Plus the younger generations have less of that ‘job for life’ attitude so I think they’ll maybe have more than one type of career in their lifetimes.

How did you find the recruitment process? And being welcomed into the new company during lockdown? Luckily, I had met Andrew and Kevin in person before the recruitment process so when we had a Zoom interview it wasn’t the first time we had met. We were also able to meet in person over the summer when restrictions were eased so I think that helped.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FOCUS ON

THE EMPLOYER ASH YOUNG, MD, EVOLUTED

hires that wouldn’t have previously been on our radar.

The pandemic has clearly not stopped Evoluted from growing over the last year. Tell me how you’ve found recruiting during COVID? By moving to a more flexible way of working, where the team can choose whether to work from home or in the office, it has opened up our talent pool to the rest of the UK, and we no longer require potential candidates to be nearby our base in Sheffield. This has helped us make some amazing new

You’ve also promoted team members during the lockdowns and over the last year – how have you achieved this continued team development and interaction? Evoluted’s Slack workspace is a constant hub of activity and a way for our team to instantly connect with each other during the working day. Video calls are also encouraged so that we can easily have discussions and also get to know new members of the team. We’ve also kept as social as possible with online gaming

By moving to a more flexible way of working – it has opened up our talent pool to the rest of the UK.

sessions, virtual cocktail making and more! Team development has also remained a priority for us – keeping our staff is more important than ever with so much movement in the industry. You’re still currently recruiting – how do you see the recruitment process evolving now we are easing out of lockdown? We have some ambitious plans for growth, so we’ve been using the past year to refine some of our recruitment processes. I can only see our levels of recruiting speeding up, but we have a solid foundation to make that growth sustainable, too!

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FOCUS ON

CHRIS RIDLEY, PPC ACCOUNT MANAGER

LIAM WHEELER, SEO ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

“I was concerned about whether I'd fit in socially due to lockdown, the fact that I’d be working remotely from my home over 100 miles away, and whether I'd receive the support that is needed when starting a new job, without being able to walk up to someone and ask. However, Evoluted quickly put these concerns to bed. From welcoming me into the office on my first day to meet my team, to providing a WFH-friendly onboarding process, and inviting me to social events – even before I joined!”

“Since starting my new role, it's quickly become apparent that providing employees with the tools and support they need both inside and outside of work is at the heart of Evoluted's ethos. “Switching roles during lockdown should have been a strange experience, but it's felt completely normal, which is testament to our amazing culture and the brilliant people that make up our team.”

TOMMY WILSON, SEO ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

ANT MOSS, FRONTEND DEVELOPER

“The lockdown took a hefty toll on my freelance workload, so I was exploring a few options when I spotted a role with Evoluted. “I’d heard horror stories from friends who’d moved jobs during lockdown (couriered broken laptops to work from, being ignored on Microsoft Teams etc) so I was a bit apprehensive. “But it’s been genuinely awesome. The Evoluted team have been super supportive & I’ve learned a ton already. We’ve had a few (virtual) social events and there’s a great culture of support and personal development here – I definitely made the right choice."

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

“Before joining the team I had concerns. Being new to the industry, I was worried I wouldn’t get enough support because of the pandemic. “However, my apprehensions were answered after a few weeks of working at Evoluted – there are so many people willing to help!”

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FOCUS ON THE RECRUITER ANDY FILE, FOUNDER AND MD, ANDY FILE ASSOCIATES How has the industry been affected over the last year? It was really tough for most as companies put their recruitment on hold literally overnight. We had to adapt quickly and use the furlough scheme, which I didn’t like doing but was necessary at that time. The first six months were difficult, because of the uncertainty. Not every agency was affected negatively – those working in industries that boomed did very well. When the first lockdown hit, we lost 95 per cent of our work within a week which was the same for a lot of recruitment businesses. Then we picked up additional work from clients that hadn’t used us for a while, including a cycle company whose sales rocketed, which kept us busy. Other industries hiring through us in the last 12 months include construction, engineering, estate agencies, export/import, insurance, IT/software, logistics, manufacturing, public relations, renewable fuel, retail, sport/leisure, vehicle conversion, and warehousing. Several of our heavy industry/engineering clients that work in aerospace and the oil and gas industry were hit hard and may take some time to recover. Some agencies let a lot of non-sales staff go to save costs which was a real shame for a lot of loyal people. Following the first week, we were thankful for the clients still using us – not to mention thinking of those that, like us, had lost or postponed the majority of their work.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

From July things steadily got better and we have seen consistent performance since November. Agencies, like most companies, embraced remote working very quickly and I’ve mainly heard positive experiences from friends and contacts from the recruitment industry. More than a million European workers returned home during the pandemic so there was – and will be – a shortage of skills and experience in certain industries. Companies wanting to recruit qualified, experienced or trained workers may struggle. From being a candidateled market pre-pandemic to people looking for work as companies cut staff and stopped hiring, we’re now seeing a return to being candidate-led. This can only be good for recruitment companies because, while some clients may have successfully looked after recruitment themselves to save money, as quality applicants dry up, they may need the support of a

recruitment agency/business. Recruitment agencies are constantly searching job boards, databases, and social media for their clients which saves companies time and money. It’s amazing the candidates my experienced team can find. Do you think the pandemic has affected the number of people still wanting to move jobs during the pandemic, positively or negatively and has that evolved? A lot of candidates have naturally been scared to move jobs. However, as we come out of lockdown, I’m expecting the market to be buoyant as employees who haven’t been happy with the way they’ve been treated or communicated with decide to look for new roles. Those companies that haven’t had the work but continued to keep staff on furlough really value their staff and will do everything to keep them

employed if they can. But some candidates have still wanted to move and thought it a good time, as they were uncertain about the company they worked for retaining all the staff. Plus, the pandemic has meant a lot of people are making life choices including career decisions when before they might’ve been tempted to simply stay in their current role. How has the pandemic affected the recruitment process itself? Many agencies have, of course, moved from faceto-face interviews to Zoom and Teams, and telephone interviews. However, I personally always prefer to meet people wherever it is safe and possible to do so. With companies more open to remote working, it also means the candidate pool is greater. Rather than just locally, we can potentially search nationally, or even globally, for certain roles. Any industry predictions now that lockdown is starting to ease again? The sector is already starting to pick up but I’m expecting things to really do so after the summer holidays, provided we don’t have another lockdown. Large numbers of candidates have come from industries that aren’t hiring and these are often good quality, loyal staff. Strong candidates are moving very quickly. Adaptability will be key for most businesses – not just working remotely, but in resetting expectations, realigning skills, and refocusing on stronger markets.

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23/04/2021 16:05

FOCUS ON THE CLIENT HRM PR AND CREATIVE Allie Dransfield, head of client management at HRM, said: “We have been working with the team at Andy File for a while and have been very impressed with all aspects of their service.

“They take the time to understand our business to ensure they select the right candidates for us.

“They are incredibly thorough, and it is reassuring to know that, when they put a candidate forward, they have already interviewed them and provide us with great feedback to make the process smoother. “As a company we are very proactive when it comes to recruitment and are always on the look-out

for talented professionals. “Andy File Associates are aware of this and throughout the pandemic they continued to update us with the availability of candidates who they felt would be a good fit for our business. “Our strong partnership has paid dividends as our last four appointments were candidates that (Andy File associate) Debra Foster successfully sourced for us.”

“They take the time to understand our business to ensure they select the right candidates for us.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 16:05

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SAFER DRIVING AT WORK: BUSINESSES URGED TO PROTECT THEIR DRIVERS Collisions involving vehicles driven for work purposes have been estimated to cost society £4.4billion every year – the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) tells unLTD how they are helping businesses and organisations to effectively manage work-related road safety Did you know, before COVID-19, every week in the UK around 20 people were killed and 220 serious injuries were sustained in collisions involving someone who was driving for work? Collisions involving vehicles driven for work purposes have been estimated to cost society £4bn each year. The South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) can help businesses and organisations to put policies and procedures in place to reduce collisions and effectively manage work-related road safety thanks to an awardwinning training session. And this is no ordinary classroom session or PowerPoint. The Safer Driving at Work initiative transports

employees into an interactive scenario, featuring a mock-up fatal road traffic collision that takes participants through the collision investigation process, the court proceedings and, following the conviction of the driver for death by dangerous driving, their first day in prison. SYSRP manager Joanne Wehrle said: “Driving is one of the most dangerous work activities your staff will undertake. It’s estimated that more than a quarter of all road traffic collisions may involve someone who is driving for work at the time. “Employers have a legal duty to ensure that employees are not put at risk due to workrelated driving activities – in the same way as any other Health and Safety issue – to

protect them and nonemployees alike. “As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease and employers start to return their operations back to ‘normal’, we are urging businesses to consider the safety of their staff who drive for work purposes. “Our Safer Driving at Work session is designed to be hard-hitting and thoughtprovoking to encourage drivers to consider the far-reaching consequences for them, their families and the company if they make the wrong decisions or display the wrong behaviours while driving.” The interactive sessions are delivered on the purpose-built set at the Lifewise Centre in Hellaby, Rotherham. Each session is bespoke

to the business, with our presenters working alongside you to tailor the content, making it specific to the individual organisation. Information supplied, such as data about the number of on-road incidents involving company vehicles, can be used to help devise the presentations. Organisations can also illustrate the much wider costs associated with even minor bumps and scrapes and use this on-road incident data to make ‘before’ and ‘after’ comparisons to evaluate the effectiveness of the session. “Organisations taking part have seen real results and benefited from significant cost savings as a result of fewer onroad incidents,” added Joanne. “While its impact is

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AN EXAMPLE OF A DRIVER FACING SENTENCING IN THE COURTROOM SETTING

OUR DRIVER FACES THEIR FIRST DAY IN OUR PRISON CELL

IN 2015 THE SOUTH YORKSHIRE SAFER ROADS PARTNERSHIP WON A PRESTIGIOUS PRINCE MICHAEL INTERNATIONAL ROAD SAFETY AWARD

hard-hitting, it is successful in addressing attitudes and subsequent driving behaviour among employees, as shown by telematics data from company vehicles. “Excellent feedback from participants encourages other employees to attend and helps sessions to become embedded into an organisation’s training programme, making this a ‘must attend’ event.” Whether businesses attend a Safer Driving at Work course or not, they can help to safeguard their employees by ensuring they are competent and capable drivers and are given the correct training and instruction. It’s also important to know drivers are sufficiently healthy to drive safely without putting themselves and other road

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

users at risk. Ensure all vehicles (regardless of whether they’re owned by the company or the individual) that are used for work are properly maintained and fit for purpose. Finally, help to minimise risk through careful route planning and organising a realistic schedule. In 2015 The South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership won a prestigious Prince Michael International Road Safety Award, which recognises outstanding examples of road safety initiatives from across the globe. The Safer Driving at Work initiative was singled out for particular praise in respect of sessions provided for First Group, who worked with the Safer Roads Partnership to develop courses for their bus drivers.

THE PURPOSE-BUILT SET IS BASED AT THE LIFEWISE CENTRE IN ROTHERHAM

Joanne added: “We think that once you have attended the first session, and experienced for yourself the impact it can have on staff, you will agree that it is very cost-effective and worthwhile training and will want to purchase further sessions.” A typical one-day course at the Lifewise Centre runs from 9am-3pm and costs from £1,525.50 + VAT for up 25 participants (includes hire of Lifewise, presenters’ fees, refreshments and simple buffet – other buffet options are available). However, thanks to a grant from the Safer Roads Partnership, discounts are available for the first session.

Talk to us about what we can offer but don’t delay – we have a set amount of grant for the year and it is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To see a short video of what the session entails please visit: www.sysrp.co.uk/ saferdrivingatwork. For more information or to arrange a tour of the Lifewise Centre and discuss a session for your organisation, please contact: enquiries@sysrp. co.uk or 07794 074 492. You can also follow us on social media: Facebook: @SYSaferRoadsPartnership Twitter @safer_roads Instagram @safersouthyorks

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LENDING A CREATIVE HAND TO ‘INSPIRATIONAL’ SOCIAL ENTERPRISE fenti marketing has offered its creative design services to support one of Sheffield’s most inspirational social enterprises, Blend Kitchen. They tell unLTD why calling on the local business community for support is ‘the best way for a not-for-profit enterprise to realise its dreams’ Giving pride and purpose to Sheffield’s most vulnerable Blend Kitchen is an ambitious, not-for-profit, social enterprise delivering hospitality training and paid work experience to vulnerable adults and marginalised groups in Sheffield. To understand the significance of what Blend Kitchen achieves, here are a few words from the team: “I feel alive when I’m working. I can’t believe how wonderful working at Blend Kitchen is, I love it!” Steve, lifelong mental health patient. “The flexibility and support Blend Kitchen have provided has given me opportunities I’d never find anywhere else.” Rachel, single parent. “Blend Kitchen has given me something positive and fulfilling to do with my time and a brilliant group of friends.” Jeremy, former rough sleeper. A new restaurant for Sheffield food lovers The social enterprise has expanded from the first eatery

incredible food to our customers.”

on Pinstone Street to a second site in popular foodie haven, Ecclesall Road. With help from Twinkl and other local businesses, Blend Kitchen opened its doors last month to reveal a glamorous new restaurant occupying the ground floor of Twinkl’s Ward’s Exchange HQ. The award-winning design team have included everything a modern restaurant could need. Blend Kitchen is fully wheelchair accessible, includes hearing loops, is autism and Alzheimer’s friendly, features a private meeting room and events space, a video conferencing

and screening suite, and a fully inclusive live music, spoken word and theatrical events and art exhibitions space. Community spirit in a restaurant With a focus on local suppliers and seasonal produce, Blend Kitchen offers deliciously imaginative and healthy dishes for Sheffield’s flourishing foodie culture to enjoy, inspired by the travels of founder and chef, Chris Hanson. He said: “What’s important with all of the food we’ll be serving is that it enables our trainees to develop skills, resulting in us serving

Big plans for the future The social enterprise has already seen a massive scaleup as part of the expansion – estimated to triple its social impact. Blend Kitchen plans to open a further five restaurants by 2025, replicating the established Sheffield model and providing accessible training and work for every community. “We’re excited to be supporting Blend Kitchen with our creative design services,” Mark Shipley, MD at fenti marketing, said. “fenti designers are passionate about using their skills to assist Sheffield enterprises. “Blend Kitchen can rely on us to deliver whatever they need, whether it be new menu designs, social media assets, or email marketing – we’re only too happy to help!”

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

BLEND KITCHEN Chris Hanson, founder and director of Blend Kitchen, tells unLTD how having a social benefit to the organisation has resulted in ’mind-blowing’ support from the business community

I was inspired to start my business by… The birth of my daughter. I’d spent a number of years working for other people and had the idea a few years ago of running a commercial catering operation that created opportunities for people who may otherwise not have them. When we found out we were having our first child I decided it was time to re-evaluate where my life was going and so, with the backing of my wife, we took the decision in early 2016 that I would pack in my job and set up Blend Kitchen. My favourite thing about running my business is… I love being able to pass on the skills I’ve picked up over the last 20+ years of being a chef and working in the voluntary sector. Seeing people’s confidence grow when they achieve something they didn’t think they could achieve makes me incredibly proud. We work with a broad range of people from those who were literally sleeping rough on

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the streets to parents who’ve been raising their children and out of the workplace. The three words that best describe my business are… Food, community, training. Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because… …of the amount of good will and support available through the business community. Having a social benefit has resulted in so many other companies wanting to back us in a number of ways from pro bono work and investment, to booking tables with us.

The best advice I ever got was… My wife (Caroline) is the best source of advice. I remember discussing starting Blend Kitchen in 2016 and she said: “you’re really unhappy in your job, just do it and we’ll get through any issues we face”. I had no idea if Blend Kitchen would be a success, but knowing she had my back meant everything. The worst advice I ever got was… I’ll never forget one of my school home economics teachers turning her nose up at me cooking a paella. She said something like “I wouldn’t want to eat food like that” and was generally disparaging. Thankfully, I ignored her and we sell a lot of fresh fish and seafood at Blend Kitchen! The organisations that have supported me and my business include… This last year we’ve fitted out our new Ecclesall Road site and the support is mind-blowing. From global companies like Yamaha and CMS Law to Sheffield City Region-based companies including Twinkl, HRM PR and Creative, In the Sweetspot, Richard

Hawley, Front Ideas, 93ft, D&J Brittain Electricals, Whiteheads Commercial Interiors, Pagets, Shearstone Mechanicals, Bhayani Law, TDC Audio Visual, Pro Air, Andy Hanselman Consultancy, Pinders, Fenti, and Complete Shutter Solutions. The main challenges facing my industry/sector are… The demand for training and work placement opportunities has shot through the roof. I really want to grow the business so we are able to create jobs and have sufficient capacity to meet the demand for people looking to gain experience and move into work. From a hospitality perspective, things were incredibly tough before the pandemic and the last year has exacerbated several well-documented issues from over-heads (rent, business rates, etc) to competing in a crowded marketplace against companies with far deeper pockets than ours. In 5 years’ time I expect my business… My ambition is to open another three or four sites in other major northern cities over the coming years. I really believe, after seeing the impact we have, we can contribute to making Sheffield and other cities better places to live as we come out of the pandemic. I also want to expand our mentoring support to enable other notfor-profit organisations to set up profitable trading arms, learning from our journey.

ADVERTORIAL

RIGHT PEOPLE + RIGHT VISION

= THE RIGHT TRACK

People make successful businesses. Sheffield Chamber is no different. We can have all the ambition in the world – but without the right people we are going nowhere fast At Sheffield Chamber we are lucky to have a passionate and dedicated team who know the organisation and its members inside out. Some have been at the Chamber for years, quietly honing their skills and developing strong and lasting relationships with businesses across the city. Some joined us in relatively junior positions and have gone on to take on more and more responsibility. Right now, the Chamber’s operations manager, Jenna Selwood – who joined as an apprentice ten years ago – is managing our contribution to the government’s £2bn Kickstart programme brilliantly well. She has gone from benefiting from an apprenticeship to playing a leading role in the Sheffield Partnership for Jobs and Skills, which is coordinating more than 194 vacancies in organisations across Sheffield. Others across the Chamber team are making equally important contributions as we look to build the strongest Chamber of Commerce in the UK. The strength of the Chamber’s existing team, particularly over the last 12 months, has provided the organisation with a platform for further growth. That is why this spring, we’re not only enjoying the easing of restrictions, but the Chamber is also welcoming new colleagues. First up are two new account managers, whose primary responsibilities are to support members on a day-to-day

JENNA SELWOOD

JAKE WILSON

PAIGE MILLINGTON

RACHAEL PAGE

basis. Jake Wilson and Paige Millington joined in February 2021 and have already directly supported more than 100 businesses. Welcoming new colleagues while working from home brings challenges, but Jake

and Paige have brought boatloads of energy, enthusiasm, and ideas. With their new colleagues – Lorna, Will and Sam in the Chamber’s membership team – they are welcoming more and more businesses into our

community of members. Next up. Who can forget? Brexit. The last few months have been hugely busy for the Chamber’s trade team in the International Trade Centre. Whether supporting businesses experienced in exporting, but who are grappling with mountains of paperwork, or helping new companies to reach overseas markets – Sheffield Chamber has been at the forefront of efforts to make sense of Brexit. The Chamber team now support more than 470 businesses and we remain the only Chamber in the UK to be accredited as an Authorised Economic Operator – a mark of the Chamber’s expertise and excellence in international trade. With this success and growth comes the need to scale-up, which is why the Chamber was delighted to recently welcome Rachael Page as an international trade facilitator. With the challenges and opportunities surrounding every business, no-one can afford to stand still. Sheffield Chamber is investing in the future to lead the way in our city becoming the best place in the UK to do business. Contact the Chamber Team at membership@scci.org.uk or on 0114 201 8888.

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YOUR PITCH

MULTISECTOR RECRUITMENT MD Stephanie Lythgoe tells unLTD how her love of the ‘recruitment buzz’ helped her set up her own business in the middle of the pandemic to support businesses and candidates throughout Yorkshire Tell us about your business – sell yourselves! I am an RAF kid who is now proud to call herself a Yorkshire lass since the year 2000, with 13 years' recruitment experience across a multitude of sectors throughout the UK. I started my recruitment career in 2007 and I have worked for large corporate businesses and family-run firms. After being made redundant for the third time in 18 months, the last time due to COVID-19, I pondered leaving the recruitment industry, but I just could not do it! It is my passion, I love people, meeting new businesses, travelling the country, and finding out new things. So, Multisector Recruitment was created in a world pandemic and recession! September 2020 it all began – with a little nudge and support from family, I took the plunge. I just could not see myself doing anything else and give it a little time and my husband wants to join the rollercoaster of recruitment! We support businesses and candidates throughout Yorkshire in the engineering, legal and business support roles. What I feel makes me stand out is that I have the

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can create bespoke packages for companies including temporary or permanent staff, retained agreements, redundancy support, and be part of growth plans. We like to see ourselves as a true recruitment partner and an extension to your business. Typical roles we can support with include administrator, design engineer, paralegal, credit controller, solicitor, machine operative but this list is not exhaustive. We have such a large candidate base with access to candidates that are not yet on the job boards due to relationships built over the years.

STEPHANIE LYTHGOE, MD OF MULTISECTOR RECRUITMENT

experience and knowledge but still the passion and drive to help businesses and candidates – I still get the ‘recruitment buzz’ after all these years! I pride myself on relationship building, getting into the nitty gritty of a business to establish not just

the skills required from their next hire but what I believe is the most important thing – to fit in with your team. Who are your customers and how are you targeting them? Because Multisector is a startup business – we have no red tape, we are flexible, and we

How can people get in touch with you? I am happy to give CV and interview advice to candidates or pop over to your business to get a real feel for the environment of an open role. I can sit in your warehouse and have a brew, or I can present in a boardroom – whatever approach is required. Email: stephanie@ multisectorrecruitment.com Phone: 07488285113 Quote #unLTD for a discount code!

CHARITY

AESCULAP ACADEMIA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS FOUNDATION Aesculap Academia – part of B. Braun Medical Ltd – has announced the Healthcare Workers Foundation Charity as its joint charity partner of the year for 2021. Healthcare Workers' Foundation (formerly HEROES) is a charity founded by NHS workers, for NHS workers to support the welfare and wellbeing of those fighting to keep us healthy and safe during COVID-19, and beyond. Aynsley Pix, business development manager at Aesculap Academia said: “We work closely with the NHS throughout the UK and our team wanted to make sure that we further show our

support to them by choosing a charity that covers the physical, mental and day-today needs of all NHS heroes.” Last year, Aesculap Academia donated £1,578 to the Sepsis Trust after naming it as its charity of the year for 2020. The funds will enable the charity to continue its lifesaving mission to fight sepsis, the ‘hidden killer’ which claims more than 48,000 lives in the UK each year. Ron Daniels, founder and executive director of The Sepsis Trust, said: “It’s been a really hard year, particularly for the charitable sector, so initiatives like this mean we can carry on delivering good into our community and our NHS.”

THE AESCULAP ACADEMIA TEAM

Aesculap Academia is one of the leading medical education forums for professionals committed to people’s health

and has its roots in the company B. Braun, which has its UK headquarters based at Thorncliffe Park, Sheffield.

INDULGE YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH ROUNDABOUT’S CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Enjoy the taste of luxury this autumn as youth homelessness charity Roundabout hosts South Yorkshire’s first Chocolate Festival. Taking place at Sheffield’s historic Kelham Island Museum on October 24, the festival will be the perfect event for chocolate lovers, bringing together live music, workshops and over 50 stalls featuring all things chocolate. Organisers are inviting businesses specialising in chocolate to help bring the indulgent event to life. “We are super excited to launch Yorkshire’s first ever chocolate festival,” said Roundabout’s event fundraiser, Emily Bush. “There is going to be something for everyone, from brownies and doughnuts to hot chocolate and rum. “It’s very important now, though, that we reach out

THE FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE AT KELHAM ISLAND MUSEUM PHOTO: JOE HORNER, KELHAM ISLAND MUSEUM

to those businesses that are going to make this event truly tasty. If you are in the business of chocolate production or anything else to do with chocolate or sweet treats, it’s time to book a space and

make this an indulgent day to remember.” Roundabout is South Yorkshire’s youth homeless charity, supporting young people aged 16 to 25 in Sheffield, Rotherham and

Doncaster who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Anybody interested in having a stall at the Chocolate Festival should email emily. bush@roundaboutltd.org.

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Help build a future of wellbeing

We need your support With your help, we are launching a ground-breaking project to support staff and patients. We’re taking a disused piece of land at the heart of the Northern General Hospital, transforming it into a stunning dedicated wellbeing garden for our hospital heroes and patients to enjoy all year round.

For more information and to get involved: charity@shct.nhs.uk www.shcharity.org.uk - 0114 226 7351

Space to work and play at Park Hill Opportunities for a variety of workspaces, retail and leisure space Get in touch to find out more 0333 666 0000 space@urbansplash.co.uk