New funding to accelerate UK-built cybersecurity chips

April Lara
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New funding to accelerate UK-built cybersecurity chips

SCI Semiconductor has secured £2.5 million in fresh funding to advance development of what it claims will be the world’s first commercially viable “memory safe” computer chip. Mercia Ventures led the investment round through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, and UK and Silicon Valley-based angel investors participated.

The Sheffield-based firm is tackling memory safety, a longstanding vulnerability in legacy codebases such as those used in Microsoft Windows and industrial systems. Around 70% of cyberattacks exploit memory-related flaws. SCI’s technology aims to address this by embedding compartmentalised memory access control into hardware, offering an alternative to constant software patching.

Key early adopters include Google Research. SCI plans to double its engineering headcount to 40 and establish a permanent base in Sheffield. Founded in 2022 by Haydn Povey and Krishna Anne, the company has also received over £1 million in UK government R&D grants and draws on research from the University of Cambridge.

The chip, designed to work with open-source software and dev tools, positions SCI to capitalise on the growing demand for cybersecurity solutions embedded at the silicon level, particularly in defence, critical infrastructure, and industrial IoT.

This round signals growing investor appetite for UK-based deep tech firms addressing global security threats through hardware innovation.

£3.6bn worth of Lincolnshire projects promoted to investors

April Lara
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£3.6bn worth of Lincolnshire projects promoted to investors

Greater Lincolnshire is pitching a £3.6 billion portfolio of investable projects to national and international stakeholders, with regional leaders positioning the area as a critical hub for UK infrastructure, technology, and energy. At this year’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds, the newly formed Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority outlined 17 live investment opportunities spanning sectors from AI and advanced logistics to renewable energy and regeneration.

Among the standout developments is a planned AI Growth Zone in North Lincolnshire. The zone proposes over 1,300 hectares of developable land across four sites, offering significant processing capacity and space for data infrastructure. Strategic locations include land around the Scunthorpe steelworks and the Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate.

Port-related development is also gaining traction. The Pioneer Business Park, recently acquired by ABP, is being shaped into a new logistics corridor closely tied to the Port of Immingham activity. Meanwhile, a major regeneration scheme at Grimsby Docks could transform the historic Ice Factory into a mixed-use precinct anchored by a new hotel and venue space. In addition, Humber Freeport continues to be marketed as a strategic asset for offshore wind and heavy industry, with tax incentives covering hundreds of hectares of land and deep-water access.

The Greater Lincolnshire delegation used its platform to reinforce its push for more devolved powers and funding. The new mayoral administration is working to unlock national support to fast-track infrastructure delivery, increase private-sector engagement, and elevate the county’s role in national supply chains. The pitch signals a broader ambition to position Lincolnshire as a recipient of investment and a driver of innovation and productivity for UK plc.

Saffery strengthens audit team

Tess Egginton
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Saffery strengthens audit team
Chartered accounting and business advisory firm, Saffery, has promoted Dan Noble to audit manager and appointed Kim Liu as audit manager within the firm’s specialist not-for-profit and charity audit team, in Leeds. Dan joined Saffery in 2020 and was drawn to the firm because of its not-for-profit and charity offering. Since joining, he has completed his Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification whilst building strong relationships with a broad portfolio of regional and national clients. Dan regularly attends clients’ committee meetings and organises year-round touchpoints to aid year-end planning, alongside taking an active role in the day to day running of the audit. Dan said: “I’ve had brilliant support from the team at Saffery throughout my career to date. The progression pathways are clear, the training opportunities are fantastic, and people here genuinely want to see you succeed. I enjoy the variety of the client work, and the opportunity to make a real difference to charities and not-for-profit organisations.” Joining Dan in the team is Kim Liu, who brings over 16 years of experience specialising in not-for-profit and charity audits, having previously worked at HW Fisher and Field Sullivan. Kim recently relocated from London to Yorkshire, and she will contribute her extensive knowledge and client-focused approach to a range of organisations including schools, academies, community foundations, and other charities, often within the arts sector. Kim said: “Saffery is a very well-known name in the not-for-profit and charity sectors, with a person centric approach and commitment to long-term planning and accountability. Moving from London to a small market town in North Yorkshire is a big change, but the fact that Saffery is based in the heart of Leeds, means I can still enjoy city life!” Head of Saffery in Leeds, Sally Appleton, said: “Dan is passionate about supporting not-for-profit organisations and charities and his deep sector expertise is a real asset to our Yorkshire office and our wider national team. “Kim is known for her personable style, and she will work closely with our clients and colleagues across Saffery’s offices to deliver practical, tailored advice. Their appointments reflect our continued investment in talent to support the evolving needs of our clients in this important sector.”

Work completes on £14m project at Minsthorpe Community College

Tess Egginton
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Work completes on £14m project at Minsthorpe Community College
Henry Boot Construction has completed work on a new net-zero-carbon-in-operation sports facility and the refurbishment of teaching spaces at Minsthorpe Community College in South Elmsall. The facility includes two activity studios, changing rooms, toilets, storage facilities, office space, and a 6,394 sq ft main sports hall which opened in January this year. The final phase – including the installation of a new multi-use games area (MUGA) – has now been completed, marking the full handover of the project which has been funded by the Department for Education. Construction began in summer 2023 to replace the previous outdated sports facilities, alongside refurbishment works to several of the existing blocks. The sports facility has achieved an EPC A+ rating and forms part of Minsthorpe Community College’s long-term strategy to enhance sports provision and establish a central hub for community engagement and physical wellbeing. In addition to meeting net-zero-in-operation standards, the facility also incorporates a green roof and integrated sustainable drainage solutions to enhance both biodiversity and environmental performance. Ryan O’Loughlin, regional director at Henry Boot Construction, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have delivered a facility that will have a lasting impact on both the students of Minsthorpe Community College and the wider South Elmsall, South Kirby, and Upton community. “From day one, this project was about more than just bricks and mortar, it was about creating a sustainable space that supports physical and mental wellbeing, learning and community engagement. “Throughout the project, we also placed a strong focus on delivering social value – adopting a student-led approach to shaping the future of their sports facilities. We believe that quality social value is achieved through genuine collaboration, and we’re confident this development leaves a positive legacy that the whole community can be proud of.” Joint principals Mark Gilmore and Rachael Merritt, from Minsthorpe Community College, added: “We were delighted to be chosen as one of the first 50 schools to be part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme. “The new sports centre and surrounding works, including a new multi-use games area, is the final piece in the jigsaw in bringing the College’s facilities into the 21st century – meaning the experiences of both our amazing students and fantastic community will be enriched for years to come.”

Report highlights need for life sciences grow-on space in West Yorkshire

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Report highlights need for life sciences grow-on space in West Yorkshire
A new report by CBRE, commissioned by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), has highlighted the acute need for more grow-on space for life sciences, and in particular digital health companies if the region is going to fulfill its potential and retain its home-grown talent. CBRE’s research found that with over 600 health and life sciences companies, including 250 MedTech firms and over 90 digital health enterprises, West Yorkshire is emerging as a top ten cluster due to its vibrant start-up culture, skilled graduates and strong research network. The 51,618 sector professionals across the region represent a 10% annual growth and Leeds has a significantly higher density of these employees than the national average. The UK is aiming to develop 21 million sq ft of lab space by 2030 and investment currently remains concentrated in established hubs. CBRE’s report shows increasing investor interest in the sector, with 58% of funding from Venture Capital funds into West Yorkshire going to life sciences and technology. However, if the region is going to continue to attract investment and retain home grown talent, it will need to address the supply issue. Jonathan Lowe, head of science & technology for the North at CBRE, explains: “West Yorkshire has done a fantastic job of enabling start-ups to get established, evidenced by the fact that Leeds University’s Nexus incubator is nearing capacity, so the question now is where these companies will move to. “The key is to keep that talent, innovation and the associated jobs within the region and provide a range of flexible space with a combination of offices, labs and industrial facilities to satisfy demand. It is important to encourage clustering to enable knowledge and resource sharing and avoid new facilities becoming too disbursed.” CBRE’s report shows there are 44 live occupier requirements in West Yorkshire, with remaining lab availability limited at Nexus in Leeds and Huddersfield’s 3M Buckley Innovation Centre. All of the available lab space across the region is within suites of 2,000 sq ft and below, leaving little room for growth. Most grow-on requirements start above 5,000 sq ft, therefore intervention is required to bridge this gap. Lowe continues: “The repurposing of office stock is certainly a viable solution, particularly for digital health companies who don’t typically require the same specific requirements of wet lab facilities. Redundant space within medical and university estates could present opportunities, providing the buildings have the underlying building infrastructure fundamentals within locations surrounding the key research institutions.” Looking ahead, there is 45,166 sq ft of lab and office space to come forward at Old Medical School in Leeds but this isn’t set to be available until 2027. The future development pipeline for West Yorkshire also includes future phases of Innovation Village in Leeds, the National Health Innovation Campus in Huddersfield and the focus in Bradford on the Knowledge Quarter. CBRE’s report concluded that the West Yorkshire life sciences sector holds significant growth potential and that by addressing specific real estate needs, fostering clustering and investing in targeted incubator and grow on development, the region can solidify its position as a competitive player in the UK life science landscape.

Corporate partnership boosts children’s reading as literacy charity partners with Project Group

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Corporate partnership boosts children’s reading as literacy charity partners with Project Group
National children’s reading charity Schoolreaders has partnered with a furnishing, fit-out and service provider to enhance employee wellbeing and support reading ability in primary schools. Project Group sought to expand its ESG programme by offering meaningful, holistic support for its staff working in fast-paced environments. After research and a word-of-mouth recommendation, Project Group partnered with Schoolreaders, a charity which provides free reading support to primary schools. Andrea Ball, group ESG and social value director at Project Group, said: “As a volunteer myself, I’ve had the opportunity to support reading and mentoring programmes with previous employers, and it’s something I’m passionate about. As ESG lead, I wanted to help create a similar initiative within Project Group. “Providing literacy support to children is so important, and when I learned that one in four children in the UK leave primary school unable to read to the expected standard, I was truly shocked. Reading is key to unlocking countless opportunities in education, and no child should be at a disadvantage due to lack of proper literacy support. “Programmes like Schoolreaders’ play a crucial role in supporting children and enhancing their educational outcomes, playing a key role in building the workforce of tomorrow, and I wanted Project Group to be a part of that effort.” In 2024, more than half of children and young people reported that they do not enjoy reading in their free time, the lowest levels since 2005. One of the key reasons that children are not learning to read is that they are getting insufficient one-to-one reading time with an adult. Schoolreaders matches volunteers to local primary schools and provides over 33,000 weekly classroom reading sessions in England, connecting volunteers with primary schools. Working with Schoolreaders, four Project Group employees were matched with schools local to them, half of which were only two miles from their office. Each volunteer supports two classes each week, reading with up to twelve year 5 and 6 pupils. So far, Project Group staff have found that the programme has allowed them to step away from their usual work-day routine for a few hours, providing them with a break to recharge. Staff have reported improved wellbeing and mental health, acknowledging visits to school as ‘wholesome’ and ‘satisfying’. Julie Davies, group HR operations manager at Project Group, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being a Schoolreader so far, and I love building a connection with the students I support. Working with the children makes you laugh and gives you a real sense of work-life balance by taking you out of the everyday routine. “I’d encourage other businesses to get involved with Schoolreaders, even if it starts purely as part of their wellbeing programme. There’s definitely a place for it, and companies can gain so much – improving wellbeing, building skills, and more. That’s why our directors are fully behind it too.” Sara Cockroft, co-headteacher at Beech Hill Primary School, said: “When we looked at the end of last year where we’d had support from volunteers over that previous year, the children who had received support from Schoolreaders volunteers, had made more than the expected progress. “Schoolreaders build wonderful relationships with students and that means a lot to us at this school. The children really value that time, and, even if they weren’t making the excellent progress, that would be enough.”

Durata brings fabrication in-house with Tolley acquisition

April Lara
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Durata brings fabrication in-house with Tolley acquisition

Durata, a provider of critical power and modular data centre infrastructure, has acquired County Durham-based Tolley Fabrications to vertically integrate its operations. The acquisition brings fabrication capabilities in-house for the first time, enabling the company to enhance control over quality, speed up delivery timelines, and streamline its manufacturing workflow.

This strategic deal supports Durata’s broader international growth agenda, allowing it to respond more efficiently to global demand for scalable and resilient data centre infrastructure. It also supports evolving market needs driven by AI adoption, cloud computing, 5G expansion, and rising data consumption.

The integration is expected to strengthen Durata’s competitiveness by reducing supply chain dependencies and improving responsiveness in delivering bespoke solutions to clients. The move also reinforces the company’s manufacturing footprint in the North-East of England, with an expanded presence at Tursdale Business Park and plans to create additional regional jobs.

By bringing fabrication under its direct control, Durata positions itself to deliver end-to-end infrastructure solutions with greater speed and flexibility, capabilities increasingly required in a rapidly evolving digital environment. The company aims to set new industry benchmarks in agility, reliability, and operational resilience in the data centre space.

£200m Crown Square regeneration begins in Middlesbrough

April Lara
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£200m Crown Square regeneration begins in Middlesbrough

A £200 million urban regeneration scheme in Middlesbrough, Crown Square, has officially launched. The scheme aims to revitalise the town’s central area and Gresham district. The project was unveiled at UKREiiF, a national property event, and is positioned as one of the most significant redevelopment efforts in the region in decades.

Led by developers iMpeC and Buccleuch Property in partnership with the Middlesbrough Development Corporation, the scheme is set to deliver 1,500 new homes and create approximately 4,000 jobs. The first development phase includes more than 230 build-to-rent flats, purpose-built student accommodation for over 400 residents, and one of the UK’s first Fairfield by Marriott hotels. Planning permission for the initial phase has already been granted.

Crown Square aims to address the town’s historic underinvestment while leveraging its existing assets, including a major university campus with £280 million in recent investment, a growing digital economy, and the industrial expansion at Teesworks. The project also integrates mixed-use residential and hospitality developments with co-working amenities, fitness facilities, and concierge services.

A second phase public consultation is scheduled for summer 2025 as the project continues to seek business and investor engagement.

Hisense UK boosts sales by £73m as Leeds arm navigates rising costs

April Lara
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Hisense UK boosts sales by £73m as Leeds arm navigates rising costs

Hisense UK, the Leeds-based division of the Chinese electronics and appliances group, reported a £73.4 million increase in turnover for 2024, reaching £373.8 million compared to £300.4 million the previous year. Pre-tax profits also rose to £3.7 million, up from £2.8 million.

Despite the strong top-line performance, the company faced margin pressure due to a nearly 29% rise in administrative expenses, primarily driven by office relocation costs, and a 33% increase in distribution expenses. This resulted in a modest profit margin of 1.01%, slightly ahead of 2023’s 0.94%.

Hisense UK reduced its outstanding debtor balance by more than 30% to £49.8 million by offering discounts to accelerate customer payments before year-end.

Amid ongoing economic uncertainty in the UK, the company maintains a cautious yet strategic approach to growth. It aims to adapt to evolving retail dynamics and enhance brand visibility across local and international markets.

Ambitious regeneration plans take step forward in Wakefield

Tess Egginton
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Ambitious regeneration plans take step forward in Wakefield
Muse has signed a Pre-Development Agreement with Wakefield Council as part of ambitious regeneration plans for the city. It follows the announcement, earlier this year, that Wakefield Council had appointed Muse as its new Strategic Regeneration Partner as it seeks to deliver the next phase of major regeneration projects across the city. In partnership with Wakefield Council, Muse will now explore how to progress the next steps of Wakefield Council’s Masterplan, which lays out its vision for the future of the city centre. This will include master planning and design, site acquisition and investigations and working in partnership with Wakefield City Council and other key stakeholders to develop funding and delivery strategies for key areas of the city centre. The Masterplan will aim to deliver over 2,500 new homes and commercial accommodation alongside improved public spaces, better connectivity, and vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods that will support new jobs and investment in the city. Simon Dew, development director at Muse, said: “Signing this Pre-Development Agreement with Wakefield Council marks a pivotal step in bringing our shared Masterplan vision for the city to life. “By engaging at this early stage, we gain the flexibility to finetune design, progress site acquisition and delivery strategies whilst working closely with the council, Homes England and WYCA to accelerate progress and unlock funding as part of the Strategic Place Partnership. “This collaborative approach will ensure we can respond swiftly to changing market and community needs, delivering high quality, sustainable regeneration for Wakefield at pace. ”
Cllr Michael Graham, cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said: “Our latest step forward with Muse reinforces the scale of our ambition to revitalise Wakefield city centre. “Together we will set out a clear plan for the delivery of new residential and commercial development in our city. The agreement underpins our ambition to create inclusive, sustainable growth and maximise investment. “Our partnership will help us continue to deliver change for our communities, create places we can all be proud of, and strengthen our local economy. I look forward to working with Muse to make Wakefield an even better place to live work and visit.”
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