Kingsmill and Hovis merger talks signal major shake-up in UK bread sector

April Lara
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Kingsmill and Hovis merger talks signal major shake-up in UK bread sector

Associated British Foods (ABF), owner of Kingsmill, is in advanced discussions with private equity firm Endless LLP, which owns Hovis, over a potential merger that would unite two of the UK’s largest bread producers.

The move is part of ABF’s strategic review of Allied Bakeries, its struggling bakery division. Allied Bakeries has faced mounting pressure from inflation, changing consumer behaviour, and increasing competition. The division also includes the Allinson’s and Sunblest brands and operates a nationwide network of bakeries and depots.

Hovis, which has traded under private equity ownership since 2020, would represent a major addition to ABF’s bakery portfolio. The merger would position the combined business as a formidable competitor to Warburtons, the current UK market leader.

Given its potential impact on market concentration, any deal is likely to face scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority. The government has been reviewing the CMA itself, which recently removed its chairman to refocus the regulator on growth-oriented oversight.

University of York to establish campus in India to target business and tech sectors

April Lara
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University of York to establish campus in India to target business and tech sectors

The University of York is set to expand its global footprint by opening a campus in Mumbai, India, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Maharashtra’s Chief Minister. The new campus is slated to open by the 2026/27 academic year, subject to approval from India’s University Grants Commission.

Initially, the campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees focused on high-demand areas such as computer science, AI, cybersecurity, business, economics, and creative industries. The courses will follow the same curriculum as those taught at the university’s UK campus, and students will earn a University of York degree upon graduation.

The initial phase will take place in a business district building in Mumbai, with plans to develop a fully-fledged campus over the following years. This expansion aligns with York’s ambition to contribute to India’s growing educational sector, particularly in preparing the next generation of business leaders and tech professionals.

Duo of new partners appointed at Knight Frank’s Leeds office

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Duo of new partners appointed at Knight Frank’s Leeds office
Knight Frank has strengthened its Leeds office with the appointments of Richard Brooke and Brad Harris as partners, specialising in capital markets and residential land & development respectively. Both Richard and Brad join from the Leeds office of commercial property consultants and auctioneers Allsops. Richard, who worked at Cushman & Wakefield before Allsops, said: “This is a major move and an important opportunity for me. I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Knight Frank and am ready to develop my career further with a world-renowned property consultancy. “The capital markets team is the leading player in the Yorkshire region, and I am excited to contribute to its continued success together my fellow partner Graham Foxton.” Eamon Fox, head of Knight Frank’s Leeds office, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard and Brad to our Leeds office as partners. These are two very significant and heavyweight appointments for us and will take our talented team up to another level. “Their expertise and experience will help with the expansion of the business in Yorkshire, making it a market leading proposition. These are very exciting times for Knight Frank and Richard and Brad will be integral to our future success in Yorkshire where we have offices in Leeds and Sheffield.” Brad, who worked at Dacre Son and Hartley and JLL before Allsops, said: “This is a major career move for me. It gives me the opportunity to develop Knight Frank’s residential land and development team in Yorkshire, bridging the gap between the residential and commercial development sectors.”

Bradford nursery changes hands after 25 years

April Lara
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Bradford nursery changes hands after 25 years

Rainbow House Private Day Nursery in Bradford has been sold after 25 years of continuous ownership. The nursery, which offers places for up to 88 children, is situated in Low Moor and has built a strong reputation in the local childcare sector.

The business was acquired by The Little Academy Day Nursery, a growing operator that already manages two other settings in West Yorkshire. The sale was managed by Christie & Co and attracted multiple offers, reflecting ongoing demand in the region’s childcare market.

The former owners exited the business to retire, with the new operator expected to maintain continuity of service while expanding its footprint in the area.

Heineken investment breathes new life into struggling Yorkshire pubs

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Heineken investment breathes new life into struggling Yorkshire pubs

Heineken’s Star Pubs division is making significant inroads in revitalising Yorkshire’s struggling pub sector, with two key sites reopened following major investment. The Westgate in Halifax and The Black Bull in Ecclesfield, Sheffield, are now operating successfully after receiving financial backing as part of a larger nationwide initiative.

Star Pubs, part of the Heineken group, has pledged £40 million to upgrade and reopen pubs across the UK in 2025, with £2.64 million of that funding allocated specifically to Yorkshire. Licensees in the region are contributing an additional £434,000, reflecting growing optimism in the sector. The investment is projected to generate approximately 76 new jobs in Yorkshire and nearly 1,000 nationwide.

The Westgate reopened in March 2025 after a six-year closure, following a £325,000 refurbishment. The Grade II listed building has been modernised while preserving its heritage features and now caters to both post-work customers and weekend visitors in central Halifax. Six new jobs have been created, and the pub’s popularity has surged, driven by live sports events and a planned schedule of entertainment.

In Sheffield, The Black Bull reopened in August 2024 after being closed for 18 months. It underwent a £198,000 transformation into a modern, family-friendly venue, complete with a garden, dedicated games room, and entertainment programme. Ten jobs were created as part of the relaunch. The interior redesign features distinct spaces catering to various customer needs, including a lounge, social bar area, and sports-focused games room.

The upgrades reflect a broader strategy by Heineken to target underperforming assets with growth potential, particularly in community-focused locations. The model relies on leasehold agreements and co-investment from experienced operators, signalling a scalable route for reinvigorating on-trade venues.

11 Yorkshire businesses receive The King’s Award for Enterprise

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11 Yorkshire businesses receive The King’s Award for Enterprise
The recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been revealed today (6 May), celebrating the achievements of businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands. This year, 197 businesses representing a diverse range of sectors have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country, highlighting the ambition, ingenuity, and success of our diverse business community. Of these, a total of 11 awards went to businesses in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Eight were recognised in the International Trade category, one for Innovation, and two for Sustainable Development. This year’s recipients from Yorkshire and the Humber include:
  • White Rose Education, a West Yorkshire-based business exporting their educational resources for teachers and students globally to drive growth, strengthen UK relations, and promote world-class learning. They have been recognised in the International Trade category.
  • Integra Buildings, a manufacturer challenging the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable construction through bespoke design and offsite manufacturing. Based in the East Riding of Yorkshire, they have been recognised in the Sustainable Development category.
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports said: “There are some inspiring businesses from Yorkshire and the Humber recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise: from White Rose Education’s success exporting educational resources around the world to Integra Building’s sustainable manufacturing methods. “I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in Yorkshire and Humber region and abroad, helping to boost the UK economy.” Michael Gosling, chair of the White Rose Education Board, said: “Receiving The King’s Award for International Trade is a huge honour and a reflection of the dedication, hard work and passion that drive everything we do at White Rose Education. “This recognition not only celebrates our global reach but also reinforces our commitment to supporting teachers and pupils around the world with high-quality, accessible educational resources. It’s a proud moment for our entire team and is a testament to the positive impact we’re making in classrooms worldwide.” Gary Parker, CEO of Integra Buildings, said: “Receiving The King’s Award for Enterprise is a tremendous honour for our business and all of our team. This award reflects and rewards the total commitment we have across our business to excellence in project performance and delivery. It also recognises our commitment to adopting sustainable policies and practices in everything we do. “Modular building has so many advantages over traditional methods of construction; one of those being that it is inherently more sustainable. We passionately believe that the future of construction is modular, and that the companies embracing sustainability will be the most successful for many years to come.” The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed two years ago to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, has awarded over 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965. His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants – The King’s representatives in each county – will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. One representative from each winning business will also be invited to a special Royal reception event. Yorkshire and the Humber recipients include:
Vuba Chemical Innovations Limited
Solderking Assembly Materials Limited
Technical Services (UK) Ltd
The Group Company (UK) Ltd
Abbey Forged Products Ltd
International Energy Products Limited
Think So Ltd
Turner & Townsend (Holdings) Limited
White Rose Education Limited
Integra Buildings Limited
AES Engineering Ltd
  Mark Davies, founder of ThinkOTB, recognised for its excellence in International Trade, said: “It’s a huge honour to follow on our Queen’s Enterprise Award five years ago, with a King’s Award. We’re proud to be one of the UK’s most creative companies operating in a niche marketplace, which combines innovation with marketing, becoming a ‘go-to’ expert for many international businesses. We’ve pioneered highly successful techniques that have helped some of the world’s most recognisable brands to innovate.”

Rotherham group snaps up Manchester building inspection company

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Rotherham group snaps up Manchester building inspection company
Align Building Control, an inspection company operating across a wide variety of construction sectors, has been sold to ICA Group in a deal led by KBS Corporate. Trading since 2012 and based in Heald Green, Greater Manchester, Align’s team of surveyors have established a reputation for their knowledge of building regulations and relevant legislation. The company works across the residential, commercial, healthcare, arts, hospitality, leisure, energy and industrial sectors. Align now joins Cook Brown – another company sold by KBS Corporate – in the Building Control Services division of ICA Group, which was rebranded from Hickton Group in January 2025. Rotherham-based ICA Group is a multi-disciplinary provider of site inspection and consultancy services, and has acquired Align to strengthen its shared expertise and expand its presence across England and Wales. ICA’s announcement of the acquisition stated that Align’s reputation “is built on responsiveness and technical knowledge, with a company culture that complements that of ICA Group.” Michael Clemence, director and sole shareholder of Align, said: “Really pleased to be joining ICA Group. All of us at Align Building Control look forward to a very exciting future.” Paul Liptrott, KBS Corporate deal executive, advised on the transaction and described an unusual element which needed to be overcome in the search for the ideal buyer. “A lot of interested parties had to ‘park’ the exploration of the deal whilst the industry underwent some changes,” said Paul. “They all came back to explore the opportunity simultaneously, and effectively made up for lost time in a short period. This is a rare thing to experience in the sale of a business.” Ultimately, Paul was delighted that a suitable buyer was found for Align, offering a collaboration that will greatly benefit both companies. “ICA Group had acquired a business marketed by KBS Corporate previously within this space and explored this opportunity as a way to build upon their existing operations,” added Paul. “The acquisition allows Mike to work towards his retirement whilst helping to integrate the business within ICA Group. “Anyone who meets Mike would find themselves fond of him and I personally believe ICA Group offered a great prospect for his exit plans. Obviously this is what we work towards, and this outcome is great to see. “ICA Group is well established in the industry and this is a win for all involved.” Paul expressed thanks to KBS Corporate colleague Daniel Calderbank (document writer), along with Hentons, who oversaw the legal side of the transaction.

Investment to upgrade Lincolnshire level crossings with £1m funding

April Lara
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Investment to upgrade Lincolnshire level crossings with £1m funding

Network Rail is investing close to £1 million to modernise four significant level crossings in Lincolnshire, aiming to improve safety and operational efficiency for both road and rail users.

The project will involve essential upgrades at the Holton le Moor, Brigg, Butterswood, and Little London crossings. These improvements, set to take place over several weeks, include replacing outdated infrastructure such as deck units, cill beams, road surfaces, and markings. The works will impact traffic and rail services across the region.

The surface renewal work at all crossings is expected to result in more reliable infrastructure that requires less frequent maintenance, providing long-term cost-effectiveness.

During the works, rail replacement bus services will be operating between Cleethorpes and Barnetby, with affected passengers advised to check updates on the National Rail website. Diversion routes for road traffic will also be signposted.

This substantial investment aims to enhance the future efficiency of the crossings while improving safety for both road and rail users.

Leeds firm invests in South Wales industrial site for SME redevelopment

April Lara
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Leeds firm invests in South Wales industrial site for SME redevelopment

Leeds-based commercial property company Industruct has acquired a disused food production facility in Blaenau Gwent for £1.25 million, marking its first investment in the South Wales market.

The 116,520 sq ft site, located near Abertillery, was formerly operated by Tillery Valley Foods, which ceased trading following administration two years ago. The asset had remained vacant since.

Industruct plans to transform the site into a series of refurbished industrial units aimed at SMEs in manufacturing, production, and logistics. Units will start at 5,000 sq ft, with flexible layout options to meet varying operational needs.

Refurbishment work has already begun, with a focus on reconfiguring the property to enable multi-tenant occupancy. The move signals Industruct’s strategic expansion into regional markets and aligns with continued demand for modern industrial space outside core urban areas. Global consultancy Knight Frank advised the seller on the transaction.

Hull secures £3.9m to expand zero-emission bus fleet

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Hull secures £3.9m to expand zero-emission bus fleet

Hull City Council will receive £3.9 million from the UK government to support the rollout of 42 zero-emission buses, with deployment expected by spring 2027.

The funding is part of a broader £37.5 million Department for Transport initiative aimed at adding 319 electric buses across 12 local authorities in England. The move aligns with the government’s push to decarbonise public transport, while supporting UK-based manufacturing and local job creation.

The investment coincides with the ongoing passage of the Bus Service Bill, which seeks to return more control of transport services to local councils.

This follows Hull’s recent approval of a separate £7.6 million DfT grant focused on enhancing bus service frequency, adding up to 30 new shelters, and improving accessibility across key routes.

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