unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #46 by unLTD magazine

JANUARY 2022 | ISSUE 46 | FREE | UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

THAT WINNING

FEELING! Sheffield Business Awards celebrates the success of the best businesses from across our region.

COMPANY CULTURE ● SEE IT BE IT’S BIG CHALLENGE 2022 ● YOUR PITCH

Business Sheffield

Sheffield Food and Drink Producers Meet The Buyer Event Are you a food business in the North of England looking for food and drink suppliers with a local focus? Or a farmer, grower or producer of food or drinks, registered as a food business in Sheffield?

If so, don’t miss Business Sheffield’s Meet the Buyer Event in January. Led by place maker and food consultant Esther Morrison, the event is an opportunity for buyers from across the North to tap into the wide range and high quality of food and drink produced inside the Sheffield City Region.

When and where:

Sheffield Town Hall Reception Rooms Monday 24 & Tuesday 25 January 2022 8am - 7pm

Buyers could be anything from supermarket chains and retail franchises, to cultural venues, independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants. For all such businesses, the event offers the chance to develop shorter, more locally focused supply chains, which are both more sustainable and more resilient in the face of shortages and transportation challenges. Moreover, by sourcing more products with a local identity, made by small producers who are passionate about what they do, buyers will tap into consumers’ growing desire for local food and drink and add unique offerings to their menus and shelves. For Sheffield food and drink producers, farmers and growers, it’s an opportunity to meet new customers who are able to buy their products in volume and regularly. Businesses that are ready to reach for the next level of production and sales will be able to do so while maintaining a connection to their home region and the North. It’s also a chance for businesses to be represented as premium suppliers and among the best that Sheffield has to offer, and to build networks with other like-minded producers at a similar stage of development.

How it will work There will be up to 34 different supplier stalls on each day. Buyers will book a two hour slot on either or both days to browse the stalls, talk to producers about what they

do, and arrange meetings for the future. Places at the event are free of charge for both buyers and suppliers.

How to get involved Suppliers

To apply: Visit https://bit.ly/SheffMTB-Apply The form will ask suppliers for details of their business, product range and preferred days of trading. Responses will be used to create a mix on each day that offers buyers the best possible variety and quality. To find out more, email esther@rosiabay.co.uk or call Business Sheffield on 0114 224 5000. To apply to trade, please fill out the application form on our website and submit by Friday 7 January. Decisions will be announced on Monday 10 January. Buyers Buyers can book to attend the event on Eventbrite. Slots available on each day:

8am - 10am | 10am - 12pm 12pm - 2pm | 2pm - 4pm | 4pm - 7pm

To book:

Visit https://bit.ly/SheffMTB

If the event cannot take place in person as planned due to COVID-19, we will either hold it online or set another date. We will keep prospective suppliers and buyers informed.

Ambitious Plans. Made Together. Working with partners to shape the region Working with organisations and individuals across South Yorkshire we’ve created the Made Together programme: a major University of Sheffield regeneration initiative with a dedicated team of staff and a clear brief to do four things: make our region healthier, greener, more vibrant and innovative for all.

#MadeTogether

Sheffield.ac.uk/madetogether madetogether@sheffield.ac.uk

Through Made Together, we’re giving businesses the edge by: • Providing access to innovation-led facilities and expertise • Attracting major inward investment • Investing in talent to release the power of people

Advance your business in 2022, hire an Apprentice! An Apprenticeship is a smart, cost-effective way to develop your workforce and bridge skills gaps. Our Apprenticeship programmes have been designed by employers, for employers; so that you can get the most out of hiring an Apprentice. Apprenticeships are on offer in over 13 different sectors, and across a range of levels. To find out more, please email us at: apprenticeshipsandtraining@sheffcol.ac.uk

apprenticeships.sheffcol.ac.uk

CONTENTS

INSIDE... 8-13: News Latest news from around our area including updates from the Heart of the City project and Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. 15-17: Appointments The winners of Glu Recruit's Office Heroes awards are announced! 23: Legal Matters Tips from our solicitor columnist about what to consider if you own a business with your spouse. 27: A Helping Hand How does a consultant get to know your business to offer their expertise?

28-29: I.T. Innovation Technology is important but putting people first is the key to a successful business says our IT expert. 38-49: Cover Story All the winners and photos from the Sheffield Business Award 2021! 55: Your Pitch The iRepair Stop tells us all about themselves. 65-67: See It Be It Young entrepreneurs from schools across Sheffield compete to produce the best advert for their business. 72-75: Company Culture Tax specialists YesTax is on a mission to make the world a better place through its charity initiative. 76-77: Doncaster Business Awards Winners and pictures from the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

EVERYTHING ELSE: 19: The Diary 25: Entrepreneur Support 36-37: Equality in STEM 59: Launchpad 69: Sheffield Chamber 78-79: Business Sheffield 81-82: Charity

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@UNLTDBUSINESS UNLTD BUSINESS UNLTDBUSINESS

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Or is it? As you read this who knows what our situation will be. The perils of publishing a monthly magazine is that the world moves quickly so please forgive us if we’re a little out of step with what is happening as you read this. Hopefully everyone has had a safe and enjoyable festive period and are fully refreshed ahead of returning to work. Christmas and New Year is that wonderful time of the year when the vast majority of people do take a break – and it is also understood that you’re not at the beckon call of your email inbox because you’ll be knee deep in mince pies. The new year is a time to look ahead, set resolutions and a be a new and better you for 2022… but first let’s celebrate the best of 2021. In this issue you’ll find out who were the winners from the Sheffield Business Awards, and why. We all had an amazing night at 92 Burton Road in Kelham Island to celebrate the best of the local business scene. There are some amazing firms in our great city and it was wonderful to see people eating and drinking together. It was our first year hosting the Sheffield Business Awards alongside Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. There is always room for improvement but on the whole we’re pretty chuffed with how it went! Also, this month we speak to the team behind one of the firms shortlisted for the prestigious SME of the Year award – YesTax. They tell us about their work with a charity in Nepal that is offering hope to some of that country’s most disadvantaged children. We’re a city of the most generous, warm people. Here’s to telling more of your stories in 2022.

EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com editorial@unltdbusiness.com General hello@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7760 ADVERTISING Dan Laver dan@unltdbusiness.com 07867 313995 Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Lis Ellis accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN Simon Garlick and Marc Barker CONTRIBUTORS Dean Atkins Beth Burley Dom Brook Steve Brown Chris Coates Jackie Cook Ryan Daniels Jo Davison Ellie Grace Matt Holmes

Sam Leeder Jade March James Marriott Rachel Measures Bronte Saulle Raj & Fiona Shah Susan Waple Wendy Ward Helen Williams Demelza Wrigley

unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1B Rialto, 2 Kelham Island Sq., Kelham Riverside, Sheffield S3 8SD and HRM PR | Creative Unit 1A Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and HRM and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd and HRM cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

AGENDA NEWS Heart of the City creating jobs for today and tomorrow Sheffield’s Heart of the City, one of the country’s largest urban regeneration projects, is providing a fantastic pathway into the construction industry, with over 80 apprentices and previously unemployed people working across the scheme today. Heart of the City is anticipated to generate 7,000 long-term jobs right in the centre of Sheffield, but its current live construction sites are also giving young people, as well as previously unemployed people, a clear path into work right now. Contractor, Galliford Try, has provided jobs to 33 previously unemployed people from the Sheffield region, alongside eight new apprenticeship roles.

The firm has also worked closely with many partners across the city, including Sheffield Hallam, The University of Sheffield and Sheffield College, helping to facilitate mock interviews, career fairs, site visits and work experience. Carol Shaw, corporate responsibility manager at Galliford Try, said: “Through our work we try to leave a lasting legacy. We do this by committing to work with the local supply chain enabling Sheffield people to gain employment, support community groups to meet local needs and inspire future generations to think about a career in construction through our engagement with educational establishments.”

DRIVE MOTOR RETAIL WON THE CUSTOMER CARE CATEGORY AT THE MOTOR TRADER AWARDS

HRM CELEBRATES CLIENT AWARD WINS Sheffield PR and creative agency HRM has started 2022 on a high after a series of award wins and shortlists for its clients. The agency, which provides award entry writing as part of its service offering, has seen recognition for four of its clients across a range of sectors in the past four months, including two wins. Automotive dealer group Drive Motor Retail won the Customer Care category at

the Motor Trader Awards and Sheffield-based Urbana Town Planning picked up Consultancy of the Year at the Yorkshire Property Industry Awards 2021. The Sheffield College was shortlisted for four awards following HRM support, and BHP Chartered Accountants was shortlisted in four categories for the Yorkshire Financial Awards which will be revealed later this year. Allie Dransfield, head of client management at HRM,

said: “It’s great to see so much recognition for our clients recently and we are thrilled to have played our part in that. “Raising the profile of businesses which do exceptional work is something we pride ourselves on here at HRM and our team have a wealth of experience when it comes to award writing, so we are always looking to identify award opportunities for our clients and give them the best possible chance of success.”

NEW PLANS TO CLAMP DOWN ON CITY CENTRE PAVEMENT PARKING Residents and businesses are being urged to share their views on new proposals to ban pavement parking in the city centre. The introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order would allow parking enforcement officers to clamp down on drivers who park on the pavement. Fines for £70

(£35 if paid within 14 days) will apply under the new rules. The ban will be enforced across the city centre in phases and will include some of the busiest streets such as West Street and Arundel Gate. Signs will inform drivers of the ban. Councillor Douglas Johnson at Sheffield City Council said:

“Pavement parking is a real problem in the city centre, with parked cars causing dangers and inconvenience for people every day." Residents and business affected by the proposals will be contacted directly to inform them of the plans with the opportunity to provide feedback.

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AGENDA

UTC Sheffield City Centre student wins WorldSkills UK bronze medal

THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR CHILD HEALTH TECHNOLOGY (NCCHT)

WORK TO START ON WORLD BEATING CHILD HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CENTRE Work is due to start this year on a world-beating centre to improve child health at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Sheffield City Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust which will allow development to start on the ground-breaking National Centre for Child Health Technology (NCCHT). The MOU commits the partners to work together on a strategy which aims to maximise grant and funding

options whilst reducing capital costs and financial risk. The agreement comes on the back of £8.8m of Levelling Up funding for the NCCHT announced in the Autumn Budget last year. Ruth Brown, chief executive at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know this Centre will bring enormous benefit to healthcare of children across the UK and internationally. By bringing together clinicians, academics and industry, we have a fantastic opportunity

to lead this exciting work from Sheffield and provide healthier futures for children and young people across the world.” The NCCHT will be the first of its kind in the world, positioning the UK as a global leader in technology for paediatrics and child health. It will develop technologies to address key national strategic priorities in child health including childhood obesity, child and adolescent mental health, cancer, disabilities, long term conditions and prevention.

The Sheffield College is an AoC Beacon Awards finalist The Sheffield College has been shortlisted in two national education awards. The Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards celebrate best practice and innovation among UK further education colleges. The Sheffield College is a finalist in the National Centre for Diversity Award for Inclusive Learning Leadership and the RCU Award for Support for Students. The National Centre for Diversity Award for Inclusive Learning Leadership shortlisting is based on the

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College’s extensive work embedding the FREDIE values of fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement. The RCU Award for Support for Students shortlisting is for the College’s work supporting

asylum seekers and refugees back into learning and helping them progress, primarily through the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses. James Smythe, vice principal of student experience, said: “It’s brilliant to be recognised in two awards categories. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our staff and the inspirational impact that they have on our student and wider community.” The AoC Beacon Awards winners will be announced early this year.

A student from UTC Sheffield City Centre is thrilled after winning a bronze medal in the prestigious WorldSkills UK national finals. Samuel Kearsley, 17, is studying a Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Engineering as well as two A Levels in maths and physics, at the technical school based on Matilda Street. Samuel, along with another UTC student finalist Thomas Walshaw, 17, took part in the mechatronics skills competition, which involved completing five technical tasks within five hours. Samuel said: “It was an incredible experience. I am really happy to have been awarded a bronze medal and am very proud of my achievement. I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to take part.” Competitors completed a seven-month process of regional heats and intensive training before reaching the WorldSkills UK national finals. Alex Reynolds, principal of UTC Sheffield City Centre, said: “I am really proud of Samuel and Thomas for being amongst the UK’s most highly skilled young people. Our students complete technical and academic qualifications and work on industry standard equipment to develop the skills valued by employers, and this latest award win is testament to that.”

L I M I T E D

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AGENDA

BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY PROGRAMME HELPS ELECOMM TARGET £30M MILESTONE Elecomm delivers a range of support to businesses across the UK. Following the launch of its dedicated facilities management division earlier this year, the company realised that many of its systems were not fit for purpose. A match funded grant was secured to help Elecomm to invest in specialist business consultancy support to undertake a comprehensive review of the company’s business operation. John Hamilton, supply chain director, Elecomm said: “The support we have been able to access because of the grant is helping us to recognise our strengths, identify weaknesses in our business model and implement changes

JOHN HAMILTON AND CLAIRE GREEN, KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER AT RIDO

we need to make. As a result, we’re on course to achieve our growth target of £30m and much more.” The Business Productivity Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and provides businesses with 50 per cent grant funding up to a maximum of £12,499, and the other 50 per cent must be

provided by the business. The maximum project application is £24,999 and can include investment in new equipment or machinery and consultancy services to help them overcome barriers to growth. Any South Yorkshire business wishing to find out more can contact the Enterprising Barnsley team via: bit.ly/3y1MnpH

Friendship volunteer urges others to support older people loneliness project A dual language woman is urging others to start off 2022 the right way and volunteer for a charity project which aims to curb loneliness amongst isolated older people in Sheffield. Wiktoria Abramowicz, 21, signed up for Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care’s (SCCCC) Good Neighbour Scheme last year. Wiktoria said: “I signed up for the Good Neighbour Scheme because I wanted to support my local community during the pandemic. I wanted to take on a challenge as well as gain insights about myself and the world around me.” Wiktoria also speaks Polish and is appealing for others with an additional language to come forward and volunteer for the Inclusive Community Care Project – a sister project of the charity’s flagship Good Neighbour Scheme. The Inclusivity Community Care project particularly aims

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WIKTORIA ABRAMOWICZ

to provide targeted support to older people from diverse backgrounds, some of whom face cultural or language barriers which prevent them from accessing the support they need. “It is an amazing scheme which combats loneliness.

This scheme can truly change the service users’ life, I highly encourage people to join SCCCC,” Wiktoria said. To find out more or to volunteer, email volunteers@scccc.co.uk or phone 0114 2505292

Hallam recognised for its support for estranged students Sheffield Hallam University has been recognised for its support for students who are estranged from their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the second year in a row that the university has received the Stand Alone Pledge Award which recognises the general, financial and graduation support provided for estranged students.

Josie Quigley, a firstyear film and media production student who is estranged from her family, said: “Sheffield Hallam support services have been incredibly helpful for me. Right from starting at university they provided me with a transition fund to be able to pay for me to get here and offer aspects such as the counselling service, which was incredibly helpful for my mental health.” Sheffield Hallam University vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Chris Husbands, said: “This award reflects the commitment the university has made to its care leaver and estranged students throughout their university life to support them to achieve their full potential. “We will continue to improve the support that we offer to estranged students and develop our understanding of the unique challenges they face to ensure they can thrive during their time at Sheffield Hallam.”

Made Different.

Want one? Get in touch.

0114 2991666

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AGENDA PROPERTY NEWS

SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL MOVES FORWARD WITH PLANS TO REDEVELOP PARKWOOD SPRINGS £200,000 has been committed by the council to progress redevelopment plans for the site of the former Ski Village at Parkwood Springs. The funding will be used to carry out site investigation and assessment work and will inform plans for the site’s redevelopment as a major leisure attraction. Work will also begin on clearing some of the old Ski Village structures, debris and vegetation to make the site safe for future construction work. An ecological assessment will also be carried out to assess the potential impact of redevelopment on biodiversity and the local environment. Councillor Mazher Iqbal at Sheffield City Council said: “We recognise the vast

potential that Parkwood has to offer in Sheffield, both as a major tourist attraction for the region and as a site that will be central to contributing

towards improving the health, lifestyle and opportunities for local people. “We can’t get away from the fact that this is a challenging

site with many complex issues, but we’re ready to meet the challenge and work to secure the future of Parkwood for years to come."

Urbana celebrates new hire ahead of ambitious 2022 plans Innovative planners and urbanists, Urbana has welcomed Joe Kirtley to its growing team across Sheffield and London. Urbanist Joe has joined the business from a private planning consultancy in the Midlands. He explained: “I wanted to work for a company with a genuine passion for the built environment, providing exceptional design and making better places. I firmly believe as Urbanists, we can shape the future of our cities and the spaces we interact with in a fundamentally positive way. “The climate change crisis

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JOE KIRTLEY

is threatening the world’s future, and I hope we can play

our part in addressing this. I look forward to being a part of

Urbana’s future growth, and I’m excited about our 2022 plans.” Based in the Sheffield office, Joe will support the rest of the team in delivering development proposals that improve cities and towns. He will also be looking into research projects around people’s relationship with the built environment, particularly concerning mental health and personal development. Managing director, Adam Murray, added: “We have ambitious growth plans for 2022, and we’re thrilled that Joe will be joining us on our journey.”

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AGENDA

APPOINTMENTS

SPONSORED BY

GLU RECRUIT ANNOUNCES THE WINNER OF THE 2021 OFFICE HEROES AWARDS! Glu Recruit, the South Yorkshire based specialist recruitment consultancy, has announced the winner of its 2021 Office Heroes Awards, the annual awards ceremony that celebrates the unsung heroes of the workplace in the Sheffield City Region. The event was held at the Leopold Hotel in Sheffield on Friday, December 3 2021, and was won by George Hill, delivery & training specialist, at Sheffield-based cleaning equipment manufacturer and janitorial supplier, Killis Ltd. After receiving a record number of nominations, the judging panel, comprising of key figures from the local business community, including Gail Smith, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, reviewed each application to decide on the final shortlist of ten, along with the overall winner, two highly commended and one special mention award. Rob Shaw, managing director of Glu Recruit and founder of the Office Heroes Awards, said: “This year’s ceremony was a fantastic occasion, even more so with us being able to get back to running a physical event to celebrate all of our finalists. “The ethos of the Office Heroes Awards has always been to shine the spotlight on individuals who go above and beyond, day after day, to support their teams and their businesses, and this year’s stand out performers didn’t let us down. Every single nomination we received lived up to the criteria, and they are all Office Heroes within their organisations.

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at the Office Heroes Awards. I comment on behalf of all the judges here by saying it was a very difficult decision to choose the overall winner as it could have been any one of a number of people as the shortlist was so strong. “However, we all scored George so high prior to our panel discussion, it became clear during our debate that he was the stand-out choice for everyone. We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to George who is a very worthy, and humble winner. “The Office Heroes Awards is a great initiative from Glu Recruit and is something we should be really proud about because celebrating the heroes in every office across the Sheffield City Region is something every organisation should be doing. Well done to everyone involved in the awards!”

THE WINNER

LEFT TO RIGHT: CHARLOTTE KILLI, GEORGE HILL, LORD MAYOR OF SHEFFIELD, CLLR GAIL SMITH AND GLU RECRUIT MD, ROB SHAW

“We have a very worthy winner in George Hill of Killis Ltd, who really did go above and beyond to claim the top prize. George is a delivery & training specialist at Killis and has worked there for five years, and was nominated by his colleague Charlotte Killi, who described George as an ‘absolute asset to Killis in every way, he is the most

polite, caring, and dedicated gentleman who will turn his hand to anything to help anyone in the business.’ “Congratulations to George, and all this year’s award winners!” Cllr Gail Smith, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and judge at the Office Heroes Awards said: “It was a great honour to be asked to take part as a judge

After pulling in a clean sweep from the judging panel, the top prize was awarded to George Hill for his achievements at Killis Ltd. Described by the judges as ‘Clearly going above and beyond, taking on extracurricular activities for the benefit of the team, showing ingenuity and someone who you would want on your team’ George won the coveted title of Office Hero, along with an engraved trophy and £500 of Meadowhall vouchers. Charlotte Killi, head of sales & events at Killis and nominator of George Hill said: “George’s official role at Killis is

AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

‘delivery and training specialist’ although he goes above and beyond in this role in so many ways. “During the height of the pandemic, George volunteered to go and train all the staff at the pop up Nightingale hospital in the London Excel centre on all the cleaning machines we supplied. His caring, calming nature means George can easily communicate with anyone and everyone. He is incredibly respectful, polite, and patient, and takes the time to ensure everyone understands how to use the machines. “His standout moment came when carrying out his daily job of delivering training on our cleaning machines. George saw a gap in the market to create a cleaning storage module on wheels for those sites which didn't have much storage space or have to move from site to site. "Having decided to design a

unit, he had the vision to create a CAD image of it to present to the business, and then had the unit fabricated which we took to the London Cleaning show to display and house all the equipment. “The feedback we get about George is absolutely phenomenal and we are so proud of his achievement at the Office Heroes Awards!” George Hill said: “I feel very humbled that my efforts are getting noticed by my colleagues at Killis and winning the Office Heroes Awards has been very moving and something I am still processing. “When my name was announced I felt as if I was being woken from a deep sleep and lifted back to reality. I couldn’t believe it as all the other nominations are so inspiring. Thank you to all at Killis and Glu Recruit for guiding, trusting and supporting each other during uncertain times.”

Rob Shaw concluded: “Huge congratulations to George for being crowned this year’s winner. He really has gone above and beyond in his role, making a huge difference to his employer and their customers and we’re thrilled to be able to highlight his efforts at the Office Heroes Awards. “Huge thanks goes to everyone who got involved in this year’s awards; to unLTD Business, our co-sponsors, Cuckoo Films for pulling together the shortlist video together for us. "To everyone who nominated their fantastic colleagues, the judges, the finalists, the Glu Recruit team for all the hard work in arranging the event, and of course all this year’s award winners, who made our first physical award ceremony since the pandemic one to remember.”

THE 2021 OFFICE HEROES AWARD WINNERS • George Hill, Killis Ltd – Winner • Emma Harrison, Whyy Change? – Highly Commended • Teresa Mansell, Highlander Computing Solutions – Highly Commended • Alexandra Mamantzi, Barnsley College – Special Mention

THE JUDGES • Gail Smith, Lord Mayor of Sheffield • Anne Wilson, MBE, Local business champion • Dan Laver, unLTD Business and co-sponsor • Charlotte Swinhoe, Weston Park Cancer Charity and 2020 winner • Richard Allman, Champion Health • Brendan Hall, Hallmark Branding

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AGENDA SPONSORED BY

NEW APPOINTMENT FOR MANUFACTURING AND LOW VOLUME PRODUCTION EXPERTS A recent £750,000 investment enables Sheffield’s additive manufacturing and low volume production experts, AME-3D, to secure new appointment. With over 16 years’ additive manufacturing and supply chain experience, from running SLA machines at 17-years-old, to leading sales activities for northern Europe with one of the biggest AM authorities, experienced additive manufacturing expert, Johnathan Andrews, joins AME-3D as business development manager. Aiming to secure new business and empower the company to reach its ambitious business plans, Johnathan’s appointment is amongst the first of AME-3D’s strategic growth plans.

LEE MILLIGAN

Experienced audit manager joins Hentons JOHNATHAN ANDREWS

Johnathan Andrews said: “The ingenuity of processes and quality of parts was of such a high standard at the company and made me want to be a part of the team. I’m delighted to be joining the team at this critical moment in their journey.”

Rich Proctor, AME-3D’s managing director, said: “Our team is excited to have Johnathan join us. His experience within the sector will help our company to become one of the UK’s most knowledgeable and innovative service providers.”

Quorn appoints Sheffield-based Evergreen PR as consultancy expands Multi-award-winning Sheffield-based health comms consultancy, Evergreen PR, has been appointed by Quorn to deliver national health PR campaigns that support its sustainable nutrition work. Evergreen, recently crowned Small Consultancy of the Year, will develop PR campaigns to engage healthcare professionals in Quorn’s education programme. Evergreen has also announced two new hires as part of a recruitment drive. Matt Thompson joins as Director while Chris Hayter joins as an account executive. Tess Kelly, sustainable development manager for Quorn Nutrition, said: “We are excited to be working with Evergreen PR and know

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A highly experienced audit manager has been appointed at Sheffield based chartered accountancy and business advisory firm, Hentons. Lee Milligan, renowned for building excellent client relationships, has over 25 years’ industry experience and is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He will be managing a team of auditing professionals who are based across the firm’s Leeds, London, Sheffield, Thirsk, and York offices. Lee said: “A well-run audit gives assurance in published financial figures and highlights any weaknesses in client systems while providing unbiased recommendations to improve performance in the future. “I wanted to join Hentons as the firm has an excellent reputation for its audit and accountancy services, as well as offering corporate finance and legal services.” Mark Bain, partner at Hentons, said: “Lee is an ideal fit for Hentons, and our team and clients will benefit from his experience and dedication.”

LEIGH GREENWOOD, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EVERGREEN PR

that this will be a brilliant partnership.” Leigh Greenwood, founder and managing director of Evergreen PR, said: “This

work will allow us to play to our strategic and creative strengths while improving the health of people and the planet.”

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CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT

VALENTINES DATE NIGHT

In support of Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Saturday 12th February 2022 6.30pm-8.30pm £50 for 2 steak, shared dessert and a bottle of wine. Vegetarian options available

Wednesday 2nd February 2022 supper at 6.45pm followed by quiz £12.95 per person Including pea and pie supper.

Join us for a delicious SUNDAY LUNCH served every Sunday 12noon-3pm or tasty AFTERNOON TEA served Thursday to Sunday 12noon-3pm. Booking essential!

AGENDA

THE DIARY BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor says we should be proud with how the young are coping with the pandemic

o or

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT It’s fair to say that over the past near two years everyone has had it tough. People suffer in different ways with some able to cope with seemingly greater difficulties better than another whose trials may appear insignificant to the onlooker. Age and experience teach us not to judge others – the saying walk in another’s shoes before making up your mind about them springs to mind. Surely, though, the lives of our children have been disrupted more than most. Young people are in our care and decisions made by us – adults – affect them without giving them any say in the matter.

Even as 2022 gets under way – and this column was written before Christmas – there is no guarantee that the education and social activities of children won’t be altered at a moment’s notice consigning them to home schooling and limited contact with their friends. They deserve much better because I believe that this generation will grow up to be remarkably resilient. Not only have they had regular disruption to their schooling they have also been told they are a danger to vulnerable adults, particularly grandparents. Thankfully COVID-19 in its current variants is relatively unharmful to young people.

When the pandemic first hit those of us with children would have first and foremost been concerned by their physical health. But the longer it has gone on it is more their mental health which is the worry. Again, thankfully, we seem to have bred a set of kids who just get on with life. They know there’s little they can do to alter government decisions so they go with the flow. The reason why I bring up school-age children is that at the back end of last year I had the opportunity to speak with several Year 10 classes from Sheffield’s Park Academy as part of their English lesson. Organised by the See It Be It In Sheffield initiative

the session was aimed at showing the pupils how English matters in every day settings. I was a member of a panel made up from different industries and I spoke specifically about journalism and PR. It was an online event but what impressed me most was the level of response during the question and answer section, which was very thought-provoking. Who knows what 2022 holds for any of us. I think we have learned not to look too far into the future. Hopefully, though, for those who have grown up through this weird phase of our lives they will be stronger and better for it.

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

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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

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FINANCIAL HEALTH BY RAJ AND FIONA SHAH OF BLUE WEALTH CAPITAL

Our columnists on choosing a trustee to oversee your assets and those of your loved ones

WHO DO I APPOINT AS A TRUSTEE? Our last article discussed the importance of a comprehensive estate plan. An integral part of estate planning is the appointment of trustees. Depending on the type of trust you are creating, the trustee will be responsible for overseeing your assets and the assets of your loved ones. Most people choose either a friend or a family member. However, it is possible to appoint a professional trustee such as a lawyer, accountant, trust company, or corporate trustee for this key role. It’s a question of trust We find that this mnemonic can help to prompt clients when having this type of discussion: Trust As the name goes, the trustee should be trustworthy. If you cannot trust the individual to hold £10 for you, you should not name them as trustee.

Relationship Most people choose a friend or a family member. Other important considerations here include the age of the trustees – it is perhaps not wise to appoint anyone older than

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you are and, if the trustees know each other, how well do they get on?

U Understanding Your sister, for example, does not have to be a financial guru, but she should be smart enough to know that she cannot directly invest the money herself. As trustee, she will hire an investment advisor to invest the trust assets or work with your current investment advisor. Situated in the UK Ideally, your trustees should be local or in the UK. However, with modern methods of communication such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams, it is possible to have real-time meetings with overseas trustees.

Time This is another obvious one but one that many people fail to consider. They must be able to attend meetings and have enough time to read documents carefully.

Effective communicator Being able to communicate both in written

and spoken word is an essential skill for a trustee to have. Established financially If you choose a family member or friend, they should be financially astute and good with money. You want someone who is, at a minimum, familiar with basic concepts of investing, and preferably someone who has assets of their own that they are investing with an investment advisor.

And finally… It may seem obvious, but choose someone over 18 and of sound mind. Professional trustees Suppose the above list is exhausted and the client is unable to find a trusted individual as trustee or the beneficiary is a vulnerable individual. In that case, a professional trustee could be considered. This does come with a significant cost, and professionals should not be used to act as peacemakers or arbitrators. According to the acting solicitors, fees can range between £260-£390 per hour.

Still can’t decide? First, consider co-trustees. Why not name your sibling and a professional trust company? Build flexibility into the plan. Give others, such as your spouse, the ability to remove and replace the trustees. You also may be able to remove and replace the trustee during your lifetime. Let someone else decide. You can let the beneficiaries choose the trustee on your death in certain circumstances. Or, you can let your lawyer or other advisor choose the trustees down the road. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to learn more about how we can help. Raj Shah is founder of Blue Wealth Capital and has been shortlisted for Financial Planner of the Year and Investment Adviser of the Year. Raj can be reached at: raj@bluewealthcapital.com Fiona Shah is operations director at Blue Wealth Capital. Fiona can be reached at: office@ bluewealthcapital.com www.bluewealthcapital.com

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LEGAL MATTERS

BY DEMELZA WRIGLEY, BELL & BUXTON INCORPORATING IRONMONGER CURTIS Divorce solicitor Demelza says there are things to consider if you own a business together

dgers

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BUSINESS IN A DIVORCE? If one or both of the parties to a marriage, and subsequent divorce, own a business, this is a financial resource which the court will take into account when determining the overall division of the assets under section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. There is a common misconception that shares could be transferred into a non-owning party’s name, whereas a court cannot order this. Instead, the money’s worth of the shares will be considered, however a nonowning party does not have a right to be involved in the running of a business. As can be appreciated, valuing shares in a private company is not an easy task, as the shares are often only worth what someone will pay for them, rather than being traded on the Stock Exchange. An accountant’s early involvement is therefore essential.

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The court has two functions in cases involving businesses: • To establish the value of the parties’ interests in the business. • To decide how that value should be reflected in the final distribution. Consideration also needs to be given to how the business may be treated as part of the distribution of the assets. The court will want to ensure that the parties share proportionately in the liquid and non-cash assets, and that one spouse is not bearing more of the ‘risk-laden’ assets than appropriate. The court may consider applying discounts to account for the levels of risk or, for example, when considering minority shareholdings. Of course, there may also need to be a transfer of shareholdings between the parties.

There are several methods an expert may use to value a business including net assets’ valuations, earnings’ valuations (used for valuing an ongoing trading company), discounted cash flow basis, dividend yield basis, industry practice and by valuing individual shareholdings. Consideration will need to be given on the best method of valuation, and expert advice is often required to consider this. Up to date business valuations will always be required and should present a fair market value. Valuations will often be treated as a guide rather than scientific absolutes. The court may also want to consider whether the business is matrimonial or non-matrimonial property, for example where a business interest may have been established prior to the marriage, inherited by one

of the parties or has grown significantly post-separation because of the particular efforts of one party. When dealing with business assets on divorce, we will always involve our corporate and commercial department at the earliest point to consider whether the proposed arrangements for the company are workable and also consider potential tax implications with the assistance of an accountant. It is vital that early advice is taken to prevent deals being put forward by either side which are ultimately unworkable; this saves time in the long run and is cheaper for the client. Demelza Wrigley is a specialist in divorce and a Partner at Bell & Buxton Solicitors. She is available on 0114 249 5969 or d.wrigley@bellbuxton.co.uk bellbuxton.co.uk

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ENTREPRENEURSUPPORT BY HELEN WILLIAMS, HELPING ENTREPRENEURS WIN

Our columnist on adapting to the ever-changing cycles of work and life

1% BETTER EACH DAY Things can’t be changed to a full, dramatic effect overnight. As much as we will this to be the case, it never will be the case. You know the cliché (that’s only a cliché because of its compelling truth!) ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’, well, the same applies for your goals, plans and vision. As a society and especially in business, we often seek quick wins. There are also sadly lots of quick fix and quick wins out there for sale in the marketplace that are even more rife at this time of year. Avoid like the plague and opt for an approach that will benefit you with longevity and sustainability. The wise choice then is going for marginal gains – the implementation of something that will make a slight difference day by day. We don’t always like this choice because it doesn’t seem enough at any one time. The fact is we can create the desired long-term outcome by controlling a small portion of what we do each day. Think of goals and desired outcomes such as building muscle, getting fitter, faster and stronger. We would be naive to think we could run

a marathon from a standing position having never ran as much as 5k before. We would be asking for the impossible to be able to lift 130kg if we haven’t so much as thrown a 5kg dumbbell around an aerobic track before. We would seek advice, we

would create a plan, we would build up with time, distance, and weight. Business fitness is the same. We all want to be incredibly successful in business and our professional roles, prove our worth, credibility and deliver an impressive result.

Filling your pipeline with leads, prospects and opportunities is a task that needs to be built up, consistently and over time. It is also something that can be generated today by one contact, call or tactical method at a time. Considerations include traditional networking or adopting digital marketing strategies for doing the work today to show up as sales conversions and referrals further down the line. You can’t expect to go from a sales income of £10,000 per month to £100,000 per month without doing the small, incremental leg work – building things up. Building confidence and discipline levels in all areas of life are also very similar, as is adopting a positive and constructive daily routine. Think bit by bit, step by step. Manage your own expectations and accept that 1% a day consistently is miles more effective than a stop start ethos of the destructive all or nothing and unrealistic mindset. Focus on the actions today which show up as positive progress tomorrow.

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ABY DOMHELPING HAND BROOK OF BROOK CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS Our columnist explains the way his team of specialists get to know your business

GUIDING YOU FORWARD In our industry, we often get enquiries through from businesses who believe they have identified a problem we can help with. Whether its quality control, lean manufacturing or a lack of staff training, we are usually asked to help with something specific. However, here at Brook we don’t just go in and solve the problem identified by the business. The prospective client is immediately allocated a business support manager who will oversee the relationship with them. Our team of specialists then carry out a full audit of the company’s working practices and strategies to firstly determine whether there really is an issue to be resolved, and secondly whether there is anything else our team may be able

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to help with. We want to integrate ourselves within the client’s business from the very beginning because experience tells us that integration is key to getting the best results. For example, if the business operates in the manufacturing industry, we will analyse the production process from when an order is received through to when the goods are shipped to customers. Our team of experienced consultants will then be able to identify which areas of the process could be improved and how we can help the business achieve that. At that stage, a consultant who is a specialist in that area will be assigned and will work with the business support manager to pull together a schedule of work and present recommendations to the client. Our belief in the start to finish process forms part of

the wraparound support we offer to every client we work with. For example, a client may enquire about some consultancy work to improve their quality control, but it becomes clear that they would benefit from a training programme to enable lean manufacturing and some growth planning for the future. In this scenario, for each area of need we have the resources to allocate a specific specialist who will work with the client in their area of expertise. We want to give clients access to every service we offer as a business even if their enquiry is about just one piece of support that we provide, and I believe that differentiates Brook from its competitors. This overarching support and ‘start to finish’ fact-finding process is hugely valued by clients and is not something

every company in our field will offer but I believe it’s crucial to ensure that the client is making the most of what we can give them. With the range of services we offer, it would be remiss of us not to ensure that we are doing everything we can to help clients reach their goals. We put customers at the heart of everything we do and we want to build longlasting relationships which continue throughout the company’s growth journey. To book a consultation with Brook Corporate Developments, visit enquiries@brookconsult. co.uk or call 01226 240435.

I.T. INNOVATION

Highlander chief executive Steve Brown says that looking after your staff’s wellbeing will ensure that your tech decisions are made with your most important assets needs put at the top of the list. Where do we start on the new year, and the wonderful world of technology? Let’s chat people first, yes, a tech article that starts with the people. The users, the suppliers, the innovators, the developers, the installers, the maintainers and so many more. Every group has seen so much change, at such a speed, through the past three years. We see no sign of this slowing; in fact we only see this continuing at a similar or faster pace. We talk about the mental and physical health of our people as we go through these changes, we discuss their wellbeing and we talk about burnout, staff retention and morale. Now more than ever is the time to really grasp this and look after the workforce. This could be simply ensuring they know how to use their latest work

from home device ‘properly’ to reduce stress, right through to more in-depth programmes for them where engaging with experienced healthcare professionals to advise on how to keep ‘well’ will benefit them and their families in what is often a crazy world right now. At Highlander we have always tried to be ahead of the game in what we ‘give’. This year we’ve renewed our focus on an office team and have brought together a group of people to focus purely on health and wellbeing. We’re hoping that we can lead our organisation with this at the forefront. It’s 2022, already. What do we know about it? What will stay the same? Collaboration between workers in the office, and workers who are ‘elsewhere’, will remain a big part of the working week and, for many,

will remain a challenge. The word remote remains a challenge too, to me, these workers are usually far from ‘remote’ and are right in the middle of it all. Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) continues to evolve and grow to enable our workforce to be able to communicate in the world that we’re in. As a business we are now embarking on a few changes that will see us use some of the new features within this arena, and I hope that as a result our communications across Teams, email, text, WhatsApp, phone systems, mobile phones, internal CRM and more become a little bit clearer and a whole lot more efficient! How many times I get an email from someone… and then a text… and then a Teams message… I’m hoping that’s a thing of the past in 2022!

We know that advanced technologies that are jumping so far ahead will be all over us again this year. It makes the workplace so much more agile, fast paced and exciting, or some may say stressful. The quality of these technologies will further increase efficiencies and assist organisations in hitting their targets. Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5g over 4g, Software defined wide area networks (SD-WAN) over Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and the list goes on. The jargon and new names in the market are mind blowing, but it is these advances that can make the difference and give a business a further competitive edge. The focus on security is here to stay, and the threats against us are

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I.T. INNOVATION

becoming greater and more sophisticated. We all have a duty to mitigate the risks against us, and we all have a duty to educate and help our people be on their toes against these threats. Working from home or the local or the tram, handling confidential data, sorting multiple passwords for multiple applications, or simply not clicking on that email attack that will capture your data. More stress for everyone, but more solutions are now out there.

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We can assist you, and your business. If you want help understanding what tech could be right for you whether it be on remote working, security, on how your teams communicate, or indeed if you just want to chat to us about our wellbeing programme and our communication methods then please get in touch. We’ve had lots of people wanting to review just ‘how we work’ and we’re ready and willing to give that free advice and assistance.

Technology makes the workplace so much more agile, fast paced and exciting.

One thing that we hope to keep the same this year is the closeness of our local economy and that Yorkshire spirit of battling on, moving forward, and helping each other. We’re always around for a cuppa and would love to welcome you in for a chat, be that in the office, or ‘elsewhere’. We’d love to see and hear from you. For more information or to get in touch, visit us at highlanderuk.com

We can’t help with Jane’s lunch choices,

but we can support your business growth in 2022.

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PARTNERSHIPS & PROGRESS BY RYAN DANIELS OF HYDRA CREATIVE Our columnist asks: What will business owners be doing this new year?

PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS IN THE NEW YEAR! We are now entering our third year of living and working with the deadliest pandemic in over a hundred years. Despite the short break at the end of the year to recharge and spend quality time with loved ones, we are all still exhausted – both physically and mentally. For most, this has been the most difficult two years anyone has had to live through. Employees have felt stretched and anxious, and employers, particularly small business owners, have faced challenges that they never imagined they would have to deal with. In short, it’s been rubbish. But now, with higher vaccine take up numbers, and a hopefully weakening virus, we may actually start to see a way out of what has been a very dark couple of years for us as business owners. And so, now is the perfect time to reassess, reset, and put new plans in place to introduce

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effective practices that will promote your business to your target audience and start achieving results that will pay dividends throughout 2022 and beyond. What are you doing already? The first step to business marketing success is to review what you are already doing. Perhaps you are already having SEO done by someone. Are you getting the results you were expecting? Are you having regular catch ups and reports, to enable your SEO specialist to communicate what’s working and what isn’t? If not, why not? The new year is a good time to review any existing marketing that you are paying a third party to provide for you, and make sure that the planned way forward is still right for your business. Remember – marketing spend should always be an investment. You should see a return that is higher value than the cost to implement.

If this isn’t the case for your business, find an alternative marketing agency who you can trust to always work with your best interests at heart, and start seeing a return on investment. But what if you’re not currently investing in any marketing? Maybe you don’t need any more new business knocking at your door. If that’s the case, amazing! However, for most businesses, regular new business coming in getting the tills ringing would be very welcome. So, if you’re not investing in any marketing, such as SEO, PPC, digital PR, promotional videos, compliant websites, brochures or social media campaigns – how are you planning to grow your customer base? Talking to an established, professional digital marketing agency about your business’s aims for the future can help

put solid plans in place and determine the best, most effective way forward, that will see a healthy return on investment and get your business growing. Our team of experts have regular catch ups with clients to identify any new business aims, review previous and ongoing campaigns, and work together to plan next steps. If this sounds like something that could help your business too, get in touch with our friendly team to arrange your complementary business marketing review. Hydra Creative is an award-winning digital agency specialising in bespoke marketing projects to improve business outreach and sales. Visit our website to learn more about the work we’ve done for other fantastic businesses, just like yours. hello@hydracreative.com hydracreative.com/contact

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SECURING YOUR ASSETS BY SAM LEEDER

Our columnist says Private Medical Insurance provides peace of mind for businesses

DO YOU INSURE YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSETS? The new year is often a time of renewal and review, which is equally the case in business. Given the last couple of years and the uncertainty in all our lives, businesses have become much more agile; having to react to very dynamic situations, particularly around staffing. Staff have always been one of if not the most valuable asset in a business and this is certainly highlighted by the shortages in the current economy for certain industries such as hospitality, transport and the like. In addition to the many challenges posed by COVID-19, we now seem to be faced with a much longer period of uncertainty for the NHS, with routine appointments being cancelled and non-urgent surgeries being postponed – for how long nobody really knows.

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As many businesses are now reviewing the benefits offered to their employees, we are seeing a sharp uptake in the numbers of clients requesting Private Medical Insurance (PMI) cover. This can provide a fantastic benefit to employees both for their own mental and physical wellbeing and also for the employer, helping employees return to work faster in the event of an illness that requires some kind of outpatient treatment. PMI provides cover for a variety of out-patient treatments, as well as most insurers providing a virtual GP service, where ailments can be discussed and then referred onto private specialists where required. Cover is also included for diagnostic tests such as MRI scans within the cover, albeit up to a certain number in a policy period. In addition,

these policies will generally also include advanced cancer cover, which can pay for these very expensive treatments on a private basis. The majority of new PMI policies will usually have automatic cover for any new ailments, for which you have not received prior treatment within the previous five years of the new policy. If someone has received treatment for specific ailments that they would like cover for going forward these would generally have to be referred to the insurers for review. Cover is available on a flexible basis and can be selected just for company directors, certain groups of staff or for all employees. This can be done for individuals or for families; the basis and the cover is very flexible depending on your individual requirements.

The cost of private medical cover is also not as expensive as many people think. If your team are generally fit and well the premiums can be as little as £15 per month per employee, although the more staff there are included the more competitive the prices become. Finally certain insurers now provide additional benefits and discount schemes around the insurance to promote physical activity and wellbeing, which can obviously provide additional support to your team. If you would like to know more about offering this to your team feel free to get in touch. Sam Leeder ACII Actus Insurance samleeder@ actusinsurance.co.uk 0114 290 3624 07718 189476

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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.

APPRENTICES SECURE FUTURES WITH LEADING SECURITY FIRM The Source Skills Academy is helping one of the UK’s largest and most respected independent security firms to strengthen its future team via apprenticeships. Award-winning Constant Security Services, based in Mexborough since 1984, employs 750 members of staff across Northern England and the Midlands. According to managing director Sarah Hill the firm believes recruiting new talent via apprenticeships is important to future success. Our assets are our people and our reputation is dependent on choosing the right employees, then developing and retaining their talent. We are very proud to have many staff who have stayed with us on our journey and we are keen to find more

APPRENTICES IMOGEN RIDGEWAY, LIAM RODGERS, EMILY WALTON AND ALYSIA ROBERTS WITH MANAGERS NICOLE MEDLOCK, BETHANY KIRKLAND, DECLAN RICHARD, RHIAN EVANS AND MD SARAH HILL

who can help us drive the business to the next level. We hope applicants will see our apprenticeships as their stepping stone to a future with us. Three were set on this year – in business support and HR, payroll and accounts – and the company is currently seeking two more. Constant Security Services tailors

security solutions for blue chip companies, manufacturers and education providers. Its faith in apprentices goes back over a number of years. Nicole Medlock was 27 and a stay-at-home mum of two when she joined. She went on to a full-time role, gained a higher qualification and is now fleet manager.

Sarah added: “The calibre of applicants from The Source is really high; many are clearly capable of going to university but want to get a foot in the door with a business and grow within it and they are exactly the people we want.” Contact The Source about apprenticeships on 0114 2635650.

WE’RE PROUD TO BE A RE-SOURCE FOR GOOD The Source Skills Academy is sharing its knowledge with The Recycling Revolution in Sheffield, helping the not-forprofit to find new business in the pandemic. The Carbrook social enterprise launched in 2014 to manage waste for local businesses and give work experience to people with learning disabilities or in drug and alcohol rehab.

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“We have survived COVID-19 and are determined to continue providing valuable placements to the vulnerable,” said founder Mark McCann, who employs three people and has five volunteers. “But the pandemic has brought changes. Many who signed up to our in-office collection of confidential waste and recycling have not yet re-opened their premises,

while food sector clients such as Regather, Beanies and Zeds Wholefoods have diversified and grown. “We are working to understand what customers need as we live with COVID-19. “We are very excited that The Source is onboard to help us forge new business links and teach us more PR, marketing and social media skills.”

The Source has reached out via a recently-launched Sheffield Chamber initiative. Working with Sheffield Business Together, Voluntary Action Sheffield and Business in the Community, the Chamber has created a city-wide network linking organisations needing support with Chamber members with relevant expertise.

Q&A COLUMN

FEMALE ROLE MODELS PROMOTING EQUALITY IN STEM

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

JACKIE COOK FOUNDER OF EQUALITY IN STEM

Tell us about your work on Equality In STEM… I set up the Equality in STEM network in March 2021 to support, inspire, develop and encourage women in STEM and to create conversation in the region around the wider topic of diversity. Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths are very male dominated and we are trying to help shift that balance and promote the opportunities that are out there. What are your goals as part of the network? We want to shift the image and help showcase some of the terrific women already working in STEM locally. There’s still a perception, amongst those not in the industry, that South Yorkshire is stuck in The Full Monty days of steelworks shutting down, doom and gloom and a questionable future, but most of the engineering clients I work with are actually struggling to get skilled, experienced people. The jobs are there, so we need to let talented people

– and teachers, parents, people of all ages who might even have left the industry – know that the door is wide open! How did you get started working on the Equality In STEM network? I’ve spent 17 years working in engineering and manufacturing. Even now, I’m often the only female in the room and even though I’ve got to know a lot of other women working throughout the sector, the general consensus is that we really need to see more women in these roles. I started out my career in office junior and secretarial roles, eventually moving into marketing. My career progression led me to DavyMarkham, a heavy engineering company that traded for well over 180 years. It was a scary change to make, but I really enjoyed learning about the engineering industry and being part of such an innovative environment. Fast forward to today and I run my own marketing company,

CQ Strategic Marketing, where I specialise in working with SMEs in the STEM sectors that don’t have an in-house team. What do you love about working on the Equality In STEM network? It’s very much a passion project! I love being able to support others, especially those in the earlier stages of their journey. We run career development workshops to help people think about where they are going with their careers and how they can get there, which is really rewarding. I also just love being able to shout about the wonderful people that I have met as part of the network, and a very enjoyable aspect is promoting our members as role models to raise aspirations and remove the perceived barriers to women who could thrive in STEM. Moving forward, we want to do the same thing for the businesses that we work with too. We have seen a lot of support from companies that have driven diversity and

seen the benefit in making changes to their culture. I want to promote the success stories, the women that have succeeded and the businesses that have benefitted from having those women on board. I’m a big believer in inspiration as a drive to change. What challenges have you faced in your career and how have you overcome them? It’s not always pretty. I’ve been bullied. I’ve been harassed. Being the only female in a male dominated environment has had its tough moments. I don’t want others to have to go through that at all, but I also know that having support from others that understood that feeling – not just the actual unacceptable behaviours but the feeling of imposter syndrome that can come with feeling like an outsider. Is this normal? How do I handle it? Is it my fault? I’m lucky to have had people around me that I felt I could talk to. HR teams are a lot better at supporting employees and

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ADVERTORIAL Q&A COLUMN

JACKIE WITH THE TEAM AT DONCASTER-BASED ENGINEERING COMPANY AGEMASPARK

JACKIE PRESENTED ON EQUALITY IN STEM AT BARNSLEY & ROTHERHAM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WOMEN IN BUSINESS EVENT IN OCTBOER 2021

thankfully there is a lot less of the overt sexism now. But it can still be a daunting task to try and make your voice heard and that support is something that I have valued myself and want others to find when they join us. Has equality improved, in STEM and in general? Absolutely. Awareness around equality and diversity is generally something that businesses and business owners take into account and things like flexible working patterns don’t just allow women to work around family life, it also allows their partners to contribute more at home without the same level of disruption. Things like shared paternity leave really are a huge step forward and are being utilised more and more. We are on a journey though, and we aren’t there yet. While there are a lot more women working in STEM sectors, we are definitely under-represented in the technical roles. In my experience, businesses recognise this.

JACKIE CHECKING ARTWORK AT BARNSLEYBASED PRINTING FIRM TOPDECK PRINT

WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY

WOMEN IN ENGINEERING

2010

15.7% of total ICT Professionals

of total Engineering Professionals

2020

17%

10.4%

of total ICT Professionals

There can be more that SMEs can do to try and attract more women and the Equality In STEM network is actively helping them to find ways to do that too. But right from

of total Engineering Professionals

Jackie has been involved with The Work-wise Foundation to promote STEM careers in schools for eight years. She was on their Get up to Speed with STEM organising committee for four years and has provided many work experience placement opportunities. The Equality in STEM network also provided speakers for their Women into STEM and BAME into STEM Summer Academies in August and Jackie took part in a recent career speed networking event at Brinsworth Academy. Check the Equality In STEM pages in unLTD each month for more on this topic – and visit equalityinstem.org.uk for more information about working with Equality In STEM in South Yorkshire or joining as a member

careers advice in schools we want women to feel more welcomed into the industries and to know that they can be incredibly successful if they choose to do so!

Infographic source: Wise Campaign 2021

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

SHEFFIELD

BUSINESS

AWARDS What a night it was at 92 Burton Road as the winners of the Sheffield Business Awards stepped into the light.

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

THE GLOBAL PLAYER WINNER, LOADHOG

THE GLOBAL PLAYER – BEST EXPORTER, SPONSORED BY GRIPPLE This award recognises the strength of the region’s importers and exporters. Entrants for this award must stand out from the crowd on the international stage and demonstrate that they have generated significant and/ or sustained growth in their international activity and/or presence.

THE WINNER IS: LOADHOG SHORTLISTED:

Corrosion Resistant Materials Ltd, Icetope Technologies Ltd, NOCN Group

WHY THEY WON

Loadhog is a multi-award winning, employee owned, UK manufacturer, dedicated to the design and manufacture,

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THE PLANET SAVER WINNER, SHEFFIELD SUSTAINABLE KITCHENS

sale and pooling of returnable packaging solutions across a diverse range of industries. The sale of their Loadhog Lid to the US market has seen sales rise significantly over the past year taking total sales for USA to £17.3m in 2020, an increase of 2,343 per cent since 2016. Over the last five years they’ve invested over £12m in both new manufacturing capacity and tooling and staff numbers have grown from 90 to 142.

WHAT THEY SAID Adam McCabe, design engineer: “I’m a little bit overwhelmed, I didn’t have any words prepared! We have been lucky enough to be one of the businesses to have generated more business due to the situation going on, but it has still been tough on the staff in terms of not being able to do what they want to do, like having to social distance, and being unable to hold social events.”

THE PLANET SAVER – SUSTAINABILITY AWARD, SPONSORED BY STONEACRE This award recognises a company or product which is leading the way in creating a sustainable environment for all and really putting Sheffield on the map. The product or company not only addresses a need but also seizes an opportunity to create a new market or industry.

THE WINNER IS: SHEFFIELD SUSTAINABLE KITCHENS SHORTLISTED:

BIDBI, Intelligent Facility Solutions Ltd, Regather

WHY THEY WON Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens design and fit beautiful bespoke kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces with an emphasis on sustainability.

They offer a range of sustainable options for designs and their basic kitchen cabinets are all made from a special board produced from 100 per cent recycled timber – no tree is felled in production. They also encourage clients to choose locally sourced or reclaimed timber and have produced a new information guide on sustainable materials for clients to use.

WHAT THEY SAID Rob Cole, managing director: “When I first started the business about 15 years ago, sustainability was core to what I wanted to do, and I think back then we were quite unique within the industry. That has massively changed in the last 15 years and certainly in the last two or three years, so I think it means more to us that we can win this award in this sort of climate, and I feel proud that we have set the way within the industry.”

Magnetic North CMS – a major legal powerhouse in the North (West, South & East). A law firm with deep northern roots and global reach to match your business ambitions.

Full service team from three northern locations. 75 offices in 43 countries.

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

WINNER OF THE AUTOMATER AWARD, AIRSHIP

THE AUTOMATOR AWARD – BEST TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD This award recognises a public or private sector entrant for the most outstanding digital technology company. The business has exhibited growth, improved commercial performance, increased market share and operational effectiveness.

THE WINNER IS: AIRSHIP SHORTLISTED: Apex Mobiletech (UK) Ltd, Sport:80, Tutorful

WHY THEY WON Airship is a market leader and multi-award-winning specialist software developer for the hospitality industry. In the last 18 months they have quadrupled their customer base to over 600, added 27 per cent to their year-on-year turnover, issued

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WINNER OF THE JOY MAKER AWARD, THE NATIONAL VIDEOGAME MUSEUM

over £150,000 of credit notes, recruited 16 new staff from the Sheffield City Region, five on the Kickstarter scheme, and opened a new office in London.

WHAT THEY SAID Dan Brookman, CEO of Airship: “We’re elated, it’s a nice end to the year and we’re really chuffed! When the government announced the reopening of the hospitality sector we quickly rolled out a track and trace product which became the leading product in the UK and we were checking in one million people a day. So we’re proud of the fact we’ve helped people pivot their businesses to stay afloat.”

THE JOY MAKER AWARD – BEST HOSPITALITY, RETAIL AND LEISURE BUSINESS, SPONSORED BY BUSINESS SHEFFIELD/BUSINESS & IP CENTRE SOUTH YORKSHIRE The Joy Maker award recognises an independent

business on the high street that has significantly contributed to hospitality, retail or leisure during the most difficult time for these sectors. The winners have explained how the business has survived, recovered and grown during the pandemic, driven footfall, generated income during lockdowns and brought benefit to their own high street.

THE WINNER IS: NATIONAL VIDEOGAME MUSEUM SHORTLISTED: Jessica Flynn Designs Ltd, Tramlines Events Ltd, Two Thirds Beer Co

WHY THEY WON The National Videogame Museum, operated by the BGI charity, creates programmes that transform lives with videogames, inspiring everyone to play,

collaborate and learn. During the pandemic the museum team created a range of downloadable materials, online workshops and ran a summer club which received incredible feedback from families. When the museum was able to reopen, safety measures were praised by visitors and in a recent survey, 95 per cent said expectations of their visit were met or exceeded.

WHAT THEY SAID Hannah Brian, director of visitor experience: “I’m just so proud of the team and this is really for them. “They put so much effort into making everybody’s experience at the museum just the best it could possibly be. “We’ve worked really hard bringing people both within the city region and out to have this amazing experience and we’re really just trying to transform lives through games.”

SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

WINNER OF THE VISIONARY – CREATIVE IMPACT AWARD, FAB EVENTS & MARKETING STRATEGIES

THE VISIONARY – CREATIVE IMPACT AWARD, SPONSORED BY MATTRESS ONLINE This category recognises a business specialising in creative services such as design, marketing, publishing, film, architecture and the arts, that can showcase how their creative work has led directly to improved business performance. Entries were welcome from all firms, whether in-house or agency.

THE WINNER IS: FAB EVENTS & MARKETING STRATEGIES SHORTLISTED: Hydra Creative, LensGo Visual Media, Open House Pictures

WHY THEY WON Fab Events and Marketing

Strategies offers event planning services and strategic business planning expertise to ensure that businesses receive a good return on investment when hosting events. The business expanded in 2020 in response to the pandemic and now offers new services including event concept and strategy consultations and tech support for virtual events to manage the virtual floor. The new services helped one client secure a 700 per cent return on investment in a paid subscription model.

WHAT THEY SAID Zoe Wadsworth, owner and founder: “I’m shaking like a leaf! I thought Hydra Creative had this award hands down because they’re somebody who I look up to in the business network. I will definitely be celebrating at the weekend!”

PAUL GOSNEY, RIGHT, RECEIVES THE INNOVATOR AWARD ON BEHALF OF CITY GRAB

THE INNOVATOR, SPONSORED BY BARNSLEY COLLEGE This award identifies and rewards the company which has launched the most innovative new product or service or who may have built or embraced new technology to drive their company forward over the last 12 months. Judges considered all aspects of an innovative new product or service, its USP, the potential for growth, competition and profitability.

THE WINNER IS: CITY GRAB SHORTLISTED: Champion Health, Environmental Monitoring, Zen Green Stage Ltd

WHY THEY WON City Grab established itself

as a lifeline for over 300 local independent businesses taking on trans-national corporations in the process to protect local work and reduce the extortionate commissions charged to our local outlets. The app provided an outlet for independents to stay open, re-open or create new businesses. Over the past 12 months City Grab reached over 5,000 deliveries per week and placed £7.5m back into the local economy.

WHAT THEY SAID Paul Gosney, business development director: “I first came up with the idea in 2010 and we launched just before the first COVID lockdown in 2020. “I’d like to thank the people, the independent outlets, the public and the local communities that supported us – we couldn’t have done it without them.”

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

ROBERT SORBY WON THE SHEFFIELD MAKER AWARD

THE SHEFFIELD MAKER – MANUFACTURING COMPANY OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY WAKE SMITH SOLICITORS This award recognises a company that demonstrates an efficient and innovative approach to manufacturing. The business exhibited growth, improved commercial performance, increased market share and operational effectiveness.

THE WINNER IS: ROBERT SORBY SHORTLISTED: Baldwin & Francis, Goral & Son Ltd, Up North Cabinet Makers Ltd

WHY THEY WON Robert Sorby is the World’s premier manufacturer

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and exporter of specialist woodworking tools, with a proud Sheffield heritage dating back nearly 200 years. The company has adjusted to the changing demands of the woodworking industry by diversifying into wood working machinery, offering training days related to its products and running an apprentice programme to pass vital knowledge on to the next generation of Toolmakers.

WHAT THEY SAID Ian Finkhill, director and general manager, was thrilled at picking up the award. He said: “This is great accolade for a 200-year-old business and we’re going to take our business to the next level within the next five years. We’re doing a lot of work internally to push the business forward so it’s very exciting times.”

ACTIONCOACH WERE WINNERS OF THE ABOVE AND BEYONDER

THE ABOVE AND BEYONDER – BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE COMPANY, SPONSORED BY HALLAM FM

WHY THEY WON

THE WINNER IS: ACTIONCOACH SHEFFIELD

WHAT THEY SAID

ActionCOACH Sheffield is a multi-award-winning provider of business growth, mentoring, strategic advice Entrants must outline how they and coaching to SME business have shown excellence in their owners across the region. specific sector and how they Since 2019, ActionCOACH has have planned for future growth. worked with over 100 firms, Judges looked for what activities helping ambitious business are responsible for sustained owners make an impact. growth and success, details ActionCOACH staff of how a business has shown numbers have risen by 300 excellence in their specific per cent in two years with 100 sector, evidence of new or per cent staff retention and innovative services introduced 100 per cent of the company’s over the last year and evidence clients said working with of excellent customer service. ActionCOACH was worth the This is an award all about investment. delighting customers.

SHORTLISTED:

Highlander Computing Solutions, Resolve IT Solutions Ltd, Shakespeare Martineau

John Asquith, owner of ActionCOACH: “I’m really shocked you know, I know everybody says this but I didn’t think we would win – I even considered not wearing a suit but I’m glad I did now! I’m really proud.”

Local Presence. International Reach.

Proud to sponsor

Sheffield Business Awards Large Business of the Year

Join the conversation Contact us to see how we can help your business thrive. Sheffield office: Cedar House 63 Napier Street Sheffield S11 8HA

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

SHEFFIELD CHURCHES COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY CARE WON THE SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD

SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD – BEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT, CHARITY OR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, SPONSORED BY EVOLUTED This award recognises a notfor-profit organisation, charity or social enterprise that has significantly contributed towards social impact in Sheffield. Judges were looking for evidence of involvement from different cultures or backgrounds to advance a common initiative for the betterment of all people, evidence of job creation either paid or voluntary and evidence of opportunities created.

THE WINNER IS: SHEFFIELD CHURCHES COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY CARE SHORTLISTED: Age UK Sheffield, Sheffield Futures, Sheffield United Community Foundation

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WHY THEY WON

Sheffield Churches Council for Community Care is a charity that has been supporting older, vulnerable, isolated and lonely people in Sheffield since 1966. SCCCC supports older people in hospital, during discharge from hospital and in their own homes. As COVID-19 took effect, the charity reacted by scaling up transport provision and increasing its staff and volunteer workforce to meet the heightened need for support from the most vulnerable.

WHAT THEY SAID Mark Storey, CEO: “This award feels like deserved recognition for the way our brilliant volunteers and small team of staff have stepped up to help thousands of isolated, older people in our communities. Whether it’s fitting equipment to make life that bit easier, writing a letter to someone who’s lonely, or helping someone to leave hospital

AIRSHIP ALSO WON THE BRAND BUILDER AWARD

safely, I couldn’t be prouder of the impact we’ve had.”

THE BRAND BUILDER – MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR THE YEAR AWARD, SPONSORED BY CITY TAXIS This category recognises an organisation which has delivered a marketing campaign that has made a true impact. Businesses and organisations had to showcase how their creative work has led directly to improved business performance and recognition for their product or client.

THE WINNER IS: AIRSHIP SHORTLISTED: Carmats.co.uk, Hydra Creative Ltd, Vivid Creative

WHY THEY WON Airship has a first-rate reputation within its industry and are proud to be a

specialist software supplier to hundreds of hospitality businesses across the UK. In January Airship launched #ComeBackStrong, a knowledge-transfer campaign which aimed to educate and inspire hospitality professionals and ensure operators were in a strong position when restrictions were lifted. They partnered with some of the brightest brains in the industry to provide furloughed staff with the opportunity to upskill through free online training sessions.

WHAT THEY SAID Dan Brookman, CEO of Airship: “Delighted to win our second award of the night. During the last couple of years the messaging has been so important to get right because the hospitality industry has fluctuated so much. “We needed to be on the ball and have the right message in the campaigns that we’re putting out.”

SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

NOCN WON THE EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY THE SHEFFIELD COLLEGE This award recognises an organisation that excels in offering the most comprehensive work environment, either through the implementation of a learning and development culture, staff incentive schemes, recognition, remuneration and retention packages or health and wellbeing initiatives.

THE WINNER IS: NOCN GROUP SHORTLISTED: B Braun Medical UK, Evoluted, HLM Architects Ltd

WHY THEY WON NOCN Group is an educational

charity whose core aims are to help learners reach their potential and organisations to thrive. The group has a dedicated ‘People and Culture’ team who lead on investment into the Training and Development plan, support systems and initiatives to continuously develop their staff including an online learning platform to provide CPD in a wide range of sector areas, for customers and employees.

WHAT THEY SAID Louise Fort, group head of people and culture: “It’s an amazing achievement. The room is full of some amazing employers across the city and for us to even be on the shortlist is amazing so to win it is fantastic. The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult but writing the submission for the award made me realise,

CARMATS.CO.UK WON THE START UP OF THE YEAR AWARD

by seeing it on paper, how much we’ve actually done and how much we’ve continued to move forward.”

START UP OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY BUSINESS SHEFFIELD/BUSINESS & IP CENTRE SOUTH YORKSHIRE This category recognises a business that has been created since January 1 2020 during the pandemic and has become successful in its own right, or has achieved a significant breakthrough in its sector during a very difficult time to start a business.

THE WINNER IS: CARMATS.CO.UK SHORTLISTED: Dynamic Engrave and Print Ltd, Parkwood Springs, Simoda Ltd

WHY THEY WON

CarMats.co.uk is an ecommerce site providing bespoke car mats to fit every make and model on the market, all manufactured and hand-finished in the UK. Each mat is made to order, with options for those seeking affordable luxury and those who want to give their car the five-star interior treatment. Launched in May 2020, CarMats.co.uk is now dominating the UK market. The goal to reach £1m in revenue was achieved in a phenomenal nine months, exceeding £2m just 12 months after launch.

WHAT THEY SAID Ash Young, managing director: “I’m absolutely over the moon. This started as a side hustle in May 2020 when I had a bit of time during the pandemic. It’s something I

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS

MATTRESS ONLINE WON THE LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

have wanted to do for a long time and it’s just gone crazy. I’m blown away.”

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY SHORTS This award was open to organisations employing over 100 full-time members of staff and/or with an annual turnover of over £25m. The winner is a business that has achieved consistent growth backed by a strong financial performance.

THE WINNER IS: MATTRESS ONLINE SHORTLISTED: CC33 FS Ltd, Shakespeare Martineau

WHY THEY WON From humble beginnings

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storing mattresses in a garage, Mattress Online has grown to become the largest stockist of mattresses in the UK and is now a £37.5m turnover business employing 70 people including 32 new members of staff over the past year. During the past 18 months sales have increased by nearly 200 per cent due to customer demands during the pandemic.

WHAT THEY SAID Steve Adams, CEO: “I’m flabbergasted. From starting in my bedroom 18 years ago to now winning large business of the year and growing so quickly in the last 18 months, it’s quite an achievement. “It’s thanks to my team primarily – I’ve got a long serving team, the longest members being with me 16 years in an 18 year old company which I’m super proud of.”

SME OF THE YEAR WAS WON BY DEEPERTHANBLUE

SME OF THE YEAR, SPONSORED BY SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY This category recognises a small or medium business employing up to 100 full-time members of staff and not exceeding a £25m annual turnover that has achieved consistent growth backed by a strong financial performance.

THE WINNER IS: DEEPERTHANBLUE SHORTLISTED: Castings Technology International Ltd, Gradconsult, YesTax

WHY THEY WON DeeperThanBlue employs innovation and insight through the use of technology, helping organisations excel online and offline with

their digital propositions, growing revenues and providing engaging customer experiences. Since the beginning of 2018 their team has grown from 18 to over 40 employees. And for the next three years their aim is to grow and expand the company to beyond 50 employees and to hit a fiscal year revenue of above £6m.

WHAT THEY SAID Chris Booker, sales and marketing director: “We’re really pleased to have won this award especially with such great companies in terms of other competitors. Back in March last year nobody knew where business would actually go, but we were fortunate in that we were able to recruit and increase the business size, meaning we managed to grow over that period of time.”

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SHEFFIELD BUSINESS AWARDS CMS AWARD FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

felt deserved a very special mention were www.carmats. co.uk and the National Videogames Museum. Both were exceptional stand-out entrants and both came very close to winning the special CMS award, for very different reasons. But the winner is City Taxis for City Grab.

This award was picked from all the winners by main sponsors CMS to celebrate and acknowledge one business who has demonstrated business excellence by doing something strategic, innovative and gamechanging.

WHAT THEY SAID

THE WINNER IS: CITY GRAB WHY THEY WON The premise of the award is simple: what do CMS partners believe represents the best example of overall business excellence from all the winners? What project or business do CMS feel really showcases those attributes of innovation, adaptability and creative thinking that

CMS AWARD FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE WINNER, CITY GRAB

are such an important part of Sheffield’s business heritage? There were many examples of business excellence to choose from, but in the end CMS identified the one

entrant that had the biggest impact on Sheffield generally, not just the business itself, but its people, its customers and even other businesses. Two companies that CMS

PJ TASTE Guests at the Sheffield Business Awards were treated to the delights of a PJ taste menu. The Attercliffe based firm served generous meat and vegetable sharing platters to start featuring Sheffield Egg with amazing Eckington grown cherry tomatoes married with Yorkshire

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

goat’s cheese, Wateralls pork pie, Casa Gomez chorizo and Hedgerow Preserves chutney. The main course featured a BBQ Moss Valley pork fillet and in keeping with PJ taste’s zero waste kitchen approach other cuts were incorporated in both the pork parcel and potato cake. For dessert, cider from

Woodthorpe Hall found its way into the cider posset, which was given crunch and texture by using PJ taste’s own home grown Blenheim orange apples and foraged blackberries in the crumble topping. Peter Moulam, one of the founding directors, said: “We treat each event as a one-off

Arne Singh, managing director of City Grab/City Taxis: “I am delighted to win this award. The last 18 months has been a massive struggle but we’ve pivoted in a couple of ways, including setting up City Grab, and I think that we’ve survived off the back of it. We had the resource in the vehicles and we had the customers at home needing stuff so we came up with the solution at just the right time.”

striving to continuously improve every aspect of our food, service and our approach to sustainability. Increasingly we are using harvests from our own forest garden preserving them in a variety of ways to extend the season. This gives our team new skills but of course many of the techniques have been practised for centuries and we are re-discovering them to reduce our environmental impact.” Regular clients of PJ taste include The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, the Millennium Galleries, Wake Smith, Aesseal, ITM Power and St Luke’s hospice. If you would like Peter to devise a bespoke menu for your event in 2022 please contact him on: ask@pjtaste.co.uk 0114 312 3663 www.pjtaste.co.uk

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Official fuel consumption and CO₂ figures for the Volvo MY22 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid range*, in MPG (l/100km): WLTP Combined 83.1(3.4) – 313.4(0.9). WLTP CO₂ emissions 76 - 19g/km. WLTP electric energy consumption 3.5 – 4.3 miles/kWh. Equivalent all electric range 25.6 – 56.6 miles. All offers subject to terms and conditions and are as part of a Stoneacre finance plan. Finance provided subject to status, written details available on request. Models shown are for illustration purposes only. Ask for details. Cars may be in group stock. Stoneacre operate as an Independent finance Introducer from a panel of lenders. Stoneacre do not charge a fee for introduction to a finance provider however we may or may not receive a commission. Offers correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change. Subject to Your status, if after signing the Purchase Order You sign a Finance Agreement with a Finance Company in relation to the Vehicle, the terms of the Finance Agreement will replace this Supplier Agreement. The standard terms of the Finance Agreement will be stated on the Finance Agreement form that You will be asked to sign. Decidebloom Ltd t/a Stoneacre, Omega Boulevard, Capitol Park, Thorne, DN8 5TX, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our FCA number is 308726. You can verify this by visiting the FCA website or by contacting the FCA on 0854 606 9966.

ADVERTORIAL

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS IN 2022

Sheffield based training provider, Whyy? Change, shares its advice for 2022 and opportunities for business growth in South Yorkshire.

Be more Max This time last year the Government published its further education white paper to increase momentum in the accountability and delivery of skills. You may say ‘so what?’ but the fact is that adults undertaking development has fallen by over 50 per cent since 2005. The impact is immense and leads to a lack of tempo, traction and aspirations. To add to the headwinds, business leaders have had to juggle uncertainty, complexity, a little turbulence and specialise in the interpretation of new rules at short notice. And yet, here we are! For me, it’s the small steps taken in the absence of complete knowledge that have made us more resilient. But what now, and more importantly what will make the difference in 2022? I believe now is the time to be more Max (Verstappen), so what to do? Overcoming Challenges Time. Resource. Mindset. Three words, when faced with them, can affect the direction of your business. Think about it, if you’re looking to implement a

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new product, service or process the two words which stop you are ‘Time’ and ‘Resource’. Bombarded with questions like “Do we have the time to do XYZ...?” or “Do we have the internal resources or financial resource for this?" No matter how they are asked, these questions fill your mind with doubt. Mindset. Having the right mindset is key. Granted, you’ve heard this before but what does it mean? What is the ‘right mindset’? Mindset is all about your beliefs and attitudes you hold about yourself. If you believe that you can overcome the challenge of not having enough time or resource, then your chances of success increase. Before you identify the challenges you may encounter in 2022, first you must ask yourself ‘what is my mindset?' Having a positive mindset and approach to the year ahead will give you the confidence to execute your business strategy and change the direction of your business. Ray Byrne, our CEO engrains mindset into Whyy? Change’s culture and its important factor in driving change.

What is the ‘right mindset’? Mindset is all about your beliefs and attitudes you hold about yourself.

New Year Resolutions The New Year is upon us and 2022 is the year to rollout your shiny new business strategies. With 2021 done and dusted, what are your business priorities for 2022? If you’re investing in your team, have you considered Skills Bank Funding or apprenticeships? Are you setting your sights on ISO certifications? Have you investigated internal auditor training? With the SCR’s Strategic Economic Plan highlighting that the region’s leadership and management skills are not universally strong will you be building a leadership team to support your growth? Have you considered a Chartered Management Institute qualification? Whatever direction your business is heading, 2022 is the year to capitilise on the funding and training support in the region which will enable your business to grow. Implement your New Year’s Resolutions and make your mark this year. The region talks about there being too few opportunities to fulfil their potential, why not join us on a Skills Bank funded course? Give us a call 0114 400 0077!

Get in Touch:

0114 236 9640

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

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MORE INFO AT WWW.ALBION-DETECTION.CO.UK

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THE HOME OF BUSINESS IN BARNSLEY We provide small businesses with a supportive environment that nurtures business growth with our wide range of meeting and office space in Barnsley.

Are you eligible for ScaleUp 360 support? If you can answer yes to the below, we want to hear from you!

THE SWEET SCENT OF SUCCESS…

You are either a pre-start entrepreneur/business or a small or mediumsized enterprise (SMEs)

Luxury home décor and fragrance business, ALTERIOR and Puddles, originally began life as two unconnected businesses. The founders, Laura Bentley and Carly Asquith, were childhood friends who went their separate ways after leaving school. Puddle Duck Wax Melts started life in 2019 when Laura began seeking out fragrances for the home but was concerned about the toxins found in many products. Her answer was to create her own range of soy wax melts. Laura’s range now totals over 140 fragrances. She’s also in the process of developing an ecorange of soy wax candles with blends of essential oils. Meanwhile, Carly was working as a primary school teacher, but the death of a close friend in 2020 led to her spending evenings working on a creative business to help her with grieving. She said: “I began working with jesmonite, a non-toxic acrylic based resin, which is similar to ceramic when it comes out of the mould. My product range includes trays ornaments, plant pots, reed diffusers and Christmas baubles. The colours can be

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mixed to order, matching a customer’s colour scheme, and nothing goes to waste. Anything left over can be reused in other pieces.” When Laura and Carly reconnected after the loss of Carly’s friend, they soon realised that they had complementary products and similar business goals, with sustainability at the forefront of both their brands. “Our products fit so well, and we felt that working together was the only way we could scale our businesses,” said Laura. They moved into a Business Village unit, doubling as a workspace, last September. “We felt there were opportunities for growth in The Business Village and had a good feeling when we looked around. Other places wanted to tie us into contracts and leases, which was a risk for such a new business, but here we have both flexible terms and business support.

“Kevin Steel, the business development manager here, has put us in touch with so many useful contacts already. He immediately suggested we enrol on the Scaleup360 business support project which The Business Village is helping deliver in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, getting help from Kevin is like having a ‘Dragon’ on board. “ScaleUp 360 has already given us focus and direction. We were asked to create three, five and ten year goals on a recent workshop. It was really good to see them written down as it gave us a timeline of where we are going in the business.” With big ambitions for the future, Laura and Carly say that ScaleUp 360 opened their minds to other ideas. Their immediate plan is to complete a rebrand which will bring the two businesses together and secure their products in several retail outlets.

You are looking to ScaleUp from where you are today. This could be: • Starting a business, or scaling up an existing venture • Launching a new product or service • Improving systems and processes • Designing new or improved packaging • Taking on your first employee, or increasing existing staff numbers • You are located in the Sheffield City Region which covers Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster, North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield. • For futher details visit scaleup360.co.uk or email scaleup360.shu. ac.uk To 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. Barnleybic. co.uk/staff/kevin-steel

Your One Stop For Everything Apple 苹果产品一站式服务中心

Repairs | Upgrades | Call-Outs | Diagnostics

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Contact us about our new business solutions 0114 266 1961 | info@irepairstop.co.uk | www.irepairstop.co.uk 敬请来电或邮件咨询 | 所有学生享受9折优惠

YOUR PITCH

iRepair Stop is an Apple tech repair firm based in Sheffield. Its Apple certified engineers are trained to handle everything from a basic diagnostic to a full device rebuild. Tell us about your business – sell yourselves! iRepair Stop has been trading for three and a half years. We have a shop/workshop in a great location close to the city centre and the universities. We have recently invested in a further workshop in Neepsend. We have Apple accredited engineers and specialise in the hardware repair of the Apple product range. Everything from iPod to iMac. We can also support Apple networking and software set up and fault resolution. We can deliver training and consultancy too. We have recently been successful in our application to become an Apple independent repair programme company. There are very few in the UK. This gives us massive advantage. We can buy Apple genuine parts and access Apple’s own knowledge base and diagnostic tools. We are also involved in the purchase and refurbishment of Apple products. We can supply at much cheaper cost than brand new. We have iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and several iMacs for sale currently. This supports our green credentials. Refurbish rather than renew supply is our mantra. We pride ourselves on delivering a great customer experience. The feedback we have from our customers through Google reviews is truly exceptional. Who are your customers and how are you targeting them? We derive a good deal of our business through walk

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DAVE WALKER, LEFT WITH CAL LAPUGEAN

in consumers, students especially, with iPhone and iPad screen replacements, but we are getting more involved with business customers. We now have a number of business clients on a break fix arrangement. This is an area we’d like to grow through managed services where we can manage clients’ Apple estates. This expertise is somewhat limited in Sheffield. We have relationships with IT companies who have existing,

or prospective clients, with a requirement for Apple support that is unfulfilled. We have strong links to Sheffield’s universities.

The feedback we have from our customers through Google reviews is truly exceptional.

How can people get in touch with you? Our details are below. Please drop in to our reception on Ecclesall Road, call us or message us via our website. 393 Ecclesall road, s11 8pg 0114 266 1961 www.irepairstop.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL

SHEFFIELD’S LEADING PPE SUPPLIER

GUIDE THE WAY TO NET-ZERO With the current pressure on businesses to go carbon neutral, Sheffield’s Arden Winch & Co demonstrate how manageable the transition can be once you break the chain. 2021 has seen Arden Winch & Co Ltd hit their stride on the road to net-zero. The 200 plus year old supplier of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which has a head office in Sheffield, has made energy saving and efficiency a priority over the past year. The team now want to share their experiences of reaching for carbon neutrality and the speed at which progress can be achieved. Steve Barker, managing director and chairman of Arden Winch, said: “We have achieved so much in one year.

STEVE BARKER

We didn’t start from scratch in 2021 – we had already started to use electric vehicles and had already updated a lot of our lighting to LED – but it has been eye-opening to see what can be achieved in a single year and we see ourselves much closer to net-zero than we anticipated.” Guided by commercial

energy consultants Professional Energy Purchasing, Arden Winch & Co began to implement an aggressive carbon reduction policy, achieving reductions of 33 per cent. The improvements are ongoing and a follow up audit will allow Steve to fine tune their operations further by

implementing on-site solar energy and investing in a fully electric fleet. “I like to see results, so seeing investments make a difference encourages me to move as fast as possible. The targets set by the government sound daunting until you break them down and make a start – the technology is out there to make those goals achievable. “Manufacturers are climatised to moving quickly and aiming for efficiencies in their business. This is an investment in our future and we must look ahead to make the right changes now. We have a responsibility and an obligation to do the right thing. It is no longer about simply increasing turnover.”

• Formed in 1812. • Supplier of Head to Toe PPE, Workwear, Site Safety and Janitorial supplies. • BSIF RSSS scheme members. • Eurosafe members. • Sales staff Iosh and Nebosh accredited. • £1.5 million of stock in Sheffield and Nottingham. • Next day delivery. • 44 embroidery heads producing 400 logo’s per day.

Head office - Sheffield Tel: 0114 243 3755 56

Nottingham Branch Tel: 0115 975 4112

Or visit us online at www.ardenwinch.com unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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Barnsley College iTrust students got the chance to hear from industry experts as they took part in a workshop to find out more about their businesses. iTrust is a joint venture between the College, The Barnsley Chronicle and The Business Village, which supports students interested in starting up a business in Barnsley. Students who choose to receive support from iTrust will have access to an array of information and guidance such as mentoring from industry specialists and local businesses and financial investments. Students met with Nigel Greenwood, managing director at Bubul, and Stephen Flicker, managing director at Flipside Financial Education CIC, as they navigated the world of business and learnt more about how they can support success within their own entrepreneurial journeys. Bubul is a unique platform which allows those who are starting up their own businesses to access free, impartial advice across a variety of topics. Students answered a series of questions about how they currently run their business or how they envisage to in the future and received a totally personalised set of recommendations that are suggested for their business. The students were guided through their personalised responses from the Bubul programme and what it meant to each of them before talking with Nigel about an array of topics from branding and

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NIGEL GREENWOOD, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BUBUL, WITH BARNSLEY COLLEGE ITRUST STUDENT.

processes to competition and customer service. Stephen also shared his knowledge with the students about understanding the financial world and explained how he could help them with their budgeting and forecasting. Kelsey White, a former Level 3 Travel and Tourism student at College, and current owner of Sweet Treats UK, said: “I think Bubul is really useful for entrepreneurs like me; the personalised advice and guidance I have received today has definitely inspired me to think about new aspects of my businesses like copyrighting, marketing

and engagement. I’ve really enjoyed the session and would definitely recommend the opportunity to other iTrust students.”

I think Bubul is really useful for entrepreneurs; the advice I have received inspired me to think about new aspects of my businesses.

It’s not too late to study at Barnsley College! It offers a range of study programmes including full and parttime vocational courses, apprenticeships, T Levels and university-level courses. The College can also create a bespoke study programme tailored to your needs. To find out more visit www.barnsley.ac.uk, email omlreception@barnsley. ac.uk or call 01226 216 150.

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GROWING FROM STRENGTH

TO STRENGTH Business strategy firm Fab Events & Marketing Strategy has become multi award winning despite the impact of the pandemic on the industry.

The FSB predicted that 250,000 small businesses will close in 2021 as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an additional 30 per cent of small to medium businesses facing difficulties due to the energy crisis we are facing in the UK at present. However, South Yorkshire firm Fab Events & Marketing Strategy is bucking this trend through their continued growth, firstly through starting the new year with a new member in their team, and now becoming multi award winning after receiving The Visionary: Creative Impact Award at Sheffield Business Awards. Fab specialise in business strategy with a marketing and event focus, which allows

them to provide a flexible and innovative service to their clients. Not only can the business now look after its client’s events in a threedimensional way, but it can also ensure this fits with the overall business and marketing strategy to ensure clients are receiving the best return on investment. Company founder Zoe Wadsworth said: “It is exciting to be taking

further steps in growing and adapting our company in these unprecedented times, and to be awarded The Creative Impact Award is something we are extremely proud, grateful and honoured to receive. “Our customers will benefit greatly and together we can help work towards rejuvenating the events sector in our region after such a difficult couple of years.”

FAB have developed a hub with four levels of services to support their clients, who also receive advice from other businesses in the community to provide tips and updates with the aim of kickstarting growth back into the industry. To find out more about the support offered by FAB, visit eventsbyfab.co.uk/services

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LAUNCHPAD

SARAH ANNE BUSH MUSIC Sarah Anne Bush is a musician who is inspiring the next generation through creative teaching and sharing magical moments with the community at weddings, special events, corporate events, in care homes and hospitals. Tell us about your company? Sarah Anne Bush – Music was created to bring music to life, through teaching and inspiring the next generation of musicians. As a violinist, pianist, singer and music teacher I have music for all occasions and all my services tailor to all ages, abilities and needs. I offer three main music services; music tuition, weddings/events performer and music in the community. My creative tailored approach to music teaching creates fun times learning music whilst my live music performances create memorable experiences. When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you? I’ve always loved music and helping people and after graduating I wanted to do something I love and do something that would make a difference to people’s lives. My business would allow me to not only continue performing and create special music memories for people but also help those who would like to learn about music for educational purposes. How has Launchpad helped you? Thanks to The Prince’s Trust and the Launchpad programme, I’ve been able to receive valuable support and funding I needed to start my own business. From developing my business

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be working with businesses across Yorkshire to bring memorable corporate events for staff and visitors as well as being part of many special occasions. My aim is to make music more accessible and give as many people access to enjoy and share the power of music. Launchpad advisor Helen Strange said: 'It has been an absolute pleasure working with Sarah for the past six months – I have always looked forward to catching up with what she’s been getting up to since our last meeting – there are always so many amazing things in the pipeline, and I’ve loved to see her business grow! She is a superstar and I can’t wait to see how far she goes!'

SARAH ANNE BUSH

knowledge in the workshops I was invited to attend to the 1:1 mentoring, I’ve been able to learn more about marketing, budgeting, business planning and much more. Through access to grant funding, I was also able to visit a recording studio and work with a talented videographer to create four music videos to promote my music

performance to potential clients. What are your hopes and aims for the business? I hope to continue helping as many people with music, keeping the music alive through my three main services. I’d like to grow my audience so I can help more people. I’m looking forward to

“Starting and growing a business is not easy and that’s why the Launchpad programme was created. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and our partners means there is no cost to the entrepreneur, so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality. Stop dreaming and do it. Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email growthhub@ sheffieldcityregion.org.uk.”

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Multi-service facilities management organisation IPM Group shares insights into how it not only doubled its turnover in the past 18 months but also retained and hired employees. IPM’s marketing agency fenti, who manage seven of its brands, supported it to launch several new products and initiatives. When you finish reading this article, you may suspect that IPM Group CEO Rick Bailey can predict the future or has some sort of oracle at his disposal. You will certainly wonder how a business working primarily within the hospitality and construction sectors doubled its turnover in the past 18 months and not only retained all its employees during the pandemic, but actually hired new team members. “It’s all down to planning, seizing opportunities, and compassion,” said Rick. “I did the opposite to a lot of business leaders. I reassured the team their jobs were safe, doubled the marketing budget, and pulled the team even closer together to steer IPM through the turmoil of 2020.” You might not have heard of IPM Group, but you are likely to have encountered at least

one of their distinct brands. The core of IPM is security and facilities management. From its base in Killamarsh IPM manage a sophisticated 24-hour security centre where they combine latest technologies with the watchful eyes of IPM’s dedicated security experts. “In February 2020 we were trading normally but we saw the signs and acted fast. Every one of our brands had the potential to diversify, so that’s exactly what we did. Our marketing agency fenti, who manage seven of our brands, supported us to launch several new products and initiatives within just a few months,” said Rick. Mark Shipley, managing director at fenti Digital Marketing, said: “When Rick has a new project, it’s all hands-on deck at fenti. In 2020, every one of IPM’s

brands had to evolve and stay ahead of the curve. It was really encouraging for team fenti to have exciting new projects coming in amid such torrid times. With Rick’s entrepreneurialism and drive, there’s always plenty for us to get our teeth stuck into.” So how did each brand diversify? Security requirements in the construction and hospitality sectors disappeared overnight. While IPM knew it wouldn’t last, they had to be ready for change. Initially, IPM staff were redeployed to support temporary measures introduced by local councils to support homeless people and ensuring places like supermarkets could safely control in-store customer numbers. “In the background, we were working on a new project.

A world-first in the security sector which we developed and launched within three months, ready for when the construction sector started up again,” said Rick. Combining the latest thermal screening, facial recognition, and anti-virus misting technologies, IPM developed InteliPod, the world’s first touchless, automated access control unit. The construction industry needed a solution to ensure worker safety across sites. InteliPod not only restricts access to construction sites, but it also identifies the telltale signs of a virus infection. VR Leisure gym and fitness centre closed, switching to online fitness classes. Within the wellbeing sector, Rick spotted an opportunity where diet was concerned. Silversmiths chefs began preparing freshly cooked,

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nutritious, restaurant-quality meals for home delivery. Revive Nutrition was born. “Food is the cornerstone of good health. We noticed that while exercise routines were forcibly shifting, so did people’s diet. We partnered with Sheffield Steelers, as the acid test for Revive Nutrition, and haven’t looked back, it’s been a great success,” said Rick. Firepit Rocks closed in 2020 to keep staff safe while COVID infection rates soared. However, the team certainly didn’t put their feet up. During the first months of the lockdown the Firepit team were cooking up 1,000 meals a week to support people relying on food banks. Supported by Sheffield boxing legend Tommy Frank, who lent a hand to help with the logistics of delivering that many meals. “We just keep looking forward. All the way through

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It’s all down to planning, seizing opportunities, and compassion, I reassured the team their jobs were safe, doubled the marketing budget, and pulled the team even closer together.

2020 and 2021 we tried to predict what measures the government would enforce and how they would affect the different sectors we supply. Long-term planning went right out of the window. We focused on the short and medium-term. We predicted that a combination of the pandemic and Brexit would cause a staff shortage, resulting in a wage increase. We planned for that,” said Rick IPM also diversified its security brands into the world of post-lockdown football. Before the government gave the green light for fans to return to matches, IPM had recruited and trained 250 new team members, ready for new stadium security requirements. “IPM launched in 2006, started trading in 2007, and headed straight into one of the worst recessions ever known. There is no such thing as luck

in business. Adaptability is key. We are a brand-led business and always have our marketing partner fenti to turn projects around fast and manage the development of our brands,” said Rick. “Marketing has changed a lot, even since the 2008 recession. But the need to maintain regular communication and support your stakeholders remains the overriding imperative. Rick and his team understand how to leverage marketing, he is always working to evolve his brands ready to strike while the iron is hot. The world never stops changing, you have to be ready for anything,” said Mark. fenti are a marketing agency you can rely on to get the job done. fenti always give it to you straight, and always get to the point. Get a free, no obligation consultation www.fenti.co.uk

No jargon, no bull.

Just honest marketing that delivers results. Design & Branding Web Design Photography Video E-commerce SEO PPC (Google Ads) Social Media Email Marketing Strategy

0114 218 0626 www.fenti.co.uk

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WE FORGET

TO SELL Selling is one of the core functions of marketing, but often one that we leave behind. Marketing manager and blogger Alex Myers wants to change this. If I had a pound for every time I saw… An ad that never ran in the real world being celebrated… A case study that quotes ‘virality’ as a metric… A campaign the public didn’t care about being applauded… I’d have lots of pounds. There’s a dirty secret in marketing at the moment. Something that less and less people seem willing to admit, or even talk about. It’s selling. Despite it being the primary purpose of what we do, it’s slowly fading away into the backdrop of our discourse. Take the examples I’ve mentioned above… It’s, sadly, fairly common for overtly creative ads to be entered into awards that never actually ran anywhere… or at least anywhere significant. Surely, considering our primary purpose, this was a rubbish ad then? Or at least one that we can’t evaluate. It didn’t run, it didn’t sell. So why do we celebrate it? The same goes for the other examples – ‘virality’ or mass reach is one thing… but what

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did it lead to? If the public (a.k.a consumers) didn’t care about a campaign… does it really matter that we thought it was amazing? Vanity metrics, like impressions, are worth measuring but are only part of the story. They mean something as vehicles for our main purpose – to sell – but essentially nothing alone. The same goes for creativity. Ads need to look good to work, but looking good doesn’t mean they’ve worked. If the most visually incredible ad in the world doesn’t sell or build a brand, it still isn’t a good ad. So why have we forgotten such a basic principle? Maybe we haven’t forgotten it, but are instead ignoring it? I think it’s a combination of our obsession with things that are new (see my previous column), and the fact that we just don’t think ‘selling things’ is sexy enough. We don’t want to tell an old friend over coffee that we helped an e-commerce shop increase sales through social ads by 50 per cent.

We would much rather tell them we facilitate cultural change and connectivity through visual film. A super clever line makes a much better anecdote than a really effective call to action. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Because, do you know what the most sexy thing imaginable to a client is? (not that). Growth. It might not seem as sexy to us, but it’s definitely sexy to them. And when it comes to the public, guess what? They don’t really care anyway. Not many ‘normal people’ talk amongst themselves about their favourite ads in everyday life. Christmas ads may be an exception. But generally, they don’t care. Which is fine because…? That’s right, we’re trying to sell.

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

BIG CHALLENGE 2022

Fresh from judging the BiG Challenge Marketing Awards, unLTD’s Dan Laver shares the winning entries and how we are working with other local businesses to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. The Big Challenge has been a feature within secondary schools for 15 years. The idea is simple – and very 'Alan Sugar' – teams from local schools come up with an idea, take a £25 loan and see how they can make it grow. When unLTD magazine decided to take part in the BiG Challenge 2022, we wanted to be able to put our spin on it and we were able to work with the support team and some of our friends from Sheffield’s business network to support their very

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own marketing awards. If there is one thing we understand here at unLTD Towers, it’s advertising. That’s what pays the bills for us after all! On that basis, we loved being invited to judge the Best Ad category, the winners of which you can see on the following pages, having been given a quick polish by our own design team. The brief was simple; design a half page ad suitable for publication promoting your business, service or product. We

were looking for the the most engaging and professional adverts which clearly describe a product or service and attract the target audience. Teams were also competing for the Steel City Marketing Award for Best Branding, the Andy Hanselman Consulting Award for Best Sales Pitch and the Harvey Morton Digital Award for Best Media, with all of the sponsors getting together to present the awards to the teams via Zoom (thanks COVID!) on Monday, December 6.

We had lots of great entries and please see the winners below… then turn the page and take a look at the winning entries for the unLTD Award for Best Ad! • Rainbow Resin – Handsworth Grange Community Sports College • Woolfully – Sheffield High School • Winterworks – Tapton School • Tote-ally Music – Sheffield High School For Girls

BIG CHALLENGE 2022

RAINBOW RESIN We focus on creating bespoke, custom and affordable resin products for all. We work hard to create our pieces and make sure they are professional with the charm and beauty of handmade pieces. Instagram: rainbow_resin5 TikTok: rainbow_resin5 Dan: A great description of their products by Rainbow Resin at Handsworth Grange, using some emotive words and a strong design to create a brand identity that matches their bespoke products. It worked on me – I’ve ordered one of their resin tags for my dog’s Christmas present after checking their socials!

Rainbow Resin We focus on creating bespoke, custom and affordable resin products for all. We work hard to create our pieces and make sure they are professional with the charm and beauty of handmade pieces.

Email: rainbowresin2021@gmail.com Instagram: rainbow_resin5 TikTok: rainbow_resin5

Woolfully MAKING WONDERS FROM WOOL

At Woolfully we believe in making high-quality beautiful hand-crafted products, full of character, for you to have. Our family of Woolfully friends is continually growing and new special seasonal items are always added for exciting events like Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s Day. Great for gifts – or just growing your own Woolfully family! Woolfully care about the environment. To minimise waste all our products are made to order, so please be patient waiting for your new arrival and order in plenty of time if your Woolfully friend is a gift!

wool_fully

WOOLFULLY At Woolfully we believe in making high quality, beautiful, hand-crafted products – full of character for you to love! Our family of Woolfully friends is continually growing and new, special seasonal items are always added for exciting events like Halloween, Christmas and Easter – great for gifts – or just growing your own Woolfully family! To minimise waste our products are made to order, so please be patient for your new arrival and order in plenty of time if your Woolfully friend is a gift! Instagram: wool_fully Dan: I love how this ad invites you to create a Woolfully family and start a collection! They’ve also thought about what their customers might want in a product and set expectations around delivery times – tips for lots of retailers at Christmas!

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BIG CHALLENGE 2022

WINTERWORKS Our Cards – here are some examples of our cards! We are making a variety of original cards for different occasions such as Christmas, birthday, greeting etc. We have 3D cards, digitally made cards and hand-made ones so all our cards are unique in their own way! Instagram: winterworks2022 Dan: Winterworks ad ticks all the right boxes! The artwork fits their brand identity, it introduces the different products they can create and it lets you know where to find them. A concise message works well and it’s easy to run away with too much information but this ad strikes a great balance.

Tote - Ally Music

Need a luxury Tote bag or Spotify scanner? Well, dont delay. Buy it today!

WE SELL COMPLETELY CUSTOMISABLE TOTE BAGS AND SPOTIFY SCANNERS!

Order from a trade fair or follow our instagram @toteally_music to see more of our products!

TOTE-ALLY MUSIC Need a luxury bag or Spotify scanner? Don’t delay – buy it today! We sell completely customisable tote bags and Spotify scanners! Instagram: @totally_music Prices starting from £7.50 Find us online, at a trade fair or message us to order! Dan: Tote-ally Music aren’t afraid to get straight to the point – they want you to buy their products! They’ve also included pricing information, which is really useful to a customer. A brilliant, no nonsense concept that doesn’t waste any time in getting your attention.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ANY OF THE BIG CHALLENGE TEAMS BY PURCHASING FROM THEM, PLEASE EMAIL BIGCHALLENGE@LIFELONGLEARNINGANDSKILLS.ORG unLTDBUSINESS.COM

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2022 – A YEAR OF REVOLUTION

FOR THE CHAMBER December. A month of contrasts. The excitement about the forthcoming festivities. The exhaustion from the year just gone. This year is no different, except for the looming concern about Omicron. It’s hard to decide whether to feel positive or pessimistic, or exhausted or energised. Perhaps it's all four? With so much uncertainty let’s stick with some facts. We are fast approaching the second anniversary of COVID-19. It’s a sad milestone but brings with it the reality that Sheffield’s business community has done some amazing things during the most challenging of times. If you were in the room, or following online, you would have seen these success stories celebrated at the Sheffield Business Awards last month. The award ceremony came at the best of times but also the worst of times. On one hand the Prime Minister announced Plan B 24 hours earlier. On the other it was clear that many needed an evening to celebrate. In any event the Chamber was

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delighted to have partnered with unLTD and to have hosted an event that has received so many plaudits. We are already planning for 2022. If you have any ideas about taking the awards to the next level, then do get in touch at events@scci.org.uk. The festive period and the start of a New Year also prompts a moment of reflection and the setting of resolutions. Life in the Chamber is no different. Our first resolution involves no change. We remain committed to delighting our members in a changing world. That is why 2022 will be a year of revolution. We know we need to challenge ourselves to create a membership model that is the foundation for a modern Chamber of

Commerce. Our members already enjoy benefits, but we know they can enjoy more. 2022 will be the year we take Chamber membership to the next level. We also know that to grow stronger, we also need to be fit and healthy. That wellbeing comes from investing in the right places. That is why we finished off 2021 welcoming three new colleagues into the Chamber team. Jess is going to transform our approach to events, Christine will be focussed on making the Chamber the training provider of choice in the city and Kirsty will be taking control of our digital engagement. Together with existing colleagues they will make sure we are there

whenever our members need us. And that is the reality. Running the Chamber is 24/7/365. That is why we never stop apart from a slowdown over Christmas. It has been a hugely busy year and 2022 looks to be no different. Whatever happens in the New Year the Chamber needs to be at its best to help Sheffield be at its best. We cannot wait to get started. We wish all readers a Happy New Year!

FINANCIAL REVIEW

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

TO YOUR NEW YEAR FINANCIAL CHECKLIST The start of 2022 is the perfect opportunity to review your savings and investments. Jillian Thomas, managing director of Renishaw-based Future Life Wealth Management, outlines the key financial considerations necessary to kickstart a truly prosperous new year… Now’s the time to take control of your financial future. Financial check-ups must take place at least annually – and personally, I can’t think of a better way to kickstart the new year than by getting to grips with your savings and investments. As we live through these unprecedented times, increasing inflation will take a toll on how much we have to spend. Consequently, it’s become imperative to make your money work as hard as possible. Here are some key financial considerations to help you achieve just that… Consider deposit rates… Deposit rates have been at historically low levels since the financial crisis of 2008 – but that patently does not mean that investors should accept a real terms inflation-adjusted reduction in their value as the default position. Financial planners have access to cash platforms which can provide higher rates of return than can be obtained from the well-known high street names.

Don’t overlook ESG investments… ESG – which stands for environmental, social and governance – has become the new frontier of investment. You don’t have to agree with some of the politics of the ESG advocates to take advantage of it. Reduce capital gains tax… Capital gains tax (CGT) is charged on the profits made when selling, gifting or transferring certain assets. There are lots of ways to mitigate CGT to ensure that more of your money goes

towards your future – but it’s essential to file your HMRC returns at the right time. Envisage your retirement… Write down your ‘retirement vision statement’. This is a full and frank description of what you want your life to be like after you retire. You can use this document to identify what your interests and values are in life, set priorities and prepare for risks. If you’re not going to have sufficient income, then what actions do you need to take now to redress the balance?

Evaluate your state pension… A starting point on this journey is knowing precisely how much state pension you’ll receive. It’s easy to submit an online application for a state pension forecast – and you’ll quickly learn when you’ll receive it and whether there are any gaps requiring attention. Maximise your private pension contributions… Consider whether you want to increase your private pension contributions in 2022. If you’ve found it no trouble to make contributions at your current rate, might it be worth paying a little more and adjusting the pensions input by inflation? If you would like Jillian Thomas to plan your financial future ring 01246 435996 or email jill@wealthmanagement. uk.com Alternatively, visit wealthmanagement.uk.com No individual investment advice is given, nor intended to be given in this article and liability will not be accepted in respect of any action you may take as a result of reading this article. If you are unsure you are urged to take independent investment advice.

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BUSINESS SUPPORT

TROUBLESHOOTING

BY CHRISTOPHER BROWN, BUSINESS RECOVERY & INSOLVENCY PARTNER, HART SHAW Our columnist on the reason behind an increase of business insolvencies

WHAT HAPPENS NOW GOVERNMENT SUPPORT HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN? As we approach the end of the second year since the pandemic started, and as the various elements of government support to businesses are withdrawn, the number of business insolvencies is starting to increase. In recent weeks, I have noticed an increase in the number of calls I have had from business owners who are worried about their financial viability. This impression is supported by official data, with the quarterly insolvency statistics for July to September 2021, published at the end of October 2021, showing an overall 43 per cent increase in the number of company insolvencies in the third quarter of 2021 in England & Wales and an increase of 66 per cent in Scotland, compared with the

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same period in 2020. This was primarily driven by an increase in the number of Creditors Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs) to the highest quarterly level since 2009. Many struggling companies that were being artificially kept alive during the pandemic by Government support, are beginning to fail now that the support is being withdrawn. Although the number of CVLs in Q3 of 2021 was higher than pre-pandemic levels, the number of compulsory liquidations, driven by creditor action, has remained low. This is most probably due to the temporary restrictions on the use of Statutory demands and certain winding up petitions. A breakdown of the statistics for England & Wales shows that whereas the number of CVLs

increased by 86 per cent, the number of Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs), the process which enables a company to be saved rather than liquidated, actually fell by 68 per cent. This fall in the number of CVAs may well be due to changes in the priority of payment of HMRC claims. Since September 2003, HMRC had ranked as an unsecured creditor alongside other creditors in an insolvency. However, this all changed on December 1 2020 when HMRC become a secondary preferential creditor, ranking behind employees, in respect of deducted taxes, such as VAT, PAYE, NIC and CIS. What this means in practice is that in a formal insolvency, HMRC must be paid in full before any funds are available

to pay the general body of unsecured creditors, and that includes a CVA. Depending on the level of HMRC debt, what would previously have been a viable CVA proposal producing a reasonable return to all creditors could now be unviable as far as unsecured creditors are concerned. For any business or company that is struggling or is likely to struggle financially, the key to success is to take professional advice before it is too late. If you have any queries or require any help, please contact: Christopher Brown chris.brown@hartshaw.co.uk Tel. 0114 251 8850 Business Recovery & Insolvency Partner Hart Shaw LLP

COMPANY CULTURE

Speaking about all things YesTax, from charitable giving to transparency for staff, found and director, John Moxon tells unLTD’s Rachel Measures about how a group of friends came together to create a fun and friendly company culture. Established in January 2019 by founder and director John Moxon, YesTax started with the vision that tax shouldn’t just be about taking but giving, too. Working for an independent business that had been bought out by a big US company, John Moxon, 38, spent four years working under the corporate ownership of a larger company, feeling like things were too corporate and turning a little stale. Knowing that he didn’t like the direction the company was heading, he and a few co-workers decided to set up their own firm. By the summer of 2019, YesTax had a board of directors and had started recruiting more staff as client numbers grew. John said: “We’re a relatively young firm and we just wanted to have more fun. We wanted the company to be livelier – we didn’t want to be

governed by men in suits from faraway places.” However, the company had one other important priority – they wanted to establish a charitable element to the business right from the beginning. Once they had everything set up – the business stable and solid – they implemented a policy where 2.5 per cent of their turnover goes to charity. For every single invoice that they raise, 2.5 per cent is given to children’s charities. “The line of work that we operate in is reasonably profitable and we thought it was a good opportunity to build charitable giving and embed it into everything that we do,” John said: “All the directors have got young kids, so the focus of our charitable giving is very much on children’s charities." We set up a charity called the Guiding Light Foundation and that’s where all the money

we give goes – so every quarter we look at all the money that we’ve invoiced and take 2.5 per cent of that and pass it over to the Guiding Light and then they distribute it to charities around the world.” To date, YesTax has given over £130,000 to charitable causes. YesTax aim to improve lives around the globe, addressing poverty, inequality, climate, and environmental degradation. Providing support to disadvantaged children, their first main project has been to support victims of child sexual abuse in Nepal. Antardristi is a Nepalese charity founded in 2003 to address the issue of child sex abuse. The charity aims to increase awareness of child sex abuse and to create safe houses across Nepal to accommodate and educate children who have been the victim of serious sexual assaults. Alison Ralston, chartered

tax adviser at YesTax, visited the country in 2018 to learn more about Antardristi and immediately fell in love with the warmth of the people. It was during this trip that the idea of setting up a Foundation for vulnerable children was conceived. John has also visited Nepal on two occasions, and both he and Alison came away from Nepal with similar conclusions that it would be a fantastic idea to fuse business and charitable giving, to offer hope to Nepalese children affected by poverty and crime. “We currently give to a safe house for girls in Kathmandu in Nepal. This is a house which looks after girls who have been sexually abused, and there are very little social services over in Nepal. Generally, what happens is the perpetrator of the crime is often family, they get sent to jail and then there’s no income, and the family unit can fall apart,” John said.

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COMPANY CULTURE

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COMPANY CULTURE “The safe house that’s been set up houses 30-40 girls and provides them with education and a safe place to go. We’re exclusively funding that operation now, and the charity in Nepal is almost entirely reliant on that money and that’s a good feeling to know we’re making such a big difference to 30-40 girls.” Not only do YesTax continue to assist Antardristi, but they also brought their charitable giving closer to home in lockdown, helping under privileged areas of Sheffield. John said: “Alison and Natalia, two of the YesTax Directors, went to the local schools and asked who needs what. There were lots of kids without laptops, or without home learning materials when the schools shut. They spoke to headteachers and said, we’ve got a pot of money here that can be used to make sure that people have got the learning materials that they need during lockdown.” Charity runs right through the core of the company, and transparency is key to their company culture. Everyone is aware how well the company is performing with company performance details shared with everyone every month. All staff can see how much money the company is earning and how much of this is going to charitable causes. “Every invoice that we send to clients has a specific statement on that says how 2.5 per cent of the invoice will go to charity. When one of our staff raises an invoice, they can very easily work out how much of their piece of work is going to contribute to the Guiding Light Foundation,” John said. “Increasingly, more people, particularly younger people, demand more of their employers these days and I think that if you can show as an employer that you are doing more than just lining the pockets of the company owners, it’s a worthwhile thing to do. “Our staff appreciate it and they know in the back of their minds that every piece

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LEFT TO RIGHT; RACHAEL HART, MEGAN BLANEY AND HOLLY YOUNG.

of work that they’re doing contributes to a good cause. They really value it. They really like it. Everybody in the office feels a small sense of satisfaction knowing that they’ve contributed directly to that amount.” YesTax has made a huge impact with their charitable giving, and this drives their staff daily. Not forgetting, however, that a large part of their company culture derives from the employees’ close friendships with one another. John said: “It’s fair to say that everybody who works here are all mates. There’s 13 of us, nine of which have all worked together for at least six years, and I’ve worked with Mark, another of the directors, for 15 years, and Alison 12 years – so we go back a long time. We have close friend relationships so it’s quite a different feel to your average tax consultancy firm.” It’s very clear that the company doesn’t feel like a group of people who have been brought together because they’ve been offered a job at the same place, but rather it feels like a group of friends who came together to create a good business

and continue to work hard together. “It’s very much a friendly business – a very laid-back business. We don’t focus on bums on seats, or the nine to five. Everybody works flexibly, and they can work from home if they want to. We want people to be happy.” John, himself, is increasingly busy in his role as a business owner and director. He said: “The directors have a fantastic team underneath them that they can trust – I think delegation is a skill that you need to learn and over the last ten years, I’ve learnt it quite well – so I’m grateful to have a really good team where the client work is looked after.” Taking his role within the rest of the company seriously, he can look after everything from cleaners to payroll. “I have overall responsibility for staff as well. If any staff have got any issues – we do have a HR manager – but ultimately, they can come to me as well. That’s something I’ve done for quite a big part of my career, managing staff, and that’s a part of the job I really like.” Looking to the future, John, and the rest of YesTax,

plan to diversify their areas of specialism. Currently specialising in R&D tax relief, they have recently expanded into capital allowances, having recently recruited a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser to head up the new department. However, YesTax are not fixated on continual growth. If it comes naturally, they’ll be happy, of course, but for now, they’re just pleased with where they’re at now. John said: “We’ve got a lovely business. We’ve got 13 staff. Everyone makes a good living. Sometimes there’s this pressure to keep getting bigger and bigger and bigger and you can work yourself into this big ball of stress. What we’ve said is that if we can have another five years of what we’re doing now, we’d be absolutely delighted with that.” With the heart of the business centred around charitable giving, working days carried out in a laidback atmosphere, and an understanding founder, YesTax have a wonderful company culture, helping their staff to enjoy their work while supporting people across the world.

DONCASTER BUSINESS AWARDS

The winners of the 23rd annual Doncaster Business Awards, sponsored by Doncaster College and University Centre, were announced on Thursday, December 16 2021 during a prestigious awards ceremony at Doncaster Racecourse. The black-tie evening organised by Doncaster Chamber saw guests from the local business community recognise and celebrate the high calibre of work that firms are performing across the borough and beyond. The Award winners and runners-up for each of the award categories received

their trophies from the sponsor judges having passed through a rigorous two-stage judging process, involving a written application and interview, to be recognised amongst

Doncaster’s finest businesses. David Shaul was the host of the evening that included powerful performances from talented Doncaster singers Rumbi Tauro, Ella-Jay, Richard Ford and

magician and mentalist, James Kirman. Dan Fell, Doncaster Chamber CEO, said: “The ingenuity and tenacity of our business community since the onset of pandemic never ceases to amaze me, it is testament to the Yorkshire grit that runs throughout the borough. “I am delighted to congratulate all our very deserving winners, runners up and finalists and thank them for their participation in the Doncaster Business Awards 2021 and for all they have achieved over the past year faced with such complex challenges.”

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DONCASTER BUSINESS AWARDS

WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP OF THE DONCASTER BUSINESS AWARDS 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: Dr Robert Pleming (posthumously) Excellence in People Development – Sponsored by King Asia Foods Ltd Winner: VolkerRail Runner-up: Unipart Rail Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility – Sponsored by Polypipe Winner: Keepmoat Homes Runner up: Unipart Rail Success through Partnerships – Sponsored by Ellgia Limited Winner: Doncaster UTC Runner-up: CAST Business Engaging with Education – Sponsored by Opportunities Doncaster Winner: Polypipe Runner-up: Active Fusion Marketing Campaign of the Year – Sponsored by HSR Law Winner: Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust Runner-up: Visual Group Success through Innovation and Diversification – Sponsored by SYNETIQ Winner: DS Operations Centre Runner-up: IPM Group

Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Carlton Forest Group Winner:Tornado Pest Control Ltd Runner-up: RSPCA Doncaster, Rotherham and District Branch. Third Sector Organisation of the Year – Sponsored by Community Wealth Builder Winner: Active Fusion Runner-up: People Focused Group Business Start Up of the Year – Sponsored by Orb Recruitment Winner: Harrison College Runner-up: RISE Adaptations SME Business of the Year – Sponsored by Visual Group Winner: Pass Logistics Runner-up: The Crown Hotel & Bawtry Hall Large Business of the Year – Sponsored by Atherton Godfrey Winner: VolkerRail Runner-up: Polypipe Green Business of the Year – Sponsored by the University of Sheffield Winner: SYNETIC Runner-up: ENGIE

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2022 Awards are already available with a 10% off earlybird code DNBIZAWARDS22. For more details telephone 01302 640105 or email jdyer@doncasterchamber.co.uk

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

VIEW FROM THE

HIGH STREET The effect of the pandemic on the high street is still being felt 22 months on. unLTD’s Matt Holmes spoke to Dan Wilkinson and Sally Pepper, business information officers with Business Sheffield to find out what is being done to keep the city’s high streets alive. As part of the ‘reopening the high street safely’ scheme, Business Sheffield introduced business information officers to help businesses ensure they were COVID-secure and able to navigate the guidance. Each officer works within a different area of the city bringing with them a wealth of experience across different sectors, Dan’s background in finance and Sally’s in retail respectively. Not only do the businesses benefit from the expertise of their own area’s officer, but the support is shared across the network. As well as making sure businesses are aware of any support and grants available, the officers offer support with anything from cash flow forecasting and shop layout to recruitment and marketing. But how are businesses on the high street coping after the rollercoaster of the last 20 plus months? “A lot of retailers are just ‘getting on with it now," said Sally. “Costs have gone up, there’s supply chain issues, as well as with recruitment. Customer spending patterns have changed, so with rising costs and reduced sales it has been a challenge.” Dan agrees adding: “Footfall is nowhere near back to pre-pandemic numbers yet. So, businesses are looking at those rises in cost and asking themselves whether they take the hit or pass it onto customers.” Throughout the pandemic, however, many have embraced the challenge and found

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alternative ways of working with customers. “Remaining flexible is the game,” says Sally. Many businesses set up websites enabling them to operate on a click and collect basis. Those in the food and beverage sectors diversified into takeaway for the first time or launched apps for table service, many keeping it up even as restrictions eased. So, what are the key challenges facing the high street right now? “Some businesses are still just surviving. We don’t know what’s happening over the next few months,” says Dan. Sally added: “It’s managing the unknown. Customer numbers are still not where they were. Managing your staffing, your buying, your opening hours… there are lots of unknowns so being agile is an ongoing challenge. “Looking ahead it’s identifying your customers, their needs, and adapting your business towards that.” Dan points out that while many businesses say the older generation has not returned to them in person, some have found that these customers are now doing more online. It's all about working with your customers to find out how they want to shop in the future. Sally says that one of the biggest things retailers can do is get a good online presence. Where websites can be expensive, social media isn’t. “We are working with a company called Maybe* to

support retailers in accessing a better uptake through social media. There’s lots of training and support available so we’re really encouraging independents to make use of it while we have it,” she said. As well as that Dan and Sally told unLTD that there are free webinars available on the Business Sheffield website, covering topics such as cashflow, marketing and more. “Even if you don’t have an EPOS system to monitor how you are doing, make sure you are monitoring what happens within your business,” says Sally, “It is the only way to tell what is working.” Dan goes on to talk about the ‘Share the Love’ campaign encouraging people to shop locally over Christmas, which Sally says works well with local businesses that are collaborating to celebrate their neighbourhood. Business Sheffield sponsored the Joymaker award at last month’s Sheffield Business Awards, hosted by unLTD and Sheffield Chamber. Both Dan and Sally said there were a number of businesses that stood out in terms of overcoming the adversity faced during the pandemic and you can visit all the areas they work in throughout the city and find examples. Dan mentioned a local pub chain that diversified how they worked with click and collect and takeaways, but also got involved in the community delivering food parcels to vulnerable people.

Sally was impressed with businesses that started just before the pandemic hit such as the Steel Cauldron, and those that have opened since such as Parkway Pizzeria, Paesani, and BWNAB Bakery. We also wanted to give Dan and Sally the chance to shout out some brilliant Sheffield independents that they like to visit. Dan says, “there’s several cafes and coffee shops that I’ve visited doing this role. The Delightful Touch, La Patisserie and also Sarah’s Kitchen in Greenhill. There are some fantastic places that you might not know about unless you visit them.” “Where to start! There are so many that you can't mention them all," said Sally. As this article goes to press, England is in Plan B measures to manage COVID-19 due to the spread of the Omicron variant. We recognise that this has already affected high street demand and had a significant impact on many businesses, and there is uncertainty about what will happen in the coming weeks before the article is published. As always, the Business Sheffield team is here to offer all Sheffield businesses advice and support with any challenges they are experiencing. Call us on 0114 224 5000, email BusinessSheffield@ sheffield.gov.uk, or visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/ coronavirus-business

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