The UK sustainable aviation fuels Clearing House has officially launched, marking a major step in enabling the UK to bring new fuels to market and help reduce carbon emissions from the aviation industry. Led by the Energy Institute at the University of Sheffield, and supported by engineering and environmental consultancy Ricardo plc, the UK SAF Clearing House is now accepting applications from fuel producers for technical support and funding towards the development, testing and qualification of sustainable aviation fuels. Any new aviation fuel must meet strict performance standards before it can be qualified as safe for use in aircraft. To achieve this, fuel must undergo stages of testing in accordance with industry recognised standards. The cost and complexity of testing can be a significant barrier to new fuels entering the market. The UK SAF Clearing House will provide advice to fuel producers on testing, signpost towards testing facilities and support the qualification of sustainable aviation fuels to help overcome this barrier. The UK SAF Clearing House provides support for the development, testing, qualification, and production of sustainable aviation fuels, and it will play a key role in the government’s ambition to build a thriving UK SAF production industry, and establish the UK as a global leader in the use of SAF. Professor Chris Lewis from the University of Sheffield, Director of UK SAF Clearing House, said: “It is great to see there is now a lot of activity in the development of SAF, however the increase in a diverse range of raw materials and processes means a major shift in the industry, which is both an opportunity to reduce aviation emissions and presents a challenge to get these increasingly diverse SAF products to market. “The UK SAF Clearing House, in cooperation with the EU and US Clearing Houses, will provide technical advice and information, funding to support with testing, and help in understanding how the industry works, as well as helping producers engage with the industry in a positive way. We are delighted to announce we are open for business, so please do come and talk to us.” Natasha Robinson, Deputy Director of Low Carbon Fuels at the Department for Transport, said: “The UK wants to be an international leader in the transition to SAF, which is a crucial element of the UK aviation industry’s decarbonisation ambitions. The UK SAF Clearing House will accelerate the testing of fuels by streamlining the process, in order to help companies get the qualification for use they need. “The UK SAF Clearing House will reduce the bottleneck in testing, ensuring a greater availability of SAF from a diverse range of feedstocks, which will enable the UK to achieve its target of 10 per cent SAF by 2030 and will also help with creation of new jobs and skills in this innovative green sector.” Minister for Aviation and Decarbonisation of Transport, Anthony Browne, said: “As the UK SAF industry goes from strength to strength, it’s important it also has the capabilities to test the fuel being made, making the transition from the labs to the sky faster and easier than ever before. “Funded by the UK Government, the SAF Clearing House at the University of Sheffield is making greener flying a global reality, accelerating crucial testing, removing barriers for overseas investment and keeping the UK at the centre of the global SAF industry.” Sujith Kollamthodi, Director of Policy, Strategy & Economics at Ricardo, said: “The new UK SAF Clearing House is a step in the right direction towards a leaner and greener aviation sector in the UK. It joins other UK Government initiatives for the sector alongside the Advanced Fuels Fund, plans for a SAF revenue certainty scheme and backing for the world’s first transatlantic flight using 100 per cent SAF. “We are proud that Ricardo experts are applying their renowned expertise in policy, strategy and the safe implementation of new sustainable technologies to this world-leading initiative which can accelerate the decarbonisation of the global aviation industry.” For key clients including fuel producers, aerospace original equipment manufacturers, airlines and airports, the UK SAF Clearing House is a free-at-the-point-of-use service that will support fuel producers. It will work in collaboration with other international clearing houses and coordinate a programme of fuel qualification with the support of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

A Yorkshire law firm has been acquired by a Castle Donnington-based counterpart, creating a 60 plus-strong workforce and paving the way for future expansion. WLR Law has purchased commercial, media, and sports law expert Front Row Legal (FRL) for an undisclosed fee. Claire Dibb, WLR group CFO – who has worked with several legal firms in Yorkshire and across the UK, providing commercial financial management & CFO leadership to both SME & corporate clients – will be part of the Board of Directors, to help drive future growth. Richard Cramer, FRL Managing Director, says: “This seamless integration of our expertise and resources is a remarkable opportunity to elevate our client offerings and tap into WLR Law’s vast resources. “I’m thrilled to embark on this journey which will set new benchmarks for legal services in our focused sectors – further refining our approach to meet the evolving needs of our clients with even greater precision and care.” Richard adds: “The new combined workforce will be around 60 – greatly enhancing the scope of services we can offer. We’re always looking to recruit quality professionals, and I’m confident this acquisition is just the start of an ongoing expansion plan to create additional jobs in the coming years.” Martin Collins, WLR Law principal MD and board director, says: “This merger is a celebration of shared values and our unwavering commitment to client success. Together we’re perfectly poised to drive further innovation in the way legal advice is delivered, improving the impact and accessibility for our clients.”

The Federation of Small Businesses has called for energy regulator Ofgem to take action on the standing charges paid by small businesses, many of whom have seen soaring daily fixed prices. The Federation is backing up requests from Ministers to Ofgem chief exec Jonathan Brearley that he ensures energy bills are fair an affordable, and has told him he must recognise the “specific, negative impact standing charges are having on small firms”. FSB’s Policy Chair Tina McKenzie said: “We want Ofgem to do a thorough review of standing charges for businesses as well as consumers, for better transparency and to discern whether energy companies are behaving fairly towards their small firm clients. “Small business energy customers behave in a way more akin to consumers than big businesses, lacking the resources, the expertise and the buying power necessary to get the best possible deal out of their energy suppliers. However, they do not benefit from anything like the same level of protection as that rightly available to households, leaving them caught between two stools. “Many small businesses could be forgiven for suspecting that they have been seen as something of a soft target for price hikes in their standing charges, and they do not have a full picture of where the money they pay on a daily basis is going – something that needs to change. “Small firms were put through the wringer by the energy price crisis, which sadly spelled the end for many otherwise viable businesses who saw their utility bills become completely unmanageable. “The price increases which led to the crisis have thankfully eased off to an extent, but many thousands of small firms are now stuck on tariffs which are far higher than before, which is a leading driver of cost increases. “While it’s possible for most firms to cut their energy use – something which many did in response to spiralling bills – the standing charge must be paid day in, day out, so ensuring that small firms aren’t being fleeced is absolutely vital. “We’re very keen to hear what Ofgem’s next steps in this area will be, to ensure that small firms pay standing charges that are fair and transparent, no matter where they’re based.” One small firm whose owner got in touch with FSB reported an increase in the business’s daily standing charge from 70.94p per day in July 2021 to 969.64p per day in September 2023 – over 13 times higher. Standing charges are used to fund network infrastructure, operating costs, and policy costs for schemes such as the Warm Home Discount, but this can be difficult for small firms to comprehend. Business customers are not covered by the energy price cap for consumers and many small firms suspect that their costs have been hiked as a result.  

High end cycles, parts and specialist cycling kit valued at close to half a million pounds are to go under the hammer in a spectacular auction in North Lincolnshire next week following the collapse of what was claimed to be one of the region’s best bike shops. The auction includes Italian racing machines that retailed for as much as three and a half thousand pounds a time, children’s cycles that cost over £600 and even balance bikes for toddlers that had price tags of £180. The mountain of parts going under the hammer covers everything from brake blocks (£45 a pair in the case of some Swiss productions) through to carbon frames that were priced at two and a half thousand. The sell-off follows the liquidation of LC Leeds Bike Shop Ltd, a Yorkshire company that operated a large showroom, bike fitting studio and what was described as one of the country’s biggest cycle workshops. The firm closed the doors at its premises in the Bramley area of Leeds at the beginning of February and the insolvency team of business advisers Quantuma that is handling the winding up of the business has now instructed industrial auctioneers Eddisons to dispose of the stock. Everything has been removed to the firm’s Scunthorpe Auction Centre where it will go under the hammer in the online sale next Tuesday (30th April). Eddisons director Paul Cooper said: “The thirty bikes in the auction include a number of handmade Italian Basso road racing bikes that usually carry price tags ranging from £2049 through to what’s expected to be the star of the show, a Basso Astra Ultegra that had a recommended retail price of £3,499. “Meanwhile the company’s repair and servicing department handled work for cyclists all over the region – and indeed further afield – a business that involved carrying a huge stock of parts and accessories. The auction saleroom is currently an absolute sea of saddles, handlebars, wheels, tyres, cranks and all the other stuff that the serious cyclist needs to keep a mount, in absolutely tip-top condition. “And there’s also a vast quantity of specialist clothing, we reckon over £25,000 worth of gear, from lightweight jackets with price tags up to £170, through to shoes that, in the case of Bont, sell for as much as £300 a pair.” Paul added: “The good news for the area’s cyclists is that we have lotted the online auction with them in mind. They have just as good a chance to get involved in the bidding as trade buyers. Furthermore everything is being sold without reserve, so despite the jaw-dropping price tags that much of this equipment once bore, on Tuesday it will go for what it goes for. There could be some bargains.” The full catalogue is available at www.eddisons.com. Viewing is 10am-4pm on Monday 29th April at the Eddisons Auction Centre on Dunlop Way in Scunthorpe. The online auction is scheduled to end at 1pm on Tuesday (April 30th).

Barnsley-based entrepreneur Laura Evans-Hill who helps academics to condense hundreds of pages of wordy research into infographics has expanded her business Nifty Fox Creative, adding three new jobs and moving into a larger workspace at Barnsley’s Digital Media Centre. Laura says her investment in growth is in response to increased demand for her creative agency’s visual storytelling expertise, which helps academics and public service leaders communicate their research and ideas. Nifty Fox delivers animation, illustration, infographics, visual reports and comics – all designed to deliver facts, findings and key messages with impact. She said: “I set up Nifty Fox Creative seven years ago because I’m passionate about getting research into the hands of people who need it most, through visuals. There’s no topic too complex, no problem too big, or no cause too important to be simplified into clear, accessible visuals. “I’m motivated by the fact that 14,000 pieces of research are published globally every day, and it’s estimated that half of them are read by about ten people and the other half are not read at all! That’s terrible. That work needs to get out there and be visible and not vanish in publications no one reads.” Nifty Fox works with more than 2,000 individual researchers and more than 50 universities internationally. Its clients include 80-plus public sector organisations, government departments, NHS trusts, Public Health England, Sport England and UK police forces. Laura, who trained as a social researcher and formerly worked in higher education, founded Nifty Fox Creative in 2017. Working alone at first, she moved into her first office at Barnsley’s DMC01 in 2022 and now employs a team of six. Nifty Fox won the Best Visual Communications Agency – Yorkshire Award in the SME Northern Enterprise Awards 2023 and is shortlisted in the same category for the UK-wide award this year. The company has received business support from Enterprising Barnsley at DMC01.  Key Accounts Manager Judy Sidebottom said: “Nifty Fox Creative is our kind of success story at DMC01. Laura combines creativity and digital technology with a laser like focus on her personal mission to champion the role of visual storytelling in good communication. “Drawing up plans for expansion, she has created jobs, taken on more workspace and been an active member of our tech community, collaborating with other small businesses in Barnsley. We look forward to seeing what Laura does next.”

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. Liam Douglas, relationship director at NatWest, said: “We are thrilled to support BullsEye in this transformative journey to employee ownership, supporting a local company with big ambitions in the hands of employees who are rooted in the community. “We recognise the importance of nurturing local businesses and empowering their workforce to drive sustainable growth. This deal not only secures the future of BullsEye, but also reinforces our commitment to supporting businesses to start, scale and grow.” 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. “With the funding package and support provided by NatWest, we are confident that this transition will not only safeguard the future of our business but also empower our employees to contribute to and benefit from our ongoing success.” NatWest’s funding support for the deal includes £4.5 million in facilities, comprising a £2.5 million term loan and a £2 million invoice discounting facility. Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner at Shorts, said: “We have worked with the business for several years, since advising on the original Management Buy Out. When it came to look at succession planning once again, we really enjoyed supporting the owners and the management team, helping them decide which option would best meet their objectives. “It was clear that a sale to an Employee Ownership Trust would be the optimum solution, protecting the legacy of the business and providing the employees with a fantastic opportunity. “It has been highly rewarding working with all the parties to achieve a successful outcome. With a highly motivated management team, we are looking forward to seeing the next successful chapter in the business story of this great local business.” Paul Trudgill, partner in the corporate team at Knights, who created the Employee Ownership Trust, said: “After advising the exiting management team in the original management buyout several years ago, it was a pleasure to be involved in the transition of the business to its employees as the latest stage in its development. We have no doubt that this will continue and increase the success of the business in the long term.”