Sponsors announced for South Holland business award scheme
Horticultural distribution company Floralinc is the headline sponsor for this year’s South Holland Business Awards.
A spokesperson for FloraLinc said: “FloraLinc are delighted to be headline sponsors of the 2023 South Holland Business Awards. We really value how the awards celebrate all the great local businesses and the people who work in them.
“We look forward to celebrating with all the businesses and people who attend on the night.”
The Business of the Year Award is being sponsored by Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa, as it has been for the last several years.
A spokesperson for Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa said: “Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa are delighted to continue our support for the South Holland Business Awards 2023, which showcases all of the hard work and dedication of businesses across the South Holland district. We are proud to once again be sponsoring the Business of the Year Award and would like to wish all of the finalists the very best of luck on the evening.”
Another returning sponsor is Duncan & Toplis, sponsoring the Business Innovation of the Year Award.
A spokesperson for Duncan & Toplis said: “We have sponsored these awards since their inception more than 15 years ago as we believe they are of great importance to the region. During that time we’ve seen some outstanding businesses and individuals be rewarded for their talents, hard work, commitment, and contributions to our region.
“This year, we are once again supporting the ‘Business Innovation’ category. Duncan & Toplis have always understood the importance of innovation, and embrace it ourselves – it’s at the forefront of our own growth and we’re always striving to develop and enhance our services, processes and business models to support our clients in the best way possible.
“It’s only fitting therefore that we champion our local innovators with this award, who are crucial to the ongoing economic development of our region, as evidenced by the investment in the East Midlands Freeport, and the newly confirmed East Midlands innovation park.“
Americold are this year’s Drinks Reception sponsor, and said:“We are proud to be this year’s Drinks Reception sponsor for the South Holland Business Awards.
“One of Americold’s core values is giving back – what does giving back mean to us? “We share our resources, time and energy to positively impact the communities where we live and work around the world”.
This year’s sponsors include:
– Headline Sponsor – FloraLinc
– Business Innovation – Duncan & Toplis
– Small Business of the Year – Charmed Interiors
– Excellence in Customer Care – Calthrops Solicitor
– Business of the Year – Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa
– Business Person of the Year – South Holland District Council
– Supporting the Community – Welland Power
– Young Achiever of the Year – University Academy Holbeach
– Food, Drink and Farming – Lincolnshire Field Products (LFP)
– Drinks Reception – Americold
– Table Wine – Seagate Homes
– Programme – Lightspeed Broadband
The event is on 9th November at the Springfields Conference and Events Centre.
Grant helps Tadweld develop for the future
Tadcaster-based welding and fabrication company Tadweld has been given a £20k grant through the Made Smarter programme to enhance digital capabilities and fostering innovation within businesses.
Established in 1983, Tadweld initially served the agricultural and quarry industries, quickly expanding to provide welding and sheet metal work for local breweries. Over the years, the company has grown to become a leading player in the field, with a team of highly qualified and skilled personnel. Tadweld designs, develops, creates, and installs steelwork solutions for blue-chip companies across the UK and Europe.
Tadweld sought support to innovate and evolve as a business though the Made Smarter scheme, exploring how digital tools could enhance its operations and contribute to growth. The company was given a range of support, guidance, and solutions from the programme, including personal engagement from Heidi Green of North Yorkshire Council and extensive support from Mike Pennington of the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.
Tadweld MD Chris Houston said: “The introduction of laser welding technology represents a significant step forward for Tadweld. As a pioneering technology in the welding industry, it offers numerous advantages over traditional methods, particularly in terms of weld quality and cleanliness. These aspects are crucial in the high-tech sectors Tadweld serves, including food and drink, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Tadweld anticipates that this technology will give us a competitive edge, enabling us to provide superior products and services.”
In addition to the technical advances that are bought with new equipment Tadweld have been heavily investing in their employees. With support from Calderdale College and York-based leadership and engagement specialists Pro-Development (UK) Limited, they have been running management training courses and an Employee Engagement Survey. This has been a fantastic way to up-skill managers, and to get honest feedback from their entire workforce. They have already installed new facilities, provided new equipment, and held a popular staff BBQ because of the survey. Now, the company is exploring further training opportunities through the York & North Yorkshire LEP Skills Bootcamps and the Made Smarter programme for Digital Transformation and Supervisor skills.
Tadweld plans to have the laser welding equipment in place by next January 2024. The company acknowledges the importance of training and maximizing the value of this new technology and is excited to explore its capabilities. Tadweld is also considering further digital investments in systems and equipment for the future, as they strive to remain at the forefront of innovation in their industry.
About Tadweld’s collaboration with the Made Smarter programme, Mike Pennington, who provided extensive support to the company, expressed his pride in assisting their journey. He said, “It has been a pleasure to work with Tadweld on their path to support innovation and growth. Tadweld’s commitment to embracing digital technologies and their dedication to offering top-quality solutions to their clients is truly commendable. I am proud to have played a part in their success and excited to witness the positive impact this support will have on their future endeavours.”
Tadweld’s commitment to support innovation and growth exemplifies their dedication to delivering top-quality steelwork solutions to their clients. The company’s journey is a testament to the opportunities that digital transformation can unlock for businesses, ultimately strengthening the local economy and reinforcing Tadcaster’s position as a hub of industrial excellence.
More Gainsborough properties to have improvements funded
Approval has been given for heritage improvements to five more Gainsborough buildings as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
West Lindsey District Council has been working with building owners and tenants to improve the condition of historic buildings. The aim is to reverse the decline of the town by offering substantial grants towards the costs to renovate the buildings, bringing empty properties back into use and maximising the potential for them to be used today.
The council has already been awarded £1.25m to repair, restore and regenerate the buildings in Gainsborough as part of the THI. The National Lottery Heritage Fund award for historic building repair grants was later supplemented significantly by a large additional award from the Levelling Up Fund.
Work in the town has been moving apace with a number of projects completed or near completion and a new round of exciting developments are set to get underway.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Trevor Young said: “As someone who has grown up and lives in Gainsborough and is enthusiastic about seeing improvements, it is very exciting to see the number of buildings which are now involved with the scheme.
“Visitors and residents will no doubt be familiar with the work that has been completed with 5-7 Market Place, now The Fabric Place, 27-29 Lord Street and 7 Lord Street. The improvements to these buildings have had a positive impact upon the townscape. I am delighted that the Restoration Grants Panel unanimously approved the funding for more buildings and I am looking forward to watching the work begin and seeing the final completions.”
Buildings to receive funding include:
- 24 Market Street – the Old Courthouse which stands across the road from the Guildhall will have the sash windows overhauled, alongside repairs to the brickwork, pointing and rainwater goods.
- 37 Lord Street – Café Latte will have work conducted on the windows and brickwork. The largest difference people will notice will be the reinstatement of a traditional shopfront and awnings.
- 1,3,5 Lord Street /2 Ropery Road -Clock House and Salon 5 – and 2 Ropery Road, which shares a roof with 1 Lord Street. It is the repair of this roof that will form the bulk of the work, alongside the replacement of the windows with wooden sash, and the introduction of more traditional entranceways and awnings.
- 25 Lord Street – has already undergone a significant amount of work to introduce three new retail units on the ground floor of the former public house, will see work continuing to the exterior. Work will include the repair to the roof and windows, the removal of cement render and the reinstatement of the stone string course which was discovered to have been carved with the former name of the inn – The Black Bull.
- 34-36 Market Place, better known as Walter’s Opticians is looking to carry out repair work to the bricks and windows and an adjustment to the shopfront, bringing it closer in design to what it would once have been.
- The former WHSmith’s building on 1 Silver Street will also see a big change. Alongside the replacement the shopfront with a traditional wooden design, three new retail units will be created in the former warehouse section along Curtis Walk, bringing exciting opportunities to an often-overlooked area of the town.
Travel plans earn national awards for four Hull organisations
Four Hull businesses and organisations have received national certification for workplace travel plans encouraging about 2,530 employees to walk, cycle and use public transport for their daily commute.
The Deep and the Holiday Inn Hull Marina have received Good Travel Plan (Bronze) awards from Modeshift STARS with the Double Tree by Hilton Hull and the University of Hull receiving Approved Travel Plan (Green) certificates. These four businesses join national retailer, Next, who have a bronze accredited travel plan, and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the city’s largest employers, whose travel plan has progressed from bronze to silver accreditation in the space of just 12 months. The national STARS accreditation scheme recognises workplaces that go above and beyond in developing, implementing and monitoring an effective travel plan to bring about a change in travel behaviour and reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys to, from and between their sites. Sites are awarded Green, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum accreditation. Hull City Council offers businesses and organisations within the city the chance to join Modeshift STARS for free as part of its strategic objective of promoting active travel choices. The benefits and advantages of a workplace travel plan, include:- reductions of single car occupancy journeys, which helps alleviate pressure and congestion across site car parks
- identifying availability and accessibility of viable transport options, based on staff locations
- potential to improve and develop site connectivity links through sustainable and active travel
- improving staff wellbeing, with physical and mental health benefits.
Doncaster Chamber produces wish list for King’s Speech
Doncaster Chamber is calling for the King’s speech to announce legislative changes that will benefit the region.
The King’s Speech is a major part of the State Opening of Parliament Ceremony, and is where Government puts forward the various laws that it wants to pass over the coming months. With a theme of setting our country on the right path, the 2023 iteration of this is said to focus on how the UK can seize new opportunities, safeguard its economic prosperity, and ultimately deliver a brighter future.
Eager to see these ambitions extend to South Yorkshire, Doncaster Chamber is highlighting the need for legislation that will help the local business community to grow, access the right talent, overcome present challenges, and have greater long-term confidence.
Those key asks are:
- A Skills Bill that helps businesses and workers, while establishing Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) as integral for the long term
- A Trade and Customs Bill, which gives confidence to businesses and prepares them for the digital trade expansion ahead
- The speech should consider how SMEs can benefit from wider technology adoption
- The speech should also outline how HS2 funding will be reinvested into the North’s transport infrastructure
Government plans ‘minimum service level’ laws to mitigate disruption
The government plans to impose minimum service level regulations for rail workers, ambulance staff and border security staff to mitigate disruption and ensure vital public services continue if strikes are called.
The legislation brings the UK in line with countries like France, Italy, Spain, and the US where public services reliably continue during strikes. The International Labour Organisation also recognises Minimum Service Levels as a sensible solution to protect the public from serious consequences of strikes.
The minimum service levels are designed to be effective and proportionate by balancing the ability to take strike action with ensuring we can keep our borders secure, supporting people to make important journeys including accessing work, education, and healthcare, and allowing people to get the emergency care they need.
Earlier this year, the government consulted widely on proposals to introduce minimum service levels legislation across a range of sectors, under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act which received Royal Assent in July. The responses to these consultations have been published today with the legislation set to be laid in parliament tomorrow.
For border security, the regulations will apply to employees of Border Force and selected HM Passport Office staff where passport services are required for the purposes of national security. The laws will set out that border security services should be provided at a level that means that they are no less effective than if a strike were not taking place. It will also ensure all ports and airports remain open on a strike.
For train operators, it will mean the equivalent of 40% of their normal timetable can operate as normal and, in the case of strikes that affect rail infrastructure services, certain priority routes can remain open.
Minimum service level regulations for ambulance workers will ensure that vital ambulance services in England will continue throughout any strike action, ensuring that cases that are life-threatening, or where there is no reasonable clinical alternative to an ambulance response, are responded to.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We are doing everything in our power to stop unions de-railing Christmas for millions of people. This legislation will ensure more people will be able to travel to see their friends and family and get the emergency care they need.
We cannot go on relying on short term fixes – including calling on our Armed Forces or civil servants – to mitigate the disruption caused by strike action. That’s why we’re taking the right long-term decision to bring in minimum service levels, in line with other countries, to keep people safe and continue delivering the vital public services that hard-working people rely on.”
Where minimum service level regulations are in place and strike action is called, employers can issue work notices to identify people who are reasonably required to work to ensure minimum service levels are met.
The law requires unions to take reasonable steps and ensure their members who are identified with a work notice comply and if a union fails to do this, they will lose their legal protection from damages claims.
Last year, we raised the maximum damages that courts can award against a union for unlawful strike action. For the biggest unions, the maximum award has risen from £250,000 to £1 million.
Groundbreaking finance deal wins major award for West Bar in Sheffield
Sheffield’s £300m West Bar development has won a national award for its progress in transforming a major part of the city centre.
Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, a JV involving Urbo Regeneration and Peveril Securities, was recognised, alongside Sheffield City Council, at the EG Awards in London for completing a ground-breaking deal to secure £150m funding from Legal & General, enabling delivery of the development’s first phase.
The funding deal secured with Legal & General for West Bar is the largest single city centre investment deal ever seen in Sheffield. It enables delivery of the first phase comprising 100,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, 368 Build to Rent residential apartments, a 450 space multistorey car park and considerable new public realm. Construction is progressing apace on site with completion due by mid-2024.
The West Bar regeneration scheme covers a 7-acre brownfield site on the Inner Ring Road between Sheffield’s Kelham Island, Cathedral and Castlegate Quarters. It is to be made up of a million sq ft of space including over 565,000 sq ft of office accommodation with amenity, public realm and over 525 apartments. The project expects to create up to 8,000 new jobs when completed.
Urbo MD Peter Swallow said: “We are thrilled to receive recognition from our peers, both nationally and regionally, for what we have achieved in bringing our vision for West Bar to reality. It is testament to the conviction of our own team, Sheffield City Council, Legal & General and our professional advisors that have worked tirelessly over ten years to make the scheme commercially viable and deliverable.
“These many years of assembly work involved detailed negotiation with landowners and tenants of 103 separate property titles within the development boundary. The team secured alternative and improved premises for these occupiers such that zero jobs were lost and a full compulsory purchase process, including a full CPO Public Inquiry to ultimately secure 100% freehold ownership with vacant possession, paved the way for our deal with Legal & General. This is a rare and excellent example of best practice approach to area-wide urban regeneration.”
Ralph Jones of Peveril Securities added: “This landmark funding deal and the start of construction on the first phase, with completion expected in 2024, has established West Bar as a regionally important large-scale regeneration project for Sheffield. This was completed against the odds and after many years of careful work at a time of unprecedented economic challenge.
The EG Awards is the biggest and most prestigious annual event for the UK real estate industry, celebrating the very best deals, developments, businesses, talent, and places. The Best Regional Deal category recognises projects that could not only show high returns but were innovative in bringing life back to our regions. The panel of highly regarded expert judges said that Urbo impressed them for the scale of investment it was able to secure for its city, as well as being a catalyst for huge redevelopment and changing of place.
2,000 Scunthorpe jobs on the line as British Steel reveals intent to shut down blast furnaces
British Steel has revealed £1.25 billion decarbonisation proposals that unions say could see 2,000 jobs lost in Scunthorpe.
The company is planning to shut down blast furnaces at the manufacturing site, replacing them with greener and cheaper electric arc furnaces. The new furnaces could be operational by late 2025 and would replace the aging iron and steelmaking operations in Scunthorpe which the business says are responsible for the vast majority of its CO2 emissions. British Steel has started preliminary talks with trade unions about electrification, and has promised to support employees affected by the decarbonisation plans. It has agreed for its proposals to be reviewed by an external specialist on behalf of the trade unions. The company added that it is working with North Lincolnshire Council on a masterplan to attract new businesses and jobs to the Scunthorpe site, parts of which could become vacant if the proposals go ahead.Firm appointed to deliver £16m Goole community hub
Plans to invest in a new town centre community hub in Goole have seen Willmott Dixon appointed for a £16m project to deliver a multi-purpose facility that provides health, fitness and leisure under one roof.
The company has been chosen by East Riding of Yorkshire Council via the YORbuild3 framework for the Goole Hub redevelopment on North Street in the centre of the East Yorkshire town.
The project, which received £3m from the Goole Town Deal, involves demolishing much of the existing East Riding Leisure Goole facility – with just the swimming pool building and sports blocks retained – to make way for Goole Hub.
Designed by Watson Batty Architects, Goole Hub will include more than 1,600 square metres of new floor space delivering a variety of community-based services such as a food court, library, customer service centre, laser tag area, ten-pin bowling alley, soft play, and learner pool with health suite.
In addition, Willmott Dixon will refurbish the existing swimming pool, changing facilities and spectator area.
Nick Heath, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “The all-new Goole Hub will provide a connection between culture, recreation and leisure in one easily accessible location and there is a real ambition to create a new destination within the town. We’re therefore really pleased to have been selected as the preferred bidder by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to deliver this exciting project.
“Aging leisure facilities are fast becoming out of touch with modern requirements, so it’s our job to not just deliver a building but create a high-quality multipurpose destination for the people of Goole, which will enhance lives and serve multiple generations. It will incorporate sustainable energy technologies – such as solar panels and air source heat pumps – to ensure it performs more efficiently and runs as healthily as its users.
“Parts of the existing facility will remain in use while the new building is constructed, so we’re looking forward to getting on site and beginning works to deliver a new hub for the town.”
External work will include improving pedestrian access to the building as well as new landscaped areas to provide public spaces for the community to relax and enjoy outside. The development will also create additional parking spaces for visitors.
New vision revealed for historic Elsecar Ironworks
A new vision for the former site of the Elsecar Ironworks has been announced, including a new heritage railway, new rail college, outdoor events area and more.
The vision for the historic site, now a scheduled ancient monument, has been carefully developed over the last two years, based on extensive public consultation and working closely with Historic England, as a legacy project of Barnsley Council’s Heritage Action Zone partnership.
The future vision for the former ironworks includes:
- New heritage railway destination, including a reconstructed 1849 Fitzwilliam locomotive, powered by sustainable fuels
- New rail college and rail technology test track, training more than 400 students each year
- Advanced engineering workshops showcasing the region’s innovation
- New ‘Cultural Canteen’ and outdoor events and performance area, against the spectacular backdrop of the ironworks furnaces and restored blast wall
- Active Travel Hub and Cycle Hire, to enable families and visitors to travel to Elsecar, and explore the Elsecar Valley, on foot and by bike
Nicholas Associates Group makes senior bid manager appointment
Apprentice to Boardroom recruitment specialists, Nicholas Associates Group has strengthened its sales team following the appointment of Jenny Begley as group bid manager.
With a national remit and a central role at the company HQ in Sheffield, Jenny joins the team to fortify the firm’s strategy to increase its stronghold in securing volume contracts with leading employers in the industrial, engineering, construction, apprenticeship, graduate, and white-collar sectors.
An accredited member of the ‘Association of Proposal Management Professionals’, Jenny has over 20 years of experience working in senior roles in the recruitment sector as a bid and proposal specialist. She also successfully led the bid management process for the recruitment of 1,500 employees and volunteers for the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.
Reporting to group sales director Sunny Singh, Jenny will manage the entire bid and contract renewal process. She will oversee that all the firm’s submissions meet the stringent criteria required to be considered for substantial recruitment contracts across the firm’s portfolio of brands which include, Apprentice Employment Agency, Stafforce, Cra-Cro Site Services, Nicholas Associates, Ashley Kate HR & Finance, Main Board and Olano.
Jenny’s mandate encompasses managing the complete tender process, from pre-qualification to contract award. She will coordinate and project-manage national stakeholder teams, ensuring the timely delivery of responses for various recruitment solutions including Managed Services, RPO, Total Talent Management and Consultancy.
Sunny Singh, group sales director, said: “Jenny and I have previously worked together very successfully, and I have first-hand knowledge of an exceptional bid-to-win ratio. Her expertise will undoubtedly benefit the Group’s positioning in competitive tender situations.”
Jenny’s extensive experience encompasses bid preparation for temporary, permanent, and professional staffing, search and selection, executive search, outsourcing, training, outplacement, and HR consulting. Her addition to the team will significantly enhance the service offering provided by Nicholas Associates Group.
Reward and The Vault to champion mental health for 14 million grassroots football enthusiasts
Leeds-based Reward Finance Group has forged a pioneering partnership with the Football Mental Health Alliance (FMHA) and England’s County Football Associations (CFAs) to bolster mental health support for all involved in grassroots football.
At the heart of this partnership is ‘The Vault’, FMHA’s free mental health platform, developed collaboratively by psychologists, coaches, parents, carers, licensed FIFA Agents and ex-pros. The goal is to address mental health challenges in grassroots football in a way that is relatable and easy to understand for everyone, regardless of their level of involvement.
Reward’s financial support will facilitate the expansion of The Vault, which offers expert-led, football-themed content such as webinars, podcasts, a mental health playbook and articles that delve into the intersection of mental health and football.
Additionally, it provides mental health first aid training and signposting to specific mental health support, all tailored for football clubs to promote open conversations and create a more positive and supportive culture within grassroots football.
Danny Matharu, founder of the FMHA and The Vault, said: “We are elated to partner with Reward. They have a culture which recognises the importance of health and wellbeing, demonstrated by the recent launch of their internal Wellness Team, dedicated to supporting colleagues. This approach resonates with our values and we look forward to working together to use the medium of football to promote mental health.
“Statistics show that one in four people experience mental health difficulties each year and one in six working-age adults have mental health symptoms at any given time. Mental health conditions often develop early, with 75% of cases emerging by age 18, and men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK.
“The Vault is dedicated to creating an inclusive and empowered environment where players, communities, coaches and volunteers can thrive both on and off the field, providing free support for all ages through anonymous sign-up, ensuring confidentiality and comfort.
“Mental health is a top priority for CFAs across England, and with support from Reward, we can continue to empower the English grassroots game by offering consistent, football-themed mental health tools.”
Nick Smith, group Managing Director of Reward Finance Group, said: “Our dedicated focus is promoting positive mental health and wellbeing within our team. Hence, partnering with Danny and the FMHA became a new way to further that aim. The evident lack of mental health support in the football community means this digital suite is a truly innovative development.
“Our partnership with the FMHA follows the launch of our 2023-2024 corporate charity partner, Andy’s Man Club, which is a men’s suicide prevention charity offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. At Reward, we strive to ignite a meaningful shift in mental health perceptions and to ensure robust support is accessible to those in need.”
Places for People acquires Doncaster site to build new affordable homes
Places for People has acquired a site in Doncaster where it will build 59 affordable new homes. The placemaker and social enterprise concluded the deal to purchase the site from Godwin Developments with planning consent already in place.
The 3.5-acre site on Watch House Lane, Bentley – an area of Doncaster – has been vacant for over ten years. Places for People will transform it into a new community providing a range of contemporary two and three-bedroom family homes to be offered through a mixed tenure approach with affordable rent and shared ownership homes on offer.
Places for People aims to start construction on site in spring 2024 with the first homes expected to be ready by the end of that year. In an area with strong demand for affordable housing, the scheme will contribute over half of the affordable housing need in Bentley according to the Housing Need Study1 by City of Doncaster Council.
Nilam Buchanan, Regional Managing Director, Central and North at Places for People, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to transform this disused land in Doncaster into a well-designed new neighbourhood that will provide the affordable homes that local people need.
“Places for People is driven by its commitment to adding lasting social value to the communities we build, so we will ensure this development becomes somewhere people are proud to live with high-quality construction and attractive green spaces.
“Thanks to Godwin Developments, we are taking on a site with planning permission already granted, putting us in a strong position to move ahead swiftly and deliver this exciting and sustainable new development.”
Matt Chandler, Managing Director at Godwin Developments, said: “We are really pleased to be working yet again with Places for People, this time on a project in Doncaster which will facilitate the delivery of 59 much-needed homes for the local community.
“Utilising our in-house development and planning expertise, we have been able to advance the transformation of this disused brownfield site into a thriving new community, benefiting from its own green spaces as well as access to the Trans Pennine Trail.
“We look forward to seeing Places for People deliver these modern, energy-efficient homes in due course while as a business we continue to focus on developing further residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities that match our strategy.”
The plans for the new community include a children’s play area, extensive landscaping including a central ‘village green’ communal space and wildflower meadows.
Wakefield firm swoops for Leeds management consultancy
The Board of Leeds-based management consultancy Project Rome Limited (Rome) has unanimously accepted an undisclosed offer from Wakefield’s thevaluecircle LLP (tvc) for the company’s assets.
The agreement will strengthen thevaluecircle’s capacity and help to meet growing demand for their services in the health, care and education practice, introduce complimentary new service lines to customers, allow thevaluecircle to bring forward tvc’s plans to establish a presence in the Sustainability and Financial Services consultancy markets, and bring governance and change management expertise to the existing Rome portfolio of clients.
The combined business will support a client base of over 150 organisations, including NHS Trusts, major utilities, listed financial institutions and regional sports bodies.
David Cockayne – founder and Chief Executive, thevaluecircle, said: “Acquiring Project Rome represents a natural progression for us, it enables us to leverage
the expertise of highly regarded senior professionals and expand our product offer.
“Equally important to us, is that we share the same values, have a similar backstory and we are already feeling the benefit of that shared culture when we are working with clients. I can’t wait to work with Karl and the Rome team – building a northern powerhouse that delivers nationwide!”
Karl Milner (Project Rome MD) will assume the role of executive director at thevaluecircle
and join the management team. Karl will take charge of integrating and developing the wider service to clients, and lead the communications and engagement practice.
He said: “These are both successful companies. Although we both had a presence in the similar markets we have offered unique and diverse array of services. My job will be to knit the two companies together and present a compelling and well-resourced proposition to the market.”
Financial Conduct Authority bans pension advisor, with £200k to be paid in compensation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has banned Geoffrey Armin from advising customers on pension transfers and pension opt outs, and from holding any senior management function in a regulated firm.
The FCA found that Mr Armin, while running Retirement and Pension Planning Services Limited (dissolved), was seriously incompetent when advising on defined benefit (DB) pension transfers.
Mr Armin advised 422 customers on the transfer of their DB pensions, including 183 members of the British Steel Pension Scheme – 174 of whom transferred out of the scheme following his recommendation. These fees added up to £2.2m for all DB transfer advice, 55% (approximately £1.2m) of which was retained by Retirement and Pension Planning Services and Mr Armin.
In advising his customers, Mr Armin routinely failed to obtain the necessary information he needed to assess the suitability of a pension transfer and provided unsuitable advice as a result. This is despite FCA guidance stating that as a starting point, it should be assumed that such transfers are not in a customer’s best interests.
In some cases, Mr Armin only informed customers of the consequences of giving up the valuable guaranteed benefits offered by their DB pension after they had already transferred out of the scheme.
Therese Chambers, joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the FCA said: “Mr Armin gave bad advice and pocketed large fees for doing so. People rely on the advice they’re given for financial security into old age.
“Mr Armin’s advice not only put at risk the pensions people had worked for, it also eroded the trust between advisers and clients. Such callous incompetence has no place in financial services.”
Mr Armin referred the FCA’s decision to take action to the Upper Tribunal and the hearing was due to commence on 11 September 2023. However, on 6 September 2023 he agreed to pay a substantial proportion of his assets to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) as compensation and withdrew the referral.
Without this settlement, Mr Armin’s assets would have been spent on the costs of the Upper Tribunal proceedings leaving nothing to pay redress or a fine.
Mr Armin will also pay £200,000 to the FSCS to contribute to redress due to his customers, including members of the British Steel Pension Scheme. To date, the FSCS has paid out £3,961,517 in compensation to Mr Armin’s customers.
North America trade mission launched to drum up jobs and investment for West Yorkshire
A West Yorkshire delegation led by Mayor Tracy Brabin touched down in Toronto yesterday (5 November) and will travel to Boston, New York and Lititz Pennsylvania this week, to boost trade and investment.
Mayor Tracy Brabin will meet with US and Canadian business leaders, to champion West Yorkshire as a top destination for jobs and growth.
As part of International Trade Week and supported by the UK Government, the Mayor will visit the North American offices of several homegrown businesses, to celebrate their success and discuss how best to scale and export other local businesses to the US, Canada and around the World.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This trade mission is an exciting first for West Yorkshire – a chance to show the US and Canada what we’re made of, as we boost jobs, investment and opportunities for local people.
“We have so much going for us – bustling towns and glorious countryside, nationally celebrated cities of culture, and a work-life balance that makes our talented graduates want to stay in the region.
“As we continue to punch above our weight with an economy that’s bigger than several EU nations, now is the time to declare West Yorkshire open for business, as we build a stronger, brighter economy that works for all.”
The trade mission follows the appointment of aerospace manufacturing expert Mandy Ridyard as the Mayor’s Business Advisor. Ms Ridyard has expressed a desire to make the region a top choice for businesses which are ready to launch or looking to move.
Mandy Ridyard, Business Advisor to the Mayor of West Yorkshire, added: “At the heart of the UK and the Northern Powerhouse, West Yorkshire is the ideal place to start and scale a business, thanks to our innovative universities, our vibrant cultural offer, and our supportive eco-system of public-private partnerships.
“Consistently voted one of the happiest and best places to live in the UK, we can deliver the talent pipelines and upskilled workers our businesses need to thrive, with the majority of our graduates choosing to live, work and play in West Yorkshire than move elsewhere.
“And our sector strengths in healthcare and life sciences, digital and media, professional and financial services and advanced manufacturing and engineering, mean we can move forward with huge confidence in our abilities and global ambitions for the future.”
With seven universities, almost 100,000 businesses and an economy estimated at £60 billion, the Mayor hopes to attract the attention of major global investors looking to expand and export to the UK.
Mayor Brabin’s visit to one of these businesses, multinational information technology company Cognizant, comes after their high-profile pledge to create 1,000 new jobs in the region. With 160 people employed to date, hundreds more tech and digital job opportunities are expected for people in West Yorkshire, as the business continues to expand.
The Mayor’s visit to the New York office is expected to strengthen Cognizant’s commitment to the region, after they partnered with the Leeds Community Foundation to provide digital support and laptops to local charities. The company has also donated a quarter of a million pounds to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, to support smaller digital businesses to take on new apprentices.
Rohit Gupta, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Cognizant, said: “Opening a delivery centre in Leeds was an easy choice given the wealth of talent the city and surrounding area has to offer.
“I have been amazed at what the team has accomplished in a little over 12 months. We remain committed to Leeds and look forward to creating many more opportunities for the next generation of digital talent.”
As well as looking to strike deals over jobs and inward investment, the Mayor will also meet with the US leadership teams of several leading West Yorkshire businesses, including the Academy of Live Technology, Turner & Townsend, and IMA-HOME.
Mayor Tracy Brabin, Mayor’s Business Advisor Mandy Ridyard, and top officials at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, will be hosted by Toronto’s Budget Chief Cllr Shelley Carroll, by Boston’s Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, and by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America and HM Consul General for New York, Emma Wade-Smith OBE.
Prew Lumley, Leeds Office Managing Partner at global law firm Squire Patton Boggs – which hosts its biggest offices in Leeds, London, Cleveland and Washington, D.C. – will also be a part of the West Yorkshire delegation.
The first of its kind trade mission for West Yorkshire follows the launch of the West Yorkshire Plan, which set out a mission to deliver a prosperous region by making it easier for businesses to start-up, grow, innovate, trade and invest.
Planning Inspectorate upholds appeal after Lincolnshire County Council’s refusal of oil drilling proposals
Union Jack Oil, an onshore hydrocarbon production, development and exploration company, has announced that the Planning Inspectorate has upheld an appeal against the refusal of planning permission by Lincolnshire County Council for a side-track drilling operation, associated testing and long-term oil production at the Biscathorpe-2 wellsite.
The Biscathorpe project is covered by onshore UK licence PEDL253. The PEDL253 joint venture partnership will review the decision notice and associated planning conditions before providing an update on plans for progressing operations.
As part of this, it is said the operator, Egdon Resources Limited, will look to engage with the local community to ensure activities have minimal impact on local amenity.
Union Jack holds a 45% economic interest in PEDL253.
David Bramhill, executive chairman of Union Jack, said: “I am delighted to report this highly positive news in respect of Biscathorpe, one of our highest ranked projects, in which Union Jack holds a material 45% economic interest.
“While drilling the Biscathorpe-2 well, there were hydrocarbon shows, elevated gas readings and sample fluorescence observed over the entire interval from the top of the Dinantian to the Total Depth of the well, with 68 metres being interpreted as oil-bearing.
“Independent Consultants Applied Petroleum Technology also conducted analyses, confirming a hydrocarbon column of 33-34 API gravity oil, comparable with the oil produced at the nearby Keddington oilfield where Union Jack holds a 55% economic interest.
“Re-processing of 264 square kilometres of 3D seismic, indicate a material and potentially commercially viable hydrocarbon resource remaining to be appraised.
“The operator has assessed, in accordance with the PRMS Standard, gross Mean Prospective Resources of approximately 6.5 million barrels of oil. Commercial screening has indicated break-even full cycle economics to be US$18.07per barrel of oil.
“Union Jack’s technical team believe that Biscathorpe remains one of the largest unappraised conventional onshore discoveries within the UK. I thank shareholders for their patience and remain confident that both investors and the company will be well rewarded in due course.”
Soccer shirt sponsorship continues to boost Hospice profile in Rotherham
Rotherham Hospice says a partnership with local businesses that’s involved putting the charity’s name on Rotherham United FC team strips, continues to have a “huge impact”.
Six Diamond Partners – AESSEAL, Equisolve, Hughie Construction, IPM Group, Mears and Steelphalt – pledged their financial support to highlight the charity on RUFC’s team strips instead of a commercial sponsor. The hospice says that as a result it has seen vastly-improved visitors to its website and social media channels, and additional corporate support. Stephen King, Director of Income Generation and Communications at Rotherham Hospice said: “Rotherham Hospice has never had so much exposure in the local area. We are finding that conversations about the charity are a lot easier to have with businesses and supporters, as most are now aware of who we are and what we do. Everyone at the Hospice is grateful to the Diamond Partners for making this happen.” AESSEAL MD Chris Rea said: “We were always confident that giving extra visibility to such a worthy charity would help them significantly and it is great to see this confirmed.”Former Dragons’ Den star urges North Yorkshire businesses to be audacious in embracing technology
Hosted by York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Chair Helen Simpson, the event saw a succession of high-profile speakers from 13 regional businesses take to the stage at the Radisson York Hotel. They shared their business vision for the region, ahead of devolution and an expected mayoral election in spring next year.
Former BBC Dragons’ Den ‘Dragon’ Piers Linney told more than 200 attendees they needed to be audacious in embracing technology as part of devolution. He argued new technology such as artificial intelligence offered the chance to level up the workforce, making background and disabilities irrelevant.
He said: “Take some of the £750million devolution funding and invest in a garden shed where you can blow things up. Play with the technology, see how it can augment all of us, play with education and then connect the talent to the technology. Invest in cutting edge and bleeding edge technology. Superpower and empower the people in your region.”
James Farrar, Interim Director of Transition for the proposed York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, backed the call for businesses and innovators to be bold.
He said: “We need to crack on with devolution and make sure the process gets through parliament as soon as possible.”
“We are not Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds. We must be York and North Yorkshire and we must recognise our assets. We must be bold and clear about where we see our competitive advantages. No sector can rest on its laurels.”
“Let us know what infrastructure and support you need in place to invest and grow. Our job as a Combined Authority will be to put that in place – yours is to invest and grow.”
The Summit was organised by York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (YNY LEP) in partnership with The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Lou Cordwell, Chair of Greater Manchester Business Board, urged the region’s businesses to collaborate closely with the elected mayor and advised the region to capitalise on its rail links to London, and quality of life, to attract a skilled workforce to the region.
“Inclusivity should be baked into devolution from the start,” she said. “Think about how this opportunity can work for everyone, whether it’s skills or technology, you have the opportunity to write the blueprint. Strong leadership will be key to achieving that.”
Savoy Cinema commits to £9m plan for Gainsborough
West Lindsey District Council has teamed up with Savoy Cinemas for the delivery of a £9m town centre regeneration project including a four-screen cinema, restaurant, retail units and car parking.
Savoy Cinemas MD James Collington, said: “We are delighted to be part of this exciting regeneration initiative of Gainsborough town centre. The area has undergone significant change over the last few years, and it still has huge potential to develop further. We are looking forward to commencing work on the development and welcoming you through our doors on opening night.”
The development will be funded through contributions from the Council, the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the government’s Levelling Up Fund and Savoy Cinemas.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Trevor Young, said: “We are thrilled to finally be able to announce our deal with Savoy Cinemas. As a local family cinema operator, Savoy shares the Council’s passion for investing in Gainsborough, with a development that will breathe life back into our town centre.”
Director of Planning Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, Sally Grindrod-Smith,said: “This has been an incredibly challenging site to bring forward. The Council was required to step in and acquire the land, lead the demolition of the former Lindsey Centre and secure grant funding to make the scheme viable. This is all part of our enabling role.
“The eagerly anticipated development will significantly contribute to the town’s local economy, increasing footfall, dwell time and spend. It will add to the town’s leisure offer, servicing local residents and encouraging new visitors to the town.”
The development will provide a new walking link between Marshall’s Yard and the historic market place, where further investment from the Levelling Up Fund and National Lottery Townscape Heritage Initiative, is rejuvenating the historic marketplace.
The scheme has also been designed to be environmentally efficient, through the inclusion of solar panels and air sourced heat technology. It will also enhance the setting of the Town Centre Conservation Area through its historic design and use of high-quality materials.
