Training organisation denied government funding calls on region to ‘go it alone’

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Training organisation denied government funding calls on region to ‘go it alone’

The head of a leading engineering training organisation has called for businesses to create their own “local powerhouse” after welcoming employers and learners to a new £5.5m skills centre.

Iain Elliott, CEO of Humberside Engineering Training Centre, revealed that the new facility at Pioneer Business Park in Stallingborough hs been paid for using reserves and a bank loan in the absence of any funding or support from government. He added that the “homegrown” nature of the project reinforced HETA’s commitment to ensure as much work as possible went to the local and regional business community. He said: “The financial investment by HETA should not be overlooked. We did this at a time of no grant funding, no public funding. We relied on our reserves that we have built up over the years and on borrowing. Santander have again been very supportive. “The bank and our trustees recognised that a project like this is vital for building the educational needs of the region and for the employers.” Hull-based construction company Hobson & Porter built the new facility, adding to its wealth of experience across the Humber region supporting skills in the energy and engineering sectors. Figures collated by HETA show that of the total build cost of £4.2m, just over £3m was for works carried out by businesses within 30 miles of the site, £3.4m was spent with businesses withing 40 miles and £3.97m with traders within 50 miles. Just over 42 per cent of the work was carried out by trades local to Grimsby and Immingham and 37.4 per cent of work was completed by trades local to Hull. With the addition of the land purchase price, fees and VAT the total cost of the project hit £5.5m and was on budget. Iain said: “We were only two weeks late and we’re not too worried about that given the impact of exiting Covid and war in Ukraine, with material costs soaring and supply of materials and labour both major issues. When the learners were ready to come in, we were ready to open.” He added that HETA is now eager to welcome other businesses to its location at the heart of North East Lincolnshire Council’s £42m South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP) area, which is being promoted as a major industrial development opportunity. He said: “Hopefully we will start seeing construction activity on some of the nearby sites. I really do want to see these pockets of land transformed and generating that local investment. “People talk about the Northern Powerhouse but we need to build our own local powerhouse because the spend will stay within the area. Our figures from this project show how we used the local supply chain.”

Farmers will need photo ID to buy certain kinds of fertiliser from October

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Farmers will need photo ID to buy certain kinds of fertiliser from October
The NFU is advising farmers to plan ahead for a change in the law that means that they will need to provide photo identification before they can purchase ammonium nitrate fertiliser this autumn.
That’s when a widening of the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023 will affect sales of AN fertilisers with a nitrogen content of 16% or more from the beginning of October.
The photo ID doesn’t need to be a passport or driving licence, and farmers will need to record the type of business and VAT number if the business has one. At this stage, the NFU doesn’t believe farmers will have to present photo ID in person – sending via email, text or another app will suffice – as long as it matches the name of the person placing the order or account holder if an individual. The ID provided can be of anyone in the farm business doing the buying, and verification will be kept on record and will need to be updated every 18 months in the case of professional users, or if there is a change to a usual order.
After raising concerns about the potential for this to be another barrier to placing an order in a fertiliser market which is still in a state of flux, the NFU says it has had assurances that there should be no requirement to provide the ID to place the order – it can be sent over afterwards. If there are multiple people in a farm business, it should only need one person to provide the ID on behalf of that business. As there are many and varied scenarios where this could apply, we cannot give comprehensive examples of how this will work, but if someone is seeking to buy fertiliser on behalf of others, the key test is likely to be who is acquiring the fertiliser on delivery. If you’re buying on behalf of a group, a photo ID belonging to someone from the farm the fertiliser will be delivered to is likely be required by the merchant. NFU Crops Board Chair Matt Culley said: “The NFU has stressed the importance of ensuring additional measures such as this do not put barriers in place that disrupt a grower’s ability to purchase important crop nutrients, especially during times of urgency to get fertiliser on farm and applied within the appropriate timeframe. “Farmers need to be aware of this new regulation so that they can work with their suppliers to ensure it doesn’t cause problems with purchases after 1 October.” The changes have been the subject of considerable lobbying from fertiliser trade association the Agricultural Industries Confederation, which has said that ‘tens of thousands’ of farmers could be caught out by the change. AIC Head of Fertiliser Jo Gilbertson said: “While we will always support efforts to further minimise the public safety risks of fertiliser falling into the wrong hands, the government has failed to understand how ammonium nitrate products are bought and sold within agriculture.”

Work to transform Elland town centre takes step forward

Tess Egginton
-
0
Work to transform Elland town centre takes step forward
Work to transform Elland town centre has taken a major step forward, with Calderdale Council appointing the contractors to deliver the projects. Over £6million of funding from the Future High Streets Fund is being invested in the centre of Elland, supporting improvements to public spaces, the main shopping areas around Southgate and the refurbishment of the community Cartwheel Club. This significant funding will help to create a thriving market town which is vibrant, safe and a great place to spend time, for the businesses, residents and visitors to Elland. There are four parts to the work in the town, and following a thorough tender process, two contractors have been appointed to deliver different elements of the project. Work to transform the look and feel of the town centre will be delivered by Eric Wright Civil Engineering. This work will include:
  • Improvements to the Market Square area – Over £1million of funding will enhance the area which hosts the market, recognising its long history. This will include surface improvements, as well as significant work to the adjacent Victoria Gardens and the lower part of Elizabeth Street.
  • Improvements to the Heart of the High Street – In response to local feedback, work is taking place to improve signage, lighting, and the street environment around the high street area, making it feel safer and look more attractive.
  • Improvements to Southgate – Southgate will be pedestrianised and a new seating area will complement the proposed improvements to Southgate Square, with planting and trees.
Additional works are also planned at the Cartwheel Club in Elland town centre, to upgrade it with new facilities. The work will be carried out by Code Building Solutions and will involve the complete refurbishment of the building to create a new community hub in the heart of Elland. Contractors for Code Building Solutions are already on site, with work expected to be complete in early 2024. Eric Wright Civil Engineering will begin works around the town centre this autumn, with survey work taking place in September and construction works beginning on site in October. Works will be carried out in phases. Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Towns, Tourism and Voluntary Sector, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said: “These are exciting times for Elland, with Future High Streets funding being used to transform the town centre and bring significant benefits for those living, working or visiting the town. “It’s great news that we’ve now appointed the contractors to deliver the projects, which will support the Council’s priority for thriving towns and places with new and improved services for local communities.” Diane Bourne, Managing Director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: “I’m thrilled that Eric Wright Civil Engineering has been appointed by Calderdale Council to deliver transformative works in Elland High Street, along with the creation of landscaped beds and planting trees around the town centre. “We’re looking forward to working collaboratively with everyone involved to deliver works that will not only harness the area’s historical features but create thriving, safe places for local residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy.” Paul O’Hare, director at Code Building Solutions, said: “It’s great news for Code to participate in the regeneration of the Cartwheel Club. The refurbishment will allow the building to be fully utilised as a fantastic facility for the community in Elland. Coming so soon after our refurbishment of the town’s library, it is clear to see there is a drive to ensure Elland is thriving in the coming decades.”

Henry Boot secures buyer for Sheffield head office

Tess Egginton
-
0
Henry Boot secures buyer for Sheffield head office
Henry Boot has completed on the sale of its current head office, Banner Cross Hall in Sheffield, to Davison Property Investment. The new owners will sensitively restore the Grade II listed building to provide modern workspace to cater to its range of business activities including recruitment, training, payroll, clinical insourcing and property investment. The new owners intend to transform part of Banner Cross Hall into dedicated serviced workspace, for local Sheffield businesses to use on a flexible basis. Davison Property Investments currently operates successful serviced offices in the Grade ll* listed Globe Works at Kelham Island in Sheffield. Alongside the workspace, there are plans to create an artisan restaurant and café, which will be open to the public, providing an opportunity for the local community to enjoy this historic building. Banner Cross Hall dates back to 1821 and has been used by Henry Boot since 1932. Henry Boot announced in March 2023 that they would be relocating their headquarters to the Isaacs Building in Sheffield city centre. Henry Boot’s new head office aims to support the company’s ambitious growth plans by providing its people, clients and partners with a contemporary, sustainable and more collaborative workspace. Tim Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Henry Boot, said: “Banner Cross Hall has been home to Henry Boot for over 90 years and has facilitated the successful growth of the company throughout this time. “We are pleased that the building will retain its core function as an office space, while the new owners also have plans to open up the building to the public, who will be able to benefit from the fantastic grounds that the Henry Boot team have been fortunate to enjoy for many years. “The sale of Banner Cross Hall represents the next exciting part of Henry Boot’s story, and we are looking forward to the move in November this year to help strengthen the links we have with the city and our partners. Our founder Henry Boot originally based the business in premises on Moore Street in the city, so in a way, it feels like we’re coming home.” Matthew Davison, CEO of Davison Property Investment, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Henry Boot as preferred bidder to take over the custodianship of such an important local landmark. We look forward to working with Sheffield City Council and the local community to help shape the next exciting stage in Banner Cross Hall’s history.” Knight Frank advised on the sale of Banner Cross Hall.

Series of health wins for strategic brand consultancy

Tess Egginton
-
0
Series of health wins for strategic brand consultancy

Strategic brand consultancy — The Engine Room — has scooped a series of health briefs, as the 21-year-old firm’s presence in the sector continues to grow.

The Yorkshire-headquartered agency has been re-appointed by medical diagnostics specialist, 2San. Having experienced significant expansion through the sale of Covid tests, the global firm approached The Engine Room, post-pandemic, with a range of new ‘at home’ wellness and female health kits. With a packaging design project already complete to accelerate 2San’s B2B routes to market, The Engine Room has now turned its attention to the launch of a consumer-facing brand.

This adds to the strategic rebrand — including renaming — of NHS healthtech firm, Mizaic (formerly IMMJ Systems). Having already provided electronic document management technology to a number of Trusts nationwide, the business — under the steer of a new CEO and senior leadership team — approached The Engine Room to help consolidate and reposition the brand, as it advances its support to digitise the NHS.

Former client ADL Smartcare — trailblazers in the provision of evidence-based data, research and intelligence on age-related decline — has engaged The Engine Room to rebrand The Lifecurve. The LifeCurve is a simple idea and an app-based toolkit, specially developed to empower people to take better care of their bodies as they approach key markers in their life, and consequently reduce pressure on the NHS as the population ages.

Meanwhile, Leeds GP Confederation — who originally approached The Engine Room to develop its training offer — has undertaken a values-based positioning project. Acknowledging the organisation’s range of services and complex cross-sell potential across 92 different practices, The Engine Room advised the firm to take a step back.

The brief has therefore morphed into a project to redefine its purpose, principles and personality, review its brand architecture, and map its full service offering. By helping GP Confederation visualise its multifaceted structure — a vast comms challenge in itself — the goal is to drive greater advocacy and understanding of the organisation’s work, in turn better supporting the GPs they are here to serve.

The launch of a new online magazine created by surgeons, for surgeons, completes the five-strong project line-up. Surgery International — a digital resource rich with insights, trends and thought leadership articles — represents a new brand that The Engine Room has built from the bottom up, with the potential for it to become a revenue-generating asset with real estate for commercial sponsorships and ad placements, moving forward.

Commenting on the influx of work in the health sector, The Engine Room’s founder and design director Darren Evans said: “We have long been passionate about using brand to drive change when it comes to the health, wellness and social care in society, and our extensive credentials in this complex field — not to mention deep-rooted understanding of global terminology, regulatory landscape and societal challenges — now see us support a growing number of public and private sector brands with important change agendas.

“Innovation is continually bringing new products and services to market, and brand naturally plays its part. But as the needs of the general public — and pressures on the health service — further evolve, it’s also important to redesign processes and propositions too.”

Based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, the team is no stranger to the health and medtech sectors, having long worked alongside global scalp cooling pioneers Paxman, CareFusion — which went on to be acquired by BD. An additional two projects — yet to be publicly disclosed — are also in the studio’s pipeline.

Yorkshire construction specialist marks 10 years with financial milestones and new office

Tess Egginton
-
0
Yorkshire construction specialist marks 10 years with financial milestones and new office

Yorkshire-based construction specialist, Henley Group, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with an 85% increase in YOY sales and a brand-new state of the art office in Wakefield to accommodate its expanding team.

The investment in office space and new hires comes as Henley Group also reports a rise in operating profits of 192%. It is on track for circa £12m+ turnover this financial year.

The company has invested significantly in its team within the last 12 months, hiring seven office-based employees and bringing the permanent team number to 23. The brand-new headquarters enables further space for the business to expand, with ten more hires forecasted by mid-2024. Henley Group also employs 80 contracted tradesmen and operatives and is looking to employ 15 more workers in this sector within the next 12 months.

The new two-storey office occupies over 6000 sq ft. The re-location will not only accommodate the growing team, but the area has an excellent talent pool of skilled operatives and managers within the construction sector, which will help to further facilitate expansion plans.

Managing Director, Shaun Henley, founded the business in 2012, beginning his career on site learning the skills of the trade on both small and large scale residential and commercial projects. With finite funding available, Shaun invested the money into setting up his own construction firm, offering bespoke stonemasonry and brickwork services.  

Henley Group now comprises a growing portfolio of businesses including Henley Stone Specialists, Henley Stone Restoration and Remedials, Henley Granite and Marble, and Henley Rail Services.

Shaun said: “I’m really proud of how far the company has come in the last ten years since our first project in 2013. It’s a testament to the team that we’ve been able to grow this rapidly, without compromising on our core values, quality and safety.

“It’s been a difficult few years for businesses in most sectors and the construction industry is no exception, impacted by way of job losses, rising costs and key players exiting the market. While it’s been a challenging time, by focusing on uncompromising quality, expanding our service offering and business portfolio and forging key relationships, we’ve been able to buck this trend and we’re excited for what the next decade will bring.” 

Speaking about the vision and next steps for the business, Shaun said: “Our next proposition is ‘Project Eagle’, which will be the next stage in establishing an integrated construction group that offers specialist services and products by optimising Henley Group’s current position in specific sub-sectors of the UK construction market.” 

Six projects costing £36m will improve water quality in Leeds and Bradford

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Six projects costing £36m will improve water quality in Leeds and Bradford
Yorkshire Water is investing £36m in six projects in west Leeds and Bradford to improve water quality within Pudsey Beck by reducing storm overflows during periods of prolonged or heavy rain. The six projects include:
  • New storm water storage at Pudsey Smalewell, Pudsey beginning in October 2023
  • Additional storm water storage off Dick Lane, Thornbury, Bradford beginning in January 2024
  • New storm water storage at Farnley ring road beginning in January 2024
  • Installation of storm water storage at Kent Road, Littlemoor Bottom, Pudsey beginning in February 2024
  • Installation of storm water storage at Dale Farm, Drighlington beginning in February 2024
  • The creation of a 4.7-hectare integrated constructed wetland at a disused Yorkshire Water site previously earmarked for housing at Hough Side, Pudsey beginning in July 2024
Additional storage will be added to the network to slow the flow of heavy or prolonged rainfall, which modelling indicates will reduce the number of storm discharges into Pudsey Beck by more than 20%. The new integrated constructed wetland at Hough Side will accommodate a minimum 25,000 cubic metres of diluted wastewater from heavy or prolonged rainfall events and will take about three years to build. Plants in a series of cells will treat the diluted wastewater as it travels through the wetland via gravity. Pollutants and nutrients will be naturally broken down and taken up by the plants and bacteria within the wetland. The wastewater will not include solid waste. Once established, the wetland will also provide a biodiversity net gain and improve the area for local wildlife. Richard Stuart, director of capital delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are committed to improving water quality in the rivers across our region. One of the key focuses is reducing storm overflows to make a real difference to water quality in our rivers. “This project is a significant investment in the west Leeds and Bradford areas to improve water quality within Pudsey Beck. The additional storage and wetland we are building into the network will reduce the number of storm overflows significantly into the watercourse and is just part of a £568m capital investment we are making across Yorkshire this year alone. “While work is being conducted in the area, there may be some traffic disruption and we are working closely with local authority highways departments to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. “We know that there is more to be done to tackle storm overflows.  We are already working on our largest ever environmental investment as part of our 2025-2030 business plan. The plans, which will be subject to approval by our regulator Ofwat, outline a £1 billion investment to further reduce discharges from overflows to meet the government’s storm overflow reduction plan, including the requirement for coastal bathing waters of an average of two spills per bathing water season by 2035.” The project is a collaboration between Yorkshire Water, Stantec, Kier, Arup, WSP, Mott MacDonald Bentley, Peter Duffy Limited, Galliford Try, Barhale, Tilbury Douglas, Leeds City Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Beware chatbots when seeking HR advice, says sector specialist

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Beware chatbots when seeking HR advice, says sector specialist
Employers in Lincolnshire are being advised not to use AI-powered chatbots for HR advice and guidance on employment law. HR expert Laura Reilly has spoken out because of the rising popularity of chatbots such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing AI, being used in place of some work functions. She says that whilst chatbots can be a time saver and help productivity for various tasks, their information isn’t always reliable, which could land businesses in hot water. Laura, of Taurus HR Solutions, said: “Chatbots are a great addition to many workplaces right now… if they’re used in the right way. “The problem is, their ‘learning’ is up to two years out of date, and because employment law changes so frequently, asking them for HR advice could lead to a business breaking the law – and that could mean business owners find themselves being taken to an employment tribunal for failing to stick to appropriate legislation.” Laura also points out that chatbots have been found to give out inaccurate information, or information that is country-specific, which could also lead to problems. She said: “When it comes to employment law, it’s always best to seek advice from a real-life HR expert. “We spend hours keeping up with changes to the law and making sure we’re well-versed in everything HR, to keep you and your staff protected. “While it can be tempting to cut corners to save money – especially in today’s climate – acting on the wrong advice could ultimately end up costing you way more.”

Spencer Group takes apprentice recruitment total to 50 in five years

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Spencer Group takes apprentice recruitment total to 50 in five years
Hull-based Spencer Group has reached a major milestone in its apprenticeship programme, with this week’s seven new recruits meaning it has employed more than 50 apprentices in just five years. The latest intake of young talent includes five engineering apprentices and two IT Services apprentices. They will join a growing number of Ron Dearing alumni who have taken up full time positions in Engineering, Commercial, Project Management, Design, Marketing, Planning, IT Service and Computer programming. As founding partners of Ron Dearing UTC, Spencer Group works closely with students from year 10 onwards with attendance at open events and career expos. The business also provides ongoing support including Work Experience Programme, Interview Skills training, Mock Interview practice, Professional Behaviours and Employability Skills training. The relationship between Spencer Group and the school has created a productive pipeline of fresh talent for the engineering industry as well as opening up exciting and rewarding opportunities for young talent. Charlie Spencer, Executive Chairman and founder of Spencer Group, said: “Employing our 50th apprentice in just five years is testament to the dedication and hard work being put in by staff at Spencer Group, Ron Dearing UTC and other employer partners to ensure there’s a pipeline of young talent within the city. “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the apprentices are making on the business as they develop into their full time positions.”

British Steel signs deal to supply steel for world’s largest wind farm foundation factory

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
British Steel signs deal to supply steel for world’s largest wind farm foundation factory
Steel made by Scunthorpe-based British Steel is being used to create the world’s largest factory of its kind – making the foundations for offshore wind farms. It’s the £450m project to build a monopile manufacturing facility at the Teesworks site by SeAH Wind. When complete, the 800-metre-long building will be the world’s biggest monopile facility, and is the first of its kind in the UK. The 40-metre high factory will produce up to 200 monopiles every year – which form the foundations of offshore wind turbines. A new deal between SeAH, British Steel and Severfield has now been signed which will see steel from Teesside’s Beam Mill at Lackenby, near Redcar, used in the giant development. Almost 400 people are now working on the site. Many more jobs for the plant will come online towards the end of 2023 and early in 2024 – with 750 direct jobs in total and 1,500 forecast to come through the supply chain. British Steel will supply more than 30,000 of tonnes of steel under the agreement. Ben Cunliffe, British Steel’s Commercial Director for Construction, said: “We’re extremely proud that our steel manufactured at Teesside Beam Mill is going into this hugely impressive development by SeAH Wind, and we are delighted to play our part in the exciting regeneration happening on our doorstep in Teesside. “While we have a rich heritage having supplied many iconic buildings across the globe, we’re focused on the future and delivering the high-quality products our customers require. “Teesside and British Steel remain at the forefront of UK steelmaking, and we look forward to working with our partners both on this huge project for SeAH Wind and beyond in the continued levelling up and transformation of the area.”

Bolt tightening event signals major milestone on Sheffield’s West Bar project

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Bolt tightening event signals major milestone on Sheffield’s West Bar project
An official bolt tightening event has taken place to celebrate a major construction milestone in the first phase delivery of the £300m West Bar development in Sheffield city centre.
Senior officials from project funder Legal & General visited the site to view progress on the steel frame superstructure for the first 100,000 sq ft office building, No.1 West Bar, which is expected to be completed by next June.  Construction is also well under way for the two residential blocks to provide 368 build to rent apartments.
Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, a joint venture between Urbo Regeneration and Peveril Securities (the development arm of the Bowmer and Kirkland Group) secured £160 million of funding from Legal & General in the largest single city centre investment deal Sheffield has ever seen.  It has awarded a £94 million construction contract to Bowmer & Kirkland to deliver the first phase to include West Bar Square, which will be the heart of the commercial public realm area and Soho Yard which will serve the residential BTR apartments.
As part of the agreed deal between Legal & General and Urbo, a second 100,000 sq ft office building will be delivered to follow No.1 West Bar Square.  A new 450 space multi-storey car park is also part of the first phase with around 300 cycle storage spaces and electric car charging points.  Connectivity into the surrounding walking and cycling routes is incorporated to encourage more sustainable travel.
Gordon Aitchison, Director of Investment and Development at Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, said: “It’s fantastic to see such momentum at Sheffield West Bar as we continue in partnership with Urbo, Sheffield City Council, and the local community. The delivery of West Bar will provide a vibrant new quarter for the centre of Sheffield; bringing much-needed new homes, jobs, and regeneration. “With the need for investment in our UK towns and cities ever-increasing, Legal & General remains committed to using dynamic partnerships to spark regeneration and secure the economic prosperity of socially important schemes.”
Peter Swallow, MD at Urbo, said: “It is incredible to witness how far Bowmer & Kirkland have progressed with three great structures already making a prominent stamp on the city skyline and even more exciting to realise that completion is just ten months away!”
The West Bar neighbourhood is on the Inner Ring Road between Sheffield’s Kelham Island, Cathedral and Castlegate Quarters.
Surrounding public realm, West Bar Square will become a landscaped focal point of the project whilst providing much needed amenity space for occupiers and the local community.
Soho Yard offers 368 residential apartments within two buildings situated around a landscaped space and gardens with access via Plum Lane. The properties will be delivered and operated by Legal & General as part of its highly successful ‘Build to Rent – Homes for Life’ portfolio. It sits on the site of the famous ‘Soho wheel’ that powered grinding machinery near the River Don after the Industrial Revolution.
West Bar is a £300 million, award-winning development that is transforming a strategically important gateway site in Sheffield to provide one million sq ft of mixed-use space.  This includes 500,000 sq ft of new Grade A workspace, residential apartments, new high quality public realm, multi storey car parking, together with new retail and leisure uses.  As well as providing much needed new housing, it will deliver the city’s largest office floorplates whilst supporting up to 8,000 new jobs.
 

Feasibility study to be launched for Keighley’s Beechcliffe site

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Feasibility study to be launched for Keighley’s Beechcliffe site
Consultants are being sought for a feasibility study into the development of a multi-million-pound industrial estate in Keighley. An investment of up to £7m from the Keighley Towns Fund has been earmarked for the development of the eight-acre Beechcliffe site. The Council-owned site, beside the Hard Ings roundabout to the west of the A629, has been allocated for employment uses since the early 90s. The first phase of work will be a feasibility study to look at the level of work needed to secure planning permission, remediate the site, and construct an access road, as well as upgrade the existing path which links Royd Ings with Utley with a new cycle and footpath route. The second phase would be undertaking a full programme of work to remediate the site and deliver plots for development. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “We know there’s huge demand for employment land in and around Keighley so I’m delighted this project is moving forward. “The first stage is a feasibility study but ultimately we’re looking to create a new industrial park which will increase the opportunities for businesses in the area and generate employment opportunities for residents.” Ian Hayfield, Chair of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “This £7m allocation is a very specific fund targeting the redevelopment of identified brownfield sites, taking the pressure off greenfield sites. The aim is to increase the supply of business accommodation in Keighley, which will bring a significant economic boost for the area.” From the Keighley Towns Fund money, £14m has been specifically allocated to transform derelict buildings or empty sites in Keighley, called the ‘Development Investment Fund.’ It is from this fund that the £7m for this project has been allocated.

Former Sky Director joins Yorkshire Water in customer experience role

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Former Sky Director joins Yorkshire Water in customer experience role
Yorkshire Water has appointed former Sky Director of Home Services, Imran Patel as its new Group Director of Customer Experience as the utility pushes forward with plans to modernise the services provided to customers in the region. Imran will join Yorkshire Water in the new year, with over 20 years’ experience delivering customer-centric transformation programmes. His most recent role at Sky focussed on leading the Home Services business ensuring that Sky products are delivered into homes across the UK, leading a team of about 4,000 engineers. Before Sky, Imran spent over 18 years at BT in various roles focussed on leading field teams, contact centres and other service-related departments. Nicola Shaw, Chief Exec at Yorkshire Water, said: “Imran’s experience in managing the delivery of UK-wide services for Sky and BT, along with his passion for transformation and customer experience match well with our ambitions and we’re delighted that he will be joining our team.” Imran said: “This is a great opportunity for me to bring my knowledge and experience of all things customer and transformation to work with the teams in Yorkshire Water to develop and shape our services for the future. “I’m very much looking forward to working for an organisation that can really make a positive impact on the communities it serves.”

Leeds healthcare specialist secures £8.25m investment

Tess Egginton
-
0
Leeds healthcare specialist secures £8.25m investment
Healthcare specialist Primary Care Physio Limited (PCP) has secured an £8.25 million investment from BGF. Founded in 2020 by Ryan Allen, Mohammed Nazir and Professor Gary Shuckford, PCP is a rapidly growing primary healthcare service. It provides physiotherapists and podiatrists to Primary Care Networks (PCNs), freeing up GP capacity in the primary care sector. The company currently employs over 300 clinicians. This significant investment from BGF will allow PCP to execute its ambitious growth strategy, while helping to alleviate some of the challenges facing the primary healthcare market, including chronic GP shortages, growing musculoskeletal issues, and an increasing emphasis on community-focused care. Jon Lowe, the former CEO of Connect Health, will join PCP as its non-executive chair. Meanwhile, Dean Barber will be joining as chief financial officer. Ryan Allen, CEO at Primary Care Physio, said: “With a growing, ageing, and increasingly complex patient landscape, there is an unprecedented need for a flexible and fast musculoskeletal platform that enables GP practices to continue to deliver best practice care. At PCP, we enable PCNs to meet their objectives. “To achieve our wider strategic aims, we wanted a minority investment partner that recognised the vast potential that exists—not only in our business, but in the wider marketplace. “We also wanted to work alongside an investor that could adopt a patient and long-term outlook, but equally had a strong track record of helping businesses to capitalise on the opportunities ahead of them. BGF ticked all those boxes and we’re delighted to be working with the team, who we can see will add value beyond the investment.” The deal was led by Chris Boyes and James Baker, investors in BGF’s Yorkshire team. Chris Boyes, BGF investor, said: “PCP is an exciting and rapidly expanding business in a sector with significant potential, led by a highly experienced management team, with strength and depth in the primary care market. “We’re delighted to be supporting PCP’s ambitious growth plan, as it looks to continue to deliver best in class solutions and outcomes. As the primary care market continues to recover from the pandemic, PCP is well placed to maintain its rapid growth, supporting the delivery of patient outcomes. “We look forward to partnering with Ryan and the wider PCP team as we continue to scale the business.”

Printing company fined £100,000 after worker’s hand crushed

Tess Egginton
-
0
Printing company fined £100,000 after worker’s hand crushed
A commercial printing company has been fined £100,000 after an employee’s hand was crushed by a laminating machine. The man had been working for Celloglas Limited at the firm’s site at Cross Green Industrial Estate in Leeds. He was attempting to fix a laminating machine on 25 November 2020 when his right hand was drawn into the device and crushed between two rollers. The worker, who was 31 at the time, realised the machine had broken while he was feeding the device with paper. The incident led to the man’s right hand sustaining soft tissue crush injures as well as nerve damage and contact burns to his right wrist. The injuries to his hand meant the man could not drive for seven months following the incident and also led to him suffering with anxiety and PTSD. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found the laminating machine was not adequately guarded and that the company failed to review existing risk assessments for the machine which required the production of a safe system of work. Celloglas Ltd, of Exeter Way, Theale Commercial Estate, Theale, Reading, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £5,165.09 in costs at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on 30 August 2023. HSE inspector Darian Dundas said: “A review of existing risk assessments for the machine should have identified that a safe system of work was required to keep operatives safe from harm. Had such a review taken place then this incident could so easily have been avoided.” This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Gemma Zakrzewski.

Digital dentistry firm receives £2m seed funding

Tess Egginton
-
0
Digital dentistry firm receives £2m seed funding
A spin-out company from the University of Leeds has received investment to accelerate the development of AI dentistry products. Northern Gritstone has led a £2m seed funding round in Mimetrik, alongside participation from angel investors with decades of experience in the dental industry. The investment will enable the company to expand its team and deliver its first three products to market. Based in the University’s state-of-the-art innovation hub at Nexus, Mimetrik was founded in 2020 and builds on more than a decade of world-leading research at the School of Dentistry. The company has developed a 3D-scanning technology that uses machine learning to generate fully digitised images of patients’ dentition and facial structure. The products combine cutting-edge software, hardware and mobile apps. Mimetrik’s aim is to create a full ‘digital pathway’ between dental labs and clinicians for the benefit of patients, replacing the costly, time-intensive current approach of creating physical models of each patients’ dentition and enabling more accurate and faster treatment. Together, this investment is set to redefine the global digital dentistry market, covering dental impression scanning, occlusion, virtual articulation and restorative treatment planning. The software is primed to make significant advancements in preventative treatment pathways.
Dr Martin Stow, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Enterprise at the University of Leeds, said: “Our world leading research in the School of Dentistry, coupled with the collaboration opportunities provided by our innovation hub, Nexus, has enabled the University’s spin-out company Mimetrik to develop groundbreaking new technologies to advance patient treatment. “It is fantastic to see Northern Gritstone choosing to invest in the business and we hope that the funding will accelerate the company’s development to start bringing vital improvements to dental clinicians, manufacturers and patients around the globe.” Alyn Morgan, Founder and CEO of Mimetrik, added: “With over 30 years in clinical dentistry, I have seen first-hand the time and cost spent on traditional techniques and I believe that our products have the ability to transform the industry and ultimately ensure better patient care. “Northern Gritstone’s investment is a vote of confidence in our technology and we will benefit from their advice and knowledge as we continue to grow and bring our products to market.” Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: “Mimetrik’s technology has the capacity to bring dentistry into a new age, removing unnecessary costs and time delays with AI-driven software. It is fantastic to see the North of England producing such cutting-edge technology that might have an impact on an essential part of our lives.”

Hessle travel firm acquires corporate clients from London-based company

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Hessle travel firm acquires corporate clients from London-based company

Hessle-based travel management company Good Travel Management Ltd has acquired the corporate customer base of London and South-East based, Wexas Travel Management for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition will add 70% growth to the turnover of the Hessle-based operator in a deal that sees all 21 business travel employees from Wexas joining Good Travel Management, bringing their headcount to more than 50. Kevin Harrison, MD of Good Travel Management said, “We’ve been an admirer of Wexas’ corporate business for a number of years. They’re known for high quality service, delivered by a very experienced team. In an industry where the quality of people makes the difference, we believe this acquisition complements our business and aspirations perfectly.” The newly acquired team will continue to work from their central London location, with support from Good Travel Management’s team in Hessle. With GTM boasting a range of new services and tools to help clients book travel better and make smarter choices when it comes to travel and business’ ESG policies, Harrison is confident of a bright future, “The joining of these two corporate travel teams will create benefits for both sets of customers and this acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering the best travel service experience for customers. Together, we will continue to shape the future of corporate travel while leaving a positive impact on the travellers and businesses we serve.” The John Good business can trace its travel industry routes back to the late 1890s, at which time it was looking after passengers travelling to and from Scandinavia. In 1946 it became one of the first travel management companies to be recognised by IATA. Today, Good Travel Management is a proud member of the John Good Group of companies, which traces its roots back to 1833. The group compromises of interests in shipping, logistics, warehousing, property and travel.

New director for CBRE’s Planning & Development team in the North

Tess Egginton
-
0
New director for CBRE’s Planning & Development team in the North

CBRE’s Planning & Development team has named Hannah Blunstone as its new director to join the Northern business, in an internal move to focus on the team’s alternative use capabilities.

Hannah has been with CBRE for more than a decade and was previously a director in the London and South East team. She brings more than 15 years’ experience as a chartered town planner across a range of sectors, most recently focusing on life sciences, higher education and student accommodation, film studios, healthcare and mixed use development.

Hannah will be based out of both Manchester and Leeds, with a focus on identified growth sectors across the region.

In CBRE’s recently issued research report, ‘Which City? Which Sector? – Real Estates prospects over the next decade’ – that identifies the top 10 growth cities for different sectors, Manchester takes the top spot as the UK’s leading growth city across multiple sectors including all residential classes (including student accommodation) and a top 3 destination for Life Sciences.

The research report also identified positive signs for other northern core cities with Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and Liverpool named amongst the top 10 growth locations for all use class sectors covered by the report. Hannah’s appointment is timely to support these growth sectors.

Iain Jenkinson, executive director, CBRE Planning & Development, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hannah into the northern team. She brings a wealth of experience from London and the South East in many of the growth areas we are seeing right now and will add depth to our strategic advice and the project management of major planning applications in these sectors. We look forward to Hannah joining us.”

Hannah Blunstone, director, CBRE Planning & Development, said: “With the government’s focus on the regeneration of northern towns and cities and many transformational projects identified, it is an exciting time to be joining the growing Northern Planning & Development team. I am looking forward to utilising my recent experience in some of the alternative use classes which are key to many large scale regeneration projects.”

Yorkshire Water to invest £40m in treating Sheffield’s waste water

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Yorkshire Water to invest £40m in treating Sheffield’s waste water
Yorkshire Water is investing £40m in its Blackburn Meadows wastewater treatment works, as part of its ongoing commitment to improve river water quality. The project, which is being delivered by Glanua, will focus on removing the amount of phosphorus in the treated wastewater that is returned to the river after treatment. Phosphorus is a normal part of domestic sewage, entering the sewer system via domestic showers and washing machines due to products such as shampoo and liquid detergent containing it. The work will be completed by December 2024. To enable the construction on the site the operations of Blackburn Meadows, which takes wastewater from Sheffield and the surrounding areas, will be diverted to Jordans Dam. Yorkshire Water has liaised with the Environment Agency in the planning of this work. Rachael Fox, head of programme delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are committed to improving water quality in the rivers across our region. One of the key focuses is the reduction of phosphorus entering rivers in the treated wastewater we safely return to the environment. Reducing phosphorus levels can make a real difference to water quality in our rivers. “This project is a significant part of a £790m investment by 2025 in Phosphorus removal. Blackburn Meadows is one of our largest wastewater treatment works. The upgrade of the site will significantly reduce the Phosphorus levels in the Don, benefiting the watercourse and the wildlife in it.”  

Antiques Centre signs up to commercial waste recycling scheme

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Antiques Centre signs up to commercial waste recycling scheme
Hemswell Antique Centre has joined West Lindsey District Council’s Commercial Waste Service. Switching to the council’s service will support Hemswell Antique Centre, home to Lancaster bombers during WW2, in improving its sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. Increased recycling and diversion of waste from landfill is aligned with the council’s ambitious goal to reach carbon neutrality before 2050. Partnerships like this represent important steps on the path to curbing climate change and protecting the planet for future generations to come. All mixed recycling is taken to MID UK Recycling who run two fully accredited recycling processing plants in Lincolnshire. Items are processed at their state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility, with any recyclable materials that are extracted being supplied to re-processors. Separate paper and cardboard is taken to Palm Paper in Kings Lynn, which is one of the leading companies in the European paper recycling industry. It’s paper mills produce high-quality newsprint and corrugated packaging products. Paul Dagg, Operations Director for Hemswell Antique Centre, said: “Antiques themselves are incredibly environmentally friendly – for example, industry studies have shown that an antique chest of drawers will have just one twelfth of the carbon footprint of its modern-day counterpart. “It is essential that every part of our business is consistent with the same green credentials as the items we sell, and partnering locally is an important part of that strategy. We are thrilled to be working with West Lindsey District Council, trusting their proven record in waste management to help us become more sustainable, whilst keeping our costs low.” Cllr Stephen Bunney, Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, said: “It is great to see businesses such as this signing up to the service along with more than 500 other customers in the West Lindsey area. The Council is a recognised brand, and we have a strong track record of collecting waste and recycling. “As a Council, we are striving to become carbon neutral by 2050. We are leading the way by offering customers bins for general waste, mixed recycling and dedicated bins for paper and cardboard. “Hemswell Antique Centre opting to use our service demonstrates their commitment and trust in us to recycle as much of their waste as possible, helping to reach our overall target.”  
1...243244245...475Page 244 of 475