Said NFU Head of External Affairs Scott Pepe: “Getting candidates on farm is a great opportunity to get across specific local issues, as well as informing candidates about the broader problems impacting farmers up and down the country. So far we’ve met almost 250 candidates on farms or in one-on-one meetings.”
Mr Pepe advises farmers:
1. Get in touch with your county adviser
2. Set the agenda
3. Plan an itinerary for the visit
4. Know your candidate
5. Come prepared with solutions
Farmers urged to get election candidates ‘down on the farm’
JMG Group cleans up with GLEAMING INSURANCE acquisition
Cleaning industry specialist GLEAMING INSURANCE is the latest broker to have been acquired by Leeds-based JMG Group.
GLEAMING INSURANCE brings cleaning industry expertise to JMG Group, offering bespoke insurance policies for cleaning professionals, underwritten by Hiscox Insurance. Launched by MD Martin Holden in 2011, the business will continue to operate as GLEAMING INSURANCE.
MD Martin Holden began his insurance career in 1989 as an underwriter for a large national
insurance company before a long career in the broking market. He went on to establish GLEAMING INSURANCE which provides direct online services with a strong customer focus as well as giving access to the scheme to other brokers and their clients.
Martin Holden says: “The business is in a very strong position and with the help of JMG Group this will allow us to build the brand further and become the go-to broker for all the cleaning industry’s insurance needs.
“JMG Group will help to open up market opportunities and support me in establishing and fostering even more partnerships. This move will also allow me to focus on its further development and growth.”
As part of JMG Group, GLEAMING INSURANCE will have access to a broader pool of expertise and market advantage from within the group which will support its ambitious plans.
Nick Houghton, JMG Group CEO, says: “The relationship we’ve built with Martin over the years made this acquisition a very easy decision for both of us to make. As a successful niche business Martin would have had his pick of investors and so I’m utterly delighted that he and his team have chosen JMG Group to support the business’s next chapter of growth.”
Renewed rise in Yorkshire & Humber business activity in May
The headline NatWest Yorkshire & Humber PMI® Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – posted back above the 50.0 no-change mark in May, rising to 50.5 from 47.3 in April.
The index therefore signalled a renewed expansion of output in the region’s private sector, ending a three-month sequence of reduction. That said, the rate of growth was only marginal and the slowest of the 12 regions and nations of the UK covered by the report.
The increase in business activity was in line with the picture for new orders, which also returned to growth during May. In turn, a renewed rise in employment was signalled. Meanwhile, input costs continued to rise sharply, albeit at a softer pace. Moreover, the rate of output price inflation was the slowest since September 2020.
May data signalled a renewed expansion in new orders at companies in the Yorkshire & Humber region, thereby ending a one-year sequence of decline. Greater sales volumes were reported by a number of companies, in some cases linked to successful advertising and improved market confidence.
That said, the rate of growth in new business was only fractional and weaker than the UK average.
Business sentiment was unchanged in May, remaining solid but just below the series average. More than half of respondents predicted a rise in output over the coming year, linked to business investment plans, plus expected improvements in new orders and economic conditions.
Manufacturers were more optimistic than their service sector counterparts.
Companies in Yorkshire & Humber responded to the return to growth of new orders by taking on additional staff in May. The slight rise in staffing levels ended a three-month sequence of job cuts.
Firms in the region increased employment to a slightly stronger degree than the UK average.
Although new orders increased in May, the marginal expansion was not strong enough to erase evidence of spare capacity in the region’s private sector. As such, backlogs of work decreased for the fifteenth consecutive month. The latest fall was solid, albeit the least marked for a year.
Outstanding business was down across both monitored sectors.
After hitting a one-year high in April, the rate of input cost inflation slowed sharply during May and was at a seven-month low. That said, input prices continued to rise at a marked pace. Where input costs increased, panellists reported higher wages and rises in prices for raw materials such as aluminium.
Service providers posted a much faster increase than manufacturers.
Although output prices continued to rise in May, the rate of inflation eased for the third consecutive month to the weakest since September 2020. In fact, the increase in charges in the region was the second-slowest of the 12 UK areas covered, faster only than the North West.
Some firms increased selling prices in line with higher input costs, but others indicated that muted demand had reduced their pricing power.
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair of the NatWest North Regional Board, said: “The latest PMI data for the Yorkshire & Humber region make for encouraging reading, with local firms seeing renewed increases in output, new orders and employment during the month.
“The hope will be that the recent soft patch is behind us and that growth can start to solidify and speed up over the coming months. One other development of note was that selling prices increased at the slowest pace in approaching four years, potentially providing a further boost to demand conditions.”
JMG Group motors ahead with latest acquisition
Leeds-based JMG Group has completed its acquisition of Eastbourne-based Executive Insurance Services, bringing additional commercial and motor trade insurance expertise to the business.
Directors Martyn Owen and Martin Davies will continue to lead Executive Insurance’s team of 18.
Martin Davies became a shareholder of Executive Insurance in 2010 and then the sole owner in 2012. His now business partner Martyn Owen joined Executive Insurance 13 years ago and is the director in charge of the broker’s day to day operations.
Director, Martin Davies, says: “We are proud of what we have achieved so far in our journey and have big plans for the future. JMG Group will provide the support to help make those plans a reality. The sale has been such a straight forward process, thanks to our internal processes and the expertise of JMG’s M&A team.
“As well as taking away some of the heavy lifting associated with running a broker, this will help us to further develop our team and continue to expand our client base.”
Tim Johnson, JMG Group chairman, says: “Executive Insurance Services is an ideal partner for JMG. Not only does the business extend our geographic footprint, it brings a specialist capability in the motor trade sector underpinned by an experienced team who share our client first ethos.
“This partnership will bring added value to our joint customers up and down the country and we’re excited to work together to further build on their successes to date.”
TDR Capital to become majority owner of Asda
TDR Capital has agreed to acquire Zuber Issa’s shares in Asda and will become the majority shareholder with 67.5% ownership.
TDR Capital invested in Asda alongside the Issa brothers, and together they took majority ownership of the business in June 2021.
Gary Lindsay and Tom Mitchell, Managing Partners of TDR Capital, said: “We first invested into Asda over three years ago, seeing a huge opportunity to cement its position as one of the UK’s leading retail brands.
“As majority owners, we will continue to work closely with the Asda management team and colleagues across the business to support its growth strategy, which we believe is the right one to continue to move Asda forward.”
GMB Union, however, has raised concerns about TDR Capital taking a bigger stake in Asda.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “TDR Capital has serious questions to answer about their asset-stripping of Asda.
“Their private equity ownership has already been bad for consumers – with Asda now the most expensive retailer for fuel – and bad for staff, with millions of working hours cut from the shop floor.
“Further involvement from TDR can only spell more bad news. Bosses must change course to protect Asda workers and stop this British retailer further losing more market share.”
Yorkshire law firm Gordons advises Warburton’s on 65,850 sq ft distribution centre pre-let
Law firm Gordons has advised Britain’s largest bakery brand on the pre-letting of a new, bespoke 65,847 sq ft distribution centre to be developed in Biggleswade, near Bedford.
Warburtons has agreed to take a 25-year lease of the distribution and office facility at developer Tritax Symmetry’s Phase 3 of the 150-acre Symmetry Park Biggleswade scheme.
The highly sustainable building, with on-site EV charging and solar PV arrays, is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.
A team led by Gordons commercial property partner, Sarah Ratcliffe, advised Warburtons on the deal.
Commenting on the support from the Gordons’ team, Jim Norton, head of distribution network transformation at Warburtons, said: “As the largest bakery brand in the UK, we have a responsibility to lead and constantly innovate. That’s not only true with our products but also with the facilities in which we bake and distribute.
“The practical commercial advice provided by Sarah and the team at Gordons played a pivotal role in enabling us to secure the pre-let of our new depot.”
Bolton-headquartered Warburtons currently produces more than two million products every day at its 11 bakeries, including one in Wakefield. It delivers fresh to 18,500 stores across the UK every morning from the company’s 18 depots.
Gordons’ Sarah Ratcliffe added: “It was a pleasure to advise Warburtons on the pre-let deal.
“The new facility will only serve to further strengthen Warburtons’ business. We look forward to seeing the state-of-the-art highly sustainable building coming to fruition now that the deal has been agreed.”
Wykeland adds Leeds office building to growing property portfolio
Leading Yorkshire property development and investment company Wykeland Group has acquired an office building in a prime location in Leeds city centre.
Elizabeth House is situated just off Wellington Place in the heart of the city centre and is a short walk from Leeds Station.
Wykeland has acquired the building from an institutional investor, which had owned it since 2014. The building comprises 25,000 sq ft across five storeys and includes 15 car parking spaces.
Elizabeth House is let to Clarion Solicitors, which was recently recognised as one of the fastest-growing law firms in Europe.
Wykeland Property Director David Donkin said: “We’re delighted to have acquired this property in a prime location in the centre of Leeds, the commercial capital of Yorkshire.
“It adds to our growing portfolio of buildings in key town and city centre locations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
“We’re continuing to actively explore opportunities to acquire properties that are in attractive locations and add value to our asset base.”
Sheffield renewable energy installer acquired
Hometree, the residential energy services company, has acquired Sheffield-based renewable energy installer IMS Heat Pumps.
Founded in 2015, Hometree has become a challenger brand in residential energy services. With an initial focus on home emergency breakdown and insurance, Hometree has since expanded into renewable installations and financing.
With demand set to surge for renewable energy installations, Hometree is in a prime position to accelerate the change from gas boilers to heat pumps and other renewable forms of technology across the UK.
With targets set to have 600,000 heat pumps installed by 2028, Hometree is capitalising on this switch to renewables by acquiring IMS Heat Pumps, which has pioneered heat pump installations across England and Scotland since 1997.
IMS Heat Pumps will gain access to Hometree’s customer base, its suite of financing products and insurance services.
Meanwhile, the acquisition will enable Hometree to bolster its engineering force and re-train more of its 5,000 engineers to be able to install, repair and maintain renewables.
Hometree founder & CEO Simon Phelan said: “I’m incredibly excited to be partnering with Emma Bohan and the IMS team and look forward to helping them scale the company significantly.
“If the UK is to achieve its net zero ambition, we will need an army of installers right across the country and we’re committed to bringing together these skills, supported by financing and in-life repair and maintenance services, to make Hometree the first choice for homeowners who want to do the right thing by the planet.”
Emma Bohan, Managing Director of IMS Heat Pumps, said: “We’ve been installing heat pumps for over 25 years and we’ve watched the renewable home energy industry grow and grow in that time.
“By partnering with Hometree, we can bring our specialist expertise to many more homeowners and look forward to working closely with the Hometree team to drive uptake of sustainable heating solutions across the country.”
HACS Group steps up as music festival sponsor
Independent building and construction services contractor the HACS Group has been named as sponsor of the Harrogate Music Festival, which started at the weekend and runs until Thursday.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “We’re delighted to announce that the Harrogate Music Festival has its very first title sponsor in The HACS Group, the leading independent building and construction services contractor.
“Arts sponsorship is vital to our work as a charity and we are thrilled that HACS have come on board with their support, and we look forward to building our Festival together in the future!”
Mark Smith, founder and MD of The HACS Group, said: “We are extremely proud of our association with Harrogate International Festivals which goes back many years.
“The Festivals’ team does an incredible job bringing world class music and culture to Harrogate and that is why we are delighted to become Harrogate Music Festival’s title sponsor.”
With experience ranging from roads and utility infrastructure projects to industrial, commercial and residential development, the reputation and growth of the HACS Group have been underpinned by their ability to provide the skills and services needed to complete, often complex projects, to the very highest standards.
This year’s Music Festival, which runs from June 8 to July 13, features an array of spectacular musical talent with artists from the worlds of classical, jazz, soul and dance music taking to the stage in Harrogate.
Former Leeds school site to be transformed into sports hub
A former school site in Leeds is set to be transformed into a state-of-the-art community sports hub.
Proposals for the new development – on land in Holbeck once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – were approved at a meeting of Leeds City Council’s south and west plans panel.
Work is now expected to start next year on the council-led project, which will include three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a two-storey building with facilities such as changing rooms, a gym and a café.
The building will also be home to a GP surgery and pharmacy, with these services contributing to the wide-ranging health and wellbeing benefits that the development as a whole will bring for local residents.
Other elements of the scheme will include the creation of a children’s play area and improvements to a portion of existing green space at the site, which covers 6.3 hectares and sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.
Outdoor seating areas, footpaths and a segregated cycle route are also planned, along with a 267-space car park and dozens of bike storage bays.
The scheme is one of three new sports hubs planned for Leeds as part of the national Parklife programme, which aims to deliver improved facilities for grassroots football using funding from the Football Association, the Premier League, Sport England, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the Football Foundation charity.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “This is a key milestone for a scheme that underlines our commitment to the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Leeds.
“The new hub will be a significant asset, not just for residents in Holbeck but also those in surrounding areas and indeed the whole of south Leeds.
“Crucially, its facilities will be affordable and accessible for all, providing more opportunities for the kind of physical activity and exercise that has really important health benefits.
“It will also have a positive social impact by bringing people together, whether that’s through participating in sport or simply spending time in its attractive outdoor spaces.
“I look forward to seeing the development taking shape and eventually making a lasting difference to Holbeck and Leeds.”
Funding for the scheme will be provided from a range of sources, with the bulk coming via external grant support.
Once built, the new hub will be leased on a long-term basis to a not-for-profit trust and managed by an outside operator.
Profits generated will be invested back into improving other community football facilities across Leeds, where there is currently a shortfall of full-size artificial pitches.
Over the last three years alone, around 5,000 football matches in the city have had to be postponed due to natural turf pitches being left waterlogged or otherwise unusable.
Parklife hubs are also planned for Thorpe Park in east Leeds and Woodhall Playing Fields near Pudsey, with another already up-and-running at Bodington Playing Fields in Adel.
Charity’s new web page offers firms guidance on supporting unpaid carers
Charity the Sheffield Carers Centre has launched a new business support webpage offering free advice for firms wanting to support unpaid carers, pulling together advice, information, and support.
A spokesman for the charity said: “Most businesses know they employ some unpaid carers, but there may be others they don’t know about. Many businesses support those carers but may want to look at other ways they can help. However, some businesses may not be sure how to start supporting their employees.
“Across the UK more than 600 people quit work to look after older and disabled relatives every day. We understand the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff as well as the difficulties carers in your workforce may face.”
It’s estimated there are over 10 million unpaid carers in the UK, and that 2.5 million of these are also in employment. The contribution these unpaid carers make to the person they care for (and to their local communities in general) is invaluable, says the charity.
Thirsk-based company switches to employee ownership
Thirsk-based wholesale distributor Crofter’s Foods has become the latest company to transfer its entire shareholding to an Employee Ownership Trust, with more than 10 staff becoming part-owners of the artisan food and drink business.
Founder Grahame Armitage is remaining within the business as director with Dave Wood as MD. Grahame said: “Transferring ownership into an EOT ensures the special culture and values of Crofter’s Foods live on for next chapter of the company.
“It is a just reward for the hard work and talent of our loyal team who have helped make the business such a success over the past 19 years.
“The move to employee ownership will provide a platform for further growth of the business and continuity of service for our valued customers under the people who know it best and are most committed to its future – its employees.”
Founded in 2005 by Grahame and Jane Armitage, the specialist company works with small suppliers to distribute chilled, frozen and ambient products wholesale throughout Yorkshire and the North East. It began as a small operation, collecting products from regional Yorkshire suppliers and delivering on a regular journey plan.
It has evolved through organic growth to become a long-term supplier to leading independent retailers, hospitality venues and supermarkets with more than 250 customers.
Accountancy Azets in Yorkshire provided deal and tax advisory services. Corporate finance partner Tariq Javaid said: “Crofter’s is a great Yorkshire business, promoting and selling great Yorkshire produce.
“With its family culture, values and quality of people, the company is well suited to employee ownership. It was a privilege to work with Grahame in assisting with the transition, and the business can look forward to the future with confidence under its new ownership structure.”
EOTs have been growing in popularity since they were introduced by the government in 2014. An EOT structure enables a company to become owned by its employees through the creation of a trust which becomes the majority owner of the business.
Drax wins Transatlantic award for carbon capture plans
Drax Group has been announced as the winner of a BritishAmerican Business Transatlantic Growth Award in the Midsize Growth and Investments category for its plans to deploy and develop the large-scale carbon removal technology bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the US.
In the UK, Drax currently generates around 8% of the UK’s renewable power and has played a crucial role in decarbonising the country’s energy system through converting North Yorkshire’s Drax Power Station to biomass generation. The company also plans to install two BECCS units at the Selby site.
BAB is a trade association that incorporates the British-American Chamber of Commerce in the US and the American Chamber of Commerce in the UK.
The organisation’s Transatlantic Growth Awards are an annual event, held to highlight the stories of businesses of all sizes that underpin the trade and investment relationship between the UK and the USA.
In 2024, Drax announced it would establish a new independent business unit which is focused on becoming the global leader in carbon removals. The new business will be headquartered in the Texas city of Houston, and will oversee the development and construction of new-build BECCS plants.
Duncan Edwards OBE, BritishAmerican Business’ CEO, said: “The strength of the US-UK trade and investment relationship is underpinned by organisations like Drax, who look across the Atlantic as a source of innovation, stability, and prosperity. We are pleased to recognise their commitment to investing in the future of carbon capture and sustainable energy in the United States.”
Hull business Spencer Group to create dock gate for historic vessel’s new home
Leading engineering specialist Spencer Group is to create a new dock gate as part of a £1.9m project to preserve an historic vessel.
The project to improve and repair Hull’s North End Shipyard is part of a wider £32m cultural regeneration project led by Hull City Council to celebrate the city’s rich maritime heritage.
The North End Shipyard is set to become the new home for the country’s last remaining sidewinder trawler, the Arctic Corsair, which will form a new visitor attraction when in place.
The city council has appointed Hull Esteem Consortium LEP as principal contractor for the shipyard project, with Spencer Group designing and delivering the vital lock gate element for the dry dock.
Spencer Group will remove the existing gate, before installing the new 15m by 6m, 50 tonne steel replacement from the River Hull following berthing of the vessel. The gate will then be sealed in place by forming a reinforced concrete wall, providing a permanent home for the Arctic Corsair.
Hull-based Spencer Group has already completed work to create a new home for another iconic vessel, the Spurn Lightship, as part of the Hull Maritime project.
The company created a new wet berth for the lightship in Hull Marina earlier this year which is set to become another local maritime visitor attraction in the coming months.
Neil Hewitt, Pre-Construction Project Manager for Spencer Group, said: “This is a really important project for us.
“The Arctic Corsair is one of the flagship vessels of the city’s maritime history and we’re extremely proud to be playing our part in preserving it for future generations. Having previously been involved in constructing her berthing outside the Streetlife Museum over 20 years ago, the business is proud to play its part in settling her into her new home.
“It means a lot to everyone at Spencer Group to deliver projects like this, particularly in our home city of Hull.”
Spencer Group’s multi-disciplinary skillset makes it the ideal company to deliver the complex project, which is expected to be completed in the coming months.
Mr Hewitt added: “We’ve completed the design and the new dock gate is currently being fabricated.
“We will soon be undertaking the on-site works to accommodate the new gate and the preparatory works to accommodate the Arctic Corsair and with her in place, compete the final works to create her new permanent home and allow the people of Hull to enjoy her once again.”
Spencer Group worked alongside principal contractor Hull Esteem Consortium LEP, and partners including the Environment Agency and other key stakeholders, throughout the design phase and will now move forward with plans for the delivery plan and execution of the phased approach.
Gavin Barley, General Manager for Hull Esteem said: “This is a new and challenging scheme in many ways, but a great opportunity for Hull Esteem and Spencer Group to work in partnership to regenerate one of Hull’s most important maritime treasures.
“We’re looking forward to being able to play our part in the much wider programme of works currently under development to create an exciting new maritime route that will guide visitors through the heart of the city.”
Gillian Osgerby, Programme Director at Hull City Council, added: “The North End Shipyard is steeped in maritime history. This area will be revitalised as part of the exciting plans to create a new visitor attraction for our residents and visitors to the city.
“To become the new home of the Arctic Corsair, a piece of technical work is needed to remove and replace the lock gate that connects the dry dock to the river Hull.
“We are looking forward to working with Hull Esteem Limited and the Spencer Group over the coming months to deliver this critical element of work.”
Matthew breaks new academic ground as Level 7 apprentice at Lindum Group
Law graduate Matthew Lill has become the first Lindum Group employee to achieve a Level 7 qualification, the highest level of apprenticeship available and equivalent to a master’s degree – whilst also doing a full-time job..
He spent a year working as a paralegal and two as an apprentice solicitor while completing his training and passing his Solicitors Qualifying Exam.
Matthew, who grew up in Lincoln and attended Priory City of Lincoln Academy before studying law at Nottingham Trent University, said: “After leaving school, I studied for an LLB Hons in Law, but to legally be able to refer to myself and practise as a solicitor, I needed to complete two years’ qualifying work experience and sit the SQE.
“When I joined Lindum in 2021, the promise of training was part of my contract and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received with my studies.
“I’ve learned so much on the job, too. I manage my own caseload of projects up to £20 million in value and get exposed to some great quality work by advising on a variety of different projects as well as assisting in defending and pursuing claims.”
During his course, Matthew worked under the guidance of Lindum’s Legal Services Manager Clifford Fearnley and our Apprentice Manager John Levey.
Lindum is currently supporting 30 apprentices and trainees through a variety of courses, including site-based skills such and bricklaying and joinery as well as office-based roles, such as quantity surveying and business administration.
Lindum Co-Chairman Freddie Chambers said: “I would like to congratulate Matt on completing his apprenticeship. It’s not easy to balance studying and full-time work but this is proof that it can be done if you have the right attitude and the right support.
“Lindum is well known for its construction work, but this is a reminder that our industry includes so many different career paths. Not only do we employ people in practical and technical roles, but our business includes experts in law, finance, marketing, HR and more.
“We are really pleased for Matt, whose hard work and commitment has paid off, and we’re delighted he is part of the Lindum team.”
Economy is picking up steam, says CBI
The latest CBI forecast points to encouraging signs that the UK economy is on track to gradually pick up steam over 2024 and 2025. After a strong start to the year, momentum will continue with GDP growth in 2025 anticipated to reach 1.9%.
The economy has struggled in recent years under the pressures of economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine war. GDP growth came in at only 0.1% over 2023, with the dual headwinds of high inflation and increased interest rates weighing on economic activity.
Louise Hellem, CBI Chief Economist, said: “It’s encouraging to see that the outlook for the UK economy is improving after a difficult 2023. However, we cannot afford to be complacent about our progress going forward. To ensure longer-term, sustainable growth, we must tackle our ongoing productivity problem.
“Our Business Manifesto sets out several policies to improve productivity and deliver prosperity through a positive vision for the UK economy. These include a cutting-edge trade and investment strategy, a Net Zero Investment Plan, and more support for firms to invest in AI – particularly where it can help in automation and super-charging productivity.
“Now in the midst of a General Election, political parties have an opportunity to prioritise the economy and unlock long-term, sustainable growth by using their manifestos to set out measures that will support business investment and propel growth for the next decade and beyond.”
The CBI’s latest UK Economic Forecast shows that:
- UK GDP growth is projected to rise to 1.0% in 2024.
- Momentum should continue in 2025, with GDP growth anticipated to reach 1.9% – broadly in line with the average pre-COVID growth rate (of 2.0% between 2010-19).
- Consumer spending is the main driver of growth, reflecting an improvement in households’ real incomes as inflation falls.
- Business investment is set to be weak in 2024 but will recover as GDP growth strengthens.
- However, productivity remains below its pre-COVID trend, signalling further action is needed to spur longer-term, sustainable growth.
PR company makes donation to Yorkshire mental health charity
Northern public relations and marketing company Clothier Lacey has donated £500 to Harrogate mental health charity Wellspring Therapy & Training.
This donation is part of Clothier Lacey’s on-going campaign to support mental health charities across the UK and to promote good mental health in the workplace.
Philippa Clothier, managing director of Clothier Lacey, explained: “This donation reflects our commitment to the Yorkshire community, in which we have forged significant connections over the years.
“With a diverse range of clients who have offices in Yorkshire, including Yorkshire Country Properties, Summers-Inman, TGA Consulting Engineers and Pickard Properties, alongside past partnerships with Caedmon Homes, AECOM, AtkinsRéalis (formerly Faithful and Gould), Gerald Eve and SES Engineering Services – our ties to Yorkshire run deep.
“Our donation to Wellspring emphasises our dedication to supporting initiatives that promote mental health and well-being, particularly during challenging times. As a result of unprecedented global challenges, the need for accessible mental health support services has never been more vital. By offering affordable private care tailored to the individual, Wellspring plays a pivotal role in addressing this need.
“Wellspring provides private counselling at affordable rates, easing the overwhelming demand on the NHS’s mental health services, and providing hope for children, families and individuals who are struggling with mental ill health and distress.”
Nick Garrett, Interim Chief Executive of Wellspring, said: “This much-needed donation is vital as it will help us improve peoples’ mental health. I can’t thank Philippa Clothier and the staff at Clothier CL enough for their generosity.”
Wellspring Therapy & Training is based at 78 High Street in Starbeck. The charity, which was founded in 2003, provides affordable short and long-term counselling for the Harrogate and district community.
Wellspring hopes to be able to counsel 220 clients by the end of next year, building on the 170 now on the charity’s books.
“Perfect fit” found as Bafta award winner sells York company
Ben Giles has described Omniplex Learning as the “perfect fit” for his company Matobo following its sale.
Matobo was founded by Ben and Cath Giles in 2012 and provides cyber security awareness training to the private and public sectors, having worked with clients which include the BBC, London Fire Brigade and around 20% of UK local authorities.
A BAFTA award-winning filmmaker for work that featured Sir David Attenborough, Ben writes, edits and publishes York-based Matobo’s digital content used in its online training programme.
Among its flagship courses is Cyber Ninjas, a unique series of e-learning modules which are certified by the National Cyber Security Centre.
“We take immense pride in the quality of training we provide to our customers,” said Ben Giles. “Omniplex Learning was a perfect fit to build upon our work by supporting our customers and enhancing our training and services.”
Omniplex, based in St Albans, has added Matobo to its existing suite of digital learning products and services which offers authoring tools, learning management systems, seamless digital adoption and expert in-house design, content and training services.
“Our customers have identified cyber security as a critical and evolving challenge,” said Patrick Jocelyn, CEO of Omniplex Learning. “The costs of a successful cyber breach to a business are substantial, both financially and reputationally.
“By integrating Matobo’s industry-leading courses into our portfolio, we are poised to provide our customers with digital learning in areas that are of the utmost importance to them.
“We plan to expand our offerings to address the new security and GDPR challenges associated with AI and other threats. This will complement our Good e-Learning digital transformation courses which we acquired just over a year ago.”
Omniplex Learning is backed by private equity investor LDC, with which it partnered in December 2020.
Nathan Leah, KBS Corporate Associate Director, who advised on the sale, said: “I strongly believe Matobo will continue its success story in conjunction with Omniplex, who are a sophisticated and high calibre operator. I wish all parties the very best for the future.
“Special thanks to Harriet Jones of Mackrell Solicitors for her diligence and collaboration throughout.”
Sausages powered by sunshine…food producer invests in sustainability initiatives
Bedale-based HECK! Food has invested in solar energy production at its HQ in Kirklington. The company has installed 433 solar electricity panels, capable of generating 200,000 kwh per year, 20% of the factory energy.
Jamie Keeble, HECK! co-founder, said the installation of solar panels was “an additional effort to make sure that we’re being sustainable from a factory perspective and also to support our journey to net zero. We’ll be saving 45 tonnes of carbon per year.”
The project has received a £49,950 grant of the total £150,000 investment from the UK government through the UK shared prosperity fund.
Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire Council, says: “Supporting the decarbonisation of the county is a key priority for the council. It is brilliant to see this grant have such a positive impact in supporting HECK! Food to install solar panels. Manufacturers of quality products like HECK! are an important part of the economy and it is vital they’re supported to reach net zero.”
In addition to the solar panels installed on site, HECK! is working on a programme of sustainability initiatives in its journey to net zero. Part of this work has been the launch of the HECK! “Care Code” to work on initiatives across health, environment, community and kindness.
“Our Care Code is a four-pronged approach that leads to a better HECK! and a better world. It stands for ‘Health, Environment, Community and Kindness’,” continues Jamie. “We are quite unique in the industry as we make all our sausages, meatballs and burgers at our HECK! factory and we’re the only premium brand who makes their own food.
“We’ve made a commitment to our consumers and retail customers to show a transparent sustainability journey. We have measured our Scope 1 and 2 industry standards emissions for three years now, and as such we’ve managed a 30% reduction in our emissions.
“We recently measured Scope 3 emissions and are now identifying opportunities to reduce emissions further. Our first annual impact report will be published this year which charts our climate impact across our supply chain.”
First Chief Executive of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority appointed
The first Chief Executive of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been appointed.
James Farrar is currently Interim Head of Paid Service and Director of Economy at the Combined Authority.
Prior to the formation of the Combined Authority in January this year, James was Chief Operating Officer of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and played a leading role in the development and implementation of the region’s historic devolution deal.
The deal enables powers and funding to be moved to the region, with delivery led by an elected Mayor and the new Combined Authority.
The Combined Authority will deliver £112 million of investment in 2024/25. This includes a £67 million local transport fund, £12.7 million for brownfield housing, £10 million of green economy investment, £2.9 million for skills provision – including the implementation of a devolved adult education budget – and the annual £18 million Mayoral Investment Fund, which will be used for mayoral priorities.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “James’ passion, commitment and understanding of the region stood out in interview and I look forward to building on our already strong relationship.
“This is a key appointment for the Combined Authority and James will lead the Senior Leadership Team, providing the vision and drive to ensure we build a Combined Authority that is trusted and delivers across the region.
“A key first job for James will be to complete the Senior Leadership Team and set out the plans to deliver the ambitions of myself and the wider Combined Authority. We secured a great devolution deal and need to ensure we have the team and resources in place to make a real difference to our communities across the region.”
James Farrar said: “Having led the development and negotiation of the devolution deal, I am proud to now have the opportunity to work alongside the Mayor to turn this into reality and make a real difference to the communities across York and North Yorkshire.
“Success will see all parts of York and North Yorkshire benefit and to achieve that we will need to work locally across the whole area. I am committed to ensuring partnership is embedded in our operating model. Born and raised in the region, I am incredibly passionate about the area and have a deep understanding of the opportunities within York and North Yorkshire.”
A start date for the Chief Executive is to be determined. A recruitment process will take place to fill James’ current position of Director of Economy.
News of the Chief Executive follows the appointment of Mike Russell as the Combined Authority’s Director of Resources. Mike previously worked in senior roles at Tees Valley Combined Authority and at director level within the further education sector.
Mike Russell said: “As I step into my new role at the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, I am thrilled to be part of an organisation that is driving long-term positive change across the region. I look forward to joining the team, contributing to the Authority’s ambitious vision, and playing my part in delivering a meaningful impact on the lives of residents.”
