Stonegate Tooling acquires stone machinery supplier
Stonegate Tooling has acquired National Masonry Ltd. The East Riding of Yorkshire-based firm says the takeover is part of the next stage in its growth plans and widens the portfolio of products it offers.
National Masonry Ltd, also known as Stone Equipment International, headed by Managing Director Andy Bell, has been the UK supplier of Marmo Meccanica machinery, primarily focusing on edge polishing machines, since 2010.
National Masonry Ltd’s business model focuses on enabling fabricators to save money on costly repairs, by part exchanging their existing machinery for newer and more effective models.
Andy Bell will be staying on with Stonegate and National Masonry Ltd in a consultancy capacity.
Stonegate Tooling Managing Director, Graham Hazell, said: “Our mission is to put innovation at the core of our business and provide valuable advice that leads to an impeccable customer experience. We do this by working with fabricators and listening to their challenges, in order to provide the solutions and support they need to excel in what they do.
“An established business like National Masonry Ltd, which has been brilliantly run by Andy for 30 years now, is a perfect addition to the Stonegate portfolio of solutions. We look forward to carrying on the excellent work and working closely with a prestige company like Marmo Meccanica.”
Former National Masonry Ltd Managing Director Andy Bell said: “It goes without saying that National Masonry Ltd is very, very close to my heart. When I made the decision to step away from the business, I wanted to ensure that it was passed on to a safe pair of hands.
“I assessed many options within the UK market and discovered that the values and ethos of Stonegate were close to, not only my own, but also those of Marmo Meccanica. I will be staying with the business in a consultancy basis and am excited to be part of the next stage in the progression of National Masonry Ltd and Marmo Meccanica in the UK market.”
Connectus Business Solutions snaps up managed services customer base of PC Support Company
Business managed service specialists Connectus Business Solutions has made another acquisition as it grows across the north-west.
In a major new deal, the Doncaster firm has acquired the entire IT managed services customer base of The PC Support Company (PCSC), based in Scunthorpe.
It follows Connectus’ acquisition of Mango Tech in September and IT 4 Growth in April.
Roy Shelton, CEO of the Connectus Group, said: “As part of our ambitions for organic and inorganic growth plan, I am delighted to announce we have acquired the IT managed services customer base of PCSC.
“This brings together around 50 businesses who consume a very similar range of products, principally the Microsoft stack, which we can expertly integrate.
“The deal benefits all our customers and will ensure they get access to a great range of hosting, telephony, and cyber security managed services enhanced in a cost-effective, robust and secure manner.”
Gainsborough firm invests £1m in emission reduction technology
Gainsborough-based Eminox has invested more than £1m in machinery to help meet customer demand for its exhaust after treatment systems.
The investment has seen significant operational improvements in its manufacturing areas to allow the installation of key equipment which enhances production facilities and brings tangible benefits to all our stakeholders.
The Comas automated canning line which provides flexibility and consistent quality in volumes to suit customer demand for our exhaust aftertreatment systems, helping to support customers across many industry sectors including maritime, on road, power generation, agriculture, non-road mobile machinery, and rail.
This is complemented by a Comas servo press with a capacity of 80 tonne, delivering enhanced features including precision control over both speed and position and the large bed area can accommodate larger tools meaning greater flexibility for customers.
The press is driven by twin servo motors rather than being hydraulically powered. This gives greater flexibility in meeting operational and production targets for pre-forming and final forming strokes and unique programming for each tool to ensure quality and precision in manufactured components.
Finally, a large-scale exhaust aftertreatment welding platform has brought an enhanced level of accuracy to production capabilities, allowing us to support some of the largest engine manufacturers in the world with precision engineering, particularly in the maritime and power generation sectors.
The installation of Indeva lifting equipment has reduced the amount of manual lifting and manoeuvring of our products carried out by our workforce through assisted lifting for a seamless operation.
Additionally, the installation of Kardex units to streamline our inventory management and create more manufacturing space also reduces potential risks for our team, bringing HSE benefits.
Greg Kent, Operations Director, said: “These investments support our vision for the business and also our Environmental, Social and Governance values that are helping to determine the future of the business.
“By improving efficiencies, reducing risk, and considering the impact we make in all aspects of our business operations, we will maintain our reputation as a pioneer of emissions reduction technologies and as a responsible supplier, customer and employer.”
Motor group expands its presence in Lincoln with move to larger premises
Dack Motor Group has invested £100,000 in relocating its car and van body repair and restoration operation from a 3,000 sq ft building in Lincoln’s Doddington Road to a 9,500 sq ft unit in Station Road, North Hykeham, formerly occupied by Cromwell Tools.
The motor company’s new site, part of Lindum Group’s property portfolio, includes a spray booth big enough to accommodate the largest vans so that painting can be done in one go without the need to remove panels.
There is also new office and reception space, and the generous floor area means there is ample room for customers’ vehicles, as well as supplies and tools.
Five vehicle technicians, a receptionist and manager Dave Hornsey work at the new body shop and there are plans to take on two more technicians and an extra receptionist.
Mr Hornsey said: “Since re-locating, we have already had so many people asking us to take more work on, whereas previously we did not have the space to do it. The new spray oven is 12ft high which means it’s big enough to get a Mercedes Sprinter in for painting – previously we had to remove the panels for painting separately.
“We use less gas as a result so it’s a greener way of working. Our technicians are qualified and experienced in repairing electric, diesel and petrol vehicles. All paint is mixed on site and all metal, oils and bumpers are recycled.”
Goole-based Venari Group announces £10m equity investment
Goole-based Venari Group, which makes emergency vehicles, has announced a £10m equity investment from shareholders to secure long-term growth and support for its customer-focused innovation programme together with skilled British manufacturing jobs.
Managing Director Mark Brickhill said: “Venari’s ambulances are built and tested to the very highest standards which are subject to VCA Conformity of Production auditing once certified. Our paramedics, crews and patients deserve nothing less and I am proud of our team of engineers, skilled coachbuilders, auto-electricians and fabricators who together have made this possible.”
Ensuring these high standards sees the group uniquely placed to embark on significant growth in ambulance production for the NHS, its supporting private fleet operators, and export customers. Deliveries this financial year will top 800 vehicles, with the ambition to grow further in the coming years following the latest investment, together with a likely consolidation of production at the Group’s site in Goole which this year celebrates 35 years of British manufacturing. Venari’s latest innovation is an industry-leading all-electric Ford Transit Patient Transport Service vehicle which was unveiled at the Emergency Services Show, at the NEC, in September.
To ensure that the business remains cost-competitive at Goole, Venari proposes to end production at its Brighouse, with all their shop-floor workers being offered comparable roles at Goole, together with financial incentives to retain them. Mr Brickhill added: “This investment will allow us to offer more highly skilled British jobs, together with a growing apprenticeship programme, in Goole which is the UK’s oldest, and largest, ambulance manufacturing site. We are starting the employee consultation process today to ensure that together we both maximise job retention and deliver the best value to our customers.”
Venari’s envisages significant further investment at Goole driving production efficiencies, increased capacity, speed and improved customer service, whilst streamlining operations and supporting the Group’s commitment to being carbon neutral by 2027. The company’s investment plans will see it continue to develop as a specialist vehicle converter. This year already over 100 armoured vehicles have been delivered to Ukraine, a state-of-the-art Drone Command Vehicle was showcased at the Emergency Services Show together with partner Heliguy™, and the Venari Team are currently developing a new high-tech range of Rapid Response Vehicles using light-weight materials from the aviation industry to minimise weight.
The company has also announced it is in negotiations over the sale of its firefighting division to former CEO Oliver North, securing some jobs in the Brighouse area, following a period of due diligence and employee consultation. Mr North’s new business, North Fire Engineering, will then continue vehicle production and equipment distribution into the firefighting industry supported by its world-class engineering, production and sales team.
Mr Brickhill added: “Venari will continue to invest in Yorkshire with over 90% of our supply chain spend supporting other British businesses. That is why there is a 2.4 times return for every pound invested by the Government in Britain. I therefore urge the UK Government to buy British, which will both protect skilled manufacturing jobs and support our economy.”
Tevalis secures £11.5m investment for expansion
Tevalis, the leisure and hospitality electronic point of sale (EPOS) solution providers, has secured an £11.5 million investment from BGF.
Headquartered in Hull and with more than 800 customers across 2,000 sites, Tevalis provides EPOS solutions to help leisure and hospitality operators manage, streamline and deliver their food and beverage operations.
Founded in 2005, by CEO James Cook, Tevalis has scaled organically to more than £8 million of annual sales. With BGF’s funding, the business has ambitions of trebling recurring revenues over the next three to five years. This will be supported by additional investment in sales and marketing, product and partners, as well as looking at potential opportunities for international expansion.
James Cook, founder & CEO of Tevalis, said: “It was important for us to find an investment partner who understood our sector and could take a long-term, patient view. We also wanted an investor who could help us scale and take the business to the next level – in BGF, we have that and we are looking forward to leveraging their network over the coming months and years to support our growth.”
As part of the deal, Rob Caul has been appointed as non-executive chair, following an introduction via BGF’s Talent Network – one of the largest groups of board-level non-executives in the UK and Ireland.
Caul brings with him a wealth of experience in scaling innovative software businesses, having founded, scaled and taken Kallidus, a HR software business, through multiple rounds of private equity investment.
The deal was led by Rob Johnson and James Baker – investors in BGF’s Yorkshire and North East team.
Rob Johnson, investor at BGF, said: “We’re excited to be investing in a high-quality technology business of scale, with an ambitious growth plan.
“Operating in a fragmented market, James and the team have done an impressive job in establishing the Tevalis brand, with clear opportunities to increase market share, both at home and abroad. We look forward to building on the excellent relationship we’ve built with James through the deal process.”
National Park Authority names Derek twine as new Chair
Former chief exec of the Scouts Derek Twine has become the Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority replacing Neil Heseltine, who has completed a four-year term.
Mr Twine was elected today by the 25-Member board of the National Park Authority, and said the National Park Authority had much to do, working with partners on nature recovery, carbon reduction, rights of way, helping local councils to provide more affordable housing and supporting young people.
“Why did I put myself forward for this role? Because there is so much good already being done by the National Park Authority, right across the Dales, yet there’s so much more that needs to be done – and that has to be done,” he said.
“The most important issue we are working on at the moment is the development of the new five-year National Park Management Plan. This will set out our plans, and those of many other organisations who operate in the National Park. The coming years are crucial as we attempt to reverse the decline in nature and mitigate against the worst impacts of climate change.
“As a planning authority we are also working on a new Local Plan, which will set out policies for development in the National Park for the next 15 years.”
Mr Twine said he would be keen to draw on his experience leading the Scouts. “Young people are the future. There’s even more we can do on apprenticeships, on building on the success of our youth volunteering programme, and on making sure young people are able to shape our policies and plans.
“Then there are our bread and butter work programmes to keep up: rights of way maintenance and access, development management and farm conservation. On the latter, we want to build on the success of the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme and engage with a new Government on its plans for land use. In particular, we need to ensure the Environmental Land Management schemes are working well for upland farm businesses.”
£5.8m project redeveloping vacant York office building into residential accommodation completes
A £5.8 million project to redevelop a vacant office building into city residential accommodation in York has been successfully completed.
York-based property specialist Helmsley Group, the owner of the three-storey Gateway Two building located in Holgate Business Park, has led the project with development work delivered by Artium Construction.
The 14,472 sq ft building has been transformed into 35 modern one-bedroom apartments, offering both permanent and rental accommodation.
Each apartment features open plan living with an integrated kitchen, contemporary bathroom, air source heat pump and large windows.
Tom Riddolls, development surveyor at Helmsley Group, said: “Helmsley Group has an enviable reputation for completing change of use projects of this type alongside delivering affordable residential accommodation for people in York and beyond.
“With a scarcity of residential space across York, we are already seeing demand from residential buyers and buy to let investors at Gateway Two. The development is ideally placed to provide a much needed offering to the city and its residents, and will bring a host of benefits to the local economy.”
Garry Shaw, director at Artium Construction, added: “The valuable repurposing of office space to residential, particularly in key city locations such as York where suitable accommodation is at a premium, is a priority for Artium Construction and we were delighted to join Helmsley Group on this project.
“Gateway Two further evidences how our expertise and experience can have a transformative impact on the built environment and with an established and healthy project pipeline, we are confident of delivering continued excellence for our client partners, including Helmsley Group.”
Partners on the project include Walker Dsp Architects, Ousebank Consultancy, Gallagher Planning, WA Consulting Engineers, HG Consulting Engineers, RDS Safety Management, LHL Group and Cook Brown.
Rats run riot to raise money for East Yorkshire charity
Hull Trains is supporting a sculpture trail which will see six-foot tall rats across East Yorkshire raising money for the Daisy Appeal charity.
The company has partnered with the ‘Mischief of Rats’ exhibition, which will be installed in the summer of 2025, as a tribute to the Hull band ‘The Rats’. The rockers included guitarist Mick Ronson, who was also famously part of David Bowie’s ‘Spiders from Mars’.
The launch of the project coincided with the annual Humber Business Week. All proceeds will go towards The Daisy Appeal, a charity based at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, where it raises funds to help with the detection of cancer, heart disease and dementia.
Lou Mendham, Service Delivery Director at Hull Trains, said: “The Daisy Appeal is an inspirational charity and we’re very pleased to play a small part in supporting them providing cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art facilities. We are proud to be the first organisation to partner with this great project and looking forward to it being installed next year.”
Previous trails have attracted many thousands of extra visitors, who travelled to the city to see unique and colourful sculptures decorated by a wide variety of artists.
Rick Welton, Co-director of the project, said: “We’re thrilled that Hull Trains have come on board with this initiative. This is our most radical animal sculpture trail yet and we couldn’t do this without the support of brilliant local businesses.
“Our previous trails Puffins Galore, A Moth for Amy and Larkin Toads have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. We’re hoping for a repeat of that success when we auction off the rat sculptures at the end of 2025.”
Claire Levy, Fundraising Manager for the Daisy Appeal, said: “We’re excited that A Mischief of Rats will be raising substantial funds in such an imaginative and high-profile initiative. The auction proceeds will be vital to improve the life chances of patients living with cancer, heart disease and dementia in our region.”
Pat Coyle, Chair of Humber Business Week, said: “It was exciting to have the sculpture trail launched during Humber Business Week to celebrate the life and times of one of Hull’s great music legends, Mick Ronson.
“The support that Hull Trains have given to this remarkable project is a testament to their ongoing engagement with the cultural sector and highlights the importance for organisations to support local initiatives wherever they can.”
Bed manufacturer relocates Bradford manufacturing base
Bradford-based Wow Lifestyle, which manufactures beds and mattresses for leisure and hospitality sector clients such as Haven Holidays, Parkdean Resorts, Butlins and Scape student accommodation, is relocating its manufacturing base within the city.
The firm, which employs 22 people in Bradford, is relocating from its 20,000 sq ft premises at Wyke Mills and has acquired the historic 36,500 sq ft Stone Hall Mill in the Eccleshill area of the city.
Wow Lifestyle Managing Director, Darren Stega-Jones, said: “We are really keen to stay in Bradford after 15 years in the city. Having our own larger building means we can put down more permanent roots and will enable us to invest in sustainability and to switch to using renewable energy.”
He added: “We have just appointed one new experienced upholsterer to our team and have plans to create further new jobs in the coming months as we develop and expand our product range.”
The four-storey Stone Hall Mill was built around 1850 and was originally used as a woollen mill. Following a refurbishment programme, Wow will use its new premises to manufacture its range of beds and mattresses.
Leeds-based GV&Co acted on behalf of Wow in its purchase of the property. Eddisons acted jointly for the vendor with Bradford property agent Sharma Williamson.
ABP joins startup accelerator programme
Associated British Ports has joined the ‘Energy Ventures Accelerator’ to help promising startups scale their businesses in high-growth energy sectors such as hydrogen, floating wind and low-carbon fuels.
The Energy Ventures Accelerator will be delivered in partnership with Plug and Play, the world’s leading innovation platform and venture capital investor. ABP is the first UK port operator to partner with Plug and Play, which has a world-wide network of over 550 corporate partners and 65,000 startups in its network.
The announcement comes as ABP recommits to its mission of Keeping Britain Trading whilst signalling its intention to place increasing emphasis on Enabling the Energy Transition. This is underpinned by the company’s commitment to safety, sustainability and its people.
As part of the project, ABP joins Plug and Play’s global network of industrial, energy and technology companies, all with a common interest in connecting with leading-edge innovation in order to diversify, protect and expand their businesses. ABP will focus on developing focused centres for industrial decarbonisation in the Humber, floating offshore wind in South Wales and maritime decarbonisation in Southampton.
With major development sites and a customer base of blue-chip energy, industrial and shipping customers, ABP is uniquely placed to support start-ups access the key demand centres for their products. As they grow, they will have ready access to the port infrastructure needed to export to global markets.
ABP CEO Henrik L. Pedersen said: “The energy transition is both a huge challenge and an opportunity. Partnership and innovation are going to essential if we are to collectively rise to the challenges and grasp the opportunities.
“ABP is excited to use our assets to support the best and brightest companies to prosper, and these companies will be ABP’s customers of the future, bringing good jobs and investment into our port communities, while also supporting the UK’s energy transition and economic growth.”
Working across a wide range of different industries, from transport and sustainability to fintech and energy, Plug and Play is the most active global early-stage Venture Capital investor and seeks to build a globally recognised, open innovation platform, rooted in collaboration between corporates, startups, government and academia.
Kieran Borrett, Director at Plug and Play UK, added: ”I’m thrilled about this partnership because we believe that startups have a lot to gain from working with ABP and their industry partners. Ports are the connector of logistics, heavy industry and energy – they are crucial to UK’s energy transition. ABP’s assets and clear sustainability commitments make them the perfect partner for ambitious start-ups in the energy transition space.”
Horse rescue charity puts 17 jobs at risk in response to £2.5m funding deficit
Horse rescue charity Bransby Horses has put 17 jobs at risk of redundancy as it works to fill a predicted £2.5m black hole in its finances.
CEO Jo Snell said: “Like many other charities, we’ve seen our running costs rise exponentially in recent years due to various external factors including soaring food and energy prices and increasing rates of pay in the employment market. As a result, the cost of delivering our equine welfare and estates work across our two sites, Bransby and Barlings, has risen by over 50% since 2018.
“Despite the incredible generosity of our supporters, we’ve unfortunately seen the gap between our expenditure and our income widening in recent years, to the point where we are currently forecasting an unsustainable £2.5m deficit this year.”
She said the organisation had begun to address this mismatch several years ago be introducing several measures aimed at lowering costs. ” However, while these measures delivered £450,000 in savings over an 18-month period, it became clear that more action was needed to address the ever-widening gap. Consequently, we launched a comprehensive review of our operations in November 2023.
“As a result, we’ve sadly identified 17 roles at all levels within the organisation, including our senior leadership, equine welfare and support service teams, that are at risk of potential redundancy.”
She said the organisation was devastated that rising costs had led to this position, and was committed to doing everything it could to support everyone affected through this difficult process.
She added: “While the new operating model will significantly reduce the £2.5m deficit, it will not eliminate it. As a second phase of this project, we’re reviewing all charity assets and facilities with our new structure in mind to identify any further cost reduction or income generation opportunities. This stage of the process is already under way, and we anticipate it will be completed by the end of this year.”
The award-winning Visitor Centre in Bransby will remain open as usual (five days per week, including the Café, from Wednesday through to Sunday), providing the opportunity to learn about equine welfare and meet some of the hundreds of horses, donkeys, ponies and mules currently homed at the site.
Phase one of landmark Skegness Tower Gardens landscape renovations complete
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has finished delivering the first stage of works as part of a masterplan to reinvigorate the historic Tower Gardens in Skegness.
On behalf of Skegness Town Council, who are developing the site with Heritage Lincolnshire through SCAPE’s Regional Construction Framework, G F Tomlinson worked alongside Influence Planning and Design and Gleeds to complete the £590k initial phase.
The completion of the project was marked with a ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony earlier this month, with Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Jimmy Brookes, Town Clerk, Steve Larner and G F Tomlinson’s Framework Manager for SCAPE, Craig Stopper, in attendance, along with local councillors and representatives from Heritage Lincolnshire, Influence and Gleeds.
The first stage of the Tower Gardens Masterplan formed part of the Towns Fund Grant Scheme and was safely delivered whilst the park remained open to the public, ensuring availability for continued use of the amenities with minimal disruption.
Landmark works included the refurbishment of the pond and its perimeter railings as well as the reinstatement of the pond pump, together with enhancements to overall accessibility through the re-levelling of the land and re-routing of footpaths. A specialised sensory area was created around the bandstand of the historic site for the local community to enjoy, where planting by the project team and members of the local community was undertaken as part of a community planting day held in March.
The enhancement works will ensure that Tower Gardens continues to provide a valuable and accessible central space for Skegness residents to enjoy, bringing people together for community events and outdoor activities.
In support of the local community, G F Tomlinson sourced 58% of its labour for the scheme from within a 40-mile radius of the site, providing local job opportunities for the region. Alongside this over 99% of construction waste for the project was diverted from landfill, reducing the environmental impact on the community.
G F Tomlinson has a long-standing relationship with Skegness Town Council having previously delivered the Tower Gardens Pavilion back in 2020.
Adrian Grocock, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It has been a pleasure to be working alongside our long-term client, Skegness Town Council, once again to bring the first phase of the vision for the Tower Gardens landscape renovations to life, reinvigorating a historical central landmark so that residents can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
“The scheme fully compliments our earlier project on the Tower Gardens Pavilion. The team and all suppliers have worked exceptionally well together to overcome operational and design challenges in a fully collaborative environment, delivering enhancement works that will benefit the town for many years to come.”
Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “The Tower Gardens in Skegness is an excellent example of how utilising green spaces can enrich communities, bringing together local residents who enjoy the outdoor and natural environments. We are immensely proud to be working in close partnership with G F Tomlinson on such a positive project which is providing a place residents can be proud of, whilst leaving a lasting historical legacy.”
Steve Larner, Town Clerk of Skegness Town Council, said: “It is wonderful to see everyone enjoying Tower Gardens now that the first phase of works are complete. This scheme has delivered improvements around the bandstand and central area of Tower Gardens.
“The pond has been restored to its former glory and the sensory play has been a big hit. We have received many positive comments from both residents and visitors alike. A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in the first phase of this project.”
Shona Hatton, director at Influence Landscape Planning & Design, said: “The conservation and enhancement of this Grade II Registered Park and garden helps reestablish Tower Gardens as one of Skegness’ primary green spaces.
“Influence is proud to have sensitively conserved and restored the park’s main features and introduced new elements of design that enable all the community to have a sense of pride and ownership. The work reinforces the park as a quality destination in its own right as well as a pleasant onward approach and gateway to the Grand Parade and sea front.
“The physical improvements create a safe and accessible park for all, with the central features of the cascade and pond creating a vibrance and energy that had been lost, right at its heart. The gardens now have a sense of its original charm and enable people to hark back to an era when Pleasure Gardens were places for socialising and enjoyment.”
Hull-based MKM chooses Cumbria for latest branch opening
MKM has opened it’s 129th branch in Workington, Cumbria, creating 20 new jobs for the area.
MKM Workington will be led by Branch Director Phil Bold, who said: “The opportunity to lead MKM Workington and support the creation of 20 new jobs in my hometown is a privilege. Local customers have lacked a choice of merchants for years, and we’re set to change all that.
“In total, our team have over 180 years of combined trade experience between them; customers can expect a beautiful showroom to inspire their build projects, well stocked shelves, and the best local, knowledgeable team to service them.
“Nationally, MKM is renowned for its commitment to supporting local charities and communities and I’m passionate about the opportunity we have to create positive change for the area. We want to embrace being part of the Lillyhall family but also the wider West Cumbria community. We’ll be supporting, sponsoring, and advocating for local businesses and causes, including Workington RNLI and Cockermouth Mountain Rescue, local sports clubs, schools and care homes.”
Training provider names new head of marketing programmes
Rotherham-based apprenticeship training provider, Whyy? Change, has appointed Rachel Ovens, to the role of Head of Marketing Programmes. Rachel will be responsible for delivering the new Chartered Institute of Marketing Level 4 and Level 6 qualifications and marketing apprenticeship courses.
As part of her Head of Marketing Programmes role, Rachel will join Whyy? Change’s communications team to support their marketing efforts, alongside supporting their sister brand, Whyy? Unboxd, on bespoke marketing projects.
Ray Byrne, CEO of Whyy? Change said: “When talented people want to work with you, that’s when you know you are on to something. Rachel has bundled of talent, experience and the right attitude to be a Whyyer for life. Watch her fly!”
Rachel said: “I’m thrilled to join Whyy? Change as Head of Marketing Programmes. As a former apprentice and CIM graduate, I’ve experienced first-hand how these qualifications equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to advance my career. I look forward to supporting other marketers on their professional growth journeys within a 5-star training provider!”
Rachel started her marketing career as a digital marketing apprentice at RNN Group, where she completed her Level 3 Digital Marketer Apprenticeship, going on to be named as a finalist at Rotherham Advertiser’s Apprentice of the Year 2017 awards.
Since then, Rachel has achieved her CIM Level 4 Certificate and CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing qualifications, cementing her status as a qualified marketer. Throughout her career Rachel has acted as a mentor and delivered internal training, having worked for the likes of Ship It Appliances, Evec and Elevation Recruitment Group.
Rachel also runs her own freelance marketing business specialising in SEO and PPC. As a former amateur boxer, she runs her own news website dedicated to raising the profile of women’s professional and Olympic boxing.
Rachel’s appointment comes as Whyy? Change has seen a spike in business owners looking to upskill and retain their marketers through professional marketing qualifications and apprenticeship training, turning towards the Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship and CIM Level 4 qualifications to upskill their marketing teams.
Businesses are calling for ‘hands-on’ face-to-face marketing training delivered by industry experts that can be embedded across all levels of their marketing teams to develop a more cohesive workforce.
Bedmaker and components manufacturer expands further into international markets with key appointments
Family-owned Leeds luxury bed and components manufacturer, Harrison Spinks, has made key senior appointments to drive international sales and enhance its growth strategy across the group.
In a move to strengthen sales and export growth for both the beds and components divisions at Harrison Spinks, the business has made significant new appointments and promotions.
Lee Hinshaw will be joining the business in the role of Business Development Director – a new hybrid role designed to strengthen the international presence of both Harrison Spinks and Spinks. Based in Bangkok, Thailand, with over 30 years’ experience in the industry, Lee will be responsible for driving growth in the Asia Pacific region for the company’s finished mattresses and components.
Ian Owen has been promoted to Sales Director at Spinks. Ian will lead sales activity for the spring manufacturing division, developing the sales team and assisting its agents and distributors across the globe.
James Noble has been promoted to Export Sales & Development Manager for Harrison Spinks with the remit to oversee growth and export sales.
Finally, Geert Geerkens has recently joined Harrison Spinks to support James and the team as a Strategic Consultant to help deliver the company’s bed export strategy and grow mattress sales internationally.
Having gained a wealth of experience working in the mattress industry throughout his career, his appointment will bolster the company’s export plans in Europe. Geert is currently president of the European Bedding Industries Association (EBIA), as well as Valumat, a Belgian organisation supporting the industry to collect and process discarded mattresses.
Darren Marcangelo, Managing Director at Spinks, said: “This is an exciting phase for Spinks, with both Lee and Ian having the passion and expertise to drive and deliver international sales for the business.
“We have some exciting new customer opportunities along with new product innovations that will see Spinks at the forefront of innovation and sustainability for our industry. I welcome Lee to the business and look forward to working closely with him, and congratulate Ian for his well-deserved promotion to Sales Director as he has ambitious ideas for growing our business overseas.”
Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks Beds, said: “We’re committed to investing internationally and expanding on a global scale, so this is an exciting opportunity to focus on, strengthening our team to meet the increased interest in our unique, responsibly made, luxury bed and mattress offering.
“Our growth reflects the increasing global demand for innovative, high-quality beds and mattresses and we’re delighted to have made significant appointments as part of our evolved export strategy, gaining further international business opportunities and expediting our brand and its sustainable ethos into new markets.”
Boutique hotel acquired in York
Firethorn Trust has acquired boutique hotel Malmaison York in an off-market deal.
Purchased for an undisclosed sum, the 29,000 sq ft site is occupied by Malmaison under a 35-year lease, with a current rental income of £2.1m per annum.
Situated on Rougier Street, within the historic walls of the city, Malmaison York is in walking distance of popular tourist destinations including York Minster, York Castle and the National Railway Museum.
Providing accommodation across 150 guest rooms, the hotel underwent an extensive redevelopment in 2021, which included the addition of a rooftop skybar with panoramic views across the city.
It features Malmaison’s signature ‘Work + Play’ facilities, with meeting pods, co-working areas, conference rooms and an events space that caters for up to 180 guests, in addition to an on-site spa and gym. The hotel has become one of the best performing sites within the wider Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin chain.
This is the latest addition to Firethorn’s Living portfolio.
Marcus Weeks, Director and Head of Living at Firethorn Trust, said: “Malmaison York is a high-quality asset that will perform well and create long-term value for us, whilst strengthening Firethorn’s presence in the living space.
“It’s a fantastic addition to our investment portfolio and complements our wider development strategy to deliver high-quality spaces in great locations that enable people and places to thrive.
“We have an appetite and ability to pursue opportunistic transactions, and look forward to continuing our growth within the living sector.”
Firethorn Trust was advised by Conway Real Estate, JLL and Maples Teesdale.
Expressions of Interest open to secure lead development partner for Hull’s East Bank Urban Village
Hull City Council has launched its East Bank Urban Village project to market, opening Expressions of Interest (EOI) to secure a lead development partner to deliver the scheme.
Following interest in the site being expressed by a range of developers, this is the first formal phase of procurement as the council seeks to bring the site forward.
The project will see up to 850 new homes developed alongside a range of other uses on the East Bank of the River Hull. This will create a vibrant new urban village on underused brownfield land.
The council’s procurement process is being undertaken through the Homes England DPS Framework.
Garry Taylor, the council’s assistant director for major projects, culture and place, said: “It is great to have reached this important milestone in the project’s development in the opening of EOI for East Bank Urban Village.
“It is a site with huge potential and we look forward to progressing the conversation with prospective developers.”
East Bank Urban Village will help to support growth and investment into the city centre.
The site has been allocated for high-quality apartments with the opportunity for features such as social rooftop areas and spaces for families, outdoor play and integrated quality private amenity spaces. EOI must be made by Friday 5 July.
Family haulage business closes doors after eight decades
Cartwright Brothers (Haulage) Ltd, the family haulage and storage business based in Lincoln, closed its doors last week after 80 years of trading.
The company, which employed more than 100 people, was set up by four brothers shortly before the end of the second world war to meet demand for road haulage across the agricultural sector.
In the early fifties, Cartwright Brothers delivered sandbags along the east coast to hold back the damage caused by one of the worst storms in UK history. Over the past decades, Cartwright Bros has continued to work for large name businesses – mostly in the agricultural sector as well as internationally renowned companies.
Directors and sons of two of the original brothers, cousins Jamie and John Cartwright have been running the business for the past 30-plus years and delivered the bad news around the closure to staff on Thursday.
Jamie said: “It was with tremendous sadness that we had to close the doors at Cartwright last week. But running a haulage business over the past decade has come with huge challenges – rising diesel prices, a difficult economy, along with huge constraints caused by COVID 19.
“Cartwright was never able to continue in the same vein since COVID. Plus, the Ukranian war had a huge impact on our sector in terms of fuel price increases, acquiring replacement parts for vehicles and having to wait long periods of time for these parts to arrive – and at inflated prices.
“All of these challenges were underpinned by serious lorry driver shortages following Brexit which added even more pressure to running Cartwright Bros – along with Government legislation changes which continued to impede our viability.
“In December it was reported that more than 450 UK haulage businesses went out of business in the previous 12 months. These are stark figures for the industry and something needs to be done to ensure that this much-needed sector thrives and survives.”
John added: “Running a successful family business turning over £12 million over the past few years has been a huge honour and a great sense of pride. Unfortunately, with the number of challenges thrown at us, we were unable to continue the success of the business.
“It has been a really sad time for us – particularly as Cartwright Bros celebrated eight decades in business in January this year. We are so grateful to our wonderful staff whom we are supporting in the recruitment process going forward. Some of our people worked for Cartwright Bros for most of their lives and we count them as personal friends.”
The company started in 1944 with just one lorry. At its height, Cartwright Bros had more than 60 wagons on the roads.
Cartwright customers, who have worked with Cartwright Bros for many years, have been quick to commiserate with the cousins and Cartwright staff.
Natasha Crowson, who started her career at Cartwright Bros when she was just 21 has worked for the business for three decades.
She said: “Cartwright Bros has been a fantastic company to work for. My colleagues and I were devastated to hear the news last week – both for the business and its success over the years, but also for Jamie and John who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the company was safe – and staff were looked after.
“The outpouring of love and affection by employees for the directors was wonderful to see last week. Everyone had their own stories of how Jamie and John looked after them over the years – not just as employers but as friends. It was truly a sad day to see this fantastic company close its doors after so long.
“We will all miss seeing the distinctive Cartwright Bros lorries on our roads. The company has been a massive Lincolnshire success story for so long and they will be sadly missed.”
Stake snapped up in Lincolnshire offshore wind farm
Norges Bank Investment Management has acquired a 37.5 percent interest in a 573 MW operational offshore wind farm located off the Lincolnshire and North Norfolk coast.
The wind farm, named Race Bank, reached commercial operations in February 2018. It has 91 6.3-MW wind turbines with a combined total capacity of 573 MW, powering the equivalent of more than 510,000 UK homes annually.
Norges Bank Investment Management paid £330 million for its stake, valuing the wind farm at approximately £2.599 billion. The wind farm includes a debt facility with an outstanding balance of approximately £644 million at Norges Bank Investment Management’s ownership share.
The sellers of the 37.5 percent interest are Macquarie Asset Management, via Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5 (25%), and Spring Infrastructure 1 Investment Limited Partnership, a fund managed by Spring Infrastructure Capital Co., Ltd. (12.5%).
Arjun Infrastructure Partners will remain co-investor for 12.5% of the wind farm, and Ørsted will remain as a 50% owner and operator of the wind farm.
