Sheffield names lead contractor for Event Central project
Willmott Dixon has been appointed as the lead contractor to create Event Central, turning a building in Sheffield city centre into a mixed-use cultural community hub.
Event Central is a regeneration project commissioned by Sheffield City Council and funded through the Future High Street Fund, which will see the refurbishment of the existing vacant building at 20-26 Fargate. Once the work has been completed, the venue will create a useful community and commercial space – showcasing Sheffield’s diverse talent with events, shows, exhibitions, workshops and talks all under one roof.
Event Central is funded in part by the Government’s Future High Streets Fund with the Council securing £15.8million for the project. Pre-construction activity has already started on the project with contractors expected to be on site in January 2025, once activity on the adjacent public realm works on Fargate has been completed.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee said: “Event Central is going to be a fantastic and vibrant cultural hub for Sheffield and will offer a truly unique space for the city. We know that Sheffield is packed with talent, and this will be the perfect place to showcase it, attracting thousands of visitors a year.
“The transformation will also be a crucial part of our vision for Fargate, which is currently undergoing a transformation as part of a huge regeneration of the city centre.
With work due to start on site in January next year, with the hub is expected to be ready for opening in early 2026.
York event celebrates success of women in business
York’s businesses are being invited to celebrate the achievements of women in business at an event aimed at supporting female entrepreneurship in the city.
This Empowering and Inspiring Women in Business in York event, run in partnership with NatWest, will build on a successful series that has taken place over the past three years.
The event takes place on Tuesday 5th March at the Priory Street Centre during the week of International Women’s Day, which this year is focused on the theme of ‘Inspiring Inclusion’. The theme urges individuals, communities, businesses and organisations to forge a more inclusive, tolerant world, and promotes belonging, relevance and empowerment for women and girls everywhere.
Keynote speaker Louise Toal will reflect on this theme in her talk, ‘If the shoe fits’, which will explore her journey as a female leader in the male-dominated world of tech.
Louise will share lessons from her own career, having risen in just five years from Project Mananger at award-winning app agency The Distance to become its MD.
Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said: “Our Council Plan for the next four years is committed to building a fair and inclusive economy that works for everyone – and part of achieving this is by supporting York’s amazing female-led businesses to succeed.
“Having run my own company, I understand many of the barriers that women face when breaking into the world of business, and I know events like this provide vital opportunities to access networks and support.
“This promises to be a really inspiring and impactful event, and I’d encourage both women and men in York’s business community to come along, whether they’re already leading an established business or thinking of starting one.”
Lincolnshire Co-op makes two senior appointments
Lincolnshire Co-op has appointed a new Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer to take post in March, when Paul Howard will become CFO and and Steve Leach will become COO.
Paul has experience across both private and listed retail businesses, both in the UK and overseas. He joins from international fashion retailer boohoo group plc, where he has been Head of Supply Chain Finance for the past two years.
He progressed through the ranks at Wilko, where he held senior finance roles across commercial finance, treasury, financial control and strategic planning, as well as a two-year stint in Hong Kong as Finance Director for the group’s sourcing office.
Steve has a breadth of retail leadership experience gained in M&S, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Vodafone, Co-op Group/Nisa and was most recently interim COO at Vets Now.
He started his career in store management and then progressed into retail operations. His sector experience includes general merchandise, health and beauty, telecomms, food, delivered wholesale and veterinary healthcare.
Paul said: “Lincolnshire Co-op has a strong purpose that resonates with my values – integrity, commitment and making a positive contribution. The breadth of the consumer proposition brings exciting challenges and lots of growth potential.
“I’m excited to join a business that’s rich in history and heritage and look forward to adding value from my experience in strategic financial planning.”
Steve said: “I’m enthusiastic about the opportunities that the team are currently working on and transferring my leadership experience to continue this momentum into sustainable long-term success.”
Apprentices urged to check they’re being paid the correct hourly rate
During National Apprenticeship Week HM Revenue and Customs is encouraging apprentices to make sure they’re being paid the correct hourly rate – since apprentices are the workers most likely to be underpaid according to The Low Pay Commission.
Most workers are legally entitled to the National Minimum Wage, but minimum rates of pay differ, depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you’re in.
- 16 to 18 years old and in an apprenticeship = £5.28 per hour
- 19 and over, first year apprentice = £5.28 per hour
- 19 or over and have completed the first year of an apprenticeship? Entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for their age.
- Rates change on 1 April each year. Search ‘national minimum wage rates’ on GOV.UK.
- Speak with your employer or tutor if you are happy to do so.
- If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, raise the issue with HMRC online at https://www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-complaint. This can be done any time – day or night.
- Call Acas on 0300 123 1100 for confidential advice or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland on 03300 555 300. Translation services are available.
Leeds-based private equity house invests in property services provider
Leeds-based private equity house Key Capital Partners has completed a £9.1m investment in SJA Group, an integrated property services provider. The deal sees Key acquire a significant minority stake in the business.
SJA was established by Adrian Deane and Sam Prett in 2010, based in Sidcup, Kent. SJA’s core services include interior and exterior cleaning and front-of-house concierge services to commercial landlords and tenants.
The Group’s vertically integrated proposition was established through the acquisition of Regency Real Estate in 2020, enabling the group to provide managing agent services to property owners.
The subsequent inception of Enecto in 2021 broadened the Group’s offering into hard facilities management, including mechanical, electrical and building services. Through the vertically integrated model, the Group provides an end-to-end property management service to its clients.
Key were advised by Addleshaw Goddard (Legal), HMT (Financial and Tax), RPL (Commercial), Evolve (Technology), AON (Insurance) and Stratton HR (Management). SJA’s shareholders were advised by Azets (Corporate Finance and Tax), and DWF (Legal).
Partner James Excell said: “We are excited to partner with SJA. The team have built a highly competitive end-to-end service offering to meet the increasing demands from commercial property clients. The market in which the Group operates in is large and possesses credible growth opportunities, which were key considerations for our investment.”
The highly experienced management team, led by Adrian Deane (co-founder), Sam Prett (co-founder), Phil Dale (CEO of Regency), Sam Stokes (COO of Regency), Alan Sillince (Enecto operations director) and James Lyons (SJA operations director) will remain in the business and be supported by incoming non-executive chair, Colin Dobell, who formerly founded the Care & Custody division within Mitie plc.
Co-founder, Sam Prett said: “On behalf of the SJA Board, we are delighted to be partnering with Key. Their understanding of SJA’s business model and strong cultural fit with the team were important considerations when choosing them as our investment partner.
“Key share our passion for providing high-quality services and their track record of supporting high-growth SMEs leaves SJA Group well positioned to capitalise on future growth opportunities.”
This is the sixth Investment from KCP IX and the third in integrated property services, following previous investments in Total Integrated Solutions and Smarter Services.
Key Capital invests between £4 – 20 million in UK based SMEs, supporting founders and owner-managers grow their businesses.
Ambitious Mia becomes first woman to drive Immingham’s ship-to-shore cranes
Mia Allen is the first female ship to shore crane operator operator at Immingham, where she’ll work 110 feet above the ground.
She already drives the tugs and rubber-tyred gantry cranes, and is also looking to train in toplifts, also known as reachstackers at Immingham Container Terminal.
Simon Bird, Regional Director said: “This is great news for ABP on the Humber. All credit to Mia who is very ambitious and wants to progress in her career with us. We’re proud that she has achieved this milestone and look forward to more to come.
“We want to increase the number of women in the ports industry and are committed to promoting diversity and fostering inclusivity. We have initiatives aimed at improving recruitment to demystify what has been traditionally seen as a male operated world and have been the first port operator to introduce women’s PPE. Our message is clear – there are roles at the ports for women.”
Mia, who has worked for ABP for over a year after leaving a job in a fish and chip shop, said: “I wanted to train on the ship to shore as there’s so much to learn about the crane and ship. The biggest challenge was the swing on the crane and going over the water, but it doesn’t scare me.
“You must focus and look out for the ship’s crew and the deck tally, and it involves clear communication. It’s a heavy bit of kit and you must be prepared for the ship moving. I’ve thrown myself into this as I want to progress. I enjoy the fact I can do a few hours on the crane and a stint on the tugs.”
She credits her father Mark, who has worked at the port for 20 years and trained Mia on how to use the crane, though another tester was brought in for the examination. Mia added “It was my dad’s dream that one day he’d train me, and I’d be working here alongside him. I always told him it would be too boring, but it’s not. I love it as I’ve got a great gang around me, and we all get on well. Dad was really delighted when I passed the test. I just want to keep growing and accomplish more things.”
Wragby and Rasen to get faster business broadband in £58m contract
Rural communities in the west of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire are to get lightning-fast broadband after the signing of a £58 million contract under the government’s national Project Gigabit rollout.
The development will cover Wragby and Market Rasen, and are predicted to grow the economy and create jobs by making it easier to set up a business, and mean rural Lincolnshire communities will have access to networks designed to meet people’s needs for decades to come.
The work will be done by UK-based smart technology and digital provider Connexin, who will link up about 34,000 rural premises. The first of those could be on line by early next year.
Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said: “Thousands of people across west Lincolnshire are set to benefit from connectivity fit for the future, thanks to government’s Project Gigabit. We’re making strides in connecting communities in hard-to-reach areas across the country, and this latest investment will bring us one step closer to our digital transformation, opening up vast opportunities in rural areas.”
Furqan Alamgir, CEO at Connexin said: “Through the award of this contract, we are delighted to be able to play our part in the UK government’s mission to level up and bring gigabit connectivity to our rural communities.
“At Connexin our mission is not just about connecting people but also about how such connectivity can improve lives. We believe that everyone has the right to the same opportunities, and we firmly believe in digital inclusion and what it can unlock.
“We look forward to working with BDUK to future proof the infrastructure and bring hyperfast broadband to the region.”
New office development completed at Malton Enterprise Park
Enterprise House, a brand-new office at Malton Enterprise Park in North Yorkshire, has been completed.
Harrison Developments LLP, the owners and developers of the park, strategically located next to the A64, have now moved into state-of-the-offices in Enterprise House themselves.
Sean Harrison, Managing Director of Harrison Developments, said: “We are tremendously proud of our new Enterprise House offices, and we are delighted to have moved in. The development, which is in the heart of our park, is very hi-spec and there is nothing like it in the Malton and surrounding area.
“The building’s design is complemented by fully fitted, air-conditioned offices, electric charging points, full DDA access and ample car parking.”
Over 3,000 sq ft of office space has already been taken, with further co-working and hot-desking space still available.
The Malton Enterprise Park team have positive plans for the future.
“We have a further 60,000 sq ft of quality employment land at the park, available on a design and build basis. We will build speculatively and will either sell or lease the new units.
“These units will be single or two-storey commercial buildings which will be designed with maximum flexibility to allow a range of uses, including light industrial, offices, general industrial and retail, trade and warehousing. Sizes range from 1,000 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft.”
Leeds drainage and wastewater utility specialist snaps up South West company
Leeds drainage and wastewater utility specialist Lanes Group plc has acquired South West drainage solutions company Clear-flow Limited.
Lanes Group is a national drainage company providing services for utility, rail, local government, transportation, construction, telecoms and domestic sectors. The company was established in Leeds in 1992, and is now made up of a network of 25 locations in the UK, with a workforce of more than 4,000 people. Founded in 1982, Cornwall-based Clear-flow provides drainage solutions across the South West.
The acquisition of Clear-flow will support Lanes Group’s ambitions for UK expansion, bringing together two strategically aligned businesses – which are both established players in the utility market. Clear-flow will also bolster Lanes Group’s existing commercial activity in the South West.
RSM’s North West deal team managed the acquisition, led by James Wild and Rikesh Patel, with support from Ben Everson and Austin Halewood. Keith Kennedy at Pearson provided legal advice.
Rikesh Patel, corporate finance director at RSM, said: “It was great to support Lanes Group on this acquisition as it enters the next phase of its growth strategy. Combining the two companies’ knowledge, networks and resource will help facilitate the group’s long-term growth plans and enhance its market presence regionally and nationally.”
Julie Hobbs, director of finance at Lanes Group, said: “The RSM team offered its wealth of acquisition experience and expertise to the process, which resulted in an effective and seamless transition for all involved.”
National law firm makes major investment in new Leeds office space
National law firm Freeths has made a major investment in new office space at Central Square on Wellington Street, Leeds, marking 10 years since the firm launched in the city.
The offices will encompass Freeths’ agenda of continuously investing in sustainability and reducing carbon footprint as it records ambitious year-on-year-growth with recent turnover up by 14.9% to £129 million – an increase of £17 million from last year.
With a circa 80-strong team, the focus of the new Leeds office design is to provide a flexible working environment that embraces Freeths’ working culture for the future.
With extensive consultation with staff, the new space is designed to foster the benefits of working in a dynamic and ergonomic workspace. The new office will support an improved footplate to accommodate the business’s needs with a multi-purpose, larger and more appropriate premises.
Managing Partner of Freeths’ Northern Offices, John May, said: “Our new office concept will take into account the key elements needed to create a collaborative and functional working environment for the ambitious, talented and dedicated staff that underly Freeths’ success.
“The design includes areas that are varied and versatile to facilitate productive and efficient use of the office space. The design provides areas for desk sharing, meeting with clients, quiet working spaces and multifunctional rooms equipped for training, client meetings and staff wellbeing. With an extensive cutting-edge media room this is certainly an avant garde, post covid workplace.
“Rather than paying lip service to the green agenda, Freeths have thought seriously about how to reduce their carbon footprint and this was a key consideration in the Leeds office design in collaboration with Dentons.
“As an ambitious law firm, the expansion of the Leeds office will facilitate our growth agenda.”
Step taken toward re-opening Doncaster-Sheffield Airport
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has announced that the region will take a major step toward re-opening Doncaster-Sheffield Airport (DSA) and allow for a 10-year plan to drive economic growth in Doncaster, subject to the decision of the Mayoral Combined Authority Board on 13 February 2024.
Fifteen months since DSA was closed by owners Peel Group, the Mayor, City of Doncaster Council and the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) have been working to find a way to re-open it that is legally and financially sound and protects the taxpayer.
Last summer, the MCA awarded City of Doncaster Council £3.1 million to prepare an Outline Business Case to take control of the airport through a leasing arrangement, re-establish operations under a new business model, and use the asset as an anchor for growth at the wider Gateway East site to support economic regeneration and benefits to the city and region as a whole.
The Outline Business Case, published yesterday, states that re-opening the airport provides the best opportunity to secure economic growth and well-being not just in Doncaster but will have wider benefits for South Yorkshire as a whole.
City of Doncaster Council will have £138 million made available by the MCA via Gainshare to support economic ambitions including as outlined in the Doncaster Place Investment Plan which includes South Yorkshire Airport City and Gateway East.
Elements of activity could also be supported from other MCA funding that has been set aside to support this project. Ultimately, significant investment is going into Doncaster to help it pursue the jobs, growth and opportunity it wants, and it will be local and regional residents and businesses who will benefit.
Crucially, the Outline Business Case is built on creating a sustainable airport hub with the airport anchoring a sector specific focus on aviation-related advanced manufacturing, advanced engineering and the growing jet-zero and decarbonisation industries.
Applied research is one of South Yorkshire’s core strengths as evidenced through McClaren, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and Hybrid Air Vehicles choosing to locate in the region, and the opportunity exists to locate the next wave of advanced manufacturing at Gateway East connected to global markets through a reopened DSA.
Linking the return of aviation to the UK’s first Investment Zone worth £160 million with a focus on advance manufacturing could present significant opportunities for businesses and communities in Doncaster and the wider region, helping address long term challenges in productivity, worklessness and low wages, and poor life outcomes that hold South Yorkshire back.
The MCA Board is being asked to approve the recommendation to work up a Full Business Case which could be completed as soon as Spring 2024. If this happens and a suitable operator is found, South Yorkshire could be well on its way to seeing DSA re-open.
City of Doncaster Council will continue to lead on the negotiation with airport owners and the procurement exercise to attract a new operator and public investment remains contingent on the successful completion of those negotiations. The MCA will continue to provide strategic advice and support to the council in relation to the wider regeneration of the development of the Gateway East site to support a reopened airport.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “These proposals represent a major step towards re-opening our airport and delivering a 10-year plan for South Yorkshire Airport City at Gateway East; not only re-opening our airport but creating an internationally significant, sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub in Doncaster.
“This is part of our plan for growth across our whole region, delivering long term benefits for Doncaster and the whole of South Yorkshire, with a thriving regional airport at its heart.
“Getting to this point has not been easy. I’ve always said reopening our airport would take time and huge amounts of hard work.
“But the plans we are putting forward at next week’s MCA meeting are a significant step in the process of reopening DSA.
“No ambitious plan is without risks, but alongside the other leaders in South Yorkshire, I believe the economic case is compelling.
“That cannot mean a blank cheque or a bad deal, so we are rightly following a process that is underpinned by robust governance. We’ve seen in other parts of the country what can go wrong if we don’t put transparency, accountability and the interests of taxpayers at the forefront of our thinking.
“I’m determined to get a good deal for our community, to do this work properly no matter the hurdles, so we can deliver a long-term plan for our airport and South Yorkshire Airport City. That’s exactly what this next step allows us to do.”
Mayor Ros Jones, City of Doncaster Council, said: “Saving and reopening our airport is my number one priority, I am pleased to say that lease negotiations continue to progress positively, and I am confident that we can agree a deal, but we are not over the line yet.
“Our airport represents incredible opportunities for Doncaster and South Yorkshire. City of Doncaster Council have entered the next stage of the procurement process, which is progressing as planned, with the aim of appointing an operator in the Spring.
“I never wanted our airport to close, it did not have to be this way, as a council we did all within our power, including offering to purchase the airport from the current landowners which was rejected.
“We are following our carefully managed plan; this is yet another step in the right direction for us to see planes flying again from our airport.”
Golf course predicts £200,000 saving after solar panel installation
York Golf Club expects a saving of £200,000 over the lifetime of a solar power system it has just had installed.
The 65-panel solar array has been installed by Green Building Renewables, which has five offices in Yorkshire, and is predicted to save the club six tonnes of CO2 each year.
Mike Wells, Managing Secretary of York Golf Club at Strensall, said: “The club had considered installing solar previously, but not progressed. However, escalating energy costs over the last year or two and the desire to reduce our carbon footprint led the board to proceed. The installation has been done without disrupting members or our operations, and Green Building Renewables was selected as the most appropriate installer for our needs.”
The installation of solar technology at the club signifies its commitment to environmental responsibility but also sets an example for the broader community.
Green Building Renewables’ MD Chris Delaney said: “Installing solar at such a well-known regional location is a real honour. Sports venues, like York Golf Club, use considerable amounts of energy, and solar systems allow them to make dramatic energy savings and reduce their energy bills.”
Professional services group agrees terms for new Leeds office
Evelyn Partners, the integrated wealth management and professional services group, has agreed terms to relocate its Leeds office to new premises at 3 Wellington Place.
Located in the heart of Leeds city centre and five minutes walk from the main train station, the new office provides a workspace for the group’s 85-strong team currently based in the city and will allow for further growth. The move is expected to take place in the second half of the year.
The new office will provide space for the team to work at both desks and meet with colleagues in collaborative areas, while clients will benefit from additional modern meeting rooms with the latest technology.
Wellington Place is a new 21-acre neighbourhood which consists of mixed used buildings spanning office, leisure and retail spaces.
Ian Gibson, Managing Partner of Evelyn Partners’ Leeds office, said: “We are delighted to have agreed terms to re-locate our Leeds office to Wellington Place. The new premises in a vibrant new quarter in the city centre will enable us to keep pace with the ambitious plans we have to work with more clients in Yorkshire.
“Wellington Place, which is well-located and within easy reach of the train station, will provide a modern working environment for our staff and first-class meeting rooms for clients to meet their advisers.”
£4m project restoring buildings on historic Eldon Street in Barnsley
Visitors to Barnsley town centre may have spotted scaffolding as work is underway to restore buildings on Eldon Street, between Regent Street and the junction of Market Hill.
The Eldon Street High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) is a four-year project between Barnsley Council and Historic England which aims to bring back to life historic buildings through restoration work and cultural activity.
By the end of March, the project will have seen almost £4m of investment go into the historic street. It includes an ambitious community and schools’ engagement programme promoting creative careers and opening up possibilities within the town centre. Helping to connect the town’s heritage to the new development, The Glass Works.
The final stage of the project is about to begin and will see conservation works completed to 58 Eldon Street (Leslie Frances Hairdressing Academy), 60 Eldon Street (Globe Holidays) and 70-72 Eldon Street (Best Kebab & Pizza).
The project, delivered by Barnsley Museums, with support from other local partners, has uncovered more about the fascinating heritage of Eldon Street and hidden stories behind the historic facades.
58 Eldon Street is one of the oldest surviving buildings on the street and was originally built as a linen warehouse. It later became an adult education school in the 1870s, before it became Anne Porter’s and Sons, one of Barnsley’s first department stores to cater specifically for women.
60 Eldon Street also has a fascinating history and has been used for many things over the years. It was originally built as a furniture shop and warehouse. Then in the 1880s it was a music warehouse selling instruments and sheet music. After that, Roebuck’s furniture emporium.
In more recent years, the building has been used for a series of fast food restaurants before becoming Globe Holidays.
Next door, the Parkway Cinema is also due to have its original canopy restored as part of the street’s regeneration. The site has a long fascinating history but the current building was well known as the Odeon Cinema in the 1960s. Now as the Parkway Cinema, it is one of only a handful of cinemas in the UK to still use 70mm film.
Dr Tegwen Roberts, Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, said: “There’s so much history hidden within these buildings. To be able to uncover so much of it and to share that with local communities has been incredible.”
In this phase of restoration work, the buildings will undergo cosmetic work to restore their frontages and repair windows and other historic features. This will ensure their look and feel is in keeping with their historic façades, and compliments the work already undertaken elsewhere on the street.
As part of a £95m government-funded scheme, the HAZ’s aim nationally is to fuel economic, social and cultural recovery, while restoring previously neglected historic buildings to maintain them for generations to come.
Tegwen added: “The whole project will have a huge positive impact on Eldon Street as we connect historical areas with the exciting new developments in the town centre.
“The HAZ is not only restoring elements from the past, maintaining buildings and stories for generations to come, but it provides these buildings with a new lease of life so they can continue to have purpose now – and in the future – as part of a modern town centre.”
Eldon Street is the key missing element of the town’s current regeneration. Improving the appearance of the buildings and bringing activity back to the street will make a significant difference to the town centre as a whole.
Over the past five years, Barnsley’s town centre has transformed. Together the completion of its £200m development, The Glass Works, with its championing of its Victorian Arcade and the restoration to many buildings on its historic Eldon Street, footfall is being encouraged right across its centre.
Footfall on Cheapside in Barnsley town centre was up 5.7% in 2023 compared to 2022, and events also proved a hit in 2023. During Barnsley’s Bright Nights Festival that spanned across the town centre back in November, footfall was recorded at a significant 27.5% increase over the same event the previous year.
Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture at Barnsley Council, said: “The Eldon Street HAZ project is breathing life into an important historic street, which also happens to be many people’s gateway into Barnsley town centre.
“Eldon Street is a very special place with a fascinating history so we are delighted that the works taking place will restore the façades, bringing our historic buildings back to life while also encouraging experiences along the street.
“Not to mention, for the businesses that reside inside these buildings right now, it is hoped that, after surviving so much disruption throughout the pandemic and more recently the cost of living crisis, the completion of this final phase of work will beckon a time of celebration for them too.”
Nicola Brown, from Historic England, said: “It has been a joy to watch the regeneration of Eldon Street over the past few years through the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme. This latest phase of works on this historic street will cement its role as one of the most vibrant and attractive parts of the town centre.”
Lincolnshire SMEs eligible to receive fully funded Net Zero support
Business Lincolnshire has announced a series of tailored workshops for businesses wanting to shift to sustainability.
The UK has set an ambitious goal of becoming Net Zero by 2050, and many large businesses have pledged to bring their target forward to 2030.
Whilst there is guidance for larger organisations, the national objective requires the involvement of all sectors, including small businesses, which constitute 99% of the UK’s enterprises and employ 60% of the workforce.
Yet, many smaller businesses are finding themselves at a crossroads, unsure of how to navigate the path towards sustainability without incurring excessive costs or disrupting their existing practices.
Low Carbon Lincolnshire is a programme designed to help small-medium businesses (SMEs) in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland begin or continue their journey to Net Zero.
Working on behalf of Business Lincolnshire, a series of fully funded, bespoke workshops and supporting materials will be delivered by the business support team at PECT (an environmental charity based in Peterborough), who already work with over 300 organisations on sustainability and decarbonisation projects.
The team has a solid understanding of the current trends and challenges in the field of sustainability and low carbon, as well as practical ways to implement them.
Says Councillor Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy & Place at Lincolnshire County Council: “Business Lincolnshire’s Low Carbon Lincolnshire programme offers vital support to our local SMEs.
“These fully funded workshops are a gateway for small businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to embrace sustainability and contribute to the broader Net Zero mission. A crucial initiative for a greener and more resilient business landscape in our region.”
Each business will undergo an onboarding process at the beginning of their journey to confirm eligibility and ensure that the workshops can be tailored to suit those attending.
Introductory webinars:
- Energy Management – Wednesday 21st February 2024, 1pm-2pm
- Supply Chains – Thursday 29th February 2024, 9am-10am
With many more webinars to follow, find out more about what is available and register your attendance on the Business Lincolnshire website.
Please note: Geographical restrictions may apply to certain programmes. Interested businesses are encouraged to verify their eligibility before applying. Three-year project aims to protect infrastructure from cyber attack
The University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Rotherham is leading a new international project to protect critical infrastructure such as power stations and water systems from cyber attack.
The three-year project, called Troci (Towards Resilient Operation of Critical Infrastructure), focuses on protecting the monitoring and control systems which make or inform operational decisions about infrastructure based on data from a large number of sensors.
The project consortium includes experts from across Europe who will bring their unique capabilities to different areas of the challenge. The University of Vienna brings its expertise in sensor networks and distributed computing to lead the development of the C&I infrastructure. University College Dublin brings interdisciplinary expertise in civil engineering and computer science, and will focus on applications in the water sector. And Holisun, a Romanian software company specialising in machine learning and cybersecurity, will lead software platform development.
With increasingly complex and autonomous control systems, cyber attacks on the sensors can have serious consequences. At the least, operators can lose reliable data on the state of the system – at worst, decisions are made on false data, with potentially disastrous consequences.
Infrastructure systems can be attacked deliberately, or by autonomous software which seeks out vulnerabilities. One of the first major cyberweapons, Stuxnet, was designed to attack control systems in Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities but went on to infect other industrial and energy systems.
Dr Hafiz Ahmed, head of controls & instrumentation at the Nuclear AMRC, said: “Cybersecurity infringements which target instrumentation and control systems of critical infrastructure can severely disrupt our modern way of life, which relies on direct and continuous access to water and energy systems around the clock. The nuclear sector is undergoing a digital transformation, introducing additional cybersecurity challenges alongside existing physical security concerns.”
National Park farmers offered advice about different sources of income
This month farmers in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being invited to one of five meetings being held at what’s said to be the ‘crux moment’ of the government’s seven-year agricultural transition in England.
Advisers from the National Park Authority’s farm conservation team will be on hand in Hawes, Reeth, Orton, Sedbergh and Settle to explain how this summer farmers will be able, for the first time, to submit a combined application for Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive, the government’s post-Brexit farm payment schemes.
Farmers in the uplands will be eligible for new payments for moorland management, as well as for keeping up dry stone walls and a greatly increased payment rate for managing grassland as species-rich hay meadow.
Member Champion for the Natural Environment at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Mark Corner said: “As well as being at its mid-point, the Government’s seven-year agricultural transition has reached its crux moment. The Basic Payment Scheme is now closed, while the new combined Sustainable Farming Incentive /Countryside Stewardship offer is about to open for all. This means that in the next few months people farming in the National Park may have some big decisions to make on how they wish to farm, and which options and payments they wish to pursue, in order to sustain a viable business.
“We are particularly keen to support people to get the new payment for species rich traditional hay meadows. Now there will be a more appropriate payment – of £646 per hectare, plus a £187 per hectare hay making supplement – to reflect the increased management needed to nurture an upland hay meadows.
“Our farm conservation team is likely to be in demand during this period, so booking a place at one of the free meetings is highly recommended.”
The evening meetings are scheduled as follows:
- Mon 5 Feb, 7-9pm Hawes Market House,
- Weds 7 Feb, 7-9pm Reeth Memorial Hall
- Mon 12 Feb, 7-9pm Orton Market Hall, CA10 3RU
- Fri 16 Feb, 7-9pm Sedbergh Peoples Hall
- Tue 27 Feb, 7-9pm North Ribblesdale Rugby Club, Settle
ABP film wins recognition in ‘best animation’ category of national competition
A sustainability film created by ABP in collaboration with creative agency, Polar Media, has won Bronze in the ‘Best Animation’ category at London’s prestigious Lens Awards.
Created by ABP, the UK’s largest port operator, the film helps tell the story of ABP’s sustainability journey and celebrates the launch of the company’s first ever sustainability strategy ‘Ready for Tomorrow’. With a female protagonist, the film invites audiences to see the world through the eyes of a woman who progresses through different stages of her life and maritime career, whilst witnessing and helping deliver various green energy infrastructure projects enabled by ABP’s ports.
She travels from Immingham up on the Humber, where she sees the growth of green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage to Port Talbot in Wales, where the exciting floating offshore wind industry is in bloom. Along the way, she meets different animals from a seal to kittiwakes, all serving as a reminder that industrial progress needs to go hand in hand with protecting biodiversity to create a sustainable future.
An original scored soundtrack was created especially for the project as well as a voiceover delivered by a woman in her 50s, in an effort to address the noticeable absence of these types of voices in the majority of B2B corporate videos.
Max Harris, ABP Head of Strategy and Sustainability, said: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with the ‘The Voyage’. We see it as a tool to highlight the important role ports are playing in decarbonising the UK. It was a very rewarding project and I would like to thank our team and Polar Media who helped bring this vision to life.
“We hope the film is accessible for people from all ages and backgrounds who may be unfamiliar with what we do in the ports industry. The low-poly animated style also set the creative for the other assets in our ‘Ready for Tomorrow’ sustainability strategy campaign, including school competition posters, documents and more.”
Hull solar firm secures investment to back nationwide expansion
Backed by an eight-figure finance package arranged with Angel Invest and DF Capital Hull-based HDM Solar has set its sights on having sixty sites throughout the UK, with fiver operational by the end of this year.
It will use the investment and working capital facility to accelerate the rollout of a nationwide network of branches which will generate new jobs and provide local support to installers, businesses and consumers in every corner of the country.
This funding is another significant step in the development of the company and its ambition to be the UK’s leading renewable energy equipment wholesaler. The Hull based business is at the forefront of championing affordable energy solutions and making it simpler for millions of homes and businesses to embark on a journey towards net zero.
Adam Firth, HDM Solar’s MD, said: “We have carefully and strategically planned our UK wholesale network expansion. This funding will help us increase our number of branches so we can provide even better service and support to our customers across the country, it’s a really exciting and rewarding time for everyone at HDM Solar as we continue to offer a new proposition to the market.”
The investment from Angel Invest and working capital facility from DF Capital illustrates their shared confidence in the profitability, longevity and management of the business.
John von Berenberg-Consbruch, Partner at Angel Invest said: “Daniel, Adam and the team at HDM Solar have demonstrated an exemplary level of professionalism and growth planning. The HDM Solar business is growing quickly by offering best-in-class products and exceptional service. Our investment will help accelerate their expansion and plan to become a leading industry player”.
Garry Frew, Chief Commercial Officer at DF Capital added: “We’re delighted to provide this facility to HDM Solar during this significant period of growth. Daniel and Adam have demonstrated tremendous industry knowledge and a robust, exciting plan for the future development of the business which we are delighted to support.”
