Lindum sends painting and decorating apprentice to skills event in Gdańsk
Lindum painting and decorating apprentice Dior Regan will be part of Team UK at the EuroSkills Finals in the Polish city of Gdańsk from 5th – 9th of September this year, when more than 100,000 spectators are expected to attend.
Dior also recently competed in the UK SkillBuild final in Edenborough, and won a Lincoln College Spotlight award for Apprentice of the Year.
Governments and industry will be watching with interest to benchmark how well Team UK performs compared to the country’s main European competitors. At the event, 600 skilled young professionals, under the age of 25, from 32 member countries including Germany, Switzerland and France will compete.
More than 100,000 spectators from across Europe are expected to attend this year’s finals after the event faced disruption in recent years due to the pandemic.
Ben Blackledge, Interim Chief Executive of WorldSkills UK, said: “The EuroSkills Finals provides a valuable mechanism for benchmarking the quality of skills. Through its competition-based assessment of young people’s skills against European industry standards, we can compare UK standards against those in the rest of Europe and importantly bring that international best practice back to the UK through the programmes we run at WorldSkills UK.
“This will be a life-enhancing opportunity for Dior Regan, and I wish them the best of luck. They and the rest of the Team are the embodiment not only of the characteristics that we should aspire for in a young workforce but of the UK Government’s ambitions for Global Britain too.”
Mark Locking, Principal and CEO at Lincoln College, said: “We are extremely proud of Dior’s outstanding achievement as she represents Lincoln College at EuroSkills Gdańsk 2023. Her success is a testament to the quality of education and training that we provide for our apprentices, but more so the professionalism, hard work and tenacity of Dior herself.”
Dior, a second-year apprentice, said: “Being selected to represent Team UK at the EuroSkills competition is the best feeling. It’s been hard work training, but the skills and techniques that I have learned at both Lincoln College and Lindum have given me the confidence to compete at this level. I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance that I have received.”
To secure a place in Team UK, the apprentices and students have been through an exhaustive selection process, taking part in the prestigious WorldSkills UK National Competitions. Following the European Finals, they will continue their training with WorldSkills UK with the aim of being selected for the WorldSkills Finals which take place in Lyon, France next year.
Change of ownership for CDUK
Leeds-based supplier of surface materials and complementary products, CDUK, has announced a change of ownership that sees Managing Director, Andy Noble, acquiring the business from Gary Baker.
Founded over 40 years ago by Geoff Baker and business partner Toni Hibbert, CDUK has built a strong reputation as the exclusive distributor of Corian® Solid Surface in the UK and Ireland.
Mr Baker, as he was known at work, discovered Corian® Solid Surface on a business trip in 1976 while on the hunt for a product that could be used to create an integrated basin for bathroom vanity units. In Hong Kong, he learned about Corian®, the material manufactured by US materials giant DuPont, which set Geoff firmly on the path to success. Since then, CDUK has become one of the world’s largest purchasers of Corian® Solid Surface and has been a key player in creating the UK and Ireland solid surface market.
Business ownership was passed to Geoff’s son Gary, who joined the CDUK family in 2006. Geoff held the role of chairman until his passing in 2021. The new owner, Andy Noble, joined CDUK as national sales manager in April 2013 and was appointed Managing Director in 2020. Andy carries over 17 years’ experience working in the surface industry and, working closely with Gary Baker, has contributed to changing the perception of the business from a material supplier to a trusted design partner for architects, designers and fabricators. Under his direction, CDUK has continued to expand its offering. This has resulted in a series of exclusive partnerships with innovative brands including PaperStone®, The 1810 Company and, more recently, The Good Plastic Company, as well as in a stronger and successful relationship with DuPont as the sole distributor of Corian® Solid Surface in the UK and Ireland. Gary Baker, outgoing owner and chairman at CDUK, says: “Since CDUK was founded nearly 45 years ago by my father and Toni Hibbert, we’ve prided ourselves on offering great service to our customers as well as being at the centre of the solid surface industry through distributing Corian®. “I am proud to be handing on the business to Andy with whom I have worked closely now for over 10 years. Over the last couple of years, Andy and his senior management team have taken on more and more responsibility for leading the business. “It was really important to me to have a succession plan involving people who understand where CDUK has come from and who will maintain the values we have always held dear. At the same time, the company is in a great place to thrive and adapt to new challenges. I look forward to seeing how Andy and his team grow and develop the business in the future.” CDUK secured a £3 million finance facility from Lloyds Bank plc which was implemented as part of the management buyout. Andrew Gaunt, business development director at Lloyds Bank, says: “CDUK is a long-standing and valued client of Lloyds Bank plc. As such, we were incredibly pleased to support Andy with the management buyout of the business, as we have no doubts that he will be able to take it to the next stage of its growth journey. “Over the last couple of months, we have seen growing confidence from Yorkshire businesses with an emphasis on growth and expansion, so we are looking forward to standing alongside CDUK as it enters the next phase of its development.” Andy Noble, Managing Director at CDUK, says: “I’m incredibly proud and lucky to have been given the unique opportunity to continue the market leading work established by Gary and his father Mr Baker over the last 44 years. “We work with some excellent supply partners, not least Corian® Solid Surface with whom we have a long-lasting and fruitful partnership, as well as some world class designers, fabricators and manufacturers who turn our surfaces into the outstanding applications and projects. “Added to that is an enthusiastic, forward-thinking team at CDUK who I thoroughly enjoy working with. Having worked with them for 10 years, taking ownership of the company is a great opportunity and I’m very much looking forward to connecting with new communities and markets with a wider portfolio of surface solutions in the future. “I’ve been extremely privileged to have spent many years working with Gary and Mr Baker. I thank them for everything that they have taught me and the opportunities they have given me. As we look to the future, we won’t forget our history. I’m certainly very optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.”Work starts on Lincoln City’s Stacey West project
Building work has started on the Stacey West redevelopment project to create a brand new Lincoln City Foundation Skills & Education Hub as well as a number of other key infrastructure improvements to the LNER Stadium.
Funding for the £2.5 million development, which is expected to be completed in Summer 2024, has come from the Be Lincoln Town Deal, which has contributed £800k, Football Foundation, EFL Stadia Fund, Youth Investment Fund and Lincolnshire Co-operatuve as well as almost £400k from the Stacey West Investment Bond.
This multi-agency funded build will see a new two-storey extension to the existing stand providing Lincoln City Foundation with the facilities and space to expand its vital social impact work in the local community. In addition, the stadium will benefit from a new mains water supply, increased power supply and a state-of-the-art pitch irrigation recycling system. This will coincide with the club’s ongoing plans to invest in safer standing solutions in both the Stacey West stand and a section of the GBM stand.
Caroline Killeavy, Town Deal board member, said: “The Community Hub coming from the Stacey West development will be hugely beneficial for those who live in the wider county, the city and the local community in Sincil Bank.
“The Be Lincoln Town Deal is proud to support the project and we can’t wait to see works progress.”
The Stacey West stand holds a special place in the hearts of every Imps fan serving as a permanent memorial to Bill Stacey and Jim West who along with 54 Bradford City fans lost their lives in the 1985 Valley Parade tragedy. Trevor Stacey, Bill’s son, was on hand to place the first spade in the ground and mark the start of an exciting new chapter for the club.
Trevor was joined by representatives from the many grant funding agencies including Karl McCartney MP, Cllr Donald Nannestad(deputy leader of the City Council), Misha Chotai (Youth Investment Fund), Sam Turner (Lincolnshire Co-op) and Rob Bradley (Red Imps Community Trust), as well as City chief executive Liam Scully and Foundation chief executive Martin Hickerton.
Martin said: “This is a really key moment for the club, and particularly the Foundation, as we can start to see our new home truly becoming a reality. The need for our services has never been greater, and this expanded space means we can continue our growth to help those in our communities.”
New planning measure approved to help protect and preserve the infrastructure at Doncaster Sheffield Airport
City of Doncaster Council has approved a new planning measure which will help protect and preserve the infrastructure at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA).
Subject to the ensuing call-in period for the decision, the demolition of any building at the airport will require planning permission to be granted permitting it.
The measure, known as an immediate Article 4 Direction, allows the council to remove certain rights which would otherwise be permitted without needing to apply for planning permission.
With an Article 4 Direction in place, any proposal to demolish a building at the airport – including the terminal, control tower and runway – will need to be assessed via the full planning process.
A joint statement from Mayors of Doncaster & South Yorkshire & Doncaster MPs regarding Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “We are pleased that this step has been taken and we will collectively continue to fight for the airport.”
Commercial law firm grows into 11 Wellington Place, Leeds
Commercial law firm Hill Dickinson has agreed a lease for 11 Wellington Place, one of the most sustainable office developments in Yorkshire. The firm’s rapidly growing Leeds team is set to move into the 254,879 sq ft building later this year.
The firm will occupy a full floor of the 10-storey number 11 building, taking 9,000 sq ft – a substantial increase on the 2,500 sq ft office the firm currently occupies in Bond Court.
The move comes as Hill Dickinson’s Leeds team continues to grow at pace. It has welcomed 12 new members of the team in the last 12 months, including Alison Starr, who joined as a partner from Eversheds Sutherland in January.
Hill Dickinson’s 40-strong Leeds team is currently focused on healthcare, corporate, real estate and construction. The move to Wellington Place is part of the firm’s long-term strategy to build a comprehensive business services offer within the city.
The new space also supports the firm’s drive to improve the sustainability of its operations, with buildings 11 & 12 Wellington Place rated EPC A and BREEAM Outstanding. They were the first outside London and the fourth in the UK to achieve a NABERS Design Reviewed Target Rating of Five Stars or above.
The smart-enabled building allows occupiers to monitor air quality levels in real time, is net zero carbon in use and is targeting 41% less energy consumption than the average building. The building will generate its own electricity through 7,500 sq ft of solar panels, feature air source heat pumps for heating and cooling, and water attenuation tanks.
The building’s green credentials are further boosted through the provision of electric vehicle charging points and 140 bicycle spaces.
As part of the fit-out, Hill Dickinson will launch a dedicated client suite alongside modern colleague facilities.
Tas Quayum, chief operating officer at Hill Dickinson, said: “11 Wellington Place marks a key milestone for our Leeds team and clients. It is a vibrant city with one of the fastest growing economies in the UK, and we see it as an important part of the future growth of Hill Dickinson. We are looking forward to being in the space with our team and clients later this year and celebrating this next step of our journey within the city.”
Esther Venning, Hill Dickinson partner and head of Leeds office, celebrated the signing, saying: “Having operated within Leeds for five years now, our team has grown considerably in that time. We are in a position to accelerate these plans even further as we expand our offering to new and existing clients. As such, we require an inspiring space that can grow alongside us, with 11 Wellington Place perfectly placed to offer this in the heart of the city.
“We are investing considerably in our sustainability efforts across Hill Dickinson, and our offices play a vital role in this. 11 Wellington Place boasts impressive green credentials, providing us with a new home that is fit for the future and exceeds our environmental requirements. We are incredibly excited to begin the move so our people and clients can take full advantage of this impressive new development.”
Paul Pavia, head of development at MEPC, the asset manager and developer behind Wellington Place, said: “Hill Dickinson has gone from strength to strength in Leeds and we are pleased to be supporting the firm here at Wellington Place as it continues its growth journey.
“As a forward-thinking business Hill Dickinson is committed to operating sustainably and its move to Wellington Place will support this important agenda.
“We continue to build upon our vibrant neighbourhood here at Wellington Place and we look forward to Hill Dickinson becoming a part of our growing business community.”
The firm will be joining Lloyds Banking Group and Arup, which recently announced their moves to 11 & 12 Wellington Place.
Fox Lloyd Jones was the agent for Hill Dickinson, with Savills and JLL acting for Wellington Place.
Yorkshire-based recruitment firm celebrates triple milestone
Recruitment company Edwards & Pearce is planning a triple celebration to mark the milestones of a change of ownership, a 25-year anniversary, and a move to new premises.
The firm, with offices in Hull, Doncaster, and York, was bought by Felicity and Dan King just before the pandemic hit in 2020 and reached its quarter-century in 2023. Now the business has relocated into offices on the banks of the Humber at The Deep Business Centre in Hull with Director of Development Felicity, Commercial Director Dan and their team of 20 taking inspiration from the views across the Humber. Felicity said: “We moved here for a fresh perspective and the blue sky.” The couple added to the capabilities of the company on acquisition by integrating the learning and development business which Felicity had built up over 25 years. The combined skills and knowledge provided a stronger base to serve their clients. Felicity said: “We were very impressed by the company’s values and what it stood for and we were also attracted by the client integrity and the fact that the team were so long standing. “We have colleagues who have been here since the beginning and have celebrated 25 years, others have 20 years with the business and, most of all, everybody works together to train and develop the new team members as they come in.” The introduction of Felicity’s learning and development business, bringing in contacts from other parts of the country, has strengthened key attributes within Edwards & Pearce. She said: “The two distinct parts of our business are very intentional. We have reinforced our skill sets, our passion for people and our commitment to empower people to be agents of their own experience at work. “Our learning and development isn’t by the book and it’s not traditional. It’s about empowering a leadership team so they become the driving force behind empowering the rest of that organisation. When organisations create an environment where they recognise, celebrate and value difference, everyone can be themselves and a force for change, as a team”. Dan added that the changes since the takeover, including the opening of the office in York, have added to the flexibility for staff and clients. He said: “Our recruitment team pride themselves on their consultative approach. They won’t simply send CVs, they enjoy engaging to understand our clients’ business objectives and how new team members will add value for the long term. Clients don’t come to us to see a handful of good fit applicants, they come back year after year because they know and trust our level of service and ongoing support we provide. “Adaptability and resilience are key attributes for our own team in the same way they are for any business looking to sustain their growth in the world of superfast change we live in”. Felicity added: “Our plan is to grow our business with the motto ‘For when your people matter most’, and by working with organisations that truly believe people are their greatest assets. Freya Cross, Head of Business and Corporate at The Deep, said: “We have a strong track record of supporting our clients at every stage of their development, from start-ups to established teams. “Edwards & Pearce are recognised as a leader in the recruitment sector with ambitions to expand and to help other businesses do the same, and we look forwarding to working alongside them as they continue to grow their business.”Go green to build business benefits, advises Hull-based property company
Unlocking the benefits of incorporating green spaces into the workplace has become increasingly popular in recent years, writes Allenby Commercial on its web site.
The Hull-based commercial property company says the placement of natural features like plants, trees and water features into the workplace can have significantly positive impacts on employees’ health, productivity and overall well-being.
“One of the main benefits of indoor green spaces is their ability to reduce stress and anxiety levels. There have been many studies to show that exposure to natural elements indoors can have a calming effect on the mind and body, leading to lower stress levels and improved mood with employees. Not only does this have a general positive impact on employee health, it helps increase job satisfaction and encourage a more positive work environment.
“Another benefit of incorporating green spaces indoors is the improved air quality. Natural plants can absorb pollutants in the air and in return release oxygen. Improved air quality can reduce and prevent headaches, migraine, fatigue and eye, nose, throat and lung irritation. The reduction of these goes hand in hand with the reduction of employee sick days when air quality is improved.”
The article goes on to say the final benefit of incorporating green spaces is their ability to enhance and promote creativity and productivity. “Studies have shown that employees of workplaces that have incorporated green spaces tend to be more productive and creative than those that don’t. As well as this, plants and natural elements help improve focus. Overall, all of these lead to better workplace performance and higher job satisfaction.”
Outdoor green spaces — whether that be a courtyard, garden or green roof can have similar benefits, the company says, adding that more and more businesses use natural green spaces in urban environments because of their environmental benefits. “More businesses are trying to reduce their carbon footprint and incorporating green areas is a great way to do this. Trees, plants and flowers all absorb harmful pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, release oxygen and also attract wildlife to the area.
“Another benefit of outdoor green spaces is the positive effect it has on mental health. Studies have shown that being outdoors in an area exposed to green spaces helps improve cognitive function, attention span and memory whilst reducing stress, anxiety and depression.”
Doncaster businesses meet Don Valley’s MP
Doncaster business representatives have attended an open forum in which they had the opportunity to talk to with Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher about any subject relevant to them or to the wider business community: raising concerns; asking burning questions; and emphasising what they think needs to be on Nick’s radar.
The conversation spanned a wide range of topics, from the financial impact of business rates, Corporation Tax and the cost of doing business, through to the barriers that companies are facing when trying to meet their net-zero targets, and the pervasiveness of business crime.
Mr Fletcher said: “I always find meetings like this to be extremely useful. Local firms are a cornerstone of our economy and we need to do everything we can to help support them. With that said, I have really come away from today’s session with fresh insights into what more can be done to help Doncaster’s businesses prosper and flourish.”
Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, added: “This roundtable produced a lot of healthy debate on a wide range of issues but, more importantly, we also have a lot of homework to be getting on with. In particular, we now have actions that can be taken forward to help Doncaster get more organised in the green space, and will also be looking at how we can address some of the other big themes that were talked about in the room, including the need for our country to re-think its approach to business rates. The conversation is not over.”
“On that note, I am pleased to say that Nick will be returning for our flagship business conference on the 6thof June, where we will be diving more extensively into a lot of the issues that we touched upon here. With a range of prominent guest speakers and over 200 business in attendance, this will be a chance to join an important discussion about the future of Doncaster, to generate new ideas and to think about the ways that we can galvanise our economy.”
Separate roundtable events for Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North, and Rosie Winterton, MP for Doncaster Central, are scheduled for later this year (on the 30th of June and the 8th of September respectively), and will give both of those politicians a similar opportunity to engage with businesses in their constituencies.
Organised by the local Chamber of Commerce, this open forum was part of an ongoing series of roundtable discussions themed around the future of Doncaster’s economy. Taking place on a regular basis, these sessions aim to convene influential figures and business leaders, bringing them together under the same roof so that they can hash out the most pressing issues of the day. For example, previous iterations have seen Chamber members engage with representatives from The Bank of England as well as South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard.
The Chamber also works with each of Doncaster’s three Members of Parliament to arrange roundtables with firms from their respective constituencies, thus ensuring that they are appraised of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses on their patch.
University of Bradford works with Fujifilm on medical imaging project
Working in partnership with Fujifilm the University of Bradford has completed a £1.5m project to provide a high-quality medical imaging environment to support the education of radiographers and explore the possibility of offering some NHS imaging services.
The imaging facilities, which include a Fujifilm visionary X Ray imaging suite, a SCENARIA View CT scanner and multi-station image reporting facility, alongside patient waiting and changing facilities, were jointly funded by the University of Bradford, Office for Students and Health Education England.
Fujifilm’s European MD Eiji Ogawa said: “This is the first time I have seen this kind of partnership. It is ambitious for all parties but for us, it’s not just about selling our products, it’s about the end-goal, which is helping society and solving issues in the healthcare area.”
This investment in state-of-the-art facilities will provide valuable practical experience for students and, the potential to undertake patient examinations, which could ultimately help reduce NHS waiting lists.
Professor of radiography and imaging practice research Maryann Hardy, who is leading the project, said: “The tripartite partnership we are developing with the hospital trust and Fujifilm which combines opportunities for education, clinical service expansion and technical development, is unique.
“Each partner brings its own strengths and is keen to take forward the initiative. This means that the project is much more resilient. The University of Bradford now has some of the best medical diagnostic equipment in the region and I know a lot of people are watching closely to see how our tripartite partnership develops as a new model of working.”
Allan Elborn, general manager of Fujifilm UK, said: “We have a long history of working with universities, but this is one of the most impressive facilities we have seen and it is great to be part of that. Anything the university can do to support the NHS will be fantastic and we’re very happy with the partnership we’re building.”
Professor Karen Stansfield, Dean of the Faculty of Health, said: “We are delighted with the collaboration. It really helps with our vision of bringing in industry partners, which is all about improving health and wellbeing for the local community, and working with existing partnerships with local NHS trusts and health and social care organisations, so you get that real mix of industry and education. The impact of this will be a fantastic learning environment for our students and we are hopeful we may be able to support a reduction in NHS waiting lists in the future.”
TCS appoints new associate director for Estates team
Leeds and London-based property investor, car park and hotel operator, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS), has made a senior hire to strengthen its Estates Asset Management Team.
Matthew Wright joins as associate director, Estates to reposition and implement asset management strategies for existing schemes, as well as support on bringing new developments forward.
Matthew joins TCS from Bruntwood, where he was head of Commercial. He brings more than a decade of commercial property market experience across Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham where he focussed on office, retail and leisure. His key highlights include the leasing of Platform and West Village, as well as regularly achieving high levels of occupancy on other investment portfolios in Leeds.
Working within the established Estates Team, Matthew will be focused on managing a variety of existing assets within the TCS portfolio across Yorkshire and the North-West.
In addition, Matthew will support on bringing forward the company’s extensive development pipeline including the flagship Whitehall Riverside development scheme in Leeds and the 12.5 acre Piccadilly Basin Estate in Manchester which incorporates the iconic Ducie House and historic Carvers Warehouse office buildings.
Craig Burrow, group property director, TCS, said: “Having worked with Matthew previously, I am delighted to welcome him to our expanding asset management team. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience that are sure to benefit our portfolio and I am confident his skills will complement our strategic plan in growing our development pipeline across both Leeds and Manchester.”
Matthew Wright added: “TCS have a diverse property portfolio and I am excited to join the team and commence adding value to these assets as well as create new opportunities.
“Taking up this position gives me the opportunity to work on schemes in cities I am familiar with, and I look forward to getting to know our tenants and building strong relationships over the coming months.”
The senior hire coincides with two further recent appointments within the Asset Management and Marketing Teams. Harry Williams joined as graduate asset manager working with the Estates Team on the Merrion Centre Estate and Thomas Haigh has joined as marketing co-ordinator, working with James Broughton, head of Marketing & Communication
