FOCUS ON: HOW ARE BUSINESSES BEING AFFECTED BY RISING ENERGY COSTS?

HOW ARE BUSINESSES BEING AFFECTED BY RISING ENERGY COSTS?

Over the last few months, the global energy markets have grown increasingly unpredictable due to post-pandemic recovery, extreme weather, Brexit, and other continued geopolitical issues and this is plunging the UK into an unprecedented energy crisis. A number of industry experts share their experiences of how businesses are being affected with unLTD’s Rachel Measures.

CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIALS IN MEXBOROUGH

CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIALS

We spoke to Adam Bradley, director of Corrosion Resistant Materials Ltd, a steel stockholder that offers cutting, machining, heat treatment and testing on top of the raw material. They are in their seventh year of trading and see enough exports that their business is 50 per cent worldwide.

Q What is your insight on the energy crisis?

A The crisis is happening across Europe, not just in the UK, and quite a lot of our suppliers are based in Europe so when we’re buying material, they’re adding an extra surcharge to make up for the gas prices rising.

Q What impact is this having?

A Our steel, that we order from European mills, now has an extra surcharge, so this could be an extra 5 or 10 per cent of the cost. We must take this into consideration when we’re buying and acknowledge that this has a knock-on effect to the end sale price.

It might only be a small percentage increase, but the increase comes on material, on transport, on importing and every other element because energy prices affect everyone.

By the time you’re done it's quite a substantial price increase, and every business along the way pass the cost down until it hits consumers. While customers might have won projects 6-12 months ago at one price prior to the energy crisis, they now must incur the extra cost because no one in the chain wants to take a loss.

Q What are your fears going forward?

A I can’t see energy prices coming down, certainly not in the next 12 months, and that’s in Europe as well as the UK. In terms of businesses, we supply to machine shops, as well as engineering, oil and gas, and aerospace companies who all buy steel and all produce products, so I fear it’s going to have a massive knock-on effect to everything.

Q What has your response been?

A As a business we can effectively pass the cost on – we’re quite lucky in that respect. We can stand the test of time better than some others but as it continues to go on, we’ve just got to be more careful that we allow for additional cost for these energy increases.

Q Is there anything else you’d like to tell

people?

A The media is consistently informing people of the domestic effects of the energy crisis, but what’s not being spoken about is the affect the crisis will have on businesses and in particular UK manufacturing. Everything is going up in cost and this could affect how the UK competes in other markets – we’ve already left the EU; we’ve already got that added competition and it already costs more to export.

PROFESSIONAL ENERGY PURCHASING

Professional Energy Purchasing (PEP) is an independent energy management specialist with over 30 years’ experience in the energy market. Its award-winning procurement team work with all major utility companies in the UK to provide competitive gas, electricity, and water prices for clients.

It also provides independent energy audits to identify potential savings, helping clients to reduce energy, carbon, and plan for Net Zero climate targets. Kayleigh Thompson, sales manager and energy consultant at PEP, speaks to us about the rising energy costs.

THE PEP TEAM

Q What is your insight on the energy crisis?

A As we negotiate energy contracts for our clients, we have been on the front line of the energy crisis since it began in April 2021. We have seen power prices surge from 15p/kWh in March 2021 to a staggering 45p/kWh in December 2021. This is the worst the energy industry has ever seen, and it has been a similar story for gas.

Q What impact is this having?

A From April 2021 prices have escalated and have continued to rise significantly hitting an all-time high in December 2021. Customers are seeing 50 per cent increases in their energy costs, and this is not sustainable in the long term and will cause businesses to close.

Last year, one of our client’s energy costs were £400,000 but this is now estimated at £1m.

Q What are your fears going forward?

A: We are seeing an extremely volatile market which is unfeasible for businesses or the economy. Businesses across the country have only just survived the financial hardship of the pandemic and are now faced with even more risk due to soaring energy prices.

Q What has your response been?

A We continuously inform our clients on the energy market to discuss contract options. We also recommend making sure businesses do have energy contracts in place as being on a variable rate is often even more extortionate. Our procurement team offer a variety of options tailored to the business’s needs.

Our team are constantly educating our client base through publishing relevant articles, monthly energy market updates and pushing out useful information through our social media platforms and website.

Q What do you want people to know?

A As energy prices continue to rise, we advise that businesses become familiar with how they are using their energy and find ways to reduce consumption and costs through more energy efficient practices. Our in-house energy manager is helping businesses to reduce energy, carbon, and move towards a Net Zero future.

Get in touch for a chat about your business energy to see how the team can help you by calling 0114 327 2645 or emailing info@pepgb.com.

INSTANT PRINT

Founded in 2001, Instant Print is a SME employing 29 people. It decorates business gifts with corporate logos, along with printing measurement marks on industrial components. Its managing director Glenn Chapman spoke to us about the energy crisis.

Q What is your insight on the energy crisis?

A The rising cost of gas has had a knock-on effect to electricity because half of the UK’s electricity is produced by burning gas. Along with the upturn in energy demand following a global pandemic, we are seeing a perfect storm in the energy market.

Q What impact is this having?

A If we stayed with our current supplier our electricity bill would be going from £12,800pa to £48,000pa. However, we have managed to find a new supplier at 30p per KWH which means our new bill would be £24,000pa. We’re also investing in solar power to reduce this bill to £9,000pa and we will be receiving approximately £3,500 from selling excess power back to the grid.

We’re generally lucky not to be a high user of energy, but there will be costs to absorb over time. However, we’re investing in solar power, and part of this will ensure our staff and customers are unaffected by rising business costs.

GLENN CHAPMAN

Q What are your fears going forward?

A I fear for businesses that are heavy energy users. The increases are eyewatering at the minute. I have just had my own electricity renewal through, and my supplier is proposing that my KWH rate will increase from 16p to 60p. That’s an increase of 375 per cent. Q What has your response been?

A As mentioned, we are installing Solar PV on the factory roof. Over the course of a year, we will be creating more electricity than we use. In the summer months we will have excess electricity to sell back to the grid and put charge in our cars.

All we can do is minimise our reliance on buying electricity at inflated rates, but it also feels good knowing that our investment will mean that we are minimising our reliance on fossil fuels and instead using the sun’s colossal energy to give us power.

Q What do you want to tell people?

A I would recommend businesses to explore self-generation through Solar PV. Rising electricity costs make the systems so much more financially viable. With KWH rates at 30p some systems can pay for themselves in as little as three years, so they’re worth investing in.

ANGELA TAYLOR

CASTINGS TECHNOLOGY

We spoke to Angela Taylor, director of AT Management Solutions Ltd, who is a business consultant working with Castings Technology specialising in engineering and STEM based careers, with a background of 30+ years in selling castings and forgings.

Q What is your insight on the energy crisis?

A There isn’t a foundry or a forge that hasn’t been impacted by the increase in costs. Where necessary they have implemented supplementary charges to cover the cost of power and concentrate on insulation and energy conservation generally.

Q What impact is this having?

A Whilst some businesses have improved their position post-Brexit, building business back up, they will need to raise prices to customers which will be passed along the supply chain. This may reduce the competitive position of British manufacturing compared to the Far East where they are less heavily impacted by energy costs.

However, industry is buoyant in the UK as we have seen reshoring of purchases over the last couple of years. Rolls Royce, for example, have had their best year in manufacturing in 170 years, and our specialist foundries and forges have remained resilient. There is growth and some are predicting an increase in turnover.

We’re becoming more niche in what we manufacture, and this enables British and European engineering to promote itself. I’m not saying there won’t be difficulties, however, over 30 years, I’ve worked through several industrial cycles – the businesses that are here now are well placed to benefit from the latest technologies and innovations as well as the UK’s industrial decarbonisation and the promotion of a circular economy.

Q Do you have fears going forward?

A In the UK, we are all in the same boat so we will continue to work together – communication is key, I don’t believe that our customers are suddenly going to walk away from us – we’ve the innovative and technical skills that they look for in their suppliers.

In the drive to meet our net zero strategies, we are developing and trialling new technologies for decarbonisation and helping volume power consumers to develop greener operating methods. But this takes time to evolve, and it requires continued investment and financial support. The next 12-18 months will challenge some British businesses more than others.

Q Is there anything else you’d like to tell

people?

A It will be important for businesses to invest in innovation and to have the support to adopt the technologies that will enable them to meet net zero targets. Unless alternative sources of energy are found quickly, we do face the increasing risk of energy outages as the existing nuclear fleet ages and increasing demands are placed on the national grid for car charging and heating generally. I believe that building small modular reactors and concentrating on fusion technologies are critical to ensure an energy supply chain that is robust, green, and reliable.

HLM CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF MAKING BETTER PLACES

HLM Architects recently celebrated 40 years of business in Sheffield, in which time they have been instrumental in enhancing the local area.

Its ‘Thoughtful Design’ approach puts people firmly at the centre of the places and spaces they design, resulting in developments that delight and inspire clients and end users.

Delia Harmston, Studio Lead, recounts how the practice has evolved and why HLM is proud of their Sheffield heritage.

“I moved to Sheffield when I was 18 years old to start studying Architecture at the University of Sheffield, and I have lived here ever since.

In those 26 years, I have seen our city change enormously – from seeing Kelvin flats, the Egg Box and the Wedding Cake demolished and the tram network being constructed, to the fantastic improvements to the public realm in the city, the increasing strength and reputation of our two universities, the huge success of AMRC and AWRC, the Winter Gardens and the massive investment in the Heart of the City.

I am incredibly proud to work for HLM and to be part of the current and next phases of regenerating Sheffield. Our staff live and breathe this city, their children go to the schools, we go to the theatres, we use the sports and music venues. As designers, we relish working in the city and making a difference on our doorstep.”

Part of the Heart of the City development, the Radisson Blu will be housed behind the historic facades of Palatine Chambers and City Mews on Pinstone Street, preserving Sheffield’s Victorian heritage while enhancing the city’s social scene with a rooftop bar, restaurant, and terrace. The hotel is expected to attract new business opportunities into the city, while raising its profile as an attractive visitor destination.

DELIA HARMSTON

hlmarchitects.com

Now Then Love

Celebrating 40 years Reyt good times in Sheffield since 1981

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

If people are to believe in your brand, it must be built from the inside out, says marketing manager and blogger Alex Myers.

For many businesses, building a brand is almost treated like a disguise. Or a costume.

It starts in the marketing department. No one wants a boring brand. ‘Useful is sometimes boring? Get out, Kyle.’

The team concocts what they’d love their business to be seen as… they reach for the stars.

Up it goes to the C-Suite. ‘Not big enough. Not bold enough. Kyle’s fired.’ Some more outrageousness is layered on top - the cherry on the branding cake, and 36 layers of icing.

And finally, it’s packaged up and put to the consumer.

And of course, the consumer believes it. ‘Pepsi is solving social injustice with their canned beverages!’ we all said, as Kendall Jenner distributed pop in a protest scene.

Oh, hang on...

You see, consumers aren’t stupid. Nor were they born yesterday (a small proportion of consumers were, but new-borns have little-to-no purchasing power). People see through a lack of authenticity - no matter how good the creative is, no matter which celebrity you got to endorse the message, they will see through it if it’s a load of rubbish.

You might want your brand to be seen that way. You may even think it’s actually like that. But they’re not buying it, and that means they’re not buying anything.

Every year we see moments, like the aforementioned Pepsi spot, where this is called out on a major scale and lands the brand in hot water. But on top of that, every single day people see ads that communicate a false brand, and these instances make people dislike advertising more.

Because no one likes to be lied to. And no one likes to be treated like they’re stupid. Expecting someone to believe that laundry detergent is directly linked to social mobility, does just that. So why the lack of authenticity? The reason so many brands aren’t authentic is because of the direction they’re built in – like my fairly hyperbolic example, they start from the outside (what the business wants to look like), and then work their way in. Only, it doesn’t work because at the core it just didn’t represent the business.

Branding in that way is like trying to make people trust a shark by putting a party hat on it.

The only way to build an authentic brand is from the inside out - start with who you really are as a business and go from there. Consider your strengths, approaches, who you are and what makes you you. Then develop that into an identity that you can market.

Don’t like what you find? Don’t want to tell anyone about the brand that’s created? I’m afraid you need to change the business itself. Because no matter how you try to spin it, it won't work, and you'll simply build no brand. And brand building is crucial.

FORMER MASTERCHEF STAR ANNOUNCES 'RAFFINA BY REECE ELLIOTT'

Former Masterchef The Professionals contestant Reece Elliott, originally from Sheffield, has partnered with an established Sheffield restaurant to launch 'Raffina by Reece Elliott'.

Reece impressed judges on the BBC TV show Masterchef: The Professionals in 2020, having previously scooped second place in Junior Masterchef of Great Britain at just 19 years old.

Situated on Ecclesall Road in one of the most iconic buildings in the area, Raffina by Reece Elliott will offer a relaxed, refined dining experience and a vibrant atmosphere for people to enjoy. Raffina by Reece Elliott's new menu will launch in March and offer incredible Italian inspired food, delivered with a modern twist, using the highest quality ingredients. The restaurant will be offering its new lunch and dinner menus Wednesday – Saturday. It will also be open for drinks and Italian inspired sweet and savoury treats from the bar throughout the day Monday to Saturday. Reece has over eight years of culinary experience, including chef at the threerosette Cavendish Hotel in Baslow, Derbyshire, which has been his home for the past three years.

He has cooked alongside a highly regarded line-up of Michelin starred chefs including Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti, Raymond Blanc, Tom Kerridge and James Martin. Sous Chef Jamie Fullen will also be joining Reece at Raffina from the Cavendish. Reece said: "I am delighted to be announcing Raffina by Reece Elliott – it is an absolute dream come true. Running my own kitchen, designing my own menu, and having my own team is now a reality, and I couldn't think of a better location to start this new venture. "Raffina is a beautiful restaurant, and being on Ecclesall Road, just up from Endcliffe Park, is in the perfect location. "Our menu will bring a range of Italian inspired tastes. We are confident everyone will love our take on some of the classics and our new combinations. "Growing up in Sheffield, I would often admire the building that now houses Raffina. It's an iconic building on Ecclesall Road, and I am looking forward to putting it back on the map. "As a Sheffieldbased chef, this is a real landmark opportunity for me and my team to deliver the best culinary expertise within the area." Reece is now on the lookout for people to join his team and be part of his new venture. Roles available include Chef De Partie, Pastry Chef, Kitchen Porter and several waiting staff positions. To apply or to find out more information, please email claire.madej @redbrik.co.uk.

Raffina by Reece Elliott is due to open in March 2022. The official opening date will be announced on the restaurant's social media channels and their website, www.raffina.co.uk.

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

Josh Weston MRICS, Lead Director atFourth Wall Building Consultancy, gives his insight into the problems facing property owners and tenants, and how to plan for the future.

As we come out of what feels like a very long winter, occupiers and landlords across the region are being hit with no end of surprise expenditures. From roof leaks to damaged cladding, properties of all shapes and sizes have fallen victim to the elements.

As we work with a number of occupiers on their planned maintenance programmes for the next 5-10 years, I’ve been increasingly aware of the need to build up our clients’ understanding of their properties as we help them avoid fighting fires and plan for the future. A planned maintenance programme enables both owners and occupiers to plan any necessary works into their budget, an essential step when looking to set reliable budgets, better monitor the financial health of projects and ensure value for money is demonstrated over the life of their property.

It doesn’t take me by surprise that you may be thinking ‘but do I really need it?’. It’s certainly tempting to take things as they come, but avoiding an issue can only last so long and a forward thinking approach is essential. Reactive work more often than not proves inefficient, costly, and in severe cases results in significant failures such as water ingress or structural damage, leading to further impact on business operations and the subsequent negotiation with impacted parties who may have suffered loss of earnings as a result. A painful prospect whether that’s your own business or one of your tenants. Believe me when I say that regular maintenance is your best friend, helping prevent small issues from becoming larger issues at a later date.

I’ve seen a lot of properties in my time, and the biggest, and most common, issues I come across nearly always stem from a lack of routine maintenance. Ignoring that leak, putting off replacing those roof tiles, and leaving the potholes until they get really bad always lead to more issues down the line. If you’re leasing a commercial space, it can also mean a pretty hefty bill when it comes to your dilapidations responsibilities during or at the end of your lease. Given the increasing need for efficient use of our resources, energy efficiency in the built environment and reducing waste, regular maintenance is an essential way of reducing deterioration of buildings and preventing unnecessary damage, ensuring properties operate at optimum efficiency, protect the health and safety of occupants, and ensure continued compliance with statutory requirements.

Simply put, a Planned Maintenance Report allows you to anticipate future costs of building work to your property so that you can budget for them and ensure repair works fit in around your business and cause the least disturbance possible. Whilst not everyone is as passionate about buildings as I am, there’s certainly something rewarding in enabling owners and occupiers to proactively maintain, manage and improve their properties for years to come.

Fourth Wall Building Consultancy is a Chartered Building Surveyors working with clients across the UK on commercial, industrial, residential and heritage properties.

The team can be found online at fourthwallbc.com or via 0114 400 0254.

HEALTH & SAFETY

BY WAYNE FLETCHER, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN FLETCHER

Wayne shares an insight into the often overlooked Safety Adviser role

FOCUS ON... THE SAFETY ADVISER ROLE

As a construction consultancy business, we provide a number of services including Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Contract Administration which are all related specifically to the construction industry. We also provide construction related Health and Safety services which includes the Principal Designer role.

However, there is one role that we offer which is not solely linked to the construction industry and which we provide to businesses in a variety of sectors, and that is the Safety Adviser role.

Unfortunately, this is a role that is sometimes overlooked by businesses who just simply don’t realise they need it.

If you own a business, as an employer you have a responsibility under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 for health and safety in your workplace. The regulations state that;

‘Every employer shall appoint one or more competent persons to assist him in undertaking the measures he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions’.

An appointed person can be an employee of your business, however, if you do not have the resources or expertise in house, it may be necessary to appoint an external health and safety adviser to help you

If you own a business, as an employer you have a responsibility for health and safety in your workplace.

meet and comply with your health and safety duties.

This is where we can help. At Austin Fletcher we have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to help you manage health and safety and assist you in undertaking your duties effectively. We offer this service on an annual basis which we find is the most beneficial for our clients.

If you would like to talk to us about the Safety Adviser role in more detail or have a need for any of the other services that we offer, please get in touch: you can find our contact details below.

Call: 01142 138 305 Email: WayneFletcher@ AustinFletcher.co.uk Online: AustinFletcher.co.uk

LAWYER JAY IS NOW A TOP TEN HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST

Award-winning Sheffield employment lawyer Jay Bhayani has been named a UK Top 10 HR adviser.

Solicitor Jay, MD of Bhayani Law and recently-launched sister company Bhayani Recruitment, won the accolade from The Enterprise Nation, a campaigning voice and online community of 75,000 small businesses and advisers.

Its annual Top 50 Advisers Awards, hosted by founder Emma Jones CBE, saw 50 finalists vie for the best small business adviser title in ten categories. Judges said: “Jay enables her clients to find and keep the best staff for their business success, while also providing free HR training – educating on the employee lifecycle to ensure business owners take responsibility for compliance and contracts and policies.” Jay has established an impressive reputation as one of the leading employment lawyers in the Yorkshire region and has won various accolades, including Yorkshire Lawyer’s Employment Lawyer of the Year and ABDN Professional of the Year. Bhayani Law recently won the British Chamber of Commerce’s UK Business Hero 2020 title for tirelessly working to give businesses essential advice through the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm organised free webinars, workshops and newsletters to keep companies across the nation abreast of employment law implications for the furlough scheme and redundancies. The firm acted ‘because it was the right thing to do’ and was nominated by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. “I am very proud to win the Enterprise Nation HR award, particularly as over 500 advisers entered and the final votes were cast by the public – people we work for. “It brings national recognition for my team,” said Jay, whose company is headquartered in Sheffield’s Shoreham Street and now has satellite offices in Leeds, Leicester and London. “Since launching in 2005, Enterprise Nation has helped thousands of people start and grow businesses. I have found its support really valuable since becoming a member and have enjoyed staging seminars for its community.” Jay has over 25 years of sector experience and is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Sheffield Hallam University and a member of its management school advisory board. Bhayani Recruitment was launched during the pandemic after recognising the need for a holistic approach to recruiting and retaining staff within one trusted brand. It works hand-in-hand with the existing employment law firm to cover the whole employee lifecycle, from recruitment to termination, and is donating 10 per cent of yearly profits to its charity clients.

bhayanilaw.co.uk

SHEFFIELD CHAMBER:

THE PAST, PRESENT AND INTO THE FUTURE

Not many people will remember the Sheffield Chamber president of 1965/66. The position was held by Ruben Viner of Sheffield based silversmiths, Viners Ltd. And in that very same year, his granddaughter was born.

Why mention a President from over half a century ago?

Because this year we welcome that granddaughter, Tracy Viner, into the Sheffield Chamber team as our new Executive Manager.

For many involved in Sheffield Chamber, Tracy may be a familiar name. She has had links with the Chamber since joining our Council in 2004 and has held positions on various committees over the years. Most recently serving as Vice Chair of the Nominations Committee - overseeing the latest intake of Non-Executive Directors and Council members. And more recently, working as a consultant to the Chamber delivering the South Yorkshire-wide Brexit Support Project and various internal improvements.

She will now be working with the wider Chamber team, including interim Executive Directors, Louisa and Alexis, to drive the Chamber forward during what will be a critical year for the organisation and the city.

Like many of us, Tracy will be inspired by the past but also focused on the future.

Why? Because Sheffield needs a Chamber of the future. This year we will be focusing even more thought and energy on redesigning the services and support that our businesses need in this increasingly fast-changing environment we live in. This will involve working on internal processes to become more efficient, as well as supporting the Chamber team to design an exciting range of training and events for members. Tracy will be at the centre of working collaboratively with key organisations across South Yorkshire to build a truly agile skills system and to Level Up Futures in Sheffield; a new programme to help local businesses inspire the next generation in our city’s schools.

Tracy calls Sheffield home and has passion for this city and its potential. She is quick to say if we work together; businesses, the Council, the Universities, all the key stakeholders… the sky is the limit.

As Ruben looks down on the city he once called home he might recognise little after half a century of change, but he would recognise the constant presence of Sheffield Chamber. He will also be proud of the fact his granddaughter is now part of a team that is taking the Chamber forward to ensure it celebrates and promotes businesses of the past, present and future.

FORMER CHAMBER PRESIDENT AND TRACY'S GRANDFATHER, RUBEN VINER

IS SIMON BILT TO BE MAYOR?

The South Yorkshire mayoral election is set to dominate the spring’s political agenda in our region. unLTD’s Richard Fidler spoke with print entrepreneur Simon Biltcliffe, who is one of the candidates.

It was a good day to be chatting to entrepreneur Simon Biltcliffe about politics.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on his feet at the dispatch box in the House of Commons apologising to the country for his role in the illfated gathering in the Downing Street garden during the first lockdown in May 2020.

It’s fair to say that Boris is the very antithesis of how Simon wishes to be seen as he takes his first steps into the political arena as the Yorkshire Party candidate in the South Yorkshire mayoral elections, which take place on May 5.

While Boris is blustering, bewildering and, it could be said, politically beyond help, Simon is sincere in his hopes to make our part of Yorkshire a better place.

“The main aim for me standing in the South Yorkshire elections is to raise the wider issue of Yorkshire devolution,” he tells unLTD over a full English breakfast at Birdhouse in Sidney Street.

“Yorkshire is such a diverse, brilliant place and we are being left behind by decisions made by government in London. Our population and economy is bigger than Scotland and Wales yet they are able – in different ways – to have far more control over decisions that directly impact their people than we do.

“This election is just the start of my journey in politics. For a long time I was a member of the Labour party but I find them less and less reflecting my views so I was pleased to become the Yorkshire Party candidate.”

Spend any time in Simon’s company and you can understand why he has been such a successful businessman.

His printing firm Webmart turns over £20m from its bases in Oxfordshire and Barnsley and he has spoken widely about his ‘Marxist-capitalist’ approach to business – not least in the very first issue of unLTD.

You may expect someone who is entering the political arena to speak in soundbites, particularly if they have a background in business leadership but this is not the case.

A Barnsley accent always provides an air of straighttalking however Simon is considered in his answers, a skill he puts down to his love of history.

“I never understand when people say they aren’t interested in history,” he said. “At your fingertips you have literally thousands of years of case studies, which not only tell you what happened but also what happened next.

“For a leader this is an invaluable resource. You can read about the mistakes people make, the fall-out from those mistakes and what was the outcome over time. History gives you a sense of perspective which is important in business as well as politics.”

The reality of local politics means it is unlikely that Simon will be named as the new mayor of South Yorkshire when the votes are counted. The battle to determine the Labour candidate, in all probability, will decide that.

However, having such a respected figure as Simon campaigning across our area should make people sit up and think.

He said: “The Yorkshire Party has a clear focus and vision. Labour and the Conservatives may have representation here but their decisions are made with the whole country in mind, and at best the whole of the north.

“I think we deserve better than that. Schemes such as HS2 were designed to make London more accessible to northerners, not the other way around. Who ever heard of someone in London saying they wanted to be in Leeds 20 minutes quicker?

“By being able to make our own decisions in areas such as transport we can fix things like the ridiculously poor connectivity we have across the Pennines. Those roads are just cart tracks and aren’t fit for what we need.

“That’s just one example where we can make improvements that directly impact the quality of life of the people in Yorkshire. With devolution we can do even more.”

There’s still a debate to be had about how successful the South Yorkshire mayor’s role is, with Simon now committed to the election it’ll be interesting to see how the people of our area respond to broadening it county wide.

The main aim for me standing in the South Yorkshire elections is to raise the wider issue of Yorkshire devolution.

HOW TO GET YOUR START-UP INVESTMENT-READY

Kerry Russell, legal director at Shakespeare Martineau, on how start-ups can make sure they are ready for investment.

With the pandemic creating a wave of entrepreneurialism, many new businesses may be seeking cash injections.

Product innovation, market size and strong financial forecasts will peak an investor’s interest in your business. When ploughing money into a company, investors want to know their outlay is a safe bet.

There are multiple steps start-ups can take to ensure they have the best chance of securing the cash needed.

CORPORATE STRUCTURE It’s unlikely an investor will give money to an individual, so it’s important to have a corporate structure in place. Having a good idea is a great place to start, but most growing business are operated through a corporate vehicle that enables you to contract with other people – as well as eliminate personal liability for damages. Limited companies or limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are often used.

CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS

Investors will need to see you’ve got proper contractual arrangements established, so that everything you think applies to that relationship is agreed in writing. Supplier and customer arrangements should be governed by some sort of contract that covers limitation of liability, termination, price and deliverables, for example.

Confidential information – which is protected when someone owes an obligation of confidence to someone else – is also something that needs to be thought about. While an obligation may sometimes be owed under common law, it is better if it arises formally under a contractual arrangement with a non-disclosure agreement in place.

OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Intellectual property (IP) – which might be, for example, copyright that exists in source code for software, patents that protect inventions or trademarks to safeguard brands – is a really important factor that people miss all the time. IP is usually the most valuable asset of a start-up business, so it’s crucial to get advice on what rights may be registered to get the best protection, particularly as investors will want to see this. Investors will also want to make sure that any IP is owned by the corporate vehicle into which they are investing, and that third parties do not have conflicting rights.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

While not all start-ups employ people, if you do, make sure there are contracts in place so employees know the scope of their roles, their obligations to the company and that anything they create belongs to the business.

REGULATORY Even if you’re only holding customer or employee details, almost all companies will need to comply with data protection law. Depending on the sector there will be other regulations to be aware of.

The financial penalties for noncompliance can be significant. An investor may back out of the deal if you aren’t complying with the necessary regulations as the risk of severe fines is too large.

CONSEQUENCES While an investor is unlikely to pull their cash straight away if none of the above actions are in place, it may negatively affect the investment as the risk profile will have changed.

Carrying out your due diligence checks upfront is key to ensuring you secure the investment you need for future growth.

YOGA MY LIFE

Founded by Farah-Naz Khan, a renowned Holistic Yoga Therapist, Trainer and Social Entrepreneur, Yoga My Life is an innovative natural vegan skincare, wellness and training company based in Sheffield.

Tell us about your business – sell yourselves!

Our mission focused on empowering individuals to take ownership of their health and wellbeing by viewing daily rituals as opportunities to “check in with themselves.”

We advocate that by putting self-care at the heart of your daily rituals it is possible to achieve better balance and function, not only in our bodies and minds, but by improving personal effectiveness and productivity in both your work and personal life.

We have extensive knowledge and expertise in the field of training, yoga, wellbeing and massage.

We offer a holistic range of products and training solutions to promote self care, including Afterglow (a natural, vegan and cruelty free skincare range that is enriched with botanicals, natural oils and mood enhancing aromatics that are kind to the skin and the planet), AQUAinted (a range of premium steel eco-friendly reusable water bottles) and our new Training Courses that have been developed to incorporate underlying Ayurvedic principles and yoga inspired practices.

Our natural, vegan and planet friendly products, services and resources reflect our ongoing commitment to contribute to sustainable practices and promote a planet conscious culture.

Farah-Naz Khan, the company founder and a former winner of Best Start Up Social Enterprise for Sheffield in the Yorkshire & Humberside Enterprise Awards has a keen interest in building skills, creating health opportunities and challenging health inequalities. Having studied and lived in Sheffield for over 35 years, Farah has worked in the fields of academic research, community development, social enterprise, business support, training, health and wellbeing. Farah has a creative passion for building sustainable solutions based on knowledge and personal experience to make a positive difference.

YOGA MY LIFE FOUMDER, FARAH-NAZ KHAN

YOGA MY LIFE'S HOLISTIC PRODUCT RANGE

Who are your customers and how are you targeting them?

We are passionate about sharing our knowledge, expertise and learning. We love to see people succeed and flourish in their chosen paths and get a real buzz from the feedback we receive.

Our customer base begins with anyone interested in empowered sustainable living, committing to using natural, vegan skincare and wellness products and extends to individuals, organisations and practitioners in the beauty and wellness sector.

We are looking to expand into retail, salons, spas, yoga studios, gyms and independent natural health stores as the brand evolves.

Yoga My Life has already gained recognition from the IPHM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine) and Yoga Alliance Professionals and Guild of Holistic Therapists for our skills based training programmes, direct provision, products and services.

How can people get in touch with you?

We are keen to work collaboratively and relish the opportunity to grow and develop our range of products and services, as well as support others on their journey through Business Mentoring.

Please visit our website www.yogamylife.co.uk and Instagram profile @yogamylife.now for more information. All email equiries should be directed to team@yogamylife.co.uk

HELP BUILD A HELIPAD AT SHEFFIELD CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL THIS YEAR

In 2021 the new Cancer and Leukaemia Ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital opened to patients and families. The Children’s Hospital Charity is now moving on to the next stage of their appeal to transform the facilities at Sheffield Children’s by fundraising to build a Helipad on the roof of the hospital.

THE PROPOSED HELIPAD AT SHEFFIELD CHILDREN’S

In total, £6million is needed to build the Helipad with over £3million already raised thanks to the support of generous businesses, trusts, groups and individuals.

Sheffield Children’s is the only Major Trauma Centre in South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire that receives children under 16 years of age and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. The hospital also provides emergency services for Bassetlaw and North Derbyshire. Currently air ambulances can only land in Weston Park opposite the hospital. This is only usable in daylight hours, which particularly restricts its use during winter months, and cannot be used during public events. The park is also across from a busy road which means staff must press the button to cross the road in an emergency incident, which adds further delays in a situation where every second is critical. Building a Helipad on the roof would ensure air ambulances can land and be transferred anytime with flood lighting. When the weather sets in, the new helipad would also have electric trace heating incorporated into the deck to ensure that ice and snow do not disrupt the continued use of the facility during periods of inclement weather. Could you and your colleagues help make this a reality for Sheffield Children’s Hospital in 2022? There are lots of ways to get involved and support The Children’s Hospital Charity this year. From running the Sheffield Half Marathon to jumping out of planes and trekking to Machu Picchu.

Visit www.tchc.org.uk to find out more and how you can help or contact support@tchc.org.uk to request an events calendar in the post to put up in your office!

PROFILE

SPONSORED BY FIRST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION RAISES £6,500 FOR ST LUKE’S HOSPICE

A very special birthday celebration for First Buses also meant a special gift for St Luke’s Hospice.

The company marked the 60th anniversary of running buses from its Olive Grove depot in Sheffield with an open day that included 50 heritage vehicles for transport lovers to explore, children’s fair rides, food stalls, a bus driving experience, a bus wash experience, an engineering walking tour of the garage, visits by the Sea Cadets and Fire Service, a tombola and bucket collection. There was no entry fee to the event, but all proceeds generated on the day - along with other fundraising initiatives through the year - amounted to a remarkable £6,500 which has been donated to St Luke’s Hospice. Anna Gott, St Luke’s fundraising account manager, said: “We were delighted that in their Diamond anniversary year, First Buses supported St Luke’s.

“A donation of this scale really will make an enormous difference to the lives of our patients and their families in this our 50th anniversary year.” Nigel Eggleton, managing director at First South Yorkshire said: “Our open day in Sheffield was a great success and through people’s generosity we have raised a grand total of £6,500 for St Luke’s Hospice.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved and as a business we will continue to work closely with the charity throughout 2022.”

NIGEL EGGLETON PRESENTS ANNA GOTT WITH FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE'S DONATION

GET INVOLVED WITH THE MASTER CUTLER'S CHALLENGE

The Master Cutler's Challenge is one of the largest annual fundraising events in the region. It has inspired organisations, schools, and individuals to raise over half a million pounds for local causes.

This year Master Cutler, James Tear of The Solpro Group, has chosen to support Cavendish Cancer Care to raise awareness.

Cavendish Cancer Care are there for anyone affected by cancer. They provide free one to one therapies, online groups, and courses, offering an individually tailored package that is right for each client.

Cavendish Cancer Care rely MASTER CUTLER, JAMES TEAR WITH HIS WIFE JO

on the generosity of individuals and businesses to help continue what they do. They receive just 4 per cent of their income from statutory funding (which would keep them open for about two weeks), and yet they know that there is an incredible demand for these services.

How the challenge works

Once signed up to the challenge, you will be invited to the launch event in Spring 2022. You will receive a £50 seed fund to kickstart your idea.

Your challenge is to raise as much money as you can from this before the closing ceremony in autumn.

Sign up: www.cavcare.org.uk/ forms/master-cutler-sign-upform

For more information, please contact k.white@ cavcare.org.uk or go to www.cavcare.org.uk/mastercutler-challenge-2022

CHARITY

SPONSORED BY LET'S SAVE

Wendy Ward of Let's Save shares her advice for spreading love throughout business

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

Love is in the air this month, whether you are loving being single or enjoying time with the love of your life. I have three bits of advice for all you not for profit CEOs, Directors, Volunteers and Trustees this month.

1 Love yourself this year. You are here after two horrendous years, well done! Pat yourself on the back for still serving your community, doing what you do best, stepping up to help your community and for keeping on keeping on!

2 Love your beneficiaries. Speak to those who you exist for – what do they need from you? How can their lives be better in a way that you can help with? Whatever you do, have your beneficiaries at the forefront and you won’t go wrong. Don’t chase funding for the money – apply because you align with a funder and the money will help you deliver.

3 Love those who support you. Take the time to speak with your volunteers, Directors and Trustees, thank them for what they do and take on board their thoughts on improving your delivery, they know best.

Keep love in the air this year, keep being grateful for what we have and keep doing what you do, it is appreciated, you are loved. Happy Valentine’s Day!

BELMAYNE FORGES LINKS WITH FOUR NEW CHARITIES

Dronfield-based financial planners, Belmayne, will be raising much needed funds for four small charities throughout 2022, continuing their commitment to the local community.

Since its launch in 2019, the Belmayne Foundation has donated more than £20,000 to organisations that focus on health and wellbeing and provide relief to those in need.

All funds raised this year will be split equally between Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team, Disability Awareness with Sport, Sheffield Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and Sight Support Derbyshire.

The Belmayne team are organising a programme of fundraising events throughout the next 12 months, the largest of which will be a ball, held on May 14 at the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria in Sheffield. BELMAYNE PARTNER, BEN SMALLEY

The evening is fully funded by the firm, so all money raised from ticket sales and activities on the night benefits its annual charities. Belmayne partner, Ben Smalley, said: “We are really pleased to be joining forces with four new organisations this year and excited to begin our fundraising mission once again. After a long, pandemic-related delay, we are looking forward to finally holding another charity ball. We aim to make this year’s event a record-breaker and a memorable evening for everyone.”

All are welcome to attend. Tickets are £50 per head and include a three-course meal and bottle of wine per couple.

They can be purchased at: www.jumblebee.co.uk/ thebelmaynefoundation charityball14thmay2022

Please contact the firm direct to reserve a table of ten.

For more information about the charities supported by the Belmayne Foundation, visit: www.belmayne-ifa.com/ charity or follow the firm on Twitter, @belmayneifa

Give Wendy at Let's Save Consultancy Services a call on 0772 9481010 or email wendy@letssave.biz

IT’S NOT ALL WORK WORK WORK...