Unnamed operator chosen for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Stuart Pearcey
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Unnamed operator chosen for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

An as-yet-unnamed operator has been appointed to take over Doncaster Sheffield Airport which will lead to eventual reopening of the site — and the three South Yorkshire Chambers are applauding everybody involved in getting the landmark deal over the line.

Negotiations now entering into their very final stages but the decision is seen as a major step forward and a huge win for South Yorkshire, with the possibility of passenger flights resuming in spring 2026.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will soon be considering a business case for the immediate release of £3 million (from an earmarked £138 million gainshare) to support the ongoing negotiations at this critical juncture.

Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “It goes without saying that this is incredibly heartening news, not only for Doncaster but for the wider region too. As we have long maintained, successful economies need successful airports in order to thrive and so the return of DSA naturally has massive implications for South Yorkshire.

“With that in mind, I’d like to take this opportunity to applaud everybody who has played a role, however small, in getting this deal over the line. In particular, our public sector partners at City of Doncaster Council and SYMCA deserve to be commended for taking such a bold and entrepreneurial approach to these negotiations; ultimately enabling us to get where we are today.”

Louisa Harrison-Walker, Chief Exec of Sheffield Chamber, added: “I am sure I can speak on behalf of our business community when I thank the various leaders and behind-the-scenes officers involved here for their tremendous hard work and dogged persistence. They have truly opened up new, exciting opportunities for the region.

“The news that South Yorkshire is, at long last, getting its airport back is certainly a very welcome development for Sheffield firms as well. After all, ours is an internationally significant city, with industry-leading companies and a pair of acclaimed universities that are respected the world over. These organisations are all set to benefit from the global connectivity that this revamped airport will provide; whether it’s in the form of supply chain opportunities; the creation of new jobs; or increased access to the best and brightest talent.”

Carrie Sudbury, Chief Exec of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said: “At the time of its initial closure, DSA had huge untapped potential and we are eager to see how the region will take greater advantage of all these opportunities when the airport returns in its new and improved form.

“Indeed, an economic impact study found that it could represent up to £1.56bn in net benefits over the course of three decades. Not to mention, it will also create thousands of jobs right here in South Yorkshire. As Chambers, we naturally welcome anything that prospers our region, but the potential benefits that could be unlocked here cannot be understated.”

Grains storage at Immingham expands with £10m investment

Stuart Pearcey
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Grains storage at Immingham expands with £10m investment
Grain marketing company Viterra and ABP are to develop a £10m storage warehouse at the Immingham International Terminal. The investment will add a further 40,000 metric tonnes capacity to Viterra’s existing capacity, giving almost 80,000 metric tonnes of undercover storage. The new facility is designed to support Viterra’s growing demand for efficient and reliable storage solutions, catering for their several different imported commodities. Andrew Dawes, ABP’s Director of the Humber ports said: “We are thrilled to partner with Viterra on this significant project. This new warehouse alongside deep water berths, will not only increase our storage capacity for Viterra, but also reinforce our position as a leading UK port for the import and export of Agri-Bulks. “Through our commitment to investing in supply chain solutions, we are not only improving our ability to better serve our customers, but also strengthening British trade. This investment is about creating a more resilient, responsive infrastructure that uplifts key sectors across the economy. By prioritising efficiency and agility, we’re building a robust supply chain that will support growth today and drive sustainable progress for the future in our mission to Keep Britain Trading.” Viterra MD James Maw added: “This investment is a testament to our dedication to providing top-tier services to our clients. The new facility will enable us to better serve our customers and meet the increasing demand for high-quality storage solutions.” Globally, Viterra is a world-leading agriculture network, active in 39 countries worldwide, marketing more than 100 million metric tonnes of agricultural commodities per year. The company renewed its relationship with ABP in April 2022 with the opening of a new 35,000 mt storage facility located on the Humber International Terminal. This is complemented by additional storage within ABP’s Bulk Park facility located within the Port of Immingham. ABP has invested significantly in grain handling operations across the group to maintain customer demand. This has included purchasing new cranes, refurbishing existing cranes and investing in landside equipment.

Government business advice chatbot moves to new test stage

Stuart Pearcey
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Government business advice chatbot moves to new test stage
Thousands of small businesses are to be offered help and advice through a new government generative AI chatbot which moves to the next stage of testing this week. The chatbot is designed to make it quicker and easier to find the right page on the governments gov.uk website. Up to 15,000 people will be able to ask the tool for advice on business rules and support, with the chatbot linked from 30 of GOV.UK’s business pages, such as “set up a business” and “search for a trade mark”. People with access to the trial can ask questions about tax and the support available to them. A team of in-house data scientists, developers and designers are building the experimental tool using OpenAI’s GPT-4o technology which aims to help people more quickly navigate complex advice to understand what matters to them. In response, they will receive straightforward, personalised answers that collate information that may otherwise be spread across dozens of pages. The results from the trial will determine the next steps which could include potential larger-scale testing. This could ultimately lead to the chatbot being rolled out across the full government website, made up of 700,000 pages. The GOV.UK website attracts over 11 million users per week and is the best-known digital service in the UK according to YouGov. The new trial comes as the Science Secretary’s department is shaping the new ‘digital centre’ of government to boost technology adoption across the public sector, taking a more experimental approach with emerging technology where appropriate as it does so. Science Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Outdated and bulky government processes waste people’s time too often, with the average adult in the UK spending the equivalent of a working week and a half dealing with public sector bureaucracy every year. “We are going to change this by experimenting with emerging technology to find new ways to save people time and make their lives easier, as we are doing with GOV.UK Chat. With all new technology, it takes time to get it right so we’re taking it through extensive trials with thousands of real users before it is used more widely.

“This is an essential part of our ambition to use AI to improve public services in a safe and reliable way, making sure the UK government leads by example in driving innovation forward.”

Glass Futures Appoints Justin Kelly as New CEO

Michael Fisher
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Glass Futures Appoints Justin Kelly as New CEO

Justin is a Chartered Engineer with a BEng (Hons) in Computers, Management and Electronics. He began his career at Siemens where he held several roles over nearly three decades culminating in his appointment to the Siemens Executive Management Board in 2017.

Committed to driving innovation, Justin was the founding CEO of the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre in Greater Manchester to benefit both the economy and environment. In 2023 he became Non-Exec Chair of Sustainable Ventures North, an organisation dedicated to supporting sustainability-focused start-ups across the country.

Richard Katz, the first Glass Futures employee in January 2020, has been appointed President and will continue to work closely with the new Government to help them understand how Glass Futures’ research, development and innovation enables growth, particularly with reference to identifying what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t work for industrial decarbonisation in the fight against climate change.

Glass Futures was a concept developed some 10 years ago by Richard together with Dave Dalton, CEO of The British Glass Manufacturers’ Confederation, the representative body for the UK glass industry, as an independent not-for-profit organisation to enable the glass industry to have access to an industrial scale experimental pilot plant.

The facility has been designed and built by the industry to allow practical experimentation with alternative low carbon sustainable energy sources to replace high carbon natural gas to decarbonise glass manufacture toward a sustainable future.

Funding in the order of £75 million has been provided by National, Regional and Local Government together with the industry to build Glass Futures’ 165,000 sq.ft Global Centre of Excellence in St Helens on Merseyside, the home of Pilkington’s revolutionary Float Glass development.

Aston Fuller, General Manager at Glass Futures said “Having been the second employee at Glass Futures, I’m extremely proud to see the exponential growth of the organisation in such a short period of time. These important changes will support our growth and impact with our ever-growing diverse membership across the global glass supply chain sharing our collaborative ethos, to our own team who’ve developed and grown our vision”

“I look forward to continuing to support our members on this journey through an ever changing world of sustainability and resource efficiency technologies alongside Justin and Richard in the coming years”

This next phase of Glass Futures continues with new appointments to the Board of Directors, including Mike Houghton, Chief Commercial Officer of Process Industries Software at Siemens as Chair and José Miguel Ivorra, Vice President of Global Business Development at Guardian Industries in place of Dr Richard Hulme whose long-term secondment is drawing to a close.

They are welcomed by current Board members including newly established Deputy Chair, Adrian Curry, Executive Director and Chief Decarbonisation Officer at EET Fuels, Dr Ludovic Valette, Vice President of Technology and Engineering at O-I Glass, Inc. USA, Dave Dalton, CEO of The British Glass Manufacturers’ Confederation, Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of Liverpool, and Sean Murphy, Managing Director of Encirc.

Mike Houghton said “On behalf of the Board we would like to thank Richard Katz for his valuable contributions over the last 10+ years as Chief Executive, turning a vision into reality. Also great thanks to Guardian Glass’ Dr Richard Hulme who was instrumental in ensuring Glass Futures’ technical strategy reflected our member’s needs.”

New study reveals the features that make a company most attractive for hackers

Michael Fisher
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New study reveals the features that make a company most attractive for hackers
The go-to targets for cybercriminals have been revealed, and a private small company from the United Kingdom operating in the retail field would definitely be one of them, according to the latest study by NordPass. In partnership with NordStellar, NordPass evaluated nearly 2,000 data breach incidents worldwide from the past two years, extracting insights on which companies are most likely to experience a cybersecurity breach. Experts ranked companies based on their likelihood for a breach depending on their industry, size, company type, and country of registration. “While small retail companies are highly attractive, other profiles are no less appealing for hackers. This analysis helped us illustrate which businesses face higher risks and explain what measures can be taken to avoid them,” says Karolis Arbaciauskas, head of business development at NordPass. Retail and technology sectors are in the line of fire Among the data security incidents investigated by experts, most occurred in the retail industry (95 incidents). The second most breached sector is technology, with 56 incidents recorded in the past two years. The top 10 most attractive industries also include more specific technology-related sectors, such as internet and web services, IT services and consulting, software development, and computer hardware development. According to Arbaciauskas, these results are rather surprising, given that many think that the technology or IT sectors are less vulnerable and are better equipped against threats online. However, the reality is that hackers see technology firms as an appealing target — even if the company is equipped with high-end IT solutions, human mistakes can still occur. Therefore, companies should choose tools that eliminate possible risks, invest in employee training, and carefully evaluate their cyber preparedness. The United Kingdom is the third most affected market The study reveals that companies operating in the United States get the most attention from hackers, with almost a quarter of businesses (489) investigated for this research registered there. The United Kingdom (73) also got into the top of the list and ranked third after India (114). Among the countries in the European Union, Spain and France are more appealing to hackers than others. “It’s natural that bigger countries are in the spotlight, given that hackers see a lot of opportunities there. However, no country is resilient to cyber threats and this is important to stress. It is up to businesses themselves to ensure their own and their clients’ security online, no matter their address,” says Arbaciauskas. SMBs aren’t too small for hackers In terms of company size, hackers seem to prefer small and medium businesses (SMBs). In the past two years, the absolute majority of investigated breached companies had up to 200 employees. Arbaciauskas explains that the problem could simply lie in SMBs underestimating their value to hackers. “There are targeted attacks, yes, but hackers often go for much broader scope activities, such as credential stuffing, dictionary or rainbow attacks that do not choose their victims. Because of employees’ reused and poor passwords, or downloaded malware, company credentials appear in the leaked credentials’ databases, which gives a chance for hackers to break in. For smaller companies, a data breach is a risk for business closure — financial costs and reputational damage carry significant aftermath effects,” says Arbaciauskas. Having investigated the company types that fall under the hackers’ radar the most, NordPass concluded that private businesses are targeted most often. As much as 85% of the analyzed data breaches were against such companies. What should you do if your business profile falls under this study? According to Arbaciauskas, any organization, no matter its size or type, should be cautious of its cybersecurity. Employing critical tools such as password managers that allow for secure management of company credentials and accesses, or virtual private network (VPN) solutions is a first step towards better resilience against the threats online. In addition, cybersecurity auditing is helpful to spot weaknesses in a company’s IT infrastructure and prepare resilience strategies. It is also critical to invest in the overall cybersecurity awareness raising among the organization to avoid human mistakes that often lead to serious data breaches.

Reverse coal on display at climate SAFE event

Michael Fisher
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Reverse coal on display at climate SAFE event
An engineered natural solution to extract carbon from the atmosphere was on display last month at a farming estate near Doncaster, which crosses the borders of Nottinghamshire, North Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. Visitors to The Lapwing Estate were shown the novel ‘Reverse Coal’ project, which has been brought to life by an innovative farmer, a team of academics and engineers, including a team from the Lincoln Institute of Agri-Technology (LIAT) and the School of Engineering and Physical Science at the University of Lincoln, UK. The day started with presentations from Lapwing Energy, Collison Associates, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the University of Lincoln who are involved across a vast array of projects exploring the shared vision of rethinking farmed peatlands. This was followed by a tour of the site including workshops looking at biomass feedstocks, biochar, industrial decarbonisation as well as an opportunity to sequester carbon back into the geological reserve for long term storage. Reverse Coal was mentioned as a positive case study in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2023, the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio Progress Report 2021-22, and Powering Up Britain – The Net Zero Growth Plan. It has been widely highlighted as an example of how peatlands can be more responsibly managed and pave the way for climate-resilient agriculture. Peatlands are some of the most fertile soils for food production, but agricultural drainage causes large greenhouse gas emissions. Reverse Coal has been developed as a whole systems approach, that tackles landscape emissions whilst shifting towards controlled environment agriculture for greater food security. This tackles the common criticism of most biomass projects which is the displacement of food production for bioenergy. The renewable energy comes from biomass grown on rewetted peatland thereby ending emissions associated with drainage for agriculture. This biomass is then chipped and fed through a thermochemical treatment called pyrolysis to generate energy and biochar. Biochar is a solid, stable form of carbon which will then be stored in a innovative storage facility demonstrating that CO2 can be permanently captured for geological time. Prof Simon Pearson, Founding Director of Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology said: “The Reverse Coal project showcase was a fantastic opportunity for the University of Lincoln to share its expertise with industry partners, and support innovative approaches to sustainable food production systems. “One of LIAT’s goals is to create a sustainable future for agri-food production through innovation and research, and the the Reverse Coal project is a great example of this. “Reducing the impact of agri-food on the climate through projects such as Reverse Coal is at the heart of what we do, and it is very encouraging to see the project being so well received by the wider food industry.” James Brown, CEO of The Lapwing Estate said: “This was a great opportunity to showcase Reverse Coal to industry and partners as well as say a big thank you to those who have supported us and backed this project from the beginning. This is just the beginning for The Lapwing Estate as we look to deliver a more sustainable food production system that also delivers for our planet!”

Specialist paint manufacturer establishes base in America

Stuart Pearcey
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Specialist paint manufacturer establishes base in America
Yorkshire-based specialist paintmaker Brouns & Co has formally launched in the US with a local stockholding and distribution centre in New Hampshire, a new US website LinseedOilPaint.com and billing and payments direct from its US-based subsidiary. Michiel Brouns, founder of Sherburn in Elmet Brouns & Co, said: “The remarkable rise in demand for linseed paint and coatings in Europe has now been outpaced by the US market, where architectural styles mean that there is greater need to preserve and protect both historic buildings and new structures that lean into the importance of natural components and carbon footprint.” The company has seen a tenfold increase in demand from the US since it began shipping initial orders to North America in 2015. It views the market as a key area for growth, driven by a combination of consumer preferences for natural products, regulatory changes and the huge volume of wooden homes that are built and maintained in the US. “Holding stock in the US as order quantities rise means we can meet the demands of local and national government contracts, as well as enhancing the service we offer private and corporate buyers who are increasingly looking for cleaner, greener, higher performance alternatives without forever chemicals,” added Brouns. Brouns is working with American architects and preservation bodies on numerous projects in the US, including the restoration of President Washington’s Mount Vernon summer home in Virgina. “We’ve been working closely with Royal Institute of British Architects in the UK and US for several years, and also the American Institute of Architects, who are meeting the demand for more information and training on the use of these products and techniques that were almost completely lost over the last few hundred years,” he added. “Establishing our US venture, warehousing and a dedicated web presence is the natural next step, and we’ve also appointed a US-based CFO to lead the business.”

Contractor appointed to deliver Leeds office redesign

Michael Fisher
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Contractor appointed to deliver Leeds office redesign

Leeds based developer, Wilton Developments, has today revealed a further phase of redevelopment at 10 South Parade in Leeds.

On behalf the BCO award-winning office owner, East Parade Limited, Wilton has appointed Formm to carry out the works to the ground floor, introducing a business lounge, coffee shop and a 65-desk business centre divided into 10 self-contained offices. The space will also provide high quality meeting rooms for hire, and the ability to open up part of the centre for events. Work will complete early next year. Designed by JMA (Jon Matthews Architects), ESG has been at the heart of the project with designers paying particular attention to recyclable materials and low carbon solutions The centre will be managed directly by Wilton under its new humanSpaces brand, building upon the success of the all-inclusive offices which are now fully let at its 2 Bond Court building. Hannah Ingrey has been appointed as the new Community & Operations Manager for the building, she joins from Spacemade at Park House where she was Community Manager. Wilton has plans to roll out this offer to its wider Leeds portfolio. Jason Stowe, Managing Director at Wilton Developments, comments “Following our two recent lettings to IDHL and Thomson Solicitors, the upper floors of 10SP are once again fully occupied. The time is therefore right to implement long held plans for the reconfiguration of our ground floor at 10SP. “This scheme will provide new, contemporary facilities for our existing tenants, providing collaboration opportunities through the business lounge and business centre. The Coffee Shop will be operated by Bean Coffee, who we are particularly excited about introducing the brand to Leeds City Centre. The coffee shop will be open to the public, as well as being available to tenants and visitors to the building.” Hannah Ingrey, Community & Operations Manager at humanSpaces, comments “We are creating a truly exceptional offer here at 10SP. The attention to detail and quality of materials will stand apart in the Leeds market. I’m particularly impressed with the desire to incorporate recycled and recyclable materials where feasible into every aspect of the design. I am looking forward to launching the space early in the new year, alongside our new community card offer open to all Wilton tenants in the city.”

Bradford College Celebrates Renewed Partnership with Bradford City AFC

Michael Fisher
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Bradford College Celebrates Renewed Partnership with Bradford City AFC
Bradford College is extending its partnership with Bradford City AFC for a fourth consecutive year. The renewal sees the College remain one of City’s main partners, as well as being their official digital partner. Bradford College branding will continue to feature on the Bantams’ digital output, through both imagery and video content, as well as various signage around the University of Bradford Stadium. Over the last four years, the partnership has resulted in many positive outcomes benefitting both organisations, including Bradford City AFC supporting the College’s annual Apprenticeship Games during National Apprenticeship Week and City launching an app delivered by the College. Earlier this year, BA Media Make-Up and BA Fashion students played an instrumental role in the release of Bradford City’s 2024/25 kits. Bradford College students and staff showcased their skills and were featured as extras in special launch videos brought to life across two filming days.Nicky Betteridge, Bradford College Apprenticeships & Business Development Team Leader, explained the driving force behind the flourishing partnership: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Bradford City AFC for a further 12 months. This partnership opens doors for Bradford College students, providing opportunities to gain valuable work experience within the sport, digital, and hospitality industries. It also gives a platform to share key messages with local employers and promote any upcoming training opportunities available to the wider community. “Lots of great work has happened over the last year, including Arts and Fashion students supporting the Football Club with styling and make-up for their home and away kit launches. This is real-world experience that looks impressive on students’ CVs. Following collaboration with Bradford City’s Head of Marketing, we are also now offering a Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer qualification from within our Apprenticeship department. This has been specially designed to ensure it meets the needs of local employers. “We’re excited to see the further positive developments that will happen over the next year for the benefit of both parties and our wider City.” Bradford City AFC Chief Commercial Officer, Davide Longo, added: “We are absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with Bradford College for another year, taking the partnership into its fourth year. The College has been brilliant with the club since coming on board in 2020 and the contribution to our kit launches this summer was vital in ensuring the highest quality product was delivered. “Working with the major businesses and fellow key players across Bradford is imperative for the continued growth of the City and we’re pleased to be continuing that. I would once again like to place on record my thanks to Nicky Betteridge, his colleagues and the College generally for their continued support. We look forward to collaborating again over the next 12 months and hopefully beyond!”

Keepmoat names Land and Partnerships Director

Stuart Pearcey
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Keepmoat names Land and Partnerships Director
Housebuilder Keepmoat has announced the appointment of Nigel Robson as Land and Partnerships Director, to lead the Land Team in the business’s Yorkshire West region. His role will be to set the strategy for land acquisition, leading the delivery of regenerating towns across West Yorkshire and managing delivery targets in partnership with local authorities and housing associations. With a wealth of knowledge within the sector, Nigel joins the team from MCI Developments, a subsidiary of Keepmoat, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience. He said: “I am thrilled to join Keepmoat Yorkshire West after leading on operations at MCI Developments. I am excited to join the team to secure and deliver partnership-led opportunities to fulfil the master land pipeline and strategic plan. “I value Keepmoat’s people-based culture and strong track record for partnering with local authorities and housing associations on its developments. I am eager to continue contributing to its vision of building communities and transforming lives.’’ Keepmoat has multiple live developments in the Yorkshire West region, including sites in Batley, Sheffield, Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, Upton and South Elmsall. Keepmoat has built over 35,000 homes in the last 90 years and has over 60 developments across the country. Regional MD Chris Clingo added: “I look forward to seeing Nigel further strengthen our land process and approach whilst supporting the growth of our area and team. His wealth of experience will be instrumental in helping us to build on our success.”

BBC funding supports South Yorkshire apprenticeship provision

Stuart Pearcey
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BBC funding supports South Yorkshire apprenticeship provision
The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service is to get new funding from the BBC to support apprenticeship training for South Yorkshire’s SMEs. The BBC has now pledged £100,000 Apprenticeship Levy fund, which will allow people who want to work in the creative and digital industries, or who are currently doing so, to earn while they learn. The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Levy Matchmaking Service is one of several services receiving levy funds from the national broadcaster with an aim to encourage SMEs in their area to apply for the funds so they can recruit apprentices and create apprenticeships for their businesses. The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub, which aims to see 300 new high-quality apprenticeships brought to the region by 2025, was launched by South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, in December 2023. Welcoming the BBC’s additional funding, he said: “This contribution from the BBC recognises the significant contribution the creative and digital industries make to South Yorkshire’s young people and the wider economy.  South Yorkshire doesn’t just need a bigger economy, we need a better economy. That means we need the right people with the right skills, and the right training and education to support them”. Sarah Moors, BBC Head of Apprenticeships, said: “Apprenticeships provide a vital route into the media for people from a range of backgrounds. In pledging these funds, we hope to support the development of new talent for the creative, cultural and digital sectors, and to equip existing employees with additional skills”. Launched in 2017 by the Government, the Apprenticeship Levy allows for organisations to pay a certain amount each year towards the costs of enabling new apprenticeships and upskilling existing employees. Organisations generally use their levy to support those that take up apprenticeships in their own workplaces, but when that money is not spent it can be transferred to SMEs who do not have a levy fund themselves to cover apprenticeship learning and development. The service, which forms part of the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub, is funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and delivered by the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership.

Goole firm develops fully electric police car

Stuart Pearcey
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Goole firm develops fully electric police car
Goole-based O&H Vehicle Conversions has produced a fully electric Rapid Response Police Vehicle built on the Skoda Enyaq chassis. This new model is said to mark a significant step forward in the electrification of emergency service vehicles, combining sustainable technology with advanced features tailored to the demanding needs of modern policing. A spokesman for the company said: “By leveraging the Skoda Enyaq’s electric platform and incorporating cutting-edge technologies like CIGS solar panels and integrated control systems, we are setting a new standard for what emergency vehicles can achieve. “This vehicle not only addresses the current needs of police forces but also paves the way for a greener, more efficient future in emergency services. With features designed to enhance functionality, reduce costs, and improve sustainability, we believe the new Rapid Response Police Vehicle is a game-changer for law enforcement agencies looking to modernise fleets while minimising their environmental impact.”

How businesses can respond if debtors won’t pay their bills

Stuart Pearcey
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How businesses can respond if debtors won’t pay their bills
Taking a systematic approach to debt collection is always beneficial. It’s important to have fixed processes in place, as failing to collect debts efficiently can lead to a multitude of problems for your business, says Chris Bristow, a business debt expert at Real Business Rescue. Writing on the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub web site he says issues such as increased bad debts, financial decline, or even cash flow insolvency and liquidation, can emerge when businesses arem’t paid for the work they’ve carried out. “Although this may seem like an impossible situation to resolve, you do have several potential paths available.
“Initially, you should consider whether your debtor is insolvent as they may be taking steps to enter a formal procedure, such as company administration or liquidation. In this case, the officeholder will contact you as a business creditor. If not, here are some of your options when faced with a debtor who refuses to pay: Debt collection agency: Placing the problem in the hands of a reputable debt collection agency offering a no collection, no fee arrangement can bring results. Using them to contact your debtor may lead to full settlement, but if it doesn’t, you can also instruct the debt collector to begin legal proceedings on your behalf. If you want to preserve your trading partnership with the debtor, a formal demand letter may be enough to persuade them to pay, or at least acknowledge the debt so you can begin negotiations on repayment. Formal demand letter: An official demand letter sets out the details of the outstanding debt. If your debtor acknowledges that the debt exists, you may be able to negotiate with them to repay in instalments over an extended period. Money claim: The money claim service can be used to file a claim against debtors who live in England or Wales. Your debtor can make a counterclaim or file a defence. If they’ve been refusing to pay they may simply not respond. If the court makes a judgment in your favour, you can enforce it if it remains unpaid by instructing a bailiff service to seize assets, for example. Statutory demand for payment: Sending a statutory demand for payment after the demand letter gives your debtor 21 days to pay the sum in total, or 18 days in which to ask the court to set aside the statutory demand. They need to have strong evidence to support such an application – documentary evidence that the debt has already been paid, for example. You may be able to send a statutory demand if your debtor is an individual and owes £5,000 or more, or at least £750 if the debtor is another business. Winding-up petition: On continued refusal to pay a statutory demand, you can apply to the court to wind up the business using a winding-up petition. If supported by the court, a winding-up order will be issued and the business will have to enter compulsory liquidation. Considerations when taking action against a debtor: If your debtor has been consistently unreasonable over the money they owe, you may welcome the end of the trading relationship given the cost of chasing this type of debt. You might still value their business, and think they may pay at some point. In this case, a softer approach might be more successful in the long run. In other circumstances, your only chance of recovering part of the debt might be by enforcement through the court. Ultimately, if you decide to proceed, acting quickly is always recommended. Your business can suffer serious cash flow issues if you have too many debtors who don’t pay on time.

Hull business secures accolade for its sustainable travel work

Stuart Pearcey
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Hull business secures accolade for its sustainable travel work
Hull-based Sewell Group has received a Very Good Travel Plan award from Modeshift STARS in recognition of its efforts to change in travel behaviour and reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys to, from and between its sites. Bethany Dennett, community investment strategist at Sewell Construction, said: “Becoming more sustainable as a business is one of our priorities, so it’s been great to work with Hull City Council to achieve the Modeshift STARS accreditation. “Everyone, right across our company, has been so keen to take part and it’s been brilliant to see people try cycling to work or arranging to car share when travelling to meetings. We’ve had lots of creative suggestions for the travel plan from our people, and the benefits aren’t just for the environment, but improve our physical and mental health too. “We realise there’s still lots to do to help people choose more active or sustainable ways to travel, but we’re excited to continue on this journey and can’t wait to see what ideas our team come up with next.” The Sewell Group’s achievements and standout travel plan initiatives included:
  • teaming up with the Hull Thursday Road Club to record a short film, highlighting the benefits of cycling, for Cycle to Work Day
  • improving existing onsite cycle parking facilities by erecting a secure cycle shelter made from sustainable materials
  • organising and delivering lunchtime litter pick walks within the community, collecting a total of 32kg worth of litter
  • introducing a car share scheme to help match staff living within the same postcode, including floor vinyls and coloured, cardboard cars placed on desks to act as ice breaker
  • car share competitions
  • promotion of the council-funded ‘Rusty Riders’ adult cycle training programme.
Hull City Council offers businesses and organisations within the city the chance to join Modeshift STARS for free as part of its strategic objective of promoting active travel choices. The benefits and advantages of a workplace travel plan, include:
  • reductions of single occupancy car journeys, which helps alleviate pressure and congestion across site car parks
  • identifying availability and accessibility of viable transport options, based on staff locations
  • potential to improve and develop site connectivity links through sustainable and active travel
  • improving staff wellbeing, with physical and mental health benefits.
City Councillor Mark Ieronimo said: “The Sewell Group is one of the Hull’s largest employers as well as being one of city’s most recognisable business names. “The enthusiasm they have and continue to show and the extraordinary effort they, as a business, are making to support their staff to make more sustainable and active travel choices is fantastic and a brilliant example for others to follow. “The Modeshift STARS programme offers real benefits, both to people and the local environment, and it is brilliant to see so many businesses and organisations within Hull already taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in the programme and working with the council to create a healthier and fairer Hull.”  

CMA fears merger could increase logistics bill for businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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CMA fears merger could increase logistics bill for businesses
The Competition and Markets Authority has found that GXO Logistics’ purchase of Wincanton could reduce competition in the supply of mainstream contract logistics services  in the UK, raising costs for businesses which rely on contract logistics suppliers to move goods. The CMA’s investigation found that GXO and Wincanton compete closely, particularly for contracts with large retail customers. Although GXO will continue to face competition from other contract logistics providers, many of these are significantly smaller, or focus on specific industries or types of logistics services (such as transport). Although some businesses have the option to bring services in-house if contract logistics suppliers do not offer good value, the ability to do this varies by customer. GXO has five working days to submit proposals to address the CMA’s concerns. If suitable proposals are not submitted, the CMA will progress to an in-depth Phase 2 investigation. Naomi Burgoyne, Senior Director of Mergers at the CMA, said: “Contract logistics services are critical for the flow of goods around the country, reducing delays, and ensuring that products reach their destinations efficiently and reliably. These services are essential for millions of people who rely on timely deliveries or being able to buy products off the shelf.

“This market is worth £16 billion in the UK, and we’re concerned that this merger could reduce competition, resulting in higher costs being passed down to consumers. We consider that these competition concerns warrant an in-depth Phase 2 investigation, unless GXO offers solutions which address them.”

Contract logistics services include distribution, transport, warehousing and other supply chain services. GXO is the world’s largest contract logistics services company, and Wincanton is a British supplier of these services. Both companies supply mainstream contract logistics services to business customers in both retail (such as groceries, fashion and apparel) and non-retail (such as manufacturing and construction) sectors.

North Yorkshire Council boosts businesses and cuts carbon footprint

Stuart Pearcey
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North Yorkshire Council boosts businesses and cuts carbon footprint
Plans to reduce environmental impact while boosting both business and leisure opportunities are gathering pace across North Yorkshire. North Yorkshire Councillor Greg White said: “We have been ambitious in our pursuit of becoming carbon neutral and are taking a leading role in encouraging others to follow suit. While we recognise that adopting new and innovative measures takes time and money to implement, we are confident people will see the long-term benefits of doing so.” In Boroughbridge, LTC Healthcare has been helped to obtain a £13,460 Business Sustainability Grant from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help with the installation of solar panels at its premises. The company has been making condoms and lubricants for more than 25 years, supplying the NHS among others, and was keen to reduce their carbon footprint. Company spokesman Craig Mawer said: “We’ve had LED lights put in and have an electric car charger in the car park for colleagues to use. We saw that there was an opportunity to apply for a grant from North Yorkshire Council, so that’s what we did. It was all very straightforward and now the solar panels are in place we should start to see the benefits.” Craig said working with the council allowed the company to move faster than it might otherwise have been able to. “We did the maths on this and without the grant it would have delayed us by about five years because we just didn’t have the cash flow to be able to do that,” he said. “We’re a small business and to be able to invest that amount was not feasible. The grant enabled us to bring those plans forward and get it done now.” Meanwhile the council is currently installing solar PV panels and battery storage units at 21 business units at Pickering Park and Westgate Carr Road industrial estate in Pickering, as well as at the nearby Sheriff Hutton industrial estate. The venture has been made possible thanks to a grant of more than £230,000 from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Net Zero Fund. The fund, allocated by the UK Government following devolution, is currently enabling decarbonisation projects throughout the region as York and North Yorkshire aims to achieve net-zero by 2034. Alongside carbon reduction, the scheme aims to create a pipeline of net zero projects that will drive economic growth, create jobs, reduce energy costs for businesses and realise further investment for the region. A further £124,000 of funds have been allocated to the Pickering and Sheriff Hutton projects. Working in conjunction with our multi-disciplinary building design consultancy, Align Property Partners, the energy efficient technologies were installed at the locations after officers identified a gap in the local market. There are currently no business units in Ryedale with green energy generation, so the introduction of solar PV and battery storage will not only boost local energy security but offer competitive and sustainable business space to support local economic growth.“In the case of Pickering Park, the technology enhances the already energy efficient units and cuts bills further for local businesses, but also serves as an example to other industrial premises looking for more sustainable sources of energy.”

East Yorkshire construction firms invited to free advice event

Stuart Pearcey
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East Yorkshire construction firms invited to free advice event
Construction businesses from across East Yorkshire and Hull are being offered the chance learn about the wealth of supply chain and collaboration opportunities available to them, as well as strategies to help them grow, at a free event taking place next month.
Invest East Yorkshire and Invest Hull are working together to stage the 2024 Construction Summit at the MKM Stadium in Hull on Wednesday 20 November, from 8.30am to 1.30pm. Funded by the UK Government, it is being delivered in collaboration with The Business Growth and Skills Hub, the Construction Industry Training Board, Humber Training Group and Hobson & Porter. The Summit brings together construction businesses of all sizes, from small to medium enterprises to some of the sector’s biggest players. The theme is ‘People and Skills’ so the focus will be on how businesses can support their employees to get the very best out of them. It will cover topics such as recruitment and succession planning, as well as offering an overview of local apprenticeship and training provision. Delegates will also gain an insight into the latest industry trends and developments, and an increased understanding of the local supply chain and how to navigate the market. A series of themed sessions taking place throughout the day will equip those who attend with practical tools and strategies to manage employee well-being, and provide them with invaluable networking opportunities with key regional and national organisations, including Kier, ESH, Mitie, Sewells, and Hobson & Porter. Joe Booth, Business Development Director at Hobson & Porter, said: “This is a must-attend event for any local construction businesses that are looking to grow and develop their workforce at a time when the construction industry is facing a continued skills and labour shortage.  It will provide a unique opportunity to network and collaborate with some of the biggest construction companies in the region, including national businesses with a presence in Hull and East Yorkshire. “It will benefit businesses of all sizes, including small businesses looking for local supply chain opportunities and medium to larger businesses that want to develop their workforce and take advantage of forthcoming opportunities in the sector.”

Travel firms join forces to create £85m turnover business

Stuart Pearcey
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Travel firms join forces to create £85m turnover business
Good Travel Management and CT Travel Group have joined forces to establish a new £85m turnover travel group. This strategic move, backed by the John Good Group which is a majority investor in both businesses, has been completed to accelerate each business’ aggressive growth plans in the Business Travel, Incentive, Groups & Events, Trade Missions and Leisure Travel markets. GTM acquired Wexas’ corporate travel business in 2023, has set out to be the partner of choice for business travellers who want to deal with a traveller-focused partner. CTTG brands, CT Business Travel, CT Groups Conferences & Incentives, CT Trade Missions and Pettitts Travel, have ambitious plans to continue growth in both the corporate and leisure travel markets. The recent investment in several key appointments has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to growth. Mark Kempster, founder of CT Travel Group, said: “We see a great opportunity to grow our combined position in the market and share values around our people. “GTM has a long-standing reputation within the industry. It has been operating in travel since the late 1800s and is known for its client-focused service. “It has been an amazing journey since I founded CTTG in 1988, to the proud position we find ourselves in today. That journey has been enhanced by the support of my business partners Tom Kempster, Clare Collins and David Bevan all of whom have played a key role in the success of CTTG. I’m pleased to say that Tom and Clare will be joining me as shareholders, alongside the John Good Group, in this new combined travel business. “Over the last 37 years, I have had many experiences and made many friends within the industry, and I am now excited to continue that journey with the team at Good Travel Management and the John Good Group. We will be stronger together.” Clare Collins, COO of CTTG, said: “The alignment of like-minded ambition combined with our passion for growth on a global scale makes this the perfect DNA to take the merged businesses to the next level. Our teams of talented and loyal people, along with our robust supplier relationships, will continue to provide rich content, innovation and competitive pricing. We value our clients and promise to maintain and enhance our personable approach; this will not be waived. The combined travel group have established physical office locations in London, Kent and Yorkshire, allowing us to attract the best talent in the industry to our already passionate and talented team. We will continue to invest in our remote and hybrid teams, allowing them to thrive and this is something we are looking to enhance as we move forward with GTM.”

York closes Mansion House for £1.2m refurb project

Stuart Pearcey
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York closes Mansion House for £1.2m refurb project

A £1.2m project protect and maintain York’s Mansion House is to be be led by Buttress Architects to deliver maintenance, accessibility and safety improvements.

The building will close on November 10th with a view to re-opening in time for Yorkshire Day on August 1st next year. Hannah Bellerby, project architect from Manchester-based Buttress Architects, said: “As we approach the Mansion House’s 300th anniversary, it is a privilege for Buttress to lead the efforts in safeguarding this vital piece of York’s civic heritage. “Our work focuses on not only preserving the building’s historical integrity but also working to ensure it remains accessible, sustainable, and fit for future generations. Through these planned restorations, we are ensuring that this significant landmark continues to enrich York’s cultural landscape for years to come.” Buttress Architects will provide specialist heritage consultancy and conservation architecture, and lead a team of experts including conservation architects and mechanical, electrical and structural engineers.
This refurbishment includes repairing wear and tear to the building and to prevent any further deterioration in the historic roof, walls and windows. It will also include important upgrades to the lift to improve the accessibility and environmental performance of the historic building, and decoration works will also refresh the interior where structural work is required. One of the earliest civic buildings to be built in the classical style in England, the Mansion House is the official seat of The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York, and holds an important collection of items connected to the history of the city over the past 800 years. Work to build the house began in 1725 and was completed in 1732.

New Regional Director for the Humber takes the helm

Michael Fisher
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New Regional Director for the Humber takes the helm

Associated British Ports’ (ABP) is delighted to welcome Andrew Dawes to the position of new Regional Director, Humber. 

A highly respected maritime executive, Andrew joins one of the UK’s major ports operators, at an exciting period as the four Humber ports evolve to sustain green energy needs.  

Andrew Dawes, Director of the Humber ports said: “This is an incredible time to be joining ABP as the next five-year business strategy is launched.  There are some great projects and growth opportunities in the pipeline as the ports play a key role in delivering our twin missions of Keeping Britain Trading and Enabling the Energy Transition here in the UK. 

“Stepping into this role I‘ve been genuinely impressed by the talent of the Humber team and achievements so far. I am very much looking forward to working with them, our customers and wider stakeholders as we embark on this momentous journey.” 

Henrik L Pedersen, CEO welcomed the appointment, adding: “Andrew has an impressive career history and brings a wealth of experience from across the maritime industry which will be hugely valuable.  

“He has a stellar record of operational command and of leading organisations through change. I am delighted he has joined us as we embark on a new five-year strategy.” 

Andrew began work in 1995 at what was the Southampton Container Terminal (now DP World) and has progressed his career to become a seasoned maritime executive, amassing almost 30 years of experience from the global ports and terminals industry with companies such as DP World, APM Terminals and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).  

Alongside his strong leadership credentials, he brings with him a wealth of experience in safety, operations and commercial and experience both as Managing Director with profit and loss responsibility of terminals, as well as regional portfolio responsibility. 

Andrew will be part of the Executive team of the UK’s major ports group, and will report directly to Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP’s CEO. 

Andrew was appointed after Simon Bird stepped down at the end of October as Regional Director of the Humber ports after nine years in the role.  

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