Severfield has announced plans to reduce its workforce by 6% in response to ongoing trading pressures in the UK and Europe. The company, which employs approximately 1,800 staff, will cut over 100 jobs as part of a broader strategy to address delays in project deliveries and tighter pricing.

Along with the redundancies, Severfield will also implement a freeze on new hires and focus heavily on managing cashflow. The company has also reduced its planned capital expenditure and is working to accelerate tax refunds from HMRC. This comes as part of its efforts to mitigate the impact of the current economic challenges.

Severfield confirmed its bridge remedial works programme is on track, with costs remaining at £20 million. For the fiscal year ending 29 March 2025, the company reported net debt of £44 million, with an expected underlying pre-tax profit range of £18 million to £20 million.

The company’s order book in the UK and Europe is valued at £440 million, with £327 million of that scheduled for delivery within the next 12 months. Severfield’s CEO, Alan Dunsmore, is set to step down on 30 June after leading the company for over seven years.

Global infrastructure firm Egis has acquired Yorkshire-based engineering consultancy Omnia Projects, expanding its footprint in the UK’s electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) sector.

Omnia Projects, founded in 2012, specialises in T&D engineering, technical assurance and project management. With a workforce of over 110, the firm has delivered key infrastructure projects for major players, including National Grid, covering the full project lifecycle from feasibility to commissioning.

The acquisition enhances Egis’ expertise in energy infrastructure, particularly in grid connections and substation design. It also broadens the firm’s capabilities in civil and structural engineering, protection and control systems, and project delivery for high-voltage substations, as well as overhead line and cable design.

This move supports Egis’ strategy to offer integrated services in the UK’s transitioning energy market. Omnia Projects will continue to operate independently under its existing leadership while gaining access to Egis’ international resources and investment.

The number of non-fatal workplace injuries reported in the UK has risen to 61,663 in 2024, an increase of over 1,000 cases compared to the previous 12-month period, according to data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The figures come from the RIDDOR reporting system and signal a continued need for employers to strengthen workplace safety protocols.

The most common cause of injury was slips, trips, and falls, which accounted for 31% of all incidents. Handling, lifting, or carrying made up 17% of cases, followed by workers being struck by moving objects at 10%.

The release of the statistics coincides with the World Day for Health and Safety at Work, a global event aimed at promoting safe and healthy workplace practices. For UK employers, the timing highlights the importance of meeting obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, particularly as injury numbers are trending upward.

JMG Group has made three more acquisitions in the UK as part of its push to grow regional market share and add specialist capabilities to its portfolio.

GS Group, part of JMG, picked up W K Insurance, a commercial broker in Scotland with a 40-year track record. Seven employees moved over as part of the deal. Leadership has been passed on internally to support business continuity.

Greenwood Moreland acquired UKI Direct, a York-based broker focused on SMEs. The deal adds £2.5 million in premium and expands Greenwood’s footprint to seven locations with over £58 million in GWP. Key staff are staying on to lead the transition.

Lighthouse Risk Services bought TSE Solutions, a Leeds firm offering tailored risk and safety consultancy. The acquisition builds on an existing working relationship and boosts Lighthouse’s presence in the health and safety space.

These moves follow a year of aggressive dealmaking by JMG, which placed more than £350 million in GWP in 2024. The group is in talks for further deals as it continues to buy and build across the UK insurance market.

Leeds’ office market opened 2025 with solid momentum, showing sustained demand and upward rental pressure in both city centre and out-of-town locations, according to figures from the Leeds Office Agents Forum (LOAF).

A total of 241,282 sq ft of office space was taken up in the city centre between January and March, closely matching the 249,703 sq ft recorded during the same period last year. LOAF tracked 25 city centre deals during the quarter, with the most significant transaction being Network Rail’s acquisition of 108,576 sq ft at Princes Exchange, adjacent to Leeds Railway Station.

Emerging city centre locations like Aire Park are also gaining traction. Two notable lettings were completed at 3 South Bank Street—23,270 sq ft to Interactive Investor and 23,261 sq ft to TPT Retirement Solutions—highlighting the shift toward high-quality office hubs in new districts.

Out-of-town activity surged, with 94,861 sq ft transacted across 26 deals—a 140% year-on-year increase. The quarter’s most significant suburban letting was 2 Work’s commitment to 19,513 sq ft at White Rose Park. This was followed by Trimble UK taking 13,617 sq ft at Trimble House on Gelderd Road.

Grade A office rents in the city centre continued to climb, driven by limited availability. As pricing tightens, high-spec suburban locations are likely to see increased attention from occupiers seeking quality space outside the city core.

The data reflects a growing interest in premium workspaces across Leeds, suggesting a competitive environment for businesses seeking well-located and high-quality office space.

UK businesses that rely on agency workers, especially those on zero-hours contracts, must start preparing for a major shift in employment law. Under new measures introduced in the government’s Employment Rights Bill, agency workers will soon be entitled to greater job security, improved working conditions, and more predictable scheduling.

The changes are part of a broader move to reduce what the government calls “one-sided flexibility,” which has long affected zero-hours and low-hours contract workers. Employers will be required to give clearer information on terms of engagement, including guaranteed hours. There will also be rules requiring reasonable notice of shifts and compensation when work is cancelled or altered at short notice.

The new legislation aligns the rights of agency workers more closely with those of directly employed staff, including protections against unfair dismissal. This means businesses can no longer use agency workers as a workaround to avoid compliance with fair work practices expected under these reforms.

The Employment Rights Bill is expected to pass into law by summer 2025. Implementation will be phased, with some provisions taking effect in autumn 2025 and the rest following in 2026.

Employers, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or those without in-house HR teams—are being urged to review their employment contracts, policies, and staffing strategies now. Failure to comply could expose businesses to legal and financial risks once the new rules take effect.

Durham-based Artech Lighting has acquired North Yorkshire lighting manufacturer Powerlite Fitzgerald in a strategic move to strengthen both companies’ positions in the lighting industry. The deal, completed this week for an undisclosed sum, allows both firms to expand their market reach while continuing to operate as separate entities.

Artech, which designs and manufactures lighting solutions in the UK for global clients, will now oversee operations at Powerlite Fitzgerald’s Keighley base. The North Yorkshire firm, with over 40 years in the domestic lighting market, will maintain its brand identity and day-to-day operations, but under new leadership from Artech managing director Stuart Hylton.

The acquisition is expected to drive growth through shared expertise and increased investment. Both companies are set to benefit from operational independence while adopting mutual best practices. No centralisation of services is planned, allowing each business to retain its distinct market focus and in-house capabilities.

The move also signals Artech’s intent to broaden its footprint in the UK lighting sector, leveraging Powerlite Fitzgerald’s established reputation in domestic markets alongside its own international client base.

Clearpoint Recycling, a Harrogate-based waste management and recycling firm, has secured a significant nine-figure contract with Enviroo, a specialist polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycler based in Cheshire.

Under the five-year agreement, Clearpoint will supply 35,000 tonnes of PET material annually to Enviroo’s upcoming recycling plant at Ellesmere Port, set to open in 2027. The facility will process PET waste into certified food-grade recycled PET (rPET), aimed at meeting increasing global demand for sustainable packaging materials.

The deal strengthens the UK’s domestic recycling infrastructure and supports the future implementation of the Government’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) by helping to secure a stable supply of recovered PET bottles. It is also expected to generate skilled roles across commercial and operational functions within the sector.

Clearpoint Recycling, founded in 2012, partners with regional waste firms including Yorwaste and H W Martin Waste Ltd to manage recovered materials. The company recently expanded into Lithuania, reflecting broader ambitions to scale its operations globally while maintaining local sourcing strategies.