A deal has been finalised to restore crude oil deliveries to the Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire, after its owner entered administration. Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery Limited filed for insolvency on Sunday, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) confirmed that operations at the site will resume with continued crude oil deliveries. It is understood that stockpiled crude oil has been purchased with government funds to maintain refinery operations.

Prax Group, which acquired the refinery from French company Total in 2021, faced significant financial losses, with reports indicating a £75 million shortfall between the acquisition and February 2024. The refinery employs 420 workers, though trade union Unite has warned that up to 1,000 jobs could be impacted, considering contractors and the wider supply chain.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks has called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the insolvency and the actions of the directors. The government is seeking a buyer for the site or exploring other potential uses for it. Despite this setback, the UK’s fuel supply remains stable, with the nearby Phillips 66 Humber refinery continuing to operate profitably.

Mycrewagency, a superyacht recruitment agency, has opened a new office in Skipton, located within the Yorkshire Dales at Broughton Hall Sanctuary. This expansion supports the company’s plans for future growth while enhancing its recruitment, content production, and crew support services.

The office, nestled within 3,000 acres of countryside, aims to promote well-being and work-life balance for the team. The move to Skipton also highlights the agency’s commitment to tapping into northern talent, offering opportunities to the local community, and setting a new precedent for recruitment in the superyacht industry.

In addition to supporting its core recruitment functions, the new office will serve as the base for The Superyacht Podcast. The agency plans to strengthen connections within the yachting sector, not just in the UK but internationally.

As Mycrewagency continues to grow, the new office will play a pivotal role in shaping its culture, promoting team cohesion, and fostering industry partnerships.

Business strategy consultancy, SUMMIT, has expanded its footprint into North West Yorkshire, marking a key step in its growth across the North of England. The company, which launched in 2024 following the merger of Forward Thinking Brand Strategists and Latitude Marketing, offers a robust combination of business planning, marketing strategy, and creative solutions.

To lead the expansion, SUMMIT has appointed Steve Hanson as Franchise Managing Director and Business Growth Guide for North Yorkshire. Steve brings a wealth of experience from his successful journey as the founder of Callidus Health and Safety, which he established and later sold in 2024. With his practical knowledge of scaling a business and overcoming the challenges faced by SMEs, he is well-positioned to help local businesses navigate growth using the firm’s Success GPS strategy framework.

Steve’s extensive background in both business and sport provides him with a unique perspective on decision-making, which he aims to share with entrepreneurs in the region. His focus will be on enhancing business agility and driving customer-centric growth for small and medium enterprises.

This expansion further strengthens SUMMIT’s regional presence and signals an exciting new phase for the business as it continues to foster impactful change in the UK’s business landscape.

Joëlle Jenny, the UK’s Ambassador to Denmark, visited Greater Lincolnshire as part of a national roadshow aimed at strengthening economic links between the UK and key global markets. This initiative, led by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, is designed to support local businesses in accessing new growth opportunities and increase international trade across the UK.

The roadshow brings top British diplomats to regions across the UK, where they work closely with local businesses and leaders to build partnerships and identify growth prospects. Ambassador Jenny’s visit focused on expanding ties with Denmark, now the UK’s 23rd largest trading partner. In 2024, UK-Denmark trade reached £15.4 billion, with Greater Lincolnshire firms already benefiting from Danish investments, particularly in offshore wind power.

During her visit, Ambassador Jenny toured Ørsted’s operations in Grimsby, one of Denmark’s leading offshore wind developers, and met with Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Andrea Jenkyns and local business leaders at Immingham Docks. The roadshow is part of a broader strategy to enhance the UK Government’s international trade and investment efforts, in line with the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy.

Key sectors like food, advanced manufacturing, and logistics play a vital role in Greater Lincolnshire’s economy, making it an attractive destination for international investment. Local leaders are hopeful that this initiative will attract further growth and enhance the region’s global presence.

The UK Government has announced plans to significantly expand onshore wind capacity, aiming to boost it from 14.8GW to 27-29GW by 2030. This initiative is a key part of the Government’s broader goal to transition to a cleaner energy system while stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and reducing energy bills.

The strategy follows Labour’s decision to lift the ban on new onshore wind farms that was previously imposed by the Conservative government under David Cameron. With this policy shift, onshore wind is now placed on the same planning footing as offshore wind and nuclear, facilitating quicker project rollouts.

As part of the plan, the Government has outlined 40 actions to achieve its 2030 targets, including planning reforms, supply chain development, and workforce training. Additionally, the strategy includes repowering old turbines and addressing potential conflicts between onshore wind projects and aerospace infrastructure. The Government estimates the initiative will create up to 45,000 skilled jobs by the end of the decade.

Communities hosting wind farms will benefit from financial support for local projects, with a typical 25MW wind farm potentially generating £3.75 million in community funding over its 30-year operational life.

However, the plan has faced criticism from some quarters. Critics, including Conservative MPs, argue that it could drive up energy costs and increase reliance on imported energy from countries like China, particularly concerning wind turbine technology. Despite this, industry experts support the strategy, highlighting its potential to strengthen energy security and boost the UK’s clean energy credentials.