Leeds design and interiors business acquired to ensure employment for staff following market challenges
Design and interiors business Dowsing & Reynolds has been acquired in a deal that will help it deliver future growth.
Following a recent business restructure and a considered move to enter into an administration process, Dowsing & Reynolds has been acquired by its existing owners, Ally & James Dowsing-Reynolds.
This action has been taken to ensure the stability and security of all current positions within the company following a significant post-pandemic market downturn and a challenging economic climate.
Since launching in 2013, D&R has become an established brand producing design-led fixtures and fittings such as statement lighting and sockets and switches, appearing in The Times Top 100 list.
However, with unprecedented challenges from the pandemic and economic instability causing lower consumer confidence, compounded by the pressures of the ongoing cost of living crisis and the dampened housing market, the industry has been profoundly impacted.
Co-founder James Dowsing-Reynolds explains: “We have restructured the whole business to become more streamlined and this acquisition has been able to secure everyone’s jobs and the future of the brand.
“Our primary focus has been, and will always be, the welfare and security of our dedicated staff, whose hard work and loyalty have been fundamental to our operations. We are committed to maintaining continuity and are grateful for the unwavering support and loyalty from our employees, customers, and suppliers during these times.
“As we embark on this next step of our journey, our commitment to excellence in design remains unchanged. Our team is enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. We are implementing robust strategies to enhance our operational efficiencies and product offerings, ensuring that Dowsing & Reynolds continues to meet the needs of our customers with high-quality products which help them to create homes and commercial spaces that are loved. We feel really positive about the future.”
Wakefield-based YPO appoints head of procurement
Wakefield-based YPO has appointed Michelle Walker to a new role as head of procurement services.
She will lead on forming strategic stakeholder partnerships, nurturing strong internal relationships and collaborating with customers within the supply chain of YPO, one of the UK’s largest public buying sector organisations.
She said: “It’s exciting to begin this role at such a pivotal time in the industry, and I am looking forward to strategically working with leaders across YPO and its partners to build opportunities that can develop and grow the organisation whilst delivering an outstanding service.”
Simon Hill, MD at YPO, added: “Michelle joins us with a wealth of experience in public sector procurement, working at the NHS for over 20 years in total. She has led teams through some of the most challenging times, such as the pandemic, and truly has a passion for making a difference. The board and I look forward to working with Michelle closely to shape YPO’s procurement strategy for the future.”
Michelle is an award-winning procurement professional with extensive experience in the public sector, specifically within the NHS and higher education at Sheffield Hallam University. For the past 15 years she has held a position within the NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative in Sheffield, with her most recent role seeing her lead a team within the Healthcare Services and Pharmacy category.
As well as her category work, Michelle conceptualised and delivered a well-regarded suite of training for procurement and non-procurement staff on a national scale, contributing as a keynote speaker at numerous national events.
Michelle also teaches the next generation of procurement professionals, delivering CIPS level 4 and 5 training at the College of York and the University of Hull. Michelle is CIPS qualified and holds a post graduate qualification in Public Procurement Law and Policy from the University of Nottingham.
Hundreds attend first supplier conference to talk about deployment of Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors
More than 130 delegates, with hundreds more joining virtually, attended Rolls-Royce SMR’s first Supplier Conference in Sheffield to discuss their vital role deploying a global fleet of Small Modular Reactor power plants.
Representatives from small, medium and large organisations – from the UK and around the world – met senior Rolls-Royce SMR executives and supply chain specialists to understand how they can get involved in this transformative decarbonisation opportunity.
Rolls-Royce SMR’s Chief Finance Officer Peter Morton, said: “The event was the first time we’ve engaged with such a diverse group of existing and potential suppliers to explain what we need and outline how we can work together and, importantly, to better understand what they want from us.
“The event has been all about further developing the solid foundations on which we’ll build a strong, resilient and sustainable supply chain – not only is that critical to the success of our business but it will be transformational in terms of jobs, growth and social value creation.”
Organisations that have products and services to offer were encouraged to register their interest by signing up to the Rolls-Royce SMR Supplier Portal which is the first step towards becoming a Rolls-Royce SMR supplier.
The Rolls-Royce SMR is the first nuclear power station to be designed and built in the UK for over a generation, and offers a radically-different approach to delivering new nuclear power. Each ‘factory-built’ nuclear power station will provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years and will create thousands of long-term, high-skilled jobs.
Paint reprocessing specialist moves to Temple, Leeds
Paint reprocessing specialist, Seagulls Reuse, has relocated to 129 Water Lane within the heart of the Temple district of Leeds.
Seagulls will recycle, mix and sell paint as well as running a series of creative workshops close to the city centre in its new 31,150 sq ft warehouse.
Cat Hyde, co-founder of Seagulls, said: “We’d love to have the capacity to collect leftover trade paint but, at the moment, we have enough paint from Leeds households to meet our customers’ needs. But we are hopeful that this new city centre location in the fast-growing Temple district will hopefully entice new painters through the door enabling further expansion.
“So this is a plea to people across the city to pop in and see significant savings on quality paint, varnish and timber care. Whether painting your home, office, community centre, shed or garden furniture – we have something for everyone no matter the colour.
“The new space will also enable us to expand the range of workshops we run, from beginners decorating courses, to mosaics, murals and terrazzo, we will also have decorating pods available for hire.”
Seagulls Reuse launched in 2005. It is the brainchild of Cat Hyde and her co-founder. Keen to find new pathways into employment, with a shared passion for environmental sustainability they wanted to create a social enterprise that would benefit their community. They engaged with Leeds City Council and agreed to collect and reuse paint disposed at the nine Household Waste Recycling Centres across the city.
They now divert almost 400 tonnes of reusable paint each year, checking and reprocessing it for resale.
Antonia Martin-Wright, Director of Commercial Development at CEG, said: “It is fantastic to welcome Seagulls to Water Lane. They join Slung Low and our new Forging Futures training and skills campus at Temple and share many of our values, both in terms of environmental sustainability and the importance of social enterprise. We wish them every success in their new city centre home.”
Property Agent Fox Lloyd Jones introduced Seagulls Reuse to its new home. Zac Parker at FLJ Ltd said: “We’re delighted to have negotiated the deal to bring Seagulls Reuse to the Temple District, supporting their immediate and future growth plans, while adding significant value to the wider Temple Community. It has been a pleasure to work with the Seagulls Team on the transaction and we wish them all success for the future.”
Political parties urged to put food security policies on the menu
The NFU, British Retail Consortium, UK Hospitality and Food and Drink Federation have joined forces to express frustration at the lack of coverage during the campaigns so far as to how the next government will approach the issue despite widespread agreement that “food security is national security”.
Given that the food and drink supply chain employs 7.7m people, and is the UK’s largest industrial sector, worth £240bn, political parties have been called upon to set out how they intend to support domestic food and farming sectors, and how they will work to ensure resilient supply chains.
In a letter to the party leaders, the organisations say this omission in public election campaigning needs to be urgently addressed before polling day.
The letter states: ‘Our food system has shown itself in recent years to be efficient and resilient, maintaining UK food supply through a series of major challenges, including Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and new trading arrangements by leaving the European Union.
‘At times those supply chains have come under severe strain, leading to shortages of some food and drink products and increasing costs at all points of the chain from producer to consumer.
‘It would be foolhardy to assume that our food system will always withstand shocks, especially against the backdrop of increased geo-political instability and climate change.
‘The basic responsibility of any government is to ensure its citizens are safe and properly fed. But while we have heard much about defence and energy security in recent weeks, we have heard very little about food security.
‘The lack of focus on food in the political narrative during the campaigns demonstrates a worrying blind spot for those that would govern us.’
The letter makes the case that a thriving food and drink sector functions as ‘an engine for economic growth’, providing varied employment across all entry levels.
Profitable businesses across the food and drink supply chain not only contribute to the UK’s food security but also mean our natural environment can be managed sustainably and protected, and help meet climate ambitions the letter says.
‘A well-functioning supply chain also gives consumers access to a wide range of fresh produce and healthy food, is a crucial aspect of improving diets, alleviating pressure on the health service and improving health outcomes for our citizens.’
The letter concludes: “We should never take our food security for granted, and whoever forms the next government will need to address these issues as a priority. Taken together, these policies can provide the critical ingredient – confidence – that will allow industry to deliver a resilient food system, investing for the future, driving productivity, leading the way in energy efficiency, continuing the journey of protecting and enhancing the environment, and most of all, ensuring that British food remains on our shelves and available for all.”
Sheffield firm makes significant contribution to groundbreaking European project
Sheffield clean energy company ITM Power has made a significant contribution to a pan-European flagship project exploring the possibility of producing hydrogen for use as clean energy on an industrial scale.
It was REFHYNE, a first-of-a-kind project at the forefront of the effort to supply green refinery hydrogen for Europe, which took place in Germany and supported by the European Commission’s Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
ITM Chief Technology Officer Dr Simon Bourne said: “We are proud of the successful
conclusion of the REFHYNE project. This groundbreaking initiative has demonstrated the viability and potential of green hydrogen production in a refinery setting at an industrial scale.
“The achievements of the project, which saw much of the work take place during the global
pandemic, highlight the dedication of all partners involved, and ITM’s ability to deliver
electrolyser projects even during the most testing of circumstances. Furthermore, the data
gathered from REFHYNE shows ITM’s market leading stack performance together with extreme operational flexibility. REFHYNE has been a true lighthouse project that has made a substantial contribution to the industry.”
The project began in January 2018 with the aim to validate the business model for using
electrolytic hydrogen as an input to refineries
Small firms need interest rate cut sooner rather than later, says FSB
In the wake of the Bank of England deciding to hold the base rate at 5.25%, he said: “Yet again, the MPC has opted to stick instead of twist, a move which was widely predicted but which is no less disappointing for it.
“The high plateau rates are currently stuck at is now undermining growth, as small firms struggle to access affordable finance to help them expand.
“Inflation is now back on target, and holding off a cut in the base rate until a future date risks snuffing out tentative signs of a recovery in GDP, with the flat growth in April a warning sign.
“Even with services inflation coming in higher than expected yesterday, the danger posed by stifling growth must not be ignored, as doing so will have potentially devastating consequences for small businesses.
“Small firms will be hoping that the tipping point for a cut will be reached sooner rather than later, to help them invest and scale up.”
Construction firm makes most of apprenticeships thanks to Opportunity Goole
Goole-based construction firm Helm & Ransome has secured apprenticeships for two of its young employees after receiving support from the Opportunity Goole team, funded by Goole Town Deal.
Scott Ransome, a Director of Helm & Ransome Construction Ltd, first spoke to advisors from the team at an event that they hosted in Goole to raise awareness of the free support and advice on offer to both local businesses and individuals.
He said: “I went along to the Opportunity Goole event and met Linda, one of the advisors. Since then, Linda has been helping us with apprenticeships; she has got two of our lads onto apprenticeship courses so they will spend blocks of time at college and blocks of time with us.
“We’ll benefit by gaining more skilled workers, which will help us to grow the business.”
Scott explained that Linda was helping him to identify grant funding sources to meet the cost of other training opportunities for members of the Helm & Ransome team, and has also put him in touch with the Invest East Yorkshire Business Support team at East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The Business Support team has encouraged Scott to sign up to the Supply Chain Network, a directory of local suppliers, ensuring that, when contracts arise in the local area, Helm & Ransome is well positioned to be able to bid for and secure them.
Scott added: “It has been quite helpful and I would encourage others who are looking for support to make contact with Opportunity Goole. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction and may also be able to help you access grant funding to cover the cost of training and other support.”
Linda Naylor of the Opportunity Goole team said: “We’re delighted to have been able to help get two of Scott’s employees onto apprenticeships, as well as helping him to identify other potential sources of grant funding to help with the future training needs of the business. Meanwhile, our colleagues in the Invest East Yorkshire Business Support team are helping Scott to ensure that he’s aware of and able to go for any suitable local business opportunities that come up locally.”
Football club signs eight-year contract with renewable energy company
Bridlington Town AFC has signed a long-term solar power purchase agreement with Hull-based renewable energy company HDM Energies.
The agreement, under HDM Energies’ ‘Energy for All’ scheme, will see a 400-panel solar array capable of generating 180 kW fitted on the roof of the stands at the Queensgate stadium in Bridlington.
With an estimated annual saving of £42,000, the deal provides Bridlington Town with access to affordable renewable electricity to power its 2,800-capacity stadium at a fixed low-cost rate, offering price certainty and improved energy security for the club.
The installation of the panels is expected to be completed next month, with HDM Energies financing the project and maintaining the panels throughout the eight-year contract. Powered by clean and renewable energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for matchday visitors will also be added to the system at no additional cost.
Daniel Rogers, CEO of HDM Energies, said: “It is great to see forward-thinking clubs like Bridlington Town AFC embracing solar to power their stadiums. We are thrilled to be able to facilitate panels for a local club through our Energy for All scheme, ensuring they can continue to enjoy affordable electricity bills and clean energy for many years to come.”
The ‘Energy for All’ PPA enables Bridlington Town AFC to directly purchase the solar energy produced at rates much lower than grid-supplied energy prices, significantly lowering overheads. By becoming carbon negative and a net exporter of electricity, the installation of solar PV to power the stadium and grounds will ensure a greener future for the club, reflecting their commitment to sustainability within the community.
Bank of England holds interest rates at 5.25% for seventh time
The Bank of England has held interest rates for the seventh time, at 5.25%, in line with expectations.
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way to help sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 19 June 2024, the MPC voted by a majority of 7–2 to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%. Two members preferred to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 5%.
Twelve-month CPI inflation fell to 2% in May from 3.2% in March, though is expected to rise slightly in the second half of this year.
Alpesh Paleja, Interim Deputy Chief Economist, CBI, said: “It’s unsurprising that the Monetary Policy Committee kept interest rates on hold this month. Recent data has been a bit of a mixed bag: while inflation is falling and the labour market is loosening, wage growth remains stubbornly strong and services inflation is higher than the Bank’s forecast. Signs of continued persistence in domestic price pressures will have prompted caution among the Committee.
“We still expect the MPC to cut rates in August, but this is not a done deal – they remain very data-driven, so the evolution of key indicators over the coming month will be key. Furthermore, the pace of any rate cuts beyond August is likely to be gradual, if the Bank remained concerned about the persistence of underlying price pressures.”
