Fulcrum, the leading independent net-zero focused multi-utility infrastructure and services provider, has demonstrated its strong recovery since the Covid-19 lockdowns and its resilience in the evolving and turbulent energy market in its latest interim results. For the six months ending 30 September 2021, the Sheffield-based Group has seen revenues increase on the previous six months to £28.6 million, up from £19.5 million. Demonstrating its presence in multiple markets including housing, industrial and commercial, smart metering and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Fulcrum has achieved significant order book growth, which, as of 30 September 2021 stands at £80.9 million. A 44% increase on the period from 31 March 2021, up from £56.1 million. In line with a trading update issued by Fulcrum in September, Fulcrum continues to secure a broad portfolio of contracts, which includes a five-year agreement, anticipated to be worth £20 million with energy supplier E to manage its 320,000 meter points and exchange an expected 80,000 meters to smart technology. In the housing sector, projects won include two contracts, worth a combined £5.9 million, to deliver multi-utility infrastructure at a major scheme, Fairham, as well as a £1.1 million contract to design and install multi-utility connections to 715 new homes on behalf of a national house builder. Fulcrum also continues to be highly active in the industrial and commercial property market, with schemes including a £5.5 million contract to design and install 21.1km of multi-utility infrastructure that will heat and power a large-scale greenhouse and a £4.9 million contract to design and install high voltage electricity, water, and gas infrastructure for a major new innovative employment park. Highlighting the diversity of its group capabilities, contracts in this period include securing a five-year agreement to undertake high voltage electrical maintenance for two new 50MW battery storage facilities located in Kent and Oxford, which will provide power to sites including a new EV charging Superhub. Fulcrum has also continued its staged transfer of its domestic gas assets to ESP. On 30 November 2021, the fourth tranche of assets transferred for a total consideration of £2.8m. To date, in its 2022 financial year, Fulcrum has successfully completed the third and fourth tranches in the transfer of its domestic customer gas connection assets, for a total consideration of £6.6m. The Group also continues to evaluate opportunities in other areas of the market. In particular, this includes the smart energy infrastructure sector where strong government stimulus and an increasing regulatory framework present significant and strategic growth opportunities. Terry Dugdale, CEO of FULCRUM said: “We have made good progress across all areas of the business in the first half of the year. Our order book is healthy and continues to grow. The resilience demonstrated by Fulcrum to date in the face of ongoing turbulence in the energy market is, I believe, a testament to the robustness of our business model, diverse operations and order book strength. “Our continued focus on stabilising the business and strengthening its foundations has enabled us to grow in our core markets and provides a robust platform from which to grow the business further. The backdrop of the UK’s smart energy revolution and vision for a net-zero future presents Fulcrum with significant and strategic growth opportunities and I am excited by the future prospects for the business.”  

Following a successful webinar earlier in the year on Serbian business opportunities, chaired by Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes and the Prime Minister’s new Trade Envoy to Serbia, the Chamber was delighted to join the Serbian Ambassador to the UK, Her Excellency Aleksandra Joksimovic, in November at Phillips 66 Humber Refinery for lunch and then at Healing Manor for a private dinner sponsored by the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce. Martin Vickers showcased the Humber’s green credentials and its ambitions for carbon zero activity which Drax, Phillips 66 and Able UK, as well as ABP, are supporting locally. Chamber President Phil Jones attended the lunch along with Martin Vickers and Grimsby MP Lia Nici, as well as Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and the Council’s Chief Executive, Rob Walsh. It was noted that as well as opportunities in the green energy sector, the UK nationally is exploring opportunities for business related to Serbia’s large lithium reserves. Sinisa Krajcinovic, a board member of the Serbian British Chamber, also made contact during the visit with the Hull & Humber Chamber and agreed to explore future trading links with this part of the world. Any members interested in trading opportunities with Serbia should contact the Chamber’s International Trade Centre team on (01482) 324976.

One of Hull’s fastest-growing broadband providers, Pure Broadband, is continuing to expand as new customers flock to use their ultrafast, full fibre service. The East Riding-based company continue to increase their market share across an area where competition has traditionally been limited. As more customers become aware of the choice on offer, Pure Broadband is now recruiting more staff to help with the rollout of their service. More than 15,000 households have already signed up to the provider which offers competitive pricing and superfast speeds to homes across Hull, the East Riding and nationwide. In recent weeks, the Pure Broadband team has welcomed Stephen Conlan as their new marketing manager and Oliver Gowland into a new sales manager role. Both have several years of expertise in their respective field and will bolster the businesses in the new roles. Despite having an average of 32 seconds hold time, Pure Broadband are also looking to add at least five new support staff to their growing workforce. Commenting on his new role, Stephen said: “Being able to drive the Pure Broadband brand forward at such an exciting time of growth is a tremendous privilege. In the short time I’ve been with the company, I have already seen how appreciative our customers have been to have a viable and cost-effective alternative in Hull. One thing I am hearing first-hand is how happy our customers are to have such rapid support available to them. “Hearing about our plan to double growth in the next three years shows just how ambitious we are as a company. Undergoing significant recruitment, such as that which we are doing now, also indicates just how far we’ve come.” New sales manager Oliver said: “Our sales figures continue to rise alongside increased awareness of just how good the Pure Broadband product is. I’m looking forward to welcoming new members of staff onto my team as our rapid expansion continues.” Stephen and Oliver are the latest additions to the Pure Broadband team after a summer of high-profile appointments. Tony Jopling stepped up to the role of managing director while Sally Kirkwood left KCOM behind to sign on as the firm’s service operations manager. Pure Broadband also recently launched its new website complete with postcode tracker to give customers an instant way to discover which deals are available in their area. The new website is available here: www.purebroadband.net/home

The transformation to a net zero economy is feeding through to the employment market, accounting for 1.2% of total advertised jobs, equating to 124,600 new jobs, for the year to July 2021. However, disparities are already arising in how the transition to greener jobs is affecting different parts of the UK. These findings come from PwC’s Green Jobs Barometer – a first of its kind analysis, tracking movements in green job creation, job loss, carbon intensity of employment, and worker sentiment across regions and sectors. Currently the proportion of new green jobs is small, but each new green job generates a further 1.4 jobs (rising to 6 jobs for sectors closely aligned to the energy transition), through increased demand for goods and services in the supply chain. This figure should also grow as the UK accelerates efforts to transition to net zero. Nevertheless, the scale-up will need to intensify to meet Government targets of two million green jobs by 2030. Moreover, work is needed to ensure the green jobs transition doesn’t exacerbate regional inequalities. The West Midlands, Yorkshire & the Humber, Northern Ireland and Wales are the lowest ranking regions across all aspects of the Green Jobs Barometer. Scotland and London are the top performers. Kevin Ellis, Chairman and Senior Partner at PwC, said: “Jobs are getting greener and this is cause for optimism, but evidence is needed on the level and distribution of these opportunities. Left unchecked, green employment will grow in the most fertile spots, but not necessarily where they’re needed most. “Our research indicates where support and investment needs to be targeted. Green jobs in energy, utilities and manufacturing sectors have a greater knock-on effect on employment, generating further jobs. Likewise, regions including Northern Ireland and Wales may see a disproportionate rise in green energy and jobs, given their current  reliance on carbon intensive fuels. By acting now, we have a massive opportunity to rebalance the economy and ensure a fair transition.” The research highlights workers’ fears about the impact of the net zero transition, with 5% expecting their job will disappear during the net zero transition, which would equate to 1.7 million jobs. PwC’s analysis suggests this figure is likely higher than the eventual reality, as many jobs will be easily repurposed for a green economy, and will be easily surpassed by new green jobs – creating a Net Jobs gain. Some sectors will clearly be impacted by job loss more than others. The sectors with the biggest share of sunset jobs are electricity, gas, utilities and waste. The latter provide support and advisory services, which can be more easily transitioned to other sectors. Regionally, the largest relative impact of job loss will be felt in Scotland (9.4%) and the East Midlands (8.1%), in second place for sunset job losses – driven mainly by relatively high concentrations of workers in mining, manufacturing and utilities sectors, where the risk of job loss is greater than other sectors. The research also shows the East Midlands has an above average sentiment score on the environmental friendliness of their jobs. Matt Hammond, Midlands Region Leader, PwC added: “The research highlights the Midlands must address with speed the impact of a net zero economy. The West Midlands is amongst one of the poorest performing on the index among England’s regions, placing 9th on the index out of 12, with the East Midlands in 7th position. The East Midlands is also in second place for sunset job losses – driven by relatively high concentrations of workers in mining, manufacturing and utilities sectors. “The impact of the net zero transition will be profound and there is a very real risk that people and communities could be left behind. The focus shouldn’t just be on the number of jobs at risk, but where they are concentrated, both in terms of industries and communities. “It is incumbent on all of us to ensure that a reduction in economic opportunity is not the legacy of the green transition. Green jobs must not become elite jobs. With targeted policies, investment, and training, and collaboration between government, business and education providers, a green future can be a future of employment for everyone. “It is however encouraging to see the commitment from the West Midlands Combined Authority, Midlands Local Enterprise Partnerships and City Councils in building a greener economy, transportation and skills development in this area, through various green strategies and net zero and carbon neutral commitments. “This includes the aspirations for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will be the first ever carbon neutral Games and will also provide employment opportunities and upskill the workforce in the region. As well as transportation  initiatives such as the £22 million Future Transport Zone – which is trialing ground-breaking projects such as mobility credits and demand responsive bus services and the proposed gigafactory to build batteries for electric cars in Coventry.”