Centrica has transformed the site of an ageing power station in Lincolnshire into an ultra-modern 150 megawatt (MW) energy park. The former turbine hall at the Brigg Power Station, which was decommissioned in 2020 after nearly 30 years of operations, is now home to a new 50MW peaking plant. Peaking plants only operate when there’s high or peak demand for electricity, or when generation from renewables is too low to meet demand. The new peaking plant is the second to be constructed at Brigg, doubling the capacity of power generation at the site to 100MW. The new engines, designed and manufactured by sustainable technology business Wärtsilä, are highly efficient, and will be used in a trial to blend hydrogen into the plant which is due to start later this year. In addition, Centrica has completed construction of a 50MW two hour battery system on the site, representing the largest investment in battery storage capacity the company has made to date. Storing renewable energy in this way makes it possible to better control the peaks and troughs associated with renewable energy generation – charging the batteries when electricity demand is low and discharging when demand peaks. With a combined capacity of 150MW, Brigg Energy Park now provides the electricity network with resilience, facilitating the continued expansion of clean, green renewable energy the UK needs, and is capable of powering around 100,000 homes during periods of peak demand, such as mornings and early evenings. Chris O’Shea, group chief executive of Centrica, said: “The energy transition will only be successful if it’s secure, affordable and sustainable. The Brigg Energy Park plays a vital role in all three of these providing a level of resilience that underpins our energy future – a future that’s increasingly electrified and renewable. “Battery storage and fast response gas fired peaking plants are essential in ensuring every home and business has access to a reliable electricity supply, even when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine.” Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin welcomed the development: “The Centrica team at Brigg have been consistently creative in getting the best out of ageing assets. The plant makes a significant contribution to energy production at peak times, and I am delighted to welcome the biggest investment by Centrica here in the local site. Congratulations to all involved.”

Leeds has emerged as the leading city for large corporates outside London, surpassing other regions in the UK. With 203 corporate firms, the city outpaces its competitors and boasts a workforce of over 400,000 employees, generating a combined turnover of £72bn.

The wider Yorkshire and Humber region, encompassing Sheffield and North Yorkshire, also ranks high on the list, with a collective workforce of over 528,000 people and a total turnover exceeding £100 billion. The HSBC UK Corporate Tracker reveals that these areas are pivotal for large businesses, contributing to the region’s economic strength.

Leeds is a significant player in the financial services sector, housing major banks, accountancy firms, and insurance providers. This sector leads the corporate landscape in the city, followed by professional, scientific, and technical industries.

The report highlights that foreign-owned businesses make up 18% of large corporates in Leeds, lower than the national average of 24%. This presents an opportunity for the city to attract more international investment, suggesting that UK businesses should look beyond domestic borders for growth opportunities.

More than 100 tanker drivers are now unemployed following the insolvency of Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery and its main delivery contractor, Axis Logistics. The Prax Group, which acquired the refinery from Total in 2021, was unable to overcome significant financial losses amounting to £75 million between its takeover and February 2024. Axis Logistics, which employed 137 staff, entered administration alongside its parent company in late June.

The majority of Axis employees were made redundant, with only a handful retained temporarily to manage the company’s closure. The union representing most of the affected drivers expressed surprise and disappointment over the news. Efforts to recover funds from the company will include selling off assets like the tankers used in deliveries.

Prax’s financial instability also contributed to operational difficulties at Axis, with the business unable to recover. Meanwhile, the Official Receiver has ensured that the refinery’s operations remain secure despite the collapse.

Yorkshire sustainability consultancy, C3 Group, has secured over £9.5m worth of government decarbonisation funding that will now be invested in installing the latest green technology in schools, colleges, GP surgeries, healthcare estates and other council-owned buildings throughout the North of England. C3 Group worked with the public sector, as well as supporting several surveying firms and consultancies, on multiple successful applications in the final round of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS). Grants that C3 Group helped secure will now be used to save money and reduce the environmental impact of buildings located in Leeds, York, Dewsbury, Manchester and Newcastle. Ash Wray from C3 Group, which operates nationally from its Hull headquarters, said: “Successfully securing this level of funding in the final round of the PSDS is a huge achievement for our team. “Ultimately, it will transform and future-proof buildings with the latest technology, which will significantly reduce their carbon footprints by making them much more energy efficient. “We’ve now secured more than £20million worth of net zero funding over the past two years, which gives our team an in-depth knowledge of the possibilities when it comes to decarbonisation. “We look at each building individually to determine how it could be made more energy efficient through renewable and sustainable technology, before creating a bespoke plan for the property.” Ash added: “Our experience and reputation in the market means we’re now working with facilities managers and those in charge of public sector buildings to find innovative and cost-effective ways to decarbonise all types of commercial buildings located throughout the UK.”

Huddersfield Business School is launching the tenth round of its highly regarded Help to Grow management programme. This 12-week course is designed for managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to improve their leadership skills and drive business growth.

The programme includes 12 interactive sessions and 10 hours of business mentoring, delivered by industry experts. Participants will engage in a mix of online and face-to-face workshops, dedicating three to five hours per week to refine their business strategies and develop key skills.

Launched in April 2022, the Help to Grow programme has already supported 150 local businesses across various sectors, including retail, construction, manufacturing, and the creative industries. Funding for two more cohorts has been secured, enabling the University to offer the programme to an additional 30 businesses in September 2025 and another 30 in January 2026.

The initiative has seen strong participation from Kirklees businesses, with the programme’s alumni network serving as a valuable resource for ongoing collaboration and development. The scheme continues to provide critical support to businesses seeking to foster growth and innovation.