Bank of England holds interest rates at 5.25% for seventh time
The Bank of England has held interest rates for the seventh time, at 5.25%, in line with expectations.
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way to help sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 19 June 2024, the MPC voted by a majority of 7–2 to maintain Bank Rate at 5.25%. Two members preferred to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 5%.
Twelve-month CPI inflation fell to 2% in May from 3.2% in March, though is expected to rise slightly in the second half of this year.
Alpesh Paleja, Interim Deputy Chief Economist, CBI, said: “It’s unsurprising that the Monetary Policy Committee kept interest rates on hold this month. Recent data has been a bit of a mixed bag: while inflation is falling and the labour market is loosening, wage growth remains stubbornly strong and services inflation is higher than the Bank’s forecast. Signs of continued persistence in domestic price pressures will have prompted caution among the Committee.
“We still expect the MPC to cut rates in August, but this is not a done deal – they remain very data-driven, so the evolution of key indicators over the coming month will be key. Furthermore, the pace of any rate cuts beyond August is likely to be gradual, if the Bank remained concerned about the persistence of underlying price pressures.”
Leeds Merrion Centre strengthens team with key appointment
Leeds Merrion Centre, the mixed-use scheme owned by property investment and car parking operator, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), has made a key appointment. Katrina Townsend is set to join the Merrion Centre as area operations manager from August.
In her new role, she will oversee the experienced Merrion Estate facilities and security team.
With over 15 years of experience managing a diverse portfolio of buildings, Katrina will manage the 1 million sq ft scheme comprising retail and leisure units, offices and a multi-storey CitiPark car park. Her extensive expertise in property management will be instrumental in driving the continued success and development of the Merrion Centre, which also celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
Katrina said: “I am thrilled to be joining TCS and taking on the role of area operations manager for the Merrion Centre. This is an exciting time, and I look forward to contributing to its ongoing success, working with such a dedicated team and being part of its ongoing growth and innovation.”
Charles Newman, associate director at TCS, said: “We are delighted to welcome Katrina to the TCS family. Her extensive experience, dedication to excellence and proven track record align perfectly with our commitment to delivering outstanding results. Katrina’s expertise will be invaluable as we continue to drive the success of our projects and further enhance our reputation as a leader within the property industry.”
South Yorkshire businesses tee it up to raise funds for paces
Business owners and professionals from Sheffield, Barnsley & Rotherham recently participated in a charity golf day at Wortley Golf Club to raise vital funds for local charity, Paces.
Now in its fourth year, the charity golf day took place on Wednesday, 12th June 2024, with 78 golfers representing 22 companies. The event was sponsored by UK-wide talent management specialists Nicholas Associates Group, CSP Systems, and Oxley & Coward Solicitors LLP.
The winning team, representing Actus Insurance, scored 88 points. Over £1,500 was raised through a variety of activities, including raffles, beer buggies, and the halfway house, throughout the day.
All funds raised will support Paces, a leading specialist centre in Sheffield for children with Cerebral Palsy and other motor disorders. Paces was established in the 1990s by parents who recognised the benefits of Conductive Education for children with cerebral palsy.
Dave Hall, Fundraising & Communications Manager at Paces, added: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who participated in the golf day. Fundraising is crucial as it helps us continue providing vital services to people and families most affected by neurological disorders.”
Nicholas Associates Group CEO, Paul Smith, commented on the event’s success, saying: “This is our fourth year hosting a golf day to benefit local charities. Paces is a wonderful charity, and we are more than happy to support them in whatever way we can.”
Andy Bethel, Director of CSP Systems, remarked: “Supporting Paces through this golf event is incredibly rewarding. It’s fantastic to see so many businesses come together for such a worthy cause.”
Amy Cusworth, Partner from Oxley & Coward Solicitors LLP, added: “We are proud to sponsor this event and support Paces in their mission to provide essential services to children with Cerebral Palsy. The dedication of everyone involved is truly inspiring.”
Regal Food Products acquires former FSD premises in Bradford
Bradford-based food manufacturer Regal Food Products Group has bought the former FSD works on Hopbine Lane in Bradford.
The 45,000 sq ft warehouse building in the South Bowling area of the city was marketed and sold by property consultancy Eddisons, which is currently working with FSD to secure a new Bradford production site for the sliding doors manufacturer.
Regal Foods CEO Younis Chaudhry said: “Following our latest acquisition earlier this year, we are really pleased to be bringing this new facility into the Regal group. The new addition promises to not only boost operations but play a key part in the development and growth of our business.”
He added: “As a company that has the Bradford community close to its heart, the new warehouse facility will create several new jobs, boosting employment in a range of areas of the business.”
Eddisons associate director Matt Jennings said: “We were really pleased to be able to secure a rapid sale for FSD on their Hopbine Lane site. The freehold industrial market is increasingly robust due to an ongoing lack of supply and there is definitely healthy demand out there for sizeable warehouse space.”
He added: “It is great to see Regal Food Products, another great Bradford company, step in to take this large unit to accommodate the firm’s growth and it’s a really positive sign that Bradford’s economy is doing well.”
Employing over 300 people and generating a £32m turnover, Regal Food Products has made a series of acquisitions, the most recent of which was Leeds cake manufacturer Love Handmade Cakes in January. The firm currently operates from six sites across Bradford.
General Election is most ‘pro-nuclear’ for a generation, says industry expert
The South Yorkshire-based Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s Government & Regional Engagement Manager James Silverward says next month’s General Election is the most pro-nuclear in a generation.
He says: “Parties across the political spectrum have clearly recognised the value that the civil nuclear sector provides to the country not only in economic growth and jobs, but also in delivering on priorities in energy security and decarbonisation which have become much more pronounced since Britain last went to the polls in 2019.
“In addition to wider commitments on enhancing the UK’s energy security, the manifestos of the Labour and Conservative parties have jointly committed to investing in both gigawatt-scale reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) across the country, as well as each making their own commitments to the prioritisation of a power station development in Wylfa and an extension to the lifespan of existing plants .
“Both parties have also committed to the UK’s nuclear deterrent, a sentiment which reflects continued support for an estimated 42,000 jobs and a supply chain of over 3,000 businesses.
“Whatever the outcome of the election, the incoming government needs to prioritise working with industry at all levels to understand how it can deliver these ambitious plans and how the sector can move quickly enough to meet such demand.
“Our own experience in the East Midlands shows how it is possible to link manufacturing innovation, supply chain development, skills, and policy to deliver long-term benefits to the UK. Indeed, the recent publication of the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills demonstrates how this can be taken to a national level – but we need to do the same to address the other major challenges faced by the industry and work with the new government to drive delivery of a clear plan that can meet our national objectives.
“The UK’s advanced manufacturing sector is ambitious and driven, and Government needs to match this drive and ambition if the UK is to continue its development as a global leader in nuclear energy. Whether in nuclear new build, fusion energy, or the wider sector, our industry must be enabled to continue its development and meet the needs of future generations. The Nuclear AMRC is ready to support the incoming government to achieve these ambitious goals.”
New training partnership aims to support employers in need of machining technicians
Later this year a new apprenticeship training programme between Sheffield College and the Company of Cutlers will support employers needing machining technician skills.
Andrew Hartley, Deputy Chief Executive at The Sheffield College, said: “This apprenticeship will provide a great opportunity for Sheffield’s workforce of the future.
“Manufacturing employers need skilled, experienced machinists to operate complex machinery and produce components. Together with the Master Cutler and Company of Cutlers, we have designed an apprenticeship delivery model that works better for employers, tackles skills shortages and helps manufacturing businesses to thrive.”
On the Level 3 Machining Technician Apprenticeship, learners will study computer numerical control machining.
CNC machining involves the use of computer software to move factory tools and complex machinery such as grinders and lathes.
It is used by a wide range of manufacturing employers from those in aerospace, agriculture and electronics to energy, construction and medical.
Apprentices will earn as they learn in the workplace alongside completing a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Machining).
After a three-month foundation course at Liberty Steel in Stocksbridge, apprentices will complete their studies at the college’s Advanced Technology Centre on Olive Grove Road.
The Company of Cutlers, which represents manufacturing employers in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, is helping to design and develop the programme and raise awareness of it amongst businesses.
Master Cutler Charles Turner, who also chairs Made in Sheffield, said: “Our priorities are to help young people in the region be properly prepared with workplace skills to successfully enter the world of work and to help provide talent for regional business. This apprenticeship will have a three month full time in college foundation element to ensure that the young people are factory ready and ready to learn.
“Working closely with education providers and employers will enable us to achieve our objectives, which is why I am delighted that the Cutlers Company is launching a new apprenticeship partnership with The Sheffield College to better serve manufacturing businesses requiring skilled machine technicians.” The first intake of apprentices is planned for October 2024.
YPP Lettings acquires Leeds’ St George House
YPP Lettings has expanded its investment portfolio with the acquisition, on behalf of its investors, of St George House Leeds, a multi-story building currently let to Global Banking School in the centre of Leeds.
The acquisition was for a “substantial value” and was supported by finance from National Bank of Kuwait (International) PLC.
Farooq Zar, partner in Schofield Sweeney’s real estate team, acted on both the purchase and the finance elements of the transaction and was assisted by Oliver Brooke, solicitor.
Farooq Zar said: “It was a pleasure to assist YPP and its investors with their ever-expanding portfolio in Leeds and nationwide.
“The transaction was substantial in terms of value and complexity, with both us and our client working closely with the seller’s professional team to ensure a successful outcome for both the seller and the buyers. I look forward to working with YPP and its investors in the future.”
Siemens supports school summer holiday railway safety
With the school summer holidays rapidly approaching, Siemens Mobility is helping to reduce the dangers from children trespassing on railway line by working with Rail Safe Friendly.
It’s a social impact programme aimed at enhancing rail safety and reducing the number of trespass incidents by providing schools and the rail industry with an opportunity to work together to improve rail safety awareness among young people across the UK using content from Network Rail’s Switched On Rail Safety website.
The gold partnership is a reflection of Siemens Mobility’s commitment to support schools across the UK and is directly aligned with 150 of those closest to its sites, projects and offices, helping pupils learn how to stay safe around railway tracks.
Rob Morris, Joint CEO for Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, said: “The safety of people on and around the railway must continue to be at the forefront of our minds in the rail industry. We must be relentless in ensuring that tragic accidents involving young people are consigned to the history books, and education about the dangers posed by the rail network is vital.”
“We are immensely proud of the impact our partnership with Rail Safe Friendly has had so far. The engagement from schools across the UK has been outstanding, and we are excited to see this continue to grow as we further our partnership.”
Stuart Heaton, MD of Rail Safe Friendly and Learn Live, said: “Through the support of Siemens Mobility we will be able to reach even more children with vital rail safety awareness with the aim of saving lives and preventing injuries on the country’s rail network and in yards, depots and sidings.
“It is crucial that children receive vital knowledge, at a young age, to keep them rail safe. The Rail Safe Friendly programme seeks to educate children and young people on the many dangers that are present on the railway.”
“Delivery, delivery, delivery” is key focus of Mayor
The Mayor of West Yorkshire will place skills and the economy as key priorities over her next four years of office, with plans to bring more well-paid jobs to the region.
Addressing the Combined Authority’s annual meeting of West Yorkshire’s leaders, she will also set out plans to revamp the region’s training and skills system.
Mayor Brabin will tell the meeting: “My message to you and to the Combined Authority is that we need to deliver, deliver, deliver – and that is what I intend to do.
“I was re-elected with a promise to focus on growing a more inclusive economy, with more jobs and opportunities spread across the region.”
In a wide-ranging address to the meeting, the Mayor will outline plans for a new Local Growth Plan to boost the region’s jobs market, as well as creating a “Region of Learning” to reform the skills and training in West Yorkshire. This will also include an employer accredited ‘badge’ to help learners demonstrate they have some of the skills needed for the workplace.
She will add: “Within the first six months of my term, [we will] set out how we will create a prosperous region with an inclusive economy and more well-paid jobs, putting more money into people’s pockets.
“Creating a Region of Learning will reform our skills system to support people to get the knowledge they need to succeed, with a modular system of learning tailored to the needs of employers and learners.”
The Mayor will also commit to continuing work to delivering a franchised bus system, getting spades in the ground on a Mass Transit network by 2028, and building 5,000 affordable homes across the region.
Norwegian Prime Minister opens green hydrogen plant created by Sheffield firm
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has opened Yara’s a renewable hydrogen plant based on technology from Sheffield renewable energy provider ITM power.
The plant, at Herøya Industrial Park, is the largest of its kind currently in operation in Europe. Hydrogen is produced via electrolysis using renewable energy, replacing natural gas as feedstock. The plant will cut 41,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions from the site every year.
Using ITM’s state-of-the-art TRIDENT stack platform, the 24MW plant will provide enough green hydrogen to produce 20,500 tonnes of ammonia per year, which can be converted to between 60,000 and 80,000 tonnes of green fertiliser.
The green fertilisers produced at Herøya will form part of a new Yara Climate Choice portfolio, which includes solutions designed to benefit crops while reducing climate impact.
Dennis Schulz, CEO of ITM, said: “It was an honour to attend the inauguration of the plant by the Prime Minister of Norway. Ammonia has long been used as a fertiliser but is typically produced from fossil fuels. Green ammonia offers significant potential, among other things, to decarbonise the agricultural sector. We are proud of our collaboration with Linde Engineering to deliver this groundbreaking project for Yara.”
New city centre base for Sheffield University tech spinout
Phlux Technology, an infrared sensor technology firm, has chosen Pennine Five in Sheffield city centre to set up its new headquarters, as the city’s Innovation Spine gains momentum.
Founded by Ben White in 2020, Phlux is a spinout company from the University of Sheffield developing and commercialising breakthrough infrared sensor technology. This technology is revolutionising the performance of autonomous cars and advanced driver-assisted systems.
Last year, Phlux secured £4m of investment from Octopus Ventures and Northern Gritstone, and is also working on a 500,000 Euro project funded by the European Space Agency to build more efficient free-space optical communications (FSOC) satellite terminals.
Currently based at the University of Sheffield’s Kroto Innovation Centre, Phlux has signed up to move to a new 3,692 sq ft workspace at the Pennine Five campus this summer. The former HSBC headquarters off Tenter Street has been significantly redeveloped and modernised by RBH Properties in recent years.
Ben White, Co-Founder and CEO of Phlux Technology, said: “The success of our product launch means that Phlux has grown rapidly over the past year, outgrowing our existing home. We are very excited to be curating our own workspace at Pennine Five which will enable us to continue on our growth trajectory by enhancing our internal collaboration and feature two state-of-the-art labs for developing and testing future products.
“The location of Pennine Five was ideal for us. The campus is just down the road from the University – with whom we will continue to work closely – while providing us with a beautiful space for Phlux’s employees to continue to innovate as we scale up. I’d love to see other like-minded businesses join us here, as I can envisage the campus becoming a hub for growing technology firms in the city.”
Pennine Five is located at the centre of the Sheffield Innovation Spine, which runs from the University of Sheffield’s campus down to West Bar Square. Backed by the University, Sheffield Council and other key stakeholders, the Spine is a long-term economic strategy that aims to create and link the infrastructure required to grow knowledge-led technology businesses in the city centre.
Jeremy Hughes, Director at RBH Properties, added: “Welcoming Phlux to Pennine Five is a defining moment. It is a truly innovative and dynamic business with a huge future.
“The University of Sheffield is generating many exciting spinouts and tech start-ups. Pennine Five, located at the heart of the Sheffield Innovation Spine, is perfectly placed to support growing tech firms. With our flexible floorplates and tenant agreements, the campus can foster a vibrant ecosystem of collaboration, creativity and knowledge-sharing.”
Yorkshire Building Society colleagues raise over £48,000 taking on Yorkshire Three Peaks
Yorkshire Building Society colleagues helped to raise over £48,000 for FareShare, the UK’s largest charity tackling the environmental problem of food waste for social good, by taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Over 240 colleagues took part in a gruelling 10 or 26 mile walk, in torrential rain, wind and even some sunshine, to raise money for the Society’s charity partner.
The money raised will fund Building Skills for the Future programmes in seven of FareShare’s regional centres, including London, Bristol, Merseyside, Milton Keynes, Yorkshire, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. The employability programme supports people who are unemployed into good, sustainable work, addressing one of the root causes of poverty. The Building Skills for the Future programme offers participants coaching, support, practical workshops and work experience to help them to gain full-time employment.
In addition, the partnership will fund an outreach programme offering free, face-to-face sessions and workshops helping participants overcome financial hardship by supporting the building of important skills such as CV writing, job searching and improving financial wellbeing. It is hoped that the two programmes will help 2,500 people improve their employability and help them become more financially resilient.
Tom Simpson, Managing Director of YBS Commercial Mortgages, said: “The walk itself was really challenging but everyone was so determined to complete it and raise as much money as possible for FareShare, Yorkshire Building Society’s charity partner.
“We’re delighted that we’ve managed to raise over £48,000 so far, which will help towards our target of raising £1million to fund Building Skills for the Future programmes that will help to lift over 2,500 people out of financial hardship.”
Polly Bianchi, Director of Fundraising at FareShare, said: “We’re hugely grateful to all the Yorkshire Building Society colleagues who took on this challenge in support of FareShare.
“The Building Skills for the Future employability programme, funded by Yorkshire Building Society, will help thousands of people seek long-term employment, as part of our important work to provide a hand up not a hand out to communities across the UK.”
IT and telecoms specialist invests £30k into new site at Slaithwaite’s Globe Mill
Yorkshire IT and telephony expert, Probado, has signed a lease on the Globe Mill building in the heart of Slaithwaite as it continues to expand its nine-strong team and operations.
The move sees Probado take on three offices within the mill across a combined space of 900 sq ft, with a £30k investment into a bespoke fit-out with new furnishings, automatic height adjustable desks, video conference facilities and gaming area for the team to unwind.
Thanks to continued revenue growth, increasing its client portfolio by 20 per cent this year, and the expansion of its technical services team with three new starters in the last 12 months, a larger space was required for the firm, which celebrates its 17th birthday this year.
The partnership with Globe Mills was strengthened when Probado won the contract to support The Globe, and some of its clients, with network and telephony services.
Gordon Maclean, director and co-founder of Probado, said: “We are excited about this move to The Globe which provides us with the space and facilities to support our growing team and ambitions.
“The location in Slaithwaite town centre offers brilliant local food and shopping options, walking routes and rail links and we are confident that it will be a great place for the team and customers alike.
“We have invested in new furnishings and barista training for all staff from Darkwoods Coffee, a local brand renowned for its high-quality coffee, to ensure we are creating a happy, modern and attractive environment for our team to work from.
“We’re also thrilled with the new IT contract with The Globe, this further solidifies our relationship with them, providing us both with new and exciting opportunities to flourish and support fellow West Yorkshire businesses.”
Drax Foundation shares £500k with non-profit organisations
The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax Group, has given £505,070 to seven non-profit organisations across the regions in which it operates in England and Scotland, including almost £50k to a biodiversity project in Selby.
Shona King, Drax’s Head of Community, said: “This latest round of donations will make a tangible difference to communities in England and Scotland. The projects we are supporting range from restoring ancient hedgerows in Northampton to helping young people from rural communities in Argyll to build their Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills.”
The Drax Foundation operates in the UK, USA and Canada. It is focused on funding initiatives that deliver education and skills development in STEM, those that improve green spaces and enhance biodiversity within local communities and improve access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in areas of low social mobility.
Shona continued: “Last year we launched the Drax Foundation and we are excited about the opportunity to build on the progress we have made to ensure that more people can develop their STEM skills, have access to quality local green spaces, and be lifted out of fuel poverty through access to affordable renewable energy, and energy efficiency measures”.
In England, the Foundation has donated a total of £227,002 across three projects including:
- Project: WILD C.I.C, £49,502, Selby: Project: WILD C.I.C is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to addressing declining biodiversity in Yorkshire and supporting young people with mental illnesses. The Foundation’s funding will see the social enterprise deliver its ‘Eco Leaders’ project to increase understanding of local green spaces with young people in the Selby area.
- Canal & River Trust, £27,500, Northampton: The Canal & River Trust is the charity looking after 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and Wales. The Foundation’s funding will enable the Trust to run a programme restoring ancient hedgerows in Northampton, mobilising a volunteer programme including training in hedge laying techniques.
- Energy Sparks, £150,000, England: Energy Sparks, is an energy education charity. The Foundation’s funding will increase the number of schools which can access Energy Sparks free of charge. Energy Sparks works with schools and pupils to understand energy usage and saving through real life data from their school.
Leeds ice cream manufacturer gobbled up
Bidcorp UK has acquired the trade and assets of Northern Bloc Ice Cream, an independently run ice cream manufacturer supplying retail and food service customers including Booths, the National Trust and Wagamama.
The Leeds-based business, which opened its doors in 2014, offers a range of quality and natural products including vegan, bespoke and bold ice creams in various innovative flavour profiles. They also have a low-sugar ice cream range for children and an ice cream for dogs supporting the Dogs Trust.
Northern Bloc will join Bidcorp UK’s network of manufacturing businesses, which includes Simply Food Solutions and Yarde Farm, and will continue to trade under its well established name.
Jim Gouldie, Supply Chain and Technical Services Director at Bidfood UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Dirk Mischendahl, Managing Director, and the Northern Bloc team to our Bidcorp UK family.
“Their passion, ethical ethos and reputation for providing great-tasting products at an excellent service completely resonates with our core mission and values. We look forward to supporting the team and expanding their brand presence through multiple routes to market.”
Dirk Mischendahl, Managing Director at Northern Bloc, added: “We are very excited about joining the Bidcorp UK group and having the opportunity to continue the journey we started in 2014, creating great flavours and making ice cream centre of plate!”
Sheffield law firm wins place on housing investment communities framework
Sheffield law firm Shakespeare Martineau has secured a place on the Communities and Housing Investment Consortium legal services framework.
Louise Drew, partner and head of building communities at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are extremely proud to have been appointed to CHIC’s relaunched legal panel. This opportunity allows us to offer a comprehensive suite of legal support to CHIC’s members over the next four years.
“The current housing landscape presents significant challenges, with a national shortage of affordable and social homes that is expected to grow. In this rapidly-changing market, registered providers require robust advice and innovative solutions to meet the increasing demand.
“Our specialist legal and non-legal teams are dedicated to advising delivery partners of affordable and social housing in all facets – from securing development finance and innovative structures to collaborative working and managing the sale or rental of properties.
“This appointment is testament to the quality of our people and our unwavering commitment to supporting our clients in the social housing sector as they navigate both the challenges and opportunities presented to them.
“We look forward to contributing to the CHIC and supporting its members in their mission to deliver exceptional services to residents.”
CHIC is a member-owned and governed consortium that delivers compliant procurement solutions and commercial support to members. The consortium secures savings for members and is committed to the delivery of improved environmental outcomes and added social value.
Over the next four years, the 24-strong panel will share work with an estimated value of £50 million. The framework has four ‘lots’ covering corporate, governance and finance; housing and asset management; development; and property.
CHIC, formed in 2010 as a not-for-profit organisation, supports housing providers and local authorities to ensure they can provide the best service to their residents.
UK is leaving the 2020 inflation crisis, says BCC Head of Research
British Chambers of Commerce Head of Research David Bharier says data showing CPI easing to the Bank of England’s 2% target, is a further sign that the UK is exiting the inflation crisis which began in late 2020.
He said: “It provides additional weight for an interest rate cut in the coming months, something which will be welcomed by firms of all shapes and sizes.
“Our research has shown that a steadily declining number of businesses are concerned about inflation, from a record peak of 84% in mid 2022. This is positive news, but prices are not falling, just rising more slowly, and the economic outlook remains challenging. Our latest forecast expects inflation to nudge back up again to 2.3% by the end of the year.
“To restore economic growth and stability, policymakers should focus on the long-term. Our election manifesto outlines a 5-point plan for immediate action by the new government. We need a green industrial strategy, better skills planning, business rate reform, improved relations with the EU, and support for SMEs to embrace AI.
“Our manifesto has been welcomed by all the main parties and gives a clear blueprint for action after July 4th.”
Manufacturing employers come together for awards ceremony
Manufacturing and engineering employers have celebrated some of the sector’s brightest younger stars at a packed awards ceremony held at Leeds Beckett University’s Rose Bowl building.
The Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, now in their third year, showcase the talent and outstanding contribution of younger people to the industry in West Yorkshire. This year’s awards saw a record number of nominations from employers keen to reward and celebrate the achievements of outstanding apprentices and other team members.
Scooping the award for Future Manufacturing Leader, sponsored by Leeds City Council, was Kieran Dinsdale, operations supervisor at packaging manufacturer Greyhound Box.
Kieran, who joined the company as an apprentice 10 years ago, was singled out to receive the award for his creativity, professionalism and outstanding leadership qualities.
MD Louise O’ Brien said: “Kieran leads a team of 12 and commands respect from everyone he works with. He is composed, patient, intelligent and highly skilled; a real asset to Greyhound Box and someone who always upholds our values and culture.”
The Apprentice of the Year award, sponsored by engineering apprenticeship benchmarking organisation Next Gen Makers, went to Dan Brodie of electrical control panel designer and manufacturer Bensons Panels. An apprentice panel wirer who has been with the business for just over a year, Dan is in the second year of his level 3 electrical fitter apprenticeship with the company.
This year’s Employers of the Year, sponsored by E3 Recruitment, were selected for their commitment to employees and investment in people development. They were named as energy equipment and solutions firm Schneider Electric in the large employer category, with FaberExposize UK named as SME Employer of the Year. The company specialises in large-format printed flags and banners for outdoor sporting events, festivals, major retail and automotive brands.
A special award of Manufacturing Ambassador went to Graham Cooper, formerly site director at Agfa UK’s Leeds plant. The award recognised Graham’s role in initiating the Leeds Manufacturing Festival and his contribution in raising the profile of the sector.
The trophy was presented by Chris Black, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the manufacturing employers sponsoring this year’s festival: Greyhound Box, Leeds Welding Company. MPM, Sound Leisure, Saftronics, Bensons Panels and Kirkstall Precision Engineering.
HullBID launches networking opportunity for hospitality businesses
HullBID has launched a venture designed to offer city centre hospitality businesses a helping hand and bring together the wider membership for a new networking opportunity.
The HullBID Supper Club was unveiled with a launch at Bilocca – the new training restaurant at Hull College – and will be rolled out from next week with a first season of six dates at destinations including local independents and big brands.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “Our new supper club is a great opportunity for our members to network in a relaxed and informal setting and at the same time to support some fabulous city centre eateries.
“We will be covering a variety of dining styles and cuisines and each venue has agreed to put together a bespoke, discounted menu for us, with HullBID providing a complimentary welcome drink at each event. The response from restaurants and guests has been really enthusiastic and we’re expecting demand to increase as the supper club becomes established.”
The first HullBID Supper Club will takes place on Wednesday June 26 at Bert’s Pasta Bar in Humber Street. Further events will take place every month through to November.
BID members were given a taste of what to expect with an exclusive lunch at Bilocca, named in honour of Lilian Bilocca and her fellow Headscarf Revolutionaries, who campaigned to improve safety for working at sea.
Kathryn said: “The preview event at Bilocca is the perfect place to launch what we’re doing because it shows what Hull College is doing to address the issues in the hospitality sector.
“Young people and adult learners can learn all aspects of the hospitality and put them into practice in a real restaurant setting. Everything we have seen suggests they will all be an asset to any hospitality business as they embark on their careers. All the feedback from our guests indicates they will be coming back to Bilocca for a second helping!”
Debra Gray, Principal and Chief Executive at Hull College, said: “In relaunching the restaurant we thought about our city and our roots and about the work of Lil Bilocca and her fellow Headscarf Revolutionaries who fought for their men and the fishing industry in which they worked.
“Our brand is based around their headscarf knot and features in our marketing, menus and as etchings on the windows. The famous Headscarf Revolutionaries mural takes pride of place on our wall.
Samantha Dunion, General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Hull, said: “The HullBID Supper Club is a great idea. It’s an opportunity to network in a different environment and to welcome so many businesses into our world.
“We work with Hull College a lot and Bilocca is the pinnacle of what we are all trying to achieve. It’s enabling young people to showcase what they can do and develop their talents ready for coming into my industry.”
Phil Ascough, who co-founded the Monday Night Supper Club in 2014, said: “From day one we were all about bringing businesses together to support the hospitality sector and we were delighted when HullBID launched their own initiative.
“We estimate we’ve generated more than £150,000 plus repeat business for restaurants and café bars over the last 10 years but it’s not enough, we’ve lost some fantastic venues and we welcome anything that helps to keep the sector afloat.
“We extend across a wider area but we’ll still be visiting city centre venues and we’ll definitely be booking in at Bilocca and supporting Hull College in training the hospitality professionals of the future.”
Sustainable aviation fuel project set for Saltend
px Group has revealed that OXCCU will develop a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) demonstration plant at its Saltend Chemicals Park in the Humber that will convert carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
OXCCU is a carbon-to-value company that develops catalysts and processes to convert carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into fuels, chemicals and plastics.
The climate-tech spin-out from the University of Oxford has demonstrated the world’s first direct carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation process, turning CO2 directly into aviation fuel range hydrocarbons, also known as SAF, with minimal oxygenate byproducts.
The project presents a novel approach to SAF production simplifying a multi-step process to a single step.
OXCCU will now build a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) demonstration plant at Saltend Chemicals Park, which will be fed by biogenic carbon dioxide, and green hydrogen. The plant is expected to produce 160 kilos (200 litres) of liquid fuel per day, of which the majority will be SAF.
The approach directly aligns with the Advanced Fuel Fund’s objective to use carbon dioxide as a carbon source for SAF production due to feedstock concerns at scale with the other biofuel SAF routes.
px Group will provide the engineering design and construction of the Outside Battery Limits (OSBL) support facilities as well as operations and maintenance when the plant is up and running. The plan is for operations to start in 2026.
The project has been announced at a time when the UK Government has developed a framework to cement the UK’s status as a world leader in SAF, with a SAF mandate and a revenue certainty scheme to boost uptake and help create jobs.
The Government has committed to having at least five commercial SAF plants under construction in the UK by 2025, viewing low or zero emission technologies as key to sustainability targets.
Geoff Holmes, CEO of px Group, said: “We are truly excited to be working with OXCCU on a world’s first project that will shape the long-term sustainability of the UK aviation industry.
“At px Group we are passionate about cutting CO2 emissions and helping the UK to meet its sustainability ambitions.
“This groundbreaking project with OXCCU further meets this commitment and demonstrates the confidence in Saltend as a pioneering centre for industrial decarbonisation projects.”
Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU, said: “The strategic combination of OXCCU’s highly efficient novel catalyst and process with px Group’s world leading facilities creates the perfect environment for us to scale-up.
“This project will demonstrate CO2 and hydrogen directly converted into jet fuel-range hydrocarbons and the potential for much lower cost SAF.
“We look forward to working with px Group on this exciting step for the global aviation industry.”
The announcement with OXCCU follows the Hydrogen-to-Humber H2H Saltend decarbonisation project recently being granted planning permission. Equinor’s H2H Saltend is a 600-megawatt low carbon hydrogen production plant with carbon capture, one of the first of its kind and scale to be granted planning permission in the UK, helping to establish the Humber as an international hub for low carbon hydrogen whilst significantly reducing carbon emissions.
px Group is backed by Ara Partners, a private equity company specialising in decarbonisation investments. OXCCU is backed by investors including IP group (Kiko), Clean Energy Ventures, United Airlines, Eni, Aramco Ventures and Trafigura.
