< PreviousTIS relocates regional office base to Joseph’s Well in Leeds TIS, the independent life safety, security and communications systems integrator, has relocated its regional office base from Morley to Joseph’s Well, the heritage building in Leeds city centre, after agreeing a lease with J Pullan & Son’s. The 807 square feet office suite provides the ideal city centre base for TIS to work in partnership with The University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University and The Royal Armouries; designing, installing and maintaining highly-compliant life safety and security systems that protect people, places and spaces. Matthew Fawcett, Operations Manager (Northern) at TIS, said: “The location of Joseph’s Well is perfect for us to relocate our regional team of 18 staff. We are now a stone’s throw away from our core clients, providing us with better site access and reducing travel time. “Our new regional office hub serves as a fantastic base for all colleagues across our group and with our ambitious growth plans, the flexible suite options at Joseph’s Well will provide opportunities to expand.” 10 Business Link www.blmforum.net NEWS Amey lighting the way for inmates to help create sustainable prison estates Amey, a provider of facilities management (FM) services to the public sector, has delivered an innovative Net Zero initiative at HMP Leeds, advancing both sustainability goals and prisoner rehabilitation. The project involved the installation of energy-efficient 31-Watt LED fittings across 430 cells, replacing outdated 60-Watt dual T8 fittings. The LED lights were manufactured by prisoners at HMP Garth, who gained valuable skills and training through the production process. This initiative supports the UK Government’s ambition to equip ex- offenders with employable skills, ensuring they are job-ready upon release. Research shows that ex-prisoners in stable employment are 9% less likely to reoffend, helping to address the £18 billion annual cost of reoffending to the UK economy. Pete Mathieson, Business Director for Amey, said: “This project demonstrates how sustainable initiatives can drive prisoner rehabilitation. By providing inmates with practical skills and work experience, we are helping them build confidence and increasing their chances of successful reintegration into society. “Amey is proud to contribute to this vital process of rehabilitation through meaningful work opportunities.” Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers power ahead with more growth in the pipeline Manufacturers in Yorkshire & the Humber are powering ahead with a boost to overall economic prospects forecast from a period of greater political stability. The findings come in the Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO which shows almost six in ten companies (58%) believe that the recent change in Government will lead to better economic growth overall in the next 12 months. In contrast just 6% of companies expect GDP to decline this year as a result of the new Government. According to the survey, business confidence in Yorkshire & the Humber is continuing to climb, reaching levels last seen at the beginning of the recovery from the pandemic. The balance on output in Yorkshire & the Humber was +38% but is forecast to jump to +55% in the next quarter. Total orders are following a similar pattern, increasing from +45% to +48% in the next three months. This boost is resulting in strong recruitment intentions with companies looking to take on staff to cope with demand. Matthew Fawcett from TIS outside Joseph’s Well offices © stock.adobe.com/Konstantin Zwww.blmforum.net Business Link 11 NEWS Darley Street Market maintenance contract win for G&H Group Bradford Council has awarded mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) service provider, G&H Group, the 12-month maintenance contract for its new state-of-the-art, energy efficient Darley Street Market building. A dedicated team including a contract manager and specialist skilled engineers will deliver a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programme, to ensure the optimum performance and compliance of the building. As part of G&H Group’s commitment to training the next generation, apprentices will also have the opportunity to attend site visits with the engineers. G&H Group’s Maintenance team’s responsibilities include maintaining the heat pump and boiler systems, ventilation, EV chargers, air conditioning, heat recovery unit, solar PV, rainwater harvesting, and fire safety systems. David Ridsdale, G&H Group’s Maintenance Director, said: “G&H Group has been involved with Darley Street Market since main contractor Kier appointed our Building Services division to deliver an extensive MEP package. To be appointed to deliver the maintenance contract too, and service all aspects of the building installed by Building Services, reinforces our position as a complete MEP service provider.” Group swoops for Leeds cyber-security business The GRC Group, a provider of software and tech-enabled services to manage business risks and regulatory compliance, has acquired Leeds-headquartered Pentest People Ltd. The GRC Group is focused on building market-leading positions in select areas of the governance, risk and compliance market, and the acquisition of Pentest People represents GRC’s second acquisition in the cyber security risk management market following the acquisition of Bulletproof in June. Pentest People will join Bulletproof (UK) and Target Defense (USA) as part of the newly formed cyber division. Pentest People is a disruptive cyber-security business focused on bringing the benefits of penetration-testing-as-a- service (PTaaS) to UK clients, combining the benefits of consultant led penetration testing and continuous vulnerability scanning through its in-house developed software platform SecurePortal. Pentest People provides services to over 1,200 clients – directly and through channel partnerships. In addition to pen testing and cyber consultancy, the business offers CHECK accredited testing and has a rapidly growing Incident Response service – widening the services offered by the Group. Specialist family law firm acquired by investor Investcorp, a global alternative investment firm, has acquired Stowe Family Law, the specialist family law firm, from investment firm Livingbridge. Based in Leeds, the company was founded by Marilyn Stowe in 1982 and has quickly grown into one of the leading technology- enabled UK family law firms. Spanning practice areas such as divorce, cohabitation, financial settlements, child law, mediation, nuptial agreements, surrogacy, adoption and international family law, the firm has more than doubled in the last two years, now operating from 90 locations across the United Kingdom with nearly 400 staff supporting 5,000 clients a year. The company had a reported annual turnover of over £37 million in the fiscal year ending March 2024. With this investment, Investcorp will work with the Stowe team to continue in the development of its growth strategy, focusing on its 5-year Stowe 3.0 plan. The firm’s ambition is to serve more than 10,000 clients by 2029 and to offer more holistic support to families going through the challenges of change. © stock.adobe.com/sarayut_sy © stock.adobe.com/Africa Studio12 Business Link www.blmforum.net COMMERCIAL PROPERTY A cross Lincolnshire, transformative projects are revitalising key sites, enhancing the county’s appeal as a place to live, work and visit. This can particularly be seen of late on the coast. In the Alexandra Dock area of Grimsby, a lease was recently signed with Doncaster-based homebuilder Keepmoat to bring new life to a brownfield plot. The 6.25-acre town centre site bordered by Fisherman’s Wharf and the River Freshney will eventually welcome a community of around 130 homes with supporting commercial accommodation. The area has been the subject of consultation with developers in the housing market since November last year. Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “We want to create a place that connects the town and its community with its waterside, creating a fantastic urban living environment. North East Lincolnshire must develop as a place where people want to live and work. If that does not happen, we risk stagnating as a borough. We’re committed to making sure that does not happen. There’s a long way to go yet, and developments of this scale don’t happen overnight. But we are working to improve the town centre as a whole and this is part of that vision. We want people who work in our borough to also live here as this will maximise the economic benefits to the area. Step-by- step, along with other initiatives in the town centre, we’re changing how our town centre can be used safely, and enjoyed by everyone.” Investment worth around £7.8m to support the development at this site has already been secured through the Government’s Towns Fund, and the build will be assisted by brownfield funding secured as part of the Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal. Ben Hindley, regional land and partnership director at Keepmoat, Yorkshire East, said: “We’re excited to be working in partnership with the Council to regenerate a large parcel of brownfield land and deliver new homes in Grimsby. At Keepmoat we pride ourselves on supporting local authorities to achieve their housing targets and we are honoured to be the housebuilder of choice for this project, selected to create much needed quality housing stock for generations to come. We are approaching the project in the Alexandra Dock area of Grimsby with healthy life principles in mind, to ensure the scheme is not only visually appealing, but has plenty of available green spaces for walking, cycling and spending time outside.” The development follows other significant schemes in Grimsby, such as the £2.5m renovation of St James’ House into a thriving business hub. Once the two-phase project is complete the new E- New life for Lincolnshire’s coast Transformative schemes are bringing new life to sites across Lincolnshire, especially on its coast. Business Link reflects on recent progress. www.blmforum.net Business Link 13 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Factor Business Hub will stretch across three floors. There is also an ambition to remodel the roof space, which has views onto St James’ Square, the Minster, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, and the Humber Bank. Phase one includes redevelopment of the ‘arches’ space on the ground floor, to be let, with a separate reception area and space for the E-Factor’s 15 staff. More than 23 business units will also be created on the second floor as part of phase one. Phase two works on the remaining floors is the next step with the first floor plan focusing on a new Business Hive HQ, with facilities such as a business lounge and boardroom for the 300-plus local businesses, as well as a modern conference room for businesses, exhibitions, conferences, and other events – bringing more people into the town centre. Meanwhile, in Cleethorpes, JemBuild Ltd have won the contract to build the iconic Sea Road building. The firm have already been engaged on the retaining wall works behind the old beach safety offices, and once this has been completed, work will start on the main building. A new three-storey building will be constructed on the brownfield site on Sea Road, comprising retail or hospitality space, as well as new public amenities and a changing places facility. Paul Barker, Managing Director of JemBuild, said: “I am delighted to have secured this fabulous contract with North East Lincolnshire Council and look forward to working with NELC along with our construction partners, Hodson Architects and C2C Structural along with our local suppliers on this exciting project that will undoubtedly cement its place on the local landscape to become as iconic as its sister building, the prominent Pier.” Interrupted by COVID, the Sea Road building was granted planning permission in 2020, and will offer new quality outside space, with public viewing areas and balconies. The first floor will be accessible from Pier Gardens, giving a nod back to how the pier was accessed when it was first constructed. Other elements of the building hark back to the Art Deco seaside style and the buildings constructed around the resort at that time, such as the small retail kiosks on Central Prom, and the former Electricity Board showroom on Isaac’s Hill. The development comes as plans progress surrounding the Cleethorpes Masterplan, regenerating and levelling up the seaside town, and follows views being sought on multi-million-pound schemes, including the new-look Market Place and Pier Gardens. Moreover, in Sutton on Sea, multi- million redevelopment works are moving forward on a new multifunctional building and grounds at the former Colonnade and Pleasure Gardens site. Alongside their 15 Á © stock.adobe.com/simonArmstrong house Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk Superb Location - - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre Secure off street parking High speed internet availability A range of affordable office sizes 3 3 3 3 Last remaining office suites Prime location in Grimsby Offering a prime position in Grimsby, Armstrong House on Armstrong Street is ideally located. Close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, motorway links and the town centre, off-street parking is also available for all staff and visitors, meaning it’s convenient too. Our spacious, welcoming offices are located on the ground floor and are both secure and CCTV-monitored, giving you the ultimate peace of mind. At Armstrong House, when it comes to affordability and with a range of office sizes there are opportunities for all types of business. If you require virtual office services, prices start from just £15 per month. For more information, or to discuss your office requirements call 01472 310301.www.blmforum.net Business Link 15 COMMERCIAL PROPERTY design team CPMG and Alan Wood Associates, in close collaboration with client East Lindsey District Council, through the Pagabo Medium Works framework, enhancements made by contractor, G F Tomlinson will provide local residents and visitors with a new state-of-the-art building, with lettable space for retail, sea view café and restaurant, along with toilets and new exhibition space. Additional seating areas and recreational space will also be created in the former Pleasure Gardens, as well as a large sea view deck, new beach huts and dedicated artisan studio spaces for pop up events and markets. Improved promenade access will connect the promenade via a link bridge to the new building and there will be planting and community gardens together with the creation of additional walkways. Popular nearby existing features will be retained, which include the paddling pool, tennis court and the anchor water feature. Works are progressing well on site with the steelwork and main drainage complete, and the ground and first floors installed. The blockwork has been completed and the installation of the structural steel frame is now underway. It comes as part of the Mablethorpe Connected Coast Town Deal which has been approved by the Government to receive £4.2m of Town Deal funding, with the remaining costs match funded directly by East Lindsey District Council. The revitalisation of the area will provide new inward investment to the town, and residents alongside the Lincolnshire coast. Adrian Grocock, Group Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are proud to be involved in the significant redevelopment of this landmark cultural tourist attraction for Sutton-on-Sea, encouraging further investment into the Eastern coastline. Our team have worked closely with all sub-contractor partners to carefully manage the enhancement of the existing structure with transformative elements that will deliver tangible benefits to the local residents and visitors to the town. We are moving forward at good pace and we are in a good position to deliver on schedule.” These are just a few projects progressing across Lincolnshire, with the county welcoming numerous opportunities for regeneration. Sutton on Sea Colonnade North East Lincolnshire Council Sea Road building in Cleethorpes16 Business Link www.blmforum.net IT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPOTLIGHT T hey say ‘crime pays’ and unfortunately cybercrime is no different because of the huge financial gains, disruption to competitors’ computer software or data theft that make it worth any cyber criminals’ time. Criminals want to earn money as easy and quickly as they can, and it’s only the difficulty of the anti-virus software and security information that they face, which increases their time in The online menace A weakening economy and strife across the world has opened the doors for hackers of all kinds to target businesses, and small and medium-sized businesses in regions such as Yorkshire make for tempting targets. www.blmforum.net Business Link 17 IT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPOTLIGHT accessing the software or data, that stops them. When it comes to cybercrime and criminals it’s often worth understanding the different types of hackers recognised in the industry. These are, in no particular order: White Hat Hackers (ethical hackers), Black Hat Hackers (who violate computer security out of malice for their own personal profit), Grey Hat Hackers (security experts who may violate laws but don’t often have malicious intent), Green Hat Hackers (who learn the tricks of the trade; in Microsoft’s world, they are employed by the company to find vulnerabilities in unreleased products), Blue Hat Hackers (external computer security consulting firms who are employed to bug test a system prior to its launch) and Red Hat Hackers (hired by government agencies to identify vulnerabilities, mainly identifying and neutralising Black Hat Hackers). Finally, and the most common, are Script Kiddies, who use programs/scripts to attack networks, computer systems and deface websites, and State/Nation Sponsored Hackers; who may be from China, Korea or Russia, who give individuals a ‘Licence to Hack’ to gain valuable intelligence/data that has 18 Á © stock.adobe.com/Philip Steury18 Business Link www.blmforum.net IT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPOTLIGHT international significance – it’s important to note following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the NCCS (National Cyber Crime Security) is advising that UK companies strengthen their online defences. However, the most common cybercrime today is ‘Phishing Scams’ that make up 91% of cybercrime, according to PhishMe, they start when curiosity, fear or a sense of urgency entices someone to enter personal data or click on a link often instigated by spam; unsolicited junk email sent out in bulk via electronic messaging systems, text messages or media messaging. Added to this is ‘website spoofing’ where a website is designed to make you believe it’s a legitimate site – all to get access to your systems, steal data, steal money, or spread malware. Companies should also be aware of Ransomware which is a technical twist on extortion. It works when criminals steal something and demand payment in exchange for its return. And IOT Hacking - The ‘Internet of Things’, this is a world that opens insights into our daily routines/business processes to the web. All internet-connected objects are constantly collecting and exchanging data and Keystroke software monitors activity to give hackers information on your personal data, such as credit card numbers and the different web pages you use – done by logging the user’s keyboard strokes. As all data is valuable, the more “things” recorded - the juicier the reward becomes for hackers. Luckily, many businesses consider cyber security a high priority. 95% of large businesses invest heavily in cyber security, 92% of medium sized businesses and the same of high-income charities. The sectors who have to consistently remain vigilant are finance and insurance, health/social care and Councils. In the past Lincolnshire County Council had to act quickly, another good practice, and shut down all of its computers after an alleged ransomware attack began to spread throughout its systems. The Chartered Institute of IT reminds us, “It is important to remember that cyber criminals are clever and they try to attack the weakest links in a chain. An example of recent ransomware attack was on the NHS where attackers took aim at one of the suppliers.” Another thing to remember is the good news, there are many ways you can help yourself and your business stay safe from ever evolving cybercrime! Enforcing strong passwords, is one of the best protections against breaches, using upper and lower case, numbers and symbols, may help keep hackers out and of course keeping the passwords safe. Keep computer screens and mobile phones locked when not attended and ensure that passwords/codes can’t be seen when they pop up on a screen, even if it’s locked. Be cautious about all email attachments, avoid suspicious websites (look at spelling carefully); some of the fake websites are surprisingly believable. It is always best to ensure your company emails stands out, with a clear logo, and possibly with regulation warnings for example that ‘staff will never ask for personal details’. Updating passwords regularly adds www.blmforum.net Business Link 19 IT AND COMMUNICATIONS SPOTLIGHT further security as well as using multi- factor authentication where a user is only granted access to a website or application only after correctly presenting 2 or more pieces of evidence/passwords. Also ensure a different SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) account is created for all senders within a company, this will ensure if someone’s computer is hijacked where spam is sent out from it, it can be disabled rapidly and easily without involving other users. Implementing VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) for all connections is an arrangement whereby a secure, apparently private network is achieved using encryption over a public network, typically the internet. Retiring all unused services, therefore deleting/removing old computer packages and out of date software, is good practice and remember to leverage existing security options by researching, installing and continually updating a high-quality antivirus program. Additional issues you can consider are monitoring personal devices brought in and used by employees, limiting data access to employees, and holding employees accountable for their data use and protecting any devices they may use in the office or working remotely, as out of the office is just as dangerous an environment than in the office for an employee as there is sometimes less exchange of information about the latest ‘scams’. © stock.adobe.com/tippapattNext >