On the fly: Couple grow worldwide angling business from premises in Selby
A North Yorkshire couple who ditched careers in IT and switched to selling fly-fishing supplies to established retailers and distributors around the world now employ 25 staff and sell to America, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and across Europe.
Ann and Andy Kitchener oversee the Selby-based Semperfli, which now has a global market to provide more than 1,400 products including threads, ties, wires and chenilles to create flies to catch species including salmon, trout, sea bass, zander and tarpon.
The success of the company, which carved out a reputation in the sector after developing Nano-Silk, billed as the world’s strongest fly-tying thread, saw it receive a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
The Kitcheners have been aided by Heidi Green, a senior business advisor at Selby District Council, who helped the couple secure funding for new equipment and advice from consultants to develop the firm. That support has been even more important amid the dramatic rise in inflation that has seen Semperfli experience significant increases in running costs of up to 20 per cent.
Ann, the company’s chief exec and herself a keen angler, is one of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse export champions. She said: “We have managed to develop our business around the globe and we now supply to some of the leading fly-tiers in the world – but we wouldn’t have been able to do that without the support we have received from Heidi, who has been absolutely brilliant in providing that valuable insight we have needed.
“The launch of the new North Yorkshire Council is a really welcome development, as it will mean that businesses in the county will be able to access advice from one single organisation.
“It can be confusing for people to know where to turn, but the new council will still have the local knowledge and expertise that is currently available while looking towards a county-wide plan to drive forward business and the economy.
“We have had to contend with rising costs like all businesses have, and we have had to look at the way we operate to take into account increasing prices for shipping, energy and wages. Without the help and advice we have received, the situation would have been a great deal more challenging.”
While working alongside Selby District Council, Mr and Mrs Kitchener have identified organisations that have provided funding, including a five-figure grant through the University of York that helped purchase spooling and labelling machinery.
The expertise of management consultants has also been used to develop the business, which sells products that are environmentally-friendly to take into account the often sensitive natural habitats where the flies are used, while funding has also been secured from the Department for International Trade. The company now has a 90-strong team of ambassadors across the world including some of the biggest names in fly-fishing and fly-tying.
Andy Kitchener said: “One of the biggest challenges we faced when we were setting up was to find suitable premises, because there simply aren’t enough units for businesses locally.
“We ended up building the initial premises ourselves close to our home in Selby, but we soon outgrew that. With the growth of our company, we needed to find bigger premises and ultimately found our ideal new base making sure we could stay in the town.
“We have some hugely talented and experienced staff, and we didn’t want to lose them if we had decided to move elsewhere. The new premises are fit for purpose to help the business develop, and there is low-energy lighting and insulation and we are looking to install solar panels which will help keep running costs down as well as lessen the impact on the environment.
“We have developed a real reputation globally, which is of benefit to not just Selby, but also the economy in North Yorkshire and nationally. North Yorkshire is home to such a varied and diverse mix of businesses, and that is what makes the county so special. We are indebted to the help we have received, and to know that expertise will be available in the future is vital to ensure we can continue to grow the business.”
Mayor Tracy Brabin joins local business leaders to support Yorkshire’s ethnic minority business
Key business leaders in West Yorkshire joined Mayor Tracy Brabin and NatWest to discuss advancing the growth potential of ethnic minority businesses in the region.
The event brought together business leaders and entrepreneurs in Leeds to launch the ‘Time to Change: A blueprint for advancing the UK’s ethnic minority businesses’ report in the region.
The report, compiled by Aston University’s Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME) in partnership with NatWest, identifies that with the right action, ethnic minority businesses have the potential to bring a £100 billion boost to the UK economy, setting out 10 evidenced-based recommendations to advance their growth potential.
The event focused on how to remove the barriers to enterprise identified in the report that are faced by entrepreneurs from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds when it comes to starting and growing their business.
Barriers highlighted in the report include perceived challenges in accessing finance, with a lack of personal funding at the business start-up stage compounded by a fear of applying for finance and business support because of worries of rejection.
The report also outlines that a lack of trust is cited as a factor in ethnic minority business owners choosing not to seek formal business support, recommending that collaboration at a local level between finance providers, community organisations, ethnic minority-led groups and public sector organisations, is key to breaking down barriers, building a stronger network of support and boosting business survival and growth.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “Creating more opportunities for people from all backgrounds to make the most of their skills and talent is vital to the success of West Yorkshire’s economic growth. We know that ethnic minority businesses face real challenges in today’s world of work, and I look forward to seeing the actions from this report lead to positive change.”
Paul Thwaite, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial & Institutional at NatWest, said: “We are really proud to support Aston University’s Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship in the development of the Time to Change report and I’m pleased we have had the opportunity to launch the report in Yorkshire and meet with local business leaders and entrepreneurs.
“As a bank, we recognise that there is no one-size fits all approach for supporting ethnic minority-owned businesses and our ongoing partnerships with Yorkshire organisations such as Northern Asian Power recognise that local knowledge is key to providing the right support at the right time. As demonstrated so clearly today, it is only by working together at a local level that we can support ethnic minority business owners to achieve their full potential and thrive.”
Attendees also heard from Professor Monder Ram, director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School on how a more inclusive approach to enterprise is key to tackling wider social structural barriers such as unequal access to employment opportunities and gender and ethnicity pay gaps.
Professor Ram said: “I’m delighted that Mayor Tracey Brabin has joined so many others in endorsing the recommendations in CREME’s report to develop a transformational agenda to support the UK’s ethnic minority entrepreneurs. We have a great opportunity to work together to secure a £100 billion boost to the economy by supporting black and ethnic minority entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.”
NatWest has committed to channelling 20% of business support to ethnic minority businesses. In 2022, 34% of businesses supported by the bank’s Accelerator business building programme were from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Leeds is home to one of thirteen NatWest Accelerator hubs, which support and empowers UK entrepreneurs to scale their businesses to the next level, helping businesses gain the knowledge and skills to excel in a range of business areas.
Leeds estate agent pens open letter to Michael Gove urging government to help PRS tenants
Leeds estate agent HOP has written an open letter to Michael Gove, urging the Government to address the chronic shortage of rental properties available in the private rented sector (PRS), which is driving rents up and making life increasingly difficult for tenants.
The letter to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, follows a consultation with HOP’s landlord clients, tenants and other industry professionals working in the PRS. As well as addressing the current challenges, the letter offers recommendations about how the Government could slow the exodus of landlords who are selling investment properties and exiting the market.
HOP manages one of West Yorkshire’s largest rentals portfolios, worth more than £245 million, and expects rents to increase by another 7% in 2023, which follows a 10% rise in 2022.
The company’s recommendations include:-
- Removing the 3% additional homes stamp duty and instead charge landlords selling additional homes the 3% stamp duty levy, to incentivise landlords to purchase new buy to let (BTL) properties.
- Incentivising the transfer of BTL property into limited company ownership by removing the 3% stamp duty levy for a 12-month period. This would enable landlords to pay tax on profit rather than revenue and would help to professionalise the industry further.
- Providing more certainty over upcoming rental reforms and streamlining and simplifying the Section 8 eviction process. This would enable landlords to evict bad tenants and ease their concerns about the removal of Section 21s.
New council aims to burst on the scene with business advice for its 32,000 SMEs
Creation of the new North Yorkshire Council, which will take control in the region on April 1st, is being seen as a defining opportunity to co-ordinate economic development in the county.
And the thousands of independent businesses forming the foundations of North Yorkshire’s economy are to be offered support to help them navigate dramatic rises in running costs amid the soaring rate of inflation.
Support for businesses will be a key role for the new North Yorkshire Council, says Executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman: “The thousands of SMEs across North Yorkshire are vital for the county’s economic prosperity.
“There have been unprecedented challenges in recent years which have placed huge pressures on all businesses, whether that be down to the Covid-19 pandemic or the rising inflation which everyone has seen during the cost of living crisis.
“The new council will provide us with an opportunity to bring together the experience, expertise and good practice that already exists across all the authorities in North Yorkshire. This will mean that there will be one point of contact for businesses to access support for skills, training, recruitment and access to funding, which will be of a huge benefit at such a challenging time economically.”
The new council is developing a clear economic growth strategy while consulting with businesses and stakeholders across North Yorkshire. It will also help achieve an ambition for York and North Yorkshire to become the country’s first carbon negative region, meaning more carbon dioxide emissions would be removed from the atmosphere than are emitted.
The new council will be launched on April 1 and involve a merger of existing seven district and borough authorities in the biggest shake-up of local government since 1974 to pave the way for a devolution deal.
The council says it will work alongside the county’s six MPs to lobby the Government for the best possible opportunities for businesses, ensuring that Ministers understand the issues that affect the county’s economy.
The new council will continue to work in close partnership with the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), as well as City of York Council, as they prepare for the proposed mayoral combined authority.
Benefits already realised through a proposed devolution deal announced by the Government last year are £12.9 million for housing through the Brownfield Housing Fund and £7 million for low-carbon projects via the Net Zero Fund, both of which have been launched in York and North Yorkshire.
LEP Chair Helen Simpson said: “We’re excited to continue this collaborative working with the new North Yorkshire Council and ensure that business support is easy to access and available across the whole of North Yorkshire.
“The York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, which is part of the LEP, has worked closely with district and county council colleagues for several years to help provide local support for businesses.
“We’re also committed to building the Invest in York and North Yorkshire inward investment proposition, a partnership initiative designed to attract new business investment into the region.”
Humber Freeport given the go-ahead
Today the Chief Secretary to the Treasury confirmed in an answer during exchanges in the House of Commons that the Humber Freeport’s Final Business Case has been given conditional approval, subject to the satisfactory set-up of the planned Customs Zone.
In an answer to a question from Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers, Rt Hon John Glen MP said ‘ The Humber Freeport is already open for business, supporting the regeneration of the region by creating jobs and attracting new business investment. I am pleased to confirm the full business case for the Humber Freeport has now been conditionally approved by the Treasury, with full approval being subject to the customs site being designated and the Freeport signing an MOU with the Department for Levelling Up’.
This announcement paves the way for the full set up of the Freeport Company and for the new body to focus on the delivery of the new jobs and investment planned for the area.
Commenting on today’s news, Humber Freeport Chairman Simon Bird said ‘This is excellent news and means that the most important milestone on the journey to delivering new jobs and investment to the Humber has been passed. This has been a two and a half year project to get to this stage, involving a partnership of local authorities, business groups and universities. We have very exciting times ahead for the Humber area, with a plan to bring at least 7,000 new high-quality jobs and investment for years to come.’
David Gwynne, interim Chief Executive of the Humber Freeport added ‘Following today’s announcement, we will conclude the establishment of the new freeport company and look forward to the hard work to turn the business case vision into reality.’
Rob Walsh, Chief Executive of North East Lincolnshire Council said ‘Today’s excellent news is the culmination of over two years of work involving a large partnership from across the Humber. I am delighted that North East Lincolnshire Council, as the accountable body for the Freeport, will now get to play our role in helping to make the new company as efficient and accountable as possible so that it can focus on delivering new jobs and transforming the area.’
Ofwat given powers to turn off tap on excessive cash payouts for water companies
New powers made possible through the Environment Act will enable Ofwat to clamp down on excessive cash pay-outs and hold water companies to account.
The government has today (20 March) backed new plans for the water regulator Ofwat to take action against water companies that pay out dividends to their shareholders despite failing to meet the required performance standards.
The changes have been made possible by the government’s Environment Act 2021 which gave Ofwat new powers to change water company licences without consent from water companies.
As such, Ofwat is now modifying licences to require companies to:
- Take account of environmental performance and customer delivery when deciding whether to pay dividends.
- Hold a strong credit rating and stop them paying dividends if their financial health is at risk.
“These new powers, made possible through our Environment Act, will enable Ofwat to clamp down on excessive cash pay-outs and make sure companies put customers first. This will apply when a company is not meeting expectations on performance or is facing questions over its financial resilience – and ultimately means we go further in holding water companies to account.”
The government has taken further action in recent years to hold water companies to account for pollution, including:- Hugely increasing monitoring of discharges, from approximately 10% of storm overflows monitored in 2015 to 100% by the end of this year. While storm overflows have existed for over a century, the government was the first to require water companies to comprehensively monitor so that the issue can be tackled.
- Making it easier and quicker for regulators to enforce civil penalties for companies that breach their licence conditions, with a consultation set to launch in the spring. Funding from all penalties and fines will also now be invested in schemes that benefit the natural environment.
- Securing record fines for water companies that break the law. Since 2015, the Environment Agency has secured fines of over £142m through criminal proceedings.
- Publishing the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, which will require water companies to deliver the largest infrastructure programme in water company history – £56 billion capital investment over 25 years. Water companies are already investing £3.1 billion in storm overflow improvements between 2020 and 2025. This includes £1.9 billion investment into the Thames Tideway Tunnel super sewer, with the rest used to undertake over 800 investigations and over 800 improvement schemes to storm overflows.
- Demanding a clear assessment and action plan on every storm overflow from every water and sewerage company in England, prioritising those that are spilling more than a certain number of times a year, and those spilling into bathing waters and high priority nature sites.
Yorkshire-based Filstorage appoints daredevil as new SE regional account manager
A daredevil of the skies has joined Yorkshire-based racking supplier Filstorage as the business’s latest regional account manager.
Richard Coombs, who enjoys soaring to up to heights of 3,000 ft in his flex wing microlight in his spare time, is heading up the south east region for the design and fitout specialists.
He replaces well-known industry expert Graham Matthews who retired earlier this year after managing the company’s south east and London client base for 12 years.
Graham retired due to ill health on what Managing Director Paul Taylor described as a ‘sad day’ for the business.
He said: “Graham has been a fantastic ambassador for our company for over 12 years, managing the whole of the south east and London and building up a great portfolio of loyal and supportive customers.
“He will be greatly missed by all of us.”
Richard joins the business after spending 30 years in the office design and fitout sector, including running his own business.
A South African by birth, he moved to the UK in 2000 and is now based in Cambridgeshire from where he will manage a large region ranging from Lincolnshire in the north to north London in the south, and west as far as Coventry.
Richard said: “There are a lot of parallels between the office design sector and the work I’m now doing with Filstorage. Previously, I would go into a building and plan out meeting rooms, breakout areas, and offices. Now, it is about going into warehouses and measuring up for racking and mezzanine floors. The process is very similar.
“Having worked on the client side of other businesses and my own, working with clients is the part I really love. Getting to find out about their business, how it works and what makes them tick is really interesting.”
Richard will be focusing on the region’s builders’ and timber merchants, but added that any businesses with a requirement for racking and mezzanine floors should get in touch.
Paul Taylor said Richard had big shoes to fill but he was already picking up where Graham left off.
He said: “The south east is an important area for us and Graham did a great job of representing the business in that region. But Richard has come in and hit the ground running, already starting to establish himself as the face of Filstorage there.
“Although it was definitely the end of an era when Graham retired, we’re sure Richard will usher in a new era which will be equally successful.”
Comms agency expands team with over 10 new recruits
Counter Context, a specialist communications agency with over 29 years’ experience, has just expanded its team with an additional 10 new staff.
This growth has resulted in increased capacity, improved collaboration and communication across the businesses based in Sheffield, Manchester, and London.
With a focus on serving the regeneration and development, transport and sustainability, and energy and utilities sectors, Counter Context has seen tremendous growth in the demand for its services. The team has now expanded from just 20 members before the pandemic to an all-time high of 37.
The specialist Energy & Utilities team has recently welcomed the appointment of Beth Motley as its new division director. The team has also welcomed Lydia Wood, previously joining Counter Context as a temporary intern, as well as Michael O’Sullivan and Rebecca Walker, all as new Account Executives.
New additions to the specialist Place & Regeneration team has further expanded Counter Context’s reach from its Manchester office as they welcome Jade Anderson as an Account Manager. Additionally, Maya Lubczynskyj and Abigail Kirk, after completing the internship programme, have joined the Sheffield-based team as Account Executives.
Counter Context has also seen growth in its newly launched PR division, Altitude, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, growing from two to four employees, welcoming Rachel Measures as Account Manager and Emilia Williamson as Account Executive.
Rhea Harvey, a further appointment to the Operations team, specialising in events management, has expanded the company’s suit of services, while the Design team has welcomed a new Junior Graphic Designer in Harley Mousley.
In addition to the new hires, Counter Context has seen seven internal promotions, further demonstrating the company’s growth and development.
Alexis Krachai, Managing Director at Counter Context, said: “This expansion is a testament to Counter Context’s commitment to providing exceptional service and support to its clients as the speed of change in the built environment accelerates. The importance of calm and considered communication is growing as stakeholders and communities engage with the changes we’re seeing in towns, cities, and the countryside.
“As the UK responds to the impacts of the pandemic, the race to net zero and the development of new places to live and work, we’re seeing a growing appreciation with existing and new clients that building understanding and trust is key to delivering projects on time and on budget and benefitting from active involvement from communities.”
Jessica Jenkins, Director of Operations at Counter Context, added: “It has been an exciting period of growth for us, and we are delighted to have welcomed so many new starters across the business. Our company is now more dynamic than ever, and we look forward to the possibilities this will bring.”
Counter Context is renowned for its comprehensive range of employee benefits, and it is committed to supporting its members’ wellbeing and success. From flexible working arrangements to professional development opportunities, the company is dedicated to ensuring its employees have the resources they need to thrive personally and professionally.
Number of women owning business is on the rise, according to new data
The number of women owning businesses is on the rise according to new Government figures which show a record number of women making good on their ambitions to strike out on their own.
Sue Jefferson, chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Business Board, said female entrepreneurs can empower themselves and redress the gender imbalance in funding and investment.
“There are two issues which I believe cause this disparity,“ she explained. “There is a hesitation for funders to invest in a female-led business, which maybe subconscious but reflects an unwillingness to look beyond their traditional considerations. But I also think women may not be pitching confidently or communicating well enough the key elements that investors need to hear.
“What will make or break a business is the people behind it. Pitchers have to come across as confident, convey a strong grasp of the critical elements, understanding what the investor needs to know.
“That’s why opportunities such as the Embrace Equity Angel Investment that happened at the York St John Enterprise Centre on International Women’s Day are so valuable for female business owners. Pitching-to-funder events can be really effective. I see, first-hand, the impact. It can be transformative.”
Charities unite to make a difference for cancer support in York
York Against Cancer are delighted to receive a generous donation of £20,000 from the Three Bears Foundation to create a ‘Family Room’ within the newly opened Leveson Centre at York Community Stadium. The donation will be instrumental in providing a safe space for those affected by cancer in the local community, offering practical and emotional support, complementing the clinical treatments provided at the hospital.
The Leveson Centre is open for people to visit from Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, to see the space and have a cup of tea or coffee over a chat. The Centre plans to offer a range of holistic support services including complementary therapy, information and advice, support groups, financial and psychological support, as well as being a welcoming place for cancer patients and their families to meet and connect with others.
Julie Russell, CEO of York Against Cancer said; “We are incredibly grateful to the Three Bears Foundation for this generous contribution towards The Leveson Centre’s Family Room. This donation has made a huge difference to the development of our new cancer support centre, helping us create a welcoming and supportive environment where people affected by cancer can come and access the support they need.”
“This donation is also a testament to the wonderful work the Three Bears are doing to raise awareness and support for pancreatic cancer across the country.”
The Three Bears Foundation was set up in loving memory of Jane Burn, who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in December 2017. The Three Bears Foundation received its name from Jane’s nickname for her son “Chrissy Bear”.
Since then, countless others have joined Mark and Chris in raising awareness of one of the most under-diagnosed and least understood of cancers – pancreatic cancer. Their mission is to raise as much public awareness and funds as possible to further medical research and support the families that have been affected by pancreatic cancer.
Smokehouse conservation work is almost compete in Grimsby
Conservation work on the Alfred Enderby Smokehouse on the Port of Grimsby has just about been completed.
Started last September, the work by ES Rudkin Ltd has included reinstating historic features as well as improving security features on the building.
The building listed as a Grade II structure, is one of the few remaining smokehouses in the area which still uses the geographically protected cold-smoking method. The work has been funded by a Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas heritage grant worth £150,000, awarded last year.
The PSiCA is being delivered as part of the Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone. The scheme has a total pot of £1m and is a joint project between Historic England and North East Lincolnshire Council, with support from Associated British Ports (ABP).
The traditional chimney cowls have been cleaned and repaired, and cast iron rainwater goods have been completed.
Following the re-rendering of the gable wall, painting of a new advertising sign will be done after Easter, led by Sam Delaney of Creative Start Arts in Health CIC, and using traditional sign writing techniques.
Enderby’s plans don’t stop there, though! A new grant for £150,000 through the same PSiCA scheme has been awarded for works to the next-door building, building 13, the former Marconi building. This will be spent on structural repairs, making way for Enderbys to expand into it.
The grant money will be used to remove the PVC windows and doors, reinstate more authentic Crittal-style windows on the first floor, repair the roof, repair and repoint the masonry and install new cast iron rainwater goods.
Enderbys are aiming to use the new building to expand the business, and also to enable a bigger, more accessible space for group visits and tours to learn about the protected Traditional Grimsby Smoked Fish method.
Patrick Salmon, MD of Enderbys, said: “We’ve been wanting to do these repairs for a long time, but just haven’t had the opportunity to date, so it is great to see the work coming to an end to secure the original building for years to come. If our plans for the new building come to fruition, it will mean that we can involve the community and visitors more in the traditional processes and our work.”
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports, said: “It’s great to see this historic building being revitalised and renovated. This smokehouse has been a landmark for many years on the Port of Grimsby and it’s right to see its unique character restored, as part of instilling pride in this part of the port known as the Kasbah. Patrick Salmon has done much to promote the wider seafood industry in Grimsby and the art of cold-smoking, and we look forward to continuing to work with him for many years to come.”
Skegness gets £5m cash injection to revitalise pier and theatre
East Lindsey District Council has been awarded £5million from Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund to support partners in transforming the Embassy Theatre and regenerating Skegness Pier and the surrounding area.
Cultural Revival: The Midlands Coast, led by East Lindsey District Council and overseen by the Connected Coast Board, will support the transformation of the culturally significant assets on Skegness Foreshore.
The funding will support continuing plans to establish the Embassy Theatre as a new international ‘Culture House.’ which will connect the Midlands Coast to other national and international venues and festivals.
Works will include refurbishing the auditorium and dressing rooms, creating a new interactive classroom and creative workspaces as well as VIP boxes and a refurbished light box to enable high quality productions, with improved access and facilities for all users, including installation of a Changing Places toilet.
For Skegness Pier, the application will support the first phase of ambitious, multi-million pound redevelopment project led by the Mellors Group to restore the Pier a significant new visitor attraction and cultural platform.
Redevelopment proposals include improved accessibility, upgrades to the pier’s façade, renewing the lighting and furniture on the pier, creating safe pedestrianised walkway on the approach, the salvaging and restoring of abandoned beach huts and the construction of a new multi-use amphitheatre space, for seating and public events.
Law firm Gordons hires senior solicitor as dispute resolution service gears up for further growth
Law firm Gordons has appointed a senior solicitor to its dispute resolution service after achieving year-on-year fee income growth of more than 10 per cent.
Phillip Feather joins from law firm Clarion where he worked for four years. His appointment to the 11-strong dispute resolution department at Gordons makes it one of the largest in Yorkshire.
With 16 years’ experience, Philip has advised clients across a range of sectors, with a specialist focus on food and drink, retail, procurement, logistics and gaming.
Commenting on his appointment, Phillip said: “Gordons has been a leading name in Leeds for as long as I can remember and has one of the most prominent client bases of any firm around.
“Joining them is tremendously exciting and I am looking forward to playing my role in the team’s and firm’s continued growth.”
Gordons’ dispute resolution clients include retailers Wren Kitchens and Ocado, chemical company BASF, parcel delivery business EVRi, Moss Bros, international brewers Molson Coors and Sky Betting & Gaming.
Welcoming Phillip to the firm, Gordons head of food and drink and dispute resolution partner, Mark Jones, said: “Our dispute resolution service has grown 10 per cent year-on-year in terms of fee income, driven by the complexity and value of the commercial litigation work we are undertaking.
“We needed to hire a senior lawyer with proven capabilities and the ability to secure and nurture long lasting client relationships.
“We identified Phillip as one of the best in the marketplace. Phillip’s experience, excellent legal skills and highly personable character make him an ideal hire for Gordons.”
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers bounce back as clouds lighten
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers are seeing a rebound in activity in the first quarter of the year as the domestic and global markets have improved, easing fears of a significant recession for industry this year.
The findings in the Make UK/BDO Q1 Manufacturing Outlook survey show a marked pick up on the picture in the final quarter of 2022. The figures echo the gradual improvements in other data such as the UK and European PMIs which are now only just in negative territory, as well as a strong pick up in demand from China.
According to Make UK and BDO this improvement in Yorkshire & Humber in particular could be down to strong demand in the steel and food and drink sectors where the region has a significant presence, possibly due to investment in infrastructure and construction projects.
Both output and orders picked up in the region with the order balance of +22% especially strong. This was driven primarily by UK orders which ties in with the strength of demand for steel. On the back of this improving picture employers’ intentions to both recruit and invest also improved, albeit from a very negative picture last quarter. Looking forward manufacturers in Yorkshire & Humber are more confident about prospects with output and orders predicted to increase substantially, reflected in further improving job prospects.
However, despite the improvement this quarter, Make UK is still cautioning against the worst of conditions being over and is still forecasting a contraction for manufacturing in 2023 as the substantial challenges the sector is facing show few signs of abating.
Dawn Huntrod, region director in the North at Make UK, said: “Manufacturers in Yorkshire & Humber have seen a rebound at the start of the year as conditions have improved in their major markets and business confidence has improved. However, one swallow doesn’t make a summer and it is far too early to say the worst has passed given the significant challenges the economy faces.
“However, the Budget should help boost investment in the short to medium term although ideally, full expensing should be made permanent to better reflect the investment cycle for manufacturers.”
Steve Talbot, head of Manufacturing at BDO in Yorkshire and Humber, added: “Our research with Make UK shows some good news for the region, which ties in with the demand for steel. However, inflationary pressures are continuing to hit UK manufacturers with the increased costs still being passed on.
“UK manufacturers need ongoing certainty on a range of fronts, including long-term energy support, and assistance to attract a sustainable workforce. The recent government announcements do little to address the immediate threats to UK manufacturers resulting from high energy costs.”
In terms of overall output this year Make UK is forecasting a contraction of -3.3% (a slight improvement from -4.4% forecast at the end of last year) and growth of just 0.8% in 2024.
Jobs growth under spotlight as work on updated Local Plan continues
Future job opportunities in North East Lincolnshire’s growing renewables sector and the potential of the Humber Freeport will be assessed, as a picture is painted of how local life will look in the decades ahead.
The next stage of updating the borough’s Local Plan includes external experts examining key factors that will help outline the necessary growth between 2023 and 2042.
A key priority is to establish the number of new homes required to support the local population and meet the needs of people who will come to the area or decide to stay because of job opportunities.
Reflecting on how the updating of the Local Plan will progress, North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, thanked people for taking part in an initial public engagement held last autumn. And he said he looked forward to seeing others’ views when full public engagement of the draft updated Local Plan takes place later this year.
“The views of people who live in North East Lincolnshire, or who work here, or have a business interest here, are extremely important. Ideas that may not have been considered, suggestions, along with opportunity and challenge, is welcome as we look to support the development of a stronger and improved borough for us all,” said Cllr Jackson.
Every Local Authority must have a government approved Local Plan, which sets out the future vision, covering themes including the environment, health and wellbeing of residents, access to work and creating jobs in the area, meeting local housing demand, and ensuring access to education for children and young people. Adopted plans are reviewed based on a five-year cycle.
Cllr Jackson said that gaining a real understanding of the economic opportunities that are set to be a reality in North East Lincolnshire will shape the look and feel of the updated Local Plan here.
Figures already reported suggest how the low carbon and energy economy across the whole of Greater Lincolnshire is worth £1.2bn, with more than 12,000 people employed – figures that are set to grow along the south bank of the Humber estuary. Meanwhile it is predicted that the Humber Freeport development will be a driving force in the attraction of new industry in North East Lincolnshire.
“We are standing on the cusp of real and true opportunities here and we need to ensure we match the predicted business growth in other areas too. Our housing, schools, health and green offer must live up to the expectations that young people and families have. This means developing with consideration – providing the right balance of new homes and improving our urban areas whilst enhancing the natural environment,” said Cllr Jackson.
He added how work currently on-going was already in-sync with issues that were likely to come up. This work included planned new primary schools in Scartho and Waltham, unique wildlife sites along the Humber bank to offset development, and an £800,000 investment into some of the 150 acres of green space in the borough, which includes 50 managed parks and open spaces. The successful Cleethorpes LUF bid announced in January will also see a significant environmental investment with the regeneration of Pier Gardens, revamped green and activity space, and improved biodiversity.
Views captured during the initial engagement to update the Local Plan show that local people want reassurance on the scale of growth, want empty homes brought into use and for new homes to be affordable, whilst protecting green spaces and supporting a low carbon focus. These views are not made public at this stage, as is best practice, but are used alongside the expert analysis to shape the updated Draft Plan that will be published and go out for full public consultation later this year.
“As we move forward, we want people to continue to be involved and to also understand just how important it is for future generations particularly that we make the right choices with regard to both economic and domestic opportunities,” added Cllr Jackson.
Cash injection of £7m could create 1,200 new jobs in low carbon aircraft manufacture
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has approved a £7m package of investment and support for plans by Hybrid Air Vehicles to produce its pioneering low carbon Airlander 10 aircraft in Doncaster.
HAV is a UK-based leader in sustainable aircraft technology and the Airlander 10 is an ultra-low emissions aircraft, capable of carrying 100 passengers or ten tonnes of freight. The loan investment will be used to support HAV to begin investing in facilities, talent and supply chains in South Yorkshire.
HAV’s plans will create over 1,200 new high value and highly skilled jobs in new green technologies, and further jobs and opportunities from growth across the company’s supply chains at an as-yet-unnamed site in Doncaster.
By 2026, the company aims to deliver the first completed orders to its customers and build 12 new Airlander 10 aircraft per year in Doncaster after that.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “We have a world-class cluster of companies working at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing and green technology, so I’m genuinely excited that we can support HAV in their ambitions to build a sustainable aviation cluster here in Doncaster.”
Airlander 10 will deliver 90% fewer per-passenger emissions in flight than traditional aircraft, and aims to enable zero emissions operations by the end of the decade.
The agreement with SYMCA is a major milestone for HAV’s plans to bring Airlander to market. The loan will enable Hybrid Air Vehicles to begin investing in the region and paves the way for Hybrid Air Vehicles to invest up to £310m into its production programme.
HAV is also set to work with other partners across the region, including the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at the University of Sheffield, and Doncaster UTC.
Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles said: “At Hybrid Air Vehicles we are revolutionising views of what aviation is, and Airlander is designed for us to rethink the skies. From day one, Mayor Oliver Coppard has bought into our vision, so I am delighted that he has announced this investment which will anchor green industries and over time create more than a thousand highly skilled jobs in Doncaster and South Yorkshire.
We will work with outstanding regional partners, including Mayor Ros Jones and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Doncaster UTC, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and the University of Sheffield, to establish a world-leading cluster for green aerospace technologies, skills and supply chains.”
HAV is progressing plans to build a flagship new production facility in Doncaster, which will include facilities for the assembly of new Airlander 10, as well as testing and certification for the new aircraft. It has yet to announce the specific site and unveil the design of its production facilities.
To maximise the potential of this programme, SYMCA, HAV and Doncaster Council will also work in partnership to develop the region’s skills, talent and supply chains, with the aim of creating a new green aerospace manufacturing cluster in Doncaster and South Yorkshire.
North Lincolnshire firms to get levelling up cash to create jobs and help the environment
Almost 30 North Lincolnshire businesses across manufacturing, agriculture, retail and hospitality are set to get £141,000 to kickstart a range of projects to create jobs, grow the economy and help the environment.
Money for sustainability projects and digitalisation and marketing schemes will be used to install EV chargers, transition lighting to low-energy LED bulbs and for solar panel installation.
Council leader Rob Waltham said: “This is levelling up in action, enabling North Lincolnshire businesses to embrace sustainability and future-proof their operations. Every £1 of grant funding is being matched with £6 of cash from the businesses – this will help grow the local economy, creating more jobs for residents of North Lincolnshire.
“This latest cash injection comes hard on the heels of £200,000 given to local organisations and charities. It is another fantastic opportunity to directly shape a new, exciting future for North Lincolnshire.”
Twenty-eight businesses will receive a total of £141,154 of funding, which will back projects totalling £723,149, creating dozens of new jobs and safeguarding hundreds more.
It will also cut greenhouse gas emissions and support the council’s ambitious A Green Future strategy, dedicated to protecting and enhancing the environment while growing the economy.
The cash is part of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, designed to increase community pride by supporting businesses and helping people achieve better outcomes, access opportunities and lead better lives.
The UKSPF is part of the suite of funds available through the Government’s £2.6bn Levelling Up agenda. It empowers each place to identify and build on their own strengths and needs at a local level.
South Yorkshire supports Rolls-Royce as it researches nuclear power for the Moon
The University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is part of a group of organisations working with the UK Space Agency as its backs research by Rolls-Royce into how nuclear power could be used to support a future Moon base for astronauts.
Scientists and engineers at Rolls-Royce are working on the Micro-Reactor programme to develop technology that will provide power needed for humans to live and work on the Moon. All space missions depend on a power source, to support systems for communications, life-support and science experiments. Nuclear power has the potential to dramatically increase the duration of future Lunar missions and their scientific value.
The UK Space Agency has announced £2.9 million of new funding for the project which will deliver an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor. This follows a £249,000 study funded by the UK Space Agency in 2022.
Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman, said: “Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for so many of the transformational technologies we need on Earth: from materials to robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more.
“As we prepare to see humans return to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, we are backing exciting research like this lunar modular reactor with Rolls-Royce to pioneer new power sources for a lunar base.
“Partnerships like this, between British industry, the UK Space Agency and government are helping to create jobs across our £16 billion SpaceTech sector and help ensure the UK continues to be a major force in frontier science.”
Nuclear space power is anticipated to create new skilled jobs across the UK to support the burgeoning UK space economy. Rolls-Royce plan to have a reactor ready to send to the Moon by 2029. Relatively small and lightweight compared to other power systems, a nuclear micro-reactor could enable continuous power regardless of location, available sunlight, and other environmental conditions. Rolls-Royce will be working alongside a variety of collaborators including the University of Oxford, University of Bangor, University of Brighton, University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear AMRC. The funding means Rolls-Royce can further strengthen its knowledge of these complex systems, with a focus on three key features of the Micro-Reactor; the fuel used to generate heat, the method of heat transfer and technology to convert that heat into electricity. The potential applications of Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor technology are wide-ranging and could support commercial and defence use cases in addition to those in space. The aim is to create a world-leading power and propulsion capability for multiple markets and operator needs, alongside a clean, green and long-term power source.Developers must pay their share for roads, schools, and GP surgeries, says Government
A new levy will see developers pay a fairer share for affordable housing and local infrastructure such as roads, schools and GP surgeries.
The infrastructure levy, which will replace section 106 contributions for most developments, will prevent developers from negotiating down the amount they contribute to the community when they bring forward new projects.
Under Government proposals, the amount developers will have to pay will be calculated once a project is complete, instead of at the planning. This will make sure that councils benefit from increases in land value, which can be significant for large developments that take years to complete.
Councils will also be given powers to set rates themselves, putting power in the hands of local leaders to deliver what their communities need.
The levy will also give communities more control over how this money is spent. A portion of the money will be passed directly to communities as a ‘neighbourhood share’ to fund their infrastructure priorities, while councils will be required to engage with communities and create a infrastructure delivery strategy.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove said:”Central to our levelling up mission is ensuring local communities can take back control.
“The infrastructure levy will do just that – giving local leaders the tools to bring forward more affordable housing and the transport links, schools and GP surgeries their communities need. It will also speed up delivery and put an end to lengthy negotiations with developers seeking to shirk their responsibility to provide for local people.”
The levy is designed to deliver at least as much affordable housing as the current system. Councils will be given a new ‘right to require’, so they can dictate how much of the levy is delivered through affordable housing on-site in new developments and how much is given in cash for other infrastructure, such as new schools, transport links or GP surgeries.
The ‘right to require’ will also speed up the process and stop developers from negotiating down their affordable housing contributions as they will have a legal obligation to meet the amount set by the council.
The levy will be introduced as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, and a consultation on the Government’s proposed system has today been published.
The Government recognises that the levy will be a significant change so it will be introduced through ‘test and learn’ over a 10-year period. A small number of councils will implement the levy initially, testing how it operates in practice, before being rolled out more widely, to make sure the Levy can successfully deliver on its objectives.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and the Government anticipates that it will consult further on proposed regulations, when the responses to this consultation have been fully considered
The announcement follows the publication last week of a new action plan to speed up delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects such as transport links and offshore wind farms.
The Government has also today published a consultation on a new Environmental Outcomes Report. This new approach will allow us to replace over-complicated EU regulations with a new system of environmental assessment that is tailored to the country’s needs and supports our ambitious environmental targets.
The new system will enshrine at least the same overall level of environmental protection in law. It will allow the Government to streamline processes and reduce the burden of bureaucracy, making sure environmental assessment is focused on what really matters.
Planning application submitted for new solar farm to the east of Hull
A solar farm with the capacity to supply clean, renewable energy to around 16,000 homes is to be developed on land between the villages of Preston and Bilton if approved by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Beverley-based developer Gamcap has submitted a planning application for the scheme, proposed for land bordering Neat Marsh Road, Wyton Road, and Old Fleet drain.
The 49.99MW solar farm, called the Wyton Road Renewable Energy Project, will consist of photovoltaic cells that turn the sun’s energy into electricity and an advanced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 20MVA.
The battery storage ensures excess power generated in daylight can be stored and delivered when needed most, even at night time.
Previously, the output from renewable sources of electricity would be limited when the National Grid reached capacity but new storage technologies mean this is no longer the case, enabling more of the UK’s energy to come from renewable sources.
Douglas Gardner, director of Gamcap, said the Wyton Road Renewable Energy Project will strengthen the Humber region’s reputation as a global leader in renewable technologies, as well as play a role in helping the region and wider UK achieve Net Zero.
The solar farm will connect to the National Grid via the Saltend substation, which sits on the bank of the Humber Estuary just north of the village of Paull.
Mr Gardner said: “The East Riding of Yorkshire is likely to be badly impacted by climate change because it is vulnerable to flooding and costal erosion, two things that are being accelerated by the problem.
“Therefore, it is essential we act to reduce carbon emissions on a regional, national, and global scale as quickly as possible.
“The Wyton Renewable Road Energy Project will generate enough electricity to power around 16,000 average-sized family homes without creating any carbon emissions.
“The carbon emissions saved by this scheme each year are the equivalent to planting more than 1,000,000 trees or taking some 7,000 cars off the road, which is huge.
“Not only that, schemes such as this help to increase the UK’s energy security, which is vital in the light of recent global events.”
If planning permission for the project is granted, work is likely to start on site towards the end of 2024.
The build time is estimated to be between 9-12 months.
Chris Isard, director of Gamcap, said that the site had been chosen for a number of reasons including being flat, not being in an environmentally sensitive or protected area, and due to its close proximity to the Saltend grid connection.
He stated that as well as creating the solar farm, Gamcap would be making a number of ecological improvements on the site, adding: “We are committed to increasing biodiversity in all shapes and forms. To this end, we will be planting native trees and hedgerows around the perimeter of the site as this will shield it from view, as well as providing new habitat for birds and mammals, and absorbing atmospheric carbon.”
Mr Isard also confirmed that as part of the project, the developer will be creating a community fund.
“This will be used to directly benefit local communities,” he said.
