Rule change allows advice for the region’s tiniest SMEs

Stuart Pearcey
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Rule change allows advice for the region’s tiniest SMEs
Made Smarter East Midlands has announced that the programme eligibility criteria are being changed to include manufacturers with headcounts of nine people or fewer. Since its launch a year ago, the East Midlands Made Smarter Programme has been open only to SME Manufacturers in  Greater Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with headcounts between 10 and 249 people. With immediate effect the programme will now accepting expressions of interest from micro sized manufacturers Made Smarter East Midlands now offers the following support to micro manufacturing businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire through the national Made Smarter Website https://www.madesmarter.uk/

•  Digital Road Mapping – A lighter touch road map is available to Micro businesses, which will set out a Digital Implementation Plan.

•  Access to 10 hours of fully funded Industrial Digital Technology Advice (IDTA)

•  Grant funding to support CAPEX and revenue projects.

Programme Director Dr Chris Owen said: “We can now expand the scope of the East Midlands Made Smarter programme to thousands of micro SME Manufacturers across the region. Since we opened our doors for business in December 2022, we have had a healthy interest from micro sized manufacturers who are eager for support to adopt industrial digital technology but we have been unable to help them. “We’ll be reaching out to all those micro manufacturers who have already registered and expression of interest in Made Smarter East Midlands, and opening our doors to new expressions of interest from other micro manufacturers across the region. We have created a pathway of support specifically designed for micro manufacturers, which is quicker and lighter touch than the core programme, but still gives companies access to packages of free and impartial technical advice and grant funding of up to £20,000 to help them adopt industrial digital technology.” Alongside the new Micro manufacturer pathway the core programme will still continue to accept expressions of interest from manufacturers with headcounts of 10 to 249 people. In just one year, Made Smarter East Midlands has engaged with over 150 manufacturing businesses across the region providing much needed grant funding, free and impartial technical advice, digital transformation road mapping and Leadership Development. To find out more about what is available, visit the Made Smarter East Midlands website, where you can also express your interest and sign up to this fantastic opportunity https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/east-midlands/

£10.5m funding deal accelerates growth for Yorkshire home buying business

Tess Egginton
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£10.5m funding deal accelerates growth for Yorkshire home buying business

A Yorkshire-based property company, which specialises in buying homes for cash in seven days, is eyeing further expansion having gained full shareholding ownership of the business after securing a £10.5m funding solution.

The Property Buying Company based in Wetherby, is primarily utilising the facility provided by Reward Finance Group to buy out a London investment and lending company, which has owned a 50% shareholding in the business since 2017.

The complexity and speed of the buy-out meant that it needed a lender that could offer the pace and flexibility of funding. The deal is the highest single lend provided by Reward, which specialises in providing tailored business finance and asset based solutions to SMEs across England, Wales and Scotland.

The Property Buying Company was founded in 2012 by Karl McArdle and Jonny Christie and is now looking to accelerate the next stage of its growth plans, with the funding allowing it to further bolster its systems, infrastructure and recruit, whilst being in a position to complete a significantly increased volume of property purchases in the year ahead.

Karl McArdle, co-founder for The Property Buying Company, said: “We’re hugely grateful to the contribution made by investors who have helped us rapidly expand the business over the last 11 years. It’s been an amazing journey.

“However, we’d always hoped to regain full shareholding to gain greater control over the direction of the business. Now feels like the right time to make that move as we enter a major phase of growth.

“We turned to Reward as we needed a lender which understood our business and could provide a fast and flexible funding solution of this size and complexity which also involved taking 49 properties as security in a short space of time.

“The additional working capital will provide the catalyst for expansion and gear us up for what promises to be an exciting 12 months ahead.”

Dave Jones, Reward’s founding director, added: “I’ve recently had the pleasure of spending a significant amount of time with both Karl and Jonny, to get under the skin of their business and structure a deal which is bespoke to their needs.

“They’ve built up a fantastic business and so we’re really pleased to have been able to provide an agile finance solution that has enabled them to regain full ownership and fuel future expansion.

“A single deal of this lending size, being in excess of £10m, is also a first for Reward and a real landmark for the business. We have now completed over 2,000 deals. However, it seems very fitting that this milestone has been achieved by supporting Karl and Jonny, as Reward also first started its own journey in Leeds at a very similar time to them.”

ABP appoints Business Development Manager to lead clean energy transition

Stuart Pearcey
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ABP appoints Business Development Manager to lead clean energy transition
ABP has appointed commercial and property expert Lex Hanham as Business Development Manager, where she will be spearheading projects to accelerate the UK’s clean energy transition, including Immingham’s Green Energy Terminal and the Humber’s Viking 2 carbon capture initiative. Having originally joined ABP as a Graduate Management Trainee in Southampton, Lex has more than 15 years’ experience at the organisation. She has successfully delivered projects across a wide range of business functions, from operations to property management and from  project management to commercial. Ralph Windeatt, ABP Head of Business Development, said: “Lex brings with her a wealth of knowledge, skills and insight from her hugely successful time in Southampton and she joins at an exciting time for the development of our pipeline. I am confident the experience she brings from her time in the ports industry will strongly benefit existing and future customers in this role.” Lex said: “I find joy in the pursuit of possibilities; the satisfaction of turning opportunity into reality and forging connections and lasting partnerships with customers. I am excited to be a part of the team sculpting a future for our ports defined by growth and innovation. “Transitioning from the core port business to the dynamic realm of alternative energy is not just a shift in focus; it’s a leap into a future sector where success is measured not just in profits but in the positive change we catalyze for generations to come. I look forward to being a part of the fusion of business acumen and environmental stewardship, where every strategic move echoes a commitment to a greener, more sustainable world.’’ With projects such as Immingham Green Energy Terminal (IGET) under way, the past years have reinvigorated public interest in ports’ role as enablers of net zero. This facility will use CO2 shipping to deliver decarbonisation without risking deindustrialisation and will create a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future for the UK. This focus on sustainable solutions has been amplified by ABP’s sustainability strategy, ‘Ready for Tomorrow’, which sets out the company’s plans to invest £2 billion in decarbonising its own operations by 2040 as well as enabling the wider UK energy transition through large-scale clean energy infrastructure projects. A salient example of a project in the pipeline includes the Viking CCS on the Humber, which has secured Track 2 status in the Government’s cluster sequencing process. This is an important step towards attaining an economic licence for the permanent storage of CO2 in the Viking fields. The project will reuse existing pipelines and decommissioned gas fields to provide a very cost-competitive solution for storage of CO2 emissions. Once complete, Viking CCS will have the capability to store up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030, rising to 15 million tonnes per year by 2035. This can make a significant contribution to the UK’s sixth carbon budget. The project also has the potential to unlock £7 billion of private investment for the Humber region across the CCS value chain. This will bring significant benefits to the local community and the UK overall, including the potential creation of up to 10,000 new, good quality jobs during construction and a contribution of £4 billion of GVA to the economy.

Capita sells 75% stake in York-based Fera Science

Tess Egginton
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Capita sells 75% stake in York-based Fera Science
Capita plc has agreed to sell its 75% stake in York-based Fera Science Limited to Bridgepoint Group plc, for an enterprise value of £60m on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The deal values the total joint venture at £80m. The sale of Capita’s 75% interest in Fera, a joint venture with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), will result in Capita receiving cash proceeds of £62m upon completion. This will provide additional liquidity to further strengthen Capita’s balance sheet and support investment across the Group. Fera was established in 2015 as a joint venture between Capita (75%) and Defra (25%) to create a financially sustainable business, focused on the agriculture, farming and food production market. It specialises in environmental testing, research, and advisory and assurance services for both the public and private sectors. All current Fera senior management and employees will remain with the business when Bridgepoint becomes the new majority shareholder on completion. Jon Lewis, Capita’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased to have agreed the sale of our stake in Fera after a competitive auction process. “Capita and Defra have partnered together to grow and professionalise Fera over the past eight years, creating significant value for us and the taxpayer. “Fera is now a vibrant and profitable commercial business, successfully serving private sector and government customers in both the UK and overseas. “We had previously announced our intention to sell our stake in Fera, as part of our ongoing strategy to simplify and strengthen Capita. It was the appropriate time to find a new partner to build on the strong, successful foundations now in place at Fera and take the company onto the next stage of its development. “This is the latest excellent example of Capita successfully collaborating with the UK Government to commercialise and transform Government assets into valuable businesses, following previous successes including Constructionline and AXELOS.”

Insurance broker snaps up Leeds group

Tess Egginton
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Insurance broker snaps up Leeds group
AssuredPartners, an insurance broker in the United States, UK and Ireland, has acquired Leeds-based Romero Group, which includes Romero Insurance Brokers Limited, it’s subsidiary Sentient Group Limited and Club Insure Limited (Romero). The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approval. Founded in 1997 by Justin Romero-Trigo, Romero has enjoyed exceptional growth and become one of the largest independent commercial insurance brokers in the UK, controlling over £100m of GWP and employing 205 staff across 5 regional offices. All staff will stay in place post-acquisition under the leadership team of Group CEO, Justin Romero-Trigo, Group MD, Simon Mabb and Group COO, Victoria Romero-Trigo. David Heathfield, CEO of AssuredPartners UK and Ireland, said: “It’s not just the scale of Romero that sets it apart from its independent peers but the way in which the business has been structured to ensure clients receive an unrivalled level of service from placement to claims advocacy. “Our largest acquisition to date, the addition of Romero to our growing group is a key milestone in our expansion plans and the combination of these two powerful brands will create better solutions for our clients and provide great opportunities for all staff.”
Justin Romero-Trigo said: “AssuredPartners have met all our requirements in continuing our exceptional service to our clients. I am proud that after 26 years we have secured a like minded partner who will allow us to continue and reinforce our growth trajectory. “I would like to pay testimony to my staff and management team who have given me 100% at all times, we have and continue to achieve greatness in every area we operate in. Our constant drive for change and growth is in built in our DNA and we needed a partner that we could continue to flourish our entrepreneurial spirit. “I am pleased to say that in AssuredPartners we have found the perfect partner and with our strong leadership through Simon and myself we are in safe hands.”
Simon Mabb said: “I’m really pleased that we have been able to find the forever home for the Romero businesses. We were very clear that we had to join a business with the same cultural alignment for our staff and clients. “I’d also like to thank all the team at Romero for their hard work over the years to make the businesses the huge success they are today. Lastly, I’d like to publicly thank Justin for his unwavering support to me personally over the last 15 years, I look forward to working with him and the AssuredPartners team to continue our journey.”

NFU pushes ahead with campaign to ban sky lanterns

Stuart Pearcey
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NFU pushes ahead with campaign to ban sky lanterns
The NFU leading a campaign for a total ban of sky lanterns in England and Wales as members say they continue to cause problems to the safe running of their farms.
The farmers’ union has joined forces with farming, environment, animal and fire organisations to call for a national ban of sky lanterns as part of a long-running campaign to ground them for good. NFU Vice President David Exwood said: “Sky lanterns continue to be a real danger to many of us living and working in the countryside. They can cause serious injury to livestock if they are eaten, particularly with so many calves and lambs in the fields in the spring and summer months. “As the weather gets drier the potential for damage to crops and buildings is also increased. “By launching this petition and galvanising the support of the British public, we can show the UK Government, and the Defra minister with responsibility, Jo Churchill MP, that there is widespread support for a total ban of sky lanterns in England and Wales. I urge farmers and growers to add their name and help ground sky lanterns for good.” Since May 2022, more than 100,000 members of the public have signed a petition calling on the government to follow the lead of hundreds of local councils and introduce an outright ban. Parliament recognises 100,000 signatures as the most significant milestone a petition can reach. David added: “We wrote to Environment Minister Trudy Harrison MP to ask for a national ban on sky lanterns. She has responded informing us that Defra have now commissioned research into the harms caused by sky lanterns. “Last month we wrote to Defra again, calling for them to share the research findings given the ongoing support from the public calling for a ban.
“Every year up to 200,000 sky lanterns are released in the UK and farmers continue to report the threat they are posing to their farm businesses. “These floating flames are highly dangerous and can start wildfires, kill livestock, destroy crops and set homes and buildings alight.” Germany, Austria and Brazil are among the countries that have already implemented a total ban.

Transpennine rail route gets £3.9bn upgrade funding

Stuart Pearcey
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Transpennine rail route gets £3.9bn upgrade funding
Work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade will be accelerated through the cash injection of £3.9bn, leading to quicker journey times, reduced carbon emissions and more reliable services between key northern cities, Rail Minister Huw Merriman will announce today. Once complete, the full route will offer significantly improved services on the route between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, with rail users benefiting from a fully-electrified line, accessible stations and more frequent services. Today’s announcement means government has invested a total of £6.9 billion into the upgrade, with the initial £3 billion funding work to deliver early benefits by the middle of the decade, such as the electrification of tracks. Further funding will be confirmed by the department as the project progresses to support the overall cost of up to £11.5 billion. This takes the total investment from central government above what was provided for Crossrail, reflecting the scale of what’s being delivered for northern passengers. The project also underpins the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, which the government recently strengthened its support for by pledging a further £12 billion into its delivery to better connect Liverpool and Manchester. Furthermore, Bradford and Hull are to be brought into the NPR scheme, using savings from HS2. The new Bradford station will support regeneration efforts in the UK’s seventh-largest city and facilitate a new rail connection to Manchester via Huddersfield – almost halving journey times whilst doubling the frequency of services and double the capacity with up to an extra 1,000 seats per hour. The Transpennine Route Upgrade followed by NPR demonstrate the government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure to improve rail connections right across the North of England. Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “The Transpennine Route Upgrade represents the first major step in delivering transformed east-west connectivity in the north and I’m delighted to announce this multi-billion-pound funding boost to move to the next stage of delivery.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates this government’s commitment to delivering its Network North plan which will improve journeys, help to level up regions and grow the economy.”

Once complete in the mid-2030s, the upgrade will offer up to eight trains per hour, hundreds of extra seats, and cut journey times between Manchester and York by 10 minutes.

Barclays plans to close more branches in the year ahead

Stuart Pearcey
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Barclays plans to close more branches in the year ahead
Barclays will close its branches in Scunthorpe and Beverley within 24 hours of each other next March, a week after the shutters go up on the Grimsby branch. The closures are part of a long-running series of closures as the face of ‘high street’ banking changes for ever. Barclays says: “Lots of people are choosing to bank differently these days, which means not as many are using branches. “The decision to close a branch is never easy and we appreciate it might not be welcome news, but we’ll make sure customers still have access to our banking services. We’ll be available to help and talk to you about managing your money at many locations across the UK.” Closures have been ongoing for years across the region; Barton went in 2018; Bedale, Bridlington, and Thirsk went earlier this year amongst a raft of others nationwide.

Cranswick named best ‘Large Corporate’ at The Yorkshires

Stuart Pearcey
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Cranswick named best ‘Large Corporate’ at The Yorkshires
Hessle-based Cranswick has been named ‘Large Corporate’ of the year at ‘The Yorkshires’ business awards, . Organised by the Yorkshire Children’s Charity, the awards recognise businesses that have made significant strides over the past year and support the important work the charity does helping disadvantaged and vulnerable children across the region. CEO Adam Couch and Chief Financial Officer Mark Bottomley attended the ceremony to collect the award, which was sponsored by Leeds Beckett University.

Go-ahead given for Leeds Kirkgate Market hotel

Tess Egginton
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Go-ahead given for Leeds Kirkgate Market hotel
The regeneration of the area around Leeds Kirkgate Market is set to take another stride forward after plans for a new hotel and gym were given the green light.
Leeds City Council submitted a planning application in August for the scheme on the George Street side of the Grade I listed market building. And yesterday (Thursday, November 30) the application won unanimous support at a meeting of the council’s city plans panel. The decision means that construction work should start next year on the scheme, with the council having already agreed a pre-let lease with hotel operator Premier Inn. The development will include a council-run public gym, delivering improved access to top-class health and fitness facilities for people living and working in the city centre. The transformation of the George Street site will, it is hoped, provide another notable success story for an area that has undergone significant and positive changes in recent years and is today home to landmarks such as the Victoria Gate retail destination, the refurbished Leeds Playhouse and Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus. The scheme has also been designed to drive additional footfall to the market, where business has already been boosted by a multi-million pound investment programme. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The plans panel’s support for the George Street scheme represents another important milestone in the regeneration of the area around Leeds Kirkgate Market and beyond. “Leeds city centre is already a vibrant, attractive place to visit, but we want to make it even better – and the new hotel will help us achieve that aim, providing a stylish linking point between Vicar Lane, the Eastgate roundabout and Quarry Hill. “The scheme also underlines our commitment to ensuring the market retains its position as one of the jewels in the city’s retail crown.” Paul Smith, acquisitions manager for Premier Inn owner Whitbread, said: “We are extremely proud to have been named as the operator of the George Street hotel. “The location ticks so many boxes for Premier Inn customers and I know our guests will give a lot back to the area once we are open. “Following yesterday’s meeting, we will continue to work closely with the council’s team to construct the new hotel and deliver another superb location for our guests in the city centre.” The site earmarked for the six-storey development is owned by the council and is currently occupied by a number of vacant low-rise shop units. The hotel will fill the top five floors of the new building with 143 rooms as well as a bar and restaurant for guests. The ground floor, meanwhile, will feature a range of commercial units and the council-run gym. The hotel will create approximately 50 new full and part-time jobs locally once operational, with around 80 jobs being supported during construction.

The power of local business networks and initiatives

Tess Egginton
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The power of local business networks and initiatives
In reflecting on the trials and triumphs of the past year, the role of collaboration and interconnected networks among local businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland becomes abundantly clear. These collaborations redefine competition, fostering growth, resource-sharing, and resilience in the face of challenges. The synergy among businesses within local networks serves as a catalyst for growth, offering entrepreneurs a platform to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative ideas. This collaborative spirit not only propels individual businesses forward but also contributes to the overall economic development of the region. Resource Sharing for Collective Success A distinctive feature of local business networks is their ability to establish relationships where resources are shared for collective success. From fledgling start-ups to well-established enterprises, businesses in the region recognise the strength found in unity. Whether through sharing expertise, pooling marketing resources, or participating in community events, this collaborative approach amplifies the impact of each business involved. The Business Lincolnshire website supports these collaborative efforts, offering a plethora of resources for local businesses. Online webinars, podcasts, and downloadable fact sheets provide avenues for skill enhancement and continuous learning, fostering an environment where businesses can thrive. Overcoming Challenges through Support and Upskilling The challenges of the past year, from the cost-of-living crisis to global unrest, underscored the importance of local business networks and initiatives in providing support and upskilling opportunities. Shared experiences within these became valuable resources, offering insights and solutions to navigate disruptions in supply chains, changing consumer behaviours, and rising energy costs. Business Lincolnshire’s tailored, fully funded support programmes such as Your Business Boost, the Scale-Up Programme, the Manufacturing Support Programme, Low Carbon Lincolnshire and the Start-Up Academy play a crucial role in aiding local businesses. The Local Business and Supplier Directory further encourages local businesses to collaborate with and utilise local talent, which is essential in helping the region to prosper. The Future of Business Support The significance of local business networks is poised to grow. The evolving business landscape, with its challenges and uncertainties, makes collaboration more critical than ever. Business leaders, recognising the power of support, are well-positioned to leverage these networks to navigate economic shifts, embrace innovation, and collectively shape a prosperous future. Business Lincolnshire offers an array of resources, events, networks, and support programmes designed to help local businesses. By utilising these resources, businesses not only contribute to their individual growth but also play a key role in the prosperity of the regional economy. As we approach 2024, businesses are encouraged to connect with Business Lincolnshire’s Advisers to access fully funded, tailored support to position themselves for success in the coming year. Contact them today via the website www.businesslincolnshire.com or call 01522 782067.

Leeds’ SOYO neighbourhood hits major milestone with dual approval for final phase

Tess Egginton
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Leeds’ SOYO neighbourhood hits major milestone with dual approval for final phase

Caddick Group’s SOYO development at the heart of Leeds’ cultural quarter has secured planning approval for the final phase of the new neighbourhood from Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel.

Following a period of public consultation, Blocks A and D have won dual approval from the local authority, marking a major step forward for this transformative project.

Designed with sustainability front of mind, SOYO blocks A and D will bring student accommodation to the city centre. Both blocks will be comprised of a mix of studio and cluster flats, with the overall design complementing the rest of the new neighbourhood. Block A will bring 360 student units to the neighbourhood, adding to the 291 units due to be delivered at Block D.

SOYO began construction in 2019, bringing in a new mixed-use development to the Quarry Hill area, creating a new neighbourhood at the heart of Leeds’ cultural quarter. The first two buildings, Moda New York Square, opened in 2022, comprising 551 studios and apartments. The latest buildings, Madison East and Mercer West for Hestia, are due to open to residents in the New Year.

Alistair Smith, Associate Director at Caddick Developments, said: “We are pleased to receive approval on both Blocks A and D from Leeds City Council. With this, we can now progress the final phase of SOYO and complete this exemplar development that has already brought significant jobs and investment to the city.

“The consultation phase was very positive, and we received great responses to our proposals for both blocks which helped inform the final presentation of the plans to Leeds councillors. Through our ongoing collaboration with the local community and surrounding cultural institutions, we are already seeing the positive change that SOYO is bringing to this area of Leeds, cementing its status as an exemplar regeneration story for the city.”

Once completed, residents at Blocks A and D will benefit from a range of amenities such as a 24hr gym, keyfob secure entry, study and collaboration spaces, and roof-top gardens. The final phase of the development will also see the ambitious landscaping plans completed, creating one of the largest landscaped spaces in Leeds.

The blocks will meet a high standard of sustainability. Once consented, it’s intended that the development will be connected to the Leeds district heating network, and will help meet the council’s objective of making the city carbon neutral by 2030. The buildings will be designed to consume low amounts of energy when low on use, utilising low carbon technologies, LED lighting and low water consumption in the operation phase.

The project team includes ID Planning, Box Clever, DLG Architects, Fuse Architects, Re-Form Landscape Architecture, Roscoe, Tate Consulting, Richard Boothroyd and Associates, Fore Consulting, Jensen Hughes, Jameson Acoustics, Stroma Building Control, Ridge and Partners and Carbon-Climate-Certified.

Humber Freeport appoints permanent CEO

Tess Egginton
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Humber Freeport appoints permanent CEO
Humber Freeport has appointed Simon Green as permanent CEO and announced its Board line-up. Mr Green has served as Humber Freeport’s Interim CEO since April, steering the organisation through a successful launch period which has already seen major inward investments secured. He has now been appointed Humber Freeport’s permanent CEO, leading the delivery of the company’s work to attract significant investment and its core workstreams of innovation, decarbonisation and skills. The Humber Freeport Company has also confirmed the membership of its Board, featuring prominent figures from the private and public sectors. Humber Freeport Chair Simon Bird said: “The announcement of Simon as our permanent CEO, together with confirmation of our Board membership, marks another key step forward for Humber Freeport. “Simon has steered the organisation’s development successfully over the past few months. His permanent appointment recognises the excellent progress that has been made in that time and the considerable experience and expertise he brings to the role. “We’re also delighted to have brought together an excellent Board, made up of highly-respected private and public sector leaders who have the collective skills, knowledge and passion to support our ambitions. “These are exciting times for the Humber, as we look to maximise the region’s huge potential and attract transformative inward investment driving economic growth and job creation.” Mr Green moves permanently to his role at Humber Freeport from North Lincolnshire Council, where he served as its Deputy Chief Executive. He has over 30 years’ experience in development and corporate governance, having worked for public and private sector organisations in the North, Midlands and abroad. Throughout his career, Mr Green has overseen major projects, including in the fields of housing, transport, energy and higher education. More recently, he has taken on corporate culture and governance roles and throughout his career has striven to build alignment and partnership working as the bedrock of achievement. Alongside the announcement of Mr Green as permanent CEO, Humber Freeport has confirmed the membership of the freeport Board. Headed by Chair Simon Bird, who is also Humber director at Associated British Ports (ABP), the Board is made up of representatives from some of the region’s most important and influential organisations. In addition to Mr Bird and Mr Green, the Board members are: · Jo Barnes, Managing Director, Sewell Estates. · Carolina Borgstrom, Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, North East Lincolnshire Council. · Alex Codd, Assistant Director, Economic Development and Regeneration, Hull City Council. · Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln. · Alan Menzies, Executive Director of Planning and Economic Regeneration and Acting Chief Executive, East Riding of Yorkshire Council. · Stephen Parnaby OBE, Deputy Chair, Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. · Patrick Pogue, Group Director, Growth and Innovation, px Group. · Marcus Walker, Development Director, Able UK. Further private sector appointments to the Board are expected to be announced soon. Mr Green said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundations which have already been laid by Humber Freeport in securing significant inward investment and shaping the skills, decarbonisation and innovation agendas. “The Humber has a compelling role to play in UK plc, driving economic growth as a global gateway for trade and investment, and leading the drive for industrial decarbonisation. “Working closely with our Chair and Board members, and with regional partners, I’m looking forward to continuing to harness the benefits of freeport status to unlock new opportunities for investment and growth.”

Bradford taxi trade offered £4m to support transition to electric vehicles

Stuart Pearcey
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Bradford taxi trade offered £4m to support transition to electric vehicles
Clean Air Zone grant funding of £4.1m is now available for Bradford’s licenced taxi trade to help with running costs for fully electric hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle. Applicants can choose to purchase or take out a long-term lease (minimum 2 years lease at time the grant agreement is signed and returned) to be eligible for the grant. There are currently 200,000 electric vehicle movements per month in Bradford district, these grants will support the Bradford taxi trade to also make the change to full electric vehicles. The Bradford taxi trade has been extremely proactive in upgrading vehicles to Clean Air Zone standards, and has become the cleanest fleet in the country with 99% of the 4,800 licensed taxi and private hire trade meeting the Bradford CAZ standard. Owners of electric vehicles can see savings in fuel costs as well as lower servicing and maintenance costs. These are on top of the driver health benefits of in-vehicle pollution reduction, respiratory health improvements and also a reduction in noise. The applications process is now live for Bradford licensed vehicle proprietors. The grant will be increased for non-Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles from £6,000 over two years up to £10,000 over two years which brings it into line with the Hackney Carriage and Wheelchair Accessible Private Hire Vehicle EV grants. Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We recognise that there is a desire from the taxi trade to switch to fully electric vehicles. We want to further support the taxi trade by offering up to £10,000 per vehicle in grant funding to assist proprietors with the running costs of a fully electric Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicle. This is the highest grant of this type in the UK.” More information from the Clean Air Zone team on 01274 435533

Keepmoat starts work on next phase East Hull redevelopment

Stuart Pearcey
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Keepmoat starts work on next phase East Hull redevelopment
The start of the second development phase on Preston Road in East Hull signals a new major milestone in Hull’s 15-year city-wide housing regeneration programme. The redevelopment of the Preston Road site is being carried out by Hull City Council’s long term, strategic development partnership KSHP, a consortium of housebuilders including Keepmoat, Strata Homes, Home Group, and Priority Space. The scheme is being supported by the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership’s allocation of the Local Growth Fund, part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse. The entire site will deliver over 500 new homes to replace the 514 no longer fit for purpose homes which are being demolished. Strata are presently on site building 242 new homes as part of the first phase. Keepmoat Homes, is delivering the next phase, with 168 new homes in the pipeline, of which a proportion will be social housing for rent and low-cost ownership. A further 340 properties in the area have been refurbished, including energy efficiency improvement work. There’s also new infrastructure and extensive landscaping with the creation of new greenspaces to create a greener, more attractive local environment. Throughout the building phases, the partnership is committed to creating training and apprenticeship opportunities as well as new jobs throughout the supply chain. Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing Councillor Drake-Davis said: “The housing-led regeneration in Hull is one of the most ambitious nationwide. “Decent homes are vital to people’s health and wellbeing. We want our residents to live in well-built quality houses in attractive neighbourhoods, which meet their needs and, hopefully, their aspirations too. “As well as proving new homes, the commitment by the partnership to providing local jobs for local people is already making a significant contribution to the sustainability of our regeneration areas.” Daniel Crew, Regional MD at Keepmoat, Yorkshire East added: “We’re thrilled to be continuing delivery under the Hull city-wide partnership to deliver quality, sustainable homes for the latest phase in this historic Hull regeneration project. “More than 70% of Keepmoat developments are on former brownfield land, so we’re excited to get started on site and breathe new life into this former residential area. “We’re also working with the Environment Agency to create a nature trail along Holderness Drain, where one of our urban nursery projects will grow plants, shrubs and trees that will then be planted along the path to create a butterfly haven.”

Hull Trains named ‘best in class’ for second successive year

Stuart Pearcey
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Hull Trains named ‘best in class’ for second successive year
For the second consecutive year Hull Trains has been named ‘best in class’ at an awards ceremony to recognise the most reliable train fleets in the railway industry. The Golden Spanners is an event at which the rolling stock sector meets to celebrate improvements in train maintenance practices and reliability. Organised by trade publication Modern Railways, the event recognises the best in rolling stock maintenance and practices, paying tribute to those companies making the greatest strides in train reliability on behalf of passengers. Three categories of trophy are awarded: Gold for best in class, Silver for most improved over the last year, and Bronze for the lowest impact on the customer of failures. Hull Trains was awarded a Gold – the highest=possible accolade – in the 2nd Generation new inter-city train fleet category. The local, open-access operator was awarded the same accolade in 2022. Figures are calculated using the measure of Miles per Technical Incident (MTIN) on a Moving Annual Average basis, with a TIN being recorded where a train is stopped for three minutes or more due to a fleet issue. Train types are broken down into categories based on age and type. Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Hull Trains, said: “Our £60m investment in a state of the art bi-mode Hitachi train fleet continues to go from strength to strength in delivering improvements for our customers, as well as the environment . Hull Trains has consistently delivered for our customers. Prior to last year’s success at the Golden Spanners, we had not been recognised since 2016. So, to win a Gold Award two years running is testament to the great work of our fleet team colleagues and our train manufacture and maintenance partner, Hitachi, which enables us to deliver the dependable service that people have come to expect from Hull Trains. “The strong performance of our train fleet is also a key ingredient in the recent news that we are currently England’s most reliable train operator.” Jim Brewin, Chief Director UK & Ireland at Hitachi Rail, said: “We share these awards and success with our customers because their day-to-day collaboration is essential to ensuring that we break new records in reliability together. “A huge congratulations to our maintenance teams, whose ‘always improve’ mindset puts them at the forefront of our digital maintenance transformation, which is setting the industry benchmark in reliability. Our digital solutions are part of Hitachi Rail’s wider investment in the UK which is delivering over £640 million benefit to the British economy in 2023.”

Environment Secretary promises to be on the side of rural businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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Environment Secretary promises to be on the side of rural businesses
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has used his first major speech to set out his commitment to backing British farmers and being on the side of rural businesses. In a speech at the Country Land and Business Association conference he set out his vision for an innovative and productive agriculture sector, supporting the sector to continue to develop into a more sustainable and profitable industry. Almost £45 million in competitions and grants are set to open in the coming weeks as part of the Government’s £168 million investment this year to support farmers to foster innovation, boost productivity and improve animal welfare. This includes an initial £30 million on offer in the second round of the Improving Farming Productivity Grant, providing capital grants of £25,000 – £500,000 towards robotic and automatic equipment, with further funding potentially available depending on levels of interest. For the first time, it will also fund grants of between £15,000 and £100,000 towards solar equipment which can be fitted on rooftops and float on irrigation reservoirs, helping increase energy resilience and take-up of renewable energy generation on farms. Almost £8 million will also be available in the third round of the Large R&D Partnership, a competition specifically designed to boost industrial research and experimental development projects, and a further £850,000 through the Research Starter Round 4 competition to identify and accelerate new agricultural solutions, funding growers or foresters who have bold, ambitious, early-stage ideas. By enabling some of the UK’s most promising innovation and research initiatives to get off the ground, this funding will not only see our farmers become more efficient and productive, but will also equip them with the knowledge and tools to maintain our high degree of food security. He said: “My pledge to you is that this government will always back British farmers who produce some of the highest quality food in the world, contribute billions to our economy, and to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude for taking care of our countryside.”

Mayfair Group Investment to develop new state of the art medical centre in Leeds following £3m loan

Tess Egginton
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Mayfair Group Investment to develop new state of the art medical centre in Leeds following £3m loan
OakNorth has provided a £3m loan to Mayfair Group Investment, a developer, investor, and manager of healthcare, commercial, and residential property. The loan will be used to develop the group’s new three-storey, Harehills Medical Centre, located along Harehills Lane in Leeds. The new state of the art, purpose-built medical centre will consist of a GP surgery, retail pharmacy and large 35-space car park, spread across a 1,400 sq m site. Rohin Dhand, founder and CEO of Leeds-headquartered Mayfair Group Investment, said: “We believe property development is about understanding and appreciating how buildings work and fit within their communities and what their end users want. “Since our launch over a decade ago, we’ve been passionate about developing high-quality medical centres that transform the lives of patients and help practices deliver exceptional services, with our latest project along Harehills Lane fully encompassing this approach.” Dale Cowdell, director of debt finance at OakNorth, said: “With a wealth of knowledge working in the UK’s real estate and healthcare markets, Rohin and his team have extensive experience in delivering high-quality residential, commercial and medical sites across the full breadth of the country. “With recent figures showing the scale at which the UK’s population is ageing, the need for more medical centres is becoming more critical as time goes on. As a result, this new site is set to be a vital part of the local community in Harehills and we’re delighted to support Mayfair Group Investment with the project.”

Yorkshire Water pays record £1m to charity after Harrogate pollution incident

Stuart Pearcey
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Yorkshire Water pays record £1m to charity after Harrogate pollution incident
Yorkshire Water has paid a record £1m to charities after polluting a Harrogate watercourse, following an investigation by the Environment Agency. The company breached its environmental permit with an unauthorised sewage discharge from Hookstone Road combined sewer overflow, which polluted Hookstone Beck. It submitted an Enforcement Undertaking to the Environment Agency proposing a charitable donation totalling £1m, the largest ever accepted by the Agency. It has paid £500,000 to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and £500,000 to Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust. It has also completed a significant £1.85million sewer network upgrade in the area as part of the enforcement terms. An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer made by companies or individuals to make amends for their offending, and usually includes a payment to an environmental charity to carry out environmental improvements in the local area. Hookstone Road combined sewer overflow has an environmental permit which allows a discharge into the beck when the storm sewage facility is full due to rainfall or snow melt. On 31 August 2016 the Environment Agency received a report of pollution in Hookstone Beck. Investigating officers traced it to the overflow at Hookstone Road, which had blocked and not alerted Yorkshire Water due to faulty telemetry equipment. The investigation found that almost 1,500 fish had been killed and water quality affected for 2.5km downstream. A series of further blockages and discharges took place in the following months. A detailed Environment Agency investigation was undertaken, this included the use of devices called sondes in the river to measure the impact of ammonia and an assessment of Event Duration Monitoring data that revealed the company was in breach of its environmental permit. As part of the Enforcement Undertaking requirements Yorkshire Water has already carried out a £1.85m improvement and rebuilding project to the overflow and surrounding sewer network to bring it back into compliance with its environmental permit.

New Bill set to cut National Insurance rates in the new year

Stuart Pearcey
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New Bill set to cut National Insurance rates in the new year
Almost 30 million employees are to receive the largest-ever cut to National Insurance payments in the new year with a reduction from 12 percent to 10 percent. The House of Commons has debated the National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Bill, with the average employee and self-employed set to get an extra £450 a year and £350 a year, and allows the Government to say the £9 billion a year tax cut means that personal taxes on average salaries will be lower in the UK than every other major economy. To the average employee on a salary of £35,400 this will be worth £450 a year, improving living standards and reducing the current combined tax rate of 32% for employees paying the basic rate of tax to 30% – the lowest since the 1980s. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “I’ve been clear from the start that I want to cut taxes. Now, having met our pledge to halve inflation, taxes can be cut in a responsible way that rewards work and helps grow our economy.” “These changes will mean that, for those on average salaries, personal taxes would be lower in the UK than every other G7 country, based on the most recent OECD data. “Taxes for the self-employed will also be cut and reformed. From 6 April 2024, Class 4 NICs for the self-employed will be reduced from 9% to 8% and no self-employed person will have to pay Class 2 NICs, simplifying the tax system and saving the average self-employed person on £28,200 a year £350 in 2024/25.” The changes will see an average full-time nurse on £38,900 receive an annual gain of over £520; an average teacher on £44,300 would receive an additional £630 a year; and a typical self-employed plumber on £34,400 would be £410 better off as a result of these cuts.
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