Two East Yorkshire project managers have been named winners in the Chartered Institute of Building annual awards.
Martin Standley, a project manager at Hull-based Sewell Construction, was a silver winner in the Construction Manager of the Year for Education, and Katy Robinson, Senior Project Manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, received the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Individual Award for her contribution to a PPE campaign. Martin was nominated for his work on constructing Broadacre Primary School in Hull, a new school which had a purpose-built base for young children with autism spectrum conditions. Katy was nominated for her work on her campaign to address the inequalities of PPE provision for minority groups in construction. The campaign was launched after research found that nearly 60% of employers were not providing women’s specific PPE to their workforce. The judges praised the pair’s passion, dedication and hard work, with both of them up against a talented field of nominees. Caroline Gumble, chief executive officer at CIOB, added: “There is no doubt that there’s a real depth of talent among the UK’s built environment professionals, with some incredibly impressive projects making the list of finalists. “It was great to see the awards go to a range of individuals and companies, all of whom are amazing examples of leadership and dedication, all delivering a high-quality built environment. Many congratulations to all our winners.”Former childhood runaway features in sought-after event during Humber Business Week
A former childhood runaway who grew up to be a globetrotter at the centre of the tech revolution of the 1980s will tell her story at this year’s Humber Business Week.
Ragini Annan will also reveal how she immersed herself in the traditions of the Vedic religion and culture as she battled to recover from a series of personal and professional crashes during the 1990s. Her attendance at the “Awesome Women” Elevenses session with Biz Week founder and Chair of Sewell Group Paul Sewell is likely to be one of the hottest tickets at a festival of business which this year marks its 20th anniversary. Paul said: “We have never committed to making Elevenses an annual thing but if there’s somebody I come across who I think is interesting we will do it. “I know Ragini and her husband Scott through the Independent Retailer Owners’ Forum, which goes around the world looking at best practice. After sitting in airports and on planes with them I found she had quite an interesting story to tell and she was happy to come and see us in Hull.” Ragini was born in Uganda to Indian parents and arrived in the UK in the 1970s. A computer sciences degree from Loughborough University set her on the road to a career in tech and to roles with Mitch Kapor’s Lotus start-up and then with Apple and Steve Jobs. Things began to unravel in the 1990s as she hit a series of personal and professional problems. Paul said: “I’ll be asking Ragini about her work at the very top, with some of the biggest names in tech, and about how, when everything fell apart, she pursued resolution and renewal through the Vedic culture.” Paul introduced Elevenses to the Biz Week programme in 2021 and developed the theme of Awesome Women after being joined by broadcaster Steph McGovern, politician Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Debbie Robinson, the Central England CEO and European Vice President of the Co-op. He said: “I have been brought up in an area where boards were male, middle aged, middle class and wore suits so I do like it when you find a female who can come and be a role model. “We have been successful at Sewell Group in recent years and the number of females in the business has grown exponentially. At one point we appointed four new directors and they were all women. They bring a good balance to your top team and your board and they reflect your customer base. “With women, whether it’s Steph, Sayeeda, Debbie or whoever, if they reach a certain level you will generally find they have had to overcome something more than your average man has had to deal with – and built some resilience along the way. “The style has gone down very well. I’m not an interviewer but I do like having a natter with people and we always allow maybe 20 minutes at the end to let the audience join in. They never run out of questions.”Rotherham printer invests almost £2m to speed booklet production
Rotherham-based online printer instantprint has invested almost £2 million in the UK’s first Muller Martini Prinova Digital stitching lines.
With the goal of improving efficiencies, the speed of the new stitcher allows instantprint to print books much faster than their existing stitchliners, from around 2,000 an hour to a 9,000. They’re also able to easily switch the way the stitcher is fed, meaning no matter which printer customers’ books are printed on, they now have more opportunities to speed up the turnaround time of delivery.
James Kinsella,instantprint Co-Founder, said:“The Muller Martinis are capable of being fed from any device in the factory making them very flexible. The key thing for us is that we do lots of jobs on lots of different materials, so job-to-job changeover is really important for us. We could feed the stitchers with reels and move from size-to-size automatically, and could also switch from reels to sections, to digital sheets.
“The team are currently working intensively on setting up the automated workflow and integrating the new stitchers with its internal systems, with the first machine being installed now, and the second following soon.”
Mitie wins ten-year contract to run new prison at York
Mitie Care & Custody has been awarded the contract to operate HMP Millsike, the UK’s first all-electric prison that will provide around 1,500 places.
Due to open next year, the Category C prison is the third new prison being built as part of the government’s £4 billion prison expansion programme, delivering 20,000 new places.
The facility will run solely on electricity, making it the first of its kind in the UK. The build will use solar panels, heat pump technology and more efficient lighting systems, meaning that it will use approximately a quarter of the energy used to heat traditional Victorian prisons.
In addition, Mitie Care & Custody will deliver drug treatment that supports abstinence-based recovery for prisoners in prison and after their release, a learning package tailored to prisoners to help them boost their skills, and 1,000 living wage jobs for prison leavers over the course of the contract.
Prisons Minister Edward Argar said: “We are creating modern and secure prisons with rehabilitation at their heart so we can turn offenders lives around for good and cut crime and reoffending further.
“We are building 20,000 prison places now that we are keeping the most dangerous offenders behind bars for longer and I look forward to seeing Mitie Care & Custody’s innovative approach in action when HMP Millsike opens next year.”
The building of the prison has already provided offenders with valuable work experience, with prisoners on day release supporting its construction, learning key construction skills, as well as transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and organisation that will help them find jobs at the end of their time in prison. Over £117 million has been invested in the local community through the construction so far, and Mitie Care & Custody will employ over 500 people when the prison is operational. Danny Spencer, MD of Mitie Care & Custody, said: “We are pleased to have been awarded this contract to operate HMP Millsike.With our experience delivering critical public services to support the immigration, justice and care sectors, as well as our expertise in facilities transformation and decarbonisation, we are excited to bring a modern and caring approach to prison management at this innovative new site.”
Yorkshire administrations fall but pressure remains on construction sector
The number of companies in Yorkshire and the North East of England filing for administration in the first quarter of the year dropped by more than a quarter (27.5%), according to figures from Interpath Advisory.
However, insolvency experts warn that the stresses facing the region’s businesses remain, with building & construction particularly affected.
Analysis of notices in The Gazette by Interpath shows there were 37 administrations across Yorkshire and the North East in Q1 2024, a drop against last year’s corresponding figures (Q1 2023: 51). The figures buck the national trend as the number of cases in Great Britain saw a modest rise from 321 (Q1 2023) to 328 (Q1 2024). Yorkshire and the North East accounted for just over a tenth (11.3%) of administrations across the country.
Building & construction was the stand-out most impacted sector in the region with 11 cases in the first three months of the year, followed by industrial manufacturing with six administrations.
Commenting on the figures, James Clark, Managing Director and Head of the Yorkshire team at Interpath Advisory, said: “Yorkshire and the North East has had some relief as the number of administrations fell on a quarter-on-quarter basis compared to last year, but this risks masking a broader long-term trend of distress as Government support has fallen away and businesses have been buffeted by inflation, poor growth, a cautious consumer, and high interest rates.
“The wear and tear that such punishing trading conditions have on company finances is unsustainable for many and we’re seeing that come through in administrations.
“From what we’re seeing on the ground, cashflow pressure is ultimately proving to be the tipping point. Costs have hammered margins, but many management teams have also found it hard to find the revenues that will give them sufficient breathing room.
“A stubborn base rate and tight covenants with lenders combine to make the hard wall that they can then come up against. That distress can spread through supply chains and can impact larger businesses.
“Looking ahead, we expect that the administration rate on an annual basis to rise and to surpass the peak we saw immediately before COVID-19 in 2020. That point of inflexion is likely to come towards the end of this year and will represent an important marker in the re-adjustment of the UK economy.
“Let’s not forgot that, while administrations can signal distress the outcome of these processes is equally vital and the other side of the equation. That’s why it is so essential that businesses seek support as early as possible as it can give them the best chance of a positive outcome.”
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.
Alex Hailey, Senior Director, CBRE, said: “South Central offers modern, stylish and welcoming sustainable workspace, which minimally impacts the environment – a key driver in occupier demands in the Leeds office market.
“This refurbished office space is appealing to occupiers seeking accommodation that attracts and retains the best talent. It’s in an excellent location on a spacious, leafy green site and has first class transport links, as well as the amenities of the nearby White Rose Shopping Centre.”
Chris Clingo, Interim Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Yorkshire West, added: “I’m delighted to announce that Keepmoat has invested in a new office space for the Keepmoat Yorkshire West regional division.
“The new space for the team has greater commuter links and amenities nearby, plus it further fuels Keepmoat’s commitment to employees by providing them with a high-end place of work where they can thrive. By taking out a lease at South Central, we mark an exciting start to a new journey in a fantastic new space.”
15 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.
Matthew Turnbull, Land & Planning Manager at Keyland Developments Ltd, said: “This land sale ideally complements the development being undertaken at the adjacent site.
“South Yorkshire is in real need of new industrial and logistics accommodation to meet rising demand, and by unlocking this strategic site we are enabling a significant amount of square footage to be delivered to the constrained market. Additionally, development will generate lots of new jobs, during construction and beyond.”
Henry Watson, Partner at M1 Agency, said: ”The acquisition demonstrates our confidence in the South Yorkshire region where units below 150,000 sq ft are at an all-time low. Future supply of this size range states a chronic lack of supply across the region and especially within Doncaster.
“On top of the recent transactions across the region, we are still seeing a strong influx of distribution enquiries for new build space, focussing on strong ESG credentials, which is at the centre of Total Developments’ strategy.
“The proximity to the motorway network has been a key consideration and exemplifies why this is a proven location. The M18 and A1(M) intersection is just 3 miles away, which link to Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester in the North and Nottingham, Birmingham and London in the South.
“In addition, the site is less than 4 miles from iPort Rail, which provides immediate access to the national rail network and all the country’s deep sea ports. This site will provide an expansion of the existing Total Park, where construction is well under way with the first three units ready for occupation in quarter three of 2024.”
Wilkin Chapman names Caroline as new partner
Caroline Neadley has joined law firm Wilkin Chapman as a partner and will be based at its Grimsby office, where she will work closely with head of employment Oliver Tasker.
She has 22 years’ experience in law in a wide range of sectors, including food, education and public sector employment.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Wilkin Chapman. Having worked in both the private and public sectors, I have a unique employment law skillset which will complement the wide range of experience within the team. My private sector experience is primarily a varied client base across sectors such as manufacturing, motor, food, and charities. I also have extensive experience in the education sector.
“These specialisms align very well with Wilkin Chapman’s client base. My expertise will further develop the employment teams’ experience and ability to support existing clients, and secure new clients during a time of varied legislative reform.”
Oliver Tasker added: “Caroline’s appointment is a great asset to our highly-regarded employment team, and demonstrates our ability to attract the very best legal talent in the region. She brings incredible experience and a diverse sector knowledge which will benefit our clients across Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire, and nationally.
“As well as having led legal teams in her past positions, Caroline is recognised as a leading individual in employment law in the Legal 500, an independent legal guide ranking individuals and firms on feedback from clients and peers. She is also the chair of Women in Business Hull, a highly successful women’s networking organisation aimed at supporting and inspiring women in the region.”
Caroline has a degree in law from Sheffield Hallam University and undertook her Legal Practice Course at the York College of Law.
Rescue specialist makes Doncaster new northern HQ
A confined space, rescue, training and utilities specialist has established its new northern base in Doncaster to address national provision for its 24/7 services.
Rescue 2 Ltd has taken 13,000 sq ft at the newly constructed Jubilee Park, built alongside Platinum Park by developer Priority Space in partnership with HG Sites to satisfy the growing demand for smaller industrial occupiers in the region.
Interest in the units, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne and Doncaster being granted city status, has been high, with 50 per cent of the units now under offer, let or sold, leaving eight units remaining from 1,759 sq ft to 29,790 sq ft.
Rescue 2 Ltd joins new tenants PPE provider Skanwear, which recently upsized its operations in South Yorkshire with a move to a 16,000 sq ft unit at Jubilee Park, plus other occupiers Jones Electrical, Dynamic CCTV and Assured Group.
Ashley Goodlad from Rescue 2 Ltd said: “With sites in both the South and the North, we are strategically positioned to elevate our services across all regions. Our dual presence allows us to scale our services to meet corporate demands on a national level.
“We set the required gold standard across the industry. Our can do attitude, ability to scale up with quality and provide bespoke, necessary rescue, utilities, training, and management provision, can now be offered to clients across the country.”
Priority Space director Lee Buchanan said: “These new units are very well-placed in Doncaster with excellent connections and provide businesses with the space and facilities they need to expand and invest in growth.
“We are also delighted at the news that lease negotiations are underway on Doncaster Sheffield Airport and that the airport could be reopened in 2024/25, which would provide a huge boost to the local economy and will make Platinum and Jubilee Park even more appealing to occupiers, with an operating airport on the doorstep of the scheme.”
Cllr Glyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Business at City of Doncaster Council, said: “It is great to see companies expanding into these excellent new industrial units.
“These units, being available for sale or let are exactly what is required in Doncaster at this present time, and offer a quality opportunity for businesses new to Doncaster or who want to upgrade their facilities.
“There is still confidence in our economy and Business Doncaster with the help they can provide look forward to helping bring more new investors to this site.”
Associate director of investment appointed at Town Centre Securities
Leeds and London based property investment and development company Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), has appointed Jacob Ziff as associate director of investment. Jacob, who joins from investment brokerage firm Clifton Agency, will focus on creating a strategy for property investment and to assist managing the existing TCS property portfolio.
After graduating from the University of Leeds in 2019, Jacob joined West End based CWM, where he worked in retail agency and lease restructuring, gaining invaluable experience predominantly acting for various occupier clients.
Following his tenure in retail agency, Jacob moved across to Clifton Agency, where he focused on UK-wide commercial real estate capital markets. Last year, Jacob also completed a Master’s degree in Real Estate Investment & Finance and the IPF Diploma at the University of Reading.
Jacob said: “I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of my family by joining TCS. It’s a tremendous opportunity to continue the growth and success of the business and I am eager to leverage my skills and experience to create a new investment strategy and enhance the existing property portfolio.”
Edward Ziff, chairman and Chief Executive of TCS, said: “Together with all my colleagues, we are thrilled to welcome Jacob into the business. He has a strong background in real estate investment and agency, and coupled with his dedication to professional development, I am confident that he will play a key role in managing and enhancing our property portfolio.
“Welcoming Jacob into the business, who joins my oldest son Ben and daughter Charlotte-Daisy, marks the next phase in taking TCS forward. Sixty-five years ago, my father laid the foundation for a business that has since become a stalwart in the property industry. With Jacob’s arrival and his experience, we are confident that he will contribute significantly to the ongoing success of TCS and help shape the future of the company.”
Strike threatened at University of Lincoln as over 220 jobs put on the line
Staff at the University of Lincoln are poised to take a stand against “brutal cuts,” with a consultation over potential strike action having begun.
The cuts involve over 220 employees, including one in ten academic staff, according to University and College Union (UCU). Cuts include the phasing out of the fashion degree and ending specialist support for widening participation students in the foundation studies centre. The centre’s teaching team have been notified their jobs are at risk.
Despite the most recent accounts showing that in 2022/23 the university ran a £3m operating surplus and had £46m in cash reserves, a directive was issued last week, underscoring the necessity to slash the budget by £30m by the end of the 2025 financial year, the UCU notes.
Some cuts have already been made with modern languages provision being shut down and eight staff losing their jobs.
UCU Lincoln acting chair Dr Rob Dean said: “It is simply impossible to slash so many jobs without severely impacting current students, future students and diminishing the university’s vital role as a cornerstone of regional education.
“Furthermore, not only are many people in danger of losing their jobs, but we are also extremely concerned that those remaining will be left with unmanageable workloads.
“Without a transparent assessment of past decisions and a commitment to accountability, there is a risk of perpetuating the same errors, endangering the institution’s future stability.
“However, the impact of this extends beyond the confines of academia. The local economy will also be affected. In a small city like Lincoln the number of proposed cuts threaten to undermine the socioeconomic fabric of the region, exacerbating existing challenges and inequalities.”
Kyle starts new role as tax director to lead Azets’ NMW service line
Leeds-based Kyle Newton has been appointed as Azets’ employment tax director to lead its National Minimum Wage service line.
He’ll be helping clients nationwide to implement NMW processes and controls to manage compliance and navigate complex HMRC enquiries.
Kyle, who is a qualified chartered accountant, brings a wealth of experience over 15 years from a variety of roles at BDO, Deloitte and PwC.
With his experience including internal audit, one of Kyle’s focuses is supporting businesses with implementing robust controls in a practical manner to reduce impact on day-to-day business.
He has joined Azets’ as new NMW rate changes, including increases and an extension of the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over, came into force at the start of April.
He said: “The National Minimum Wage is commonly misunderstood. It is much more complex than a simple hourly rate and is made up of a number of components.
“With an unprecedented increase to the NMW age rates and business budgets stretched, many businesses are faced with a difficult challenge of balancing cost and maintaining day to day business. HMRC enforcement activity continues to increase, for example with its most recent regional enforcement campaign targeting 10 geographic regions and the most recent naming and shaming round (round 20) highlighting HMRC’s continued focus to enforce to the full extent of the law.
“Many employers remain unaware of the potential pitfalls where they could be underpaying workers and with the likelihood of HMRC knocking at their door increasing, they could be faced with a 200% penalty and public naming and shaming, on top of paying the arrears, additional employer pension contributions and additional employer National Insurance Contributions.
“Now more than ever it’s really important to consider taking proactive steps. With Azets accelerated growth and the firm supporting more and more SMEs, which is HMRC’s current enforcement focus, this is a perfect time to join Azets and I am looking forward to supporting clients across Yorkshire and the UK.”
Partner Richard Whitelock, who heads up employer solutions services for Azets in Yorkshire, said: “Kyle has a proven track record in both employment taxes and NMW advisory matters. He comes with impressive experience and a deep technical understanding of the NMW regulations and employment tax legislation.
“He will be a valuable addition to our team providing employment tax advice support in Yorkshire and leading on our newly launched National Minimum Wage service line nationwide.”
New rules say tips must be given to hospitality workers and not held back by employers
It’s to become law that employers may not hold back tips given to staff. That’ll be the effect of a new Code of Practice that will have legal effect under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023.
The Act and secondary legislation make it unlawful for businesses to hold back service charges from their employees, ensuring staff receive all of the tips they have earned. The measures are expected to come into force on 1st October 2024, once they have been approved by Parliament.
The Government says many hospitality workers rely on tips to top up their pay and are often left powerless if businesses don’t pass on service charges from customers to their staff.
This overhaul of tipping practices is set to benefit more than 2 million UK workers across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors helping to ease cost of living pressures and give them peace of mind that they will keep their hard-earned money.
Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “It is not right for employers to withhold tips from their hard-working employees.
“Whether you are cutting hair or pulling a pint, this government’s legislation which will protect the tips of workers and give consumers confidence that when they leave a tip, it goes to the hardworking members of staff.
“The secondary legislation laid today reinforces our commitment to legally protecting our low paid workers and ensuring a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”
Tipjar CEO Ben Thomas added: “Hospitality and service industries are part of the fabric of our culture and a cornerstone of our economy. We are honoured to have consulted with the Department of Business and Trade as they have developed this important Code of Practice clarifying employers’ responsibilities as they pass tips to their hard-working teams.“As a business that exists to help employers distribute tips on the same principles of fairness and transparency, we are confident that this Act will support millions of tipped workers across the UK, and level the playing field for businesses across these sectors. We’re excited to support employers in leveraging the opportunities this will present, as we build a more fair and transparent future.”
Yorkshire firm named amongst UK’s top ten export award winners
Yorkshire company SimVenture has been named by the Government as one of ten winners of this year’s Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards.
Based between Selby and York, SimVenture supplies software to education institutions and workplace training providers in more than 20 countries, who use it to help educators and trainers bring business learning to life. It offers business and entrepreneurship learning tools, on which learners can make decisions, deal with consequences, and work in an authentic way.
Peter Harrington, SimVenture Co-founder and CEO, said: “We are dedicated to leveraging advanced learning technologies to positively impact lives worldwide. Winning this award validates the investments and risks we’ve taken over two decades. This prestigious recognition will fuel our growth and expansion into new global markets.
“With recent contract signings in the United States and Algeria, we anticipate significant growth for SimVenture in both the education and corporate training sectors, further solidifying our position as a global leader in EdTech innovation.”
Now in their second year, the awards celebrate the international sales success of SMEs across the UK, and provide a stepping stone for further growth and opportunity.
Minister for Exports Lord Offord said: “We’re proud of our British exporters and these Awards highlight some fantastic businesses punching above their weight and selling UK-made products and services around the world.
“I hope the winners serve as inspiration to others looking to get onto the exporting ladder and encourage more businesses to showcase the incredible talent and innovation of UK businesses selling abroad.”
Hunslet’s Cockburn Sports Hall to be reborn as healthy living centre
Dudleys Consulting Engineers is helping with delivery of a £3.4 million community hub transformation project in the Hunslet district of Leeds.
Preparation works have started on the site of the Old Cockburn Sports Hall which is being redeveloped by Hamara Healthy Living Centre. The project will see the demolition of the former dilapidated 1960’s building and construction of a state of the art, 10,615 sq ft mixed use leisure, health, and wellbeing facility.
Hamara (an Urdu term meaning ‘Our’) is the largest ethnic minority organisation in the voluntary and community sector in Leeds. Working within the community sector, employing 36 people, Hamara currently delivers several different strands of work including: Health Promotion, Youth Activities, Older People’s Services, Saturday Supplementary School, Learning Disabilities, Education and Employment & Training Programmes.
The new Cockburn Centre is to become a sustainable local community business operating for the benefit of local neighbourhoods, and will be led and operated by adults with learning disabilities and supported by local volunteers.
New facilities will include a multi-use sports hall, fully accessible changing facilities, equipment storage space, an external hard surfaced multi-use games area, a seated café, community hub, halo and training room, a viewing gallery, and offices.
Hamara has worked tirelessly to secure grant funding from various parties, including The Football Foundation, the Department of Levelling up and Housing and Communities – Community Ownership Fund, to enable delivery of the important community project.
Dudleys assisted Hamara with securing planning consent and is now consulting alongside architects Studio RBA, services consultant Shearstone, project managers Spring & Co, landscape architect Urban Green, and main contractor NU Construction, on the delivery plan which is expected to start this summer. The award-winning practice is providing value driven Civil and Structural Engineering services to include environmental impact from a localised mining history and protected landscape.
Peter Dixon, Director at Dudleys said: “Supporting charitable causes is a fundamental part of our business ESG commitment and we have previously assisted on many church community and railway preservation projects. It is exciting to see progress on site for the new Cockburn Centre and we look forward to working with the team to provide value engineered, technical expertise throughout.”
Garden Centres Group wins retail company award for second successive year
Yorkshire Garden Centres Group has won the Retail Company of the Year Award at the British HR Awards.
Head of People and Culture Neil Barwise-Carr said: “The HR awards celebrate organisations and individuals that are driven by delivering a world-class people experience, so we’re proud and delighted to have won this award on behalf of our great team.”
Yorkshire Garden Centres beat industry giants Heron Foods, Holland & Barrett and Selfridges to win the Retail Company of the Year Award for a second time.
Nate Harwood, Founder of New Possible and British HR Awards judge said: “The British HR Awards celebrate the talented, dedicated, and passionate teams and individuals who are fueling thriving workplaces across the UK and beyond. I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the Winners and Finalists.”
The British HR Awards is powered by New Possible, a next-generation employee insight platform. New Possible helps leaders build healthier organisations by providing meaningful insight that can drive real change.
The Yorkshire Garden Centres group is made up of garden centres at Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley as well as the recently acquired Dean’s York and Scarborough.
Walker Sime names UK Director of Quantity Surveying
Leeds-based construction consultancy Walker Sime has apppointed Gareth Robertson as the UK Director of Quantity Surveying. He joins from CBRE where he was Senior Director and Head of Cost Management for the North of England. It was in this role that he led and grew the cost management team over his four-year tenure.
Having collaborated with Walker Sime on various projects during his time at CBRE, Gareth shared his admiration for the consultancy’s reputation, track record and approach, citing a strong alignment with the company’s vision and his own personal values as his reasons for joining.
MD Duncan Firth said “Gareth’s appointment marks another pivotal moment in our growth. With his wealth of experience, growth mindset and alignment with our values and culture, we are confident his leadership, personality, and skills will increase the rate of our growth.”
Gareth says he will be picking up the baton with the already strong QS team, continuing the great work already being done and collectively moving the service line forward. “I will be rolling up my sleeves immediately and leading our team on several high-profile instructions,” he said.
Alongside his responsibilities as the UK Director of Quantity Surveying, Gareth also joins the new-look Executive Leadership Team at the firm.
Gareth will extend his expertise over Walker Sime’s offices in Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. The company has provided quantity surveying and project management services to several prominent projects including The Barnum and the University of York’s Institute for Safe Autonomy, New Victoria and Civic Heat Network in Manchester, Dock Branch Park in Birkenhead and Liverpool Waters.
Housing association agrees new funding with three lenders worth £284m
Savills Financial Consultants has helped Great Places Housing Group secure three new deals worth a total of £284m with Santander, NatWest, and ABN AMRO.
Funding of £109m and £100m has been agreed with existing lenders Santander and NatWest Bank, respectively. New partner ABN AMRO has lent 25,000-home Great Places £75m. All loans are revolving credit facilities (RCFs).
All three RCFs contain sustainability-linked performance measures which see a reduced interest rate in the event that Great Places meets agreed energy efficiency targets on new and existing homes.
The housing association will use the funds to continue to deliver its commitments to customers to invest in existing and new homes in communities across the North West, Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Great Places’ current plans include further increasing resources to improve property conditions and customer services, as well as the ambition to develop around 9,000 new affordable homes during the period 2020-2030.
Mike Gerrard, Chief Financial Officer at Great Places Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to continue and develop our relationships with NatWest and Santander and welcome ABN AMRO as a new banking partner.
“We received strong interest from the banking sector for this transaction and it is pleasing to move forward with sustainability-linked funding. Thank you to the Great Places team and Savills for their insight and support.”
Mike Roche, Director at Savills Financial Consultants, said: “There were a significant number of moving parts with these deals, so it is a testament to the Great Places team that they have been able to handle the process so diligently.
“The Savills Financial Consultants team has really enjoyed helping Great Places secure this increased financial capacity at the right pricing to help deliver their aims.”
Jane Johnstone, Senior Director, Housing Finance, Santander UK, said: “We are delighted to have supported Great Places in providing this sustainability-linked facility.
“This funding will ultimately facilitate improvement in existing housing provision and the continued development of much-needed, new, affordable homes. We are proud to work together with providers such as Great Places in this critical sector.”
Martin Skinner, Relationship Director at NatWest, said: “We are a major lender to the UK affordable housing sector and are delighted to continue to support the important work of Great Places in providing much-needed social housing to the region.
“The RCF structure, coupled with sustainability-linked performance measures, will lead to more energy-efficient homes across the North West, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
“We are proud to have announced that in 2023 we completed nearly £3bn of new funding to help more people and families have access to housing. We support around 200 housing associations across the UK and are proud to announce our ambition to provide a further £5bn in funding to support the housing association sector by the end of 2026.”
Rutilio Merien, ABN AMRO’s Head of UK Coverage Real Estate, said: “We are delighted to start this partnership and provide Great Places with new funding facilitating its commitment to develop new homes as well as improving existing ones.
“ABN AMRO is pleased to further support the social housing sector and the inclusion of ESG-linked KPIs in our facility with Great Places resonates very well with ABN AMRO’s purpose and strategy. We look forward to building a strong and long-term relationship with Great Places.”
Alice Overton, Partner at Devonshires, said: “We are delighted to have advised on these transactions and to have supported Great Places in achieving its energy efficiency and wider sustainability ambitions.
“Great Places approached this with dedication and commitment, and the team was a pleasure to work with, alongside Savills, all resulting in a great outcome for the business.”
The transaction was also supported by Addleshaw Goddard and the valuation team at Savills.
Ringrose Law expands with three new office openings
Ringrose Law has expanded its regional footprint with the opening of three new offices in Grimsby, Peterborough, and Nottingham this week. This significant expansion brings the firm’s presence in the region from five to eight offices, marking a notable milestone in the firm’s growth journey.
The new offices in Grimsby, Peterborough, and Nottingham are a testament to the firm’s ongoing success and its commitment to broadening its reach to serve more individuals and businesses. This expansion has been fuelled by the ongoing growth of the firm’s departments and teams.
With these new openings, Ringrose Law aims to replicate its successful model of providing a comprehensive range of personal and commercial legal services, catering to both individuals and businesses. The firm is dedicated to maintaining the high standards of service and expertise that have been the cornerstone of its operations across the region.
Ryan Clarke, Managing Director of Ringrose Law, expressed his enthusiasm about this phase of growth: “This expansion marks a significant period of growth for Ringrose Law. We are incredibly excited about the opportunities that these new locations will offer us. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and teamwork of everyone at the firm. We look forward to continuing to serve our clients with the same level of excellence and professionalism that has defined our practice.”
For over 100 years, Ringrose Law has been providing a wide range of legal services to individuals and businesses in Lincolnshire. Its expertise encompasses family law, divorce, childcare, personal injury, medical negligence, residential and commercial property transactions, wills & probate, discrimination law, dispute resolution, criminal law, and commercial law.
Ringrose Law’s expansion into Grimsby, Peterborough, and Nottingham underscores its commitment to providing accessible, quality legal services and support to more communities. The firm is excited to embark on this new chapter and to continue making a positive impact in the lives of those they serve.
For more information about Ringrose Law and its services, please visit www.ringroselaw.co.uk or contact the firm’s offices directly.
Business Shows Group marks 25 years of excellence in event organisation
Celebrating a memorable milestone, Business Shows Group is marking 25 years of excellence in event organisation. At the core of their heritage lies the Property & Business Investment Show, which runs alongside the East Midlands Expo, serving as a hub for networking and business growth opportunity in the continuously evolving environment of property, construction, finance, and related businesses.
In an age where daily client interactions are frequently limited to virtual contact, the annual events hosted by Business Shows Group serve as a meeting place for like-minded individuals to get together under one roof, generating meaningful conversations and driving business growth.
The appeal of the Expo lies not just in its longevity but in its ability to stimulate business development. In a single day, exhibitors can encounter more clients—new, old, prospective, and current—than they could meet in a month of travel and individual networking events. An indication of a well-curated event, where every handshake holds the promise of future collaboration and success.
Yet, amidst the recognition, a cautionary note resounds; beware the imitators and copycats who seek to ride on the coattails of success. Business Shows Group represents authenticity, its legacy built on quarter of a century of dedication to quality exhibitors & delegates alongside innovative ideas.
Exhibitor booking now for Nottingham, 11th November 2024 Anniversary event and Lincolnshire, 25th March 2025. For further details email tina@businessshowsgroup.co.uk or complete the exhibitor information form at https://businessshowsgroup.co.uk/exhibitor-enquiry/
