Sheffield Forgemasters makes senior appointments
South Yorkshire specialist engineering company, Sheffield Forgemasters, has completed two key leadership appointments.
Craig Fisher takes on the role of Programme Director, overseeing the company’s substantial recapitalisation programme, and Ken Stevenson joins as Strategy and Transformation Director, responsible for the company’s overall business strategy.
Both directors bring high levels of experience to their respective roles and will oversee significant levels of change for the 200 plus year-old business, as it reshapes under Ministry of Defence ownership.
Gary Nutter, Chief Executive Officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The appointment of two key directors to oversee both physical, and operational changes for the company’s ongoing evolution, is an important development for us.
“Craig Fisher will deliver the investments made by our owners, to create a whole new forging line and to build a world-leading machining facility, which will transform the speed, accuracy and delivery of some of the world’s most complex forgings and castings.
“Ken Stevenson’s role is to work with the leadership team to deliver the strategy and business plan for the company, which will set out our aims, objectives, values and vision for the next several decades of manufacturing across defence and commercial markets.
“They will take responsibility for some crucially important projects to ensure that we deliver against our stakeholder commitments as we build an exciting future for UK manufacturing.”
Craig Fisher joins the company from a former role as Head of Delivery/Programme Director for Aerospace, Defence & Energy (Mott MacDonald Bentley) working for Rolls-Royce, delivering on a £2bn investment programme.
He also previously acted as Project Director for Anglian Water Services’ Strategic Pipeline Alliance for one of the country’s largest infrastructure programmes with an investment of c£1bn over five years.
Ken Stevenson worked as a consultant to Sheffield Forgemasters, advising the company on its MoD acquisition and transition into public ownership over a period of three years.
He formerly served with Rolls-Royce, leading several strategic change programmes, most recently in the Civil Aerospace division, responsible for the successful delivery of a major global cross-Civil Aerospace transformational programme.
Stafforce Training supports North Lincolnshire Women’s Aid volunteers with life-saving first aid skills
Stafforce Training, a provider of vocational training solutions, has demonstrated its commitment to community welfare by providing essential First Aid training to volunteers working in charity shops in support of North Lincolnshire Women’s Aid.
The training initiative was offered completely free of charge and equipped 12 volunteers with crucial life-saving skills, enhancing their capacity to respond effectively to emergencies.
Stafforce Training recognised the critical need for comprehensive First Aid knowledge among volunteers, especially when dealing with the general public in their retail outlets. As part of giving back to the communities they operate in, they offered North Lincolnshire Women’s Aid training free of charge.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of volunteers and customers is paramount, especially in retail environments like North Lincolnshire Women’s Aid shops,” said Rose Heritage, Business Manager at Stafforce Training. “By offering our expertise in First Aid training, we aim to empower volunteers with the necessary skills to respond effectively to emergencies and provide immediate assistance when needed.”
The First Aid training, conducted by certified instructors from Stafforce Training, covered essential topics such as CPR, wound management, and emergency response procedures. The tailored program emphasised practical scenarios and hands-on training to ensure volunteers gained confidence and competence in their ability to handle various emergencies.
“We are immensely grateful to Stafforce Training for their generous contribution towards enhancing our volunteers’ capabilities,” expressed Denise Farman, CEO at North Lincolnshire Women’s Aid. “The First Aid training not only equips our volunteers with life-saving skills but also instils a sense of confidence and preparedness.”
The 12 volunteers who participated in the training program at North Lincolnshire Women’s Aid are now equipped to provide immediate assistance in emergency situations, helping to keep customers safe when shopping in stores.
Partner promotion for Lupton Fawcett private client specialist
Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett has promoted one of its senior associates in its private client team to partner.
Charlene Vilia, who has been with the firm since 2021, specialises in all aspects of pre and post-death private client work. Her expertise includes the preparation of wills, inheritance tax planning, preparing and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney and registering Enduring Powers of Attorney.
She has a varied caseload of clients both locally and further afield and deals with all aspects of estate administration, acting for executors and administrators following bereavement where the deceased has left a will and when they have passed away intestate. Charlene qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and is based at the firm’s Sheffield office.
Charlene said: “I am delighted to have been promoted to partner at Lupton Fawcett and grateful to the firm for the opportunities and support that they have provided to me. I am excited to play a key part in the firm’s ongoing success in the future and the expansion of our private client services.”
In her new position, Charlene will focus on providing exceptional client care and service throughout the Sheffield area while raising the profile of Lupton Fawcett’s private client services in the region. She will also play a key role in supporting and expanding the firm’s growing private client team in Sheffield.
James Richardson, managing partner, said: “Charlene is a welcome addition to the partner team; she is known for her friendly and approachable service and always goes the extra mile for clients.
“Her promotion underscores our commitment to recognising and nurturing talent within the firm.”
Libertine Holdings enters into bridging loan agreement
Libertine Holdings, a Sheffield-based developer of Linear Generator technology, has entered into a bridging loan agreement with Reliant FZCO to support the finalisation of new investment.
It follows news earlier this week that Libertine Holdings was set to engage an insolvency practitioner following a failure to secure short-term funding while it waited to receive a £2m investment from investors in India and the UAE (Corporate International Financial Services Ltd and Reliant FZCO).Under the terms of the bridging loan agreement, Reliant FZCO will provide two tranches of £110,000. The first tranche is expected to be received on 16 August and the second tranche is expected to be received on 14 September, to support the working capital requirements of the business.
It is intended that the conditional subscription agreement entered into between the company and Corporate International Financial Services Limited will be terminated. Instead it is intended that Reliant FZCO and the company will vary the terms of their original conditional subscription agreement to increase Reliant FZCO’s subscription from £1m to £2m.Libertine Holdings noted that given the company’s financial situation, and the timing uncertainty around the receipt of funds, the Board still plans to engage an insolvency practitioner to seek advice on the appropriate next steps.
Trading in the company’s ordinary shares on AIM continues to be suspended.
Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology gets government backing for further 10 years
Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology (YHIoT) has become the first Institute of Technology (IoT) in the country to be relicensed by the Department for Education (DfE).
The relicensing, which will see YHIoT continue its work for another 10 years, demonstrates the government’s commitment to IoTs and supporting the growth of STEM industries.
It will allow YHIoT to continue working collaboratively with STEM learners, education providers and employers in the region to create opportunities for students and employers, as well as support regional economic growth.
Danny Metters, Chair of YHIoT, said: “This is an exciting time where we can shape the future of YHIoT, by creating stronger links with STEM industries and the communities we serve and investing in our students – who are the future workforce.
“This relicensing really shows the value of YHIoT and the power of collaboration as we work to meet the higher level skills agenda for now and the future.”
Revised Harrogate Station Gateway plans unveiled
Major changes to the Station Gateway plan for Harrogate town centre have been shared with the public as the scheme takes a key step forward.
The £11 million scheme, under the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF), aims to boost access to Harrogate’s rail and bus stations and deliver improvements to nearby public spaces.
It is part of a £44.6 million investment in North Yorkshire, which will also see a series of improvements in Selby and Skipton.
As part of the statutory process, North Yorkshire Council are formally consulting on the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) required for the scheme on Station Parade.
The council have also published new visuals to represent the revised scheme, which was agreed by the executive in November last year.
Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transport, said: “We have listened to public views and worked extensively on a cross-party basis with local councillors to revise the Gateway plan.
“The original scheme has been reviewed following this feedback, with Station Parade remaining open to two lanes of traffic and with no pedestrianisation of James Street.
“It represents a proposal that is deliverable and with significant benefits for all transport users: motorists, cyclists, public transport passengers and pedestrians.”
He added: “The scheme hopes to deliver high-quality public realm improvements to transform this key area of the town centre. It would see One Arch and Station Square transformed with new paving, trees, planting and lighting.
“We plan to introduce improvements for pedestrians, a short southbound cycle lane on Station Parade and a new bus lane to allow easier and quicker access to the station.
“Meanwhile, we will use innovative technology to improve the flow of traffic in this congested corridor. It means that the many crossings and traffic lights will be improved and coordinated.”
There will be additional cycle parking, including covered parking close to the bus and railway stations, greater use of high-quality materials, such as Yorkshire stone paving, and feature lighting to make the town centre more appealing in the evening.
The scheme maintains taxi ranks in Station Parade, prioritises disabled parking and makes key improvements for pedestrians so access to the stations is easier and more direct.
The advertisement of the Traffic Regulation Order is one of the final stages before work on the multi-million-pound investment scheme can begin.
Following the completion of the Traffic Regulation Order process, the scheme will need formal sign off from the Department for Transport (DfT) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) before work can begin in the autumn.
Once work has started, it is anticipated to be completed by the spring of 2026.
Details of the Traffic Regulation Order can be found online or paper copies are available at Harrogate Civic Centre and Harrogate Library.
Evelyn Partners to acquire Haines Watts’ Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle offices
Evelyn Partners, the wealth management and professional services group, has come to an agreement to acquire the northern city offices of Haines Watts, comprising Manchester, Leeds, and Newcastle. The teams in these locations provide a wide range of services and solutions to support entrepreneurial, owner-managed businesses.
The acquisition will bring five partners, nine directors, and over 150 colleagues from Haines Watts into Evelyn Partners’ Professional Services business, significantly strengthening its presence in the north of England.
The deal represents the sixth acquisition for Evelyn Partners’ Professional Services business since the start of 2023, as it seeks to augment its strong organic growth and broaden its geographic footprint by adding high quality firms with complementary expertise.
Andrew Wilkes, Chief Professional Services Director of Evelyn Partners, said: “We are delighted to welcome the team and clients of these three former Haines Watts offices to Evelyn Partners.
“The team, led by Donna Bulmer, are high-quality professionals with a long-standing track record of giving clients the best possible tax advice and accountancy solutions. Their approach of providing a fully supportive, personal service and building long-standing relationships with clients is very much in line with our culture at Evelyn Partners.
“This acquisition continues our strategy of expanding the number of business and private clients we provide our professional services to in the north of England.”
Donna Bulmer, Managing Partner of Haines Watts, said: “This is an exciting time for our clients and our team as we join forces with our new colleagues at Evelyn Partners. We see a great cultural fit that will ensure we continue to deliver high service levels to our clients, whilst creating fantastic opportunities for our team.”
Aggregate Industries enhances local sea defences
Aggregate Industries, a building materials supplier, has delivered 89,000 tonnes of rock armour as part of the Environment Agency’s £29 million Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme.
Aiming to enhance coastal defences and protect critical infrastructure along the Humber Estuary, between the ports of Immingham and Grimsby, this ambitious project required 70,000 tonnes of granite to be shipped from Aggregate Industries’ Glensanda superquarry in Western Scotland via Immingham Dock.
The granite, with each piece weighing between 0.3 to 1.0 tonnes, made its two-day sea voyage aboard the 90-meter-long Hagland Saga. Each of the 17 shipments carried approximately 4,500 tonnes. Upon arrival at Immingham, the cargo was swiftly offloaded and transported by road to the Stallingborough project site.
Additionally, 19,000 tonnes of smaller grade rock armour, ranging from 60kg to 300kg, were sourced from the firm’s Bardon Hill quarry in Leicestershire and delivered in approximately 700-tonne loads.
In collaboration with Jackson Civil Engineering, Aggregate Industries ensured a seamless delivery, overcoming challenges such as unpredictable docking times and the migration of vital bird species which limit works within the designated Humber Estuary site between April and September every year.
Nick Gilbert, business development manager for Aggregate Industries, adds: “We are proud to have played a crucial role in protecting Stallingborough and its surrounding areas.
“Our comprehensive network and methods enabled us to meet the logistical challenges of this complex and reactive project which effectively saw the equivalent of a quarter of the Humber Bridge’s tonnage seamlessly delivered and discharged, directly contributing to the safety and resilience of the local community.”
The Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme is the third phase of ongoing coastal improvements and is designed to provide a further 25-year design life to the current flood defence embankments.
This project will see the repair and fortification of a 4.5km stretch – including some 3km of rock armour – with the works comprising resealing and improvements of existing revetments, some of which date back to the 1953 North Sea flood. This effort will safeguard 2,300 homes, vital infrastructure and industry, as well as precious habitats in the Stallingborough area.
Nigel Priestley, Senior Project Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “Aggregate Industries have provided a great service to Jackson and the Environment Agency by supplying the smaller rock to allow installation to commence in 2023, and then the larger rock from Oban, through the winter, impacted by numerous storms, in time for a March 2024 start.
“The option to deliver by boat from the UK has also saved a significant amount of carbon too and minimised transportation by road.”
The granite used in this project, known for its durability and longevity, is an ideal material for modern sea defences. With a lifespan exceeding 100 years, these specialist aggregates are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and dissipate wave energy, mitigating soil erosion and maintaining the natural integrity of the landscape.
Beyond its protective capabilities, the rock armour also promotes vegetation growth and facilitates habitat creation, aligning with Aggregate Industries’ commitment to environmental sustainability.
Yorkshire IT company gets boost from Theo Paphitis
A Cross Hills-based firm has received recognition and a business boost from retail guru Theo Paphitis.
Last week, Sara Haggas, Sales and Marketing Manager at Comprendo, posted about the business on the former Dragon’s Den star’s Instagram account during ‘Small Business Sunday’. As a result, Comprendo became one of six weekly winners to receive a repost to his half a million+ Twitter and Instagram followers.
The weekly initiative, set up by Paphitis in 2010, has created a network of over 3,500 Small Business Sunday winners championing small businesses throughout the UK.
Theo Paphitis, Chairman of Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue, said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week to highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club of like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. The website also gives a valuable profile to the winners chosen. I wish Comprendo every success.”
Comprendo specialises in providing remote desktop solutions for SMEs enabling users remote access to their data and systems. The firm services clients not only in its locality of Yorkshire and Lancashire, but across the UK.
Sara’s post on Small Business Sunday had referenced the recent global IT carnage caused by an erroneous software update, reflecting that “it has made us think carefully about the trust and confidence our clients put in us to keep their businesses running smoothly and efficiently every day of the year.”
Director, Daniel Hildred, said: “We’re delighted to have this sentiment from Comprendo recognised by Theo and very much value his support and the exposure that joining other #SBS winners will provide.”
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority awarded £3m for Skills Bootcamps
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has been awarded £3m from the Department for Education to continue and expand its Skills Bootcamps provision across the region.
Skills Bootcamps form part of the Government’s Skills for Life strategy, designed to help those aged 19+ onto the career ladder, transition back into work or progress in work while also helping employers meet skills needs across the region.
The courses are flexible and can last up to 16 weeks, whilst providing individuals with the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and an offer of a guaranteed interview with a local employer upon completion of the course.
Skills Bootcamps are a great opportunity for South Yorkshire residents to upskill and explore new careers opportunities in a variety of sectors.
Designed with employers, Skills Bootcamps courses are aligned to industry needs, bridging the gap between the regional skills demand and its supply.
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “This next set of funding is a huge achievement in helping to address the skills requirements of South Yorkshire.
“This next wave of Skills Bootcamps is another vital step towards us meeting the skills gaps across our communities and help us on our journey to creating not just a bigger economy, but a better economy.”
Barnsley care group continues expansion with acquisition
Barnsley’s Optimo Care Group has acquired CFT Care Limited.
Based in Clacton, CFT Care is a supported living and specialist care provider, established in 2014 by David Thompson. The company employs approximately 230 skilled staff members who deliver essential services to around 60 younger adults with learning disabilities and autism.
CFT Care operates around 44 purpose-built supported living units across multiple sites in cluster settings, all of which will be included in the acquisition. This acquisition also includes a portfolio of supported living development sites for future expansion.
Optimo Care Group will be retaining all current CFT Care staff members, ensuring continuity of care and stability for the service users. The company also plans to further expand the team to accommodate the anticipated growth in services.
Optimo supports thousands of people across the UK with a variety of complex and specialist support needs. An acquisitive strategy and strong organic growth over the last 18 months has resulted in the Group trebling its post-pandemic revenues. The Group comprises multiple subsidiaries, employing over 1,400 people across the UK.
Optimo is now aiming to double its revenues over the next two years.
The sale was facilitated by Redwoods Dowling Kerr. Optimo was advised by Freeths LLP (Legal), Hazlewoods LLP (Financial and Tax), Knight Frank LLP and Eddisons Commercial (Property). CFT Care was advised by Ellisons LLP (Legal) and TC Group (Tax).
Ben Hales, Group Projects Director and head of M&A at Optimo, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have finalised this deal and to welcome the CFT Care team into the Optimo family. CFT Care has built and maintained an excellent reputation in the Essex area. With significant potential for continued growth through new development sites in the pipeline, we are eager to begin working with the team to drive our shared vision forward.
“I would like to thank all of our teams who have worked tirelessly around the clock to make this deal happen. We couldn’t have accomplished this without their dedication and hard work behind the scenes. Additionally, I would like to extend a personal thank you to David for his cooperation and assistance throughout this process.”
Ryan Brummitt, Managing Director for Supported Living and Specialist services at Optimo Care Group, said: “At Optimo, our focus is always on providing the highest quality of care and support for our service users. The acquisition of CFT Care allows us to extend our reach and enhance our services, ensuring more individuals receive the compassionate and personalised care they deserve.
“We are thrilled to welcome the CFT Care team and look forward to collaborating closely to make a positive impact on the lives of those we support.”
Firms urged to employ more ex-services employees
Companies in south Lincolnshire are being urged to follow a local authority lead by employing more ex-services people.
Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren, South Kesteven District Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “Military personnel possess a wealth of transferable skills capable of enhancing any organisation.
“As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and holders of the Ministry Defence Employers Recognition Scheme, we are extremely proud to have so many military veterans working for the council.
“I would urge any company looking to recruit at any level to take a close look at employing ex-services personnel. There are really helpful employment websites supporting any company or organisation that signs the Armed Forces Covenant as a pledge to support defence.”
South Kesteven District Council has sixteen former Armed Forces individuals, mainly from the Army, now play key roles in the council’s waste and recycling and Street Scene teams.
They have transferred valuable skills developed from service with the Royal Logistics Corps, Infantry regiments, Royal Anglian Regiment and the Armoured Corps.
Others served with the RAF and the RAF Regiment, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and even the Household Cavalry. Service has included tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland.
Two members of the council’s keen-eyed and effective CCTV team are also ex-Army – the Royal Artillery and the Grenadier Guards – and the council’s head of economic development is from an Armed Forces background.
Cameron Greene now applies service skills developed with the Army’s Royal Engineers to managing the council’s Street Scene operation.
He said: “We now have nine ex-military on the Street Scene team, all dedicated to getting the job done as they used to do for the Armed Forces.
“In many ways the council suits those who have served in the military. There is a clearly defined structure, opportunities to progress and a great team spirit.”
Waste team HGV driver Cheryl Miller served with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. She said: “I drove Land Rovers, armoured personnel vehicles and Bedford four-tonners. I have always been a driver and have been able to transfer those skills.”
Cheryl, who initially gained her HGV licence to drive her family’s American motor home, joined SKDC during the Covid pandemic.
“My husband had an accident and I needed to work,” she said. “The Council needed drivers, I applied and here I am. I love the job!”
Another HGV driver, Mick Toms, served with the Royal Engineers. “I was in engineering after coming out of the forces but then went back into driving and this role really suits me.”
Employers can also claim National Insurance contributions relief if employing a veteran in their first year post-service.
Lomond acquires North Yorkshire estate and letting agent in milestone deal
Lomond has acquired a North Yorkshire estate and letting agent marking the firm’s 60th acquisition since LDC’s investment in 2020, as well as the 100th acquisition since the original business was founded in 2010.
The acquisition of Joplings, one of North Yorkshire’s oldest independent agencies, will see Lomond’s Linley and Simpson brand take over the business.
Whilst it’s one of the smaller deals Lomond has done to date, the deal itself is a significant one for a number of reasons.
Joplings is a well established business and Linley and Simpson’s primary competitor in the Ripon area, meaning that with its acquisition, Linley and Simpson is set to become the predominant presence within the local property market.
Linley and Simpson will take on all of the properties currently under management with Joplings, pushing Linley and Simpson to in excess of 15,000 properties under management, with the brand also taking the existing Joplings sales pipeline.
The deal also marks a very significant milestone for Lomond’s Acquisition Director, Robert Hamilton.
As one of the founding partners of the original Lomond business, Lomond Capital, in 2010, Robert Hamilton oversaw 40 acquisitions across the UK, helping to build the business from the ground up across a number of market regions.
Since Lomond Capital merged with Linley and Simpson in December 2020 to form the current Lomond business, Robert has managed the acquisition of a further 60 businesses across the UK, with the Joplings deal being Robert’s 100th.
Lomond’s Acquisitions Director, Robert Hamilton, said: “We’ve embarked on an incredible journey since the early days of Lomond Capital and I’m immensely proud to have overseen the acquisition of 100 businesses to date, from Scotland to the South coast, all of which have been strategically important in realising our aggressive growth ambitions.
“The credit goes to my highly professional team and the market leading acquisitions process that we’ve implemented. We’ve always prided ourselves on being a people first business and this starts with our employees and extends right through to our customers and the sellers of the businesses we acquire.
“For a seller, having your business acquired is an incredibly proud, life changing event, that allows them to realise the value they’ve built through sheer hard work and determination. It’s an intensely personal experience and one that needs to be recognised, acknowledged and managed with great care and respect.
“As the acquiring business, we’re an integral part of this and it leads to very strong relationships, so much so that I was even invited to the wedding of one of our business sellers.”
CEO of Lomond Yorkshire, Martin Elliott, said: “The acquisition of Joplings is one that has been ten years in the making and holds high strategic importance for the Linley and Simpson brand.
“We’re acquiring an extremely well-established and respected local business and, in doing so, we are cementing our position as the leading agent in the local area.”
Yorkshire firms more confident in their own business prospects in July
Yorkshire firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects strengthened in July, however weaker optimism in the economy meant the region’s overall business confidence fell month-on-month, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies’ confidence in their own business prospects climbed 12 points to 45% in July. However, when taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 35 points to 27%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36% (vs. 48% in June).
The Business Barometer also found that a net balance of 45% of businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up eight points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their teams, for example through training (40%), introducing new technology (29%) and evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (24%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall UK business confidence climbed nine points in July to a net balance of 50% – the same as in May when confidence reached an eight-year high.
Businesses’ confidence in their own trading prospects rose 12 points to 56% – the highest reading since April 2017. Meanwhile, confidence in the economy climbed six points to 45%.
Wales and the East Midlands (both 62%) were the joint-most confident UK regions or nations in July, followed by the East of England (61%).
Sector insights
There was an improvement across all sector categories this month – most notably in retail which rose by 25 points to a post-pandemic high of 60%. There were also significant gains in manufacturing trading prospects, with the net balance increasing by 9 points to a two-year high. Services rose 10 points to 56%, while construction saw a more modest increase by 2 points to 44%.
Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While overall confidence has fallen since June, it’s hugely encouraging that Yorkshire’s businesses are more optimistic when in it comes to their own prospects – a reflection of their resilience and the work they’ve done to position themselves for growth.
“We’ll be by their side as they pursue their ambitious – whether that’s supporting investments in their team, hiring new staff or implementing new technology.”
Management buyout sees change of ownership at Huddersfield firms
A management buyout of Huddersfield-based e-commerce retailer Interior Goods Direct and Green & Brown Ltd has been completed in order to further both company’s continued growth.
Led by MD Nigel Blakey, the buyout sees directors Job Brown (Operations), James Toase (Commercial), and Andy Thomson (Finance), taking a controlling interest in both companies. Darren Green who founded IGD in 2003, alongside its retail e-commerce business, BlindsDirect.co.uk, and G&B in 2010 will remain as Non-Executive Chairman for both organisations.
The buyout is said to underwrite ambitious plans for growth and provide greater employment and developmental opportunities for the 270 existing colleagues and future team members.
The buyout follows substantial multi-million-pound investments in both G&B, and IGD’s futures including the recent move to a new, 130,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Colne Bridge Road, Huddersfield. The business has also recently invested close to a quarter of a million pounds in sustainability initiatives including roof-mounted solar panels and energy efficient LED lighting.
Blinds Direct, IGD’s online retail ecommerce business, continues to grow its reputation as one of the UK’s leading blinds and home accessories specialists serving over 15 thousand customers per month.
Nigel Blakey said: “It is a very exciting time for the future of our companies. This buyout is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and belief in the potential of our company.
We are proud to be one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of made to measure blinds, curtains and shutters, based in Huddersfield, the traditional UK heartland of textiles. Unlike many online retailers we have our own manufacturing facility in the UK, and we are passionate about doing all we can to help our UK textile industries thrive and survive, not losing the deep heritage and skilled people that make our fantastic products.
With the buyout now complete, and a strong and ambitious team in place, we can focus on our plans for growth and to continue to implement a range of initiatives that will further strengthen our operations. While developing both companies, we also look forward to providing greater employment opportunities for the region, developing our existing team members, and delivering exceptional value and service for our customers.”
Darren Green, founder and non-executive chairman, said: “Founding IGD and G&B, and steering them on paths that have seen both businesses become well established in their respective sectors, has been an incredible experience. With Nigel and the team now in position, it’s an exciting time for both companies and I’m certain of a bright future for not only the businesses, but also the dedicated staff that have been instrumental in building them up to this point.”
Well-known HR professional takes up new role at Yorkshire law firm
Experienced HR professional Brendan Bah, who has spent almost 30 years working in both large-scale public and private sector organisations, has joined Yorkshire-based LCF Law’s specialist employment law division.
He joins the firm’s Leeds office as an employment law advisor and will support LCF Law partner and employment law specialist, James Austin.
In his new role Brendan will provide guidance on all types of HR related matters including disciplinaries, grievances and redundancies and will also be able to conduct disciplinary, grievance and other hearings on behalf of clients. Brendan will also draft and update contracts of employment and HR policies and procedures, and explain legislative changes.
Clients will include businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, including retained clients of LCF Works, which is LCF Law’s expert employment law and HR advice package.
He will also be involved with LCF Law’s presentations, including mock employment tribunals, which are free to attend and give employers the chance to see first-hand how an employment tribunal hearing works in practice.
Brendan has worked in HR since 1995 and most recently worked as HR business partner at ivolve Care & Support, which is one of the largest adult social care providers in the UK. Prior to that he was a HR advisor at Premier Farnell in Leeds and he’s also worked for the likes of Leeds Arts University, Fox’s Biscuits, Asda and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust.
Brendan said: “HR legislation is continually evolving, and employers must be aware of the latest changes so they can be included in policies and procedures. However, generally these are similar across most industries, albeit tailored to specific roles and businesses.
“Many businesses don’t have a dedicated HR person and need advice on implementing their policies and procedures or even want someone else to conduct meetings or hearings for them. As an experienced HR adviser this is one of the areas where I can add value to a business.
“My ethos is always about doing things the right way and finding the middle ground between employers and employees, so that people are dealt with professionally and sensitively, whilst ensuring it’s fair for both parties.
“Ultimately this fosters good employer and employee relations and I’m looking forward to implementing this with LCF Law’s clients, which are all sizes and in all industries. It’s also this variety which makes the role such an interesting and exciting opportunity.”
James added: “Brendan is vastly experienced and will be a great asset to our team. He’s handled every day HR issues but has also carried out complex projects like large-scale redundancies, and can act as an in-house HR manager and advisor for businesses as and when they require it.
“When this is combined with our legal expertise for more specialist matters, it adds to our already very compelling offering for businesses.”
Bradford Manufacturing Futures names Arup as new business partner for decarbonisation project
The Bradford Manufacturing Futures partnership, led by Bradford Council, has awarded a contract to global sustainable development and engineering consultancy Arup to help manufacturing companies across the district of Bradford decarbonise and move towards net zero.
Arup will work with several project partners to produce a district-wide Decarbonisation Master Plan. This blueprint will offer pathways to energy efficiency and an energy strategy with feasibility assessments identifying where renewable energy sources can be matched with industry requirements.
The consultancy’s work with the partnership will also produce a Prospectus for Inward Investment based on Industrial Decarbonisation. The Prospectus for the Bradford District is aimed at realising lowest cost renewable heat and power, to increase inward investment. It is anticipated that investment in renewables would be accelerated by the Industrial Decarbonisation Roadmap set out in the Master Plan, encouraging businesses keen to decarbonise to locate in Bradford.
The partners in the project are Solenis UK Industries Ltd, Calbee Group (UK) Ltd, Produmax Limited, Texfelt Ltd, Teconnex Ltd, Denso Marston Ltd, Bradford Council, CR Plus Ltd, University of Bradford with support from the business-led District Sustainable Development Partnership. The project partners are carrying out manufacturer site and cluster specific energy efficiency surveys, identifying opportunities for energy efficiency, fuel switching, and localised alternative energy to support manufacturing energy cost reduction and decarbonisation.
Bradford Manufacturing Futures is a local partnership delivering a collaborative, progressive and investible approach to decarbonisation. The £1m+ project has received Local Industrial Decarbonisation funding of £726,729 from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
This Council led project identifies opportunities for decarbonisation across the Bradford district in some of the highest emitting sectors such as Chemicals, Food, Basic Metals, Mineral Products and Metal Fabrication, which produce 52% of the district’s CO2 emissions. Manufacturing, core to Bradford’s success over centuries, faces existential energy cost and decarbonisation challenges. The sector is diverse, with 1,220 businesses accounting for 12.6% of jobs in Bradford District, generating 0.7Mtpa CO2 emissions.
Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are excited to be leading this groundbreaking project with partners from industry that will provide a district-wide roadmap for decarbonisation, an investment prospectus for the district and shared learning across manufacturers in the district and West Yorkshire region.
“Tackling climate change is important to Bradford, reaching the District Net Zero targets by 2038 will only be achieved if all organisations in the district are working together building a sustainable and prosperous economy that works in the interests of everyone to minimise waste and the use of finite natural resources.”
Catherine Darby-Roberts, Arup’s Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Leader, said: “It’s exciting to join the Bradford Manufacturing Futures programme and work with the project partners to deliver a decarbonisation roadmap for the district. This project is significant as it is led by manufacturing companies and the public sector, working together and recognising that clustering and a system-led approach will support wider regional decarbonisation.
“The roadmap will be impactful for major manufacturers, support individual companies to hit their net zero goals and incubate the growth of smaller businesses to engage and benefit from local investment. We’re pleased to collaborate with Bradford Council, Bradford University and wider partners to consider the district challenges, develop investable propositions and help secure a sustainable future for manufacturing in the city.”
The Bradford Manufacturing Futures project will run until the end of December 2024 when the results of the project will be shared with businesses across the district and beyond.
Mayor welcomes nuclear energy company to South Yorkshire as it seeks home for new facility
Mayor Oliver Coppard welcomed senior representatives of American nuclear energy company, Holtec, to South Yorkshire as the firm looks to select a home for its new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) facility after a shortlisting process of four potential sites around the UK.
Earlier this year, Holtec Britain – who have been working at Sizewell B for over 15 years – shortlisted South Yorkshire as a potential location for its new SMR factory in the UK.
The factory would present a major £1.3bn investment and job creation opportunity.
South Yorkshire is already home to the UK’s largest clean-tech cluster and has unique strengths in SMRs, Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation. South Yorkshire is aiming to become the natural home for these emerging clean energy sectors and engaging with Holtec on its new UK factory is a key part of this effort.
In May, Rolls Royce SMR chose South Yorkshire to become the home of its new multi-million pound facility which will manufacture and test prototype modules for SMRs, further strengthening the region’s clean tech credentials.
Representatives from Holtec and senior officers from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority visited three potential factory sites in the region. The Mayor and the Holtec delegation also met with senior business representative in the region to gain an insight into the region’s industrial heritage, strengths and potential for future growth.
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “South Yorkshire is already home of the largest clean-tech cluster in the UK and is at the forefront of nuclear tech, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels development. We’re leading the way on SMRs and have the talent, facilities and supply chains to go even further.
“I was pleased to welcome Baroness Brown and her colleagues from Holtec to South Yorkshire. We had the opportunity to highlight South Yorkshire’s world-class clean-tech and advanced manufacturing assets, and discuss our plans to maximise investment, jobs and supply chain development in this sector.
“Holtec’s plans to build a £1.3bn advanced SMR factory could support hundreds of high-paying jobs and their SMR Learning Academy would help to train the next generation of nuclear experts.
“Given our strengths in clean-tech and plans to lead the green energy transition, we believe we are perfectly suited to partner with Holtec and their project partners, Hyundai E&C and Balfour Beatty, to forge a new future together that benefits our communities and the planet.”
Holtec’s Senior Adviser, Professor Dame Julia King FRS FREng, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, said: “I’d like to thank the Mayor and his team for their gracious hospitality during our visit.
“South Yorkshire has world class higher education institutions, relevant skills base, great leadership, excellent connectivity and a proud history of advanced manufacturing. This really fills us with confidence as we move forward with our assessment of their bid.
“Holtec’s new UK SMR factory, wherever it is located, will be transformative – opening new export opportunities of £30bn over the next ten years. We already have agreements in place with Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Our investment will directly support 1,800 high paying UK jobs and approximately 16,000 in the UK supply chain in the decades to come.”
Libertine to engage insolvency practitioner
Libertine Holdings, a Sheffield-based developer of Linear Generator technology, is set to engage an insolvency practitioner following a failure to secure short-term funding.
The news comes after Libertine launched a strategic review in April, covering options including raising additional capital, sale of the company’s HEXAGEN technology platform and IP, and sale of the company. This was followed by news of a conditional investment offer from investors in India and the UAE of £2m. Should the proposed investment not complete as planned, the Board of the business noted it may seek the cancellation of admission of Libertine’s ordinary shares to trading on AIM and re-registration as a private limited company in order to attempt to undertake a solvent wind down of the business.This month (July 2024), the company announced that equity investors had concluded their due diligence and were in the process of depositing funds into either the company’s bank account or into a UK escrow account. Due to the timing of the processes required to transfer funds from UAE and India, however, the business was also seeking short-term funding from new or existing investors.
As of 29 July 2024, no funds had been received from the equity investors and Libertine had been unsuccessful in securing short-term funding.
Therefore, after consideration of the company’s current financial situation, the Board has concluded that Libertine should engage an insolvency practitioner to seek advice on next steps.
Trading in the company’s ordinary shares on AIM has been suspended.
Local authorities adopt joint approach to attract rail industry spending
Business Doncaster and Invest Goole, the economic development arms of their local councils, are working together to deliver an investment message for ‘Rail in Yorkshire’.
Victoria Poppleton, Sector Growth and Investment Team Leader for City of Doncaster Council, and Bekki Banks, Inward Investment Project Manager for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, recognised that working together collaboratively and developing a more strategic approach would help generate opportunities for private investors and create jobs for the growth of the local economy and the rail sector. Victoria said: “South and East Yorkshire already have a strong rail presence and, by working together, it can provide an even better base for investors to grow and develop.”
Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “This new partnership will deliver enhanced local investment messages, support growth and innovation and help to influence further investment across the rail sector. There is great potential by working together, reflecting the geography of the area whilst also acknowledging the commonalities between both locations allowing us to attract new rail companies to invest in the region.
“It’s great for neighbouring authorities to be working together in this way. There are naturally strong rail ties between both Doncaster and Goole, and this gives us an opportunity to build on our shared heritage and look ahead to the future,” she added.
Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “Goole and Doncaster share a postcode but also a can-do attitude to business and this mutually beneficial partnership will help develop the local economies of both areas. For international rail companies looking to invest in the UK, Goole and Doncaster combine to create a compelling offer that will help grow their business and support the exiting supply chains within the area.”
