Hull-based digital marketing company 43 Clicks North is building support across the region for an event which showcases the city’s growing strength in the sector.
The company attracted another full house for Power Hour 6, the latest in a series of sessions which put top tech talent from East Yorkshire alongside some of the key players from bigger cities. The latest event drew an audience of industry colleagues, clients and contacts including business owners and marketing managers as well as students from the University of Hull who seized the chance to bolster their academic work with some real-life experience. Guest speakers from some of the leading agencies in Leeds said the Power Hour programme at Social in Humber Street, Hull, will strengthen digital marketing in the local area and further afield. Pete Lowes, Strategy Director and co-founder at Present Works, said: “The Power Hour is really important. I went to university in Leeds and most of the people there wanted to leave after three years and go back to London, taking their skills with them. “We have always been very passionate about creating opportunities in Leeds and across Yorkshire so people don’t have to move to London and Manchester to work for forward thinking companies. “What 43CN are doing in Hull is brilliant and this was another great turnout. I didn’t know what to expect but it was a really good event and a nice mix of people with students and business owners, marketing managers. It’s a thriving scene here and it’s good to see that.” Ash Liddell, the SEO Content Lead at Reprise who has returned to the University of Hull to study for his Masters, added: “The idea of bringing other agencies in from outside the city is really important in terms of putting Hull on the map in the digital sector. “If we are working with other agencies from the bigger cities it can only have a positive effect. It’s about talent and about showing that Hull can serve the sector’s needs and has the student population to support that. “This was a useful non-academic opportunity for the students. One of the biggest questions when I left university was what comes next, so the opportunity for students to come and speak to people at an event like this is important.” Marisa Crimlis-Brown held a number of senior marketing roles before relocating to Hull with her family during the pandemic. She told how Power Hour helped to pave the way for her move to 43CN as Senior Client Strategist. Marisa said: “I wanted to work in the place where I live. I saw there was a lot going on at 43CN and I attended a Power Hour and found it really interesting and vital. “Also with the other agencies round here as well I saw, there was a lot going on especially for a city of this size. I got to know them a bit better and felt it would be a very nice move. “The brain drain is reversing and pulling people to Hull from other cities. It shows that Hull is on the map. There’s an interest here, drawing people in and getting fresh ideas.”BAE Systems signs new ten-year lease at Brough’s Humber Enterprise Park
Humber Enterprise Park has signed a new ten-year lease agreement with BAE Systems which will maintain its 500,000 sq ft centre for digital engineering excellence on the strategic site.
The global defence and aerospace company leases office, warehouse, and R&D space at HEP. The renewal of the lease coincides with BAE Systems’ recent recruitment announcement for potential 100 new roles, adding to the existing 700 BAE Systems employees already working at the site.
BAE Systems has a long heritage at HEP, stretching back to 1916 when aeroplane pioneer Robert Blackburn chose the Brough site for its manufacturing facility due to its proximity to the Humber. The site has since transformed into the Company’s centre for digital engineering excellence, with activities supporting the delivery of the world’s most advanced defence programmes. These include the Future Combat Air System –Tempest, and the Dreadnought submarine fleet.
James Hardstaff, General Manager of the BAE Systems Brough site said: “There’s a really bright future ahead for BAE Systems in Brough. With activity focusing on engineering some of the most advanced Air and Submarine programmes in the world, our people will be contributing to the development of critical future technologies.
“The renewal of our lease with Humber Enterprise Park and recent investment in the site ensures we will retain our longstanding history with the area, providing high-skilled jobs and supporting the local supply chain.”
Whilst HEP is known as a major heritage site and centre of excellence for BAE Systems, it is also a well-established business location in its own right with other occupiers including Eco Engineering, Wren Kitchens, and Supercraft Ltd.
Following its acquisition of the 79-acre park in 2020, Westcore Europe has invested heavily with a view to repositioning the significant site and its mixed-use proposition.
Victoria Morgan, Director of Asset Management at HEP owner Westcore Europe said: “BAE Systems commitment to remain at Humber Enterprise Park for the longer term, whilst also creating more potential jobs. This is testament to the strategic location and strong connectivity, with the railway station just a few minutes’ walk away, as well as the expanding amenity/wellbeing provisions on site for our working community.
“Thanks to BAE Systems, HEP is well known for enterprise and we have a thriving mix of large corporations through to incubator businesses expanding on site. We have invested significantly in recent years to deliver high quality workspaces and make enhancements to the public realm as part of our ongoing commitment to transform the Humber Enterprise Park into a destination.”
Humber Enterprise Park is located on a 79-acre site to the West of Hull City Centre. The development is within a few minutes’ walk of Brough railway station with daily services to the North of England and Kings Cross,10 minutes’ walk of the vibrant Brough town centre and two miles drive to the M62 and motorway network.
Leeds brewer and bar chain secures invoice discounting package from Bibby
Leeds-based brewer and bar chain North Brewing Co has received a £375,000 Confidential Invoicing Discounting package from Bibby Financial Services – the UK’s largest independent invoice finance provider – to help it strengthen cashflow and fuel national and international expansion.
The new funding line will allow North’s co-founders to manage cashflow, so they can focus on planning ahead and growing the business.
The business was introduced to BFS’s commercial team by Conor Smyth at TFS Finance Ltd, an independent commercial finance brokerage focused on the SME market.
BFS’s Yorkshire-based deal team, led by Ian Hayes, structured a Confidential Invoice Discounting funding facility worth £375,000. BFS was chosen due to its speed, agility and understanding of the business’s needs.
John Gyngell, Director and Co-founder of North Brewing Co, said: “We’re so proud of where our business is today, in large part thanks to our great staff and a lot of love from our customers and community. But, as a business owner, cashflow is a daily concern, especially over the past 12 months. It’s been a really tough year for the brewing industry, due to a combination of challenges, such as the rising cost of grain, energy, shipping, and the impact of Brexit on international business operations.
“In order to grow the business, we need to be able to focus on the future, rather than just respond to the day to day. We really appreciated BFS’s commitment to understanding our business, and quickly coming back to us with a solution. BFS’s funding and support gives us the breathing space to concentrate on what we’re best at, plan ahead for business growth over the next few years and have more time to enjoy the day job.”
North has been growing its business and operations over the past few years. In 2020, the business signed a lease for a larger, 21,000 sq ft former Victorian Tannery in Springwell, Leeds, which they converted into a modern brewery, taproom and workspace during the pandemic – and which now serves as the business’s HQ.
The mid-sized brewery has also been expanding its footprint, with beers now stocked in leading supermarkets and restaurants across the UK, and sold abroad, including in markets such as Japan, China and Australia. Within the past year, North has opened its first two bars outside of Yorkshire, in Birmingham and Manchester, and has launched its own beer festival, Springwell Sessions at its brewery site – with the second iteration due to take place at the end of April 2023.
Conor Smyth, Senior Funding Partner at TFS Finance, said: “North Brewing Co has seen huge success over the past 26 years in its local bars and brewing operations, and is also seeing growing national and international demand. This has made managing cashflow a much bigger task, especially considering the challenging economic landscape. The BFS team were great partners to work with, as they demonstrated their ability to tap into the business’s needs and deliver a suitable funding line in just a couple of weeks.”
Ian Hayes, Business Development Manager at BFS commented: “It’s been a pleasure to work with North Brewing Co and TFS Finance to provide this funding line. North has been incredibly resilient over the past few years, but as the business and external challenges have become more complex, the business’s leaders have seen their time and energy eaten up thinking about cashflow. We quickly worked to understand their needs and pressures and deliver a funding line that would take the weight off John and Christian’s shoulders and minds, so they can focus on the future of the business. BFS is in growth mode, and our partnership with North Brewing Co is a great example of us working hand-in-hand with our valued intermediary base and with our clients to unlock working capital for growth.”
Founded in 2015, North Brewing Co started as North Bar on New Briggate high street in Leeds, and today operates 10 bars across Yorkshire, Birmingham and Manchester and produces around 20 thousand hectolitres of beer every year which is sold into supermarkets, restaurants, and bars all over the world.
ABP stages consultation on onshore wind turbine plans for Grimsby and Immingham
Members of the public are being invited to attend a consultation as part of plans by ABP to install onshore wind turbines at the ports of Grimsby and Immingham.
The two Humber Ports will be the first onshore wind projects for consultation with a generation capacity potentially up to 36MW. Plans are being developed for up to four turbines at Grimsby and at least two at Immingham.
The consultation will take place at Grimsby Town Hall (Crosland Suite), on Wednesday 19 April between 1.30pm and 7.30pm, and at Immingham Civic Centre (Burrton Hall) on Thursday 20 April between 11.30am and 7.30pm.
At these events people can view the proposed plans and talk to members of the project team.
ABP supports government ambitions to achieving net zero and recently launched its own £2 billion plan for Energy Transition growth and Net Zero 2040. Called Ready for Tomorrow it looks to meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities. ABP has already reduced its own CO2 emissions by over 35% since 2014 and invested over £55 million in sustainability measures, which includes the largest commercial rooftop solar array in the UK at the Port of Hull, electric vehicles and cranes across the group and a new fleet of more fuel-efficient pilot boats. The Port of Immingham recently trialled a Terberg hydrogen fuelled tractor in its container terminal.
Plumbers warned of asbestos danger lurking in Britain’s buildings
Plumbers across Great Britain are being warned about the hidden dangers associated with asbestos as part of the Health and Safety Executive’s Asbestos and You campaign targeting tradespeople about the personal risks from asbestos that still exist in properties across the country today.
About five thousand people a year die from asbestos related illnesses, and asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000.
But HSE is warning despite the ban on its use, many buildings still contain asbestos, and it is still a serious risk to anyone exposed to it at any age.
Tim Beaumont, HSE’s acting head of construction policy sector, said: “Asbestos can be found in things like Artex, cement boards under eaves, garage roofs, old bath panels, boiler houses and fires and even mortar between bricks can contain asbestos.
“There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure but that’s not to say it can’t be managed safely.
“All tradespeople should make sure they know the basics about identifying asbestos. Before carrying out any construction work, there’s a legal requirement to identify whether asbestos is present and could be disturbed.
“Younger tradespeople need to know the dangers behind asbestos as it could affect them in later life like it is affecting older tradespeople now.”
Asbestos is only dangerous if not maintained in a safe condition or if physically disturbed without the right measures in place to control exposure to fibres.
Craig Evans, COO of the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association said: “I wholeheartedly support HSE’s campaign to raise asbestos awareness and the importance of training across industry.
“The dangers of asbestos are very real, with over 5,000 people in the UK dying each year from asbestos-related diseases.
“It is crucial that tradespeople are aware of the risks involved in disturbing or damaging asbestos-containing materials, as inhaling these fibres can lead to devastating diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
“UKATA members are committed to providing high-quality asbestos training, delivered by highly experienced and competent professionals with extensive knowledge and expertise in their field, to help prevent unnecessary exposure and protect the health and wellbeing of all those working in the industry.”
From the 1950s until 1999, asbestos containing materials were used extensively in the construction and maintenance of buildings in Great Britain.
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. If these fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening. These diseases will not affect you immediately as they often take a long time to develop, but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything.
It can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough, wheezing, extreme tiredness, pain in your chest or shoulder and in more advanced cases, swollen fingertips.
If asbestos cannot be safely managed, it should be removed by a licensed asbestos contractor. Where present, asbestos should be closely managed by those responsible for the building.
Find out more about the Asbestos and You campaign
Significant deal sealed at iconic Broad Gate in Leeds
The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank has brokered one of the most significant office deals in Leeds this year with the letting of the 8,448 sq ft of space at Broad Gate in the heart of the city.
Kaplan, who run educational courses for financial professionals, are relocating from Albion Street in the city. They have signed a 10-year lease, with a five-year break.
This deal comes hard on the heels of Verrus Recruitment doubling its space in the iconic building, moving into 5,250 sq ft of high-quality offices.
Victoria Harris, office agency specialist at Knight Frank, said: “Taken together, these two deals are resounding endorsement of one of Leeds’ most impressive mixed-use buildings. The excellent location, overlooking The Headrow, creates a business destination with all the benefits of the city centre on its doorstep.”
The 300,000 sq ft flagship development comprises six floors of Grade A office space including an exclusive suite of penthouse offices, together with four prime retail units.
Broad Gate was formerly the home of Lewis’s, the first department store in Leeds, which was built in 1932, and then Allders.
Kaplan were represented by Gerald Eve.
Recruitment consultant joins Nicholas Associates in Leeds
Experienced recruitment consultant Sarah Shaw has joined talent solutions specialists Nicholas Associates Group (NAG) to drive growth in Leeds and North Yorkshire for the NA construction division.
Sarah has 7 years’ experience of helping house builders predominantly across Yorkshire and the Midlands attract talented construction professionals.
In her new role, Sarah will be focusing on the house building sector and will work closely with other team members to ensure quality candidates are sourced and placed in roles that meet the skills requirements of their new employer.
The Yorkshire NA Construction team is led by Michael Alderson who joined NAG in 2022 to establish an entirely new office on Park Row in the city’s business district, specialising in temporary and permanent recruitment solutions for the built environment.
Commenting on her appointment Sarah said: “I have previously worked with Mike and knew this role presented a great opportunity to help him further expand our presence in Yorkshire. This a great opportunity to grow a successful portfolio of new clients.”
In her spare time Sarah is a big foodie and loves cooking up tasty things for friends and family. She also enjoys hiking and has climbed Ben Nevis to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Restrictions on Sheffield waste site will remain in force for three more weeks
A court order prohibiting anyone from entering or depositing waste on the site at M White Skips Limited in Sheffield’s Worthing Road will remain in place for a further three weeks.
It’s the first time such powers have been used in Yorkshire to reduce the impact on the local community and the environment.
The Restriction Order was obtained at Sheffield Magistrates Court after the court heard evidence from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service but had insufficient time to hear from all Environment Agency witnesses.
The current order prevents access to the site, except for the purpose of removing waste, and waste cannot be imported or processed onsite.
Jacqui Tootill, South Yorkshire Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency said: “Our officers have already taken enforcement action to issue a restriction order for this site – preventing any further waste from being dumped or treated there and ensuring that the operator can only access the site in order to remove waste.
“We are inspecting the site regularly and continuing to work with partners to ensure this order is followed and also working to ensure the site is cleared. We will take further enforcement action if necessary and continue to investigate the alleged offending linked to the activities at this site.”
The Court heard from an Environment Agency Environmental Crime Officer and an Officer of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue that the condition of the site was such that it posed a risk of serious pollution to the environment and serious harm to human health, and a restriction order was necessary. The Environment Agency is working alongside South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in the ongoing criminal investigation into activities at the site.Streets Chartered Accountants covers energy bills, capital allowances, National Insurance, changes in VAT penalties, interest rates increases, and more in new news roundup
Streets Chartered Accountants covers the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme, capital allowances, National Insurance, changes in VAT penalties, interest rates increases, and more in its new news roundup.
Energy Bills Discount Scheme
The new Energy Bills Discount Scheme replaces the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which came to an end on 31 March 2023.
Spring Budget 2023 – Capital allowances
Designed in part to help offset the increased Corporation Tax main rate, the Chancellor announced the introduction of a new ground-breaking 100% first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets. This measure is also expected to help boost business investment and growth.
National Insurance if working abroad
If you move abroad, it can often be advantageous to continue paying your UK National Insurance Contributions (NICs) in order to preserve your entitlement to the State Pension and other benefits.
More time to top-up NICs
In some circumstances it can be beneficial to make voluntary National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to increase your entitlement to benefits, including the State or New State Pension.
Changes in VAT penalties
The first monthly returns and payments affected by HMRC’s new VAT penalty regime were due by 7 March 2023. The new VAT penalty rules apply to the late submission and / or late payments of VAT returns for VAT return periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.
Adding employees to a workplace pension scheme
Automatic enrolment for workplace pensions has helped many employees make a start on providing for their retirement with the advantage that employers and government are also contributing to their pension pot.
Spring Budget 2023 – Pension changes
One of the key measures of the Spring Budget was the announcement that the £40,000 cap on annual pension contributions will be increased by 50% to £60,000 from 6 April 2023.
Get information about a company
There is a significant amount of information about companies that can be obtained from Companies House.
Spring Budget 2023 – Childcare changes
One of the main areas targeted by the Spring Budget was changes to childcare.
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment 2023-24
The Cost of Living support package has been designed to help over 8 million households in receipt of means tested benefits.
Spring Budget 2023 – Energy Price Guarantee
The Chancellor had previously announced that the energy price guarantee cap, which will see the average household have their energy bills capped at £2,500 a year, would remain in place until the 31 March 2023. It was announced as part of the Spring Budget measures that this cap will now be extended for a further 3-months until 30 June 2023.
Bank of England and HMRC increase interest rates
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 22 March 2023 and voted 7-2 in favour of raising interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.25% in a move to tackle continued, rising inflation. This is the eleventh time the MPC has increased interest rates with rates now the highest they have been since November 2008.
CBI Director General dismissed with immediate effect following independent investigation into workplace misconduct
CBI Director General Tony Danker has been dismissed with immediate effect following an independent investigation into complaints of workplace misconduct.
Law firm Fox Williams was hired to investigate Danker in March after a formal complaint made in January from a female CBI employee, who alleged he made unwanted contact with her and considered it to be sexual harassment. It also followed further alleged informal reports of concerns over his behaviour.
The first phase of this investigation has now concluded and, following subsequent reports of wider workplace misconduct, the CBI Board has dismissed Danker, brought in new leadership, with Rain Newton-Smith, former CBI Chief Economist and currently Managing Director, Strategy and Policy, Sustainability and ESG for Barclays, agreeing to rejoin the CBI as its new Director General, and made changes to how it operates.
Jill Ader, a CBI Board member and Senior Adviser and recent Global Chair of the leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder, will oversee a root-and-branch review of the CBI’s culture, governance and processes, leading a new sub-committee of the Board alongside its President Brian McBride.
A new, elevated position of Chief People Officer will also be created, which will sit on the CBI’s executive committee and report directly to the Board on all matters of workplace conduct and culture.
The CBI also revealed that three other CBI employees have now been suspended pending further investigation into a number of ongoing allegations. It added that while Fox Williams continues with the next phase of its inquiry, the CBI is liaising with the police and will cooperate fully with any investigations.
A statement from the CBI said: “The allegations that have been made over recent weeks about the CBI have been devastating. While investigations continue into a number of these, it is already clear to all of us that there have been serious failings in how we have acted as an organisation. We must do better, and we must be better.
“We apologise to the victims of this organisational failure, including those impacted by the revulsion we have all felt at hearing their stories. Nobody should feel unsafe in their workplace.
“We wish to thank all those who have had the courage to speak out, through internal or external channels, and encourage them to keep doing so. Our website describes how to do so, providing contact details for specific CBI Management or for an independent third party, whichever route individuals feel more comfortable taking.
“The CBI exists to help British business flourish. This is a privilege and responsibility which we take extremely seriously and cannot take for granted. We represent our members not just in how we advocate for them, but also through our values as an organisation. It means we must be a place where colleagues are safe, valued and respected, and where there is zero tolerance for behaviour that falls short of those expectations.”
Trio of Irish veterinary practices join York group
Three Irish veterinary practices have joined York-based VetPartners.
The addition of Riverview Veterinary Group in Cork, Avondale Veterinary Hospital in Wicklow and All Creatures Veterinary Group in Monaghan doubles the number of VetPartners’ practices in Ireland from three to six and creates a strong foundation for the group in the country.
Riverview Veterinary Group is one of the oldest mixed practices in Ireland after being established 75 years ago, with 52 team members working across clinics in Ballincollig, Kinsale, Carrigaline, Bandon and Clonakilty.
Avondale Veterinary Hospital, which is also a mixed practice, has three sites in Arklow, Rathdrum and Tinahely, and employs 31 team members.
All Creatures Veterinary Group is a small animal practice, with 34 employees working across four sites across Monaghan.
VetPartners Ireland Managing Director Gavin McCoubrey said: “We are so proud that these three amazing practices have chosen to join us because they are so respected in Ireland. They are a great cultural fit for VetPartners and they share our values in the way they support and care for people.
“They have really bought into VetPartners as a family of practices that wants to support them to deliver the best possible care for their patients and a great service for their clients, as well as being a great place to work. Practice life is very special and we really value the people that make them so.
“Our growth in Ireland is exciting and I believe the addition of Riverview, Avondale and All Creatures show how highly regarded we are and how much people trust in what we are building.”
VetPartners was established in 2015 with three practices. It now has 11,000 employees working in more than 700 sites across Europe and from its headquarters in York. Following European expansion in 2019, the group now has practices in Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands and the Channel Islands.
Avondale Vets clinical director Declan Ryan said: “We are very excited to join VetPartners as we love their business model, especially the fact that we retain our independence as Avondale Veterinary while having the back up of a large company. Avondale Veterinary is at a stage now where it needs big investment in premises, equipment and, most of all, the team. VetPartners are in a better position to make this a reality than we were. We are really looking forward to this new venture.”
All Creatures Veterinary Group clinical director Christopher Cronin said: “We are happy to announce we have joined the larger VetPartners family of practices. We made this decision to secure the future of our veterinary services and the future of our loyal employees. Together, we will establish a prime service for the farming community of Monaghan and Cavan, and our small animal clients. The investment of VetPartners will allow us to achieve our shared values and we feel the future looks bright.”
Riverview Veterinary Group (RVG) clinical director Michael Sexton said: “We are delighted to be joining up with similar, like-minded practices within the VetPartners group. We believe this will enable RVG to continue on the strong growth we have achieved over the last few decades in general and the last five years in particular. We are excited about the plans for the future and the benefits this will deliver for our clients and team members.”
Dublin-based commercial law firm, Beauchamps, advised VetPartners on the three acquisitions.
Beauchamps partner Shaun O’Shea said: “We were delighted to work with VetPartners on these three latest acquisitions, and are proud to support such a dynamic business and brand on their continued growth and expansion in Ireland.”
Specialist HGV and motor trade insurance broker makes first acquisition as part of JMG Group
Specialist HGV and motor trade insurance broker New Era have made their first acquisition within weeks of becoming part of Yorkshire-based JMG Group.
The firm has acquired Preston-based courierinsurance.co.uk in a move that establishes a new specialist commercial motor division within the JMG Group and reinforces the company’s commitment to growth in this market.
courierinsurance.co.uk, which was established in 2012, provides services covering courier van insurance, public liability insurance, breakdown cover and fleet insurance. It will continue to trade as courierinsurance.co.uk and its team, led by director Simon Moores, will continue to work with clients out of its Preston office.
Simon Moores says: “Our sale to New Era presented a perfect opportunity to join forces with a team that has a mutual appetite to grow in this specialist area of insurance, combined with the benefits that being part of the wider JMG Group will bring. We are excited for what lies ahead for us and for the added value that this step forward brings to our clients.”
New Era directors Ella Burgess and Nathan Pedley, who set up the business in January 2020, say: “We’re over the moon with this acquisition. We were keen to join forces with a team in this specialist area of the insurance market in which we want to lead. We feel that bringing the company on board with us will give us a real advantage and make New Era a specialist in both the haulage and courier sectors.”
JMG Group CEO, Nick Houghton, says: “When we acquired New Era in March we pledged to support its growth and help the team develop and flourish. This is the first step in its ambitious plans in this thriving marketplace. Nathan and Ella already have a proven track record with New Era as does Simon with courierinsurance.co.uk so I am looking forward to seeing what’s next for the team!”
Lincolnshire Co-op’s new CEO takes post
Alison Hands has started work as the new CEO of Lincolnshire Co-op, bringing more than 33 years’ experience in retail environments including Marks and Spencer, The Body Shop, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Boots Opticians.
Alison, most recently MD at Wilko, will be meeting colleagues from across business, as well as stakeholders which work closely alongside the society on development and community projects.
She said: “I’m looking forward to spending time meeting my colleagues, seeing the diverse valued services we provide in action and further understanding how we deliver our purpose to make life better in communities.
“Lincolnshire Co-op is a successful values-driven organisation and I’m excited to work collectively alongside the team to continue to deliver for our area, develop our services and face the challenges of the future.”
Former CEO Ursula Lidbetter retired in December after 18 years with the society. Until now, Chief Financial Officer Steve Galjaard has been Acting Chief Executive Officer alongside his role.
Chair of the Board of Directors David Cowell said: “We’re grateful to Steve, whose leadership has ensured a smooth transition for Alison and all our colleagues.
“We’re delighted to welcome Alison to Lincolnshire Co-op. She has a wealth of experience and a passion for what makes us a different type of business – our community and membership focus. We’re all looking forward to working together to ensure we continue to be a strong and successful business.”
Lincolnshire Co-op runs over 220 outlets including food stores and filling stations, pharmacies, post offices, funeral homes, travel agencies and a crematorium. The society is also active in development schemes, such as the Cornhill Quarter in Lincoln city centre and the Lincoln Science and Innovation Park.
Chambers issue joint statement over Cost of Doing Business survey
On the publication of the South Yorkshire Cost of Doing Business Survey the CEOs of Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield Chambers of Commerce have issued a joint statement highlighting the tough economic backdrop being faced by businesses in their areas.
They say: “Most key indicators of business activity weakened on the quarter, and cashflow positions deteriorated as rising costs ate into margins. Unsurprisingly, inflation remains the biggest concern of South Yorkshire firms, driven by labour costs and utility bills.
“Since the survey closed, interest rates have risen again, inflation figures have come in above expectations and there were few immediate measures in the Budget that will relieve the pressures facing business. Policies aimed at supporting people back into work, such as expanding free childcare, are some time away from being implemented.
“As Chambers, we will continue to advocate for the measures that will underpin business confidence in our region in the near term, such as securing the future of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
“We will continue to fight hard to attract inward investment and ensure we have the workforce skills we need to grow our economy over the long term. We are working closely with employers, training providers and others on an ambitious Local Skills Improvement Plan centred on digital skills.”
Government plans new rules to support pork farmers and processors with written contracts
Government plans to support the UK’s pig sector by committing to regulate pig contracts to support the supply chain and provide greater certainty across the whole sector.
Mew regulations will help to bring stability and security to the pig supply chain, strengthening the sector’s ability to deal with the challenges it faces around the world, such as rising costs and labour shortages caused by global pressures.
The move follows a public consultation last year, which received nearly 400 responses from producers, processors and others in the supply chain. It revealed popular sentiment in the sector that legally required written contracts would remove uncertainty and ambiguity, with the majority of respondents supporting the governments approach to implement this through legislation.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “The pig sector has faced unprecedented challenges over the last year, with rising costs and global labour shortages putting real pressure on producers and processors.
“We are committed to working with the sector, and the regulations set to be introduced will ensure fairness and transparency across the supply chain – from pig to pork to plate – to help the sector to thrive in the future.”
The regulations will be developed using the regulation-making power in section 29 of the Agriculture Act 2020, with further engagement with industry to ensure that they meet the needs of the sector and properly address the challenges the sector faces.
As well as regulation on written contracts, the government will develop regulations to collect and share more supply chain data, particularly in relation to wholesale price transparency and national slaughter numbers. Increasing the availability of this sort of data within the supply chain will help market reporting services be more reflective of the entire UK market, and will therefore help to further reduce ambiguity for all within the supply chain.
The consultation has also revealed pig producers’ concerns about market consolidation in the processing sector, and the impact this has had on producers. In response to this, the government will be sharing the consultation’s findings relating to the alleged negative consequences of market consolidation with the Competition and Markets Authority.
Doncaster man claimed 20,000 illegal cigarettes were for ‘personal use’
A Doncaster businessman who claimed 20,000 cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were for personal use has pleaded guilty to three charges after being caught smuggling illicit cigarettes and tobacco out of Grimsby in a van.
Rizgar Ismail Axiz, 46, of Broxholme Lane, Doncaster, appeared before Grimsby Magistrates on three charges brought under the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015, and the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
He was stopped leaving Grimsby in March last year when police discovered illicit cigarettes and tobacco with a street value of £6,320 and a legitimate value of £15,300. The case was then passed to North East Lincolnshire Council’s Trading Standards officers to investigate.
The 20,000 smuggled Marlboro cigarettes and 120 fifty-gram pouches of Turner hand rolling tobacco did not carry the prescribed combined health warnings and were not in the required plain packaging.
Aziz initially claimed that the cigarettes were for personal use, but later pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, with 150 hours of unpaid work. Aziz was also ordered to pay costs of £560 and a victim surcharge of £95.
North East Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards Project Officer Mick Funnell, said: “All tobacco is harmful but illegal tobacco tends to be priced much cheaper, making it easier for children to start smoking and get hooked.
“Sellers rarely care who they sell to. Fewer people are buying illegal tobacco and fewer people are now prepared to turn a blind eye to it.
“The illicit tobacco trade also has strong links to organised crime and criminal gangs, so those buying these products are often pouring money into things like people smuggling, drug dealing, money laundering and even terrorism.
“Even small-time local sellers are at the end of a long criminal chain – selling illegal tobacco is a crime.
“People can make a real difference to help keep more illegal tobacco off the streets by reporting it. We need to keep the pressure up on those who continue to sell it.”
Since the start of the Council’s illicit tobacco investigations under Operation Nightshade, and the latest joint operation between National Trading Standards and HMRC, Operation CeCe, almost 2-million illegal cigarettes and over a tonne of illegal tobacco have been removed from the streets of North East Lincolnshire.
Government pumps millions into council areas to boost businesses and community projects
Communities across rural England are set to benefit from an extra £110 million in local authority funding to support rural business and community groups, it has been announced.
Eligible local authorities in England will receive the funding, which they can invest in initiatives such as farm diversification, projects to boost rural tourism, and community infrastructure projects including electric vehicle charging stations. The funding will also help people start up local businesses to supercharge growth and create employment opportunities for rural areas.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund is a rural top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment to support levelling up across the UK. It marks a change from previous bureaucratic and fragmented EU funds, allowing England to take back control of its own growth investment and giving local leaders a greater say in where funding is best spent.
Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “Driving investment in rural areas is a vital part of our vision for levelling up the country. The new Rural Prosperity Fund replaces the bureaucratic EU funding system – allowing us to work closely with local leaders to direct funding where it is most needed to close the rural productivity gap, create job opportunities and protect the English countryside.
“This confirmed spending will allow local authorities to deliver on their plans to level up businesses and communities in rural areas from today, in line with their residents’ priorities.”
Country Land and Business President Mark Tufnell said: “The rural economy is 19% less productive than the national average, but reducing this gap could add up to £43 billion to the economy. This funding is an important step in unlocking the vast potential of rural businesses, and will give startups as well as existing enterprises the support they need to grow.
“We strongly encourage Local Authorities to work closely with rural entrepreneurs to maximise the opportunities the Rural England Prosperity Fund presents, identifying every possible opportunity to generate economic growth – creating good jobs and strengthening our communities in the process.”
She said the money could be spent on projects to support agricultural businesses looking to expand their remit, and rural businesses looking to launch or grow their products and services. Allocations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire include:- North Yorkshire: £5.4m
- South Yorkshire: £1.4m
- West Yorkshire: £2.5m
- East Riding: £1.8m
- North Lincolnshire £789,000
- York: £400,000
- West Lindsey: £800,000
- East Lindsey: £1.8m
- South Holland: £700,000
- South Kesteven: £540,000
University gets involved in robotics programme to counter lack of seasonal labour
The University of Lincoln is part of an innovation to deliver an accelerated programme of robotic crop harvesting for horticulture and is one of just three projects to be chosen for a share of £9m funding from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ Farming Innovation Programme.
The project is called Agri OpenCore, and began this week. It’s a three-year project aiming to tackle the lack of seasonal labour in the UK horticulture industry and is looking to accelerate the delivery of robotic crop systems for horticulture.
Many crops have gone unpicked this year, leading to large amounts of unnecessary waste. President of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Minette Batters has said that the waste in the food sector is an ‘absolute crisis’.
The Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology at the University of Lincoln is partner in Agri-OpenCore alongside project lead APS Produce Ltd with Dogtooth Technologies Ltd, Wootzano Ltd and Xihelm Ltd.
There is currently no robotic harvesting system that can match the speed of human picking. Agri-OpenCore aims to make progress in this area by cutting the time and cost of developing a robotic harvesting system that achieves parity with human picking.
To deliver this, Agri-OpenCore will develop the world’s first open development platform for agri-robotic harvesting, aiming to develop commercial robotic systems for tomato and strawberry harvesting that achieve human-picking-cost-parity in two years.
Dr Grzegorz Cielniak, Associate Professor at the Lincoln Agri-Robotics Centre and Principal Investigator for the University of Lincoln, said: “The University of Lincoln robotics team, together with the agri-robotics industry, is working on Agri-OpenCore, a project targeting an open development platform for robotic crop harvesting. The platform will facilitate standardised access to the core robotic software and hardware components enabling rapid adoption by the industry and academia.
“The University of Lincoln team will work on the standardisation of the framework as well as on the development of the autonomy, perception and safety components.
“The core functionality of the platform will enable further development and customisation which can be privately exploited by the industry. The project will lead to faster adoption of more reliable robotic technology in agriculture which will be demonstrated by developing robotic tomato and strawberry harvesting systems. Such a strategy will lead to step changes in farming productivity and help to alleviate global problems with the availability of a workforce in the sector.”
Phil Pearson, Group Development Director, APS Group, said: “The Agri-OpenCore robotics project is an exciting, and vital project for the fresh produce industry. It promises to deliver the significant progress required to automate fresh produce harvesting in the UK.
“As this work brings leading technology providers, Dogtooth, Xihelm and Wootzano, with the academic excellence of the University of Lincoln team, we can expect significant progress towards autonomous harvesting.”
Willerby reports best results in company’s 77-year history
Buoyed by a structural market change in favour of holidays and short breaks in the UK, holiday homes builder Willerby has posted the best results in the company’s 77-year history, with revenues above £200m for the first time.
In the company’s latest accounts, for the year to October 1st, 2022, Willerby recorded turnover of £217m, up 67% from £129.9m the year before. Operating profits rocketed to £15.1m, a fourfold increase on £3m the previous year, and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) reached £17.2m, growth of 224% on £5.3m the year before. The business also ended the financial year with a cash balance of £37.6m, up by £12.1m (47%) year on year. Willerby is the UK’s largest manufacturer of static caravans and lodges – building a third of new units destined for holiday parks – as well as operating a growing residential park homes brand, Willerby Bespoke. Launched in 2018, Willerby Bespoke matured in 2022 to become a profit contributor to the overall business. CEO Peter Munk said: “There’s no doubt there has been a structural change in the market since COVID, which we believe will benefit our business and industry over the long term. “The UK has some of the world’s most stunning locations, currently being showcased to millions of people in Sir David Attenborough’s beautiful BBC series Wild Isles. The appeal of the British countryside and coast has never been greater. “We’ve also seen very significant institutional investment into the staycation market, especially in the holiday parks sector, and in upgrading facilities at sites across the country. “That has all fed through to a sustained surge in holiday home ownership and bookings at holiday parks which has, in turn, generated very strong demand for our static caravans, lodges and residential park homes. “Our order book is very strong and we’re now setting out detailed production plans for 2024, to meet the robust demand for our models. “At Willerby, we’re all about our people, products and place – our facilities in Hull, the local community we support and our leading role in our industry, which is rooted in our region. “Despite the unprecedented challenges we have faced in recent times, from COVID to inflationary pressures, we’re in an exceptionally strong position. We’re at the forefront of a vibrant and growing sector and the investments we’re making are ensuring we’re well placed for sustained growth.” Willerby’s full-year results are particularly remarkable as performance in the first half of the year was impacted by pandemic-driven interruptions to raw material supplies and COVID-related staff absences. The ending of COVID restrictions in February 2022 enabled Willerby to return to normal operations, resulting in a bumper second half of the year. Willerby now has a 1,150-strong workforce and pumped £35m into the local economy in wages and salaries alone during the financial year. All Willerby employees are paid a minimum of the Real Living Wage and a new and improved staff bonus scheme introduced during the year meant every staff member received a performance bonus. Willerby CFO Sue Allan said: “Our results in the previous two business years were severely impacted by COVID and the latest full year was very much a game of two halves. “During the first half of the year, performance continued to be hindered by the impact of COVID restrictions on our own operations and our suppliers. However, once those restrictions ended in late February we were able to move forward and go from strength to strength. “We’re particularly pleased that employees in every part of the business have shared in this success. It’s a guiding principle of the business that everybody contributes to the company’s success and also benefits from it. “We’re also proud of the commitments we continue to make to R&D, training and development, and skills. These are investments in the business and also the local community and economy that we’re an important part of.”VPI plans Immingham power generation capacity increase
VPI is to expand its Immingham energy hub by investing in nearly 350MW of rapid-response power generation as part of its broader £500m investment in new generation capacity and upgrading its existing plants.
The new development includes a 50MW gas reciprocating peaking facility which will be operational next year, and a 299MW open cycle gas turbine (OCGT), expected to enter service by summer 2025.
The rapid-response generators will use established technology that has a track record of highly efficient and reliable operation and will provide dispatchable power quickly to ensure a secure supply during peaks of demand when renewable generation is low.
In support of the UK government’s commitment of achieving fully decarbonised electricity by 2035, the new plants may be converted to run on a proportion of hydrogen, once industrial-scale production is established.
In addition to the new power facilities, planning and permitting applications for VPI’s carbon capture plant as part of the Humber Zero project have also been submitted. The 1.2GW combined heat and power station at VPI Immingham has been providing energy to homes and businesses on a 24/7 basis since 2004 and, under this project, a significant proportion of carbon emissions will be captured. This will make it a major source of lower-carbon electricity.
Carbon capture and storage is an emerging sector in the UK that is central to the government’s plans to deliver Net Zero, and their recent Energy Security Plan recognises the significant economic opportunity it presents.
VPI Chief Executive Jorge Pikunic said: “Decarbonising and expanding existing energy production sites can help deliver Net Zero at lower cost to consumers, maintain energy security, and support local economies across the UK. We are expanding Immingham energy hub to offer additional flexibility to the national grid, solving for the system whilst progressing plans to major contribution to the UK’s net zero goals.”
The planning and permitting applications for the Humber Zero carbon capture project mark the culmination of the front-end engineering and design phase and work is already underway on the next stage of the development, preparing for operational readiness.
The project will capture more than 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year in this first phase, which will be transported via a new plant to safe storage in depleted gas fields offshore. VPI has been working closely with the operators of the Viking CCS transport and storage system, which was recently announced as meeting the eligibility criteria for Track -2 of the government’s Cluster Sequencing programme.
