Sheffield's Hidden Gems

By Excel City Apartments (brand of ExcelProperty Partners Ltd)

This podcast highlights and profiles conversations with owners and managers of a unique selection of small businesses, charities and other organisations. These are 'Sheffield's Hidden Gems'. Sheffield... more

· Business

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FAQs about Sheffield's Hidden Gems:

How many episodes does Sheffield's Hidden Gems have?

The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.

Sheffield's Hidden Gems episodes:

July 20, 2022 Episode 31 -Mark Smith , CEO of Make your Mark UK
Our guest in this episode (the 31st) of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast is Mark Smith, the Founder and CEO of Make Your Mark UK.

In the interview Mark talks with us about what led him to launch his own business in 2017 and the reasons why training was the initial focus of the business Make Your Mark UK.

Providing training and executive coaching services to client organisations in the charity sector as well as private businesses, Mark talks about his remarkable journey pre-pandemic where the focus was on delivering training in face-to-face settings at selected venues to the current situation of both face-to-face and virtual training delivery. Not only did Make your Mark UK need to find new ways of working but the business seized the opportunity to work with new clients beyond its previous geographic boundaries.

As a podcast host, the interview with Mark Smith may also have been the first occasion when I've interviewed another podcast host for the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast.

So, now you're thinking how did the founder arrive at the name for his business, what topics are covered in training delivered by Make your Mark and what are their plans for future growth? Listen to Episode 31 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, Mark Smith will give you the answers to these questions and so much more.

PS. Don't miss out! Remember to subscribe for FREE to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.

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36min
June 09, 2022 Episode 30 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, Finbarr Lucas, Founder and Owner of 'Finbarr Lucas' (furniture manufacturer)
In this our 30th episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Finbarr Lucas, Founder and Owner of 'Finbarr Lucas' (the furniture manufacturing brand that bears his name.

A maker of “Extraordinary Furniture Made for Life”, Finbarr and his team design and create beautiful furniture for people who love good design.

In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, Finbarr talks with us about the early days of his business, shares insights into some of the complex pieces manufactured by his business over the years as well as one of the most time-sensitive pieces he was commissioned to deliver during the covid-19 pandemic.

Finbarr Lucas is known for creating bespoke furniture, however, the business has also developed a collection of handcrafted pieces for the home.

As an independent designer and craftsman, Finbarr Lucas has been in the furniture business for more than 21 years. Finbarr believes that even the smallest business can make a difference with a responsible outlook to its practices.

Guided by functional design and ethical principles of sustainability, when you listen to this conversation with Finbarr you will learn more about plans for the business over the next few months and beyond.

PS. Don't miss out! Remember to subscribe for FREE to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.
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31min
May 25, 2022 Episode 29 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, Maxwell Ayamba, Founder and MD of Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM)
In episode 29 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Maxwell Ayamba, Founder and Managing Director of the Sheffield-based charity, Sheffield Environmental Movement (SEM).

SEM, as the organisation is familiarly known, was founded six years ago. With members from multiple generations, the organisation has been successful in brokering access to outdoor spaces, rambling and foraging during outdoor activities by minority ethnic groups and other minoritized communities in Sheffield.

An award-winning MD, Maxwell has been recognised for his work to increase access to and enjoyment of outdoor activities such as walking, rambling, fishing and foraging.
Listen to episode 29 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as Maxwell Ayamba talks about:

*Recognition received and awards won by him and the charity.
*Role of SEM in 'green prescribing' by the NHS and how this service supports some of SEM's service users

*How SEM raised awareness of and had a positive impact in widening access to the Peak District National Park by minoritized communities.
Towards the close of our conversation, Maxwell shares insights into some of the plans for SEM in widening access to natural environments and outdoor spaces in communities across Sheffield.

PS. Don't miss out! Remember to subscribe for FREE to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.
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41min
May 11, 2022 Episode 28 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, Nathan Oliver, Founder and MD of Ikonografik Design
In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Nathan Oliver, a Chartered Architectural Technologist, who is Founder and Managing Director of Ikonografik Design, a Sheffield-based business.

Nathan has over 20 years professional experience from working on commissions ranging from large complex projects to small domestic jobs. In addition to graduating in Architectural Technology in 1997, Nathan is professionally qualified as a Chartered Environmentalist.
Ikonografik Design (https://www.ikonografik.co.uk) was founded in 2005, and over the years the company has designed and managed projects across various sectors. These include healthcare, education, domestic, funeral, medical research, leisure, retail, offices, industrial, agricultural, student accommodation, churches and heritage properties.

Listen to episode 28 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as Nathan Oliver talks about projects he has worked on, what he considers to be his greatest achievement so far and adjustments he and his business have had to make since 2020 at the start of covid-19 pandemic.

Exciting times are ahead for Ikonografik Design, and in our conversation, Nathan allows us a glimpse into some of the projects in the pipeline as well as plans for the business this year and beyond.

PS. Don't miss out! Remember to subscribe for FREE to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.
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36min
April 13, 2022 Episode 27 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast with Helen Denning and Maddie Farnhill, Co-founders of Black Bright Theatre
In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guests are Helen Denning and Madeleine Farnhill (familiarly called Maddie), Co-founders of Black Bright Theatre (www.blackbrighttheatre.co.uk).

As a new female-led theatre company in Sheffield, Black Bright Theatre seeks to create “...female led, story driven theatre with complex female characters at the forefront...”. The founders are focused on shining the spotlight on underrepresented regions in theatre alongside dark subject matters in their productions.

In the interview, Helen (Company Manager and Producer) and Maddie (Artistic Director and Writer) talk about their respective experiences as professionals in the arts as well as current roles at Black Bright Theatre.

Listen to this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast and learn from Helen Denning and Maddie Farnhill about:
*Vision and driver which led to start Black Bright Theater in the midst of a global health pandemic
*Memorable moments of their journey so far
*Ethos of the founders of the theatre company
*“The Hunger”, their exciting first production that will be on tour in the north of England.

The co-founders also share plans for the future as well as lessons learnt since the launch of their theatre company.
You can listen to the podcast on Spotify (https://spoti.fi/2YVhIti) or Apple (https://apple.co/3wX2ovY)
PS. Don't miss out! Remember to subscribe for FREE to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.
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35min
March 29, 2022 Episode 26: Sally Wilson, Production Manager, Together in the City, Sheffield Theatres
In this episode (our 26th) of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Sally Wilson, Production Manager, Together in the City, Sheffield Theatres.
Sally talks about the amazing project called 'Together in the City' that involved work away from the theatres in Sheffield City Centre and instead worked with communities across Sheffield, especially in the northern areas of the city.

The initiative which started during the covid-19 pandemic saw Sheffield Theatres working on this unique project with more 19 individual creative projects across 26 project groups in and around Sheffield.

As the projects evolved, different art forms were developed by participants in the various communities.

This incredible community-focused project concludes with celebrations on the main stage of the Crucible Theater on Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 April 2022. Details of times for shows online at: https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/together-in-the-city

Through exhibitions, installations and workshops in the Crucible foyer, as well as performances on the main stage.

Listen to this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as Sally Wilson shares memorable moments of the incredible journey of 'Together in the City' from idea to community engagement through to the 2-day celebratory event in early April 2022 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield City Centre.

PS. Don't miss out! Remember to subscribe for FREE to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.
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43min
March 15, 2022 Episode 25 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast -interview with Lucky Vatnani, Manager of Ding Junhui Snooker Academy
In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Lucky Vatnanai, Manager of the Ding Junhui Snooker Academy in Sheffield.

The snooker academy was founded in June 2020 by Ding Junhui, a top-ranked professional world ranking snooker player, who was in the 2016 finals of the World Snooker Championship.

Located on Haymarket Street in the heart of Sheffield City Centre, the academy with its 18 snooker tables offers a unique practice facility to several professional snooker players. In addition, there is a spacious meeting area for coaching training and conferences.

As Manager of the snooker academy, Lucky is responsible for all day to day operations at the facility as well as managing logistics for the holding of events at the academy.

In the podcast, Lucky talks about actions taken to ensure the safety of snooker players for all events held at the facility.

As covid-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted, he also shares insights about his plans for greater engagement of people in Sheffield with snooker at the academy.

In his role as Manager, Lucky, who has played snooker at a professional level draws on that experience to ensure the facility and players at the academy meet expectations of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.

What does a snooker academy have to do with teams in large organisations? Listen to the podcast to find out!

PS. Subscribe for free to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.
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31min
March 02, 2022 Episode 24 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast -interview with Darren Forde, Founder and CEO of Samedai
In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Darren Forde, CEO & Founder of Samdai(pronounced 'same day').
Founded in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 global health pandemic, the business offers a same-day delivery service for fashion and beauty purchases in Sheffield. Samdai deliveries are quicker than those place online with local stores using national courier services.

Initially, the business focused on offering a solution to the pain experienced by local business owners whose customers were no longer going into stores. At the same time, businesses could not reach their customers.

Partnering with Samdai helped businesses to stave off closure and customers to have quicker deliveries of purchases made with local stores.

Listen to this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast (https://spoti.fi/2YVhIti) and hear Darren Forde, Samdai's Founder and CEO, and also a former professional rugby player, talk about his business. He covers:

*Backstory to the idea of 'Samedai'.

*Early days of moving from 'idea' to 'actual business'.

*How he pivoted the business from being a simple same day delivery service to upgrading to a vibrant online hub for local people and businesses.

*Benefits to local businesses and people across Sheffield City region from membership of Samedai's VIP club.

Self-described as offering “Sheffield's Best Discount Membership”, its VIP club offers discounts to members at top entertainment, stores and hospitality businesses in Sheffield for a modest annual fee.
You can subscribe for free to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast (sponsored by Excel City Apartments), so you will know about future episodes are released.

Enjoy listening to this interview with Darren Forde, CEO & Founder of Samdai, (http://www.samedai.co.uk) an independent business in Sheffield.
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30min
February 17, 2022 Episode 23 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast -interview with Mark Powell, MD of yes2ventures (includes socialatsnighill)
In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Mark Powell, Managing Director of yes2ventures (https://www.yes2ventures.org.uk), a social enterprise in Sheffield.

Yes2Ventures was setup in 2002 to supporting initiatives that offer training and employment to people who are severely disadvantaged in the labour market. Since then, four such enterprises form part of the Yes2Ventures umbrella.

The organisation was brought to the attention of the podcast host because one of its enterprises, 'Snigghillsocial', was discovered by Excel City Apartments through its social media engagement on Instagram.

Other ventures of Yes2ventures include:
*Yes2Work (New Deal for Disabled People job broker)

*Viewpoint Research (telephone-based service)

*Buster’s Coffee Company (cafés in Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds)

Listen to this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast and learn about the extraordinary support Mark Powell and his team provide for jobseekers who are severely disadvantaged because of learning difficulties. The organisation liaises with local employers to identify opportunities suitable for job seekers who are part of the various enterprises of Yes2ventures.

The socialatsnigghill (https://www.instagram.com/thesocialsnighill) is one of the more recent initiatives from Yes2ventures, and was started in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteer members are supervised by a trained chef and meals sold include Sunday lunches with “Everything But the Meat”.
Remember also to subscribe to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, so you will know when future episodes are released.

Enjoy listening to this interview with Mark Powell, Managing Director of Yes2ventures, a social enterprise in Sheffield.
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45min
February 03, 2022 Episode 22 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast -interview with Matt Hulley, Owner and Director of Just Preserves
This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available.

In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest is Matt Hulley, Owner and Director of Just Preserves (https://www.justpreserves.co.uk).

Based in Sheffield, Just Preserves "combines traditional methods of large pans and handmaking with quality ingredients to produce jams, marmalades, chutneys and pickles from their HQ on Chippinghouse Road, part of the Antiques Quarter of Sheffield".

Listen to this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast and learn how Matt learnt how to make marmalades, chutneys and pickles, having not had any experience of doing this before buying an exisiting business for the founders.

With a range of over 24 products, Matt continues to use traditional manual processes for the production and is planning to add new products to the range.

Products are stocked in a selection of independent shops in Sheffield as well as used by others in the food trade, such as cafes.
Remember also to subscribe to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, so you will know when future episodes are released.

Enjoy listening to this interview with Matt Hulley, Owner and Director of Just Preserves!
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28min

FAQs about Sheffield's Hidden Gems:

How many episodes does Sheffield's Hidden Gems have?

The podcast currently has 51 episodes available.