MAY 2024 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 39 ISSUE 5 The impact of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity Achieving financial stability Transforming your businessKIRKBY LINDSEY ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING LTD HULL T: 01482 223937 • E: info@kirkby-lindsey.co.uk ECLIPSE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING LTD YORK T: 01904 692783 • E: admin@eclipse-electrical.co.uk Experts in the repair, rewind and supply of electric motors, geared motors, pumps & fans. Hazardous Area Motor (ATEX) Repair specialists with fully certified IEC Ex service facility. Visit www.kirkbyeclipse.com for more information. Flexible Warehousing & Storage Solutions Supporting the Humber ports for all your product handling requirements •Over 230,000 SQFT of secure, managed warehouse capacity. •Secure site with 24/7 manned gatehouse and full site CCTV system. •Industry leading fire detection system with external monitoring in every warehouse. •Bespoke, cloud based warehouse management system, tailored to your product. •Product handling is what we do. Can we do it for you? CONTACT US gwsl.co.uk 01469 550600 hello@gwsl.co.ukFrom the Editor Businesses in the region continue to operate with no small amount of confusion as to what the future will bring. It’s not just uncertainty in business – that much, most business leaders are used to nowadays – but governmental uncertainty that plagues the country as a whole. While the Conservative party chases votes at the expense of reeling back on most of its own promises, the Labour party rides high polls and doesn’t feel pressured to give out a concise and meaningful list of policies for what they would do in power. Meanwhile, Reform, the newcomer on the block, appears to be relying mostly on disenfranchised Conservative voters who refuse to back Labour. Three parties, no policies, and a General Election that “could” begin as early as July. No date has of yet been set but Rishi Sunak has continuously failed to rule out July, and with his Rwanda flights having finally passed in law, many suspect he may try and call a quick election before the results of said Rwanda policy can be seen. For businesses in our region, a new government may not be the silver bullet to the economy’s woes, but it would at least mean an end to petty posturing and pointless arguments and, with any luck, some clear and concise policy with which to work with. And we’ll look forward to not having to comment on politics any further. Good reading, as always Michael Fisher Editor Smarter, cleaner, greener. We keep world trade moving Clarksons is at the heart of global shipping Integrated service offering, powered by intelligence Tel: +44 1469 574649 enquiries.customs@clarksons.com www.clarksons.com See us at Multimodal Stand F4 11-13 June MAY 2024 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Commercial property With significant schemes under construction and being planned across the region, Business Link shares some recent milestones for major Yorkshire developments. 14 Corporate finance Whether an ambitious start-up seeks to turn ideas into tangible products, or well-established enterprises chart pathways ahead for sustained growth and expansion, financial stability is as critical as it is challenging. 18 Relocation and inward investment Relocating a business will be a transformative act for your business, and as such should be entered into with consideration. While it isn’t a cure-all, through careful navigation and proactive measures, businesses can leverage any movement, or redistribution of operations, to their best advantage. 22 Online training As the nature of business operations diversifies, the need for development has never been more apparent across industries. Staying ahead of the curve is paramount for both individual professionals and the wider business. 26 Energy and environmental management One step forward, two steps back – culture wars are making understanding a business’s environmental responsibilities close to impossible. 30 Security Divisive as ever, as AI technologies advance at a rapid pace, so too does their potential for use in cybercrime. Yet, AI also stands as a powerful tool to recognise and intercept the very cybercrimes it can create. 34 Corporate hospitality Sustainability is only becoming more important to businesses, and with a few tweaks corporate events can meet their greener expectations. 38 AutoLink As we approach the midway point of the year, we look at what may be coming in the near future. 42 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 46 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net CONNECT WITH US 14 18 26Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Michael Fisher (m.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Journalist Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial contact newsdesk@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317 Sales Director Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Vicky Hunt (v.hunt@blmgroup.co.uk) Kerry Randerson (k.randerson@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Tel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314 Haychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE. reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise without express permission of the copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its participating agents accept liability for loss or damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to this publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of COVER PHOTOS: STOCK.ADOBE.COM - LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS • PCESS 609 • DEAGREEZ • THANIT • MYSTERYLAB 3015 acre Doncaster industrial site sold Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has agreed the sale of a circa 15 acre site in Balby, Doncaster to Total Developments Limited for the creation of a new industrial development. Unconditional contracts have been exchanged on the site at Woodfield Road in Balby, which is currently allocated for employment use. Subject to planning, the site could accommodate an industrial development with a potential GDV of circa £30m including 233,500 sq ft of accommodation over 5 units. A scheme of this scale would deliver around 95 construction related jobs. Total Developments are currently on site with works commencing on their Total Park development which sits on adjacent land. Total Park will deliver 5 new units totalling 376,419 sq ft with units ranging from 43,525-128,945 sq ft. The new land acquired from Keyland Developments will form the second phase of development. 6 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Workers hit the BullsEye with employee buyout of car parts firm BullsEye Superfactors Limited, the family-owned car parts and accessories retailer and motor factor, has sold the business to an employee-owned trust. The eight-figure deal, financed by NatWest, is a significant milestone for the South Yorkshire-headquartered firm and its dedicated workforce of around 160 locals, ensuring the company’s ongoing success and fostering a culture of shared ownership and responsibility for the future. Established in 1981, BullsEye Superfactors Limited has grown from a single shop in Thorne to become a prominent player in the automotive aftermarket industry. With 18 high street branches across Yorkshire, four large motor factor sites serving the local garage trade, and a significant online presence, the company boasts an extensive inventory of over 150,000 car parts and accessories, catering to the diverse and evolving needs of customers. Adrian Wesbroom, Managing Director at BullsEye, said: “As a family-owned business, we are proud of the legacy that we have built over the years and we’re excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we transition to employee ownership.” Commercial property team welcomes new Partner Sills & Betteridge LLP, a regional law firm offering a wide range of corporate and commercial services, have appointed Partner Wendy Martin to its team. Primarily based at the firm’s Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough and Hallgate, Doncaster offices, Wendy will handle the commercial property matters for a growing number of clients in the North Lincolnshire - South Yorkshire area. Wendy has practiced exclusively in commercial property since qualifying as a solicitor in 1997. She has extensive experience in acting for a wide range of clients including small independent business owners, SMEs, larger national companies, investors and pension schemes, advising on new leases, assignments, licences, and freehold and leasehold sales and purchases for occupiers and investors. Wendy said: “It is great to join Sills & Betteridge at such an exciting time of growth and I look forward to working with the existing team to further grow the firm’s commercial property offering in the area.” Wendy Martin An indicative CGI of the adjacent Total Park scheme which is currently on site www.blmforum.net Business Link 7 NEWS Housebuilder signs deal at South Central Leeds Housebuilder, Keepmoat has agreed a deal to let 6,682 sq ft of office space at South Central in Leeds following a comprehensive refurbishment at the green site. CBRE’s Office Agency team, alongside joint agents Knight Frank, secured the letting at the reimagined workspace close to the White Rose Shopping Centre and imminent new White Rose train station. Keepmoat was represented by Avison Young. South Central on Global Avenue has undergone a full renovation programme with the landlord, Merkino Limited focusing on improving amenities and sustainability as part of its investment at the site. With more than 75,300 sq ft of office accommodation, occupiers are now benefiting from a new gym, shower facilities, business lounge and outdoor meeting space. Keepmoat has agreed a 10 year deal on a suite within the building. This latest letting is the third deal to complete following the restoration works, with existing tenants Aon and Inseego already in occupation. TOWER FIELD SERVICES Cat Tech Tower Field Services offers bespoke mechanical services to oil refinery and petrochemical plants all around the world. Our team has vast experience in overseeing and undertaking the installation of all types of Tower internals. Our Tower tray, packing and other internals installation services has deep roots, with several of the senior team at Cat Tech being involved in the founding of the Cana-Tex organisation. Since 1971, Cana-Tex had been the premier global Tower speciality contractor; performing Tower maintenance and plant turnaround projects around the world. These origins, with the addition of new team members, make Cat Tech Tower Field services a global operation which is both cost effective and technically experienced. We strive to create new ways to make your Tower work safer, faster and more productive and that can make very good things happen for your business. We thrive on exceeding our clients expectations and understand the need for upfront communication in relation to timescales and costs. No-one likes surprises in this industry and we ensure that everything is done, from pre-job planning, on site activities to post job reporting in a manner which allows our customers to concentrate on their core business. Let us show you what we can do. We work hard to maintain an industry reputation for safety, speed and dependability. Ours crews have been trained by us, this allows us to staff a project with the proven skills necessary to produce customer satisfaction. It is our intention to demonstrate the benefit of utilising Cat Tech for all of your Tower work. The benefits of engaging Cat Tech are: l Experienced Tower specialists. l Proven track record. l Ability to supply spares and replacements. l Spade to Spade service. l Revamps or modifications to Towers / Internals. l Inspection of Tower internals. l Supervision of external/client labour force. l Detailed inspection reports. l Cleaning of tower internals. l Reactor tray field services. l Turnkey reactor tray field services. At Cat Tech, we continue to create new ways to make Tower work safer, faster and more productive. And that can make very good things happen for your business. Contact us for further information. Our well established sales team have a wealth of experience. We take pride on ensuring all enquires are dealt with quickly and efficiently. China: Cat Tech Services (Shanghai) Ltd., Room 1230 No.1, 58 Nong Huachi Road, Putuo District, Shanghai 20061 CN Phone: +(86) 2152 9175 08 Fax: +(86) 2152 9175 05 Singapore: Cat Tech Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., 17 Fan Yoong Road, Singapore 629794 Phone: +(65) 6264 6261 Fax: +(65) 6264 6401 South America: Please contact the UK office on +44 1724 871 747 Thailand: Cat Tech Services (Thailand) Ltd., 2/1 Soi Banbon Nuenpayom Road, Maptaphut Sub District, Muang Rayong District, Rayong Province 21150 TH Phone: +(66) 894 064 100 Fax: +(66) 638 692 382 MAKING YOUR PLANT WORK… SMARTER www.cat-tech.com PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KAWINNINGSwww.blmforum.net Business Link 9 NEWS Plans lodged for new apartment scheme in Sheffield Plans have been lodged with Sheffield Council for a new Build-to-Rent apartment scheme in the city’s Nursery Street area. Developed by the Parklane Group, the project designed by the team at CODA Architecture features a mix of 102 studios, one-bed, and two-bed apartments. The proposed scheme features amenities such as a fully- equipped gym, co-working and meeting spaces, a garden terrace, private dining room for hosting dinner parties and a fully-equipped podcasting studio. “This is a high quality development in what we believe is an increasingly attractive area of Sheffield,” said CODA director Matt Bowker. “This particular site has been awaiting redevelopment for something like 20 years now and we see this project as very much at the heart of the Wicker Riverside area. “Following the regeneration of Kelham Island and Neepsend, the Wicker Riverside is the logical next step in the redevelopment of this part of the city centre. We feel the success of this application will be a key towards unlocking the next phase of vital regeneration.” Human risk management business secures £3.25m investment Boxphish, a Leeds-headquartered human risk management business, has secured a £3.25 million investment from BGF. Boxphish’s suite of cyber security training courses, customisable phishing simulations, and data analytics equips organisations, and their teams, with the tools and knowledge needed to mitigate the risk of falling victim to cyber attacks. Founded in 2020, by serial entrepreneurs Henry Doyle and Dan Bailey, alongside CEO Nick Deacon-Elliott, Boxphish has a growing customer base and library of training courses that meet the needs of organisations from across a broad range of sectors and sizes, working with the likes of North Yorkshire Council, University of Cambridge, and Leeds United FC. The funding from BGF will allow management to accelerate investment into product, people and partners. Boxphish CEO, Nick Deacon-Elliott, said: “We’ve known BGF for a number of years and are now at a stage where partnering with an experienced, long-term, minority investor with a strong track record of working with other regional tech companies is the right thing to do.” Sheffield company granted strategic nuclear status Sheffield Forgemasters has been awarded a crucial strategic qualification, positioning the company to support development and delivery of the next generation of civil nuclear power plants. The company’s nuclear qualification came after an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section III Division I NCA 3300 (NCA 3800), NCA 4000 and NQA-1 Code survey and audit, recommended it for Material Organisation (MO), and welding (NPT) accreditations. Sheffield Forgemasters’ status as the only company in the UK capable of manufacturing reactor vessel components for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), coupled with its ASME status, make it a crucial capability in delivery of this advanced power-generation technology. Ian Nicholls, group technical director at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We undertook the ASME audit in November and have now received confirmation that the audit recommendation has been approved by the committee. The accreditation is a huge development with heightened requirements and protocols embracing all our processes, employees and selected sub-suppliers.” © stock.adobe.com/VideoFlowNext >