Offshore wind supply chain and port infrastructure set for £15m boost

Tess Egginton
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Offshore wind supply chain and port infrastructure set for £15m boost
Funding for the development of manufacturing facilities and port infrastructure to enable swifter deployment of offshore wind around the UK is the focus of the second round of The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator. Following the success of the initial funding round in 2024 The Crown Estate has allocated £15m for the next round of the programme which seeks to kick-start investments in  offshore wind-related port infrastructure and supply chain facilities. The Crown Estate established the £50m Supply Chain Accelerator last year to accelerate and de-risk the early-stage development of UK supply chain projects servicing the offshore wind sector. It supports existing early-stage projects to scale up into attractive capital investment opportunities, helping to drive demand for new jobs and skills. Following the passing of The Crown Estate Act 2025, this second round has been expanded to include UK ports and port-related infrastructure to support the construction, assembly, manufacturing, operations & maintenance, and wet storage of fixed and floating offshore wind, as well as supply chain opportunities that support deployment. Ports are set to play a major role in the UK’s clean energy transition as hubs for the construction, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms. The Government has set a target of up to 50GW of offshore wind deployed by 2030 and, with 14.7GW of offshore wind currently deployed off the UK’s coasts, greater funding for port infrastructure and facilities will be vital to deliver this ambition. The Government’s target includes 5GW of floating wind, with The Crown Estate’s current Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 expected to deliver up to 4.5GW in the Celtic Sea. The expanded scope of the Supply Chain Accelerator’s second round to include ports and port-related infrastructure as well as wet storage could support in the delivery of these targets. In the second funding round businesses can apply for up to £1.5m per eligible project, with The Crown Estate providing 50% matched funding for early-stage development expenditure together with an option to participate in the capital investment phase. The application process is now open and is due to close at the end of June. Successful projects will be chosen following an application assessment process and announced by the end of the year. The Crown Estate is being supported by professional services firm Grant Thornton. Ben Brinded, Head of Investment at The Crown Estate, said: “The ambition behind our Supply Chain Accelerator is to accelerate and derisk the offshore wind supply chain in support of the UK’s clean energy transition, boosting economic growth through new jobs and skills opportunity around the country. “Following the success of the initial funding round and the recent modernising of our investment powers through The Crown Estate Act 2025, we’ve expanded the ambition and scope for the second round of the Accelerator to include fixed and floating supply chain opportunities, together with ports and their associated facilities. “The application window is open until the end of June, and we are looking forward to hearing from applicants with UK projects we could support to get investment ready.” Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate, said: “The energy transition isn’t just about clean power; it also offers huge opportunities for new jobs, skills and regeneration across the country. “With one of the world’s largest offshore wind industries and growing ambitions, we want to support the UK’s supply chains and infrastructure to be as successful as our deployed offshore wind. “Ports are vital national assets which are key to unlocking the huge potential of our exciting clean energy transition. Providing funding for port infrastructure and supply chain facilities is an obvious and important next move for our Supply Chain Accelerator. “It will help the UK’s offshore wind sector to retain its global attractiveness to developers and investors, providing confidence we can increase our rate of deployment whilst also ensuring activity offshore is creating value for onshore communities up and down the country.”

Leeds Old Medical School to become Health Tech Innovation Hub

April Lara
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Leeds Old Medical School to become Health Tech Innovation Hub

The redevelopment of the historic Old Medical School in Leeds into a Health Tech Innovation Hub is poised to accelerate the next wave of medical advancements. The 75,000 sq ft Grade II*-listed building, dating back to 1894, will be a key part of the Leeds Innovation Village project, part of the city’s broader £2bn Innovation Arc.

Professor Phil Wood, CEO of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, emphasised that the project would position Leeds at the forefront of health tech research, attracting businesses, researchers, and clinicians to collaborate on breakthrough healthcare solutions. The facility will feature co-working spaces, meeting rooms, laboratories, and offices designed to foster collaboration and drive scientific progress and economic growth.

This redevelopment is expected to generate £13bn in economic impact and create around 4,000 jobs. The Innovation Hub will also play a pivotal role in shaping future healthcare facilities, including those planned for the new Leeds General Infirmary.

Scarborough Group International (SGI), the project’s developer, has committed to creating a world-class innovation ecosystem, with spaces for start-ups and established health tech players. The aim is to encourage open innovation and collaboration, moving away from the traditional isolated science park model.

Green-thinking Yorkshire furniture expert lands national accolade for sustainability

Michael Fisher
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Green-thinking Yorkshire furniture expert lands national accolade for sustainability
Harrison Spinks’ Technical Manager Ethan McGuigan has secured a top title in an awards programme from national trade body the British Furniture Association (BFA).
Ethan won the Award for Sustainability Champion – recognising an individual who has gone above and beyond to champion sustainability in the workplace.
He joined Leeds-based Harrison Spinks in 2022 as part of the sustainability team, with the task to further improve the company’s self-sufficient, vertical marketing ethos.
The company designs and manufactures its own springs in-house at its Leeds site, as well as rearing sheep and growing natural hemp fibres and linen flax on its very own Yorkshire farm.
Ethan McGuigan was nominated for the award for his impactful green- thinking strategy in the company’s sustainability journey.
The Future of Furniture Awards recognise excellence in sustainability and education, in the furniture industry – and the award was announced and presented to Ethan at the trade body’s Furniture Components Expo, held recently at the Telford International Centre.
BFA MD Phil Spademan said: “Our Future of Furniture Awards are recognised as a hallmark of businesses that are forward-thinking and recognise the importance of sustainability in the workplace.
“Ethan has made a significant impact throughout his company, delivering business-wide sustainability training and improving employees’ understanding of its sustainability strategy. He has created a more sustainable future in the furniture industry.”

TransUnion finalises acquisition of credit platform Monevo

April Lara
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TransUnion finalises acquisition of credit platform Monevo

TransUnion has completed its acquisition of UK-based credit prequalification and distribution platform Monevo from Quint Group Ltd. The deal, first announced in January, was funded through TransUnion’s existing cash reserves. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

Monevo’s platform connects lenders, banks, and comparison websites to provide personalised credit offers to consumers in the UK and US. It works with over 150 banks and credit providers globally, integrating lenders and publishers to improve credit distribution efficiency.

TransUnion, which previously held a 30% stake in Monevo following a minority investment in 2021, expects the acquisition to strengthen its position in the consumer lending market. The company sees prequalification as a key tool for improving credit access while minimising unnecessary credit searches that could affect consumers’ credit scores.

The acquisition aligns with TransUnion’s strategy to enhance its offerings for lenders and publishers, enabling them to provide tailored credit options with improved economics. Monevo will gain access to additional resources and markets under TransUnion’s ownership.

Legal advisors on the transaction included Jonathan Ross and Harry Hobson from Squire Patton Boggs.

RAF Scampton to be sold on open market despite regeneration plans

April Lara
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RAF Scampton to be sold on open market despite regeneration plans

The UK government will sell RAF Scampton on the open market, rejecting West Lindsey District Council’s bid to acquire the site for a £300 million redevelopment project.

Earmarked initially by the previous Conservative government for migrant housing, the site’s asylum plans were scrapped in September. The Home Office cited regulatory requirements preventing a direct sale to the council, emphasising that disposal of public land must follow market rules.

Since March 2023, the site has cost over £60 million. Government officials claim the sale will prevent further taxpayer losses. Meanwhile, the council, which had partnered with Scampton Holdings Ltd. for regeneration, argues that contamination, heritage issues, and infrastructure limitations make a public-private partnership the only viable option for redevelopment.

Scampton Holdings remains committed to the project despite setbacks. Chairman Peter Hewitt criticised the delays, while local MP Sir Edward Leigh called the government’s decision “madness,” arguing it wasted time and resources on failed asylum plans.

Arrow Film Converters sale secures 55 jobs in Castleford

April Lara
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Arrow Film Converters sale secures 55 jobs in Castleford

Arrow Film Converters, a flexible packaging firm based in West Yorkshire, has been sold out of administration to Coral Products Plc through its subsidiary, Film & Foil Solutions Ltd. The acquisition preserves 55 jobs and ensures continued operations at the company’s Castleford production facility.

Administrators James Clark and Howard Smith of Interpath were appointed on 1 April 2025 and have confirmed that the sale includes key assets such as flexographic printing machines and laminators. These will strengthen Film & Foil’s capabilities in specialist flexible packaging.

The agreement also provides a six-month licence for the business to operate from its BRCGS-accredited Castleford site.

Arrow Film Converters, which has been trading since 2003, reported a turnover of £17.9 million and a pre-tax profit of £231,295 for the year ending 31 July 2023. Coral Products Plc sees the acquisition as a strategic move to expand its production capacity, with a medium-term target of £50 million.

NHS trust secures long-term lease at Scunthorpe’s Elizabeth Quarter

April Lara
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NHS trust secures long-term lease at Scunthorpe’s Elizabeth Quarter

The Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) has signed a 15-year lease for office space at Elizabeth Quarter, a newly developed council-owned building in Scunthorpe.

The three-storey property includes a ground-floor café and reception area, with modern office space spanning approximately 1,250 sqm across the upper floors. The building was marketed for lease and attracted strong interest from potential tenants.

RDaSH will use the offices for clinical consultations, patient appointments, and as the headquarters for its Community Mental Health and Talking Therapy workforce. The trust, which provides mental health and children’s services in the region, sees the move as a key part of its expansion in North Lincolnshire.

The council expects the agreement to drive further commercial interest in the site, particularly for the ground-floor café. The move aligns with its strategy to support local economic growth and ensure value for money for taxpayers.

Phlux Technology secures £9m funding to expand its infrared sensor technology

April Lara
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Phlux Technology secures £9m funding to expand its infrared sensor technology

Phlux Technology, a spinout from the University of Sheffield, has raised £9 million in Series A funding to accelerate its entry into new markets. BGF led the funding round, which also included contributions from Octopus Ventures, Northern Gritstone, and Foresight.

The investment will help Phlux build on its breakthrough antimonide-based semiconductor technology, which delivers highly efficient, low-noise infrared sensors. These sensors are poised to revolutionise optical communications, enabling up to five times faster data rates and enhanced sensitivity compared to current devices. The funding will also drive expansion into industries such as industrial automation, defence, vehicle safety, and gas sensing.

With its first engineering samples showing notable performance improvements, Phlux plans to scale production, expand its engineering and commercial teams, and launch two new product ranges targeting optical communication and sensing systems. Already serving customers across Europe, Asia, and North America, the company is set to deepen its global presence and collaborate further with industry leaders.

Phlux CEO Ben White highlighted the significant market demand for high-speed optical communication systems and stated that this funding will help address long-standing technology bottlenecks.

New horizon takes shape on Grimsby’s skyline

Tess Egginton
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New horizon takes shape on Grimsby’s skyline
Grimsby’s new Horizon Youth Zone has reached a major construction milestone, with work now complete on the roofline of the final building, which offers a first glimpse of how the development will look on the town’s skyline. Located on Garth Lane, the development is being delivered by national charity OnSide in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, which is contributing to the development as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, and the Department of Culture Media and Sport, through the Youth Investment Fund. The site is being transformed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter and is due to open this autumn. As part of the work, a series of Grade II listed 19th century maltings and grain store buildings, known as West Haven Maltings and Migar House, have been fully restored and repurposed. The middle part of the building sits at the heart of the development alongside the River Freshney and on a river wall which had to be rebuilt using a pontoon in the river to create a safe working platform. The building had fallen into a state of disrepair but it has been rebuilt, and work is now complete on its new roof structure. In addition to the refurbishment and restoration aspects of the project, the final piece of the scheme will see Hobson & Porter constructing a large outdoor multi-use games area (MUGA). Horizon Youth Zone will offer a safe and inspiring place for young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, to enjoy their leisure time. Joe Booth, Business Development Director from Hobson & Porter, said: “With construction due to complete this summer ahead of the Youth Zone opening in autumn, this part of the development and restoration of the building, which was in a poor state of disrepair, is an achievement worth marking for the whole project team. “It’s been a highly complex part of the scheme, that also required a retaining river wall to be built, but it’s the final piece of the jigsaw that now shows how Horizon Youth Zone will integrate into Grimsby’s skyline. “The feedback we’ve received from the people of Grimsby has been fantastic, regardless of whether or not they’re connected to the project, because it’s given these buildings and this site a new lease of life and is going to make a huge difference to so many local young people, as well as bringing a state-of-the-art facility to the town.” Lucy Ottewell-Key, CEO of Horizon Youth Zone, said: “We’re delighted with how work is progressing and to see the completed roofline on this final building feels like a major milestone ahead of our opening later this year. “There’s a genuine buzz across North East Lincolnshire about Horizon Youth Zone and what it means for young people throughout the region, especially because so many local businesses, organisations and patrons are supporting us and making it possible, which is very exciting for everyone involved.” Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private sector led board, and once opened, it will be part of the OnSide network of 15 Youth Zones nationwide, which support over 50,000 young people annually. After completion, it’s estimated that Horizon could benefit up to 4,000 young people from North East Lincolnshire each year. Capital funders of Horizon Youth Zone comprise of Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Architectural Heritage Fund, The Youth Investment Fund, Evergreen Life, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Ørsted and Greencoats Wind UK. Horizon Youth Zone is also building a family of Founder Patrons, comprising of local organisations and philanthropists, who will support the Youth Zone during its first four years.

Second building tops out at University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus

Tess Egginton
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Second building tops out at University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus
The development of the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) has reached a key milestone, with a topping out ceremony for the Emily Siddon Building. It is the second NHIC building and is adjacent to the Daphne Steele Building, which opened in September 2024. The building is named after the healthcare advocate and governor of Huddersfield Technical College, a forerunner of the University, who spent the majority of her life in nearby Honley. The 6,800m² facility, expected to open in December 2025, will host new purpose-built diagnostic facilities including MRI and CT scanners. A Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) will open in partnership with Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) to provide access to thousands of additional diagnostic tests. Other floors of the building, designed by architects AHR, will contain specialist clinical teaching facilities. The Emily Siddon Building will also be home to a Health and Wellbeing Innovation Centre for local entrepreneurs or start-ups and organisations looking to benefit from locating with the University on the campus. The Centre is supported by the West Yorkshire Mayor and Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It will be operated by the team responsible for the University’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre.
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