New free tool from HSE helps employers comply with mental health laws

Stuart Pearcey
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New free tool from HSE helps employers comply with mental health laws
Businesses are being encouraged to sign up to a just-launched free-to-use interactive tool, designed by the HSE’s Working Minds campaign, to understand what they need to do to comply with the law around mental health. The tool, launched this week, provides the guidance employers need to take action to meet their legal duties and begin to understand how to include stress in their workplace risk assessments. The new tool is made up of six short modules taking employers through relatable, everyday scenarios, such as how to recognise the signs of stress in individuals and teams like regular lateness to work, being withdrawn and higher staff turnover. Liz Goodwill, head of work-related stress policy at HSE, said: “More than half of SMEs recently visited by HSE knew they had a legal duty to assess the risk of work-related stress, but the number who actually did this was significantly lower. This new online tool will help employers understand the steps and actions necessary to help bridge this gap. It is a much needed solution. “Lack of time, money and know-how are common reasons why businesses can struggle to prevent and proactively tackle the issue. Now, they have a resource that provides free learning which is simple and engaging and does not take a huge amount of time to complete. “Businesses will come away with an understanding of what the law requires of employers and what actions they need to take. It provides an opportunity for employers to refresh their existing knowledge and help drive the culture change that the Working Minds campaign is aiming to achieve. I encourage them to give it a go.” The tool is available at the HSE’s online Health and Work conference here: HSE Workplace Stress (focusgames.com). The law requires all employers to carry out a stress risk assessment and act upon the findings to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health in the workplace. Since 2019, the total annual cost of poor mental health has increased by 25%, costing UK employers up to £56 billion a year. Over half of working days are lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety. Stress, depression and anxiety are the number one reasons for work-related illness in the UK and figures continue to rise. Liz Goodwill added: “The Mental health and employers report from Deloitte suggests employers see a return of £5.30 on average for every £1 invested in staff wellbeing. By providing this free learning, our aim is to help lower the investment cost and assist employers to reap the potential benefits including increased productivity, lower absenteeism and reduced staff turnover.”

Developers and businesses reminded to have say on Bradford district Development Frameworks

Tess Egginton
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Developers and businesses reminded to have say on Bradford district Development Frameworks
There’s still time to take part in a consultation on draft Development Frameworks for Bradford, Keighley, Shipley and Bingley. Developers, businesses, landowners and members of the public still have time to contribute to the further refinement of the frameworks which will guide development in the district’s city and town centres over the coming decades. Building on existing projects such as One City Park, Towns Fund in both Shipley and Keighley, Darley Street Market, Bradford Live and City Village, the Draft Development Frameworks are part of Bradford Council’s Economic Growth Plan and consider the opportunities for regeneration over the next 20 years focussing on the city of Bradford, and Keighley, Shipley and Bingley town centres. This is the second round of consultation on these development Frameworks. The first round saw responses from over 1,200 people and focused on people’s perceptions of their community and the challenges and opportunities they face. The results from this initial consultation have been fed into the plans which have been further developed and the Council is asking people to comment on these drafts. The Council believes the Development Frameworks will inspire investment confidence and maximise the district’s development potential beyond the district’s year as UK City of Culture in 2025 to create opportunities that will improve local people’s lives and protect the environment for future generations. Not all of the ideas in these frameworks will be directly delivered by the Council, but they will serve to provide a vision for the future and allow the Council to work with the private sector, local communities and other organisations to bring about their delivery. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “These Development Frameworks are illustrative, visionary presentations of what a place could look like in the future. They identify and bring together specific opportunities for development and showcase how they might look, alongside what would be required to make that development happen.” If you’ve not already taken the opportunity to contribute to the consultation, there’s still time. These frameworks are more than just about development sites, how people move around safely and enjoy public and green spaces, also they cover potential changes in town centres for the next 20 years. People can have their say at https://letstalk.bradford.gov.uk/. The online engagement will close on 20 November.

Commercial property maintenance, repair and compliance company builds on growth following investment

Tess Egginton
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Commercial property maintenance, repair and compliance company builds on growth following investment
Harrogate-headquartered Robinsons Facilities Services is on target to achieve 33% growth this year after receiving a six figure investment from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. The commercial property maintenance, repair and compliance company has received follow on investment from FW Capital after receiving its first round of funding in 2020. The latest round of funding is helping Robinsons Facilities Services to plan for their next phase of growth and create new jobs as it further broadens its service offering. Luke Kitchen, Managing Director at Robinsons Facilities Services, says: “Today the business is over almost four times the size it was in 2013 and we’ve broadened our services to include everything that’s needed to maintain and repair commercial buildings. “The investment received from FW Capital has provided us with a secure platform to grow our business with confidence. We’ve also expanded our workforce and recently taken on an engineer and two more admin roles. Lindsey at FW Capital has been a great help, she’s always been on hand to assist us and provided us with the appropriate funding.” Lindsey McMenamin, Portfolio Manager at FW Capital, added: “Robinsons Facilities Services is a long standing, prominent and established position in the Yorkshire market and has a strong reputation for providing quality customer service and reliable solutions. “We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with the business and management team since the first round of investment in 2020. Their experience and capabilities are reflected in the business’s solid growth. We’re delighted to support their future development and creation of new jobs in the region.”

North Yorkshire Council brings Google to Richmond to offer free training

Stuart Pearcey
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North Yorkshire Council brings Google to Richmond to offer free training
Businesses in and around Richmond are being offered free training from Google after North Yorkshire Council joined forces with the FSB to bring the digital giant to Richmond. The Google Digital Garage team is giving businesses the opportunity to take part in webinars and a face-to-face training session this month (November). Businesses in the Richmond area can attend all or some of the three remaining free sessions, which are free of charge, but each session must be booked online in advance. The training is being provided as part of the Richmond Animation Project, which has received £23,627 through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by the council. The training sessions are: Executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman, said: “This is an excellent example of the way in which Shared Prosperity Fund money is being used to improve the economic prospects of small businesses in North Yorkshire. “The high-quality training sessions will equip attendees with some of the practical skills they need to compete for customers in the digital marketplace and highlight the benefits a digital strategy can bring to their business.” Neil McNally, of Richmond-based Neil McNally Design, who has taken part in previous Google Digital Garage training, said: “The programme made me aware of tools provided by Google that can, and did, help me achieve the number one slot for my own business with a particular local search term. “Being able to research trends and analyse your own keyword strategy was simpler than I thought and that was invaluable to me. Digital marketing can be a minefield, for most not knowing where to start. Believe me, this is the place to start!”

Money’s there for the asking for firms in Keighley and Shipley

Stuart Pearcey
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Money’s there for the asking for firms in Keighley and Shipley
With dozens of jobs already created in Keighley and Shipley thanks to in the injection of cash the Towns Funds, there is still money available for other companies. The Capital Assistance to Business Growth Programme is part of the government-funded Towns Fund, making £4m available to support local businesses in the Keighley and Shipley areas, with about £2m allocated to each. Grants are allocated by Towns Fund boards for each town, made up of private sector representatives, with support from Bradford Council. Up to September 2023, 13 businesses in Keighley have been awarded up to £276,000 of funding, and eight in Shipley being awarded up to £137,000, with the expectation of 65 jobs being created as a result. Funding has so far been spent on a wide-range of projects by businesses across the district such as expanding and modernising facilities, as well as replacing older equipment with more efficient, up-to-date systems. One of the latest businesses to benefit has been aluminium glazed façade manufacturer and installer Aire-Valley Architectural, of Parkwood Street in Keighley. The business was able to create one new job after receiving £16,775 of funding towards machine software and installation, as well as upgrading the factory’s facilities. Sales Director Chris Kilvington said: “The business was established in 1994 and we’ve been in this same building since 2002. The grant has allowed us to improve and upgrade the facilities, including reconfiguring the way we work. It means we’ve been able to move the noisier elements of the processes into the same space, which is much better from a health and safety perspective. “It has been incredible to have this support through the Towns Fund. The way the grants process has worked was exceptional. We’ve had such support from Bradford Council who have walked us through the application and supported us every step of the way. It’s made a real difference to the business and will continue to do so for years to come.” Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, explained: “Grants ranging from £1,500 to £315,000 are still available for businesses within – or looking to move to – the Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund Areas, and other businesses are invited to apply. “It’s so positive to see how this funding is already making such a significant impact. It has directly translated into growth for the businesses who have received it so far and the welcome creation of new jobs for the area.” Print and Direct Mail business Fretwell Print and Design, of Goulbourne Street in Keighley, recently received £19,989 towards replacing their printer with a new model. It has created two new production operative roles, to join the 48-strong team. Joint Managing Director Andy Gillett said: “We produce high-quality printed packaging, literature and direct mail products for many large blue-chip companies and organisations both here in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. “We used the Keighley Towns Fund grant to purchase a Kyocera 4-colour inkjet machine, enabling us to increase productivity as well as saving time and resources. The machine also means we’re making an 86 per cent saving in energy consumption. “The process in securing the grant was straightforward and we were guided through by Bradford Council. It’s an investment that means we’ll be able to grow our existing customer base and open up new markets, as the speed of service will make us even more competitive. “I’d definitely recommend other businesses contact the team to see if they can benefit – this kind of support for local businesses is crucial in the current economic climate.” Ian Hayfield, chairman of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “We are delighted to have made such a significant difference to these local businesses in a relatively short space of time. Keighley has a proud industrial heritage and a thriving and enterprising business community. There is funding available for businesses who would benefit and we’re keen to help Keighley’s businesses to grow. I would encourage anyone interested in applying to get in touch.”

More people to be supported into jobs with skills training boost for Yorkshire and the Humber

Tess Egginton
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More people to be supported into jobs with skills training boost for Yorkshire and the Humber
People across Yorkshire and the Humber are set to benefit from more skills training including in health care, green construction and artificial intelligence. From next year, colleges and other training providers across the region will start to offer these opportunities, which have been specifically aligned to the priority sectors identified by local employers in their Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs). Across the region, employers identified skills including digital, construction and manufacturing as their priorities. Colleges and universities will receive a share of £200 million to help transform skills training, so that local businesses can continue to tap into the skilled workforce they need to thrive, while helping more people to secure good jobs closer to home. Innovative projects have been given the go ahead which will support people to gain the skills needed to launch careers in the green sector and support the local economy to grow. Leeds College of Building has been awarded funding for the development of new specialist hubs for digital skills within the construction industry to meet the demands in the area for diverse skilled workers. This will also include funding for mobile digital hubs across the region with AI technology and VR/AR equipment. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “This investment is about boosting local industries, building people’s skills and ultimately futureproofing our economy and the career prospects of the next generation. “Our local skills projects will bring together regional organisations, businesses and education providers to respond to the specific needs of employers, building an increasingly skilled workforce and growing local economies. “Whether it is green skills, construction, engineering or digital, thousands more people can now gain the skills they need to secure good jobs closer to home.” As part of the government’s work to support more people to gain the skills they need to secure rewarding careers, the British Chambers of Commerce and other employer representative organisations were commissioned to lead work to publish local skills improvement plans, published in the summer, so the training on offer better meets the current and future skills needs of local areas. Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses are crying out for more people with technical skills to fill the great jobs we have today and new ones in the developing green economy. “It’s vital that everyone can access the training they need locally to grasp these opportunities. “Business-led LSIPs are setting out the skills needs and opportunities, and this new funding will ensure the right training solutions are put in place.” The funding will also make sure more people can access Higher Technical Qualifications – that sit between A-levels, T-levels and degrees – to gain in demand skills including digital, health care and engineering as alternative to a traditional three-year degree. HTQs are designed in close collaboration with employers, so they equip students with the skills they need to go onto further study or straight into a good job.

City Council sets out to boost business for Sheffield tourism companies

Stuart Pearcey
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City Council sets out to boost business for Sheffield tourism companies
Sheffield City Council has adopted a new strategy to help make the city a leading destination for visitors across Europe, boosting the local economy and opportunities for Sheffield businesses. Tourism in the city already makes a significant contribution to the wider local economy. In 2022, visitor spending brought in an estimated £1.35 billion for the city and supported 13,285 full-time jobs in Sheffield. The new Destination Management Plan aims to provide a framework to bring even more visitors to the city. Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee, said “It’s great to see the Sheffield adopting a strategic plan to grow tourism and support the visitor economy. “It will help fill more hotel rooms, sell more cups of coffee, fill more restaurants and see more money spent with local businesses. “We have an ambitious plan and look forward to working with partners across Sheffield to deliver it.” To achieve these ambitions, the DMP – led by Marketing Sheffield – will focus on setting out a strategy to make Sheffield a world-class destination for visitors. The strategy has five key objectives, including developing Sheffield’s city breaks offer, growing the conferences market and diversifying and strengthening the city-wide events programme. Events will play a key role in the strategy, with the Council also supporting the development of a new Major Events Plan that will inform bidding for and hosting events going forward. With the UK events sector being worth an estimated £42.3 billion in 2022, the Council wants to ensure Sheffield is well positioned to take advantage of the economic benefits that events bring. They also hope to boost the number of major conferences held in the city, with these being associated with an estimated spend of £141.8m at local venues in 2019. The Committee also heard from Marketing Sheffield about some of their recent campaigns to grow the visitor economy, including ‘Your University City’, a collaboration with both universities to attract 16–19-year-olds to choose Sheffield as their university destination. They also heard about the ‘City Breaks’ campaign, which targeted potential visitors from London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham and promoted Sheffield’s music, culture, outdoors and opportunities for extended business trips. Since the campaigns have been running, website visits have increased from an average 2,000 per day to 8,000 per day – around 2.9 million visitors per year.

UK GDP flat in third quarter but recession avoided this year

Tess Egginton
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UK GDP flat in third quarter but recession avoided this year
UK GDP (gross domestic product) was flat in the three months to September, compared to the previous quarter, in which the three months to June saw a 0.2% expansion. It mirrors the Bank of England’s expectations of a flat economy in 2024. In output terms there was a 0.1% fall in the services sector, which offset a 0.1% increase in construction output and broadly flat output in the production sector. Meanwhile, in expenditure terms, an increase in the volume of net trade was offset by falls in business investment, household spending and government consumption. Month on month, the economy showed growth of 0.2% in September, following a 0.1% rise in August (having been revised down from 0.2%) and a 0.6% fall in July 2023, suggesting the UK has managed to avoid recession this year. Expectations have been beat, however, of a 0.1% fall in GDP. Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: “Forecasts for the UK economy have generally been edging down recently and the latest growth figures lived up to this gloomier view of near-term prospects. “It’s clear that higher interest rates are starting to bite, and demand has become less resilient. CBI surveys agree with that overall picture and suggest that private sector activity is likely to stagnate in the coming months. “The Bank of England’s latest forecasts make for particularly grim reading, with the economy expected to be flat next year – before growing at feeble rates in both 2025 and 2026. But action from the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement in a couple of weeks’ time could change that outlook. “Unlocking business investment across the economy by making full expensing permanent could – according to CBI analysis – lead to a 2% increase to GDP by the end of the decade.”

Wind turbine repair and maintenance firm makes Australian acquisition

Tess Egginton
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Wind turbine repair and maintenance firm makes Australian acquisition
GEV Wind Power, the wind turbine repair and maintenance providers with UK headquarters in Hessle, has acquired Australian-based Rigcom Group (RIGCOM). Australia’s largest domestic independent service provider (ISP), RIGCOM specialises in field deployed rotor blade maintenance, together with a range of height safety services. The current management team, led by chairman Gary Flowers and CEO Michael Biddle, will continue to lead RIGCOM, supported by the existing team. As a combined force, the organisation will operate with a global footprint, across four continents and a field workforce in excess of 500 technicians. David Fletcher, Group CEO of GEV, says: “Over the last few years GEV has established itself as a global market-leader in wind turbine blade repair and maintenance. “We are excited to be partnering with Gary, Michael and the RIGCOM team, as we look to lead the consolidation in our sector and provide clients with a consistent and reliable globally delivered solution. “Through our in-field project excellence, to wider technology enabled solutions, we help our clients be smarter about their long-term blade maintenance strategies. “We’re also looking forward to learning more about RIGCOM’s wider expertise in the at height safety market and supporting the growth in this business by leveraging GEV’s global footprint.” Michael Biddle, CEO of RIGCOM, says: “The RIGCOM and Hi-Rise Access teams are delighted with the opportunity to join forces with GEV and deliver synergy benefits for clients in Australia and across the Asia Pacific region. “Our enhanced ability to deliver global blade repair knowledge, coupled with dedicated local services and support, will ensure our customers get the very best outcomes for their projects. “The ability to leverage our height safety expertise further into the wind sector will also provide clients with world class statutory inspection capabilities and solutions to common height safety problems.”

Upskilling existing employees can beat skills shortage, says software developer

Stuart Pearcey
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Upskilling existing employees can beat skills shortage, says software developer
Manufacturers should upskill current employees with supporting technologies to beat the skill shortage, according to the CEO of a 3D simulation software development company. Mikko Urho, CEO of Visual Components said: “Deployment of robots, alongside digital solutions such as OLP and simulation software, can train employees in state-of-the-art solutions and also encourage new talent to join the sector.” His comments come on the back of new research that shows more than a third of UK manufacturers say hiring new talent is one of their biggest challenges, according to research by developer of  Visual Components. These skills shortages look set to worsen as businesses expect 25% of their workforce to leave over the next five years, and over half don’t have a solution to deal with lost knowledge when skilled professionals leave or retire. Many are also failing to bring in new talented hires to replace the ones who leave, with half having not yet built relationships with educational institutions to build a pipeline of new talent into the business. In the midst of too few skilled employees in the sector, 81% believe that their current solutions allow their workers to be at the centre of the production process, but only 46% are training them in the use of new technologies. Prospective talent is also likely to be deterred by the fact that almost a third of factory machinery is legacy equipment, with the younger generation more accustomed to digital solutions. Current employees are largely enthusiastic to adopt new solutions, with 78% of respondents stating there’s no hesitancy among their workers to make use of new platforms. Upskilling is also the highest priority for UK manufacturers, with 60% of French respondents stating the same.

Leeds firm commits to supporting environment with funds for Wild Ingleborough

Stuart Pearcey
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Leeds firm commits to supporting environment with funds for Wild Ingleborough
Leeds-based mattress producer Harrison Spinks has joined the Wild Ingleborough programme to help restore and maintain nature across the region.
As part of the long-term commitment, Harrison Spinks, will focus its substantial five-figure investment on high-quality climate work, which includes natural regeneration and restoration of land around the Yorkshire landscape, the recovery of rare and endangered plant species, increasing employment in wildlife conservation, and supporting local farmers to promote environmentally positive production. The collaboration comes off the back of a recent shift in Harrison Spinks’ commitment to carbon restoration, from previously paying to offset carbon use overseas, to now redirecting its contribution into premium climate initiatives to ensure substantial, long-term changes are taking place across the region. Wild Ingleborough is a multi-partner, landscape-scale conservation project working with the local community to bring about nature’s recovery in parts of North Yorkshire and within the Yorkshire Dales. The partnership is a long-term commitment to address climate change between Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, WWF, Natural England, University of Leeds, United Bank of Carbon, and The Woodland Trust, which will help to address the ecological and climate crisis. Dr Louise Ellis-Jones, Sustainability Non-Executive Director at Harrison Spinks, said: “Developing this working relationship has and will be extremely rewarding for everyone involved; creating innovative, high-quality solutions with real impact is at the heart of the work, and is what attracted us to the exceptional work being planned by the team. “Wild Ingleborough is a fantastic initiative which aligns to our ethos and values as a family business rooted in Yorkshire that has always strived to play an active role within the wider community and our natural environment. We are very excited to be part of such a progressive and groundbreaking project which will drive forward our understanding and response to both nature restoration and climate impact. “What we are focused on is shifting the agenda forward to put emphasis on measurable action and finding long-term alternatives to more ‘traditional’ carbon offsetting to create a positive outcome here in this country.” The Wild Ingleborough programme engages the local community and work closely with regional businesses to grow their offering of sustainable wildlife tourism opportunities within the area, as well as support local producers to promote their products with environmental benefits. Dr Tim Thom, Wild Ingleborough Manager at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust added: “Our Wild Ingleborough programme is restoring and rejuvenating the stunning landscape around one of Yorkshire’s famous three peaks and surrounding Dales. We are absolutely delighted that Harrison Spinks, a respected and established Yorkshire business, has recognised our shared values and given their support and invested generously in our work.”

Safestyle UK administrators agree sale of order book

Tess Egginton
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Safestyle UK administrators agree sale of order book
The joint administrators of H.P.A.S Limited, previously trading as Safestyle UK, have reached an agreement to sell the company’s order book, as well as certain other assets, to Anglian Home Improvements (trading as Anglian Windows Ltd). While the terms of the agreement are finalised and any legal requirements are fulfilled, the joint administrators have entered into a sub-contractor arrangement that will enable customer orders to be fulfilled by Anglian Home Improvements. This will ensure all Safestyle UK customers impacted by the company’s insolvency will have the opportunity to have their home improvement projects carried out in full. Rick Harrison and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to H.P.A.S Limited, trading as Safestyle UK, Style Group Holdings Limited and Style Group UK Limited on 30 October 2023. Following the group entering into insolvency, customers were advised that orders would not be fulfilled by the company in administration, and that the joint administrators were exploring the possibility of selling certain business and assets to a third party. The interim sub-contract agreement with Anglian Home Improvements will enable Safestyle UK customers to arrange completion or fulfilment of their orders by Anglian. This includes those customers who were mid-way through the installation process, as well as customers who had booked an installation with Safestyle UK. Rick Harrison, joint administrator of H.P.A.S Limited and managing director at Interpath Advisory, said: “We understand the uncertainty felt by customers following Safestyle UK falling into administration last week. “We’re therefore pleased to have reached this agreement with Anglian Home Improvements which gives Safestyle UK customers the certainty and peace of mind that their home improvement projects can now be completed by Anglian.” Peter Mottershead, executive chairman of Anglian Home Improvements, said: “We were keen to support in what we know is a very difficult situation, and so hope that this will go some way towards alleviating the concern and burden on those Safestyle UK customers who have been impacted. “Our customer service teams will be making contact with customers in the coming days and weeks to arrange completion of orders, prioritising those who were part-way through the installation process. I can also confirm that Anglian will honour the terms of the contract, including the price, that had previously been agreed with each customer.”

North Yorkshire Growth Hub appoints three new advisors

Stuart Pearcey
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North Yorkshire Growth Hub appoints three new advisors
Three new team members have joined the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub. Faye Greer-Pickup, Jack Colding, and Adrian O’Neill will play a crucial role as business advisors for North Yorkshire. Each will bring a unique set of skills and experiences to provide free and impartial support.
Faye Greer-Pickup will provide support to people looking to start businesses in North Yorkshire. Faye’s background in business support, and passion for assisting young entrepreneurs, makes her a valuable member to the team. She said: “I’m thrilled to work with pre-start and early-stage start-ups. I can’t wait to start helping them find the path to success.” Faye’s work will involve referring businesses to the Growth Hub’s range of support for start-ups. This includes the acclaimed Strive Live Start-Up Incubator. The programme designed to equip business owners with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s market. Jack Colding is the Growth Hub’s new specialist for Environment and Sustainability. Jack will work closely with businesses in North Yorkshire to reduce costs and stay ahead of new rules on net zero. Jack’s background has given him insights into decarbonisation processes, and he is eager to help businesses reduce their energy and waste. Jack said, “Net zero is a tremendous business opportunity. It can save costs and boost your brand while helping the environment.” As part of £22.3m of Shared Prosperity Funding, North Yorkshire Council have made grants and support available to address gaps preventing businesses taking action on net zero. Jack Colding will assist businesses in accessing this funding, opening the door to opportunities for sustainability and growth. Adrian O’Neill has joined as the new Skills specialist. Adrian will dedicate his time to helping North Yorkshire businesses create a well-trained and fully engaged workforce. This will help with challenges such as hiring and keeping staff. Adrian will work with businesses to put long-term skills development plans in place rather than rely on short-term fixes. Adrian’s diverse background, including teaching and working with disadvantaged groups, positions him to understand business needs. He said: “Well-trained and motivated employees are the cornerstone of business success. I’m here to identify and address skills gaps, provide solutions, and connect businesses with the right training providers.” Adrian O’Neill is helping business access an array of support. This includes an exciting programme of 30 Skills Bootcamps, supporting more than 800 learners. Skills Bootcamps can help businesses develop their workforce, with up to 90% of costs met by York & North Yorkshire LEP.

Council seeks Project Manager to support regeneration of Cleethorpes’ Pier Gardens

Stuart Pearcey
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Council seeks Project Manager to support regeneration of Cleethorpes’ Pier Gardens
North East Lincolnshire Council has has launched a tender for a NEC4 Project Manager to play a key role in supporting the regeneration of Pier Gardens. The project is part of an £18.4m transformation of Cleethorpes seafront including the key areas of the Market Place, Pier Gardens and Sea Road. Philip Jackson, Leader of the council, said: “Cleethorpes has a wealth of assets that can enable it to be at the forefront of regeneration. Opened in 1885, Pier Gardens’ location is at the heart of the resort and the scope for re-development is vast. “The area for regeneration presents a unique opportunity to create a space that will become an attraction for residents and visitors alike. The linear park raised above Central Promenade is a hidden and an underutilised gem of a public green space that could offer so much more.” Starting in January 2024, the council’s delivery partner Equans and NELC’s project management team will work in partnership with the successful NEC4 Project Manager to ensure the design team who will be appointed via the Pagabo framework are supported in developing comprehensive designs. The tender is now open through YORtender for potential applicants and will close on Thursday 30 November 2023.

NFU urges turkey producers to turn to social media to market Christmas poultry

Stuart Pearcey
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NFU urges turkey producers to turn to social media to market Christmas poultry
Turkey producers in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire have taken NFU advice and turned to modern tech to sustain the Christmas turkey tradition. They’ve signed up for the NFU’s ‘Buy My Turkey’ campaign, starting on November 17th, when customers can go on line to the turkey finder and find producers in their area from whom to buy the Christmas bird. The NFU has offered advice about what to put onto social media to get the highest profile for their posts, and attract potential customers. It says that by sourcing a turkey from a local producer, customers will get a high-quality bird raised to world-leading standards, at the same time as cutting food miles and supporting the rural economy. The campaign has been extremely successful in recent years, with producers taking part reporting that they have sold out very quickly. One said: “The campaign has not only been excellent in raising customer awareness of our birds, but also reduces food miles because customers didn’t have to travel far to get to us.”

King’s speech has missed an opportunity, says Doncaster Chamber

Stuart Pearcey
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King’s speech has missed an opportunity, says Doncaster Chamber

Doncaster Chamber believes Government missed a vital opportunity to show that it understands the plight of businesses in the North.

It’s says the speech contained comparatively little in the way of new policy proposals to reassure businesses in places like South Yorkshire. Said Frank Horsley, Head of Policy and Partnerships at Doncaster Chamber: “In fact, while the speech did outline some laudable ambitions for the UK — in terms of stimulating economic growth, bringing down inflation and creating new jobs — it failed to articulate exactly how these goals will be achieved.”

the day before the speech Doncaster Chamber published a wish list of key asks that, if implemented, would have allow government to show that they truly understand the needs and wants of firms on the ground. “Given that nothing specific was announced, and that the speech was generally lacking in fresh ideas, the Chamber is now arguing that an opportunity has been missed and is therefore urging Government to provide further detail as soon as possible, to help provide confidence during such difficult economic times,” added Mr Horsley.

“Although the King’s Speech is not intended to go into forensic detail with any legislative plans, and we still have an Autumn Statement on the horizon, this was nevertheless an underwhelming look at Government’s ambitions for the coming months and we will continue to press them for concrete initiatives that will positively support our businesses in Doncaster.

“Now is the time for bold policies that will help firms get through these challenging times. In the face of great upheaval and assorted macroeconomic headwinds, our business communities have weathered a fierce storm over the past few years and really impressed us with their grit, resilience and determination.

“Yet they still need to know that Government has their best interests at heart. With that said, today’s King’s Speech could have, and should have, gone a lot further to assure them of this.

“There were some encouraging references to things like: increasing high quality apprenticeships; investing in emerging industries; and regenerating towns, but not enough clarity on how these various aspirations will be realised or funded. For example, the speech failed to explain how funding from the cancelled HS2 project will be reinvested into the North’s transport infrastructure, beyond a vague commitment to delivering faster and more reliable journeys.”

ABP signs MoU with Taiwan on journey to net zero

Stuart Pearcey
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ABP signs MoU with Taiwan on journey to net zero
Port operator ABP has signed an MoU to co-operate with the Taiwan International Ports Corporation to exchange information and experience about floating offshore wind-related port facilities and for the exploration of future business collaboration opportunities. ABP CEO Henrik L. Pedersen said: “This agreement with Taiwan International Ports Corporation represents an exciting new stage in our journey towards net zero, for which international collaboration is key. Floating offshore wind presents huge opportunities to the UK, from becoming a global leader in green energy generation to creating significant jobs, prosperity and energy security. We look forward to working with TIPC to exchange ideas and accelerate the advancement of this technology.” The MOU was signed by TIPC Vice President of Business Shu-hui Cheng, and ABP Head of Offshore Wind Andy Reay, and witnessed by TIPC Chairman Hsien-yi Lee and British Office Taipei Representative John Dennis. Shu-hui Cheng said: “The third phase of offshore wind power development is about to unfold in Taiwan. With larger scale wind turbines, localization policies, etc., there will be more demand for land and space in ports of Taiwan, and the demonstration plan of floating wind will also bring up more requirements and challenges. Through the signing of the MOU with ABP and information sharing between the two parties, I believe that TIPC will be fully prepared on port planning and construction in coordination with offshore wind power policies. “I would also like to express my deepest appreciation for ABP to visit Taiwan and sign MOU with TIPC despite their busy schedule. I believe that the signing of the memorandum is the beginning of mutual cooperation and an important development of future port cooperation between UK and Taiwan.” ABP is the UK’s leading and largest port operator with a network of 21 ports around UK, handling a quarter of all UK port volumes, worth £157bn in 2022. It provides critical support services to various national sectors, including energy, cruise tourism, container shipping, agricultural and forestry products, automotive, and steel. Many of ABP’s ports are in close proximity to major British offshore wind farms, and ABP offers tailored services at its various ports to meet wind farm needs. For example, the Port of Hull hosts the Siemens Gamesa wind turbine blade factory, the Port of Grimsby hosts Europe’s largest offshore wind turbine operations and maintenance centre and the Ports of Lowestoft and Barrow also host significant O&M hubs. ABP has bold plans for future growth of its offshore wind related activities, including a transformational project to develop a major floating offshore wind hub port at Port Talbot. To further foster exchange and cooperation, TIPC Chairman, Lee took a delegation to the UK in July to visit ABP CEO, Henrik L. Pedersen and share experiences as well as to invite ABP to visit Taiwan.

Wakefield recruitment firm becomes employee owned

Tess Egginton
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Wakefield recruitment firm becomes employee owned
The ownership of Wakefield recruitment firm Pratap Partnership has been transferred to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Nik Pratap said: “Establishing Pratap Partnership with the other shareholders has been the proudest achievement of my career so far. The process of nurturing and expanding our current team has deepened that sense of accomplishment. “Completing this transaction to place the ownership of the company in the hands of our employees is an achievement that is hard to put into words. It has been the most rewarding and exciting experience that I can imagine. “We have had a lot of fun building our brand, developing our strategy and working with our clients & candidates. This change will allow us to continue with our forward momentum. “The experience of going through the EOT transaction has allowed me to think a lot more about our future legacy, our purpose and to develop a business that continues to create value for our team, our clients and candidates for many years to come.” The business was established in 2019 and has grown through investing in its team and expanding to its current size of 20. ‍Karen Caswell, one of the firm’s longest serving employees, will step up to be a director of the EOT. Karen said: “I have worked with Nik for 10 years. He was/is well-liked and respected across our network and for good reason. “He is very knowledgeable, honest and transparent, and it is easy to see why people have worked for/with him for so long. I was keen to continue working with Nik as I felt it would benefit me longer term in many ways: flexibility, autonomy, new opportunities etc. “We have a brilliant team at Pratap Partnership, everyone works together and supports each other, both professionally and personally, and the EOT pays a testament to the hard work, determination and drive of all the employees who all have the same goal: to provide a top tier service to all clients and candidates.”‍ Advisers included Adam Ames and Andy Irvine at Shorts and Russell Bainbridge and Paul Trudgill at Knights. Andy Irvine, audit partner, said: “We are delighted to have helped advise Nik and the rest of the shareholders with the transfer of the company into employee ownership. This is an important milestone in the ongoing development of the business and we look forward to helping the company in the next stage of its journey.”

New export programme promises growth for UK dairy industry

Stuart Pearcey
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New export programme promises growth for UK dairy industry
The UK’s dairy industry is set to be boosted by a brand-new programme to increase exports, the Government announced today. The Dairy Export Programme promises to help UK agri-businesses grow by seizing new export opportunities and exploiting overseas markets through a comprehensive package of export support for an industry whose SMEs already export goods worth more than £2 billion of goods a year to over 135 countries. The Programme is a direct result of this funding and forms part of a wider package of Government support for agriculture, food and drink. This includes an investment of £2 million to boost DBT’s programme of global tradeshows and missions, which will be delivered in partnership with industry and the Food and Drink Export Council. The programme will provide a wide range of targeted support for businesses, through education sessions on how to boost exports and target new markets and trade promotion activity, including an inward buyer trade mission and a UK Dairy Showcase. It will also provide specialist resource in priority markets dedicated to supporting dairy exports and market intelligence support to help businesses exploit overseas opportunities. NFU Dairy Board Chair Michael Oakes said: “The NFU has been working closely with dairy producers, exporters and government through the Dairy Export Taskforce to examine ways to reduce trade barriers for dairy, improve market access and identify new opportunities for growth.

This new £1m programme shows how industry and government collaboration can help drive UK dairy exports, target new markets and bolster our exporting strength. With the global demand for dairy set to rise significantly, the UK should be leading the way when it comes to the trade of safe, high-quality and sustainable UK dairy products.

Work completes on character apartments in historic Leeds building

Tess Egginton
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Work completes on character apartments in historic Leeds building

Work has completed on a unique development of 19 apartments at Lambert’s House on Lower Briggate in Leeds city centre, which is now fully let, just four weeks after appointing a new estate agent to market the scheme.

Lambert’s House is an historic Grade II listed building, thought to be Leeds city centre’s oldest dwelling that dates back over 400 years. When Zenko Properties was appointed to provide management advice and let the scheme, there were 10 empty apartments.

Managing Director, Tobias Duczenko, from Zenko Properties, said: “It was clear from the start that Lambert’s House is a great place to live, but it needed some investment and repositioning in order to appeal to discerning tenants.

“We worked very closely with the landlord, providing advice and guidance, as well as property design and maintenance recommendations to ensure the apartments, and all of the communal areas, were finished to the very highest of standards.

“Lambert’s House really is the jewel in the crown when it comes to individual character apartments. This is not a copy and paste development, and the greatest of respect has been shown for Lambert’s House and the historic yard’s remarkable architectural heritage.

“Every care has been taken to bring this important historic building back to life, retaining as much of the original fabric as possible and faithfully matching new materials with old wherever possible, as well as leaving historic brickwork and timbers exposed.

“Fully restored and repurposed without compromise, the 19 apartments are spread across three floors, and all have high-tech home comforts. The stylish duplex, studios and beautifully appointed one, two and three bedroom homes are truly unique, and they have been designed to be as individual as the residents that rent them.”

Lambert’s House will also now be professionally managed by Zenko Properties.

Landlord, Reece Cohen, said: “The guidance and expertise provided by Zenko Properties has been invaluable. Our fabulous scheme is now fully occupied, and record rents have been achieved. The team worked hard to deliver a great result for both us and our tenants and we feel very confident in the fact that Zenko Properties will be managing the scheme for us moving forward.”

Lambert’s House is widely regarded as the oldest surviving timber-framed building in Leeds city centre and is Grade II listed. Historically the house and traditional Leeds yard were known as Lambert’s Arcade. Lambert’s House and the yard were originally built by William Lambert and the Lambert family, who were wealthy grocers and tea traders.
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