Sale-based Palletower, the storage and logistics equipment providers, has acquired Beverley-based racking and shelving specialist Kingstonian Storage and Equipment Ltd.
Palletower manufactures and supplies over 100 product lines including roll cages, trolleys, racking, stillages and storage boxes. With a 60-year heritage in the sector, it exports to more than 35 countries and works with companies including Waitrose, Walmart and DHL.
Kingstonian, founded in 1992, supplies customers across East Yorkshire and Humberside with a range of racking and storage solutions, as well as products like ladders, trucks, trolleys and lifting equipment.
Harrison Drury’s corporate team advised the shareholders of Palletower on the deal, led by Mark Traynor and supported by Ben Foulds and Richard Williams-Bulkeley. Jenny Potts from the commercial property team provided advice on the property aspects of the transaction.
Matthew Palmer, owner and managing director of Palletower, said: “Kingstonian is another well-established business that plays a vital role in helping customers keep their businesses moving and their supply chains running smoothly.
“Bringing Kingstonian into the Palletower group enables us to further accelerate the growth of our business, giving us access to new markets as well as a number of complementary products and services.”
Mark Traynor, partner in Harrison Drury’s corporate team, said: “The management team at Palletower have a clear and ambitious growth strategy which includes acquiring like-minded businesses alongside steady organic growth.
“After advising Matthew and the team on three of the company’s previous transactions, we’re pleased to have assisted on another exciting acquisition that will bring huge benefits to the customers and staff of both businesses.”
The acquisition of Kingstonian follows Palletower’s purchases of West Pennine Storage, WP Group, Astirvant and Yorkshire Storage, all in 2024.
Matthew added: “The last 12-months has seen us bring together a powerful collection of businesses in industrial racking, shelving, mezzanine floor installations, workplace equipment and warehouse fit-out services.
“We look forward to further opportunities to grow, especially within the racking and shelving sector where the potential for further acquisitions is being explored.”
Leeds IT and software engineering consultancy snapped up
IT and business consulting services firm CGI is set to acquire BJSS, a Leeds-based technology and engineering consultancy known for its IT solutions and software engineering expertise.
More than 2,400 consultants and professionals will join CGI, deepening the company’s operations across the UK in key industry sectors such as retail, health, government, financial services and energy & utilities.
Founded in 1993, BJSS is one of the UK’s largest independent IT and software engineering consultancies. The company partners with clients to deliver large-scale software systems and address complex technology challenges through services such as technology strategy and delivery, customer experience design, managed services, software engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), data and insights, cloud and platform solutions, and cybersecurity services.
“BJSS has a well-earned reputation for delivering exceptional value to its clients, driven by technical excellence and innovative thinking,” said Tara McGeehan, President of CGI’s UK and Australia operations.
“By joining forces, we will strengthen our ability to help clients across the private and public sectors achieve measurable outcomes, such as driving efficiencies, improving customer experiences and generating business growth.”
McGeehan added: “Our companies share a strong cultural alignment and pride in helping clients solve complex challenges to deliver value.
“BJSS employees will benefit from CGI’s ownership culture, which empowers all employees to become company owners and actively shape our future direction, whilst providing an enjoyable and collaborative working environment where they can fulfil their career potential.”
Glynn Robinson, BJSS Chairman, said: “Joining CGI represents an exciting new chapter for BJSS. Both CGI and BJSS share a commitment to sustainability, employee engagement and long-term client relationships.
“Together, we can leverage our complementary strengths to deliver even greater value for our clients while creating new opportunities for our talented team.”
Leeds music and creative media scene receives boost with education provider’s move
The Leeds contemporary music and creative media scene has received a boost with the news that higher education provider AD Education UK (ADE UK) is moving into the Electric Press building in the city centre.
ADE UK is opening its 17,000 sq ft Leeds Campus at Switch, the new office space within the Electric Press.
AD Education UK combines creative media group SAE and ICMP, the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, delivering music and creative media education in the UK and beyond.
The deal, which sees the group taking a 15-year-lease at £32 per sq ft, was brokered by the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank.
Eamon Fox, partner and head of development at Knight Frank, said: “Leeds has long had a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative cities and a vibrant hub of northern creativity.
“On top of being renowned for its vibrant music scene, the city’s tech sector is growing at a rate more than double the national average, meaning areas such as gaming, film, animation and digital marketing – all of which are closely affiliated with the music industry – are booming.
“Switch is the perfect base for the institute, its contemporary design matching the institute’s cutting-edge culture and ethos. Our experience of living through the pandemic has turned aspirational goals for an amenity-led workplace to be accelerated.
“Switch’s compelling design demonstrates the subsequent evolution and refinement of workspace requirements and a greater willingness to put employees first. It is a tremendous example of a progressive and transformative workspace in Leeds.
“Part of the Civic Quarter’s iconic Electric Press building, ADE UK’s Leeds Campus is a symbol of the city’s continuous reinvention and dedication to creativity. Blending historic charm with modern facilities, the industrial building has been repurposed as a creative and cultural hub and is shared by many artistic organisations.
“More generally, this letting is another excellent example of the influential role that educational establishments are now playing in Leeds city centre. Over the past two years, Leeds Trinity University has opened a new campus at Trevelyan Square in Boar Lane and the Mathematics School of Excellence has moved into bespoke space in Albion Street. This adds to the vibrancy of the city and to increased graduate retention.”
Steffan Davies, Chief Executive of AD Education UK, which includes SAE Institute and ICMP, said: “We are excited to be expanding and solidifying our presence in the North of England and can’t wait to welcome eager artists and creatives to our open day, giving them a feel for our values and offering as a higher education provider.
“Many of our graduates have gone on to become household names including Fraser T Smith, Clean Bandit and The Vaccines.
“Our alumni have also made their mark behind the scenes, designing cutting-edge tech for the Rolling Stones and shaping industries by winning Oscars and receiving BAFTA nominations in film, TV, Content Creation and gaming.
“This new chapter in Leeds gives us an exciting opportunity to develop the next generation of talent in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities. We can’t wait to see this come to life and welcome our first cohort of students this year.
“In future SAE and ICMP will share some places and spaces to benefit all of our students. This move, beginning with two state-of-the-art locations in Leeds and Liverpool will allow SAE and ICMP staff and students to share facilities, collaborate on multi-disciplinary creative projects, build close ties with (local and national) industry and provide the best possible start to careers in music and creative media.
“Jam-packed with brand-new music equipment and creative media software, The Electric Press is the perfect place to network and connect with Leeds’ many creatives.”
The Electric Press building is Grade II-listed and was built in 1840 for the printing firm of Chorley and Pickersgill.
Knight Frank advised DTZ Investors while the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) was advised by Newmark.
Yorkshire, Humber and North East skills gap means region lags behind national productivity
The new report, published for National Productivity Week, highlights that productivity levels can vary greatly even within the same local region and present a substantial challenge to the economic success of the north of England, but national and regional coordination of policies which aim to boost skills and training could help local economies.
Areas such as Northern Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire have some of the highest productivity levels of the region, either on par, or above average for the UK. Whilst in South Yorkshire, areas such as Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham experience the lowest productivity levels in the region, and one of the lowest levels in the UK, which also affects wages and living standards.
- Supporting combined and local authorities to establish and maintain pathways for employers and their staff to access resources for education and training opportunities, qualifications and funding.
- Further research into ‘good practices’ in relation to all forms of staff training, in particular apprenticeships to identify the best sources of support for employees.
- Commissioning modelling of labour market business and investment trends, and analyses of employer skills needs to help forecast future regional industry needs.
- Establishing working partnerships between Chambers of Commerce, Combined Authorities, Further Education Colleges and Universities to help build ongoing relationships with employers and training providers.
Bart van Ark, managing director of The Productivity Institute, said: “There is an urgent need for governments at all levels – national, regional and local – to adopt a place-based perspective on productivity growth. Many UK regions have such low productivity levels that single interventions, even significant ones, won’t suffice. A systemic approach to pro-productivity policies requires them to be joined up and scaled up.”
The authors of the report make up the Yorkshire, Humber and the North East Regional Productivity Forum (RPF), one of eight around the UK established by TPI, which is an ESRC-funded initiative that brings together academics with business, industry and policy representatives to identify and address the causes of the UK’s weak growth in productivity.
Long-established Yorkshire bus operator sold
Reliance Motor Services, one of Yorkshire’s longest-established bus operators, has been sold to Transdev.
Under the terms of the deal, Transdev’s subsidiary, Yorkshire Coastliner, has acquired 11 buses from family-owned Reliance, which has operated from its depot at Sutton on the Forest, north of York, for 94 years.
Transdev has also acquired Reliance’s well established network of bus routes serving Easingwold and Thirsk, along with several villages north of York.
All jobs are being retained as a result of the agreement between Reliance and Transdev.
The Reliance business was bought by John and Margaret Duff in 1980, having first been established by Edward Sheriff in 1930, who started out with three buses. It has remained a family business since the Duffs took over, with John’s grandson, Gary Newby, and his wife, Hollie, running the current business.
Gary and Hollie Newby were advised on the sale of Reliance by a multi-disciplinary team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, led by corporate partner, Susie Mortonson, who was supported by Benn Shilleto (corporate), Gillian Markland (employment) and Robert Hill (real estate and property). Transdev’s legal advice was provided by Womble Bond Dickinson.
Gary Newby said: “We are sorry to say farewell to our loyal customers on the routes which will see a change of operator, and to our drivers, whose loyalty and hard work is reflected in Reliance’s excellent reputation.
“However, we know they will be in the best hands with Transdev, which has invested significantly in an impressive depot in York and has a strong track record of delivering for its customers.
“We are grateful for the valuable guidance and support provided by Susie Mortonson and the rest of the team at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, who ensured that our best interests were protected throughout the transaction.”
Susie Mortonson added: “I was delighted to see this transaction go smoothly for Gary and Hollie. It has been a pleasure to work with them and I’m sure that the business will continue to flourish under Transdev.”
Housebuilder Keepmoat names new CFO
Doncaster-based housebuilder Keepmoat has appointed Mark Dilley as Chief Financial Officer.
He previously held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Tilia Homes, as well as serving as Group Finance Director at Town Centre Securities. Mark also spent 14 years at Asda, where he was Vice President of Retail and Property Finance.
Mark said: “The future is extremely bright for Keepmoat, and I am looking forward to playing a part in the continued success of the organisation.
“Keepmoat’s vision of building communities and transforming lives speaks volumes about its ethos and culture, and I’m excited to have joined a leadership team so clearly committed to delivering quality affordable homes to more people where they need them most.”
CEO Tim Beale added: “It’s great to have Mark on board. He brings a wealth of experience from not only the housebuilding sector but also property investment and FMCG retail. He is the perfect person to work alongside me and the other members of our executive board as we steer Keepmoat through its next stage of development.”
Judges select shortlist from record entries for Hull BID awards
Hull BID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito revealed that a record number of applications has been received for the awards, and the finalists are now looking forward to sharing their success with family, friends and colleagues at the big celebration on Friday February 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.
The judges have now drawn up their shortlists with three finalists in each of 10 categories – four of them earning two nominations. In addition there will be a Judges Special Recognition Award.
Kathryn says more than 420 applications came in from city centre businesses and other organisations and the shortlist features hopefuls from sectors including retail, hospitality, personal services, professional services, leisure, culture, and charities.
She said: “The feedback from all three judges once they’d finished their deliberations was that this year is all about quantity and quality – we received applications from a lot of businesses and other organisations and many of them really were outstanding.
“That’s so important because the awards are about much more than a badge of honour for each of the winners – the fact that so many people entered with such impressive submissions sends out a clear message about the quality on offer in our city centre, and that’s something for us all to shout about when we get together for the big night.”
Schofield Sweeney names new employment team partner
Andy Gilchrist has been appointed as a partner in the employment team at Yorkshire-based law firm, Schofield Sweeney.
He is a multi-award winning employment lawyer and joins the firm from Lupton Fawcett, where he was Head of Employment. Andy has advised on significant employment law cases in the UK, and also businesses with operations overseas. Last year he advised a US Fortune 500 company on the departure of a senior executive, a US company on the closure of its UK operation, and a number of household brands on the restructuring of their workforces.
Partner Simon Shepherd said: “Andy’s experience and excellent reputation enhances our already strong team, and shows our commitment to the growth plans we have for the employment team. I’m really pleased to welcome him, and to continue providing support to our existing and future clients.”
The company has also promoted Rajveer Basra from Solicitor to Associate.
Schofield Sweeney employs 175 at offices in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield.
Leeds agency appoints Head of AI to help drive growth
Leeds-based digital marketing agency Spike has appointed Said Lopez as Head of AI, underlining its commitment to cutting-edge technology to transform its services and drive growth.
Said brings over a decade of expertise in machine learning, automation, process improvement and digital transformation. In the past four years, he has spearheaded artificial intelligence and ML initiatives, driving innovation and delivering impactful results for leading venture capital-backed companies.
In his new role at Spike, the first of its kind for the business, he will spearhead the development and deployment of the agency’s AI tools, helping to accelerate the impact of Spike’s marketing strategies and deliver greater value and measurable results for its clients.
Rob Powell, Founder and Director at Spike, said: “AI is going to revolutionise marketing as we know it, and we’re thrilled to welcome Said to our team to ensure we remain at the forefront of the technology.
“He has a breadth of experience, as well as an incredible passion and energy that I know will help take our innovative AI and digital transformation strategies to new heights. I can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make not only on how we work, but also the successes we drive for our clients.”
Said added: “I’m really excited to be joining Spike at such a pivotal time for the agency. The bold move toward AI-driven digital transformation is a forward-thinking direction, and I can’t wait to help bring it to life.”
Morgan Sindall starts work on Leeds housing development next month
Next month Morgan Sindall expects to start building an extra care housing scheme on a two-acre site at Armley in Leeds.
The Middlecross development will be home to 65 affordable apartments providing independent living opportunities for older people.
The three-storey complex – to be built on brownfield land between Armley Grove Place and Simpson Grove – will also have care facilities and communal spaces, including a 50-seat dining area. It’s expected to be finished by 2027.
The bulk of the funding for the development is being provided by the council’s housing service via Right to Buy receipts and borrowing, with £1.3m of grant support due to come from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: “At a time when there is a well-documented shortage of affordable extra care housing in Leeds, this development will make a real difference to the lives of its residents.
“The start of construction will also be another notable milestone for our Council Housing Growth Programme, which is working – with the support of partners – to bring positive and lasting change to communities across Leeds.”
