The hub aims to provide training facilities and accommodation for businesses and service providers to inspire the next generation of skilled apprentices and maritime industry professionals.
It will also contain engineering workshops and office space for marine-based start-up businesses and other maritime industries.
Construction is expected to be completed by April 2026.
Director at Willmott Dixon, Nick Corrigan, said: “This is an exciting moment in the development of Whitby Maritime Training Hub.
“Our team thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to welcome councillors and local organisations to site to celebrate how the project will make a real difference to the Whitby community and add to its proud maritime heritage.
“Throughout this project, we and our local supply chain partners will provide up to 800 hours of employment support through our Building Lives Academy programmes, alongside 150 weeks of apprenticeship training and 20 work experience placement opportunities.”
Operations director at Align Property Partners, Andy Bardon, added: “Whitby is one of North Yorkshire’s most-loved coastal towns and we’re delighted to be part of this exciting project, which we hope will benefit the area for generations to come.
“The maritime training hub is an opportunity to protect the town’s rich maritime history, while also safeguarding and investing in its future by inspiring future professionals into the industry.”
Hobson & Porter wins major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Construction company Hobson & Porter has won a major decarbonisation and stock condition works contract with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which will see the firm install the latest sustainable technology and refurbish hundreds of homes and buildings each year.
The work will be worth approximately £15 million over a four-year period and will see Hobson & Porter refurbishing around 200 council owned homes each year, and significantly improving their energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings to either B or C. The company will also work on homes that the council is currently buying to supplement its existing housing stock.
Hobson & Porter has already been tasked with installing 1.5kWp ‘in-roof’ solar panels on more than 20 residential streets as well as making efficiency upgrades to the loft spaces.
Structural repairs will also be carried out alongside the full refurbishment of a mix of council owned buildings including offices, industrial units and storage depots. This will include replacing reinforced concrete floor slabs for insulated ones, rewiring, installing new heating systems, underpinning, drainage repairs and internal structural work.
In addition, Hobson & Porter will be improving communal areas in assisted living schemes and apartment buildings, as well as refurbishing and demolishing a series of garage blocks.
Sam Robertson, from Hobson & Porter, said: “East Riding of Yorkshire Council is a longstanding client so we’re very pleased to win this new contract. Having worked on East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s previous frameworks for the last seven years, I am happy we have been recognised as a key partner in delivering this latest scheme, which is testament to our team’s hard work and high standards of workmanship.
“It’s particularly rewarding because it involves a wide variety of work, from refurbishing all types of homes, which will make a genuine difference to local people, through to installing the latest sustainable technology. All this will significantly improve the council’s property portfolio across a large swathe of East Yorkshire, as well as future-proofing buildings and homes for future generations of residents, staff and visitors.”
Councillor Gary McMaster, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for planning, housing and infrastructure, said: “This contract has been designed to ensure that as many of the homes and buildings that we own and run as possible can benefit from modern and sustainable technology. This will ensure that they are fit for purpose for many years to come and guarantees the most efficient and cost-effective use of resources.”
Established Lincolnshire care home sold
The Bassingham Care Centre in Lincolnshire has been sold.
The ‘Good’ rated care facility comprises a former rectory, a 31-bedroom building, and specialist care bungalows with a further 28 bedrooms. This accommodation sits on large grounds located between Newark and Lincoln, accessed off the A46 in the village of Bassingham.
It has been owned by My Care since 2013 and was brought to market as part of a strategic disposal.
Following a confidential sales process with Rosie Turner at Christie & Co, it has been sold to first-time buyers, Jijo Benedict and Anil Varghese John of Confident Care Homes Ltd.
Rosie Turner, senior business agent – care at Christie & Co, said: “Having worked with our client for a number of years, we are delighted to complete on this sale for them.
“After a competitive marketing process, which achieved a high proportion of interest from first-time operators due to the home’s established reputation, profits, and strong management team, Confident Care Homes Ltd has become the proud new owner.
“The sale of Bassingham Care Centre demonstrates that there is strong demand for quality care homes, and we were pleased with the level of interest expressed in this home during the marketing process.”
The Bassingham Care Centre was sold for an undisclosed price.
Bayswater targets northern England growth with Leeds acquisition
Bayswater Education has acquired Leeds English Language School in a move to strengthen its UK footprint and expand its offer of vocational and English language training in the North of England.
The deal marks Bayswater’s second acquisition in the region and adds a fifth UK location to its global portfolio of campuses across Europe, Africa, and North America. The Leeds-based school, which has been operating since 2001, will continue under Bayswater’s management, with the current staff retained throughout the transition.
A new city-centre campus is set to open in 2025 under the Bayswater Leeds name. It will deliver English language training alongside short professional courses, with plans to introduce micro-credentials in areas such as digital marketing and international business, sectors aligned with Leeds’s growing reputation as a commercial and tech hub.
The move signals Bayswater’s strategy to increase its presence in key regional cities and meet rising demand from international students seeking both language skills and career development pathways. The acquisition also reflects growing investor interest in UK education assets outside London, as providers seek growth through localised expansion.
Planning shake-up aims to fast-track small housing projects
The UK Government has unveiled a package of planning reforms designed to accelerate housing delivery by making it easier for small and medium-sized developers (SMEs) to build homes. The move is part of efforts to meet Labour’s target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029–30.
A key proposal includes delegating planning decisions for developments of up to nine homes and most minor technical applications to professional planning officers, reducing the role of local councillors in smaller cases. The aim is to streamline approvals and reduce delays. A new tiered system will categorise applications to determine whether they are handled by officers (Tier A) or referred to planning committees (Tier B).
Developments between 10 and 49 homes will be reclassified as medium-sized, benefiting from reduced costs and simplified biodiversity requirements. These sites will also be exempt from the building safety levy.
To address concerns around nature preservation, consultations will be launched on applying biodiversity net gain rules to minor, medium, and brownfield sites. Conservation groups have raised concerns about weakening environmental protections.
Financial support is also being ramped up. A £100 million accelerator loan scheme is being introduced to improve cash flow for SME developers, alongside a new National Housing Delivery Fund to be confirmed at the next spending review. This will provide access to long-term financing, including revolving credit facilities.
Homes England will release more land exclusively for small builders, while a new pilot programme in Bristol, Sheffield, and Lewisham will target unlocking smaller, underused sites.
Additionally, the Government announced £10 million for local councils to hire environmental specialists to speed up assessments and £1.2 million in PropTech funding to support small-site innovation using digital planning tools.
The changes are open for consultation under the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill. The reforms are presented as an effort to reduce bureaucracy and eliminate longstanding barriers faced by smaller developers in a market traditionally dominated by large firms.
Content intelligence provider Ad Signal secures £3m
Foresight Group, a regional private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has made a £3 million investment in Ad Signal, a provider of content intelligence for the media and entertainment industry.
Foresight’s investment will allow the company to accelerate the rollout of new products and expand its commercial footprint, capitalising on growing demand from broadcasters, platforms and post-production houses.
Tom Toumazis MBE will join the team as non-executive chair, bringing a wealth of experience in the media and entertainment industry, as well as being involved with several early-stage technology businesses.
Based in York, the company was founded by Tom Dunning and Mike Duffy in 2018. Since then, it has experienced significant growth and broadened into a suite of proprietary tools designed to help customers remove duplicate content, stay compliant, and reduce digital storage needs.
Improving digital sustainability is a core focus for Ad Signal, with its tools lowering its customers’ storage requirements, providing associated carbon reduction.
Ad Signal works with major names including Sky, Clearcast and the Broadcasters Audience Research Board.
Tom Dunning, founder and CEO, Ad Signal, said: “This investment is a major milestone for Ad Signal and a strong endorsement of the vision we’ve built over the last few years.
“With Foresight’s support, we can supercharge the development of our technology and bring new products to market faster. Watch this space – we are about to set a new standard for how content could be understood with a sustainability-focused approach.”
Samir Rea, investment manager at Foresight Group, said: “We are delighted to partner with Tom and the whole team at Ad Signal on what we believe will be an exciting journey. The combination of a compelling commercial opportunity, whilst also lowering customers’ carbon requirements, hopefully makes this a promising investment for Foresight.”
Tom Toumazis, non-executive chair, Ad Signal, said: “What drew me to Ad Signal was the clarity of its mission and the industry-wide challenges it’s solving – ones I’ve faced first-hand throughout my career in media.
“From improving how content is monetised to reducing the cost and environmental impact of storage, the team is tackling issues that matter commercially and sustainably. I’m excited to support the business in its next phase of growth alongside Foresight Group.”
Construction gathers pace on multi-million pound Whitby scheme
Construction is well underway on a multi-million pound scheme in Whitby aiming to help drive forward the economy and boost job opportunities.
The Whitby Maritime Training Hub is looking to establish the North Yorkshire port as a key player in the maritime and offshore renewable energy sectors.
It is set to build on the town’s fishing and sailing heritage with a dedicated centre on Endeavour Wharf to provide a greater breadth of careers in the historic port.
Early technical groundwork has now been completed, and with construction gathering pace, leading figures behind the project have visited the site to witness the progress.
North Yorkshire Council leader Cllr Carl Les said: “The construction of the maritime training hub is all about driving new economic growth on the coast, providing a diverse and sustainable range of job opportunities to help ensure Whitby’s thriving future.
“This first-class training facility presents a wonderful opportunity to achieve that by creating and inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals and apprentices in a range of maritime industries.
“It was great to meet the key contractors responsible for the hub’s construction, and it was clear they share our passion in delivering a facility that will benefit the entire region.”
Cllr Les was joined on the visit by Cllr Neil Swannick, the member for the Whitby Streonshalh division, and Cllr Phil Trumper, who represents the Whitby West division.
They met with representatives from the Whitby Town Deal Board, developer Willmott Dixon and the authority’s property consultancy Align Property Partners.
Cllr Swannick said: “I’m very pleased with the progress of this development, and I am looking forward to the completion of this wonderful facility which I believe will benefit the whole community.”
Cllr Trumper added: “It was fantastic to meet all the stakeholders who are working so hard on the maritime training hub with construction now well underway.
“I’m sure the project will bring a number of new opportunities for the town and it’s great to see the progress that is being made.”
High street investment aims to reignite North Yorkshire’s town centres
Town centres across York and North Yorkshire are set for targeted regeneration after the first round of funding was awarded through the region’s £10 million Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund.
Launched earlier this year, the initiative aims to revitalise local high streets by supporting projects that boost foot traffic, strengthen community engagement, and enhance long-term economic resilience. The fund is being delivered over four years, with backing from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Eighteen projects have secured funding in this initial phase. In Selby, a network of charity shops will lead a reuse and recycling campaign aimed at increasing public engagement and reinforcing the town’s sustainability credentials. The campaign will include education drives, recycling initiatives, and events designed to promote the environmental and economic value of the sector.
York has received support for two projects: the University of York will lead a creative placemaking scheme to reframe the role of Walmgate as a modern high street destination. At the same time, Fabrication Crafts Ltd will explore new approaches to attracting and retaining foot traffic.
In a move to strengthen data-led decision-making, York BID and Harrogate BID have secured funding for a shared Data Intelligence Hub. Harrogate BID also received separate support to carry out a vacant shops audit, identifying opportunities for reuse and revitalisation in the town centre.
The region-wide platform Totally Locally will promote independent markets and businesses, while Tadcaster and Rural CIC will run a similar campaign tailored to local traders. Pickering Town CIC is launching an initiative to support economic growth through greater visibility for independent enterprises.
Scarborough is preparing a pilot campaign to refresh its town centre image and attract new visitors. Meanwhile, Circular Malton and Norton CIC will focus on improving the appeal of the Wheelgate area through local engagement and public realm improvements.
Event-led strategies also feature heavily. A community group in Kirbymoorside has received funding to deliver the Gateway to the Moors Music Festival in August, with the Thirsk and Sowerby Festival receiving similar support to increase visitor numbers and commercial activity in the area.
Applications for phase two of the fund are expected to open in the coming months, with businesses, local authorities, and community organisations encouraged to submit proposals that align with the fund’s goal of creating vibrant, sustainable high streets tailored to local needs.
Rail disruption expected as Lincolnshire crossings undergo upgrades
Businesses reliant on East Midlands Railway (EMR) services through Lincolnshire should prepare for travel disruption between Saturday 31 May and Sunday 8 June as Network Rail upgrades four level crossings in the region.
The nearly £1 million investment will affect crossings at Holton le Moor, Brigg, Butterswood, and Little London. To facilitate the works, rail services will be suspended between Cleethorpes and Barnetby, with replacement buses operating during this period.
Key service alterations include the termination of Leicester to Grimsby/Cleethorpes trains at Lincoln, with buses covering the remainder of the route. Additionally, no trains will run between Cleethorpes and Barton-upon-Humber; replacement buses will serve all intermediate stations.
The upgrades are part of a broader programme aimed at enhancing safety and improving long-term network reliability. Businesses and commuters are advised to check journey times and plan for delays during the affected dates.
Level Best expands operations to support national growth
Concrete flooring contractor Level Best is ramping up investment at its East Yorkshire headquarters to support growing demand from industrial and retail clients across the UK.
The business has completed a £1 million upgrade of its premises in Swinefleet Common, converting former agricultural buildings into expanded office and warehouse space. The development features the UK’s first installation of a joint-free concrete floor utilizing the firm’s latest product offering, designed for clients in food production and logistics who require hygienic, low-maintenance surfaces.
Founded in 2017, Level Best now services clients nationwide, with recent projects including flooring for the Siemens Gamesa blade factory and a primary international food production site in Hull, as well as new industrial units in Hull and Essex.
To meet the growing demand for cost-effective refurbishment over new build, the firm has also expanded its service capabilities with the purchase of a concrete crusher. This move supports clients seeking to enhance sustainability, minimise downtime, and avoid the higher costs associated with relocating to new premises, particularly in urban areas where land prices are high.
Level Best now employs over 60 staff across its head office and field teams, operating a fleet of specialist equipment including laser screeds, power floats, and floor grinding machines. The firm reported a turnover of £14.5 million in its last financial year.
KFC ramps up UK expansion with £1.5bn investment
KFC is committing £1.5 billion to expand and modernise its operations across the UK and Ireland over the next decade, targeting long-term growth in the quick-service restaurant sector.
The investment includes plans to open 500 new restaurants, adding to the 1,000 outlets already in operation across the region. The fast food chain, which currently employs around 30,000 people, aims to create an additional 7,000 jobs as part of this expansion.
Alongside new openings, KFC will upgrade 200 existing restaurants with refreshed designs and enhanced digital capabilities, reflecting the changing expectations of consumers regarding in-store experiences and mobile ordering.
The move is part of a broader growth strategy amid rising demand for fast food, with the UK fried chicken market now estimated to be worth £3.1 billion. Yorkshire is among the areas identified for new openings, presenting supply chain and franchise opportunities for regional operators.
KFC’s investment aligns with a trend of major QSR brands re-evaluating physical footprint strategies to balance convenience, digital innovation, and evolving customer preferences.
Hospice restructures as rising costs bite
Kirkwood Hospice in Huddersfield has implemented significant cutbacks in response to sustained financial pressure. To stabilise operations, it has reduced its inpatient capacity by 25% and cut nearly 30 roles.
The charity, which provides palliative care across Kirklees, will now serve approximately 1,300 patients annually, down from over 2,000, following a cost-saving drive aimed at offsetting £1.7 million in budget shortfalls. The hospice’s inpatient unit has been downsized from 16 to 12 beds, while community-based services will continue at reduced capacity.
With staffing costs consuming the bulk of its £11 million annual budget, Kirkwood cited inflationary pressures and increased employer National Insurance contributions as key drivers behind the restructuring. Only a quarter of its funding is publicly sourced, leaving the hospice heavily reliant on fundraising and donations.
The workforce adjustment includes 19 redundancies, nine staff shifting to part-time contracts, and additional early retirements. Leadership said the changes are designed to preserve core clinical services while prioritising patients with the most complex needs.
Kirkwood’s move reflects growing pressure on third-sector healthcare providers, many grappling with rising costs, constrained public funding, and volatile donor income.
TL Dallas strengthens sustainability ties through Swinton Estate initiative
Insurance broker TL Dallas has joined Nourish, a corporate sustainability programme led by the Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire. The programme aims to help businesses develop environmental resilience and carbon reduction strategies.
The partnership gives TL Dallas access to the Swinton Estate’s environmental initiatives, including its Carbon Plus credit scheme and a suite of local investment opportunities for biodiversity, conservation, and community development.
Through the estate’s Climate Action Academy, the firm’s teams will participate in hands-on, nature-based training to support employee well-being and carbon literacy. The academy also runs forums featuring expert-led environmental learning tailored to SMEs.
New consumer law tightens rules for online businesses
Leeds-based businesses trading online are urged to review their sales practices after introducing the UK’s new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The legislation significantly expands consumer protection laws, particularly targeting misleading pricing tactics and inauthentic online reviews.
The new Act replaces the 2008 Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations and introduces clear requirements for digital commerce. It explicitly bans practices such as ‘drip pricing’—where fees are added late in the purchase process—and the use or facilitation of fake or incentivised reviews. Businesses must now display full pricing upfront, including mandatory charges like booking or membership fees.
The Act outlines 32 specific unfair practices, with regulatory enforcement under the Competition and Markets Authority. Firms that fail to comply could face fines of up to £300,000 or 10% of global turnover, whichever is higher.
The CMA expects businesses to establish transparent review policies, assess risk regularly, and proactively address manipulation. These changes apply to businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, and reflect a broader effort to ensure trust and fairness in the digital marketplace.
Commercial legal experts are advising businesses to review their policies and digital practices immediately to avoid potential penalties.
Partnership with Holtec to help grow nuclear workforce in South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire’s mayor, Oliver Coppard, has welcomed a cooperation, skills and supply chain agreement signed between South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and Holtec Britain.
The announcement paves the way to help train and grow the nuclear workforce within the region.
This partnership comes after South Yorkshire was announced as the home of Holtec’s new planned Small Modular Reactor (SMR factory) in 2024. The factory represents a major £1.5bn investment and is set to create thousands of highly skilled jobs.
The intention and purpose of the agreement is to establish a framework for collaboration in support of Holtec’s manufacturing facility plans.
Through the agreement, SYMCA and Holtec will collaborate in the following key areas:
- Skills, planning and workforce development: SYMCA’s skills team will work with Holtec, partnering with colleges and other educational institutions to ensure the regional workforce is equipped with the skills required
- South Yorkshire Energy: This partnership will contribute to the growth and direction of South Yorkshire Energy
- Investment Zone funding: Should the chosen site of Holtec’s proposed manufacturing facility be located in a designated Investment Zone, both parties will work collaboratively to unlock access to a share of the potential £80m funding available
- Alignment with SYMCA’s Economic Strategy: The collaboration will align with SYMCA’s broader economic strategy, which prioritises the growth of nuclear expertise, infrastructure and supply chain capabilities
- Supply chain opportunities: SYMCA and Holtec will work together to help develop understanding and awareness of the opportunities of Holtec’s SMR programme from a South Yorkshire perspective.
Carter Towler secures White Rose Park property management instruction
Carter Towler, the independent chartered surveyors, has been appointed by Munroe K Luxembourg SA to oversee the management of White Rose Park.
Spanning 565,000 sq ft and situated next to the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds, the business and education campus is the largest single asset now under Carter Towler’s management.
Commenting on the appointment, director James Skirrow said: “We are immensely proud to have been chosen to support the future development of White Rose Park. This is a significant addition to our portfolio, and we are excited to contribute to the ongoing success of such an innovative business and education hub.”
Spanning 26 acres, White Rose Park comprises nine buildings ranging from 10,000 to 250,000 sq ft. Key office tenants include CAPITA, NHS Shared Business Services, NG Bailey, Hisense, NHS LCH, O2, DAZN and Samsung together with 2 higher educational colleges (Broomfield SILC & Elliott Hudson College), a creche and HUB restaurant/Starbucks.
David Aspin, CEO of Munroe K, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Carter Towler at such a pivotal stage in the park’s evolution. We have worked tirelessly to create a unique environment and community, and having their expert property management team on board will help take things to the next level.
“We are redefining the concept of a business park by integrating business, wellbeing and academia to develop an ESG-focused talent and knowledge hub. Our aim is to foster an environment where innovation and commerce intersect, inspiring a community of forward-thinkers and industry disruptors.”
Carter Towler’s 30-strong property management team will be responsible for a range of services, including tenant relations, rent collection, service charge management, contractor supervision, energy and insurance procurement, and health and safety compliance.
Sheffield semiconductor start-up raises £2.5m
A start-up that aims to win the race to develop the world’s first ‘memory safe’ computer chip has raised £2.5m in a funding round led by Mercia Ventures.
The investment was from NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), and also angel investors from the UK and Silicon Valley.
SCI Semiconductor, which brings together leading industry figures, has already signed up a number of key customers including Google Research. The funding will enable it to build a team of engineers in Sheffield and bring its product to market.
SCI aims to resolve the problem of ‘memory safety’ which is the key factor in around 70% of cyber attacks. Traditional programming languages – on which Microsoft’s Windows and many industrial operating systems are based – allow memory to be freely accessed, which provides flexibility for software developers but also creates vulnerabilities.
Coding errors or flaws can be exploited by hackers or bring down the entire system – as in the 2024 CrowdStrike event when a faulty software update affected companies worldwide.
Current attempts to achieve memory safety, such as transitioning to more modern languages or introducing stricter development methods, are often too costly or impractical. SCI’s chip will enforce security by dividing memory into compartments and tightly controlling how it is accessed.
The product, which would be used in conjunction with open source software and development tools, would reduce cybersecurity costs and remove the need for constant patching.
SCI Semiconductor was founded in 2022 by Haydn Povey and Krishna Anne. Haydn has over 30 years’ experience in the semiconductor industry, including 10 years at ARM, and is the founder of Secure Thingz which was sold to IAR Systems Group for £30m in 2018.
Krishna, who is based in Palo Alto, has held senior roles in tech companies including Secure Thingz, and is the founder of DataTrails. They have been joined by Dr David Jackson and Prof John Goodacre from the University of Manchester, and Dr David Chisnall from the University of Cambridge who are renowned as leaders in chip technology.
The company, which has secured over £1m in government grants to help develop the technology, currently has a team of over 20. It now plans to set up a base in Sheffield and recruit a further 20 engineers.
Haydn Povey, CEO, said: “Cybersecurity is second only to global conflict in terms of factors affecting the economy. Memory safe chips have been shown to prevent 70% of all attacks and would enable organisations to continue using existing software with complete peace of mind.
“Developing a new generation of chips here in the UK will also help to ensure supply chain security and restore the country’s position as a leader in semiconductor technology.”
Will Schaffer, investment director at Mercia Ventures, added: “Memory safety has been a problem for years but until now has been a secondary priority. However with the world becoming more dangerous, government and industry have woken up to the dangers.
“Despite collaboration between the big tech companies, no one has yet managed to build a silicon chip that addresses the issue. The funding will help SCI to win the race for memory safety and deliver next generation security.”
Smailes Goldie walks the extra mile for Yorkshire Cancer Research
Smailes Goldie, a chartered accountancy firm, is supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research by taking part in the We Walk for Yorkshire challenge this May.
Throughout the month, team members across all five of the business’s Yorkshire offices will be collectively walking 1,000 miles with the goal of raising at least £1,000 to fund lifesaving cancer research.
Leading the charge are colleagues from the Hull office: Rachel Underwood (business development manager), Matt Fox (partner), Rachel May (head of audit and compliance), Jayne Hussey (personal tax manager), and Darren Sanderson (consultant).
Trainee accountants Eve Shelton and Ben Watkins are representing the firm from the Scarborough office, while fellow trainee Isabella Fink and accounts assistant Andrea Holliday will represent the Selby office.
Erin Allsopp, a manager based at the Pickering office, will also be taking part, joined by Alison Dodgson (accounts manager) and Sally Sleightholme (accounts senior) from the Kirkbymoorside office.
Rachel Underwood, business development manager at Smailes Goldie, said: “As a Yorkshire-based firm, we are committed to giving back and having a positive impact on our community.
“Someone in Yorkshire is diagnosed with cancer every 17 minutes, so this is a cause very close to our hearts.
“We are thrilled to have team members from all five of our Yorkshire offices taking on the We Walk for Yorkshire challenge. Together, we can help fund research, improve treatments, and save lives across the region.”
Yorkshire has some of the highest cancer rates in England, with residents more likely to be diagnosed with, and die from, the disease than in most other parts of the country. Yorkshire Cancer Research funds vital research and pioneers lifesaving treatment for the benefit of people in Yorkshire.
To sponsor the team, visit the Yorkshire Cancer Research website.
Steel and agriculture secure boost from UK trade deals
Greater Lincolnshire’s manufacturing and farming sectors are set to benefit from recent UK trade agreements with the US, EU, and India, which will deliver a more stable trade environment and improved market access.
Around 39,000 manufacturing jobs in the region and 2,700 in Scunthorpe’s steelworks stand to gain from removing the 25% US tariff on UK steel exports. The UK exported £343 million worth of steel products to the US in 2024, and this new agreement protects a significant portion of the industry’s national workforce.
The revised agreement with the EU is expected to ease customs procedures and reduce checks in agriculture and food production, providing simpler access to the UK’s largest export market. Lower trade friction and greater continuity could benefit approximately 100,000 people in Lincolnshire’s food sector.
The UK-India deal includes provisions for reduced prices and increased availability of imported goods such as clothing and food. It also maintains UK standards in agriculture and protects local producers from being undercut.
The government says the combined impact of these deals is expected to drive inward investment and improve business confidence across the region. The changes align with broader plans to stimulate economic growth across the UK’s regions, emphasizing job retention, trade stability, and supply chain resilience.
Agri-food sector to receive £2.5m in skills infrastructure boost
Greater Lincolnshire is investing £2.5 million to upgrade training infrastructure across six educational institutions to strengthen the region’s agri-food workforce. The funding is part of the area’s wider devolution deal, which enables local control over development priorities through a newly established combined authority. The UK Food Valley programme, now managed by Lincolnshire County Council, is distributing the grants as part of a broader effort to modernise training, attract investment, and support regional growth.
The funding will support a mix of capital projects to expand capacity, modernize teaching facilities, and align training with the latest industry standards. Riseholme College will create a Centre for Plant and Soil Science, equipping it with agricultural machinery and expanded teaching space to support further and higher education qualifications. DN Colleges Group plans to develop advanced laboratories to support a new food science degree and technical training in microbiology and food automation. Boston College is building a modular Agrifood Hub, complete with a hydroponics unit and digital suite, in partnership with Hydrogarden Ltd and the University of Lincoln, to address emerging skills gaps in sustainable food production.
Lincoln College is establishing an AgriLinc Training Hub focused on HGV and forklift driver qualifications, operating in collaboration with Branston Ltd., to address acute logistics shortages in the food supply chain. The Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology is transforming part of its Riseholme campus into a dedicated laboratory for soil, crop, and food analysis to upskill agronomists and growers. Meanwhile, the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at Holbeach will develop a STEM Digital Hub offering digital and engineering skills training to meet evolving workforce demands.
The funding represents a strategic push to build long-term capability in a sector critical to local employment and national food security. Investing in cutting-edge facilities and tailored training, the region aims to reinforce its status as a significant UK agri-food cluster.
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.
