Bradford firm wins UK Employer of the Year title
Bradford-based Mansfield Pollard has been named UK Employer of the Year at this year’s Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards.
CEO Lou Ellis-Frankland said: “Winning any award is an honour, but earning a national award takes it to another level. It is a powerful affirmation of our vision to drive profitable growth, establish Mansfield Pollard as the industry brand of choice, and become the region’s top employer. This achievement reflects the exceptional dedication of our employees and their invaluable contributions across every area of our business.”
Ashe said this had been an outstanding year for Mansfield Pollard, completing a hat-trick of business accolades. Earlier this year, the company was also recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work 2024, and named Yorkshire Business of the Year 2024. Together, these awards highlight the company’s relentless focus on its people, innovation, and excellence in all aspects of business operations.
Demolition clears the way for £21m development at Catterick Garrison
Catterick Garrison’s £21m town centre development has taken a major step forward with the demolition of buildings on the site now under way.
Preparatory work, including asbestos removal and the stripping out of internal fixtures such as wiring, is nearly complete. Demolition specialists are taking down the buildings where the internal work has concluded, to make way for construction on the new facilities to start early in the new year.
Once complete, the development will include a new community building, a multi-use events space and a new public square. Alongside this, the project will improve landscaping, pavements and cycle paths, as well as upgrading Coronation Park and improved play areas.
The new town centre buildings will benefit both service personnel and their families and the public. We are working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on the multi-million pound project. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is funding the demolition and we have secured funding from the Government for the redevelopment.
Naylor Agility makes second acquisition this year
South Yorkshire-based Naylor Agility, a UK manufacturer of high-quality agility equipment and a division of Naylor Specialist Plastics Ltd, has acquired First Contact, an established agility equipment-hire and sales business.
The acquisition is the second to be completed by Naylor Agility this year and will enable Naylor Agility to further expand its product offering to include ‘contacts’ – dog walks, seesaws and A-frames – and weave poles. Naylor Agility’s product range also includes high quality dog agility tunnels, soft walls and long jumps.
John Grice, MD of Naylor Agility, said: “We’re excited to welcome First Contact to the Naylor Agility family. First Contact is a trusted supplier of premium agility equipment and this acquisition aligns perfectly with our mission to improve the standard of agility equipment which is available in the UK. Together, we will continue to innovate and to deliver the very latest solutions to enhance the sport of agility.”
Based in Deepcar, South Yorkshire, First Contact will benefit from additional resources and be able to offer a wider range of products to its customers. The dedicated First Contact team trading as ‘Naylor Agility’ will also continue to offer their expertise in equipment hire to ensure competitors and their dogs receive the best possible competition experience.
Hazel Higgins, co-founder of First Contact, said: “The time is now right to take First Contact to the next level and I am confident that this will happen with the support of Naylor Agility. My team and I are very excited to be working with Naylor Agility, making the best agility equipment in the world and putting UK based manufacturing at the forefront of sport.”
Naylor Agility is based in Wombwell near Barnsley, and is a division of Naylor Specialist Plastics Ltd, a fourth generation family-owned business. The company has been manufacturing dog agility tunnels since 1983 and has worked with First Contact since 2003, making tunnels for hire at events.
Construction hire firm turns to SEO experts to boost online visibility
Family-run construction hire company PAL Hire has appointed digital agency The SEO Works to bolster its online visibility.
Following the initial enquiry an in-depth audit from the expert team at The SEOWorks identified several opportunities that could be taken in order to take organic visibility to the next level – all of which were highlighted within a competitive pitch process.
Marketing Manager Barnaby Crawshaw said: “We welcome The SEO Works as our partner to amplify our online presence and help us deliver great customer experience. Their expertise in digital marketing and the construction industry aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and passion for innovation. As a company, we partner with suppliers that are best in class, and the SEO Works is a welcome addition to our team.”
The digital agency will identify gaps in strategy and potential opportunities – all helping to contribute towards the end goal of improving search visibility throughout the UK for PAL Hire.
Azets recruits former KPMG leader as regional Sanrio partner
Azets has appointed Ian Beaumont, recently retired head of KPMG in the north east, as regional senior partner for Yorkshire.
Ian started his career with Haines Watts before going on to become office senior partner at RSM Robson Rhodes, BDO and KPMG.
Russell Turner, regional MD for Yorkshire, said: “To attract a heavyweight business advisor of Ian’s calibre is a genuine coup.
“With more than 35 years’ experience in this region, Ian’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to develop and attract top talent in order to ensure we can provide the high quality advice and support regional businesses and their owners deserve.”
Ian said: “Azets is fantastically placed to support aspiring regional businesses and their owners with expertise that will support them along the full growth lifecycle.
“With growth comes additional complexity for our clients and, as a national firm, we are able to call upon national specialists as well as provide international reach.”
Azets has three offices in Yorkshire in Leeds, Bradford and York where it employs 335 people.
Greater Lincolnshire launches AI accelerator project 20 firms
Twenty businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to take part in an AI Adoption Accelerator designed to guide business leaders through the transformative journey of Artificial Intelligence adoption.
Running from January to the end of March, this hands-on programme provides workshops and expert-led sessions aimed at helping businesses overcome common barriers to AI, such as misconceptions and fears about cost, complexity, and relevance. AI is no longer exclusive to large tech firms – businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, can integrate AI solutions to boost productivity, improve customer experience, and streamline operations.
Councillor Colin Davie, Councillor for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “AI is transforming the way businesses operate, and we want to ensure that businesses in our region aren’t left behind. This programme is a fantastic opportunity for local companies to explore how AI can streamline their operations, enhance productivity, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. The hands-on support provided by this programme will help businesses overcome any reservations they might have and empower them to adopt AI confidently.”
He said the programme wa s a unique opportunity for businesses to explore the potential of AI in a structured, supportive environment.
With only 20 places available, Business Lincolnshire encourages businesses to register early for this transformative programme. Applications are open to businesses that have been trading for over 12 months and are based in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. The programme requires attendance from a decision-maker and another key staff member to ensure the successful implementation of AI solutions within their organisation.
New plans aim to crack down on late payments to SMEs
A package of new measures to support small businesses and deliver growth is being set out today in the run up to Small Business Saturday this weekend.
It includes targeted action to a crack down on late payments and to unleash the potential of disabled and female entrepreneurs.
A new ‘Fair Payment Code’ is being launched to address the problems with late payments, with research showing that SMEs are on average owed £22,000 a year. It comes on top of an earlier announced consultation which will investigate the scale of the problem and best solutions.
The code, overseen by the Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay, introduces a gold, silver, and bronze system to reward best payment practices and help smaller firms identify reliable and trusted partners. It aims to boost cash flow for small businesses which is crucial for their survival, by tackling late payments and lengthy payment terms that can lead to financial strain and failure.
The code aims to boost cash flow for small businesses, crucial for their survival, by tackling late payments and lengthy payment terms that can lead to financial strain and failure.
It comes as the Prime Minister invites small business leaders and small business representative organisations from across the UK to a reception in Downing Street to celebrate their achievements and their crucial role in economic growth. Some of the businesses set to attend include Kim Innes, CEO and Founder of Humble Crumble, Freddie Blackett, Founder of Patch Plants and former Paralympian swimmer and medallist, Mark Williams who founded LIMB-Art.
Liz Barclay, Small Business Commissioner said: “The Fair Payment Code is our response to all those suppliers who begged for a more aspirational, robust and ambitious approach to changing the business to business payment culture in the UK. It also gives a clear signal of intent on the part of Government.
“We want suppliers paid within 30 days with payment beyond the due date a rare event. We want longer contractual payment terms to be recognised as potentially detrimental to vital supply chains. We want businesses of all sizes to commit to fair and quick payments and to avoid harmful disputes. This new Code will drive a better payments culture and benefit everyone.”
Lettings and estate agent platform secures new investment
LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has exited its investment in Lomond, the lettings and estate agent platform, following a transformational growth journey. LDC will reinvest in Lomond alongside new investor ICG, the global asset manager, the founding Chairman and management.
The transaction will support Lomond’s continued growth strategy of further consolidation through M&A in its existing markets and provide additional capital to drive expansion into new regions.
LDC originally backed Yorkshire-based Linley & Simpson in 2018, before merging the regional sales and lettings agency with Lomond Capital in 2020. Since the merger, Lomond has completed 65 acquisitions, becoming one of the fastest growing estate agency networks in the UK, growing from 600 to 1,900 employees and from 22,000 properties under management to more than 50,000.
The transaction delivers a money multiple return of 3.5x for LDC.
Ed Phillips, CEO at Lomond, said: “We’ve had a superb journey so far with LDC. What we’ve achieved together is a testament to the hard work and passion of our people and I am delighted they will remain as a partner going forward.
“To have secured new investment from such a leading investor in ICG underlines the level of ambition of the team at Lomond and our new partner. We’re now looking forward to accelerating our growth in the coming years as we continue our journey as the best estate agency network in the UK.”
Stuart Pender, Founder and Chairman at Lomond, said: “The new investment from ICG creates significant firepower to fuel the next phase of Lomond’s growth and allows us to realise our ambitions for the business over the next three to five years.
“Our management team has done an excellent job over the last three years in building a market-leading platform and we have been well supported by LDC during this critical phase of our growth. We now very much look forward to working with ICG and LDC to maximise the full potential in the platform over the next few years.”
Gareth Marshall, Partner and Head of LDC’s North East & Scotland team, said: “This has been a truly transformative partnership spanning six years.
“We are proud to have supported Will and Nick initially, Stuart and Ed and the current team to scale from a regional lettings and estate agency to a multi-regional platform and now to a leading, multi-brand, national player.
“Today Lomond has unrivalled reach, reputation and the strongest team in the market and we’re looking forward to continuing our support for the business alongside ICG and management.”
LDC and Lomond were advised by Clearwater and Womble Bond Dickinson.
Yorkshire business confidence falls in November
Business confidence in Yorkshire and the Humber fell 19 points during November to 20%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
Companies in Yorkshire and the Humber reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down ten points at 37%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 28 points to 2%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 20% (vs. 39% in October).
However, a net balance of 30% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up eight points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (29%), investing in their team, for example through training (27%), and introducing new technology such as automation and AI (27%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall UK business confidence dipped slightly in November to 41% – down three points from October’s 44% – but remained above the long-term average of 29%.
While firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects strengthened two points to a net balance of 55%, their confidence in the economy fell nine points to 26%.
London was the most confident UK nation or region in November (57%), followed by the West Midlands (51%).
Sector insights
Firms in the manufacturing sector reported the first rise in trading prospects in four months, with the net balance up three points to 49%. Companies in construction and services also indicated stronger business growth outlooks with net balances of 56% (up six points) and 61% (up four points), respectively.
Retail firms, however, signalled softer prospects for a second month running, with the trading prospects’ net balance down six points at 45%.
Martyn Kendrick, Regional Director of Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds, said: “While confidence is down this month, Yorkshire’s businesses have clear plans for growth and more plan to hire – a move that won’t just benefit them, but also their local communities.
“We’ll remain by their side as they put their strategies into action, with on-the-ground support to help them make the most of any new opportunities that lie ahead.”
Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Commercial Banking, said: “In November, the overall confidence metric fell by three points for the third month running. This is the lowest level since June, but still above the survey’s long-term average, which is ultimately positive from a longer-term perspective.
“These results suggest that while firms have mixed views about the economy, they see their businesses in a good place to cope with any challenges they might face. Hiring intentions, although moderating this month, haven’t fallen by much which is also positive news.
“Overall, these results show that businesses are still positive and feeling resilient, albeit with tempered views on the economic outlook.”
New head of trade credit at TL Dallas
A highly experienced industry professional has joined the trade credit division of independent insurance and risk management firm, TL Dallas Group.
Peter Hodgson is joining the Bradford-headquartered family and employee-owned firm as Director of Trade Credit. Peter will work alongside Simon Hyde, who has been with TL Dallas for over 25 years, and has been leading the 12-strong team over the last few years, until Simon’s retirement in early 2025.
Group Managing Director at TL Dallas, Polly Staveley, said: “We are thrilled that Peter is joining us. He was looking for a new challenge and given his experience in helping to grow independent insurance broker, Reynolds, both before and after its sale, together with his excellent knowledge of the market, we feel he is very well placed to lead and grow our trade credit team, who are based in our Bradford, Falkirk and Glasgow offices.”
Peter said: “TL Dallas has an enviable client base, many of which have been with the firm for decades, and it is renowned in the market for providing a personal service and having a dedicated and knowledgeable trade credit team. I’m looking forward to helping the firm continue to grow, whilst supporting businesses of all sizes by protecting them from the risk of non-payment and late payment, which is often a key reason why companies fail.”
Barnsley College partners with Laing O’Rourke and T3 to launch training facility for modern methods of construction
Barnsley College, in collaboration with Laing O’Rourke and T3 Training & Development, has opened the UK’s first dedicated modern methods of construction (MMC) training facility.
The first of its kind training centre represents a groundbreaking step in addressing the UK’s construction skills shortage and modernising the industry.
The new facility, part-funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), will provide people with the technical and digital skills required to assemble construction and engineering solutions that have been manufactured offsite.
This includes giving learners, ‘Trainee Assembly Specialists’, access to the equipment and skills needed to work with large-scale modular components in a safe and controlled environment as they learn how to deliver sections of some of the UK’s largest infrastructure and construction projects.
It will be the first purpose-built facility to offer a Level 2 Apprenticeship in Construction Assembly Installation – approved by The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) in 2019. No other UK facility currently offers this bespoke off-site training, which is key to building faster, safer, and more efficiently.
The UK’s construction sector is at a pivotal moment, with more than 250,000 extra construction workers needed by 2028, to deliver the expected levels of work. To meet this demand, the industry must evolve, adopting manufacturing (off-site) and assembly (on-site) approaches to enhance productivity, safety, and environmental performance.
This new qualification promises to help overcome the long-standing skills shortage in the sector and bridge the gap between young talent and experience.
Laing O’Rourke has committed to pioneering modern methods of construction for more than 15 years, knowing it offers attractive future careers that are safer, highly skilled and technical, in comparison to traditional construction approaches.
The new training facility will develop digital and technical skills among their 4,500 directly employed workforce, increasing its ability to deploy a manufacturing-led approach to construction and deliver certainty for their clients.
David Akeroyd, Principal and Chief Executive, Barnsley College, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Laing O’Rourke and T3 Training & Development to create the UK’s very first Modern Methods of Construction Training Centre of its type.
“This facility will no doubt equip students with the expertise needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving construction sector, lead the way on more sustainable methods of construction, and ensure they are prepared for the ambitious demands of the modern workforce.
“Through this collaboration, we are proud to play a vital role in addressing skills shortages and supporting the development of a highly skilled, future-ready workforce for the local region and beyond.”
Laing O’Rourke director, Peter Lyons, said: “We are proud and excited to launch this first-of-a-kind training facility with Barnsley College and T3 Training & Development, and to have created a training course that will help accelerate change across our sector.
“Not only will it enhance the skills of our current directly employed workforce, but it will also attract a more diverse range of people to consider a career in construction.
“Only through the wider use of digital technologies and modern methods of construction can we transform productivity and create better work and careers for people. It’s a change we need to make to ensure we can deliver the essential infrastructure the country needs, and which underpins our quality of life.
“We would like to extend a huge thank you to Select Plant Hire, Explore Plant and Transport Solutions, Expanded, Explore Manufacturing, Crown House Technologies, Cemex and Patera Engineering Ltd for their help and support in the planning and construction of this new facility, they have been integral to the success of this project.”
Andy Adams, Managing Director, T3 Training and Development, said: “I am thrilled to see the vision we’ve developed over nearly four years with Laing O’Rourke, and more recently with Barnsley College, come to fruition with the launch of the UK’s first dedicated training facility for modern methods of construction (MMC).
“This pioneering site and programme are designed not only to elevate T3 Training’s mission of delivering industry-specific training but also to address the critical skills gap in our sector. Through this facility, we aim to equip the next generation of ‘Trainee Assembly Specialists’ with the technical and digital expertise needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
“This project is especially meaningful because of the remarkable collaboration and shared vision that brought it to life. Firstly, working closely with Laing O’Rourke, we saw the pressing need for a specialised facility and assembled a dedicated team to design and build a world-class, first-of-its-kind training centre.
“And with the steadfast support and commitment from Barnsley College, we were able to bring this vision into reality. I couldn’t be prouder of the commitment and hard work of everyone involved, all of whom share our passion for creating a space that will foster the skills and knowledge needed for the future of our industry.”
The Modern Methods of Construction Training Centre (supported by Laing O’Rourke) will see the first cohort of apprentices begin their apprenticeships in the new year.
Matt takes on Presidency of Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber
Matt Travis has officially stepped into the role of President of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber at the organisation’s AGM, at which members heard a strong forecast of growth for the Chamber.
Matt brings a wealth of experience, energy, and a strong commitment to supporting businesses across the region. As a passionate advocate for sustainability and innovation, the Chamber says he’s perfectly positioned to lead it n growth, collaboration, and environmental responsibility throughout South Yorkshire.
York Handmade wins major award
The York Handmade Brick Company has won a major honour in the prestigious 2024 Brick Awards.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, in North Yorkshire, triumphed in the Craftsmanship category for the company’s work on 5 St Frederick’s Place in the heart of City of London.
The Brick Awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in the heart of London’s West End. Run by the Brick Development Association, they are an international competition that recognizes exceptional brick architecture and craftsmanship. The awards celebrate projects that demonstrate innovative use of clay brick, exceptional design and a commitment to sustainability.
The ceremony was hosted by popular TV personality and architect George Clarke, best known for his work on the Channel 4 programmes The Home Show, The Restoration Man, George Clarke’s Old House New Home and George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.
This year the awards have attracted entries from housebuilders, developers, architects and contractors across 18 hotly contested categories.
5 Frederick’s Place is based in the heart of London, near Bank Underground Station. This award-winning project involved the demolition of two buildings and the erection of a seven-storey structure consisting of both retail and commercial spaces, together with a new purpose-built archive for the Mercers’ Company.
The Brick Awards judges paid tribute to York Handmade’s work saying: “What a nice example of brickwork, well-planned and extremely well-executed. This was a real conversion of what was a site ripe for development and gave the building a new and relevant rebirth.
“The project boasts some interesting and exciting masonry features. It’s not very often one sees tapestry bond and here it’s well done. It’s very soft on the eye, a great use of brick.
“The combination of different types of bricks in the building’s construction adds character and appeal, drawing the attention of the public. This blend of bricks creates an alluring façade that speaks to both tradition and modernity. It’s an effective way to add personality to an architectural design, captivating the public.”
York Handmade Chairman David Armitage said: “We are tremendously proud to have won the coveted Craftsmanship Awards this year. The judges’ comments are wonderful and a ringing endorsement of everything we are trying to achieve here at York Handmade.
“Huge thanks are due to the management team and employees at York Handmade for their imagination, enterprise and hard work, which all combined to make this project so successful and so memorable.”
151 jobs saved as buyer found for bathroom products distributor
A buyer has been secured for an at-risk bathroom products distributor, administrators from FRP Advisory have confirmed.
Anthony Collier and Simon Farr of FRP were appointed as joint administrators of the Robert Lee group of businesses on 28 November. The group included Robert Lee Distribution Limited, RLD Stock Limited, Yorkshire Shower Trays Limited, and Aquadart Brands Limited.
Employing 151 people across sites in London, Wiltshire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire, the Group was a national distributor of bathroom, shower and plumbing products, supplying a range of reputable brands as well as manufacturing its own product line.
Following a challenging trading period, FRP was commissioned to run an accelerated sales process. On appointment, the joint administrators completed the pre-pack sale of the group and its assets to trade buyer Roxor Group Limited. Halifax-based Roxor Group is one of the UK’s fastest growing suppliers of bathroom products, having traded for more than 35 years.
The agreement sees the preservation of all employees’ jobs and will ensure continuity for customers of the Robert Lee group of businesses.
Anthony Collier, restructuring advisory partner at FRP, said: “Robert Lee was a firmly established operation, managing more than 30,000 product lines to a loyal customer base.
“However, it was not immune to the economic pressures felt across a range of sectors in recent years. We’re pleased to have found a high-quality buyer in Roxor Group, preserving the heritage of the business as well as a large number of jobs across the country.”
£3m project aims to help South Yorkshire firms to innovate and grow
A £3m South Yorkshire Innovation Programme has been launched to help regional organisations to innovate, accelerate, and grow.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard spoke at the launch event held by the South Yorkshire Innovation Network at Sheffield’s Bramall Lane on Monday night (25 November). He welcomed the official roll out of SYIP, which will offer high quality, tailored support to businesses, charities and social enterprises.
It is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, led by Sheffield Hallam University, with the University of Sheffield and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and will provide access to consultancy, including academic-led innovation audits and discovery days; professional interventions; student projects and placements; and specialist equipment and facilities provided by the universities and Barnsley Council.
Support will be available to South Yorkshire-based organisations of all sizes and across all sectors. Participating organisations will contribute a percentage of full project costs, based on their size, and also be eligible for funding support.
The programme is co-designed and developed with each of the four South Yorkshire local authorities. It is one of several partnerships between Sheffield’s universities, local authorities and SYMCA aimed at driving economic growth and inward investment into South Yorkshire.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Our ideas powered the industrial revolution. We invented the world’s most popular sport. We’ve created products that are used worldwide, from New York fire hydrants that are made in Rotherham to the McLaren supercar in Sheffield.
“Mclaren, Boeing and Rolls Royce already work alongside brilliant local businesses, in and around our world-class advanced manufacturing district. My mission is to build a bigger and better economy but to do that we need to create new industries and jobs for the future. Innovation is how we will achieve this vision and we can’t do that by just focusing on one sector or capability. We’ll only do it by working in partnership and that’s why I’m pleased to be investing in the Innovation Programme.
“There is talent and opportunity right across our region and by investing in our people and places we can unlock South Yorkshire’s full potential.”
Professor Conor Moss, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Technology and Engineering and of Sheffield Business School, at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “There are more opportunities for businesses and organisations to thrive in South Yorkshire now than there ever have been before. The key is innovation, and we are delighted to be leading this programme to help people in our region to scale-up and reach their goals.
“At Sheffield Hallam, we believe in collaboration and in championing our region. SYIP will help us to take cutting-edge research and knowledge from our academics and turn it into tangible advice and outcomes for businesses.”
Businesses form Skills Board as part of new East Riding combined authority
Businesses are being given the opportunity to work alongside the new Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority as members of the Hull and East Yorkshire Skills Board.
The Skills Board will provide the opportunity for the business sector to provide advice on what areas need addressing in the skills agenda, supporting the development of a regional skills system.
It will bring together employers and providers – including the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector – where they will work together to creative innovative solutions to supply and demand challenges, as well as looking to take advantages of future opportunities.
Portfolio holder for children’s services at Hull City Council, Councillor Linda Tock, said: “The Skills Board will be very important in recognising the existing education and training provision in our region, and where we can all go from here.
“It’s down to everyone to work together to ensure that local people can benefit from high-quality post-16 education and training opportunities.
“We want to make sure we get the most of the economic boost devolution brings to our part of the world, but it can also allow for aspirations to be recognised – and this Board will try to help everyone achieve their full potential no matter their background.”
A Chair and a Deputy would be appointed at the group’s second gathering early next year.
Farm fires cost the industry £110m last year
NFU Mutual has said farm fires were larger-scale and costlier in nature, sparking calls for farmers to review and update fire prevention measures. It has speculated the rise, up from £80.4m in 2022, could be down to larger-scale fires being reported, as well increased costs for replacement equipment, building materials and labour.
There was a 15% fall in the number of fire claims involving growing crops, buildings and farm equipment reported to NFU Mutual in 2023.
The main causes of farm fire claims were electrical faults, lightning strikes and arson attacks.
The cost of agricultural vehicle fires, which are recorded separately by the company, remained high at an estimated £37.7m in 2023, driven by a rise in the cost of tractor fire claims to £20.4m.
There was a welcome fall in the cost of combine harvester fires however, down from £11.1m in 2022 to an estimated £7.4m in 2023, which the rural insurer has attributed to lower summer temperatures and industry calls for farmers to install fire suppression systems.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said the report highlighted the significant financial and emotional toll farm fires continued to take on the farming community, and served as a stark reminder of the importance of fire prevention measures. “This alarming increase demonstrates the urgent need for farmers to review their fire prevention measures.
“From maintaining machinery to implementing fire suppression systems, taking proactive steps can help protect farm businesses from such costly and devastating events,” he added.
Law firm welcomes nine new trainee solicitors
Law firm Wilkin Chapman has welcomed nine new trainee solicitors to its Grimsby, Lincoln, Beverley, and Louth offices.
The nine new trainee solicitors have started training contracts which will begin in the medical negligence, personal injury, dispute resolution, Wills, estates, tax & trusts, real estate and domestic property teams. The training programme underlines Wilkin Chapman’s dedication to developing future legal talent and equips trainees with the essential skills and practical experience required to qualify as solicitors and embark on lasting careers.
The two-year training contract offers comprehensive, hands-on experience across various legal disciplines, divided into four six-month rotations. Additionally, trainees gain exposure to different offices within our network of four locations, providing them with a broad perspective on legal specialisms, client needs and diverse work environments.
The new cohort includes Jessica Badics Maeers (Grimsby), Danielle Ayscough (Lincoln), Abigail Bolton (Lincoln), Elliot Dawson (Lincoln), Aaron Grantham (Louth), Barney Seamer (Louth), Amelia Watson (Louth), Jack Herring (Beverley) and Jessica Stabler (Beverley).
Lisa Boileau, partner and head of Wilkin Chapman’s private client division, said: “Wilkin Chapman is renowned across the region for producing highly skilled, well- prepared lawyers – and that journey often begins right here, in our training contracts.
“Our trainee solicitor programme is designed to attract driven and talented individuals who are committed to learning, refining their skills, and building a long-term career with us. We’re thrilled to be able to continue the momentum of last year’s intake and award nine training contracts this year, bringing the total number of trainee solicitors currently training with us to 19.”
Packaging tax could increase use of plastics and cost jobs, says British Glass
The Sheffield-based British Glass trade association says the Government’s controversial new packaging tax will add a financial burden that will drive producers away from recyclable glass and could result in job losses in the industry.
Under the new rules, glass fees for beverage packaging will be almost 50 times higher than other, less recyclable materials, leaving brands with no choice but to move away from using 100% recyclable glass products, says British Glass.
The new packaging tax, set to be implemented next April, will also push up the price of many items and could actually lead to more throwaway plastic, according to British Glass Chief Exec Dave Dalton. He said: “The Government has failed to listen to concerns from producers and trade bodies and is ploughing on with this ill-thought-out scheme which is a hammer blow to the glass sector and British manufacturing.
“British Glass supports the principle of pEPR and that packaging waste collection and recycling needs to be reformed to deliver a circular economy for the UK.
“However, this scheme will have a profound impact on competitiveness against other packaging formats – leading to job losses predominantly in the UK’s manufacturing heartlands.
“Prices will increase both for consumers and SMEs who are already operating on wafer-thin margins.
“The effect on the environment is equally depressing. The Government has a plan for a circular and zero-waste economy, yet the pEPR policy will incentivise more plastic – which is less circular than glass. We urge the Government to re-think this policy and meet businesses and British Glass as a priority.”
The new packaging extended producer scheme shifts the cost of collection and sorting waste from local authorities to producers, with heavier containers like glass incurring higher levies. In turn that means the price of products in glass bottles and jars could increase by at least 10p, whereas products in plastic or metal containers will only have a marginal cost.
British Glass, who represents the UK glass industry, says the move will lead to job losses in a sector which employs 120,000 in its supply chain. Along with several large food and drink producers it raised concerns with MPs and Ministers on the pEPR policy’s negative impact.
Recycling Minister Mary Creagh said: “As we look at the global plastic pollution treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea, we certainly hope to play our part in that work.”
As it stands, pEPR will work against this, says British Glass Technical Director, Dr Nick Kirk. “The aim of pEPR is to drive away from difficult to recycle packaging materials to recyclable packaging materials, but the current policy will incentivise the move away from glass packaging to less recyclable materials such as plastic packaging.
“The proposed pEPR fees are calculated on the weight of packaging. However, packaging is bought in units not weight, this will distort the packaging market as glass will have a substantial pEPR fee compared to competing packaging materials. Glass is 100% recyclable and is infinitely recyclable as it does not deteriorate on each recycle.”
In terms of price changes, a 330ml glass beer bottle will have a pEPR fee of about 5p, with the addition of supply chain margins and VAT, the consumer will see at least a 10p increase in a beer bottle and more on larger soft drink, wine and spirit bottles, whilst metal and plastic beverage packaging will not be affected.
This will lead to inflation for the consumer or a switch away from glass packaging, says Dr Kirk. “We have already experienced the impact of brands moving away from glass, as they are now purchasing their packaging for 2025,” added Nick Kirk.
“In addition, there has been an increase in the imports of empty glass packaging from countries outside of the EU and these countries are producing more carbon per unit of glass packaging.
“These imports can be at least 20% cheaper than UK-produced glass packaging and will be able to absorb the pEPR cost, which will lead to more imports and a negative impact on UK glass production, and ultimately more carbon into the global atmosphere. This shows a fundamental lack of understanding by the Government of the global competition the UK glass sector faces.”
Cautious welcome from Doncaster Chamber for economic inactivity pilot
Doncaster Chamber has cautiously welcomed news that South Yorkshire is to get Government funding to pilot an initiative focussed on bringing down economic inactivity in the region by helping local residents with health issues return to the workforce.
Dan Fell, Chief Exec Chamber, said it applauded any measures that will help boost growth and tackle our region’s persistent skills gaps. “Getting people back into work is obviously a key part of this, and we commend Westminster for seeing the inherent value in letting local partners — in this case SYMCA — devise local solutions.”
But he added: “While businesses can indeed be a force for good, it’s important that their role is not taken for granted. Recent weeks have seen successive blows for our nation’s wealth creators, in the forms of a controversial Autumn Budget and an employment bill that could inadvertently hamper growth and restrict recruitment.
“Given these difficult circumstances, we need to make sure that any programmes or projects that arise from this inactivity trailblazer are business-friendly and provide good incentives for employers to get involved.
“It’s also vital that we see real long-termism here. Although the goals behind this programme are certainly laudable, it must have a shelf-life that extends beyond its pilot if it’s to have any meaningful impact, Otherwise, it will just be the latest in a long line of well-intended, but ultimately patchy, Government projects designed to get people working.
“It is great to see that South Yorkshire will be at the vanguard of this promising work as one of the designated trailblazers, and we are hopeful that this represents an opportunity to start decluttering our region’s employment system; simplifying it for businesses and jobseekers alike.”
