Investment supports data protection specialist’s expansion

Tess Egginton
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Investment supports data protection specialist’s expansion

Investment from Finance Yorkshire is supporting a company specialising in data protection to grow its portfolio of clients.

ProvePrivacy, based in Bradford, is a secure, digital platform designed for data protection and information governance professionals to manage data protection compliance in their organisations.

A £74,200 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s business loans fund has enabled the business to drive marketing to gain more public and private sector clients. The investment is also supporting further development of the platform.

ProvePrivacy founder Mark Roebuck developed the platform after a career in data protection consultancy, leading large scale organisational data-led projects for blue-chip clients. It was clear during this time that there was a need for a solution to help organisations manage and monitor data protection compliance.

The introduction of GDPR led Mark to concentrate on his expertise in data protection and how organisations assess and minimise risks in the use of personal data.

Mark said: “My work in advising on GDPR led to the creation of the ProvePrivacy platform – I was working with organisations who were improving their systems to cope with GDPR and the risks associated with it.

“The platform supports organisations in the management of data as well as assessment to identify and minimise risks and demonstrate compliance, removing the need for a multitude of spreadsheets and allowing data champions of all skill levels to complete the necessary information.”

Mark carried out a proof of concept at Bradford City Football Club where he was previously an associate director. The platform was developed through the Covid 19 pandemic and launched 18 months ago.

Mark added: “I have been focussed on developing the product and now is the time to drive our marketing and build up our work particularly in the private sector. Finance Yorkshire’s investment enables us to do this while at the same time continuing to develop and enhance the platform’s features and functionality in line with data protection requirements and user needs.”

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: “Mark has brought his wealth of experience in the field of data protection to develop an intuitive product which responds to the needs of organisations where the use and governance of personal data is paramount. We are pleased to support him in the development of his innovative platform and the growth of the business.”

Luxury homeware retailer expands at iPort

Tess Egginton
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Luxury homeware retailer expands at iPort
Verdion has leased a further unit at iPort to a luxury homeware retailer. Dusk has taken iP2f, a total of 174,381 sq ft including a 169,317 sq ft warehouse plus offices and welfare space, for immediate occupation. It took the adjacent 119,060 sq ft iP2g facility in April 2021. Jamie Young, development surveyor at Verdion, said: “Dusk’s decision to increase its space at iPort is great news. Creating a logistics hub where occupiers can easily expand as their businesses grow has been part of our vision from the start and our asset and facilities management teams work closely with tenants to understand their requirements. “This is the third company based here that has taken further space. At the same time, we remain focussed on bringing new names to Doncaster, with immediate opportunities and build to suit capacity.” Gent Visick, CBRE and Colliers are the retained leasing agents for iPort. Blacks Solicitors advised Dusk.

Agilio Software secures strategic growth investment

Tess Egginton
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Agilio Software secures strategic growth investment
Agilio Software, a Sheffield-headquartered frontline healthcare operations software provider, has secured strategic growth investment from Five Arrows, the alternative assets arm of Rothschild & Co., and TA Associates, a global private equity firm, to support the next phase of the company’s expansion plans. Founded in 2019, Agilio offers a suite of products that help healthcare professionals automate and optimise critical operational functions, such as workforce management, compliance and clinical assets tracking. “In the four years since our inception, with support from founding investor August Equity, we have realised our vision of introducing professional, integrated solutions into frontline healthcare settings,” said Dr. Sati Sian, Agilio Chairman. “We are now ready to scale up further and are delighted to welcome two world-class investors in the form of Five Arrows and TA to support us on the next stage of our journey.” “Our user-friendly, integrated systems are helping thousands of under-pressure frontline healthcare providers work more efficiently every day,” added Neil Laycock, Agilio CEO. “This partnership with Five Arrows and TA will help us deliver new products and services for our core UK and Netherlands markets as we continue to expand into new customer sectors. We also plan to expand into multiple new countries where we believe there is strong demand for our solutions.” TA and Five Arrows’ investment will support Agilio to bolster product development and innovation, expand into new verticals beyond primary care, dental and veterinary, and accelerate international growth, following its first expansion into Europe with an acquisition in the Netherlands in 2022. “We have tracked Agilio for several years and have been deeply impressed by the company’s journey thus far. Through several strategic acquisitions and a continued commitment to innovation, Agilio has built a market-leading software platform that improves patient care and meets the evolving needs of healthcare providers,” said Naveen Wadhera, Managing Director at TA. “Agilio is well-positioned to further strengthen its suite of solutions and expand its geographic footprint. We are delighted to support the company on the next chapter of its growth as it looks to further enhance its user experience,” added Kunal Pandit, Managing Director at Five Arrows. “The leadership team at Agilio has done a fantastic job in growing the business into the UK’s leading healthcare operations software provider,” said Mike Biddulph, Partner at August Equity. “It has been a privilege to support them on their initial journey and achieve such strong and dynamic growth. We are confident that the business will continue to thrive under the stewardship of Five Arrows and TA.”

New Leeds home for professional services organisation

Tess Egginton
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New Leeds home for professional services organisation
EY has chosen Wellington Place as its new Leeds home. The global professional services organisation will take over 25,300 sq ft in 12 Wellington Place. The move signifies the firm’s continued investment in its growing Yorkshire business following record UK revenues in 2023. It now employs over 480 people including 39 partners, and also welcomed 34 graduates and apprentices to the Leeds office in September 2023 as part of the firm’s student recruitment programme. EY’s new office at 12 Wellington Place will provide a modern workspace with more areas for both in-person collaboration and independent working, in support of the firm’s approach to hybrid working. EY’s move signals that a total of 228,986 sq ft of office space in 11 & 12 Wellington Place is now fully let just 12 months after the building completed in February last year. Lettings included Lloyds Banking Group, who took 124,400 sq ft of space, and marked the largest occupier deal to be completed across all of the major UK regional cities last year.

Plans lodged to transform Goole’s historic Market Hall

Tess Egginton
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Plans lodged to transform Goole’s historic Market Hall
Plans have been lodged seeking approval to transform Goole’s historic Market Hall into a food, drink and events venue. One of the eight strategic projects allocated a share of Goole’s Town Deal funding, the refurbishment of the Market Hall is seen as an ‘anchor’ project that will significantly increase footfall and spend in the town centre. It’s hoped that it can also become a central part of what’s considered to be Goole’s ‘cultural quarter’ by collaborating with Junction Goole and Goole Museum. As well a resident food and drink offering, the refurbished Market Hall would also provide flexible space for local creative and craft businesses and host events of both a commercial and community nature. A boxing event held there recently was just one example of the many different types of activities that the venue could host in the future. Subject to planning permission being granted, a third party operator will be appointed to run the site and manage the resident operators, as well as any pop-up stalls and events. The reinvention of the Market Hall has been made possible by a Goole Town Deal grant funding award of £3.6 million, some of which has already been spent on work aimed at making the building usable in the short-term. This involved repairing the leaking roof, levelling the floor and upgrading the electrics.

£2.3m support package for West Yorkshire’s creative sector rolled out

Tess Egginton
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£2.3m support package for West Yorkshire’s creative sector rolled out
A new initiative has been launched to help venues and event organisers in West Yorkshire become more accessible to disabled artists and audiences. It will be the first scheme to be rolled out as part of Mayor Tracy Brabin’s £2.3 million ‘You Can Make It Here’ programme, which aims to support and grow the region’s creative sector through a range of training and investment opportunities. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “We’re on a mission to make sure that West Yorkshire’s world class culture offer is accessible to all. “This first investment is just the beginning. Everything we’re rolling out over the coming months is going to give our creative businesses, freelancers, venues and beyond the support they need to unleash their potential. “Thanks to devolution giving us the freedom to play to our strengths, we’re building a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.” More ‘You Can Make It Here’ initiatives are set to be launched over the coming months, including business and skills training to support freelancers, help for creative businesses to increase their exports, and a music sector network to boost activity in the region. Opportunities for young people from disadvantaged groups to break down the barriers and secure employment in television and film production roles will also be introduced, through an extension of support for the Mayor’s Screen Diversity Programme, run by Screen Yorkshire. Delivered by Wakefield-based disabled-led organisation, Unlimited, the inaugural accessibility session took place in Halifax, where attendees learnt the basics of disability equality, how to make venues and events accessible, and how to support disabled artists and audiences. The new resource offers a one-stop shop for support and guidance, with grants of up to £10,000 also available to help make cultural venues more accessible. Jo Verrent, Director at Unlimited, said: “We’re excited to be bringing this bespoke programme of training, advice and guidance, along with small-scale capital grants that will support and empower arts organisations and those who programme arts events across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield. “We exist to support, and commission disabled artists and create change across the sector. So, I’m thrilled this work is happening in the North, our home, so we can really catalyse change that makes a lasting impact for disabled artists and disabled led work.” The ‘You Can Make It Here’ programme – approved by leaders in July – cements the Mayor’s pledge to deliver a ‘Creative New Deal’ for the region.

Work starts on expansion of £10m Leeds Private Hospital

Tess Egginton
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Work starts on expansion of £10m Leeds Private Hospital
Work has now started on site for a 10,000 sq ft extension to the Leeds Private Hospital at the 17th Century Red Hall House estate. Consultant Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr Fas Arshad and his wife Ms Sommiya bought the historic estate, by the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR) close to Roundhay Park, from the Rugby Football League in 2021. The couple self-funded £3m of Phase One of the development, which was completed in 2022 when Leeds Private Hospital became fully operational. Phase Two of the development will comprise an additional two state-of-the-art operation theatres, anaesthetic facilities, nursing ward, patient overnight rooms as well as outpatient consulting rooms. Dr Arshad said: “Since we bought Red Hall House in 2021, Leeds Private Hospital has gone from strength to Strength. We have almost doubled our staff and we are employing local NHS consultant surgeons and consultant anaesthetists to come and work with us to provide high standard surgical services. Our ultimate aim is to be able to process higher volumes of work to ease the heavy burden on the over-run NHS in the Yorkshire region.” The chosen contractor for the building works is Brookes Development Ltd, with Phase 2 of the project set to be completed next summer. Jonathan Erkulis, director of the Yorkshire-based E3 Architecture, is working closely with Dr Arshad on the transformation of the Red Hall House estate. He explained: “Our detailed plans have secured the restoration, sustainability and longevity of this important Grade II Listed Building, while creating sensitive and high-quality designed additions to create a prestigious state-of the-art medical facility. “It has been a pleasure working with Dr Arshad to secure the stunning redevelopment of Red Hall House itself and of the 10,000 sq ft extension. The project is an example of where conservation and commercial aspirations can work together through major investment.”

Small businesses get new champion in Shirley

Stuart Pearcey
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Small businesses get new champion in Shirley
Entrepreneur Shirley Cooper has taken up a key role to promote the needs of small businesses to government and ensure suppliers seize the benefits of the Procurement Act. She will lead on the overall relationship between the government and small businesses, making sure the government gets best value from SMEs, and that they in turn have the best possible opportunity to work with the government. She said: “I look forward to working with colleagues across Government to make sure small businesses can seize the fantastic opportunities available to them in the public procurement process.” She will also support the commitment to, and delivery of, increasing central government spend on SMEs. This spend has risen every year since 2016/17, and stood at a record £21billion worth of work in 2021/2022. The Government spends around £300billion every year on procurement. Ms Cooper is a former chair and president of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, and met Parliamentary Secretary Alex Burghart for the first time as Crown Representative for small businesses earlier this month. They discussed priorities for the next 12 months, with a focus on the implementation of the Procurement Act in October, which will see further benefits for start-ups and small businesses wishing to work with the government. These include simpler processes, greater transparency and access to opportunities, as well as strengthened payment terms which will maximise value for money and innovation in the government market.  

Manufacturing Festival starts on Thursday in Leeds

Stuart Pearcey
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Manufacturing Festival starts on Thursday in Leeds
The seventh Leeds Manufacturing Festival starts on Thursday designed to raise the profile of the industry in the city, promoting the wide range of careers on offer, and building relationships between employers and schools and colleges. Dozens of big-name manufacturing and engineering businesses are involved in this year’s festival, which has become a cornerstone of many firms’ new talent recruitment strategy. Ben Wilson, director of Leeds fibreglass moulding manufacturer MPM and festival chair, said: “Last year’s festival was a runaway success. A really engaging programme of events made a tremendous impact in boosting young people’s awareness of the vast range of career options that our vibrant manufacturing industry offers, and we now have more employers, schools and colleges taking part than ever before. “Building on the momentum we have created, this year our programme will be even bigger and better. With a focus on best practice, skills development initiatives, careers advice and apprenticeships, we’re aiming to go even further towards addressing the issue of recruitment and future skills which remains the primary challenge for manufacturing employers.”
West Yorkshire is home to around 5,600 manufacturing firms employing over 104,000 people and Leeds is the UK’s third largest manufacturing centre by local authority area. Leeds city region boasts the UK’s largest manufacturing employment base, generating £8.26 billion a year, 14% of the region’s economic output. This year’s festival will start at Leeds City College’s Printworks Campus on 22 February. High-profile keynote speakers, Steve Burnell MD of Boeing Defence UK, which employs over 2,000 people across its sites in the UK, and Fiona McGarry from manufacturers’ organisation Make UK, will top the bill at the event, with contributions from both employers and younger people working in manufacturing.

Goole and Howdenshire Business Award judges select their finalists

Stuart Pearcey
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Goole and Howdenshire Business Award judges select their finalists
Judges of the Hull and Humber Chamber’s Goole and Howdenshire Business Excellence Awards have chosen their shortlist of finalists from almost 80 entries. As in previous years, the independent judging panel was also tasked with selecting the recipient of the Overall Business of the Year Award, which is sponsored by Siemens, from the shortlisted finalists. Meanwhile, the organising committee has chosen an individual to receive the Tim Richardson Lifetime Achievement Award. Garrey Haase, Chair of the organising committee, said: “We received almost 80 entries, which is one of the highest numbers ever, and we’re very grateful to our judges for giving up their time to consider them for us. “It’s great to see so many businesses of all sizes and from such a broad mix of different sectors entering the awards, which are now in their 13th year and continue to go from strength to strength.” Winners from this shortlist will be announced at an event at Goole Academy in April 5th. Charity of the Year Award (sponsored by Jos Richardson & Son):
  • Goole Amateur Boxing Club.
  • Open Source Healing Initiative Community Interest Company.
  • Families In Goole.
Environmentally Friendly Business of the Year Award (sponsored by PA Media Group):
  • KRL Group Limited.
  • William’s Den
  • Biffa Waste Services.
  • FMG Repair Services.
Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Grotech):
  • Ideal Removals.
  • Accountancy Tuition Academy Limited.
  • Yorkshire Financial Planning Limited.
  • Circular Renewables Limited.
Large Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Chronicle Publications Ltd):
  • Fullers Quality Bakers.
  • Fisher Security Limited.
  • Drewton’s Farm Shop.
  • First Avenue Training Limited.
Contribution to the Community Award – Charity (sponsored by Link Agency):
  • 2357 (Goole) RAF Air Cadets.
  • Eastrington Sports Club.
  • Phoenix Community Radio, Goole.
New Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Danbrit):
  • Badger & Bean Limited.
  • Sign With Sarah-Jade.
  • Feast 78 Limited.
  • Ginger’s Ice Cream Parlour.
Training and Development Award (sponsored by Drax):
  • First Avenue Training Limited.
  • Extra Space Developments Limited.
  • Accountancy Tuition Academy Limited.
  • FMG Repair Services.
Self Employed/Micro Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce):
  • Betty’s Cleaning Services/Quick Response Yorkshire.
  • And Marketing Limited.
  • Sign With Sarah-Jade.
  • The E-Safety Office.
 Marketing Excellence Award (sponsored by Filstorage):
  • Drewton’s Farm Shop.
  • DCB Plumbing & Heating.
  • Footballerz Limited.
Team of the Year Award (sponsored by Fisher Security Ltd):
  • The Step Up Pre-School.
  • Phoenix Community Radio, Goole.
  • First Avenue Training Limited.
Hugh Walton Contribution to the Community Award – Business (sponsored by H Walton Ltd):
  • Our Goole.
  • Ideal Removals.
  • Footballerz Limited.
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