UK introduces ban on exporting of live animals
A new ban on exporting live animals came into law this week as the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act received Royal Assent.
The Act will ensure that animals are slaughtered domestically in high welfare UK slaughterhouses, reinforcing our position as a nation of animal lovers and a world leader on animal welfare, boosting the value of British meat and helping to grow the economy.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.
“Our new Act makes use of post-Brexit freedoms to deliver one of our manifesto commitments and strengthen these standards even further by preventing the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, which we know causes animals unnecessary stress and injury.”
Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the RSPCA, said: “After more than 50 years of campaigning, we are absolutely thrilled to see that live export of animals has been banned from Great Britain. This means British animals will no longer be sent on gruelling journeys abroad for further fattening and slaughter in cramped and poor conditions with little or no access to food or water.
“As one of the first countries in the world to abolish this practice, this vital step for animal welfare sends an important message globally and we hope to see other countries follow suit soon.”
New law means self-driving vehicles could be on UK roads by 2026
Self-driving vehicles could be on British roads by 2026, after the government’s Automated Vehicles Act became law this week
Announced in the King’s Speech, the AV Act enables advanced technology to safely drive vehicles on British roads, unlocking the potential of an industry estimated to be worth up to £42 billion and creating 38,000 more skilled jobs by 2035.
Automated vehicles expected to improve road safety by reducing human error, which contributes to 88% of road collisions.
The law will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as careful and competent human drivers, as well as meeting rigorous safety checks before being allowed onto roads.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Britain stands at the threshold of an automotive revolution and this new law is a milestone moment for our self-driving industry, which has the potential to change the way we travel forever.
“While this doesn’t take away people’s ability to choose to drive themselves, our landmark legislation means self-driving vehicles can be rolled out on British roads as soon as 2026, in a real boost to both safety and our economy.”
Between 2018 and 2022, the UK self-driving vehicle sector alone generated £475 million of direct investment and created 1,500 new jobs. Self-driving vehicles could support areas previously impacted by driver shortages, such as haulage, and where work can be dangerous, such as mining. The act delivers the most comprehensive legal framework of its kind worldwide, setting out who is liable for AVs meaning that drivers can be assured that, while their vehicle is in self-driving mode, they will not be held responsible for how the vehicle drives. For the first time, corporations such as insurance providers, software developers and automotive manufacturers can assume this responsibility.Planning rule changes mean farmers can be more flexible with new income stream development
From today Lincolnshire farmers will be able to convert unused buildings into homes and shops thanks to new planning laws.
The changes give farmers greater freedoms to diversify and grow their business, without having to spend time and money submitting a planning application.
They will be able to convert agricultural buildings and land into new business opportunities, such as outdoor sports facilities, larger farm shops and farm training centres, as well as housing, thanks to the changes to permitted development rights .
These new powers come in a week after the Farm to Fork Summit, where the Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to backing farmers who keep this country fed. The changes coming into force will give them new freedoms to diversify if they choose to.
Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety Lee Rowley said: “Farmers are the lifeblood of communities, and these changes give them the freedom to grow their businesses, and plan for their futures.
“This is all part of our Long-term Plan for Housing to deliver more homes for rural communities and reform the planning system, removing unnecessary barriers to development.”
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “I am extremely pleased to support our farmers and provide them the freedom to decide the best uses for buildings on their land, without needless bureaucracy holding them back.
“We are listening to farmers and putting them at the heart of future development of our rural areas. Helping farmers secure their businesses and get on with the important job of producing food is our top priority.”
Falconer Print swoop for new premises
Falconer Print and Packaging Limited are expanding their operations into Unit H5 Premier Way, a modern 15,000 sq ft detached warehouse unit on the Lowfields Business Park in Elland, near Leeds.
The asset, which is managed by York-based Citivale, and owned by a Nuveen segregated mandate, was formerly occupied by Exertis until December of last year.
The Yorkshire industrial and logistics team at global property consultancy Knight Frank secured a long-term lease deal on behalf of the landlord.
Richard Martin, MD of Falconer Print, said: “We have been looking for a new site since lockdown. With demand outstripping supply, it has been very difficult to find somewhere that meets the needs of the business, especially as the main focus was retaining our highly skilled and loyal workforce. The second site here on Lowfields is the perfect solution.”
Rebecca Farnsworth of Citivale added: “We are delighted to welcome Falconer Print and Packaging to the Estate. The unit was competitively sought after, underlining the current strength of the occupier market and lack of alternative options. The unit was let following a refurbishment with minimal void.”
Iain McPhail, partner in the industrial and logistics team at Knight Frank, Yorkshire, who brokered the letting, said: “This is an ideal solution for Falconer Print and Packaging, as they already have a base at Lowfields Business Park. This deal allows them to grow their operations in the local area.”
Specialist recruitment group transfers to Employee Ownership Trust
The ownership of Sharp Consultancy has been transferred to an Employee Ownership Trust.
The Yorkshire-based firm is a specialist recruitment group focusing on finance, accounting and HR positions.
With offices in Leeds and Sheffield, Sharp Consultancy has enjoyed sustained success for over 32 years.
Mark Wilson, Managing Director, says: “As we serve our valued clients and candidates across Yorkshire, this development is not only central to both our values and growth strategy, but also a source of great pride for me and the directors.
“Staff longevity is a hallmark of our heritage and as we now entrust our ownership to all employees, I am delighted for them. There’s a bright future ahead and a tremendous opportunity for our wonderful team. It’s also great that our directors and shareholders will all enjoy this EOT journey, helping to assure our continued success.
“I’d also like to thank our professional advisers, Andy Ryder at Shorts and Matt Ainsworth at Knights. We provide trusted guidance and support to our clients, and they’ve undoubtedly done the same for us.”
Rolls-Royce SMR partners with University of Sheffield for new manufacturing and testing facility
Rolls-Royce SMR is partnering with the University of Sheffield to launch a major new manufacturing and testing facility in South Yorkshire.
The Rolls-Royce SMR Module Development Facility (MDF), which will be housed in the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s existing Factory 2050, is set to manufacture and test prototype modules for small modular reactors (SMRs).
The first phase is worth £2.7 million and will be part of a wider £15+ million package of work that will further de-risk and underpin the Rolls-Royce SMR programme.
SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that are designed to be factory-built and transported to operational sites for installation. The technology is seen as a clean energy solution that is easier to deliver, scale and is more affordable than building new larger nuclear power stations. Each Rolls-Royce SMR could provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years.
The new facility at the University of Sheffield AMRC will produce working prototypes of individual modules that will be assembled into Rolls-Royce SMR power plants.
Victoria Scott, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Chief Manufacturing Engineer, said: “Our investment in setting up this facility and building prototype modules is another significant milestone for our business.
“Our factories will produce hundreds of prefabricated and pre-tested modules ready for assembly on site. This facility will allow us to refine our production, testing and digital approach to manufacturing – helping de-risk our programme and ensure we increase our delivery certainty.”
Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “We are very proud that Rolls-Royce SMR has chosen to base its module development facility at our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s Factory 2050.
“Today’s announcement is a testament to the University’s strengths in clean energy research and innovation, and our unrivalled expertise in developing leading-edge manufacturing techniques. We welcome this significant commitment from Rolls-Royce SMR to our ongoing partnership and the South Yorkshire region.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “This announcement cements South Yorkshire’s position as the leading place to build small modular reactors, a cutting-edge technology which will be a key part of the global transition to clean energy.
“It is also a sign of real confidence in our region’s world-leading advanced manufacturing innovation district which is helping us to create a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire.
“South Yorkshire is proud to be the home of the largest Clean Tech cluster in the UK, with specialisms in nuclear tech, hydrogen and aviation fuels.
“Being chosen as the home of the new Rolls-Royce SMR Module Development Facility further enhances our region’s reputation as the best place for Clean Tech in the UK and puts us at the forefront of creating a greener future for the UK and beyond.”
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economy, Skills and Development Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “As a city filled with innovators we’re committed to driving prosperity, this latest announcement from the University of Sheffield is yet another example of our forward-thinking approach.
“The new multi-million pound investment brings with it new jobs as well as advances in technology which could power millions homes for decades to come.”
Leeds Beckett forms new partnership to boost growth of Doncaster-based Westdale Group
Marketing experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with Doncaster-based Westdale Group Ltd to support the company’s ambitious plans for growth – and help them meet the increasing demand for home energy efficiency projects crucial to the Government’s net zero plans.
The project is a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. Academics based in Leeds Business School will work closely with the Westdale management team to enable them to achieve sustainable growth in their existing, and new markets – including investigating opportunities to diversify their expert services.
Westdale Group Limited are a provider of whole house refurbishment services – such as external wall, cavity wall, and loft insulation – through a group of companies. They specialise in projects for local authorities, housing associations and contractors for both social housing and commercial properties. They also design and manufacture their own high performance insulation products under the brands Structherm and ArtBrick.
Dr Catherine Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Global and Strategic Marketing at Leeds Beckett University and KTP project lead, explained: “Westdale is well regarded in the industry and this project will support them in leveraging this reputation to increase market share to grow both turnover and profit. By embedding advanced strategic marketing and new branding capabilities, we will improve Westdale’s position in the supply chain and procurement frameworks, realising their ambition to bid for larger and more prestigious contracts.
“Through this partnership, we will address a complex set of challenges, creating a more sustainable platform for onward growth and embedding a business model across the group of companies, that is more dynamic and agile. As a result, Westdale will be better able to respond to meet the expanding demand for refurbishment projects which are crucial to achieving the Government’s net zero ambitions.”
Food processing facility gets green light in Easton
Plans for a food processing facility in Easton, Lincolnshire, have been approved by South Kesteven District Council.
The application site, off Burton Lane, forms part of the existing Magnavale Group and XPO Logistics site which comprises of a number of storage and distribution warehouses and ancillary offices, providing cold storage for frozen food products.
The buildings were developed in the late 1960s, and the site is best known locally for being previously operated by Christian Salvesen Limited. Various buildings have been updated over the 50-60 years of operation, with a new coldstore food warehouse under construction.
The proposed development site for the food processing facility consists of an area of vacant, brownfield land, which previously contained a warehouse building.
The processing facility, which will have a total footprint of 18,630 sq m, will operate alongside the other coldstores on site, which will be utilised for storing the raw materials and the final product.
It will bring new life to the former McCain’s factory site.
Easton Properties Limited, part of the Sadel Group, is behind the plans. The Sadel Group has plans for the whole brownfield site to operate as a hub for controlled-temperature storage of both raw materials and finished product, reducing food miles.
Further, the group plans to develop an anaerobic digester plant in the northern part of the site area to produce renewable energy to feed the cold storage plants.
Footwear retailer’s job-creating warehouse expansion plans approved
City of York Council has approved plans for the expansion of footwear retailer Pavers’ warehouse in York, a move that will create hundreds of jobs in the region.
Councillors voted to give the go ahead to plans to massively increase the facility at Northminster Business Park by 119,000 sq ft, a move that will create 130 new roles and generate an estimated £51m for the region’s economy.
Members of the City of York Council’s planning committee voted resoundingly to approve the development, subject to conditions and referral to the secretary of state.
York & North Yorkshire Chamber has been strongly in favour of the expansion and had lobbied for the application to be approved.
Sarah Czarnecki, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The approval of this job creating, revenue generating expansion is fantastic news and just the sort of investment we want to see in York.
“Pavers is a York success story, and it is wonderful to see them continuing their journey here in the city.
“I congratulate both the management team of Pavers and City of York Council on this news. It is pleasing to see such a pro-business and pro-investment attitude being displayed and I look forward to similar sentiments going forward.”
Recent growth has seen expansion of Pavers’ retail portfolio to over 180 stores and increases in online sales by over 700%. Storage requirements are expected to double.
British Land to sell 50% stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre
British Land has exchanged contracts to sell its 50% stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre to its partner Norges Bank Investment Management for £360m.
The move is in line with British Land’s strategy to focus on retail parks and reduce exposure to covered shopping centres.
As part of the transaction, British Land will remain as asset manager of Meadowhall shopping centre.
The transaction is expected to complete in July 2024.
Simon Carter, Chief Executive of British Land, said: “We have had a successful partnership with Norges over many years and are delighted to continue to work alongside them as asset managers of the centre.
“Following the sale of Meadowhall, 93% of our portfolio is now in our preferred segments of retail parks, campuses and London urban logistics.
“We will continue to grow our retail park portfolio; with low capex requirements parks offer attractive cash returns and at 99% occupancy we are delivering strong rental growth.”
Yorkshire property developer secures £4.7m to acquire shopping centre in Hull
A Yorkshire-based property entrepreneur has further boosted his growing portfolio across the north of England after securing a £4.7m funding solution to purchase and develop Prospect Shopping Centre in Hull.
Zahid Iqbal has a proven track-record of acquiring and rapidly transforming shopping centres across the region and is hoping to emulate that success by utilising the facility provided by Reward Finance Group to purchase the 5.1 acre retail site in the heart of Hull city centre.
Zahid, who runs Z&F Properties and also owns The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield, Packhorse Shopping Centre in Huddersfield and Batley Plaza, is now looking to reinvigorate the Prospect Shopping Centre, which houses major retailers such as Greggs and Specsavers and attracts circa six million shoppers each year.
The deal is one of the highest single lends provided by alternative finance lender Reward.
Zahid Iqbal, property entrepreneur and owner of Z&F Properties, said: “This latest acquisition of the Prospect Shopping Centre underlies our commitment to investing in Hull and transforming one of its most prominent shopping centres into the primary retail destination for people locally.
“Despite huge competition from out-of-town retail parks, we firmly believe that shopping inside town and city centres across Yorkshire and the Humber is still in huge demand and the lifeblood of many local economies.
“We turned to Reward as we needed a lender that has extensive property finance expertise and was able to provide a fast and flexible funding solution that helped make an acquisition of this size as seamless as possible.
“We’ve established a clear vision for what we want to do with the centre and are looking forward to sharing our exciting future plans with new and existing retail tenants and the millions of visitors who shop here each year.”
Dave Jones, Reward’s founding director, added: “Zahid is one of the most highly respected entrepreneurs and property developers in the region and has a phenomenal track record in acquiring and transforming a growing portfolio of shopping centres.
“Being able to help finance a property transaction of this magnitude also demonstrates our experience in delivering solutions which are able to fund purchases outright, leverage a property asset to generate working capital or simply bridge a sale.
“It can also be a very small world as I used to be Zahid’s bank manager over 30 years ago during my early career at Yorkshire Bank. I’ve stayed in touch ever since and having already assisted in his purchase of the Ridings at Wakefield am delighted that Reward is able to assist again in another major acquisition.
“We’re proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to supporting Zahid in his vision to transform the wider regional town and city centre retail landscape.”
Doncaster bathroom retailer acquired by Victorian Plumbing
Victorian Plumbing, the bathroom retailer, has acquired AHK Designs Ltd, trading as Victoria Plum, the online only bathroom retailer, headquartered in Doncaster.
The purchase price for the business, which has recently been through an administration and is already subject to a cost reduction programme, is £22.5m.
Victorian Plumbing intends to continue to trade the business as normal initially, pending finalisation of its integration plan.
Mark Radcliffe, CEO of Victorian Plumbing, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Victoria Plum, a well-established brand with a solid base of customers, suppliers and product ranges.
“The acquisition aligns with our ambitions to accelerate our growth. We are pleased to welcome the existing Victoria Plum team to our group and look forward to continuing to provide customers with a fantastic range of bathroom products and accessories.
“This acquisition represents another exciting strategic milestone for the company and, together with the investment in our new distribution centre, provides a unique opportunity to deliver increased shareholder return.”
Headquartered in Skelmersdale, Victorian Plumbing employs over 600 staff across nine locations in Lancashire, Manchester and Birmingham.New appointment for LCS IT Solutions
LCS IT Solutions Ltd are thrilled to welcome Matthew to our Support Team. He brings with him a wealth of experience after spending 20 years at a well known agricultural firm in Lincolnshire. Matthew has a strong knowledge base in all Microsoft systems as well as physical and virtual server infrastructures European wide.
Here at LCS, we now have a Team of 10 who are all dedicated to providing an honest, friendly and professionaI service to meet our clients’ specific needs.
LCS IT Solutions Ltd’s aim is to be Lincolnshire’s most trusted IT advisors, implementation and supporting solutions which are effective, secure and effortless to use.
Poor mental health costs employers £51bn a year
New mental health research from Deloitte has revealed that the cost to employers of poor mental health is £51bn per year, a decrease from £55bn in 2021, but an increase from £45bn in 2019. Presenteeism is the largest contributor, where people work in spite of illness and not perform at their full ability, which is costing employers around £24bn annually.
Deloitte’s fourth report on mental health and the workplace also shows that over half (58%) of survey respondents say their mental wellbeing was good or excellent. There were also improvements for younger people with 64% of 18-24-year-olds reporting that their overall their mental health is good, an increase from 53% in 2022.
This year’s report also explores the impact of children’s poor mental health on working parents for the first time. According to the survey, 46% of working parents are concerned about their children’s mental health. Half of those who are concerned about their children’s mental health say it impacts their performance at work.
Deloitte’s report in collaboration with mental health charities Place 2 Be and Mind estimates that working parents’ concern about their children’s mental health is costing UK employers £8bn annually. The cost is due to parents and carers taking time off work to care for their children, the impact on their performance, or leaving their roles.
A majority of working parents (63%) who were concerned about their children’s mental health, say they turn to external sources of support to manage their children’s mental health challenges, rather than approaching their employer for additional support.
Of those who are concerned about their children’s mental health, a third (32%) have looked to reduce their working hours and 19% have turned to their employer for additional support, such as an employee support line, childcare, or flexible working arrangements.
Juggling demands of work alongside caring for a child with mental health difficulties led to 10% of parents taking up to five days off per year to support their children. One in a hundred working parents have left their jobs because of the poor mental health of their children.
Elizabeth Hampson, Deloitte partner and author of the latest mental health research, said: “Work performance is being impacted as more than one in ten parents have taken time off work to support their children’s mental health and one in 100 is leaving a job as they simply can’t juggle the demands of work alongside caring for a child with mental health difficulties.
“Alongside wider societal support, our research shows that specific support, including for working parents, can help reduce time out of the office and presenteeism.”
Catherine Roche, CEO, Place2Be, children’s mental health charity, said: “Children don’t come with a manual: in today’s fast-moving landscape we need to support parents and carers to build their confidence and understanding of emotions and behaviours, so they can foster resilience, healthy coping mechanisms, good mental health and wellbeing.
“Place2Be is delighted to work in partnership with Deloitte, whom we applaud for investing time and research into these complex issues. Creating mentally healthy workplaces has long-reaching benefits for employers, employees and society as a whole.”
Deloitte’s research found an increase in some elements of burnout. 63% of respondents said they were exhibiting at least one sign of burnout, such as feeling of exhaustion, mental distance from their job, or a decline in performance at work, an increase from 51% in the previous survey.
Given the implications of burnout on job performance and productivity, as well as employees’ overall wellbeing, there is a clear case for employers to recognise and address this issue.
Overall, the main concerns affecting the mental health of working adults are the increasing cost of living (60%), personal/family finances (46%), and job security (22%). Working parents were most concerned about the rising cost of living (65%), alongside family finances (55%) and about the mental health of their children (29%).
Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said: “Work is important. It affects every area of our lives – and that includes our ability to participate in our families, perhaps to be a supportive parent, and enjoy spending time with our loved ones.
“We know it’s critical for businesses to consider ways to better support working parents – considering flexibility, providing additional support, and creating a culture where talking about life’s challenges is acceptable. This research finds a link between the mental wellbeing of young people and their parents – when one suffers, the other does too.
“Parents of children with poor mental health found themselves struggling to do their best at work, perpetuating a cycle of stress both in their home life and in their working life. We envision a future where an employer can support the mental and emotional health not just of their own employees, but their families and networks too.”
Deloitte’s return on investment analysis of employee mental health interventions that was conducted as part of the research shows on average, for every £1 spent on supporting their people’s mental health, employers get nearly £4.70 back on their investment in improved productivity. Demonstrating that higher return on investment can be achieved by early interventions, such as organisation-wide culture change and education, than more in-depth support that may be needed at a later stage when a person is struggling.
Hampson concluded: “Employers are increasingly putting mental health and wellbeing at the heart of their business and providing effective mental health support for their people. The benefits of providing targeted support for employees are clear and compelling.
“Employers need concrete evidence to make informed decisions about how to invest in workplace mental health programmes and maximise benefits, including financial returns. We hope to inspire employers to take stock of the importance of their people’s wellbeing and mental health and put in place effective interventions to support their people, including working parents.”
Accountancy firms join forces
East of England accountancy firm Moore Thompson has joined forces with Jackson and Grimes, based in Stamford.
Moore Thompson has long sought to extend its footprint into the local market.
The senior directors of Jackson and Grimes identified Moore Thompson as the ideal partner to ensure the necessary succession that benefits clients and staff alike.
Mark Hildred, Managing Partner at Moore Thompson, said: “This move brings together two firms with a shared ethos of excellence, client service, and community engagement.”
Moore Thompson is taking on the entire workforce of Jackson and Grimes, including three directors.
This move not only enriches Moore Thompson’s team with fresh expertise and insights but also ensures continuity of service for all existing clients of Jackson and Grimes.
“The synergy between Moore Thompson and Jackson and Grimes has made this possible, setting the stage for enhanced service offerings to clients,” added Mark.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the clients of Jackson and Grimes, as we deliver an even broader spectrum of accountancy and advisory services tailored to their needs.
“This is more than a merger of resources. It represents a fusion of values and visions aimed at fostering growth, innovation, and community development.”
G&H Group supports refurbishment of hospice’s sanctuary
Leeds-based G&H Group has supported the refurbishment of Martin House Children’s Hospice’s The Sanctuary by providing materials and labour pro bono.
The mechanical, electrical and public health service (MEP) provider has supplied and installed new radiators and toilets in The Sanctuary, which provides a quiet space for all Martin House users including children and young people with life-shortening illnesses, their families, staff and carers.
Victoria Greensmith, Director of Clinical Services at Martin House, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to G&H Group for supporting the refurbishment of The Sanctuary.
“The Sanctuary benefits everyone who uses Martin House, be they family members, children, staff or carers, by providing that much needed quiet space to reflect in what can be very difficult, very personal and highly emotional times.
“We view The Sanctuary as essential for Martin House to provide the best possible care and support to families when they need it the most. A huge thank you to G&H Group for ensuring this space is the tranquil environment our families need.”
Lawyers pound Leeds pavements for Yorkshire cancer research
A team from Yorkshire law firm, LCF Law, has raised £1,700 for Yorkshire Cancer Research, having competed the Leeds Half Marathon.
Sarah McCann, Duncan Robertson, Harry Brackenridge, Jennifer Lee, Devon Culliney, Francesca Cockcroft, James Sarjantson, Holly Jordan, Heather Pritchard and some of their friends, formed a team of 15, who all completed the race. Harry was the first to finish, with an impressive time of 1 hour and 32 minutes.
Sarah McCann said: “Yorkshire Cancer Research is our firm’s nominated charity for 2024, and we are organising a packed calendar of activities throughout the year to raise thousands of pounds for the charity. The Leeds Half Marathon was our second big fundraising challenge, and we are so grateful for all the sponsorship.
“My best friend Melanie has stage four breast cancer, and she is such an inspiration. She also completed the half marathon, proving that anything is possible.
“We would like to thank everyone who sponsored us and all our friends and families who came to support us on the day. It was a very hot day, but the amazing atmosphere and encouragement from the crowds kept us all going.
“There were people with funny cardboard signs, trays of food, music, water pistols and hosepipes. Yorkshire Cancer Research were there to cheer people on too and it was such a wonderful yet exhausting experience!”
Any last minute donations can still be made here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lcf-law-1707736357325?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Flcf-law-1707736357325&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
Businesses prioritising retention of talent following Covid, finds employment survey
Over four out of five businesses across the UK are still struggling to recruit people in 2024 following the Covid-19 pandemic four years ago. A total of 81 per cent of employers revealed the main reason being a lack of candidates with the right skillset.
Hybrid working is also being considered as challenging with HR teams finding people don’t want to return to the office for a variety of reasons, including a number reporting that a factor is anxiety of having to be separated from their pets.
The research, compiled by the employment team at national law firm Freeths, analysed a variety of sectors and found that the main HR priorities for 2024 are retention of employees, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and motivation, engagement, and performance management.
Amongst this:
- The most common top HR priority for 2024 is employee retention
- The most popular reason given for resistance experienced in getting staff to return to the office was that it meant a poorer work life balance.
- Over 35% of respondents reported that a reason given to them for not wanting to return to work in the office was fear of being separated from their pets
- Whereas only 20% of these surveyed cited family separation as a reason given for not returning to the office
- Only a mere 11% of respondents said that they would trust AI tools to recruit the best candidates, and only 19% said that they had a good understanding of artificial intelligence HR tools available.
- 43% of employers said that they would trust AI tools to support employee learning and development.
Rena Magdani, Partner and National Head of Employment at Freeths, said: “Our survey has provided valuable insights into how businesses are coping with the past and looking to the future. Employers are still experiencing the impact of the covid pandemic with challenges in recruitment and finding working arrangements that suit all parties.
“Looking ahead, there seems to be a low level of trust in AI, perhaps linked to the lack of knowledge of the available tools. It will be interesting to see the extent to which attitudes towards AI will change during this year.”
Phase Two of new Leeds city centre neighbourhood completes
Caddick Construction has completed construction of the SOYO neighbourhood’s two newest residential blocks in Leeds city centre on behalf of Hestia, the residential platform of Federated Hermes Real Estate.
Located at the south of York Road in Leeds, SOYO comprises two new residential buildings, known as Madison East and Mercer West, featuring 331 built-to-rent apartments, two commercial retail units, car parking facilities and sustainable public spaces for the local community.
The project has been developed by Caddick Construction through close collaboration with Hestia and joint enterprise partner Caddick Developments.
The £57.4m project follows the completion of an earlier phase at SOYO, New York Square, where Caddick Construction delivered two 16 and 17 storey, build-to-rent apartment developments, housing 515 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for Moda Living.
SOYO is the newest multi-use neighbourhood in Leeds city centre and once complete the quarter will offer over 1m sq ft of space to live, work and enjoy.
Paul Dodsworth, Construction Group Managing Director, said: “Before a spade had even hit the ground on SOYO Madison East and Mercer West, collaboration was at the forefront of our operations.
“Working in partnership with Hestia and our sister company, Caddick Developments means that we can ensure we achieve the very best quality across the board, creating landmark residential developments that regenerate a vibrant neighbourhood in Leeds city centre.
“As we continue to grow our residential portfolio across the north of England, SOYO Leeds marks a flagship era for us, and we look forward to seeing the space form a new cultural hub for this thriving metropolitan city.”
Matthew Chillingworth, Fund Management Director, Federated Hermes, said: “The collaboration with Caddick on Mercer West Madison East has been highly successful, resulting in the delivery of 331 high quality sustainable homes, all set within Leeds’ vibrant new Cultural Quarter.
“We welcomed our first residents in January and expect to be at full occupancy by the end of the summer, which is testament to the continued demand for high quality home environments, which offer the amenities that residents really value, at accessible prices.”
Bank of England to increase Leeds presence
The Bank of England is set to increase its presence in Leeds with further details announced for an expanded and permanent presence in the city. The Bank is committing to a headcount of at least 500 staff to be based in Leeds by 2027, which equates to around one in ten staff.
The headcount target will be achieved through a combination of voluntary internal relocations and new Leeds-based recruitment. The Bank will look to maintain its overall current headcount number, whilst expanding its numbers in Leeds.
The increased office space in Leeds aims to improve trust and wider understanding of the Bank’s work across the UK, ensure as an organisation it better represents the people it serves, help tap into wider talent pools across the UK, and retain talented colleagues.
Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, said: “Leeds is a thriving city where the Bank of England has had a significant presence for over 200 years. Committing to a permanent, expanded Leeds office is a fantastic opportunity for us better to represent the public, build stronger links with the local business community and help promote the work of the Bank to a wider pool of talented workers.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “With booming cities, bustling towns and beautiful countryside, national institutions are flocking to West Yorkshire.
“This decision from the Bank of England is a major vote of confidence in our region, cementing our reputation as England’s leading banking capital outside of London, and opening up hundreds of local jobs for our talented graduates and professionals.
“By bringing decision-making power from London to the heart of the North, this move will benefit the entire country and help us rebalance our national economy.”
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are delighted that the Bank of England has chosen to expand their office space in Leeds.
“Leeds is the UK’s second largest city for financial services, and a major hub for related professional services, this move further reinforces the city’s progress and influence and showcases the strength of Team Leeds and the partners across the private and public sectors, that come together to deliver brilliant results in a truly collaborative way, for the best impact on our residents.
“Next week we welcome 12,000 delegates from across the world into our city for UK REiiF, and give them the opportunity to see why top global brands like Burberry, C4 and now the Bank of England are choosing Leeds.”
Work will continue with Leeds City Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the local business community to establish the Bank’s presence in the city.
