Hull-based engineering company Spencer Group has completed a £1.8m upgrade project at Manchester International Depot, transforming it into a modern train servicing and stabling facility.
The depot was built in the early 1990s as part of a plan to operate international Eurostar train services from Manchester to Europe via the Channel Tunnel. However, the plan never came to fruition and the depot has remained underused. Dan Whittle, Spencer Group’s Operations Director (M&E), said: “This project is an example of Spencer Group providing a complete solution which meets our client’s needs. We’ve taken it from feasibility to implementation and completion utilising our in-house design capabilities. We’ve also developed and installed a bespoke CET system ourselves, based on extensive research. “Our skillset means we can deliver projects like this in their entirety. We’re adaptable and flexible too, meaning we’re able to tailor our delivery to the client’s needs.” Craig Wood, Northern’s Project Manager, said: “These works to upgrade Manchester International Depot will have a positive impact on services across the region. “We’ve worked with Spencer Group before and they have an outstanding reputation across the industry for their professionalism and the quality of their work. “They’re extremely focused on safety, which is clearly of paramount importance in the rail industry, and we’ve been really impressed with their work.”John Good Group names new Chief People Officer
Rachel Lowe has joined the John Good Group as Chief People Officer having held leadership roles at Victoria Plum, Ramsden International and other leading blue chip companies.
As Chief People Officer at the Hessle-based sixth-generation family business she will be responsible for driving new ideas and initiatives to enhance the development and growth of our team members. She will also be leading the implementation of various programs designed to support the professional development of our workforce.
Rachel said: “This is an exciting time to be joining the organisation, as it is full of ambitious plans and projects that will have a positive impact on not only the team members within the group but also the communities that we support. I am looking forward to working with the team and bringing my expertise to help drive growth and development within the organisation”.
Adam Walsh, John Good Group CEO, added: “We are delighted to welcome Rachel to the John Good Group as Chief People Officer. Rachel brings a lot of great experience and expertise in human resources, and we are confident that she will be
Rotherham-based business services and IT providers acquire TALL Group
Parseq, the Rotherham-based business services and IT providers, has acquired TALL Group, a UK leader in the provision of secure print and payment solutions.
The acquisition establishes Parseq as one of the largest independent providers of specialist document and payment processing services in the UK, increasing its headcount to more than 520 staff based in 12 offices across the UK, Bulgaria and India. The TALL Group’s secure document and payment processing solutions will be incorporated into Parseq’s own established systems, allowing clients to benefit from the operational synergies and economies of scale offered by the integration.
The TALL Group will be transferring across to Parseq in its entirety, including TALL Security Print, Checkprint and DLRT which combine to form the TALL Group of Companies. It operates from three sites in Runcorn, Hinckley and Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and counts major UK banks and blue-chip companies among its clients. These will be incorporated into Parseq’s existing global client base including leading telecoms operators, major utility providers and FTSE 100 financial services companies.
The TALL Group’s Managing Director, Martin Ruda, will work with Parseq’s CEO, Craig Naylor-Smith to help set a strategy for the combined business. Parseq is a portfolio company of Parabellum Investments, a family office operating as a global private equity firm. Led by founder and CEO Rami Cassis, Parabellum Investments is a hands-on, highly active investor. It uses its own capital to grow companies both organically and through acquisition, leveraging its principal’s first-hand management experience and pan-sector track record.
Craig Naylor-Smith, CEO, Parseq, said: “This is an important milestone for our business. Bringing the TALL Group into the fold will give us the offering we need to continue our international expansion and deepen the existing relationships we have with some of the biggest businesses in the UK. The acquisition of the TALL Group, together with other exciting opportunities in the pipeline, means we are entering 2023 on a very firm footing for further growth.”
Martin Ruda, Managing Director, the TALL Group, added: “We have worked in partnership with Parseq many times, and offer complimentary, technology-led services, which makes us joining forces a natural evolution of our relationship that will make it easier to accelerate growth and expand the services we offer as a part of a bigger organisation. We also share the same vision and values and are committed to helping our clients run more efficient, secure businesses, all to the ultimate benefit of their customers.”
The TALL Group directors William Lamb and Peter Andrew are retiring after more than 30 years with the business.
Smart energy technology firm to acquire Leeds energy analytics and IoT company
SolarEdge Technologies, a global leader in smart energy technology, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the entire share capital of Hark Systems.
Founded in 2016 and based in Leeds, Hark offers a highly flexible Software as a Service (SaaS) Internet of Things (IoT) platform that allows enterprises and asset operators to connect, analyze and optimize industrial assets and energy in their commercial sites. Hark’s technology enables rapid deployment and commissioning across multiple sites. Hark’s customer base is comprised of diverse industries, including some of the largest supermarket chains in the UK.
The acquisition of Hark is expected to enable SolarEdge to offer its commercial and industrial (C&I) customers expanded capabilities in energy management and connectivity, including identification of potential energy savings, detection of anomalies in assets’ energy consumption, and optimization of energy usage and carbon emissions through load orchestration and storage control.
“Hark’s SaaS platform will enable us to grow our extensive commercial and industrial energy management portfolio and offer additional services to our C&I customers,” said Zvi Lando, CEO, SolarEdge Technologies. “Coupled with our smart energy solutions, Hark’s advanced technological capabilities can provide enterprises with greater transparency and control of their energy usage and carbon emissions.”
“SolarEdge has revolutionized how solar energy is harvested and managed and has deployed millions of smart energy management systems globally. We are excited to be able to be a part of the SolarEdge offering and join their global infrastructure to assist enterprises in the C&I market to manage their energy in a more efficient and sustainable way,” said Jordan Appleson, CEO and co-founder, Hark Systems.
The acquisition is subject to certain customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2023.
Nano Park at Armley “fully let in record time”
The Nano Park Company, which specialises in creating combined workshop and office space across Yorkshire, has announced its development in Armley has been fully let in record time.
The Nano Park Company bought a one-acre site off Pickering Street, Armley from the Yorkshire textile company James Hare in March 2020.
Bradford-based specialist construction company Percy Pickard Contractors, led by construction director Chris Balme, finished building work this summer – and already seven hybrid nano units and two 2,000 sq ft high-end industrial units are occupied, creating 50 new and sustainable jobs for Armley.
Edward Marshall of the Bradford-based Nano Park Company said: “We are incredibly proud that our latest Nano Park has been fully let before completion and in record time. This is a ringing endorsement of our Nano Park concept, which features warehousing space on the ground floor, with offices above, providing an ideal base for small and fledgling companies and satellite operations for larger firms.
“This is another of our fully-let Nano parks in Yorkshire, underling the fact that we are leading the way in hybrid working business parks and are fast becoming the top name in small unit development.”
The new tenants at Armley are: Niba Nail Care; ELR Style; PMP Distribution; T4mation, 5create; Optadent Solutions; Tungsten Media; and Libation Rum.
Edward Marshall continued: “I would like to say a special thank you to Max Vause of Carter Towler, who has done a first-class job in getting our park fully let. Max is relatively new to industrial lettings, but he has brought a group of top-quality customers to us. We look forward to doing many more schemes with Max and the great team at Carter Towler.
“I would also like to thank Simon Mydlowski and his legal team at Clarion for their hard work and efficiency and KPP Architects, the best industrial architects in the north of England.
“We are in the age of the entrepreneur with more and more small and start-up companies looking for self-contained space of their own. To meet this demand, we are providing flexible, affordable and attractive business premises to help companies of this type to grow and prosper, where they want to be.
“This could be in an attractive setting, a great location or a site with superb transport links. We are focused on sustainability in our Nano Parks and have eliminated gas from the schemes. We now fit air source heat pumps as standard keeping us at the forefront of environmental performance in our sector. The success of our Nano Parks across Yorkshire means this model is working. And how.”
Max Vause said: “This has been a fabulous development to market and the success we’ve had reflects the quality of the park. It’s been great to work with a developer as enthusiastic and committed as Edward and I’m very proud of what we have achieved together.”
The joint marketing agent for this development was Jonathan O’Connor from the Leeds office of Rydens.
Pure Block Management adds South Cave development to property portfolio
Hull-based property firm Pure Block Management closed 2022 on a high after adding a prestigious East Yorkshire development to its rapidly-growing client base.
The firm has taken over the management of six cottage-style homes that are part of Westcote Fold, a Risby Homes development in the village of South Cave, near Cave Castle Hotel and Country Club.
It will provide day-to-day and planned maintenance of the development’s private road and car park as well as taking care of service charge management and other financial and legal property management matters on behalf of the owners.
The new contract marked the end of a successful year for Pure Block Management, which was established as a stand-alone business following a restructure of Yorkshire property specialist Garness Group in April.
It has since won a number of new contracts for developments across the region, including historic Samman House in Hull city centre, luxury apartment complex Mentone House in Hessle and local home builder Scruton’s Park Lane development in Cottingham.
Pure Block Management director Liam Parker said: “We’re delighted that the owners of Westcote Fold have chosen us to manage their development.
“It rounded off a very successful first year as a stand-alone business within Garness Group, in which we grew our client base through new contracts both with large developers and smaller, independent freeholders and leaseholders who like the expertise, flexibility and responsive service we offer.
“We’re looking forward to working with all our existing partners and welcoming more new clients in 2023.”
WaldrichSiegen enters long-term partnership with Sheffield Forgemasters
Machine tool supplier, WaldrichSiegen GmbH & Co. has entered into a long-term partnership with engineering specialist Sheffield Forgemasters for lifetime support of a proposed new machining facility.
WaldrichSiegen will deliver a ten-year, through-life and production-support contract, plus the design, supply, manufacture, installation and commissioning of 17 new machining centres to create highly accurate, complex shapes required for ultra-large, steel castings and forgings.
The machining line will be housed in a proposed new building at the Brightside Lane site, and includes a series of large-scale, five-axis Vertical Turning Lathes (VTL), which form part of a recapitalisation investment of up to £400 million over ten years to underpin the Sheffield Forgemasters’ defence-critical assets.
Gareth Barker, chief operating officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We have entered into a partnership agreement for a ten-year, through-life and production-support contract with WaldrichSiegen, who will take a permanent base at our site.
“The supply and support agreement creates a fundamental mechanism for driving increased performance from this investment, by working in a long-term business partnership with the machine tools supplier.”
Work has already commenced on the detailed design phase of the project and the first machining centres are planned to go into manufacture before the end of the year, with the first machine scheduled for delivery to Brightside Lane in January 2025.
Gareth added: “We currently operate the UK’s largest five-axis VTL and each new VTL is larger and more technologically advanced, with all machining digitally analysed through a tool-life management system.
“The partnership will create a highly efficient machining line, enabling us to dramatically reduce processing times for complex components and delivering new levels of capability and production management.”
WaldrichSiegen is supported by UK Agents, McDowell Machine Tools Limited, who are key to the design, installation and commissioning sections of the programme and will also be embedded in the through-life and production-support contract, with a permanent presence on the Sheffield Forgemasters site.
Thorsten Mehlhorn, Waldrich Siegen president & CSO, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Sheffield Forgemasters as the company expands its capabilities in the manufacture of highly complex forgings and castings. This partnership is built on the principles of lifetime support and will deliver the most advanced facility of its kind within the UK.”
As part of the service contract, WaldrichSiegen will maintain a Sheffield Forgemasters base for management of a full spares package, and significant supporting facilities which will contribute to the lifetime maintenance of the machines and full suite of 116 machining heads.
The full suite of machines is scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2028 and includes; seven x Heavy Duty VTL’s with 5-8m tables, three x Gantry Mills with 6-16m turning capability, three x RAM Hydrostatic Boring Mills, three x Heavy Duty Horizontal Lathes with 24-27m beds, and one x Gantry Band-Saw.
Yorkshire businesses back a better 2023 as turnover prospects shine brighter
The majority of Yorkshire businesses expect 2023 to be more successful than 2022, despite challenging economic forecasts, according to the latest data from Lloyds Bank.
Almost three quarters of the region’s firms (73%) said they are confident they would have greater success in the coming 12 months, compared to the past year. Nearly a fifth (17%) were not confident about being more successful in 2023 and one in 13 (7%) expected their business to perform at the same level in the next year. The research was carried out between December 1 and December 14 as part of additional polling for the monthly Lloyds Bank Business Barometer.
Firms in Yorkshire projected a more upbeat outlook for 2023 with more than half (58%) expecting a higher turnover than in 2022. A quarter (25%) of businesses expect turnover to increase by between 5% and 19%, and more than one in eight (13%) anticipate turnover to increase by more than 20%.
When businesses were asked what they would do to fuel growth, 98% said they were planning an investment drive. Firms reported that funding would be used to develop their company (42%), introduce energy efficiency measures (40%), and train staff (36%).
Alongside investment, Yorkshire businesses plan on making several New Year’s resolutions. These include to improve productivity (52%), win new business in existing markets (37%), and upskill existing staff (36%). Almost a third (32%) said they are planning to retain existing staff, with 25% investing in paying bonuses and short-term incentives. More than a fifth (21%) are intending to target growth from their existing customer base.
Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds Bank, said: “It’s been an interesting year to say the least, so to see so many firms across Yorkshire preparing for a more positive 2023 is extremely encouraging. Despite the challenges the region has faced, firms are thinking long-term and putting the steps in place now for a successful future. For example, businesses are looking to invest more in their teams and explore new markets to support their growth in the new year.
“If the resilience I’ve seen on the ground continues, I’m confident firms across the region will have a very bright future. We’ll be by the side of businesses to provide the right support and guidance as they seize and benefit from the new opportunities that lay ahead.”
2023 Business Predictions: Konrad Czajka, Managing Director, Czajka Care Group
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Konrad Czajka, Managing Director of Czajka Care Group.
Predictions in the social care sector for 2023 are very difficult at this time. The last year has been unprecedented, with several Government announcements, which were later rescinded.
The Government trying to steady the economic turmoil has postponed social care reforms. What we need in 2023 is a clear and long-term policy for the social care sector, specifically on pay and conditions for the social care workforce.
Staff turnover rates within care roles are currently 29% and we expect these to remain high, with 165,000 vacancies. Average vacancy rates of 11%, which is twice the national average, will also continue. We are going to need 480,000 extra people working in social care by 2035!
The Government will have to release the £500m committed for skills and learning in the workforce as highlighted in the ‘people at the heart of care’ white paper. The Government has also made £500m available to support discharge from hospital into the community and bolster the workforce this winter, but this money has still to reach the frontline services, hopefully next year it will!
In 2023 hopefully we will see more staff from overseas join the social care workforce as the Government has added care workers to the shortage occupation list which is a positive. However, the increasing cost of living is likely to have an impact, resulting in more staff leaving care services for better paid work.
The increasing staff and operating costs and the lack of full recovery in care home occupancy will lead to a significant reduction of profits. Some providers will hold empty beds because they will not be able to staff their care homes.
To summarise on these issues, 2023 will see a lack of staff, rising costs and fluctuating profit margins. However, on a positive note some areas of the UK, particularly the North West and the South West, have seen nursing care rates for self-funded residents increase by 15.9% and 14.1% respectively.
Next year we expect some outcomes to the national cost of care exercise undertaken in 2022, and this will identify how the cross subsidies from self-funders are keeping providers profitable in many parts of the country.
In 2023, and over the next decade, the UK needs to adapt to the far-reaching changes to society caused by an ageing population. The growth in older people far outstrips the growth in age-appropriate housing, so a fundamental change is needed in how we provide care and housing to those in their later years.
Housing with care settings, like integrated retirement communities, will have a pivotal role to play, owing to the positive impact they have on health, wellbeing, and reducing the burden on the NHS. Analysis has revealed a shortfall of 487,000 plus retirement units across the UK – so let’s get building!
Subsidy award mechanism changes to get funds to business faster
A new system to regulate the award of subsidies to business comes into force from today, empowering public authorities to deliver support to businesses in a quicker, fairer, and simpler way.
Subsidies will be tailored to local needs, with public authorities and devolved administrations having added flexibility to ensure they can get support to where it’s most needed as quickly as possible.
The introduction of these new rules is the most significant change in subsidy administration in over 40 years, and marks a landmark transition away from the restrictive aid scheme the UK was subject to as part of the EU, which would regularly block elected devolved administrations and local authorities from delivering funds to businesses that most needed it in their communities.
Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “Our new subsidy control regime is another example of us making the most of our opportunities to be free of Europe’s bureaucracy and forge a future tailor-made for the UK.
“New rules mean UK authorities will be free to deliver money to businesses in a quicker, fairer, and simpler way, without longwinded and unnecessary approval processes to bog us down.”
Under the previous EU system, all subsidies except for a select few under a ‘Block Exemption Regulation’ would be required to undergo a time-consuming bureaucratic process, subject to European laws and the European Commission. Subsidies would require notification to and approval from the European Commission well in advance, therefore delaying vital funds reaching businesses in good and efficient time. The new regime is tailor-made for businesses and public authorities in the UK, with views gathered from stakeholders across the country in an extensive consultation. The new regime will also give public authorities the ability to award subsidies through streamlined routes, schemes that are pre-assessed by the government, and provide public authorities with an even easier and quicker way to award subsidies to businesses. The government is currently developing 3 of these schemes, which will cover research, development and innovation, energy usage, and local growth. The new regime also contributes to the UK meeting international commitments on subsidy control, including its international commitments at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and in Free Trade Agreements.Scarborough Fair appoints director for three-year term
Professional Festivals Director David Edmunds has been appointed to revitalise Scarborough Fair, which was established by Royal Charter in 1253, and will move iubto the role in March this year.
Edmunds will lead on the delivery of what’s said to be an ambitious and innovative creative programme for The Scarborough Fair, spanning three years from 2023 to 2026, during which time it will be reimagined as a year-round programme of arts, heritage, culinary and sporting events at venues throughout the town.
Paul Robinson, chairman of The Scarborough Fair Advisory Group and The Scarborough Fair founder, said: “The Scarborough Fair will celebrate all that our beautiful region has to offer – the people, food, sport, music, art and so much more – in all its exciting and vibrant colours.
“The appointment of the hugely lauded David Edmunds to the role of festival director is the next step in realising the cultural regeneration of our area. The Scarborough Fair is the ‘big moment’ that we have long been waiting for.”
David Edmunds said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of festival director for The Scarborough Fair. I’m excited for the amazing things we will bring to life, with and for, the communities of the town and further afield, over the next few years.
“This feels like a really exciting time for Scarborough and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in it and contributing to the already diverse and vibrant cultural community that already exists in the town.”
Made possible with investment from the government’s Towns Fund, The Scarborough Fair is a project of our council, working in partnership with the public and private sectors and initiated following extensive consultation with local residents, businesses and community organisations.
Scunthorpe funeral director joins ranks of UK’s top 100 women entrepreneurs
Scunthorpe funeral director Nichola Threadgold has been chosen to be part of the nation’s top 100 female businesswomen in the F:Entrepreneur iALSO Community.
It’s a group launched four years ago by Small Business Britain to celebrate women in business, through which they can have a greater voice and access to policy makers in order to contribute to key issues impacting female business owners.
Said Nichola, who runs Jason Threadgold Funeral Directors with her husband: “I am over the moon and really excited to share that I have been selected to be part of the Top 100 members of the F:Entrepreneur iALSO Community for 2023.
“This campaign highlights, champions and celebrates inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the UK who are wearing many hats and doing many interconnecting roles with a specific focus on Community and Sustainability.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting some amazing inspiring women from this community and will keep you updated on my adventures over the coming year.”
HMRC is still waiting for almost 6m self-assessment tax returns
With less than a month before the deadline for sending self-assessment tax returns to HMRC, almost have of the 12m who’re expected to do so still haven’t got round to it.
More than 12 million customers are expected to file a tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year by 31 January 2023. HMRC says 129 customers submitted theirs on 1 January in the first hour of the new year, joining those customers who have already met their obligations.
More than 42,500 customers chose to see in the new year by submitting their return on 31 December and 1 January:
- New Year’s Eve: 25,043 tax returns were filed. The peak time for filing was between 14:00 and 14:59, when 2,713 returns were received.
- New Year’s Day: 17,571 tax returns were filed. The peak time for filing was between 15:00 and 15:59, when 1,697 returns were received.
North Yorkshire calls for expressions of interest in almost £20m of housing investment
A multi-million pound call for projects in York and North Yorkshire has been launched today with a call for expressions of interest in two funds. The £12.7m York and North Yorkshire Brownfield Housing Fund aims to support the building of up to 1,000 homes, and the York and North Yorkshire Net Zero Fund offers £7m of funding to develop and deliver a pipeline of net zero projects in the region. Funding is open to private and public sector organisations.
The funding forms part of the York and North Yorkshire devolution deal and is subject to the deal securing necessary approvals. If devolution is agreed, the funds will be administered by a new Mayoral Combined Authority.
The York and North Yorkshire Brownfield Housing Fund aims to unlock housing development on brownfield land, with building starting on site no later than March 2025. Priority will be given to schemes that help deliver affordable, accessible and low carbon housing, creating sustainable and high-quality places.
The York and North Yorkshire Net Zero Fund will invest £1m to support the development of new net zero projects from “idea to investor ready”. An additional £6m capital will enable the delivery of net zero projects that otherwise would not happen. Projects will support the implementation of York and North Yorkshire’s Routemap to Carbon Negative, York’s Climate Change Strategy and the forthcoming North Yorkshire Council Climate Change Strategy.
Webinars for prospective applicants will be delivered by the Y&NY LEP. These sessions will include an introduction and overview of the relevant fund including its purpose and priorities. This will be followed by a closer look at the timeline and assurance requirements and a run-through of the application.
Webinars are planned for Thursday this week (net zero) and Friday 13th January for the Brownfield Housing Fund.
Further information can be found at the ynylep web site.
M&G to invest more than £3m in Pensana through share placement
Later this week an investment of £3.19m in Pensana by M&G Investment Management will take place through the placement of 7,250,000 new ordinary shares of £0.001 each in the capital of Pensana at a price of 44 pence per share (the “Placing Price”).
It’s a move which will mean M&G will have an interest in about 7.7% of the Company’s enlarged issued share capital.
Pensana Chairman Paul Atherley said: “We very much appreciate M&G’s continuing support as a major shareholder over the past 12 months. Initial site works are under way at Saltend and Longonjo, and this additional investment will take us through to main financing and the commencement of main construction at both projects during this year’s first quarter.
“We look forward to delivering on the strong support from major shareholders and developing an independent and sustainable rare earth supply chain based in the UK to meet the burgeoning demand from automotive and wind turbine OEMs.”
M&G has its HQ in the City of London. Since its de-merger from Prudential plc, it has been listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Number of first time buyers fell in 2022, but demand remains strong, says Yorkshire Building Society
The number of people stepping onto the property ladder for the first time has fallen by an estimated 9% in the last year, estimates the Yorkshire Building Society.
Analysis by the mutual forecasts the number will have fallen to 370,287 for 2022, from a 20-year high of more than 400,000 the year before, which had been fuelled by falling unemployment and low borrowing costs post-pandemic.
However, given that the 2020 and 2021 figures were skewed by the unusual market conditions surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, the Society’s latest estimate for 2022 still represents a 5% year-on-year increase when compared with 2019.
The largest months in 2021 came in June and September, fuelled by tapering changes to stamp duty relief for those with a house price between £300,000 and £500,000, and benefiting those in high value areas such as London and the South East. Without the same incentive in 2022, the forecasted number of first-time buyers for comparable months are static, in line with previous years’ figures.
However, although the number of first-time buyers is likely to be fewer overall than the previous year, those who bought a property for the first time in 2022 are expected to represent 53% of all house purchases with a mortgage, up from 50% in 2021, and 41% a decade ago.
All that signals strong demand for first-time buyers, even with the average price of a typical first-time buyer home rising by 10% to £272,500 in the past year.
Nitesh Patel, Strategic Economist at Yorkshire Building Society who forecasted this year’s figures, said:”The year started much as 2021 had ended, with the supply of a significant number of low deposit mortgages, an overflow of healthy deposits from the build-up of household savings balances during the pandemic years and a steady economic picture. Then came the infamous mini-Budget which sparked panic in the mortgage market, leading to low product availability, higher borrowing costs and a slowdown in house price growth among other things.
“Coupled with the absence of a stamp duty holiday this year, these factors may mean this latest forecast is unsurprising, but it still shows that demand from first-time buyers remains strong, even with house prices being at historic highs for much of the year and the country experiencing such political and economic uncertainty.
“The one constant in the housing market – the lack of supply at all stages of home ownership – will remain, which will help to maintain house prices. The continued uncertain landscape however, which may prevent would-be borrowers from making such a significant purchase or cause lenders to tighten affordability, could mean we’ll see a further fall in first-time buyers next year.”
Business Association founder awarded OBE in King’s first New Year Honours list
Yorkshire Asian Business Association founder Sharon Jandu is one of. group of Yorkshire businesspeople awarded an OBE in the first honours list announced by the King.
She is an advocate for both her community and international trade. She has put Asian owned Yorkshire businesses on the global map by creating the Association in 2017, with the aim of educating and promoting Yorkshire-based, Asian-owned businesses at home and overseas.
The organisation has more than 3,500 corporate members, and is still growing. Sharon has driven joint trade opportunities between her membership and primarily the Indian Sub-continent, where she embraces the opportunity emerging from the UK’s free trade agreement with India. She continuously promotes Department for International Trade’s assistance, alongside collaborating on events to bring DIT to her membership’s attention.
She founded the charity Global Diversity Positive Action in 2015, after witnessing failures first hand as a Justice of the Peace.
She said: “It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to receive such a prestigious award for my work educating and promoting Northern based and Asian owned businesses at home and overseas.
“I am grateful to the Department for International Trade for the recognition, and I am also really fortunate to be supported by an incredible team.”
Also awarded the OBE is Sandy Needham, former North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce director, and Richard Sheriff, CEO at Harrogate-based academy group Red Kite Learning Trust.
Awarded the MBE are Robert Clarkson, Chief Systems Engineer at RAF Fylingdales on the North York Moors, and Jill Quinn, founder of North Yorkshire Charity Dementia Forward.
Whitby’s Beth Mead is among four of England’s Lionesses Euro 2022-winning side included on the list, alongside skipper Leah Williamson, Ellen White and Lucy Bronze.
Elimination of trade barrier with South Korea could mean £1m of business for pork exporters
UK companies can export products such as bacon, ham and pork sausages to South Korea after the resolution of a trade barrier blocking UK exports of processed pork products.
South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety had previously banned UK exports of the products, but this ban was lifted ahead of Christmas after action from the government.
It is estimated that the Korean market could be worth up to £1 million to UK exporters in the first five years.
Korea is a meat-loving nation and pork products are consumed in a number of traditional dishes, from Samgyeopsal (‘Korean BBQ’) to Budae Jjigae (‘Army Stew’). In 2021, around 27.6 kilograms of pork were consumed per person in South Korea, with consumption increasing over the years.
The UK exported £339 million of pork globally in 2021, with over two-thirds going to non-EU destinations, demonstrating the value of unlocking markets around the world.
Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “This is good news for British farmers who haven’t been able to sell their pork to South Korea because of a trade barrier.”
Food Minister Mark Spencer said: “British pork is renowned across the world for both its quality and its great taste. The hard work of British teams to open up this market means British bacon and sausages can be the heart and Seoul of South Korean celebrations and dinners throughout the year.”
Registering to export is simple and the British Embassy in Seoul are able to support UK businesses who want to take advantage of this and other export opportunities.
The new deal will upgrade our trade agreement with South Korea, ensuring a more modern and fit-for-purpose deal that builds on our existing £14.3 billion trading relationship and meets the specific needs of the UK. This will include important areas such as digital trade, enhanced climate provisions and further support for small and medium sized businesses.
Leeds student’s idea for promotion of Eurovision song contest wins business prize
Leeds Business School Teela Clayton and her teammate Ketevan Sarajishvili from the University of Georgia, beat competition from 10 countries to win gold in the European Public Relations Education and Research Association’s PR Arena student competition.
They worked on a brief from the European Broadcasting Union to find effective and creative solutions to promote public service media worldwide through the Eurovision Song Contest.
They were given the top prize by an international jury, made up of communication experts and academics representing the EBU, EUPRERA and the University of Bucharest.
For winning gold, Teela and Ketevan have received tickets to the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, which is being held in Liverpool on 13 May next year.
Teela said: “I feel lucky to have been selected to represent Leeds Business School on an international stage and am thrilled to have won gold with my partner Kate from Uni of Georgia.
“EUPRERA continues to innovate with its approach to research and practice, designing a fantastic opportunity to work with prestigious clients alongside other students from across Europe.”
Michelle Roverelli, Head of Communications at EBU said: “The well-deserving winning team, VOX, delivered a very original and creative project which met the challenges of our creative brief. We hope they have a great time at the Eurovision Song Contest Jury Final in Liverpool 12th May 2023.”
Team Pepps puts Christmas dinner on the table for hundreds of families
The Christmas Dinner Project organised by Pepperells Solicitors has raised more than £11,000 and provided more than 460 families with a Christmas dinner this year.
Pepperells embarked on a Christmas Mission at the start of December to provide local families in need with a tasty Christmas dinner to enjoy this winter time. Working in partnership with Morrisons Supermarket, food banks, charities, and churches,
the Christmas Dinner Project, now in its fourth year, provides families in need with a tasty
Christmas dinner with all the trimmings to prepare themselves at home, families who would
otherwise have gone without.
Julia Rymer, Marketing Director at Pepperells, said: “We have been overwhelmed with
the generosity of this year’s pledges, the business community have come together in force to
support us once again, now in our 4th year.
“Many of us take our Christmas Meals for granted and it has been so heartwarming to be able to organise over 1,800 meals for families in need this year. We would like to say a huge thank you to all the business and personal donations that havebeen received. Without you, we couldn’t make all this possible.”
Team Pepps will be popping on their santa hats and delivering the meals to the food banks,
churches and charities this week, just in time for the big day.A £25 pledge provides a family with all the trimmings fortheir festive treats, including Meat, Vegetables, Potatoes, Pigs in Blankets, Christmas Pudding, Mince Pies and Treats for Santaand his reindeer.
Thanks to the generous donations of so many kind people and businesses, over 1800 people
will receive a dinner this year. .
