The Compliance Experts Podcast

In this episode Miles talks to Debbie Farman of Tubes Scaffolding Ltd.

Debbie talks about David Farman, Managing Director of Tubes, and his lifelong ethos in encouraging young people to join the scaffolding industry.

Tubes work with young people, often school leavers, and support them right through their apprenticeships until they are fully qualified as scaffolders, and in some cases advanced scaffolders. This committed training and development builds young scaffolders’ understanding of their advancement but also the importance of working in a familiar team which is essential for their health and safety in a working environment.

Apprentices who join Tubes usually take 6 months to 12 months to understand whether the industry is right for them, and 95% them stay and continue their training. It’s a clear testament of the training and development that Tubes provide. Qualifications achieved through their apprenticeship programme include NVQ 2 and 3 – which are the standard levels recognised in the industry.

Miles asks  ‘Are there ever any cases where the public or health and safety board has had to take down scaffolding?’

Listen to Debbie talk about how Tubes get regular Health and Safety audits by NASC – and how they have to pass the assessment to remain members and legal. As members, Tubes follow standards laid out by the NASC – using their constant guidance and adhering to legislation – which ensures every scaffold is fit for purpose. 

Miles asks ‘How do you keep your employees safe?’  and comments further that enforcing regulation over the last few decades has led to huge reductions in injuries or fatalities – Miles talks through the difference in statistics.

Debbie talks about the importance of a good supervisor with scaffolding teams. She comments on how her scaffolding teams are compatible, they know each other very well – a team that are used to working with each other regularly with their supervisor is important to reduce risk for them. She adds – ‘You can’t throw a team together’. We have to make sure that our workforce and others are kept safe whilst scaffolds are in the public domain. Risk assessments and method statements are used but Tubes also have something called the ‘Take-Two’ which catches any risks overlooked or that may have changed during the assessment and the scaffolders arriving to start work. Debbie points out that risks change and develop all the time – so the ‘Take-Two’ is essential when teams arrive to work for their protection and the client’s. 

Tubes have an open-door policy – and Debbie comments on how important it is to Tubes to support staff who may be unwell, physically or mentally, and she actively supports staff when they are unwell or in a difficult position. Tubes also uses a third-party partner to support workers in difficult times.

Debbie finishes talking about how important planning is to Tubes with a clear vision of a five year plan, as well as managing the day to day running of the business. It’s important for Tubes to do this so they can understand what they need to do now, by way of bringing in, and developing new skills, to be able to achieve their expected growth and continued success. Miles adds, it all about managing risk – which is what VARTAN Consultants do!

If you have any thoughts or opinions on this topic Miles would love to hear from you and discuss some of your points in a later episode.

Disclaimer: At the time of recording the information in this podcast was deemed to be correct BUT please note legislation, deadlines and information can change on a daily basis – so please always check with Vartan Consultancy for up-to-the-minute information.

Miles talks to Carl Day (Anchor Freight) about this escalating problem for warehousers and haulage firms and they take a look at innovative plans around the rising demand for storage.

In this episode Miles and guest Laura Thomas (Legal & QHSE Director of Jackson Civil Engineering) talk about going back to the office after such a long time working from home. But, is it that simple?

It’s been tough and it’s about to get tougher! Miles and his expert guests unpack the latest Brexit laws on importing and exporting and deep dive into the nitty gritty of the looming legislation.

In this first episode Miles Vartan gives us an overview of what he and his guests will bring to this honest and straight-talking podcast series.

Episode 12:  Fuel shortages, limited warehousing and diminishing truck stops - how are hauliers staying on the road?

In this episode Miles talks to Tremayne Johnson, Director at Bartrums Haulage and Storage Ltd. 

Miles and Tremayne have known each other for decades and talk about the haulage industry and the various developments of some of the largest and smallest haulage firms in the UK. They reflect on when Felixstowe was a smaller port and how its significance and importance has grown over the years with now improved road links and 33 freight trains leaving the port daily.

Tremayne talks about Bartrums, their ethos and commitment to delivering excellent service.  He says, ‘This (haulage) is a service industry’ and goes on to explain that haulage firms can become too focussed on the truck and trailer movement without the wider vision of the customers at both ends.

Miles and Tremayne touch on crime around haulage and how important it is to have secure parking for hauliers. Tremayne comments that 27% of trucks park off-site in the Midlands and that it’s not safe at times for drivers who are targeted for their stock and, more recently, their fuel. Warehousing for storage is at its worst right now in the UK and the problems and the risks around this are discussed by Miles and Tremayne.

Tremayne comments that the driver shortage is not such a critical issue as it was a few months ago – he explains how the profile of drivers at Bartrums has shifted with a higher percentage of drivers being less experienced than before. The situation is not ideal, he explains, but it’s progress and at Bartrums they take the greatest of care in training and operators licencing. They have a variety of different sized trucks too, so new drivers can build up with confidence to driving larger trucks.

The recent uplift in fuel prices and the effects this can have on some haulage companies is also addressed. From 97.5 p to 151 p is difficult to cope with. Bartrums buys and stores fuel in advance and uses an escalating rate-card with their clients to be able to handle situations like the current fuel shortage. There is concern for smaller haulage companies who do not have a sliding escalator set into all of their contracts, and this can lead to losing clients, as well as a lot of work every time there is a price move on fuel. Tremayne  shares the real issues with buying diesel as well as Fuel Card providers and the future of buying diesel on the road.

If you have any thoughts or opinions on this topic Miles would love to hear from you and discuss some of your points in a later episode.

Visit www.vartanconsultancy.com or email Miles on [email protected]  or call VARTAN on 01394 671756.  Follow Vartan on Twitter or Linkedin.

Disclaimer: At the time of recording the information in this podcast was deemed to be correct BUT please note legislation, deadlines and information can change on a daily basis – so please always check with Vartan Consultancy for up-to-the-minute information.

In this episode Miles talks to Debbie Farman, Tubes Scaffolding Ltd.

Debbie talks about David Farman, Managing Director of Tubes, and his lifelong ethos in encouraging young people to join the scaffolding industry. Tubes work with young people, often school leavers, and support them right through their apprenticeships until they are fully qualified as scaffolders, and in some cases advanced scaffolders. This committed training and development builds young scaffolders’ understanding of their advancement but also the importance of working in a familiar team which is essential for their health and safety in a working environment.

Apprentices who join Tubes usually take 6 months to 12 months to understand whether the industry is right for them, and 95% them stay and continue their training. It’s a clear testament of the training and development that Tubes provide. Qualifications achieved through their apprenticeship programme include NVQ 2 and 3 – which are the standard levels recognised in the industry.

Miles asks  ‘Are there ever any cases where the public or health and safety board has had to take down scaffolding?’

Listen to Debbie talk about how Tubes get regular Health and Safety audits by NASC – and how they have to pass the assessment to remain members and legal. As members, Tubes follow standards laid out by the NASC – using their constant guidance and adhering to legislation - she ensures every scaffold is fit for purpose. 

Miles asks ‘How do you keep your employees safe?’  and comments further that enforcing regulation over the last few decades has led to huge reductions in injuries or fatalities – Miles talks through the difference in statistics.

Debbie talks about the importance of a good supervisor with scaffolding teams. She comments on how her scaffolding teams are compatible, they know each other very well – a team that are used to working with each other regularly with their supervisor is important to reduce risk for them. She adds – ‘You can’t throw a team together’. We have to make sure that our workforce and others are kept safe whilst scaffolds are in the public domain. Risk assessments and method statements are used but Tubes also have something called the ‘Take-Two’ which catches any risks overlooked or that may have changed during the assessment and the scaffolders arriving to start work. Debbie points out that risks change and develop all the time – so the ‘Take-Two’ is essential when teams arrive to work for their protection and the client’s. 

Tubes have an open-door policy – and Debbie comments on how important it is to Tubes to support staff who maybe unwell, physically or mentally, and she actively supports staff when they are unwell or in a difficult position. Tubes also uses a third-party partner to support workers in difficult times.

Debbie finishes talking about how important planning is to Tubes with a clear vision of a five year plan, as well as managing the day to day running of the business. It’s important for Tubes to do this so they can understand what they need to do now, by way of bringing in, and developing new skills, to be able to achieve their expected growth and continued success. Miles adds, it all about managing risk – which is what Vartan Consultants do!

If you Have thoughts or opinions on this topic Miles would love to hear from you and discuss some of your points in a later episode.
Disclaimer: At the time of recording the information in this podcast was deemed to be correct BUT please note legislation, deadlines and information can change on a daily basis – so please always check with Vartan Consultancy for up-to-the-minute information.

Ian Currie and Sam Kalibbala, from the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Sizewell C supply chain, are this month’s guests on The Compliance Experts Podcast.

With less than a year from the ‘spade in the ground’ at Sizewell C – Miles investigates what SME’s should be doing in advance of sending in their tenders to join the Sizewell C Supply Chain. 

Ian recalls meetings 12 years ago when conversations began, and strategies were being laid down for SME’s to apply for contracts. He talks about the difficulty for some smaller companies having to strategise so far into the future and how patience is the key to success as the time closes in for applications. 

Sam talks about the temptation for some companies to relax with such distant deadlines whilst others, who had kept up momentum, are in the favourable position to press the green button. He explains it’s all about managing risk and ensuring your business meets all the competency standards that will be required at entry level. He explains further that there were poor results with Hinkley with only 10% of tenders being accepted due to poor competency levels.

Ian says that there will be 8000 people on site at Sizewell C, and 25,000 more across the supply chain – which is well beyond the scale of any one company applying. Ian talks about collaboration, even with your competition. There are many major capital projects taking place in the UK right now, e.g. HS2 and Hinkley, and that means many of the big players are tied up.  This means that work is flowing down to smaller companies but, he warns, you cannot do it by yourself unless you unite and collaborate. Ask the question to your peers – are you interested in working on Sizewell C?  Can we maximise for Suffolk and build our scale?  Ian advises us to cross the divide and unite.

Sam gives a great example of two local East Anglian businesses who have competed for years with similar turnovers of £200m, but recently, with the Sizewell C project on the horizon and both wanting to be a part of it, they have united for this purpose and created a company large enough to handle the work.

Ian and Sam talk about the importance of building the project into company development plans and they stress not to expose your whole business to the project – but apportion part of it – too many eggs in one basket is risky for any long-term strategy.

Sam talks about how things are heating up – there’s more noise on social media now the momentum has begun. Miles adds that people should shout about what they do through their marketing so that it can be noticed and accelerated with this momentum. Sam adds that it’s happening now in the Chamber.   Month by month conversations are increasing and more people are getting involved and sharing information. Increase of registrations is beginning to noticeably spike. Ian agrees with Sam and adds that if you’re not signed up on the portal, please register.  Make sure your details are up to date.  Get in touch with Sam or Ian who are very happy to meet and give you an overview of how and where you might fit in. Once signed up, you will get regular updates too.

Sam also adds that it doesn’t matter how large or small your business is.  The operation is about retail and smaller services too.  Contact Sam on [email protected] 

Sizewell C Supply Chain Portal: https://www.sizewellcsupplychain.co.uk/ 

If you have thoughts or opinions on this topic Miles would love to hear from you and discuss some of your points in a later episode.
Disclaimer: At the time of recording the information in this podcast was deemed to be correct BUT please note legislation, deadlines and information can change on a daily basis – so please always check with Vartan Consultancy for up-to-the-minute information.

Miles leads his panel into conversation about the latest legislation for importing goods into the UK from Europe and how hauliers and UK companies are coping with the change. The discussion also talks about what impact the next legislation and systems deadlines are likely to have and give their professional predictions on the likely outcomes.

Panel:

Miles Vartan – Podcast Host and Owner of Vartan Consultancy

Alan Long – Managing Director of Collabor8, expert in HM Customs & Excise (HMRC)

Sean Turner – Senior VAT Manager at Menzies and specialist in the movement of goods.

Neil Bird – Senior Consultant at Vartan Consultancy and expert on customs compliance.

Following a recent survey on how companies are managing the new legislation and compliance on importing goods from the EU, the panel give their feedback and opinion on the results. Sean Turner waves a red flag on certain situations and pinpoints issues with VAT postponement and compares the traditional method of VAT payment and the benefits of taking the VAT postponement initiative.

Alan Long takes the conversation further by looking at sea crossings and identifying where there might be real problems with the short sea crossings due to the recently added mandatory compliance processes that could keep haulage backed up, particularly for the Calais to Dover and the Wales to Ireland short crossings.

The panel move on to the next deadline of 1 July 2022 whereby new legislation comes into effect on animal origin food products and the new rules and processes for importing from Europe. 

On 30th September 2022 there will be another important change as importers and exporters will have to switch from using the ‘CHIEF’ system (The Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight) to a entirely new system, ‘CDS’ (Customs Declaration System). The panel discuss the differences between these two systems, how completely different they are for inputters, with CDS requiring data elements rather than the box filling system required with CHIEF. Neil Bird advises companies to consult with their software system consultants for a smooth transition. The panel also highly recommend training and analysis before the switch over date. CHIEF will not be operational from 1st October 2022. Alan Long highlights the problem of a customs agents shortage and the likely impact on businesses thereafter. The panel also talk about the long-awaited promise from the government for an all-inclusive smart software system which will enable importers and exporters to fill in all of their compliance data simultaneously rather than multi form filling which is the current format.

Miles finishes off asking the panel to score from 0 – 10 (10 being the most positive score) on how  they see this year is likely to play out with the new systems in place. Listen to their results – they may, or may not surprise you!

If you have any thoughts or opinions on this topic Miles would love to hear from you and discuss some of your points in a later episode.

Visit www.vartanconsultancy.com or email Miles on [email protected]  or call VARTAN on 01394 671756.  Follow Vartan on Twitter or Linkedin.

Disclaimer: At the time of recording the information in this podcast was deemed to be correct BUT please note legislation, deadlines and information can change on a daily basis – so please always check with Vartan Consultancy for up-to-the-minute information.

In this podcast episode Miles chats to Bruce Marques, Deputy General Manager at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall in Ipswich.

Bruce, originally from South Africa, has worked in the UK Hospitality for 9 years and at Milsoms for 2 years.  With a lifetime career in hospitality, he understands the vital role of health and safety for both guests and staff, and talks about his first-hand experiences of how effective training and compliance has saved lives.

Milsoms Kesgrave Hall employs locally as a priority, providing jobs and security in the local community and between 30-40% of employees are customers, particularly children and grandchildren of lifetime patrons.

Bruce talks about the emphasis on induction training for new employees and the regular training on health and safety rules and regulations throughout the entire staff from trips and hazards to food and hygiene safety as well as fire regulations – as he says – it saves lives as he later recounts a terrifying experience in a previous hotel in West Sussex that burned to the ground, without a single injury to guests or staff.

Miles also asks Bruce about how they are handling current Covid measures with the latest South African virus making news across the world and the importance of healthy eating as pressure builds to reduce burgeoning obesity levels across the UK.

Thank you to Bruce Marques at www.milsomhotels.com 

If you have any thoughts or opinions on this topic Miles would love to hear from you and discuss some of your points in a later episode.

Disclaimer: At the time of recording the information in this podcast was deemed to be correct BUT please note legislation, deadlines and information can change on a daily basis – so please always check with Vartan Consultancy for up-to-the-minute information.