unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #43

OCTOBER 2021 | ISSUE 43 | FREE | UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

A REAL

DRAW Artist and founder of Reyt Good Illustration Andy Slater on how creative businesses are boosting Sheffield’s burgeoning reputation as a UK cultural hotspot

E M K S A U O IF Y T

E L O T Y BU

ART OF THE CITY

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CONTENTS

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unLTDBUSINESS.COM

CONTENTS

INSIDE...

8-13: News A round-up of regional news, including new retailers at Barnsley Glassworks and property news from Mark Jenkinson and Son and BRM. 15-17: Appointments All the latest South Yorkshire appointments, plus Glu Recruit launch Office Heroes 2021.

29: Highlander The tech security experts on breaking cyber taboos.

@UNLTDBUSINESS UNLTD BUSINESS

34-37: Cover Story: Reyt Good Illustration’s Andy Slater 38-49: Art in the City The established and emerging artistic talent putting the region on the cultural map.

56-57: Sheffield Business Awards Applications are open – plus four new categories!

59: Sheffield Business Awards Pure Awards’ top tips on getting shortlisted.

60: Marketing Fenti on leveraging hospitality firms’ online presence.

66-71: If You Ask Me: Buy to Let 74-75: Hydra and Hatters’ Sponsorship Deal 79: Your Pitch: Social @ Snig Hill

EVERYTHING ELSE: 19: The Diary 21: Financial Health 23: Legal Matters 24-25: Entrepreneur Support 27: Skills Focus 33: Team Talk Q&A 65: Launchpad 73: Marketing: Old v New Methods 81: Podcast Spotlight 87-88: Charity

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

UNLTDBUSINESS

THE BIGGER PICTURE This month’s cover story and follow-up feature is all about how the arts and the creative sector is putting the city in the cultural frame.

Our lead features writer Jill Theobald was very excited to conduct her first face-to-face interview, at a social distance ‘but IRL’, for the best part of 18 months. Off to Reyt Good Illustration’s studio in Kelham Arcade she went, merrily snapping the quarter’s vibrant street art scene on her way.

Just a few weeks before she attended the launch of Bubba Art’s ‘Works in Process’ exhibition at the Psalter – spotting local music legends Richard Hawley and Pulp drummer Nick Banks among the guests. Bubba (his NHS print pictured above) started on Ecclesall Road some 20 years ago. Now his distinctive style and works are finally being shown in London this year, after being delayed by the pandemic.

All of which backs up what cover star Reyt Good Illustration’s Andy Slater, points out – our creative businesses are boosting Sheffield’s burgeoning reputation as a UK cultural hotspot.

Read the full story from page 34.

Elsewhere in the mag, you’ll also get the lowdown on rising house prices and regional industry experts share their advice in our If You Ask Me: Buy to Let special from page 66.

And applications are … OPEN! The 2021 Sheffield Business Awards return on December 9 with four new categories.

As our editor Richard Fidler said: “The awards will be an extension of the community we have built since we launched four years ago, and we are thrilled to be partnering with our good friends at Sheffield Chamber to host what I know will be an amazing occasion."

Read more – and get applying! – from page 56.

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 Beth Burley Chris Coates Jo Davison Joe Food Charlotte Higgins Jade March

Rachel Measures James Marriott Raj & Fiona Shah Faye Smith Susan Waple Helen Williams

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.

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AGENDA NEWS

CITY TAXIS UNVEILED AS LATEST PARTNER OF REDBRIK FOUNDATION CHESTERFIELD 10K Jobs boost for Barnsley as Superbowl UK prepares to open At least 30 jobs are being created in Barnsley as Superbowl UK prepares to open in The Glass Works development.

The new retail and leisure destination at the heart of Barnsley Town Centre is opening in phases over the coming months.

The Glass Works Square opened in September and Superbowl UK is aiming to open its new family venue in early October.

“The fit-out is progressing really well,” said Superbowl UK marketing spokesperson George Smith.

“We invest in both our team and the unique environments we create.

Superbowl UK is really pleased to help create local jobs and, as we put the finishing touches to the venue, we’ll also be using local tradespeople and suppliers.”

The first new openings in September included The Fragrance Shop, Next, TK Maxx, and Sports Direct (with USC).

Plans are under way to host regular community and cultural events within The Glass Works Square – such as performances, food festivals and the return of Bright Nights in November.

The new public space will also be home to Barnsley’s acclaimed COVID-19 memorial sculpture, which received approval earlier this summer and celebrates the unsung heroes of the pandemic.

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City Taxis have become the newest partner of the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10K becoming the Title sponsor of the City Taxis Fun Run. The Fun Run forms part of the race day activity on October 17. Anyone can take part on the 1Km course around Queens Park and will start after the 10K race has left the park at 10am.

Sacha Skinner, marketing manager of City Taxis, said: “It will be a fantastic day and we are so proud to be supporting an event that is not only beneficial to those taking part but that is helping so many local, worthy charities along the way.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is important to us and we are committed to helping charities and fundraising. Helping raise the profile of such a fantastic, local event like this is important to us.”

John Timms, event director, added: “The City Taxis Fun Run

LEFT TO RIGHT: KATE BESWICK AND SACHA SKINNER OF CITY TAXIS WITH JESSICA RISORTO OF REDBRIK ESTATE AGENTS

The 10K race day will be held on

17 OCTOBER

2021

is an important part of the race day activity and is open to all, young and old and everyone will receive a specially designed medal.”

Runners in this year’s 10K are fundraising in support of local charities – Ashgate Hospicecare, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, and The Redbrik Foundation.

Entry is £5 for the City Taxis Fun Run on race day at the race information point, or register in advance for the Fun Run or the 10K at www.chesterfield10K.com

SHEFFIELD TECH COMPANY LAUNCHES ‘THE TICKET FUND’ From sold-out West End shows to gigs and festivals, Sheffield’s unique ticketdonation enterprise, Tickets For Good, have already sent thousands of NHS workers to the UK’s best events – for just the price of a coffee.

Now their new campaign The Ticket Fund will bring businesses large and small together to fundraise for event tickets, which will be donated to hardworking NHS teams nationwide.

The campaign also seeks to direct much-needed cash to theatres, nightclubs, and event promoters struggling

to deal with the prolonged effects of COVID-19. NHS staff can sign-up at the following

link to register for free event tickets: www.ticketsforgood. org/nhs.

“In the last year we’ve seen that connecting our fantastic NHS with the UK’s world-leading cultural sector creates a hugely beneficial partnership,” said Steve Rimmer, CEO of Tickets For Good.

“The Ticket Fund is our way of bringing the expertise and support of many more businesses and organisations on board to give back to the NHS, while ensuring our live events industry thrives in the long-term.”

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AGENDA

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION CELEBRATING LITERATURE UNVEILED AT FRENCHGATE A new photography exhibition has been unveiled at Frenchgate Shopping Centre which is celebrating Doncaster’s love of literature.

Doncaster-based photographer Jamie Bubb has curated the exhibition, entitled ‘The Books That Made Us’, which explores the special relationship with literature through portraits of folk in and around the town.

Jamie said: “I'm really excited to be showing this work in Doncaster and to be working in partnership with the wonderful team at the Frenchgate without whose support this exhibition would not have happened.

“We all have a book, 'that' book, the one that changed us, our thinking, our outlook, our perspective.

“I've tried to explore that special relationship. If you haven't found 'that' book yet, I hope these images and

LEFT TO RIGHT: KAREN STANIFORTH, JULIET FARRAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DONCASTER CREATES, ED MILIBAND MP, YORKSHIRE POET IAN MCMILLAN AND PHOTOGRAPHER JAMIE BUBB

stories convince you it's worth looking for.”

The exhibition has

25

portraits of Doncaster folk

Among those in the exhibition is legendary Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan who has showcased a new piece of work ‘This is A Town’.

Frenchgate general manager Karen Staniforth said: “It really is a fantastic addition to our Town and something for the people Doncaster to be proud of and I would encourage people to come and see Jamie and Ian’s inspirational work.”

CUSTOM MICROCHIP FIRM EYES GROWTH IN SHEFFIELD EnSilica – a leading provider of custom ASIC design and supply services for high-tech sectors, including automotive, medical and satellite communications – has chosen Sheffield for its latest new design facility.

The new centre is established around a team of six experienced engineers.

EnSilica is also announcing a recruitment drive to bring in semiconductor design engineers at both graduate and senior levels.

The new site adds to EnSilica’s existing headquarters and design facility near Oxford, and its design centres in Berkshire and Cambridge. The Sheffield team’s background covers

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

analogue, RF and digital design, gained at companies including CML Microsystems, NXP and Jennic.

The centre will be headed

by John Matthews, who said: “This is a great region and a great city that we feel will help

us attract the best talent.

“Not only do we have a team in place that will foster a strong environment for growth and learning, with the Peaks and Moors on its doorstep, Sheffield gives staff here a great work/life balance.”

Make a beeline for Wentworth Woodhouse A buzz is expected at Wentworth Woodhouse’s gift shop…

Honey produced from hives in the gardens is on sale there for the first time.

“The summer crop of mixed-flower honey is lovely and people need to snap it up while they can,” said Hoyland bee farmer Phil Askham, who owns the colonies in the mansion’s gardens in Rotherham.

Phil has been keeping bees for 48 years and was invited to set up an apiary in the stately home’s gardens ten years ago by its then owner Clifford Newbold.

Architect Clifford wanted to encourage the bee population and liked to receive a few pots of honey for his breakfast table.

PHIL ASKHAM

Wentworth Woodhouse’s honey is now on sale under the Yorkshire Honey label and its own branded jars are expected soon.

Phil has more than 100 colonies, eight of which are normally in the mansion’s gardens, and supplies honey to Fountains Abbey and Chatsworth Farm Shop.

Wentworth tearoom visitors can enjoy honey from the gardens all year round, though – head of hospitality Darren Procter has squirreled away a few jars and uses it in several menu items, including the honey and rosemary shortbread.

Wentworth Woodhouse honey costs £5.60 for a 340g jar.

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AGENDA NEWS Leaders in Diversity Award success The Sheffield College has achieved the Leaders in Diversity Award from the National Centre for Diversity for its commitment to the FREDIE values – fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement.

Scientist honoured for outstanding achievement Professor Paul Evans, a cardiovascular scientist at the University of Sheffield, has been recognised with an international award by the world-leading European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Big boost for hospice funds Freemasons have given Doncaster’s St John’s Hospice in Balby a £3,000 boost.

£600k funding for global exchange programme Sheffield Hallam University has been awarded £600,000 through the UK government’s new global exchange programme to support more students in international study, work, and volunteering opportunities.

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ACCOUNTANCY FIRM PREDICTS ‘SIGNIFICANT GROWTH’ WITH NEW JOINT VENTURE Hentons, a top 100 chartered accountancy firm, is investing in Sheffield-based Mackenzie Spencer to strengthen its specialist corporate finance service offering as a lead advisor to clients.

Mackenzie Spencer’s team of experienced corporate finance and legal experts join Hentons’ 125-strong team, with a national footprint of offices in London, Leeds, Sheffield, York, and Thirsk.

Chris Sellars from Mackenzie Spencer will now become head of corporate finance at Hentons.

Hentons managing partner Nadeem Ahmed said: “Mackenzie Spencer’s unique offering of lead advisory and legal services adds a competitive advantage to the Hentons corporate finance offering to clients which will enable us to provide a comprehensive suite of services to businesses embarking on mergers, acquisitions, sales and fund raising.”

The firm will be authorised

LEFT TO RIGHT: HARRY BUSHELL FROM MACKENZIE SPENCER, PETER WATSON AND RICHARD HAYTER FROM HENTONS, MATT MILNES, SAMANTHA SELLARS AND CHRIS SELLARS FROM MACKENZIE SPENCER

to provide both accountancy and legal services, enabling it to deliver an end-to-end corporate finance service with a fully integrated corporate legal services solution for each deal.

Chris Sellars, from Mackenzie Spencer, said: “We recently celebrated 10 years in business, and we felt that now was the right time to join a top 100 firm and increase our national presence and be part

of Hentons’ exciting growth plans.

“Despite the pandemic, the market is buoyant and plenty of businesses have liquidity and have managed to build-up resources as part of their expansion plans. With significant tax changes on the horizon, business owners are considering their strategies, and we will be ideally placed to provide market-leading advice as part of Hentons.”

Mattress Online joins charity in fight to end child bed poverty Fast-growing retailer Mattress Online has joined forces with a Yorkshire charity working to end bed poverty among children in the UK. Mattress Online has signed a three-year charity partnership with Zarach, a Leeds-based charity that supports families living in poverty to access beds, bedding and other household essentials.

Zarach was founded by teacher Bex Wilson after she discovered a child in her class didn’t have a bed and was sharing sofa cushions with siblings on the floor.

STEVE ADAMS

The charity now partners with schools, manufacturers, and companies to distribute beds and basics to families in need.

Bex said: “Mattress Online believes that sleep is a right for everyone, not a privilege, and we are delighted to have their support as a corporate dream maker.

“Through this partnership, Mattress Online is ensuring Zarach can continue to help as many children as possible.”

Mattress Online CEO Steve Adams said: “Sleep affects our mental and physical wellbeing and is important in a child’s physical development. It’s vitally important we support Zarach as they strive to break the cycle of bed poverty.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

ENERGY BRAND ADDS SHEFFIELD TO OTHER ARENAS IN NEWCASTLE AND BIRMINGHAM

Objective Creative lands sweet sponsorship deal

Sheffield Arena has officially become Utilita Arena Sheffield in a new multi-year, seven-figure, partnership.

Utilita, the rising Top-10 energy supplier – which has opened a community hub next to the Cathedral – signed an initial five-year deal with Sheffield City Trust (SCT), which operates the arena.

Sheffield is its third arena after similar partnerships in Birmingham and Newcastle.

Utilita has been the junior kit sponsor at Sheffield United, and this season is supporting the Blades’ women’s team, and has branding at Bramall Lane.

Jem Maidment, Utilita’s chief marketing officer, said: “We’ve an outstanding relationship with SCT, who share our vision around what we want to deliver in the community, from energy efficiency campaigns and sustainability school lessons, to supporting local charities

Marketing agency Objective Creative has signed up as the headline sponsor of youth homelessness charity Roundabout’s Yorkshire Chocolate Festival.

Taking place at Sheffield’s historic Kelham Island Museum on October 24, the festival will bring together live music, workshops and more than 50 stalls featuring all things chocolate.

“We are really excited to be hosting Yorkshire’s first ever chocolate festival and have already been overwhelmed by the interest it is generating,” said Roundabout events fundraiser Emily Bush.

Utilita has

830,000 CUSTOMERS

and staff volunteering programmes.”

Dom Stokes, SCT head of live events and venues, said: “It shows the strength of the relationship and partnership we have already developed with Jem and his team at Utilita and the confidence they have in the UTILITA ARENA SHEFFIELD as a local, regional national and international venue.”

Aesculap Academia UK collaborates with British Society for the History of Medicine South Yorkshire-based Aesculap Academia UK has partnered with the British Society for the History of Medicine (BSHM) to assist with the delivery of their biennial congress.

The congress will be held in Sheffield on 15-18 September.

It will include presentations by speakers from across the UK who will share their expertise on a range of topics in the history of medicine.

Michael Collins, BSHM president said: “Partnering with a globally recognised company like Aesculap Academia based in a city that has such a rich industrial heritage was a wellsuited match for us.

“We look forward to welcoming delegates from many disciplines and we are very keen to encourage undergraduate and

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADELE MERCER, EVENT MANAGER FOR AESCULAP ACADEMIA UK, FOURTH FROM THE RIGHT

postgraduate students to participate.”

Adele Mercer, event manager for Aesculap Academia UK, said: “We’re delighted to be working so closely with the BSHM. “Sheffield is a great hub of

activity within the medical device world with not only our parent company B. Braun based here, but also with top performing NHS Trusts on our doorstep ensuring there is a wealth of healthcare expertise that we can draw on.”

DAN BROADBENT “There is going to be something for everyone, from brownies and doughnuts to hot chocolate and rum and the festival is a must for all chocoholics.

“We are absolutely delighted Objective Creative, our neighbours at The Circle in Sheffield city centre, have agreed to be our headline sponsor for the day.”

Objective Creative managing director Dan Broadbent said: “We are delighted to be supporting Roundabout to stage such an exciting and innovative event.

“As the leading B2B creative marketing agency in the region we are committed to supporting organisations to deliver invaluable work in our city.”

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AGENDA NEWS Finance For Enterprise accredited under Recovery Loan Scheme Alternative business lending specialist Finance For Enterprise is set to help more businesses recover from the impact of the pandemic after being accredited as a delivery partner for the Governmentbacked Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS).

Launched by the British Business Bank in April 2021, the scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they recover and grow.

As an accredited delivery partner, Finance For Enterprise will provide loan funding to businesses worth between £25,001 and £250,000, which can be used for any legitimate business purpose including managing cashflow and investment in new equipment.

ANDREW AUSTWICK

Businesses that took out a CBILS, CLBILS or BBLS facility can access the new scheme, although the amount they have borrowed under previous schemes may limit the amount they can under RLS. Finance For Enterprise MD Andrew Austwick said: “SME businesses are the lifeblood of the region’s economy, yet when it comes to being able to access the financial support needed to prosper, they are all too often overlooked.

“Becoming an accredited delivery RLS partner comes at a time when many business owners are looking toward a brighter future.”

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CONSTRUCTION OF SHEFFIELD OLYMPIC LEGACY PARK COMMUNITY STADIUM REACHES SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE Steelwork erection has begun on the new Community Stadium at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park (OLP) less than six months after construction commenced, developer Scarborough Group International (SGI) has announced.

GMI Construction is the main contractor for the stadium, which will include a three-storey, covered grandstand alongside 23,000 sq ft of business space and ancillary facilities.

SGI has also committed to three Padel Tennis courts within the grounds, further expanding the available sporting opportunities.

As well as becoming a permanent home to Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Football Club, the stadium will also be available for community use.

The steelwork is due to be completed this month, with the entire project handed over by February 2022.

SGI development director Mark Jackson said: “Not only will it provide valuable

LEFT TO RIGHT: HARRY BUSHELL FROM MACKENZIE SPENCER, PETER WATSON AND RICHARD HAYTER FROM HENTONS, MATT MILNES, SAMANTHA SELLARS AND CHRIS SELLARS FROM MACKENZIE SPENCER

Around

2,350 TONNES OF CONCRETE are being used for the project

employment opportunities and economic benefits, it will also help to support the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors with sporting facilities on their doorstep.”

Sheffield OLP project lead Richard Caborn said: “The development takes us another step closer to fulfilling our ambition of making our facilities available and accessible to all.”

Apple specialists broaden offer and open new workshop iRepair Stop, an accredited Apple repair shop on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, is broadening its offering following the launch of a new workshop and offices in Kelham Island.

Director and head technician Cal Lapugean – who has worked previously as a certified engineer for Apple and specialises in Mac repairs and training courses – said: “Customer service has been a big focus for us. With 188 reviews and counting on

Google and a score of 4.9 we know our customers feel strongly about keeping their equipment working well for longer.

“We want to bring the same levels of service we give to our high street customers to the corporate market.”

Leasing refurbished iMacs and Macbooks, the team are keen to challenge the throwaway culture perception of the technology sector.

Cal added: “With brand

new equipment costs reaching higher levels than ever and awareness of sustainability a real concern among businesses, we are offering leasing solutions that allows organisations to access top end equipment at a low monthly fee.

“We have worked to come up with solutions that particularly suit a start-up business, where justifying investment in the best technology can be difficult.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA PROPERTY NEWS

ARE LANDLORDS GETTING THE FULL POTENTIAL FROM THEIR SITES? With the pandemic accelerating changes to the demands and needs of tenants and occupiers in UK city centres, many landlords are exploring the repurposing of empty premises, according to BRM Real Estate director, James Alger.

“Repurposing buildings rather than leaving them empty can provide a solution to the ever-growing number of empty properties and is a huge opportunity for all property owners,” said James. “However, this route will provide landlords with numerous challenges to consider, too.

“Department stores are ideal for repurposing. A recent highprofile example is John Lewis in Sheffield city centre. The size of these buildings lead to the first thought of turning a tired and vacant store into luxury apartments or student flats.

“But is the property subject to covenants restricting its use or requiring third party consent for changes to use or the building?

This is particularly pertinent for

BRM REAL ESTATE DIRECTOR, JAMES ALGER

leasehold properties and must be considered by legal advisers early on.

“Another consideration is the public reaction to repurposing a building with historic meaning or popular department store to make way for discount or charity shops. This may not immediately find favour with shoppers and other city centre

stakeholders, even if it could open rental streams quickly.

“Sheffield’s now vacant Debenhams store was recently proposed as a city centre hospital, an idea which prompted local discussion and won a prestigious economics prize.

“Landlords must also consider the type of use and whether

repurposing a large space into single-use is a better option.

Increasingly, bigger city centre conversion projects will involve elements of residential, leisure, retail, and high spec office use.

Landlords should liaise with their planning consultants and commercial real estate agents to explore the true potential of their sites.”

£1.61m new record price for lot set at auction A new record for the highest individual lot price of £1.61m was set at Mark Jenkinson and Son’s latest online auction.

Malmo Food Innovation and Technology Park in Hull – comprising 10 units totalling 27,300 sq ft and a resource centre, all fully let – was listed at £1,500,000 but sold for the record-setting £1,610,000.

The freehold site of 1.69 acre was the top selling lot in the sixth online event of the year for the auctioneers – which saw 31 of 36 lots selling for a total of £5.8m.

Several other lots also sold well above their estimate, including an extended three-

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

MALMO FOOD INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY PARK IN HULL

bedroom semi-detached house in need of general modernisation in Stannington, with a guide price of £250,000 sold for £317,000. A stone-

built three-bedroom semidetached cottage, also in need of general modernisation, in Bramley, Rotherham, listed at £90,000-£100,000 sold for

£123,000. And a single garage in sought-after Nether Edge, Sheffield, which went under the hammer with a guide price of £5,000 sold for £23,500.

Adrian Little, head of the auction department, said: “There is currently very high demand for residential modernisation opportunities.

“Equally, commercial property is performing strongly – as well as the recordsetting site in Hull, an inner terrace with accommodation including shop in Sheffield sold for £272,000 after being listed at £175,000.”

The next online auction is on Tuesday October 19.

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APPOINTMENTS

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ENTER YOUR UNSUNG HERO INTO THE 2021 OFFICE HEROES AWARDS! Glu Recruit is opening up nominations for the fourth Office Heroes Awards in order to recognise those who do so much for Sheffield City Region based companies.

If you think it’s about time that someone in your office deserves a little recognition for the work they do, fill in our online form at glurecruit. co.uk/office-heroes-2021 or drop us a note to officeheroes@glurecruit.co.uk.

Don’t forget to include your contact details, and we will be in touch with further information on how they could be crowned our 2021 Office Hero of the Year!

Entry deadline: November 12 Shortlist to be announced: November 19 Awards ceremony to be held at the Leopold Hotel in Sheffield: December 3

IN ASSOCIATION WITH unLTDBUSINESS.COM

15

AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

CURRENT VACANCIES Role: Key account manager Salary: £30K Location: Sheffield Sector: Property

ABOUT GLU RECRUIT Glu Recruit are a full-service recruitment agency established in 2016.

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Call: 0114 321 1873 Email: hello@glurecruit.co.uk www.glurecruit.co.uk

Role: HR generalist Salary: £24,000-£26,000 Location: Thurnscoe Sector: Clothing/PPE Role: Field engineer Salary: Up to £30,000 plus company vehicle Location: Chesterfield Sector: IT Managed Service Provider

NEW ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR PROMOTED AFTER ‘OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION’ Bell & Buxton Solicitors have announced Dax Keeling has been promoted to associate solicitor in recognition of having made an ‘outstanding contribution’ to the firm.

The new role for the regular unLTD columnist is recognition by the partners of Bell & Buxton and the promotion has been made in the litigation department, dealing with commercial litigation and dispute resolution.

Alex Ross, managing

partner at Bell & Buxton, said: “It is always a pleasure to appoint new associates.

“It is a great achievement and testament to Dax’s individual sustained and outstanding contribution to the firm.”

Bell & Buxton’s key focus is to resolve client disputes as quickly and as commercially as possible. They are recommended in The Legal 500 for their expertise in this field.

DAX KEELING

BHP bolsters its VAT offering with new director Leading independent accountancy firm BHP has further strengthened its tax team with the appointment of Carla Horsfall.

Carla, who joins BHP from Hart Shaw, said: “The VAT team at BHP really appealed to me and I was keen to focus purely on VAT. “I already feel so welcomed by the team and the firm has a real family feel to it which was important to me."

Joint managing partner, Lisa Leighton, said: “We

16

CARLA HORSFALL

pride ourselves on the depth of knowledge of our VAT team and our ability to offer complex specialist VAT advice.

“Developing our fantastic talent pool and supplementing it with experts like Carla is a key part of our strategy going forward.”

‘Exciting new brand’ Raffina welcomes assistant manager Raffina Caffè Bar and Ristorante has appointed Tom O’Connor as assistant manager.

Previously wowing customers at The Summer House in Dore, Tom is bringing his extensive knowledge and knowhow of everything from traditional Italian wines to innovative modern cocktails. Tom will further bolster the Raffina team at the Ecclesall Road location which opened earlier this year.

Tom explained: “Raffina is an exciting brand with an incredibly passionate team, and I’m looking forward to showcasing great food and drinks to the people of Sheffield.”

The new hire coincides with the launch of a brandnew evening and Sunday lunch menu, which includes innovative dishes including Linguine Salentina and Tofu Tempura alongside fan favourites such as Chicken Milanese and Mushroom and Truffle Risotto.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA SPONSORED BY

SHEFFIELD BROKER CONTINUES TO GROW WITH TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS Chartered insurance broker IFM has announced the appointment of James KulaginLepp and Michael McGregor.

The new appointments signify IFM’s commitment to recruit and invest in its staff based in Sheffield and the surrounding area.

James has worked for a national broker for over five years and deals with all classes of commercial insurance. He brings with him his Cert CII qualification and is currently studying towards his Diploma in Insurance.

Michael made the move to IFM from a local broker after spending over three years in the industry. He joins IFM’s SME team and is working towards his Cert CII qualification.

Mark Barlow, managing director of IFM said: “James

Sheffield agency introduces five new staff members

JAMES KULAGIN-LEPP, LEFT AND MICHAEL MCGREGOR

and Michael are a key part of our growth strategy.

“They are both talented individuals with a good

knowledge of the challenges faced by local business and are a great addition to our growing business.”

Accountancy firm invests in team with talented new hire Hentons has appointed an experienced learning and development professional as part of the chartered accountancy and business advisory firm’s ongoing investment in its people.

Kuljit Kaur joins Hentons from an FTSE 250 listed financial lending firm, with more than 15 years’ experience.

Managing director at Hentons, Peter Watson, said: “Hentons is a great place to work with plenty of opportunity. Kuljit’s appointment as learning and development manager demonstrates our continued investment in our team, as we propel the business forward.”

Kuljit said: “I was keen to join Hentons during this very exciting time. The company

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KULJIT KAUR

employs 120 of some of the industry’s finest.

“The new frameworks I will be working on will form

firm foundations from which we will continue to attract, keep and train the very best industry talent.”

Hydra Creative has added five talented digital experts to the team following continued growth.

The award-winning digital agency is rapidly expanding to meet the ongoing increase in demand for their digital services following the pandemic.

Jess Beever and Alexandra Knowles join the agency as part of Hydra’s awardwinning client services team.

The agency has previously ranked number one in the UK for client satisfaction in The Drum’s Digital Agency Census.

Tyler Gayle and Izzy Hackney join Hydra’s creative departments, bolstering the agency’s wellknown video and design services. Most recently, Wesley Campbell joins the website development team with over ten years of freelance industry experience.

“The new additions will help provide strategic marketing support to our clients in and around Sheffield,” said MD Ryan Daniels.

“They’re all highly creative and committed professionals with a huge passion for their specialisms.

They are fantastic additions to our team.”

The company’s increasing client base includes some of the biggest names in city, including Sheffield FC, OCF, and Sheffield Hatters.

17

AGENDA

THE DIARY

BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor says the rebooted Sheffield Business Awards will be something to celebrate

PRESTIGE + EXCLUSIVITY =

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER You’ll no doubt have heard by now that the Sheffield Business Awards are back.

If you’ve not, and you’re somehow getting this news by reading my monthly column, then thank you and I’m flattered to be your source for breaking news!

We’re particularly excited at the return of the awards as we’re heavily involved this year – and for the foreseeable future.

Alongside the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, we hope to produce a night to remember on December 9 at the fabulous Peddler Market where we can all get together and celebrate the very best of the city’s business community.

Entries are open now (link

at the end of this article) and I would encourage you to get involved. There should be a category for all types of business and organisation, but if there’s not please drop us a line and we’ll endeavour to cover all bases for 2022 and beyond.

Awards events can be a bit ‘marmite’ in how people approach them. For some it’s an opportunity to just have a night out with colleagues or to use it as a networking event.

For others it’s the crowning occasion to demonstrate just how brilliantly their firm has been doing over the past 12 months.

But for another group it’s just a date in the diary that must be fulfilled among a whole heap

of other commitments during a very busy part of the year.

For that group, I hear you loud and clear. I really want the Sheffield Business Awards to be an occasion that everyone looks forward to. Not just the night itself but creating a prestige and exclusivity around winning an award itself that lasts for a long time.

We’ll also be doing our best to make sure the awards night isn’t a long, drawn-out bore fest. There’ll be no lengthy, worthy speeches and no acts that interest only the person who booked them. The focus will be on the shortlisted firms and, of course, the winners.

Over the next few weeks more details will be released as we announce ticket prices

and how you can secure your table at the event. We expect the night to sell out fast so get booking as soon as you can!

Speaking of awards, or more accurately a list of top firms, I want to give a lot of praise to my team at HRM PR & Creative who have risen a massive 25 places up the Prolific North Top 50 PR Agencies since 2018 to reach 31st in the 2021 rankings.

Up against some of the mega-sized agencies from Leeds, Manchester and the north-east we consistently punch above our weight alongside our brilliant clients.

I’m very proud of the team here at our Sidney Street HQ and I just wanted a moment of self-indulgency to thank them.

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

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

19

Highly professional, unbiased, independent financial planning and wealth management delivering planning-led (not product-driven) financial advice Shortlisted for Financial Planner of the Year 2016

Shortlisted for Investment Adviser of the Year 2016

Finalist for the Excellence in Professional Services Award 2016

Listed as one of 42 under 42 “Brightest and Best” businesses in Yorkshire 2016

Call us now on 0114 294 5353 for an unbiased second opinion on your financial needs or visit us online at

bluewealthcapital.com

AGENDA

FINANCIAL HEALTH

BY RAJ AND FIONA SHAH OF BLUE WEALTH CAPITAL

Twice as nice – the financial planners on their two award nominations • To help charities and good causes in Sheffield and across the UK benefit from high-quality financial planning.

REWARDING TIMES FOR ‘REVOLUTIONARY’ FINANCIAL PLANNERS Following the recent achievement of our operations director Fiona Shah gaining the acclaimed Certificate in Relational Financial Planning, we are excited to now be shortlisted for two prestigious awards by Money Marketing.

Here we give more detail about the awards and our entries: Financial wellbeing champion of the year This award recognises an individual who excelled this year in promoting the value of financial wellbeing to consumers. This individual should be a true champion of why planning, not products, matter in clients’ lives, banging the drum for how coaching and other techniques can revolutionise our relationship with money.

Charity Champion Of The Year This category seeks to reward an advice firm that has gone above and beyond in their efforts to help others over the

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

past 12 months. The judges will be looking for a genuine commitment to charity endeavour.

For several years, Blue Wealth Capital has actively supported the work of Sheffield-based Endeavour, a charity created to help young people living in some of the most deprived areas of South Yorkshire escape the poverty trap. Our founder, Raj Shah, recognised that by working with young people and helping to teach them financial literacy skills, it could have a direct impact on their relationship with money and debt.

As the country entered lockdown in March 2020, we realised many charities would have their fundraising ability and capacity severely curtailed and would struggle to raise the vital funds needed to provide their services, many of which are lifelines to vulnerable people and communities. To support this important work during the pandemic, we pledged to donate

a minimum of six hours of work per month towards supporting local good causes. This didn’t simply mean undertaking fundraising activities, but rather using the skills and knowledge in our business to help organisations rise to the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Blue Wealth developed and implemented a clear ‘giving back’ programme of activity. Working closely with Endeavour, Raj played a key role in helping the organisation move its events and activity programmes online and delivered both group and one-to-one sessions with young people to help them develop the skills needed to manage their money more effectively.

Over the past 12 months, we set ourselves several goals: • To support 100 charity and voluntary organisations during the pandemic • To deliver a minimum of eight hours pro-bono work per month

Drawing on his professional experience, Raj shared his knowledge and expertise, particularly in relation to the creation of legacies and trusts, to illustrate both the societal and tax benefits of supporting charities. This culminated in the delivery of a presentation, entitled ‘Why Financial Planning and Wealth Planning Could and Should Be Used as a Force for Good’ to more than 2000 global delegates, comprising senior representatives from charities – including UNICEF, The British Red Cross, and The Princes Trust.

In the following months, Raj worked closely with several charitable organisations to help them review their legacy programmes and facilitate supporters to donate money as part of their estate and future financial planning activity.

Of course, as we were always told as children, it is not the winning but the taking part.

Therefore, regardless of the outcome of the nominations, we will bask for a while in the glory of being recognised by Money Marketing in these often-overlooked areas.

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

21

Legal Insight.

Business Instinct.

With a client base and heritage of commercial lawyers combine local business and sector knowledge with legal expertise to deliver a quality client service.

Business Law Partners: Charles B Neal, Alex Ross and Matthew Rodgers

Trusted by generations.

0114 249 5969 legals@bellbuxton.co.uk www.bellbuxton.co.uk

Supporting businesses across the Sheffield City Region with high quality insurance and risk management solutions including Property & Liability Motor Fleet Cyber / Crime Directors Liability Credit Insurance Private Client Health & Safety

w: actusinsurance.co.uk e: info@actusinsurance.co.uk

Qualified broking team of 30 staff Increased buying power Dedicated claims support

where all Partners are recommended by the Legal 500.

AGENDA

LEGAL MATTERS

BY CHARLOTTE HIGGINS, BELL & BUXTON INCORPORATING IRONMONGER CURTIS Solicitor Charlotte Higgins with a lowdown on shareholder protection insurance

dgers

SHAREHOLDER PROTECTION INSURANCE – HAVE YOU CONSIDERED IT? What is shareholder protection insurance?

This type of insurance is intended to pay out upon the death or critical illness of a shareholder and can be taken out by a company or an individual shareholder.

In the event a shareholder dies or suffers from a critical illness, the policy will pay out a sum of money to ensure the remaining shareholder(s) can purchase the shares from the deceased’s estate.

The benefits include: • Ensuring existing shareholders can continue to run the company, but also the deceased family will receive an appropriate pay out for the value of the shares, and the responsibility of the shares is returned to the existing shareholders.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

• The company has a fail-safe in order to pay for the shares taking the worry out of how it would finance the purchase of the shares.

• Tax exemptions.

Which policy is appropriate?

There are several different ways to structure the policy, and a reputable insurer or broker should be able to advise you in this respect.

Firstly, the company can take out the policy itself, paying the premiums and owning the policy, with the shareholder being the insured.

The second way is through a ‘Life of Another’ policy. This type of policy is most commonly found in a company that is owned by two shareholders. Each a beneficiary to the other,

the premiums of the policy are paid by each of the shareholders individually.

And thirdly, an ‘Own Life’ policy. Each shareholder will take out their own insurance policy, for the benefit of their estate. This means the policy proceeds will be paid directly into the shareholder's estate.

Who should enter into an option agreement and how does this agreement work?

Cross option agreements are usually entered into by owner managed companies.

Providing existing shareholders with peace of mind if a disruption occurs, the agreements carry many benefits to help the company continue to operate.

The agreement will include both Put and Call Options. Both options run consecutively, enabling the

surviving shareholders or the company to exercise the Call Option to compel the deceased shareholder’s estate to sell the deceased’s shares to them.

In the event this option is not exercised, the deceased shareholder’s estate will have the right to exercise the Put Option and compel the surviving shareholders or the company to purchase the shares from them, using the proceeds of the insurance policy.

Care should always be taken to seek tax advice as to the implications of cross options, prior to purchasing any insurance policies.

For further information please visit bellbuxton.co.uk or call 0114 2495969.

23

AGENDA

ENTREPRENEURSUPPORT

BY HELEN WILLIAMS

Our columnist Helen Williams of Helping Entrepreneurs Win (HEW) says while the ‘personal’ in ‘personal development’ is there for a reason – sometimes you need a professional support squad to get you where you want to be, in life and in business.

The best way to demonstrate a service that is sometimes difficult to grasp to the untrained and inexperienced eye is to showcase the findings of others.

Coaching is often misunderstood due to the lack of tangibility, especially when focused on the soft skills and mindset side of things, before making the transference into business. This is because it often represents something a lot more linear by encompassing figures, stats and identifiable outcomes.

Yet we totally appreciate this only goes a fraction of the way because everyone’s situation is different, with a

different set of variables at any one time.

Yes, we are all human and spin the many plates of modern life – holding down a job, claiming a career, raising a family, investing in our future, running a household, staying as healthy and sane as possible, learning new skills, being a friend, upholding our responsibility as a family member… And let’s not even mention being ourselves and living to our own values and principles while we are at it!

Wow. And breathe. No mean feat, hey?!

Things can become chaotic – we can often lose a sense of focus, prioritisation, and balance in the process of the

juggling all things life and business.

But the ‘personal’ in ‘personal development’ is there for a reason – it is personal to you.

It’s never easy, particularly when you have a nature that pushes for more and isn’t satisfied with the status quo. You desire more from yourself, from your business performance, from life overall.

We totally get it!

Coaching, then – what is it? It is a service that allows you to develop, helps you learn more about yourself and your business, to enable you to grow professionally and interpersonally.

At HEW we support and

educate. We are an empathetic ear, a boot of discipline, and we mentor from our own knowledge and experience.

We coach from our toolkit of practical tips, tools, and techniques and we become part of your team.

Does it mean you’re incapable? No – not at all, it means you are okay with holding your hands up and asking for help. The alternative is struggling through on your own and hoping for the best, usually to the detriment of a plate you are spinning which is most likely the one with your name on it – you. The person behind it all. And where is the sense in that?

People come to us from

For more info on how coaching with HEW can help you and your business please visit

HELPINGENTREPRENEURSWIN.COM

24

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

a whole host of different starting points, from founding a business, to growing it, from ‘finding’ themselves and claiming ownership of their own identity, to needing a support squad on their books.

Sometimes it is a mix of all of the above!

Here are a couple of insights from our clients: John Sutcliffe, Relationship Impact Coach, Sheffield

John originally attended one of our day workshops at Sheffield City Hall in March 2020 and then took the plunge to work with us oneto-one at the start of this year.

The main objective was to gain clarity and direction of how to best structure his coaching business.

He needed to identify his target market and to drill down into specifics and core messaging to ensure he could confidently push forward into delivering a product and service that he was passionate about and highly skilled and experienced within.

John said of HEW: “Every session is insightful, engaging, structured and fun – plus being held accountable and having a high level of positive challenge is just what I needed.”

We Can Grow, Doncaster

Having listened to the podcast interview Helen conducted with James Coppinger, former Doncaster Rovers footballer, We Can Grow (WCG) business development director Peter Norman started to follow HEW online.

He subsequently introduced the coaching concept into the company to help with employee development and strategic business growth.

Peter said: “We have gained strength and improved resilience from the personal development perspective which in turn has given us a

huge positive boost in our confidence and business outlook. As a direct result of the coaching, we have secured some additional new business and we have hired a new fulltime member of staff.”

Sarah Holland, Lou Belle Photography, Bolton

Sarah was bought a ticket to an online goal setting workshop as a gift by her partner at the beginning and decided to engage our services on an in-depth oneto-one basis to focus on herself and gain

support and direction to launch her photography business.

We have covered so much personal development ground around confidence, self-belief and money mindset which has proven invaluable when Sarah began operating within the photography sector.

Embarking on a new venture as a business start-up can be a daunting experience despite the passion and vision you may have. HEW are an ongoing team member here alongside Sarah’s continual development and growth.

To book a consultation call with Helen or fellow HEW business coach Lauren Brady please visit the website at helpingentrepreneurswin.com.

Or email

helen@helpingentrepreneurswin.com

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

25

Austin Fletcher is a multi-disciplinary construction consultancy, supporting businesses and organisations across the UK

Project Delivery

Health, Safety & Compliance

Estate Services

Visit our website or call us to find out more

www.austinfletcher.co.uk 0114 213 8305 info@austinfletcher.co.uk

SKILLS

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.

THE SOURCE WEBINARS TEACHING MANAGERS ‘VITAL SKILLS’ Some are born leaders, but most people move into management with little experience or training.

In time you may learn essential skills, but a lot can go wrong while you learn on the hoof.

“Developing bad management habits can do incredible damage to a company,” says George Elliott, an international business trainer and mentor with 30 years’ experience in retail, travel, and hospitality.

George and business partner Steve Badger have helped The Source Skills Academy develop a webinar series integral to its National Certificate of Further Education Level 2 in Team Leading course and the Level 3 in Management.

The webinars were developed during the pandemic, as the charity found innovative ways of delivering skills.

Steve, who has mentored

CONSULTANTS GEORGE ELLIOTT AND STEVE BADGER

and trained top-level managers across the sectors, said: “Before COVID-19 we always trained groups face-to face – learners get huge value from interacting with each other.

“But the webinars have a clear future alongside

classroom training. During each two-hour seminar we look at the scenarios learners have experienced and start discussions. They learn from each other as we guide and teach.”

There are 16 management qualification webinars, with

themes including conflict management, public speaking, and decision-making, and 11 for team leaders, from developing work relationships to the basics of coaching and mentoring. They can be done in any order over several months, and from home or office.

Said Steve: “The beauty of the webinar is its flexibility.

One guy on the course had his baby asleep across his knees!”

Dale Robinson, the Source’s director of business development, said: “Many businesses restructuring after lockdowns are promoting people to management. It’s vital they get the skills to do the job well.

“Our expert tutors are equipping managers and team-leaders with a toolbox of skills and full funding can be gained for these qualifications.”

Contact 0114 2635722 or email enquiries@ thesourceacademy.co.uk

FIND OUT ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS IN HALF-TERM Young people can use their half-term break to shape the rest of their lives…

The Source is staging an open week from October 25-29 so school and college students can call in and find out how to get into apprenticeships and training.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

All are welcome. Schools from Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley have been invited and The Source also wants to help students planning to opt out of sixth form or college courses.

More than 75 local apprenticeship jobs will be

available, in IT, admin and office skills, customer service, hospitality, warehousing, marketing and social care.

Specialist staff from The Source will be on hand to give advice, link people with employers and arrange interviews and a ground floor

IT suite will be available for anyone wanting to search for jobs or prepare CVs. For more information or to apply for a vacancy, contact Amanda Smith on 0114 2635721.

27

Your IT is our priority We’re a bunch of Yorkshire lads and lasses that love IT. Our expert team takes away the headaches and eases the burden of technology on your business, leaving you free to focus on what really matters.

Put simply, we make things uncomplicated.

IT Support | Security | Cloud CRM & ERP | Telephony | Consultancy

Systems House, Shepcote Office Village 333 Shepcote Lane, Sheffield S9 1TG T: 0114 292 3800 E: hello@highlanderuk.com

AGENDA

HIGHLANDER

By Bryn Hawkins, pre-sales technical specialist at Highlander Computing Solutions

TECH SECURITY – A CYBER TABOO As technology increases pace it’s harder for cybercriminals to hack systems, so they target something much easier – you. Bryn Hawkins, pre-sales technical specialist at Highlander Computing Solutions, says the weakest security link is now humans.

Here he explores some great take home tips to share with others.

What’s the easiest way to hack you?

One word – e-mail. More than 90 per cent of all cyber attacks start that way – but why?

We get hundreds of e-mails per day, from lots of sources.

There’s a big opportunity for hackers to impersonate to get you to hand over our valuable information or money.

Like a magician using deception to entertain, a hacker will try and distract you by exploiting your emotions.

Fear of an unpaid bill, excitement at a prize – or panic over your browser history being revealed! All designed to drop your guard and allow access to valuable information. They rely on embarrassment and fear to keep hidden – we report

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

just three per cent of e-mail attacks. We don’t talk enough about this and this culture needs to change, so I’ll start.

I advise companies about cyber security – and this year I fell for two e-mail scams.

The first happened while I was doing DIY and ‘my MD, Steve’ e-mailed asking for my mobile number. Without checking, I replied. Moments later I realised he had my number – and now so did a hacker. They wanted me to buy Apple vouchers, the answer was no! The e-mail had several red flags. I didn’t check. I should have.

The second happened with a delivery e-mail stating I needed to pay a small fee for redelivery.

Swearing under my breath, I opened up the link and got halfway to typing in my payment details before I realised it might be a scam. I googled and sure enough, it was.

We can all fall for these scams and shouldn't be embarrassed if we do.

Hopefully, with some basic tips, we can make it harder for cybercriminals.

Here’s a guide to keep you safe at work and some for our

daily life, too. Let’s look after each other in our increasingly digital world.

Top e-mail tips the e-mail 1 Check address – is it masked or have spelling errors? click that link 2 Don’t – hover over it with your mouse to see if it will take you to a legitimate site.

Don’t open any attached files unless you are 100 per cent sure you know who sent them.

3

Verify the e-mail via trusted methods – don’t call the number on the e-mail!

4

Invest in tech and software – even free antivirus or firewalls can be better than none.

5

Often attacks are impersonated badly – if it doesn’t feel right, don’t trust it.

2

Google – most attacks will be documented.

If in doubt, check.

3

4 you.

Talk to someone, get them to check it with

Never give away sensitive information over e-mails/text/social media such as credit card details, passwords or PINs.

5

Don’t fill in online quizzes to find out what celebrity you are most like!

6

Remember – once you share an image or data online it is as good as public information.

7

Don’t pay bills on inbound calls. If someone rings you demanding payment, politely decline, find the correct number and call the following day or from a separate number.

8

Broader tips for daily life Slow down – hackers use urgency to make you panic.

1

29

ADVERTORIAL

FEMALE ROLE MODELS PROMOTING EQUALITY IN STEM

Our Mission: To attract and retain women in STEM careers in South and West Yorkshire

ANGELA TAYLOR DIRECTOR OF AT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS AND DIRECTOR OF BMPCA What is your current role?

Director of AT Management Solutions and director of BMPCA (British Manufacturing Plant Constructors Association). I also volunteer as an enterprise adviser in Sheffield.

What does that involve on a day-to-day basis?

I work with a wide portfolio of clients on business growth and the changes required throughout the business to achieve their goals. On the engineering side, I work in supply chain management with clients to source the best products globally, including foundries, machining, and other metal-manufactured products.

How did you get started working in STEM? I was looking for a new challenge at what was quite a difficult point in my life and wanted to use my sales and business development skills in a role with the potential to travel and use my language skills. My engineering ‘apprenticeship’ started with an

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

export sales executive role with WM Cook Ltd.

thrust, and Typhoon EJ200 Eurofighter.

there is no such thing as a ‘daft’ question.

What qualifications did you gain along the way?

My professional qualifications are linguistic, and business based. Throughout my career I have completed bespoke courses related to sales and business development and management. Now I am concentrating on Certifications for Professional Development (CPD) related to leadership and coaching, corporate governance, due diligence, networking strategies and how to become a non-executive director (NED).

What challenges have you faced in your career? How did you overcome them?

When I accepted the role at WM Cook, I had zero foundry experience (not a clue about how castings were made!), so I identified the most experienced technical people and spent time shadowing them, asked curious questions, and discovered the answers, enabling me to fulfil my role.

I have been made redundant and learned it is not personal, but instead a very formative lesson in resilience and understanding my core skills and how transferable they were.

What do we need to do as an industry to attract and keep more women in STEM? Retain talent through flexible working conditions such as working from home policies (much more likely to be second place since the pandemic), compressed working hours, and job sharing all mean women can find a better ideal work/life balance. Organisations must offer equal pay. Women are often paid up to 20 per cent less than their male counterparts.

To retain more women across all role levels, we need to pay everyone the same base-line value.

What advice would you offer for someone joining the STEM sectors?

STEM is everywhere – building Lego is engineering, and physics and baking is chemistry and maths. There are more ways into STEM than you can imagine in terms of roles and career opportunities.

Know your passions, be and stay curious and remember

For the full article please visit our blog at: equalityinstem.org. uk/blog/

Why do you love working in STEM? I am passionate about how we make things, how they work and the concepts behind them.

I have always been fascinated by flight and steam engines – because without STEM and everything it involves the world would stop.

My favourite projects I’ve been involved with include supplying components for the Joint Strike Fighter – vectored

31

GET WHAT YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS TO

ACHIEVE MARKETING SUCCESS Boost results by working with the agency that has collaboration at its core, and a team of in-house industry experts with decades of combined experience at your fingertips.

Our synergetic approach speaks for itself…

Hydra Creative are a great company to work with and have steered us through our journey with an open, approachable and supportive hand. Our relationship is far from over, and we are grateful to have Hydra Creative as our guide.

- OCF Limited

Our teamwork can help your team work, and get you reaching audiences quickly to achieve results.

Contact our team today, to book your free business marketing consultation.

0114 2509 578 hello@hydracreative.com

hydracreative.com

1-6-DS Hydra Unltd Ad October.indd 1

22/09/2021 15:11

AGENDA

TEAM TALK Q&A

BY GEMMA DANIELS OF HYDRA CREATIVE

Our columnist on the importance of working as a team in the workplace

HOW TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION IS FUNDAMENTAL FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Strong teamwork is the foundation to any successful project. Utilising each unique skill set means the client receives a result which draws on the experience of the whole team, making for an enriched experience and better outcomes.

Directors' thoughts We asked company directors, Ryan and Gemma Daniels, why they prioritise collaboration when tackling projects at Hydra Creative.

"As our tagline ‘when we put our heads together, we're Hydra’ suggests, our business is built on a collaborative approach. As a full-service agency, each department must work together to ensure we can deliver projects that go above and beyond expectations. All team members work closely at every stage, to ensure each element integrates with the next.

"Each staff member brings

unLTDBUSINESS.COM 15:11

unique skills to the table.

This benefits our clients, who enjoy the advantage of having multiple experts work on their digital projects."

Staff opinions We also spoke to Tyler Gayle, multimedia designer, and Jana Kukebal, studio assistant, about their views on in-house collaboration.

Q

What are the benefits of working as a team?

Tyler: It means multiple minds suggest ways to improve the project – things you may not recognise when working in isolation. A significant benefit of working in a team is motivation. If something doesn't go right the first time, you can lean on them to reignite your inspiration.

Jana: The best benefit of working as a team is synergy.

Diversity is a massive plus as

well – each team member brings their unique area of expertise, which can be combined to create a project that goes above and beyond client expectations.

Can you provide an example of how teamwork made a project a success?

Q

Tyler: We created videos for South Yorkshire TravelMaster, which required departments to collaborate to make sure assets were high-impact and engaging. Our marketing and video team worked closely to ensure the video visuals enhanced the key messages.

Our collaboration resulted in more than 20,000 views on each video!

Jana: A stand-out project for me would be M&T Haylage. They entrusted us to help them expand overseas to reach an

A

international market. We futureproofed the brand and built a website to help represent M&T and their offering.

The SEO team and the development team ensured that the website would go above and beyond the client's objectives. This resulted in an 800+ per cent increase in international traffic to the website and a 90 per cent increase in website users yearon-year!

Directors’ thoughts “The results speak for themselves. The outcome clients get when working with us proves that working with a team is often more effective than working in isolation.

Afterall, when we put our heads together, we're Hydra.”

Get in touch with Hydra Creative to begin your collaboration today. www.hydracreative.com

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

ART THAT MEANS

BUSINESS

Artist and founder of Reyt Good Illustration Andy Slater tells unLTD’s Jill Theobald about combining the creative and commercial sides of running a business and why art is proving to be a real draw when it comes to Sheffield’s cultural offering.

“Reyt Good Illustration was born from all my loves – illustration, music, sport, travel and, of course, my home and biggest love, Sheffield.”

It’s very fitting to be interviewing Andy Slater of Reyt Good Illustration about the city’s growing reputation as a cultural hotspot in the same week the newly named South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) announced the arts, culture and heritage sector was set to

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receive a £1m funding boost.

And on the same day awardwinning travel blogger Emily Luxton (@em_luxton) was visiting the city and sharing posts about Millennium and Graves Galleries where she ‘particularly enjoyed local artist Phlegm's Lockdown Diaries sketches!’ She later told her 18k Twitter followers: ‘#Sheffield's street art scene is strong!’ with accompanying images of Bubba Art 2000 and Faunagraphic.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Growing up in Woodseats, Andy Slater says he was only “aware of Joe Scarborough because there used to be a mural by him in the entrance to the old Odeon. And the only street art I remember is the steel worker in Snig Hill and the vultures opposite Millennium Gallery – I always loved seeing them.”

Andy studied art and design then graphic design at Norton College before moving to

Manchester to do an HND in graphic design. After moving back home he went to work for Armeg in Dronfield, where his dad worked and still does, for a ‘summer job’.

“I was just going to get a job doing bits in the factory and warehouse as I had done previously during holidays while studying – it was an easy role for me to go back to and it was good for them because I understood the business and the working environment.

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COVER STORY

“Then they employed a marketing manager and I got chatting to him and told him my background and started doing the odd bit of packaging design and labelling. That grew and grew over a few months, and they offered me a position as marketing assistant.

“When the marketing manager left three years later, they offered me the position and before I knew it a summer job had become a change of career and ten years at the company! Apart from a brief spell in freelance graphic design, I’ve been in marketing until three years ago.”

Which was when Andy decided to embrace selfemployment and set up Reyt Good Illustration.

“The role I was in, I didn’t like the facts and figures side of marketing,” he explains. “I went into the industry wanting to be creative, but the role was becoming repetitive. I’d just turned 40 and thought ‘if I don’t make the change now I might never do it’ so I quit my job.

“I’d built up to that stage

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mentally. I’ve always drawn but I was doing a lot more of it in my spare time. I’d always wanted to work for myself, too.

“The last job was in Wakefield so to save some money I moved back to Sheffield and in with my parents and the first few things I worked on were literally done on my mum’s kitchen table and I just focused on getting my work out there.

“After a few months I got a studio at Abbeydale Picture House and things started picking up. I was there for about six months before I grew out of it, space-wise and functionality. It was a lovely artistic and creative space and a good steppingstone. It made it more real to me, having my own space – and no longer being told to move when my mum was serving up tea! It was definitely a mindset thing – ‘I have this space, it’s real, I can focus’.

“Then I moved here (to his studio and shop in Kelham Island arcade) January 2020 – two months before lockdown.”

And how did COVID-19 affect Andy and his new business?

“For me there were so many phases of lockdown – I don’t know whether it was because of the business restrictions, but it felt like there were constant little changes and challenges.

“At some points it affected us negatively, at some points it was a bit more positive. People were at home on social media spending online because they were either still being paid or on furlough.

“But it did have a big impact. The drop in sales with us not being able to do markets – website sales went up a bit, but we lost every other revenue stream, and I was still paying rent as well.

But because it was just me, I was able to use the studio after the lockdown restrictions eased and after that ‘end of the world’ feeling had passed, when you felt guilty for even looking out the window!

“The constant changes have been the most difficult, having to adjust, no steady periods and because I’d only

just started, I’d not even got into a rhythm. But again, that might have helped because I didn’t have expectations or the pressure of thinking ‘we’re only doing 25-30 per cent of what we’d normally be doing’.

“During lockdown I got a little bit towards the rent to help pay but it didn’t cover it. I’ve never borrowed finance –when I first started, I sometimes would have to wait for the order to come in and then get it printed, as I didn’t have enough to hold stock. It has literally been starting from zero. Any money I’d saved up was going on living costs – I wasn’t paying myself a wage for a long time. I built it up from nothing.”

Today Andy employs one full time member of staff and has a university student on work placement and is banging the drum for the creative industry and its strong role in the local economy, too.

“Creatives tend to fall down a gap in that we’re not really ‘seen’ as a business.

I’m fortunate because of my

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COVER STORY

marketing background, I think a lot of other creatives feel almost guilty about the business side of running a company or hide away from it because being creative is viewed as something you do for other people’s pleasure.

Which it is but you’ve still got to make a living from it. You’re not perceived and seen quite like other businesses if you’re creative.”

But didn’t going solo just before a pandemic scare him?

“Sticking with something I was unhappy doing was a scarier prospect. I was aware of the risks, of course, but I think sometimes you can feel like you’ve got nothing to lose.

I was single, I’ve not got any dependents – the risk was only to myself. I was also struggling with anxiety at the time, and it was affecting my work.

“It felt like being creative again would help and it really has. Partly because I’m doing something I love but also because being self-employed you’ve got full control. If you’re not having a great day, you

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Art doesn’t necessarily fit the traditional working day – switch on at 9am and stop being creative at 5pm!

Not having that pressure helps and was one of the main reasons for setting up the business.

don’t have to force yourself – work when you’re productive.

I can go some weeks where I work 12-hour days and then switch off and reset for a few days.

“Art doesn’t necessarily fit the traditional working day – switch on at 9am and stop being creative at 5pm! Not having that pressure helps and was one of the main reasons for setting up the business.

Those reasons all made sense then and still do now. It’s all about creating that work-life balance which can be difficult in certain other roles. It’s really a lifestyle choice.”

And what are his plans for the future?

“I want to be successful, obviously, and I want to grow but not aggressively – I don’t want to lose sight of why I’m doing this. I’ve got goals which I’d like to achieve but I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself in terms of meeting targets. Being on the cover of (unLTD’s sister mag) Exposed was a big deal – now I’m on the cover of your

magazine! All targets I’ve achieved so far.

“But my goals are more about developing my artwork and challenging myself creatively. I’ve got a style, but I want to continue enjoying what I’m doing – not just do things because they’re expected of me.

“Growing up the artists that inspired me included Roy Lichtenstein and M.C. Escher. But music was more of my inspiration back then and it was more of the creative outlet in Sheffield, too, compared with art. That’s changing now – if you asked most people in Sheffield ‘who are your favourite local artists?’ most would be able to name two or three. That wasn’t the case ten to 15 years ago – but if you’d said name five Sheffield bands they probably could have.

“I think art has almost caught up with music now in terms of the city’s cultural offering, if not over-taking it. The art scene is a lot more prominent.”

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COVER STORY

ART OF

THE CITY

With Reyt Good Illustration on our cover just weeks after the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) announced funding worth £1m for the arts, culture, and heritage sector in South Yorkshire, unLTD’s Beth Burley, Joe Food and Jill Theobald caught up with a host of award-winning and emerging artistic talent who are putting the region on the UK’s cultural and creative map.

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unLTDBUSINESS.COM

COVER STORY Major funding for Arts, Culture & Heritage Sector in South Yorkshire announced The arts, culture and heritage sector in South Yorkshire is set to receive a boost with the announcement from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) of funding worth £1m.

The Fund is part of South Yorkshire’s ARG (Additional Restrictions Grant), which has so far provided South Yorkshire businesses with over £45m of support during the pandemic.

This is the first time that the Mayoral Combined Authority has made specific funding available to the arts, culture and heritage sector in recognition of the value it has to the local economy, by creating jobs, enriching the lives of local people and reinforcing South Yorkshire’s reputation as a tourism destination.

Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis, said: “There is no doubt that South Yorkshire is home to a wealth of creative talent. The arts, culture and heritage sectors have been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic and investing in these areas is an essential part of their recovery and renewal.

The fund will go a long way towards creating more sustainable communities, vibrant places and enhancing our strong local identities, as well as contributing to our

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE, THE SHEFFIELD-BASED SUCCESS STORY WAS RECENTLY FILMED IN THE CITY

economic recovery.”

The £1m Funding will be managed by South Yorkshire’s local authorities, who will distribute the fund through the commissioning of cultural events, activities or projects, with some businesses potentially eligible for micro grants.

Dan Jarvis adds: “If supported and nurtured, the Creative Industries can

help drive growth and realise untapped potential. Because, in its truest sense, levelling up is about more than just the economy, it’s about improving how people feel about where they live. Culture adds colour to people’s lives and makes a place somewhere people want to live, study, work, visit and invest in.”

The funding announcement comes at a time when the

spotlight is shining on South Yorkshire with the worldwide film release of the Sheffield success story, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie. To mark and celebrate this, the authority, in partnership with the Showroom/Workstation Sheffield and Sheffield Theatres, are hosting a Cultural and Creative Industries Summit, with Mayor Dan Jarvis opening the event.

Arts, culture and heritage is a major industry and employer in the UK that generates £115.9bn in GVA (Gross Value Added) per year and 3.5 million UK jobs prior to the pandemic.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said: “As we emerge from the pandemic the creative and cultural sector will play a vital role in our country’s recovery. Culture is essential to our economic growth, as it revives our high streets, creates local jobs and most importantly builds a sense of belonging and pride in our communities.

South Yorkshire is a hub of creativity and I very much welcome the opportunity to join the discussion about how we continue to nurture and grow the creative talent of the people living and working across the Sheffield City Region.

The fund will be available soon through the local authorities in South Yorkshire.

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COVER STORY

FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM WALLS

TO SOUTH YORKSHIRE

GARAGE DOORS! Stalwart of the international street art movement Kid Acne has swapped wheat-paste art in North America and museum walls in Western Australia – for garage doors in South Yorkshire!

The Sheffield-based artist, illustrator, printmaker and emcee was commissioned by Steel City Marketing to replace the graffiti on the garage doors of their city centre HQ with some mural art.

MD James Biggin said: “I was getting a bit down when coming into the office every day and seeing more and more graffiti on the garage doors. So I decided to share my feelings with my LinkedIn community on the off-chance someone would have an idea or suggestion of what to do about it.

“The response was considerable. So many people gave ideas and a couple of names kept coming back a lot.

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Kid Acne was one of those and I just felt his style was great.

After speaking with the team, it was unanimous – we all wanted him to create something for us.

“I wanted to give him a blank canvas to do whatever

he wanted and not be limited by our brand and concepts. He was happy with this and said that was just a perfect way to do it.”

In the end, Kid Acne painted several from his

signature ‘Stabby Women’ motif – female warriors who are typically a fusion of Norse mythology and South American and African heritage.

The artist has previously said of the strong female characters – of which there are several around the city centre: “Ultimately the Stabby Women were me trying to present an alternative to the very misogynist characters you’d see in graffiti.”

James added: “I didn’t expect it to go as well as it has, and I am really touched and surprised by the interest it has received in terms of being noticed by people and online sharing.

“It now makes me smile when I arrive at work. All the team are really pleased too and have even likened themselves to the characters Kid Acne has created. I still think they all need names!”

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COVER STORY

BREAKING NEW GROUND

FOR REGIONAL ART – ON NATIONAL TV From the Site Gallery – to Sky Arts.

Sculptural designer and artist Steve Anwar is representing Sheffield on Sky Arts and competing to represent the north in a national final that will see a new landmark piece of public art installed.

Steve, who is also a member of Sheffield Property Association, said: “I’m feeling extremely proud to be representing my home city in the northern heat of Landmark, competing against two other very talented northern artists – Sadie Clayton and Saad Qureshi – who are already well established in the art world.

“Sheffield is in the blood – the steel city represents a big influence on my identity and my work. As a kid I lived in the Brutalist block called Kelvin Flats, the little brother of Park Hill that still stands today like a concrete fortress overlooking the city.

“My artwork is made from steel, with blade-like panels that signify the city’s reputation of high quality knifes and cutlery production that put Sheffield on the map.”

Steve studied design at

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Sheffield Hallam University aged 22 as a mature student and worked in the graphic design industry before that.

After university he worked as a soccer coach across the US. “The arts scene in Sheffield was really in its infancy but there has always been a real underbelly, an underground scene with places like Site Gallery, Bloc Studios, S1 Artspace. But even then, the city wasn’t very good about shouting about itself. Yes, we have the biggest village mentality – but that is not to say Sheffield isn’t ambitious.

Plus we also have traditional galleries like Millennium and

Graves, too.

“The Site Gallery has been instrumental in my career.

After returning from the US, I was bed-ridden for five years.

But all that time being severely ill gives you a real perspective as to who you are. I was living internally and creating whole fantastical architectural worlds in my head.

“It took a lot of effort to get back on my feet but once I did, I started exploring lots of different opportunities. I volunteered at Site Gallery where there was a lot of cool, contemporary art and artists.

“I was also really into meditation as well and ran

a live art participation show at Site with the theme of meditation. I was bricking it, but 50 people showed up! It was all about flipping art on its head and that place and space where art overlaps with mediation. Both take time and have a similar process.”

Steve describes Yorkshire Sculpture Park as a ‘massive influence’, adding: “My first visit blew my mind. To have that just a short drive from Hillsborough where I live is amazing – I have been so many times over the last ten years.”

Two years ago Steve re-imagined the business, changing from Anwar Studio to Sapien, to focus more on art.

“Anwar was more freelance design and bespoke furniture and teaching meditation through University of Sheffield. Sapien is bringing them together – the fundamentals of what the meditation world calls ‘space’ or ‘no noise’.”

Steve believes strongly in the value of public art, so a sculpture on display at Yorkshire Sculpture Park was a huge step. ‘Mantra Machine’ has now moved on to its permanent home with a private collector.

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COVER STORY

n

M

ge

MIND YOUR MANORS Sheffield Hallam University graduate Conor Rogers won first prize at the UK Young Artist of the Year award held at Saatchi Gallery, London in 2019. He works primarily in painting though his work also translates into sculpture and poetry, as seen in his latest solo exhibition, Manor Boy, which debuted at Yorkshire Artspace earlier this year.

“Manor Boy is a narrative I’ve compiled of the Manor Estate in Sheffield, where I lived. I’ve drawn inspiration from all the events that occurred and the cultural identities we carried through that time. In a way, it’s like a homage but also an investigation into my own identity, into the relationship with the spaces I was in back then.

The whole series was essentially a response to seeing my mate, Mike, in a paddling pool with some tinnies. I’m very much inspired by momentary events.

“I wanted to use the paddling pools as a sort of badge, an emblem of the estate, which came to represent certain aspects of council estate culture

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– a sense of momentary joy and abandonment, discarded after being used, then left to fill up with trash and leaves.

“There was a connection between that and how we felt abandoned and demonised on council estates – I felt that particularly strongly coming into the arts sphere as a student.

“It brought up a lot of

questions about identity and class, which I’ve been investigating through art since. I applied for a fine art course but ended up on a course called Creative Arts Practice, which was not quite as conceptual and a bit more craft-based.

“However, I found myself being more academic and conceptual in my approach to that course, and through

that I started understanding my relationship to painting. I went on a painting workshop and saw that people were painting on canvases, but I didn’t feel like that was genuine to my work. So I started painting on crisp packets, and through that saw my relationship to materiality, to things, to objects. A lot of these paintings are selfportraits as well as portraits of society.

“I used to draw on the back of betting slips when I was younger, and obviously that has now been recycled in my practice as I’ve got older. I’d get hold of those little blue pens you see in bookies, take them to the boozer with me and start drawing people playing snooker or the barmaids or whatever. “‘Manor Boy’ is essentially me taking ownership of a demonised name or what could be seen as a slur. It’s not about denying it, the fact that people do see it as a negative environment, a place of crime. But I experienced the good stuff too, like a sense of community and humanity that taught me to be humble.”

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COVER STORY

MAPPING OUT A CREATIVE SALES

SUCCESS STORY Urban Illustration is a design and print house that create map-like illustrations of towns, cities, and locations around the world. Each location is reimagined by a group of designers to create a bold and bright geometric illustration.

Dan Jackson, business development manager at Urban Illustration, said: “Motivated by our collective passion for urban environments and architecture, we were inspired to collaborate on a new design concept.

“A period of creative style experimentation led us to developing a flexible but consistent design system that could be applied to any city across the world.

“All our city designs are built using an isometric grid, and each design starts with intensive research of each city.

Making sure we’ve got the right buildings and landmarks, with elements of culture and atmosphere, highlights the historical importance

and captures the soul of the location.

“Sheffield was one of the very first designs we worked on and helped to inspire and lay the groundwork for every other city that has followed from there.

“The process of creating the layouts for each city is highly

collaborative – by adhering to simple but clear design rules, each one of us has a chance to participate in providing illustrations and contributing ideas toward a final city design.

“Each design is carefully reviewed to make sure that

it is as consistent as the last design, and that every key feature of a city is included to make it more identifiable.

“We put together various colour schemes, consisting of six complementing colours, which can be applied to the design. However, we can also make a bespoke colourway to customers’ preferences and add any icons or landmarks that are important to their brand or business.

“We first focused on printing bags and soft furnishings, but now Urban Illustration offers a far broader range of products and accessories, including fridge magnets, coasters, notebooks, and keyrings.

“It was important to us that everything is designed, printed, and made in the UK. Supporting local printers and manufacturers in Sheffield and the UK meant we are supporting homegrown talent.

“We are currently stocked in Birds Yard, The Great Sheffield Shop, and Museums Sheffield.”

PHOTOS: RICHARD JACKSON: FOREVERCREATIVEPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

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COVER STORY

SHEFFIELD ARTIST IS

THE REAL MCKEE Painter and commercial artist, Pete McKee, was born in 1966 and raised in Sheffield by steel worker dad, Frank, and mum, Marjorie, who worked in a bakery.

Pete spent his childhood consumed by comic books such as Whizzer and Chips and The Beano, which highly influenced his work as an artist.

As he grew up, his fascination with subcultures and passion for music also influenced his creativity and interests such as mods and rockers as well as musical icons like David Bowie especially took shape within his art.

The self-taught artist has used his working-class upbringing on a council estate to aid the development of his minimalistic signature style over the years. Pete’s artwork projects themes such as nostalgia, the workingclass and humour into his internationally followed artwork.

His distinctive and unique style bagged him work as a professional cartoonist for The Sheffield Telegraph’s sport section before he started

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exhibiting with his first show at the Winter Garden.

Later exhibitions were held at Magna in Rotherham.

He has collaborated with bands such as Oasis and local legends Arctic Monkeys, as well as global brands such as Disney and even international designer, Paul Smith.

Pete has produced work for multiple charities such as The Teenage Cancer Trust charity

PETE MCKEE’S BEAR OF SHEFFIELD

and is also a patron of the Sheffield Children’s Hospital charity, Artfelt. His Bear of Sheffield was outside Sheffield Hallam University during the bears trail this summer.

In 2011, he opened his first art gallery on Sharrow Vale Road which has since seen thousands of visitors.

Successful exhibitions include the ‘6 Weeks to Eternity’ show in 2016 and ‘THIS CLASS

WORKS’, in 2018. Eight New Paintings is now available to view until Sunday October 17. Originally intended to be exhibited at Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery in 2020, it had to go online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The show was still a huge success – however, Pete always wanted the work to be seen in person.

Pete said: “I’m so grateful to have been able to display my show digitally. For me, however, there’s something way more personal, intimate and revealing about looking at paintings up close. The brush strokes, marks and pigment are more evident, revealing more about the process behind the work, so I’m really chuffed I can share that.”

The man of many talents doesn’t just fuel his creativity into his artwork. Pete is also a dedicated ukulele player in Sheffield-based The Everly Pregnant Brothers, known for their parodies of well-known hits. The band often put on gigs around South Yorkshire and can be found performing at Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival each year.

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ADVERTORIAL

PARK HILL PROVING A POPULAR HOME

FOR BUSINESSES The Park Hill redevelopment is an award-winning joint venture between Urban Splash and Places for People. Nicky Harries, senior commercial lettings manager on behalf of the joint venture, tells unLTD why the location and environment are proving to be ‘brilliant’ at attracting thriving businesses.

There are 5 Phases to the project and, so far, Phase 1 and Phase 3 are complete and occupied with Phase 2 on the imminent horizon this autumn.

More than 1,000 people currently live and work at Park Hill – soon to be joined by another 500 plus residents and workers, who will become part of this now established community.

Phase 1 includes 260 homes – of which 96 are affordable homes and 28 shared equity homes on the Government Help to Buy scheme. Ten contemporary workspaces are also occupied with creative and digital businesses including Warp Films, Kada Research, Human, and Airship. Plus, the first café at Park Hill, South Street Kitchen, has proved a great success with residents and the local

50

community since it opened in March 2018. The local authority-run purpose-built Grace Owen Nursery, which has been based on site since 1963, relocated to its new premises in Phase 1 in 2016.

The site of the old Scottish Queen pub, one of the four original pubs that were onsite at Park Hill, is now a 3,500 sq. ft commercial unit soon to be occupied by Nest furniture.

The Sheffield-based company is very familiar with Urban Splash, having furnished our showrooms on many of our projects over the years. This will be their second site and will see the 36-strong team establish a dedicated design destination within the space that also includes a basement and terraces to both sides. Plans are now underway to design and develop the space

further working towards an autumn opening.

Phase 3 is unique student accommodation with the block being configured into four and eight- bed townhouses, two and four bed apartments and classic studios for 356 students. The development partner is the Alumno Group and Places for People have named it Béton House. A new double-fronted 1,890 sq ft convenience store, Park Hill Provisions, will be based on the site of the Parkway Tavern and due to open at the end of this month.

Phase 2 has 195 homes and 20,000 sq ft of mixeduse commercial space for a variety of offices as well as retail and leisure operators – and it is attracting attention from new homeowners and businesses.

In excess of 175 of the

homes are now sold or under offer and include a limited number of homes as part of the Help to Buy scheme (an equity loan from the Government for up to 20 per cent of the cost of a property up to the value of £228K, requiring a five per cent cash deposit and a 75 per cent mortgage for the remaining amount. No fees are charged on the 20 per cent loan for the first five years).

More than half the commercial space has been secured or in advanced discussions. Stirling Prizewinning architects Mikhail Riches were appointed to undertake the new designs for this phase. The commercial space includes a premium site for a restaurant and bar operator overlooking the city and with an outside terrace.

We’ve been delighted with

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ADVERTORIAL

I feel a real affinity with the place and my work colleagues at Urban Splash, many of whom have been there from the beginning, too. the response from businesses in the city so far, especially as it has been such a challenging time. It seems the range of independent businesses, including retail, leisure, and the creative sectors, have not let the pandemic affect their entrepreneurial enthusiasm and have, in fact, kept their businesses healthy.

Tim Bottrill who runs Colloco, a commercial property agent in the city, and has been involved in securing commercial tenants for Park Hill since the beginning, said: “We’ve done every commercial deal at Park Hill so far. Phase 1 was a harder sell due to a generational attitude to the place. However, 99 per cent of everyone who we’ve brought up to show the commercial premises and location with the amazing vistas of the city acknowledge what an impressive place it is.

“Now of course perceptions have shifted and for Phase 2 we are in a position where, out of 14 units, we have ten under offer or with serious interest.

“It’s been a real journey and a privilege to have been involved. Park Hill is a continuing process and an ongoing story. I feel a real affinity with the place and my work colleagues at Urban Splash, many of whom have been there from the beginning, too.

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CHRISTIAN HAWLEY, OWNER OF NEST WHO WILL BE MOVING INTO THE SCOTTISH QUEEN IN PHASE 1

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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

ADVERTORIAL “Both the location and environment are just brilliant, and it is exciting to see the already thriving, but also growing, business hub emerging up there.”

Upcoming commercial tenants in Phase 2 include Glass Canvas, an awardwinning agency with offices in London and Sheffield who provide architects, developers and interior designers with marketing CGIs, planning imagery, as well as animations, promotional films, and immersive content. Founded in 2001 by Andrew Goodeve, Glass Canvas opened the Sheffield office in 2017 and are looking forward to moving into Park Hill to celebrate the company’s 20th year.

“We love showing our office to out of town visitors.”

Businesses based at Park Hill tell us why it is a ‘great meeting space and convenient location’ for a ‘growing and diverse community’.

Warp Films have just launched their new film ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ with a pink carpet event in Tudor Square. Niall Shamma, chief operating officer – who at 17 had a job delivering pizzas to Park Hill – said: “We love showing our office to out of town visitors.

Park Hill gets better all the time. When I come back from working away, I realise I’ve missed it. “It’s one of the best buildings built in Sheffield since the war so it’s really good it’s been saved.”

Rachel Cornish and Tim Jenkins, owners of South Street Kitchen, that has been open since 2018, said: “Opening the first café at Park Hill has been both exciting and challenging.

We have built up a regular clientele who find it a great meeting space and convenient location and have loved being part of this growing and diverse community. It’s also been fantastic getting to know the residents.”

Owner and MD of Kada Research Karl Dalgleish said: “We love the office and location. We see it as an advantage to the team and to our clients. On a personal level I come into the office from

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time to time and occasionally bring my dog George in for company! It is a good place to take him for walks as the landscaped area is well kept and he feels at home here too.”

Experience a vivid virtual visit to Park Hill Now anyone from around the world can visit Park Hill virtually and experience its past and present at the same time. Called ‘Space, Time and Streets in the Sky’, the virtual reality (VR) has real-life stories from people who have made the iconic location their home over the past 60 years.

The immersive experience was commissioned by XR Stories and created by the team at Human – the first business to move into Park Hill in 2013 – in collaboration with academics from the University of York.

The research project explores whether it’s possible for an audience to experience the ‘personality’ of a location via the ‘spatial presence’ generated

by VR and the audio stories of past and present residents.

Human creative director Nick Bax said: “Space, Time and Streets in the Sky exudes vivid memories and stories from Park Hill’s residents, providing an intimate insight into life at the Sheffield landmark over the past 60 years. As you hear their testimonies, and see slices of history within the current environment, Park Hill is transformed into a time machine in which community and pride brightly shine through.”

Featured in the VR is Cllr Pat Midgley who lived in the Park Hill area all her life. Pat was commemorated by Urban Splash and Places for People on the official 60th birthday of Park Hill in June by working with Sheffield City Council to rename Norwich Street at Park Hill, ‘Pat Midgley Lane’.

Watch here: https://youtu. be/Ju6Mbz16veA Park Hill commercial enquiries: 0333 666 0000.

Register details through the Urban Splash/Park Hill website to view homes through the online viewing platform.

53

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IMPORTING AND EXPORTING –

MORE CHANGES ON THE HORIZON… There has been a lot of column inches given over to Brexit and all the regulation changes already. And throughout, Sheffield Chamber’s International Trade Centre (SITC) has been supporting companies to meet any new requirement introduced and ultimately help business continue to trade with minimum impact to operations.

However, more changes are on the way. Some are linked to the EU Trade Agreement, and not any newly negotiated agreements with Australia and New Zealand or the possible US, Canada and Mexico option.

From January 2022, further EU and UK Trade regulations will come into force as customs easements come to an end. These will affect all UK importers and exporters moving goods to and from the EU and beyond. The changes relate to documents, reporting and recording on a variety of goods and vehicle movements.

The details are complex and extensive. And organisations need to ensure compliance in order to avoid

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costly consequences and delayed shipments.

An example of one of the rule changes is around Rules of Origin. This year, UK and EU customs agreed that the proof or origin for goods would not be requested.

However, this will change from January 2022. When all importers and exporters must be able to prove the original manufacturing country for all goods being shipped (including those shipped in 2021). The impact is that import duty could be payable on all these goods and the incorrect information could be seen as fraudulent.

This is just one of many changes. Full details of the upcoming changes can be found on the Sheffield

Chamber website at bit.ly/IntTradeIn2022.

Headed up by Nick Patrick, the team at SITC are experts in their field and here to continue to support all businesses with any query around international trade or who are experiencing difficulties understanding how these changes will affect their business, and their relationships with their EU suppliers and/or customers.

They have been working with Nicky King, managing director of Bobby Rabbit, who says: “The Sheffield team have provided me with invaluable support and advice at an extremely challenging time.

My ecommerce business relies on the EU for both imports and exports, and the SITC

team have responded to all my many queries promptly, professionally and efficiently.”

A range of services are available for support, including the ability to conduct a bespoke customer compliance audit where SITC can take businesses through upcoming changes step-by-step.

For more information, visit www.scci.org.uk/ international-trade, call 0114 201 8888 or email international@scci.org.uk

55

SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

THE SHEFFIELD BUSINESS

AWARDS ARE BACK – AND WITH FOUR NEW CATEGORIES!

The 2021 Sheffield Business Awards return on December 9 to celebrate the achievements of businesses, big or small, with four new award categories.

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS The Sheffield Business Awards will take place at Peddler Market’s well-known Burton Road venue, for a night of celebration, networking, and culinary delights.

Sponsored by CMS, one of the largest law firms in the world, the event will be organised by unLTD and our partners Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and will take a much more informal approach than previous years.

After 18 months of virtual working and life being turned upside-down, the night will focus more on celebration than anything else. unLTD editor Richard Fidler said: "I think we're all due a great night and a celebration of the brilliant businesses in Sheffield. There is such a diverse mix of people in our city who are creating and delivering some unbelievable work in the most challenging circumstances.

"The awards will be an extension of the community we have built since we launched four years ago, and we are thrilled to be partnering with our good friends at Sheffield Chamber to host what I know will be an amazing occasion."

Sheffield Chamber executive director Alexis Krachai said: “Sheffield Chamber is once again showing we know how to collaborate. We are teaming up with our friends at unLTD in a partnership that will take the Sheffield Business Awards to the next level.

“It has been a hell of an 18 months. Even if you sailed smoothly through the pandemic and have a bumper order book, the last year has seen every business face real challenges.

“The Sheffield Business Awards will not just be a great night out and a key date in the diary, but also an opportunity for us all to showcase Sheffield as home to some of the best businesses in the UK.” As part of the new partnership, the award categories have been rebooted, simplifying the entry process, and ensuring that any business, social enterprise or charity has the opportunity to shine.

There are 14 different award

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Sheffield Chamber, the judges are looking for significant growth in one or all the above categories, innovative products, services and /or operations that have led to this growth, and sustainable financial performance and business strategy with plans for future growth.

categories for 2021, with the following four categories added this year: The Planet Saver This award has been created to recognise a company or product which is leading the way in creating a sustainable environment for all, and therefore, putting Sheffield on the map.

The product or company will not only address a need but also seize an opportunity to create a new market, and must be in working, marketable condition.

Aimed at any business from any sector, based in Sheffield or a member of Sheffield Chamber, the judges will consider how the business opportunity was identified and developed, the understanding of the product, market and competitors, the use of innovative emerging technologies, success in addressing a need and evidence of how the product has become established, capturing interest from Sheffield and beyond.

The Social Impact Award This award will recognise a not-

The Joymaker This award has been created to recognise an organisation that has significantly contributed to the hospitality, retail or leisure sector or visitor’s experience in Sheffield.

The submission should discuss how the contribution has either driven footfall to the region, generated jobs, for-profit organisation, charity economic growth or profile or social enterprise that has for Sheffield, entertainment, significantly contributed positive brand image for the towards social impact in region, statistics to support Sheffield. your application and a USP The judges, for this award, (unique selling point). are looking for evidence that The judges are looking for your activity has contributed evidence that the business’ towards social impact in activity has increased footfall Sheffield, that there is to Sheffield, with evidence of evidence of involvement economic value to Sheffield, from different cultures or and of a positive impact for backgrounds to advance a visitors. common initiative for the betterment of all people, The other categories are: and evidence of job creation • Employer of the Year either paid or voluntary, • The Brand Builder as well as evidence of • Large Business of the Year opportunities created and • The Global Player statistics to support your • SME of the Year application.

• The Innovator • The Above and Beyond-er Start-Up Business of the Year • The Sheffield Maker This award will recognise • The Automator a business that has been • The Visionary. created since January 2020 and has achieved a significant The categories are open breakthrough in its sector. to any business of any size or Entrants for this award must any sector, based in Sheffield demonstrate exceptional or a member of Sheffield growth in: Chamber.

• Sales Whether you plan to enter, • Profit attend, sponsor a category • Market share or simply just to celebrate • International trade with the winners online, get • Product and / or service involved in the 2021 Sheffield expansion Business Awards.

• Numbers employed / job creation • Or all of the above.

For more information visit www.

Open to any start-up sheffieldbusinessawards. businesses since January 1, com or email 2020, from any sector, based sheffieldbusinessawards@ in Sheffield or a member of scci.org.uk.

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

THE PURE AWARDS GUIDE TO ENTERING SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS!

Lucinda White is the founder of Pure Awards, an awards consultancy working with companies throughout the Sheffield City Region since 2005. Lucinda has a wealth of experience and here she shares some of her top tips to help hopeful entrants put in an entry for the re-vamped Sheffield Business Awards.

Tip #1 What’s your story?

This is the backbone of any great award entry and the part that will sway the judges in your direction. Your story is unique to your business, so if something exciting has happened, and you are passionate about it, start by writing it all down. Who, what, why, when, where, how…

Tip #2 Choose the right category It is important to ensure the category you go for aligns with your story. It might not be just one either so be prepared to get typing! Make sure the category can be promoted as a key asset to your business marketing once you have been shortlisted or won and that it resonates with your prospective customer base.

Tip #3 Avoid waffle and jargon It is important to be clear about the messages you want to convey. Be insightful, impactful and draw out the emotion to engage the judges and help them understand how great you are. Avoid acronyms, jargon and too many adjectives. You only have a set number of words to explain why you should win, so you need to be concise.

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guidance given and don’t be afraid to get help if you need it.

Tip #8 Use the Check and Send Service For just £99 per entry, you can have your ‘almost ready entry’ reviewed professionally

by Pure Awards before it is submitted to the judges.

Turnaround in 48 hours – but be prepared for teacher’s red pen!

Testimonial “Thank you so much Lucinda for pulling all of this together.

We could not have done it without you! You certainly LUCINDA WHITE have a knack for presenting our achievements in such an enjoyable read to us. You Tip #4 Answer the question made the process so easy Tip #6 Make time Obvious! Right? Wrong – and managed to get right Don't underestimate how long many companies are still not it takes to write your entry. You under the skin of our business doing what is asked of them. need to set aside approximately without us even noticing. And Break the category criteria the results… Well, WE WON!” six to 12 hours to put an entry down and be sure what you Natalia Pope, Yes Tax and your supporting material write is relevant and shows together, especially if this is how you demonstrate each your first one. point.

If you need additional support, contact Lucinda Tip #7 Become the editor in Tip #5 Evidence everything direct to discuss writing chief Make sure you have facts, Check and re-check – spelling, services. figures, and statistics to Lucinda White grammar, punctuation, word evidence every bold statement count, proof reading, and Pure Awards you make. Delve further into www.pureawards.co.uk formatting. It is important the impact you have made info@pureawards.co.uk and you don’t want to mess and ask yourself, how 07900 571189 this opportunity up by does this compare to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, presenting it in a way which competition?

Instagram = @PureAwards confuses the judges. Use the

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MARKETING

HOSPITALITY TRIO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING A trio of Sheffield best-loved hospitality venues, owned by A&S Leisure, maintained marketing activities during lockdown – securing the future of hospitality at Owlerton Stadium greyhound racetrack, OEC events venue, and Napoleons Casino. Here, Sheffield marketing agency fenti share how they leveraged their online presence to great effect.

Despite all their venues being closed, three popular Sheffield hospitality venues, owned by A&S Leisure, used digital marketing throughout lockdown, with Sheffield marketing agency fenti.

The objective was to sustain engagement with customers during the pandemic.

Like most entertainment venues, Owlerton Stadium greyhound racetrack, the OEC events venue, and Napoleons Casino – all located in Owlerton, Sheffield – suffered a heart-breaking set back in 2020, when all three were forced to close because of the UK lockdown restrictions.

“It was hard for the team to close the doors on our three venues,” says Linda Clark, director of A&S Leisure. “Owlerton Stadium has the most loyal staff and customers you can imagine and it’s a popular night out for Sheffielders and sports fans alike.

“The recently constructed OEC opened its doors for the first time only four months before lockdown, and Napoleons staff are such a friendly, talented and dedicated team – you can imagine the anguish we felt in March last year.”

A&S Leisure recognised halting all communication with customers could have a devastating effect on each venue’s long-term

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MARK AND ELAINE SHIPLEY

sustainability. The importance of staying in touch with customers through email, social media and digital screens located throughout Sheffield, became a vital part of maintaining engagement throughout lockdown.

Elaine Shipley, creative director at fenti, said: “I have worked with A&S Leisure for 15 years, with fenti working as the marketing department for their three venues over the last four years.

“When lockdown hit, the marketing strategy shifted to purely digital. Keeping in touch with customers throughout lockdown made a significant difference.

Bookings have remained strong since March 2020, so each venue hit the ground running when they reopened earlier this summer.”

Leveraging digital With global marketing budgets down 11 per cent from 2020 – now equating to just 6.4 per cent of overall company revenue – many businesses essentially ‘switched off’ marketing activities. There is a reluctance, in some of the worst-hit sectors, to return to pre-pandemic marketing spend.

Brands selling goods and services online, however, capitalised on the need to stay at home, reallocating large proportions of their budget to social media advertising.

Facebook ad revenue figures released during early 2021 confirmed the social media giant enjoyed a 48 per cent revenue increase

since early 2020, earning a whopping £18.7bn.

With more than 48 million Facebook users in the UK, the social media platform is integral to connecting with audiences and the social media giant played a huge part in increasing audience engagement during lockdown for Owlerton Stadium, OEC, and Napoleons.

Elaine said: “Part of fenti’s service to A&S Leisure is managing their social media platforms, creating visual and written content, and posting updates every day.

Competitions were hugely rewarding – a bit of fun and something to look forward to for everyone stuck at home.

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MARKETING

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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No jargon, no bull.

Just honest marketing that delivers results.

Design & Branding

SEO

Web Design

PPC (Google Ads)

Photography

Social Media

Video

Email Marketing

E-commerce

Strategy

0114 218 0626 www.fenti.co.uk

MARKETING The response has been phenomenal.

“Father’s Day 2021 at Owlerton Stadium is a prime example of how engagement is pivotal in social media marketing. The Stadium was delighted to be able to reopen for Father’s Day in June this year, although planning an event with restricted capacity amid nation-wide uncertainty was tricky, to say the least. A social media campaign was launched as soon as hospitality venues were confident they could reopen.”

Father’s Day was a resounding success, requiring capacity across both Owlerton Stadium’s restaurant and the OEC next door, with the event completely sold out over a month in advance.

Social media worked wonders for our bookings, and fenti managed to keep them coming in for over a year, even though we were closed.

Traffic from Facebook to each of the venue websites soared from March 2020 to 2021, with membership applications increased for Napoleons Casino. In addition to healthy and consistent bookings throughout the pandemic, the OEC started using the venue for blood donor sessions during lockdown, which are planned to continue for as long as the venue is required by the NHS. Rebecca Toner, conference and events sales manager at OEC Sheffield, said: “We couldn’t be happier. We’re back to business and doing what we love. Working with fenti,

as our marketing team, has helped maintain interest in everything our venues offer, with personalities people resonate with.

“Social media worked wonders for our bookings, and fenti managed to keep them coming in for over a year, even though we were closed.”

Known as the straighttalking agency, fenti offer a full marketing service from Google Ads to web development, meaning your brand is in safe hands. For more information, get in contact with fenti: info@fenti.co.uk

Back to business Despite each venue being closed for over a year, the entertainment trio maintained strong engagement with their respective audiences, with strong post-lockdown bookings and footfall across the three venues.

Matthew Hamilton, venue director at Owlerton Stadium, said: “The pandemic has demonstrated a strong desire from our customers to support their favourite entertainment venues. There was a concern that pent-up demand could quickly fade once everyone had made up for lost time.

That really hasn’t been the case – our VIP Hospitality Boxes, for instance, are booked up for months.”

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LAUNCHPAD

CONFIDENCE DIGITAL LTD Digital specialist John Moore set up Confidence Digital to help organisations embrace cloud technology and remote working in the new normal. He shares how Launchpad’s ‘wealth of information’ helped him focus the business.

Tell us about your company?

Confidence Digital Ltd was created in response to the need to help small businesses and 'third sector' organisations embrace the technology required in the post lockdown world.

Drawing on over 30 years’ experience in delivering solutions into organisations of all sizes, we are here to help you recover from the change shock of lockdown, and cope with the new normal.

Providing a range of training, consultancy, and project management, we build confidence through digital transformation.

When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you?

Locked down and furloughed, I filled my time volunteering, supporting charities to get online and helping them cope with the new normal of remote working and online meetings.

It was inspirational working with people who are so passionate about the service they deliver.

Over the last 30 years I have worked with a variety of global blue chip corporates, who have long understood the benefits and challenges of remote working and the need for robust software systems.

But the pandemic made it essential for everyone to start using these technologies just to survive. I’ve been able

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changes – particularly the need to embrace cloud technology and continue remote working – will be permanent. I hope to assist as many people as I can to adapt and help make their organisations a success in a post-pandemic world.

Darren McDool New Business Developer Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RIDO)

JOHN MOORE

to share my experience of delivering communications technology, creating content, and implementing software with much smaller organisations, and it was a natural step to set up Confidence Digital Ltd. How has Launchpad helped you?

While I have run multimillion-pound organisations, I had never set up on my own.

I had never marketed to third

sector, small organisations or start-ups and knew very little about how to harness the power of social media.

The training courses run by Launchpad were a wealth of information, and the one-toone sessions really helped me focus on what my business needed to be successful.

What are your hopes and aims for the business?

The pandemic has changed everything, and some of those

“With a wealth of knowledge and experience in his field and a passion for what he does John has a great starting point for launching a business. He quickly realised, however, that he would have to adjust from having the support of a big corporate environment to one where he would be making all the decisions as the owner of a start-up.

"He’s made full use of the range of free support offered through the Launchpad programme to get organised and it’s great to see him up-andrunning and making a real difference with the clients he’s working with.”

Launchpad is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund meaning there is no cost to the entrepreneur, so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality.

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IF YOU ASK ME

IF YOU ASK ME:

BUY T E L O T

A second wave of demand for more space will keep driving house prices across Great Britain higher, according to a forecast by estate agent Hamptons, with values set to rise by up to 3.5 per cent a year between 2022 and 2024.

In this If You Ask Me buy to let special, a number of industry experts from the region’s property sector share their advice to clients considering a rental investment, identify the biggest risks, and the changes they foresee over the long-term.

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IF YOU ASK ME KAREN AWDHALI, HEAD OF SERVICES, FOUR TREES LETTINGS

on the experience of our team who have in-depth knowledge about the pros and cons of different areas.

How do you/your business help a client when they consider a rental investment?

We can advise buy to let investors on the areas in demand from tenants, allowing them an insight into the lettings market before they buy. We are open about what we want from a property and will often carry out property searches on behalf of investors and share properties that we think will see a good yield in the long term.

What are the biggest risks and how could a first-time investor avoid them?

One of the biggest risks involved in buy to let is being unable to secure tenants, turning an investment property into a financial drain.

Four Trees Lettings have an occupancy rate of more than 98 per cent and offer landlords guaranteed rent. This means even if a room is vacant, landlords know they will be getting an income.

Another risk is buying a property only to find out you can’t get a Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence.

This needs to be looked at before you take your enquiry further. This is something Four Tree Lettings can help with, or you could contact

What would be your biggest piece of advice to someone considering purchasing a buy to let property?

Don't be led by the price.

‘You get what you pay for’ is very true when it comes to property. This is especially true for investors who are not from Sheffield. They won't know the city and so should draw

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Private Rented Standards for more information.

We can advise buy to let investors on the areas in demand from tenants, allowing them an insight into the lettings market before they buy.

What changes do you foresee for buy to let investors over the long term and what should investors consider as they grow a portfolio?

A decrease in traditional student lets means investors need to look at new tenant groups for their properties.

Don’t be afraid to look at investment properties which can be let out for Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates. These can offer an excellent yield, with a lower initial investment and guaranteed rental income.

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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

IF YOU ASK ME

ROCHELLE GILBURN, PROPERTY INVESTMENT STRATEGIST AT GILBURN INVESTMENT GROUP How do you/your business help a client when they consider a rental investment?

A lot of people love the idea of building a rental portfolio but lack the time. Scrolling through Rightmove, phoning estate agents, viewing properties, and finding the best solicitors and letting agents, are all very timeconsuming jobs. More so than ever with the current lack of properties on the market.

I take all the stress away by looking after all the above for clients, as well as finding properties that aren’t available on the market. I make sure the figures stack up and the client is going to get the return they’re looking for.

What would be your biggest

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piece of advice to someone considering purchasing a buy to let property?

‘There is no time like the present’. Many people were waiting for the drop after Brexit, now it’s the drop after COVID-19 and then there’ll be another excuse. Money is better invested and making you a return than sat in the bank doing nothing.

The important thing is to buy right. Prices are being pushed higher and it’s easy to let your emotions take over.

Work out the return you need and stick to it – otherwise £500 more can often become £5000 more and end up killing the deal. Ensure you are comparing the price of the house to what other similar houses in that area are selling for. Just because something is on the market for under £100,000 doesn’t mean it’s a good purchase.

What are the biggest risks and how could a first-time

investor avoid them?

I have had quite a few conversations with people who have bought a property with good intentions of renovating it themselves at weekends which can work. But many soon get fed up and the project drags on. A few of the properties we’ve viewed and purchased lately have been half finished – one was empty for more than five years with no work carried out. Work out what your time is worth. If you can get someone else to do a better job in less time than you, it is money well spent.

Time is money. And the longer you sit with an empty property, the more money you spend on mortgage, council tax, utility bills etc.

What changes do you foresee for buy to let investors over the long term and what should investors consider as they grow a portfolio?

The rental market is extremely strong now and, just like house

prices, rental prices are also going through the roof. A lot of properties are being sold by investors which have been left to deteriorate and the rent hasn’t increased because the same tenant has lived there for years – often because they’d rather have a tenant paying less but on time every month than increase the rent and they move out.

But laws are getting stricter and people deserve better.

I’ve seen some tenants living in unacceptable conditions, with mouldy walls, kitchens falling to pieces, and in desperate need of a rewire.

This will no longer be tolerated so landlords are going to have to sell or invest and get the houses to a reasonable standard.

To grow a portfolio, make sure you save to maintain the property. It’s easier to fix small problems individually rather than wait until they pile up and become unaffordable.

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IF YOU ASK ME JAMES HOLDING REGIONAL AUCTION MANAGER, AUCTION HOUSE SOUTH YORKSHIRE, NOTTINGHAM & DERBY How do you/your business help a client when they consider a rental investment?

I believe the key here is to fully understand a client’s requirements in what they want to prioritise in relation to their investment – some people are less bothered about capital growth if they will benefit from a healthy short to medium term rental yield. Furthermore, we would always ensure that if they are buying a tenanted property that they have had the option to view the property (a video viewing as a minimum) as well as having time to review the relevant legal information, such as a valid AST and EPC.

Auction can be of great help with this, as these legal documents are available to view before a buyer bids on a property, with the option to have these reviewed by a solicitor.

What would be your biggest piece of advice to someone considering purchasing a buy to let property?

Research! This is an important financial decision so take advice from all the relevant specialists such as estate

If you are funding the transaction with a buy-to-let mortgage or bridging finance, the lender will often appoint their own solicitor, who will have bespoke questions that need answering. Wosskow Brown can help you with all facets of the process, from file inception to legal completion and registration.

IAN OSBORN, PARTNER AT WOSSKOW BROWN SOLICITORS, AND HEAD OF THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT. How do you/your business help a client when they consider a rental investment?

Buying a rental property is just as important as buying your first home. All of the usual enquiries are equally essential, such as property searches, title investigations and questions raised of the seller's solicitor.

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What would be your biggest piece of advice to someone considering purchasing a buy to let property?

Second only to ensuring that the legal conveyance is conducted in the correct manner, we would stress the importance of making sure that all the legislative requirements are met when it comes to renting the property.

Tenants are entitled to – and landlords must ensure they are given – certain information, such as Energy Performance Certificates, Gas Safety certificates, the Government's "How to Rent" handbook and information on where any deposit is held.

Failure to comply can result in significant financial

agents, financial advisors and – auctioneers! I would also strongly recommend having a look at the local area in which the property is located – my advice is simply to ask yourself, would I be prepared to live here? If the answer is no, then it is probably not a wise investment for you! Also, make sure to factor in ALL additional costs such as SDLT and ongoing costs such as tenancy set ups, EICRs and budget for annual maintenance – all these things can eat away at what looks on paper to be a worthwhile investment.

issues with the property?

Speak to the tenants if you can – you may not always get an impartial view but you may well get some more information from them which could be useful.

What are the biggest risks and how could a first time investor avoid them?

I would suggest the biggest risks are to ensure you are fully informed about the tenants living in any investment property – are there any rent arrears, continual maintenance requests or

What changes do you forsee for buy to let investors over the long term and what should investors consider as they grow a portfolio?

Unfortunately, due to changes in taxation and ever more stringent changes to landlord requirements, it is becoming increasingly hard to make money for accidental or first time landlords. I would strongly suggest having a sit down with a trusted financial advisor. Professional landlords often set-up their own company due to certain tax advantages, so this may be something to consider if you plan to grow a property portfolio.

penalties and possibly an inability to remove problem tenants at a later stage, who either breach their tenancy or simply refuse to leave at its expiry.

In addition, we have talked above about the importance of "getting it right" when it comes to providing tenants with the correct (and legally required) information.

What are the biggest risks and how could a first-time investor avoid them?

One of the largest risk-factors for an investment buyer is thoroughly understanding the terms and conditions of any finance used to purchase the property. Many lenders have specific rules as to what can and cannot be done as well as strict requirements relating to those activities which are permitted.

Depending on the terms of the facility agreement, repayments are often required over a short period of time – particularly in respect of bridging finance products. It is essential that the prudent buyer understands exactly what is required of them with regards to investment finance, which differs significantly from high street loans for the purchase of property for personal use.

What changes do you foresee for buy to let investors over the long term and what should investors consider as they grow a portfolio?

One possibility is the introduction of tighter regulation around the private rental sector. As housing demand increases, the Government may well look to alter the way investment properties are purchased, owned and taxed.

In addition to the actual ownership of these properties, the requirements placed upon landlords in respect of their tenants may well become more onerous or restrictive.

Budding investment landlords must be ready to adapt at short notice to changing market conditions and legislative obligations to ensure that they can meet both the cost and personal consequences of each.

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IF YOU ASK ME JOSHUA WESTON, LEAD DIRECTOR, FOURTH WALL How does your business help a client when they consider a rental investment?

Be it residential or commercial, we deal with clients across the country keen to know their purchase is a sound investment. We work with them from the beginning and all through the lifecycle of their project, from bespoke building surveys identifying issues, remedial works and the costs to expect, through to architectural services, dilapidations advice, project management and contract administration.

With our commercial clients we represent them for a host of other services, including dilapidations, planned maintenance and development monitoring.

There’s a lot to consider with a property investment, but our team offers the full service, working with clients who trust us to help them understand their property and manage their investments for years to come.

What is your biggest piece of advice to someone considering purchasing a buy to let property?

Investing in the right team is essential. Purchasing a

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wrong with a property and there is an ever-increasing amount of legislation.

Landlords need to comply with to ensure their buildings are safe and habitable.

property is a big investment, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Gain the best advice from a team you trust, get a full understanding of the property, and ensure you have the right people around you to avoid any costly surprises and to ensure your investments continue to be worthwhile.

We’d also say do your due diligence. Property is a great industry to be in, providing interesting challenges and fantastic rewards, but it isn’t always the golden goose many people think it is. The “homes under the hammer” investor who buys a house at auction without viewing, slaps a few tins of paint on the wall and watches the cash roll in isn’t exactly representative. There are many things that can go

What are the biggest risks and how could a first-time investor avoid them?

From fire safety checks to electrical testing, investors need to know the due diligence needed to operate a buy-to-let property, and there are knock-on effects for both themselves and their tenants if they’re not. The impact was witnessed with Grenfell, where many tragically lost their lives.

Getting caught out could mean prison sentences and hefty fines, but I’ve also seen people lose income and spend significant money on avoidable issues as minor defects. HMO Landlords need to be astute as they’re governed under separate legislation that can be complex, difficult to follow, and expensive to remedy if the property is found to be noncompliant.

What changes do you foresee for buy to let investors over the long term and what should investors consider as they grow a portfolio?

Investors should be willing to be flexible with their portfolio.

The market is constantly

evolving, and they shouldn’t be afraid to evolve with it.

We’ve already seen several clients looking to invest in commercial to residential conversions, turning unused space into apartments and HMOs. With online retail stronger than ever, and remote working here to stay, cities are changing and with that comes a repurposing of our existing spaces.

It’s estimated that thousands of smaller landlords are leaving the sector each month, but we’re seeing more institutional investors joining the market. Several factors have had an impact on the buy to let business model, such as the additional three per cent stamp duty on investment purchases on second homes, and the need for niche operators to be savvier when choosing their investments.

As the model becomes leaner, the margin for error reduces, which means missing those non-compliant fire doors or smoke detection systems can throw your profit out the window.

Whilst rental demand is expected to increase, stricter legislation is due to come into force and institutional investors will likely be better equipped to manage their portfolio compliance, unless smaller investors have the right team in place to support them.

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FEATURE

ALL THAT GLITTERS

AIN'T GOLD From VR to Tik-Tok, marketers are always on the lookout for the next big thing.

But marketing manager and blogger Alex Myers says his fellow ‘magpies’ should scrutinise new approaches – and not always swoop in on the shiny at the expense of tried and tested techniques.

Marketers are a lot like magpies.

I bet you weren’t expecting that opener.

Folklore dictates that magpies are attracted to shiny objects – they pick them up, fly them all the way back to their nest, and keep them there.

Whether they have a use for a bottle cap and a keyring is irrelevant.

It’s shiny. They want it.

Much like magpies, marketers are attracted to shiny things. New channels, new executions, new approaches.

Whether they’re right for our brand or not, we collect the next big thing and take it back to our strategy. We don’t have a use for it – like a magpie with a bottle cap, what will a floor cleaner brand do with VR? But it doesn’t matter. It’s new and we want it.

Strange analogies aside, this is something that has afflicted the marketing industry for a while now. Most clearly since the digital revolution but always there in some form, there’s been a fixation on new, shiny techniques and approaches.

In a way, it’s indicative of an industry that’s always looking

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forward – an industry that’s always trying to do better, achieve more results, and push boundaries. The intentions are good, no one’s doubting that, but the product is less so.

VR being just one, the marketing landscape is littered with relics of next big things, cast to the side and left to fade away when everyone realised they weren’t in fact the next big thing. Though we can’t always get it spot on, this landscape creates doubt in the mind of the person with the pursestrings… how do I know this strategy won’t have the same fate? It’s a hard perspective to argue with if you’ve previously sold a Tik-Tok-first strategy to a groundworks company (with the predictable outcome).

We’re so blinded by the shimmer of something new that we forget one of the most fundamental rules in marketing – all that glitters ain’t gold, and not every channel or execution is right for every brand.

It may be exciting. It may be delivering never-seen-before results for some people. It may be easy to sell. But the fact remains that it might not be right for you – and that’s okay.

Don’t assume because it is new and everyone’s talking about it that you should use it. Treat everything with the same scrutiny before including it in your strategy.

It can be very difficult, especially in an underresourced marketing team, to know what’s worth your time and what’s not. Sifting through dirt to find gold is a laborious process, so how do you know that the gold is in fact gold?

The answer has never changed – it’s whatever is right for your brand. If that’s Tik-Tok, then great. If it’s print ads, that’s also great. It’s time to fight against our magpiesensibilities, properly scrutinise new approaches, and not be afraid to say ‘that’s just not right for us’.

More than knowing what to do, being a great marketer is about knowing what not to do.

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FEATURE

ABOVE AND BEYOND: SHEFFIELD HATTERS AND HYDRA CREATIVE

IN NEW PARTNERSHIP Volunteer-run women's basketball club, Sheffield Hatters, have partnered with our technology columnists Hydra Creative ahead of their 60th anniversary.

Sarah McQueen Hatters trustee, and Hydra Creative’s business development manager Keith Tarry tell unLTD’s Rachel Measures all about supporting England’s most successful women’s basketball team.

Sheffield Hatters, formed in the early 1960s by Betty Codona OBE, were the first women’s basketball team in England. Now looking forward to their 60th Anniversary, which is swiftly approaching, their volunteerrun charity continues to provide a space for women of all ages to play.

Embedding a family atmosphere, Betty still chairs the club, joined by her daughters, Vanessa Ellis, as head coach with her experience as the most GB capped player and coach, Loraine Gayle, who assists with the development side of the charity, taking advantage of her experience as basketball development officer for Sheffield City Council. And it doesn’t end there, as Betty’s granddaughter, Georgia

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Gayle, has also joined the team again.

Hatters trustee Sarah McQueen said: “Georgia played with Hatters since she was eight, all the way up until she was about 19 and then played in America and Spain.”

Instilling this family atmosphere, Sheffield Hatters provide opportunities for players regardless of their age and ability. According to Sarah, they are more than just what happens on the court.

“What we have is a great product, as a sport and a pathway. We have teams from under 10 all the way up to WBBL, the Women’s British Basketball League team. If you don’t have the WBBL team, you don’t have that flagship for girls to be able to see what they can achieve.

“It’s about understanding what the club does for

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FEATURE

HATTERS CAMPS

females, finding a family and support mechanism. I know from my experience of growing up that it gives you confidence – it gives you a sense of identity.

“We’ve got countless case studies over the years where basketball has supported females, such as individuals who have self-harmed and were being bullied about their race. They have gone on to thrive on and off the court because of the club environment that makes them feel like they’re achieving. I think that’s something that doesn’t get appreciated in sport.

“A lot of my good friends, and my support mechanism, are from basketball, and being from London, I consider Hatters to be my family in the north.”

Last year, when the news broke the Hatters weren’t going to be in the WBBL, Ryan Daniels, MD of Hydra Creative, reached out to ask if there was anything his company could do to help.

Keith said: “We ended up having a meeting to offer our services and asked the Hatters what they needed help with, and they needed a logo with the 60th anniversary so that was the perfect starting point.

“They are the most successful sports team, and it’s just one of those odd situations where you think, how can they be struggling? Why are they not getting decent funding?

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And with Ryan being a big basketball fan, we all agreed – we’re doing this, and we’ve gone all in.”

They certainly have – Hydra Creative have employed Betty’s grandson, Tyler, also the Hatters’ 16-18s coach, after it emerged that he had training in videography.

Keith added: “It’s a nice partnership and I think when the website launches, that’s going to kick the Hatters even further into the mainstream.

“It’s great working with Sarah and Betty and we can’t wait for the season to start so we can actually come to some games.”

Sarah reaffirms how pleased she is with the partnership: “They’ve gone above and beyond what our expectations were in terms of working together with the website, as we’ve also created a sponsorship brochure.

“It’s the time, more than anything, that they’ve given

It’s a nice partnership and I think when the website launches, that’s going to kick the Hatters even further into the mainstream.

us and the skillset, making us look more professional.

For us, as a volunteer run organisation, that’s a big deal.”

Sheffield Hatters have also recently announced Westfield Health lifetime president Graham Moore as their honorary president, and he is another example, alongside Hydra Creative, of people that believe in the club.

An event hosted by the Hatters on Wednesday October 20 will be a great opportunity for networking and finding out even more about the club and its people.

“We want to work with lots of organisations,” added Sarah. “It’s good value for money in terms of sponsorship but also if there’s other ways people can support and work with us, we’d love to hear from you.

“The Hatters are a great CSR (corporate social responsibility) opportunity – the value in women’s sport is proven and is a great way to give back to the community.

“And we want to create opportunities to continue this legacy for the next 60 years.”

To celebrate the most successful sport club in Sheffield and their 60th anniversary Sheffield Hatters are hosting a free networking event at Workstation Showroom at 5.30-6.30pm.

To book contact partnerships@ sheffieldhatters.com.

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Emergency lighting is a legal requirement The installation of emergency lighting is only the start when assessing if your emergency lighting is compliant.

It is often the case, whether you are a landlord, building occupier or employer, that you are unaware that it is your responsibility to ensure that your emergency lighting is checked and maintained in accordance with BS5266-1.

Maintenance of your emergency lighting as an asset has specific legal requirements.

Monthly function tests, annual duration tests, record keeping and remedial actions are a legal requirement and all have a cost.

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ADVERTORIAL

SUPPLIER AUDITING:

A RELIABLE AND ROBUST WAY

TO SOURCE PRODUCTS With the global pandemic and Brexit having a major impact on production, Kiley Tan, MD of Mosaic International, says businesses should look further afield to establish new supply chains.

With the pandemic and Brexit having a major impact on production, Yorkshire businesses are advised to look further afield to establish new supply chains and ensure the resilience of existing ones.

Sheffield-based international business consultancy, Mosaic International, offers specialised advice and services to businesses entering markets in the UK and Southeast Asia, and has developed a new ‘on the ground’ supplier audit service – allowing clients to take away the risk of finding or re-establishing reliable and resilient supply chains.

Kiley Tan, MD of Mosaic International, who has commercial experience in both regions, said: “Our service ensures that the supplier complies with our client’s safety and quality standards.

“In contrast to virtual audits, our service is carried out by highly qualified on the ground

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

auditors who are based in the local territory.

“In the midst of a global pandemic and logistics challenges, our audit services mean that businesses can

continue to ensure their suppliers are providing parts and goods which are of the highest quality. It is one less thing to worry about in these unpredictable times.

“Culture can also be a stumbling block when trading with certain territories. Not everyone speaks English, and there are different ways of doing business.

“This is where a locally based auditor really comes into their own. They can quickly pinpoint potential issues and enable clients to respond immediately and put remedial processes in place.

“Global purchasing is only going to increase, and Southeast Asia should be on most importers’ list. With the need to nurture third-party relationships, a local supplier auditor is the key to increasing margins and avoiding reputational damage.”

To find out more about Mosaic International’s new supplier auditing service and how it may benefit your business, please contact Kiley Tan on 07885 784783, kiley.tan@mosaicint.co.uk, or visit mosaicint.co.uk/audit

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Book now for CHRISTMAS Bespoke packages tailored to your requirements Visit truenorthbrewco.uk/christmas to see our Christmas party venues and offers

0114 280 8222 | bookings@truenorthbrewco.uk

YOUR PITCH

YES2VENTURES Yes2Ventures (Y2V) is a registered charity and social firm development agency that has been creating jobs and opportunities for people who are severely disadvantaged in the labour market for the last 20 years. Mark Powell, the founder and CEO, tells unLTD all about its new premises The Social – a ‘marketplace for inclusion’.

Tell us about your business – sell yourselves!

The Social is a marketplace for inclusion in Sheffield’s city centre (24/26 Snig Hill) where we are building an enterprise to help Y2V achieve its social objectives.

‘The Social’ is its name and it will also be the name of the bar that will open there for drinks and snacks from late August. The bar has been built by our committed team of construction and craft workers and will be open 12 till 9 from Wednesday to Saturday (plus the occasional Bank Holiday!).

The Social has different elements. First is artSocial, an art gallery and performance space exhibiting the work of local artists, and new and established artists from elsewhere. artSocial also runs workshops to help people from all walks of life to be creative.

Next is craftSocial, which trains people in craft work from printmaking and origami to woodwork and picture framing. We will have a craft shop for our products at The Social. foodSocial is special, and trains people to work in the catering industry, creates jobs and prepares good food for sale. infoSocial is a social information point, helping people find their way through the twists and turns of job finding, volunteering, mental health support and benefits issues – and bankSocial is a financial resource to help local people move towards

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independence and fulfilled lives. brewSocial is just around the corner. Watch this space!

Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?

Y2V creates jobs and opportunities for people who are severely disadvantaged in the labour market for health related and social reasons.

Whether you are looking to re-enter the labour market, want to learn new skills, or just need some help overcoming some of the barriers holding you back from doing what you want to do, Yes2Ventures might be able to help.

Our website www. yes2ventures.org.uk and Facebook page has information about The Social, its activities and its products.

Y2V creates jobs and opportunities for people who are severely disadvantaged in the labour market.

How can people get in touch with you?

Phone: 07904 586584 Email: mark.powell@ yes2ventures.org.uk Website: www.yes2ventures.org.uk Facebook: @Yes2Ventures Address: Y2V - Unit 2A Neepsend House, 1 Percy Street, Sheffield, S3 8BT The Social - 24/26 Snig Hill, Sheffield, S3 8NB

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ADVERTORIAL

THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC WITH HUDDERSFIELD EV With the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) rocketing in recent years, Huddersfield EV founder Sam Walker tells unLTD’s Beth Burley everything there is to know about EV charging point installation, the grants available and why we need to keep ahead of the game.

As an experienced electrician with ten years under his belt, Sam Walker saw the potential in EV charge point installations and an opportunity to get ahead of the 2030 government plans to go all electric.

Combining his concern over the environment and his passion to make a difference, Huddersfield EV was created in December 2020, installing domestic and commercial charge points, to assist people on their electric journey.

Since then, the industry has been booming.

“The demand for EV charger instillation is growing ridiculously quickly – the future is looking very bright.

The more popular EVs become, the more people are needing charge points at home, especially with the recent growth of people switching electric for work vehicles.”

Sam explains how home installations have become a lot easier with the government grants available to help with the cost.

“There are government grants available to assist clients with the payment of home installations, which is actually a very straightforward process. All the client has to do is fill in a little bit of paperwork to make sure they qualify for the grant. The rest of the work is done by the installer. The grant can save clients up to £350 so it makes a huge difference.”

Huddersfield EV also works

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hard to support clients with any concerns.

Sam said: “Part of the job is making sure you’re helping clients select the right charge point to suit their lifestyle. The main concern I get approached about is the client not knowing which charge point to pick due to the volume of variety out there. That is when I work with the client to make sure they’re making the right decision.

“There are also a lot of

questions surrounding how to make sure the charge points can be locked. The variety of charge points come with different locking systems, but the main ways are through apps, using ID cards or simply using a padlock.”

Sam reveals what to look out for when considering a charge point and offers his expert advice for the search.

“With the product being electric, you need to ensure the

product you go for has good reliability, excellent customer care and is future proof to make sure it keeps up with technology.

“Sometimes that means you can’t just pick the cheapest option, but it does ensure clients have got a product that suits their needs – and that will last.”

For more information visit www.huddersfieldev.co.uk

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unLTD PODCAST

SUPPORT, FUNDING AND HIRING FOR BUSINESSES – POST-PANDEMIC So after 18 months, it's all change with the furlough scheme finally coming to an end. But what does it mean for businesses in South Yorkshire and what will the impact be?

Our latest podcast episode with We Are Sound Media’s James Marriott is all about just that.

At one point we had predictions of mass redundancies but with the current crisis in recruitment, will that come to pass?

And what support is still out there for businesses still feeling the impact of the pandemic?

We set out to answer these questions and more in the latest unLTD podcast, with employment lawyer Hannah Haywood from Bhayani HR & Employment Law in Sheffield.

Plus, there's lots more

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in it too – find the episode in the podcast app on your phone (just search for 'unLTD Business').

Don't be an imposter I work with both businesses and individuals to create amazing podcasts on an incredibly wide range of subjects.

Often, they have very little in common – with different aims, formats, lengths, and branding. One thing they do tend to share, though, is the barriers they need to overcome right at the beginning.

Imposter Syndrome is a big hurdle. For most people,

stepping into podcasting is completely out of their comfort zone, something totally new. So it's normal to feel that apprehension and believe me, nearly every new podcaster does.

I think there are a few steps which can really help you overcome it and I don't have enough space to go into them all here – but if you'd like to read more, head to the blog section of my website at wearesoundmedia.com and have a look.

Podcast Spotlight: Barnsley Museums History podcasts are all over the place – but one thing I

love about podcasting is its ability to tell some of the local stories that you just won't find anywhere else.

Barnsley Museums' podcast does just this.

Every episode delves into a story you've probably never heard before and brings it to life.

A recent one from August covers The Wharncliffe Woodmoor Disaster back in 1936, along with an interview earlier this year with poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan and a special episode dedicated to LGBT History Month.

Take a trip back in time and learn more about Tarn!

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ADVERTORIAL

YOUR WELLNESS REALISED What we want to accomplish In a world where there has been immense change and disruption to people's lives and the organisations who employ them, we endeavour to bring further change for them, but in a more positive manner. At EmpowerPlan, our mission is to change the lives of employees for the better through providing wellbeing and performance enhancing tools and support.

The founding director, Nadine McCabe, decided on establishing this business in order to bring the power of Rapid Transformational Therapy to as many people as possible.

“I set this company up in order to have a BIG impact on the greatest number of people I could possibly reach. I want to change as many people's lives as possible and help many organisations to flourish after such hard times that have hit us all.”

How it all began On a personal development journey of her own, Nadine stumbled across the RTT method and was drawn to the

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impact it was having on those experiencing the therapy.

Being already qualified in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Nadine decided to train in Rapid Transformational Therapy, and has been blown away by the effectiveness it has had on her clients ever since qualifying as a practitioner.

Nadine understands the struggles and frustrations employers face and how important it is to ensure your staff are safe and well. RTT can help not only with mental health, but also to enhance key skills needed in business, and personally, in order to flourish and be happy and well.

What do we offer EmpowerPlan members get a whole host of benefits, and both the users and employers get a very personalised experience. The employers have a dashboard showing how their employees are engaging with the portal where they can monitor the wellbeing of their employees.

Users can set personal goals and gain access to webinars, workouts, fitness tips and tools, nutrition information,

recipes and diet plans, hypnosis and meditation audios, therapy worksheets, planners and organisers and also lots of downloadable worksheets for life enhancement tools. They will also receive free counselling sessions and discounted RTT sessions each year to maintain good mental health.

Organisations also experience a number of on-site workshop days each year, specific to their needs. Some organisations may feel the need to enhance sales skills with their sales team, or they may find a large number of staff suffering with anxiety or issues with addictions. Whatever their needs, EmpowerPlan can create the ideal workshop to tackle the issue and enhance their employee wellbeing or performance.

According to a report recently published, mental health-related absenteeism cost the UK £14 billion in 2020, which had risen by £1.3 billion since 2019. With EmpowerPlan employers will benefit from increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, a motivated

workforce, enhanced staff performance, greater employee retention and an increase in engagement.

Paying it forward When you sign your company up to EmpowerPlan we will donate 5 per cent of the annual contract fee to one of the many charities we have partnered with. You will be able to make a huge difference to your employees while donating to a charity that resonates with your company's ethics and purpose.

We are also currently developing the portal to include the ability for organisations to set challenges for the employees from their dashboard. These challenges could include further fundraising events which can further enhance staff wellbeing, such as sponsored steps, yoga days, group walks or team building exercises.

Get in touch If you would like to discuss the needs and struggles within your organisation, contact sales@empowerplan.co.uk to book a free consultation with one of our account managers.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

A PROFESSIONAL HQ WORTHY OF

FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY In summer 2020, Alex Hollinworth began thinking about his next challenge and set up his own commercial photography business. Here the entrepreneur tells us why The Business Village in Barnsley is an ‘excellent place’ to meet new people – and grow his company.

Alex Hollinworth’s love of photography began as a hobby when he was still at school. His parents nurtured his interest and bought him a camera one Christmas, booking him onto a workshop to learn how to use it properly.

By the time he left secondary school, a local photographer had seen his work online and offered him work experience. This lasted for nearly two years and, after leaving college, he was offered a full-time position.

In summer 2020, Alex began thinking about his next challenge and started his own commercial photography business. By December, he’d started trading and moved into a unit in The Business Village.

“From there, my business just snowballed, becoming bigger and bigger,” he said.

“By April 2021, I was looking for a larger unit and I’ve now moved into a new space which is big enough to work as both an office and a studio, so it’s almost like a hybrid space.”

Alex has found the location of The Business Village is very attractive to his clients, especially when they visit the studio because of the free parking with the added security of an ANPR system.

“Being in The Business Village gives you a business HQ and professional address.

I think it makes you look established which has helped my business grow.

“I knew from the conception of the idea I wanted a

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ALEX HOLLINWORTH

business HQ because, as a photographer, you need a studio to shoot from. I remember being impressed by The Business Village facilities and offices on a previous visit and they were the first people who came to mind when I began looking for space.”

Since becoming a tenant, Alex has found lots of opportunities to meet other businesses and has gained new clients among his fellow tenants.

“It’s an excellent place to meet new people and there are so many well-connected people and businesses here.”

He’s also benefited from

lots of support from the ScaleUp 360 project and members of The Business Village team, which has helped him to learn more and develop his business.

Alex thinks the business support is a massive plus and the 24/7 access has also been helpful when he needs to shoot something urgently or get kit ready the evening before. Plus the bistro provides a convenient place to grab a coffee or lunch when on a shoot.

Looking to the future, Alex expects to continue at The Business Village and is looking forward to engaging with even more tenants.

“Once you’re an established person here and everyone knows you, then your network will just grow forever because there are so many wellconnected businesses here.”

Find out more about The Business Village: www.barnsleybic.co.uk or contact business development manager Kevin Steel on 01226 249590 / 07970 930560 or via www.barnsleybic.co.uk/ staff/kevin-steel.

Alex can be reached on: M: 07805 057284 E: alex@alexhollinworth.co.uk W: alexhollinworth.co.uk

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ADVERTORIAL

CHAIRMAN, TONY ENGLAND; CHAIR OF TRUSTEES, MARGARET FERRIS; EMPLOYEE TRUSTEE REPRESENTATIVE – DESIGN ENGINEER, JAMES DAWSON; MANAGING DIRECTOR, LISA POGSON AND CONTACTS DIRECTOR, GARETH CAMPBELL

EMPLOYEES BECOME BENEFICIARIES AT ‘FAMILY-FEEL’ FIRM AIRMASTER Airmaster, based at Swallownest, South Yorkshire, transitioned to be owned by the employees, establishing an Employee Ownership Trust earlier this year.

Founder Richard Pogson and director Tony England were looking to release some of their investment. The directors spent a considerable amount of time evaluating how best to ensure their successful firm continued to thrive and expand, when the time comes for them to exit the company – and the decision to transform the business was taken.

The solution was to create an Employee Ownership Trust – where the directors sell a majority share of the business and employees take a controlling interest.

MD Lisa Pogson said: “Airmaster is a family-feel business with a closeknit team, so the ethos of employee ownership was already there. We are delighted to become an Employee Ownership Trust and reward the staff for their commitment to the company.

“We have seen the success of other employeeowned businesses locally

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

RICHARD POGSON, FOUNDER OF AIRMASTER

– established ones such as Gripple, who I visited as part of a Connect Yorkshire springboard session and spoke to a number of others that had been through the process.”

Gareth Campbell, contracts director, said: “We are going through a phase of growth with lots of exciting opportunities. This gives us a great foundation to continue to grow the business while giving something back to the team that make that possible.”

The board consists of chairman Tony England; managing director, Lisa Pogson; contracts director,

Gareth Campbell; supported by a senior management team including senior contracts manager Ross Blackwood and finance manager Andy Benson.

Chairman Tony England said: “We are looking to grow and evolve, with all of the staff, growing the business that has gone from strength to strength for almost 30 years!”

Richard Pogson said: “We were made aware of the different types of EOT schemes, some of which include a financial commitment from the staff.

“However, it was important to us that our employees would benefit from the

scheme without incurring any financial burden.”

Steve Vickers of Hart Shaw accountants and Matt Ainsworth of Knights Solicitors advised the directors on the deal.

Margaret Ferris, chair of trustees said: “I’m delighted to be involved with Airmaster, a company I have known for a number of years. The Employee Ownership Trust feels a really positive step for the culture of the business.”

South Yorkshire LEP were the first to become an Ownership Hub regional partner, encouraging and supporting employee and worker ownership in the region. They are working with Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association to raise awareness, develop training, deliver advice and expertise to create resilient and inclusive businesses that give employees a stake and a say.

The Ownership Hub is a joint project between Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association, supporting the #1MillionOwners campaign which aims to grow employee and worker ownership in the UK.

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ADVERTORIAL

FIRST ‘RESTORATION HUB’

FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS October 18 will see the start of World Anti-Slavery Week, and to show support for some of our city’s most vulnerable people, the Sheffield Business Together community are rallying to support a Restoration Hub for trafficked men, women and children.

The Hub will be set up and maintained by Sheffieldheadquartered national antitrafficking and crime-free futures charity, City Hearts.

City Hearts’ head of development, Phill Clayton said: “We are enormously grateful to Carolynn McConnell from Sheffield Business Together (SBT) for helping us make a Restoration Hub, for the survivors that we support, a reality. Carolynn, in partnership with the Sheffield Chamber, is enthusiastically rallying support from member businesses to provide as many of the items required in a Survivor Restoration Pack as they can in the month of October.

“A cross-section of our staff in our new innovation group came up with the idea of a ‘Restoration Hub’ earlier this year. The Hub is basically a storehouse from which we could provide items which give people back their dignity and help them feel cared for.

“We're aiming to raise a total of £62,000, which will cover the

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costs of the Hub set up and its running for the first year. After the success of our first Sofa to Summit challenge this summer, we still have £33,000 to raise, so the in-kind or cash donations from SBT members will help us get closer to supporting every man, woman or child who arrives traumatised at our safe houses.”

Carolynn McConnell who is on secondment to Business in the Community and has played a leading role establishing and running Sheffield Business Together adds: “For over 15 years, City Hearts have supported some of society's most vulnerable and exploited people.

“We want survivors who find themselves in local safe houses to feel welcomed to this great City of Sanctuary from the moment they arrive.

That could be providing a pair of comfy slippers or pyjamas, fresh bedding or toiletries and a bar of chocolate in their welcome pack to help someone feel valued.

“When they’re ready to move into their new home, which for many is a major step in their journey to independence, we want to join the highly committed team at City Hearts to provide the kind of items which make a house a home, like a kettle, toaster, lamps, pictures and rugs.”

Sheffield Chamber executive director Louisa Harrison-Walker concluded: “Sheffield Chamber is delighted to support this excellent campaign which was announced with a bulletin to SBT and Chamber members in September.

“We will be encouraging our businesses to donate any items for the welcome packs between 1-29 October. Several local businesses have already told us their people are keen to get involved and donate items as a team effort for an amazing cause.”

City Hearts exists to support society's most vulnerable people. To discover how you can help, visit www.cityhearts.global

YOU CAN DONATE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS: At a donation point on your business premises, that you decide - City Hearts will then come and pick up donations at your request. Contact Jed Barr, the restoration hub coordinator on 0771 567 7838.

Drop off donations at Sheffield Chamber or Voluntary Action Sheffield reception.

Purchase and donate items at Waitrose, Ecclesall Road Sheffield who are supporting the campaign.

Purchase items from the online wish list, at cityhearts.global/ restoration-hub. These items will be delivered direct to City Hearts.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

CHARITY CHARITY

SPONSORED BY

‘ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS’ RESTART ‘LONELINESSBUSTING’ VISITS One of Sheffield’s leading older people’s charities has restarted ‘loneliness-busting’ face-to-face visits, after the pandemic forced their suspension.

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care (SCCCC)’s 66-strong army of volunteers are back chatting in-person to isolated older people, many of whom count television as their only friend.

Precautions like face coverings, enhanced hygiene and social distancing remain, but charity bosses say the long-awaited return of physical get-togethers represents a ‘major milestone’ in their pandemic recovery.

SCCCC Good Neighbour

Scheme team leader Tammy Wilson, said: “Many of our volunteers have provided weekly telephone chats and some will continue with these even after our core services resume. But for those who feel comfortable delivering and receiving them, face-toface visits will re-start with precautions in place.

“We’ve all been through some tough times, but we never gave up hope that we could get one of our flagship services back up and running, so this represents a really important milestone for the charity.”

The scheme aims to help older members of the community by enhancing their

SCCCC GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME TEAM LEADER, TAMMY WILSON, LEFT, WITH A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY

quality of life and is provided free of charge.

“We’ve currently got a backlog of staff visits to people who were referred to us during the pandemic,” said Tammy.

“Where appropriate, we will be matching these people with volunteers so we’re always open to more people giving up their time to lend support.”

SCCCC is recruiting new volunteers. A full induction and DBS checks will be carried out to ensure all volunteers are suitable to support service users.

To find out more or to volunteer, email volunteers@scccc.co.uk or call 0114 250 5292.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TO HOST BRITISH DISABILITY SNOOKER EVENT The Stephen Harrison Snooker Academy (SHA) is staging the British Disability Snooker Championship Under 25s event in Sheffield on October 30 and 31.

Sheffield-based social enterprise SHA was founded by Stephen Harrison in memory of his father Ray Harrison who was the Paraplegic World Snooker Champion, winning a gold medal in 1985.

Ray was in a wheelchair at 16 years old. He was a victim of polio, but became highly successful at playing the sport and promoting the game to many disabled people.

Former professional snooker player Stephen said: “Dad was such an inspiration. He taught

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

me the game from an early age and never lost his enthusiasm and joy in taking part in a competition.

“I want to follow his example, growing the interest at grass roots level and giving everyone who wants to learn the opportunity to play this

wonderful sport.

“The Academy has been providing snooker coaching, competitions and training sessions for people with physical and learning disabilities since 2007 and we intend to continue to offer sporting facilities and tuition to

all future newcomers.

“Since 2008 we have also run a Saturday Club and a Holiday Snooker Club for children with special needs where they don't just learn how to play snooker, but also gain the chance to meet new friends and socialise.”

Stephen has also designed The UK Snooker Awards programme, a 60-hour learning module. To date, 66 children have completed the exercises to reach award-level.

There are more than 30 confirmed entries for the British Disability Snooker Championship Under 25s event, with participants travelling from around the UK to enter.

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CHARITY

CHARITY SPONSORED BY LET'S SAVE

Wendy Ward of Let's Save says let's be kind to those who are trying to help others

FLEXIBLE FUNDING IN A CHANGING WORLD? I wanted to talk about how grant, trust and foundation funding has changed since COVID-19.

Funders are not being as strict on how funds have to be spent, even sometimes on how quickly the funds are spent or even on what the money is spent on – as long as general intentions are good and beneficiaries are left better off.

Does this help the notfor-profits, charities and community interest companies

with service delivery or keeping the lights on? It probably does for the time being, as so many have been completely turned upside down during the last 18 months.

At some stage though, will these funders revert to restricting funds and water-tight monitoring standards of distributed funds? Let's hope that we will all give one another a bit more freedom to help one another more flexibly, forgive

those who react to situations overnight and consider the consequences later.

We need to spend grant funding responsibly and always for good, but let's be kind to those who are trying to help those who can't help

themselves – and then watch the impact and outcomes take care of themselves.

To hear more about my take of the not-for-profit, charitable sector and climate, visit my blog at www.letssave.biz/blog.

See you next month!

SORE LEGS BUT UNLTD SUPPORT FOR CAVENDISH CANCER CARE! unLTD’s Dan Laver was among the thousands of people hitting the streets for The Sheffield Half Marathon and The Sheffield 10k.

Running to raise money for Cavendish Cancer Care, Dan had trained for just five weeks after signing up to the half marathon following a challenge from Cavendish’s Kirsty Walker in a pub!

“At the start of August, I was struggling to run 5k,” said Dan. “A little extra motivation never hurts, and a dare from Kirsty gave me the chance to focus on improving my stamina, strength and distance – everything, really!”

Dan lost his dad to cancer when he was just three years old and has seen how important services like Cavendish are to people at some of the toughest times in their lives.

“Cavendish do amazing work supporting everyone who turn to them on a free of charge basis but can only do this because of the generosity of the local community,” said Dan. “They receive very little government funding – just enough to keep their doors open for two weeks each year – and I want to do my bit to help them provide their vital services.

“With many thousands of pounds raised for local charities, the sore legs were worth it!”

Dan was among many familiar faces from South Yorkshire businesses that took part in one of the races, including Mark Farnsworth of the Showroom Workstation, Kate Beswick from City Taxis and James Hodson from Evoluted.

DAN LAVER

Give Wendy at Let's Save Consultancy Services a call on 0772 9481010 or email wendy@letssave.biz

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ADVERTORIAL

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Go to www.barnsley.ac.uk/ virtual21 to find out more and join the live sessions on the day.

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO CELEBRATE THE REGION’S BUSINESS REVIVAL WITH A PARTY LIKE NO OTHER

We want to provide an opportunity to get together and celebrate the strength of our business community and the huge challenges that we have both met and come through together.

The past year has been about us all working towards a common goal so we invite you all to come together to relax and enjoy each other’s company for an evening of great food, wine and exciting entertainment.

SCAN TO FIND OUT MORE