Fraudulently sold mattresses costing Yorkshire bed manufacturers over £40m annually

Tess Egginton
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Fraudulently sold mattresses costing Yorkshire bed manufacturers over £40m annually
With over 40% of the UK’s beds and mattresses manufactured in Yorkshire and the Humber, the region’s economy is being hit hard by rocketing levels of illegitimate trading across the UK, with sales of substandard mattresses reaching a new high. Research from the National Bed Federation (NBF), which has its national headquarters in Skipton, North Yorkshire, has revealed that every year up to 280,000 unsuspecting UK consumers are buying a mattress which may not be what it claims from a doorstep or ‘back of the van’ trader. This number has doubled in the last six months as consumers try to cut spending under the pressure of the cost of living crisis. The growing fraud is estimated to be costing the UK bed and mattress industry around £100m per annum, and Yorkshire and the Humber manufacturers are bearing the brunt of this cost as almost half of the industry’s reputable businesses are based in the region. The NBF is warning consumers that not only is buying a mattress in this way a false economy, as they are not the quality or brand of product they are labelled to be, but they may actually be unhygienic, second-hand mattresses or even unsafe due to the use of banned materials. Simon Williams from the National Bed Federation said: “Often, mattresses not purchased through a reputable retailer are cheaply manufactured products that are likely to be worth less than £100 – they may contain a very basic spring unit with a polyester fibre pad or a layer of cheap foam over it, all covered in a cheap outer covering material. What’s more, some of these products are actually dangerous as they almost certainly won’t have undergone testing to ensure they meet UK mattress flammability regulations that reduce the chance of fires in homes. “At worst, the mattress may contain an old, used spring unit along with dirty fillings, and the NBF has even come across cases where rogue traders have simply placed old mattresses inside brand-new covers and passed off the products as new.” The most recent consumer mattress buying surveys undertaken by the NBF, covering 1,000 people who had bought a mattress in the previous six months, showed that in October 2022, an alarming 4% reported buying their mattress from a doorstep or ‘back of the van’ trader whereas the previous survey a year earlier put the figure at just 2%. Mr Williams added: “Unfortunately, our latest research backs up the anecdotal information we’ve been receiving in recent months that this activity is on the rise as fraudsters look to prey on the most vulnerable in society who are struggling the hardest under the burden of rising costs. “We’ve also heard from retailers and recycling centres that they’ve seen an increase in requests from traders wanting to take old, used mattresses off them. We fear the cases we come across are only the tip of the iceberg with many of those scammed either blissfully unaware, or too embarrassed to complain – we estimate that around 280,000 mattresses a year may be being bought this way.”

Recruitment specialists appoint new CEO ahead of stock market flotation

Tess Egginton
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0
Recruitment specialists appoint new CEO ahead of stock market flotation

Former Gi Group Chief Operating Officer, Paul Smith has joined Aristotle Partnerships as Chief Executive Officer to direct and deliver strategy ahead of its flotation on The Alternative Investment Market (AIM).

Aristotle Partnerships is a workforce staffing solutions group formed in 2022 when recruitment entrepreneurs Nick Cragg, Craig Buckingham, Roger Frost joined together to create a business with a turnover in excess of £100m, comprising Nicholas Associates Group (NAG), Syntax and Red Rock Partnerships.

High profile brands within NAG include Stafforce, Ashley Kate HR & Finance, Nicholas Associates, The Apprentice Employment Agency, Olano, Erango, Mainboard and Cra-Cro Site Services.

Paul Smith is highly respected in the recruitment Industry and has over 24 years’ experience working across multi sectors for both global corporate and national independent agencies.

During this time, he has managed the integration strategy of several mergers and acquisitions, launched new brands, implemented process improvements and also delivered a number of recruitment outsourcing process (RPO) projects, including the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

As CEO, he will work alongside fellow members of the Aristotle Partnerships board and be responsible for all areas of the organisation. This will include building the culture and ensuring the sustainable profitability of the group, articulating and delivering the vision of growth to the management team and employees, and presenting the company to City institutions, investors, regulators, employees, customers, suppliers and external advisors.

Mr Smith said: “I am looking forward to leading the next phase of the journey for this incredible provider of apprentice to boardroom talent management solutions.

“To quote Aristotle ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and it is my intention to build on the company’s success by creating more synergy across all brands, fostering a culture which maintains our entrepreneurial and creative environment, ensuring continuous improvement and encouraging every colleague to fulfil their potential.” 

He continued: “I have been aware of the brands under Aristotle for many years and have come to respect them as being good, ethical and trustworthy businesses with a great reputation for excellent customer service and employee values.

“This impression was further enforced when I met other members of the board and listened to their clear vison for the business. Combined with the future potential of the brands I can see a very exciting future ahead.”

The brands within Aristotle Partnerships now boast a network of more than 33 offices and branches across the UK and the intention is to float on AIM in late 2023. The Group Head Office is in Sheffield.

Global law firm makes Leeds move

Tess Egginton
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Global law firm makes Leeds move

Global law firm Reed Smith is moving Global Solutions Leeds (GSL) to Globe Point, a new office development in the Temple district of the city, completed by longstanding client CEG.

In July, the firm will move just a five minutes’ walk away from its current base at Platform, to the striking flat iron building, Globe Point, which forms part of the wider Temple masterplan. Reed Smith will be based on the fourth floor comprising 6,479 square feet, a 37 per cent increase in size from its current space.

The building’s 40,430 sq ft is laid out over seven floors across dual aspect floorplates incorporating office space with ground floor break out space, as well as on site café, Butler’s.

In addition to Reed Smith, the building is home to Jaywing, Robot Food and Butlers café restaurant, with strong interest on the remaining floors.

The all-electric low carbon building uses 27 per cent less energy consumption than an average building. Its iconic design by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios makes it the first flat iron building to be built in Leeds since the design was conceived in the city in 1875.

GSL was first launched in 2018 at the Platform building near to Leeds train station, and was set up as a start-up environment where lawyers, analysts and business services professionals could collaborate with a shared services mentality in the open plan space on improvements to legal services delivery. Today the team comprises 111 staff, made up of 66 in business services and 45 in legal services.

Tamara Box, Reed Smith’s managing partner, EME, said: “I knew that Global Solutions Leeds would be a huge success from its inception and I’m delighted that in under five years we have outgrown our current space and are moving into a larger and purpose built space, designed with collaboration in mind, so that we can continue providing cutting-edge legal and business services to our global network and our clients.”

Barry Spenceley, GSL centre director, said: “We are extremely excited for the move to Globe Point. This iconic building will provide us with more flexibility to grow and innovate. We set up our first office in Leeds with the vision of creating a space that encourages collaboration, and while the current office has been a wonderful first home, Globe Point will provide more dedicated space to work together.

“With the move to hybrid working, we also understand the need to make the office a more attractive offering – Globe Point provides everything we are looking for. The vibrant space will complement the collaborative culture we have fostered here in Leeds.”

Antonia Martin-Wright, director, commercial development at CEG, said: “We are delighted to welcome Reed Smith to the fast-growing business community at Globe Point. It is fantastic to secure such a high calibre tenant to this exemplary development.

“Globe Point has been designed to set the highest quality benchmark for the Temple district. The business lounge, café and event space has created a buzz on the ground floor and the workspace captures all of the contemporary features occupiers and their staff are seeking. This unique flat iron building, so close to Leeds City Station southern entrance at Leeds City Station, has delivered a popular new landmark for the area.”

The development is within Temple, a new district within the city centre which forms a key part of the South Bank Regeneration Area of Leeds and includes the historic Grade I listed Temple Works.

Urgent call made to energy suppliers: renegotiate fixed contracts for small businesses on market-peak tariffs

Tess Egginton
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Urgent call made to energy suppliers: renegotiate fixed contracts for small businesses on market-peak tariffs
Hundreds of thousands of small businesses are trapped in contracts that mean their latest bills are at last summer’s peak market rate for energy – even though wholesale prices have fallen since last winter, new research shows. The Federation of Small Businesses is urging energy suppliers to allow small firms locked into fixed tariffs from last year to renegotiate contracts to better reflect the significantly lower wholesale energy prices we see today. This comes a month after massive cuts to government support on energy bills for businesses. Since 1 April 2023, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme has been downgraded to the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, which changes support to pennies that do not touch the sides of huge bills. The downscaled government support means small firms that signed up to fixed tariffs in 2022 will see their bills revert back to last year’s peak levels. This could be three or four times what they were paying when the more generous government support scheme was in place. FSB’s latest research shows more than one in ten (13%) small firms fixed their energy bills between 1 July and 31 December 2022, during which businesses were quoted up to £1 per kWh for electricity. Of this group, 13% say they could be forced to either close, downsize, or radically restructure their businesses, equating to 93,000 small firms across the UK. A significant proportion of small firms stuck in fixed contracts are from the accommodation and food sector (28%), and the wholesale and retail sector (20%). Four in ten (42%) small firms that fixed energy contracts in the second half of last year say it has been impossible for them to pass on costs to consumers who had to tighten spending and can’t afford further price increases amid the cost of living crisis. FSB is calling on energy suppliers to allow these small firms to extend their fixed contracts but at a blended and lower rate – between their original fixed rate and the current, lower wholesale rate. The option to renegotiate fixed contracts should be made automatically available to businesses which:
  • negotiated the new energy contract between July 1 and December 31 2022
  • can confirm the level of wholesale price on the contract is above the EBRS wholesale price cap
  • can confirm the end date of the contract to demonstrate the length of exposure to higher prices from April 2023 onwards
FSB policy chair Tina McKenzie said: “Having come out from a tough winter, this Spring is supposed to be the beginning of economic recovery, but tens of thousands are still very much in survival mode because they are tied-in to sky-high energy contracts. “Many small businesses agreed to lock in energy contracts last year to ensure they qualified for the maximum level of Government support. Now, with that support largely disappearing, they are once again faced with massive energy bill hikes as rates go back to pre-Energy Bill Relief Scheme level. “If ending the successful support scheme is on the basis that wholesale energy prices have gone down, then our research sheds light on just how many small businesses have been overlooked as they are entangled in high fixed tariffs. “It’s disheartening to see a significant proportion of small firms could be forced to close, downsize or radically restructure their businesses just when we look to grow our economy. Our community shrank by 500,000 small businesses over the two years of COVID; we shouldn’t now be adding any more to that gruesome tally. “The least energy suppliers should do is to allow small businesses who signed up to fixed tariffs last year to ‘blend and extend’ their energy contracts, so that their bills are closer to current market rates. We’d also like to see the Government and Ofgem support this initiative. “There are signs that small businesses may be about to turn a corner after last year’s downturn. Giving small firms a way out of last year’s market peak rates will accelerate the progress to recovery.”

Nottingham infrastructure company expands with specialist lighting design office in Bradford

Tess Egginton
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Nottingham infrastructure company expands with specialist lighting design office in Bradford
Nottingham infrastructure company McCann has strengthened its internal lighting design function with the creation of a specialist lighting design office in Bradford, West Yorkshire. It comes alongside the hire of new lighting designer, Rachel O’Connell. Rachel began her street lighting career in 2007 after securing a role with SSE – before gaining the necessary qualifications to become a qualified lighting designer while working across a range of PFI contracts for the national energy provider. Following 15 years with the business, Rachel recently saw the opportunity to join McCann as a lighting designer and work alongside the company’s design and technical manager Michael Walker. “McCann has always been seen as a great name within the industry, so to have the opportunity to join the business is not something you can easily pass up,” said Rachel. “McCann is renowned for continually investing in its people, and the business has committed to continuing my professional development by supporting me with attaining Engineering Council Status – something I’m truly grateful for. I’m really excited about this next chapter and to be working with such a passionate, innovative and customer-focused team.” Michael Walker is delighted to be welcoming Rachel to the team, and with the addition of the new office in Bradford he can only see this specialist business function going from strength to strength in the future: “The need for our services is always increasing, so as a business we must continue to invest in order to deliver the right solution each and every time,” said Michael. “Rachel is a fantastic designer. Her knowledge is unrivalled and together I know we will make a strong team with the ability to deliver solutions that exceed customer expectations, while solving complex problems. “At the same time, our new Bradford office is perfect, with good strategic road and rail connections to locations across the UK – making it easy for us to meet with clients in order to discuss their projects and understand their needs.”

Richmondshire firms invited to dip into business growth grant pots

Stuart Pearcey
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Richmondshire firms invited to dip into business growth grant pots
Two grant schemes are helping businesses to grow in Richmondshire. The Small Business Grant Scheme is available for new business start-ups, and those businesses which are less than 36 months old and have no more than five employees.  The grant can be used towards the purchase of equipment, marketing costs and adaptations to premises. Applications are invited to help cover 75% of project costs, up to a maximum of £1,000. In the last two years more than £46,000 has been awarded to help 49 businesses in the area, including artists setting up local studios, a vehicle repair shop, and local food suppliers and retailers wanting to get projects off the ground. Before businesses can apply for this scheme, they must have had a free one-to-one appointment with one of the business growth advisors. During this one-hour appointment, the experienced advisor will help with business plans, cash flow forecasts and talk through business ideas. Find futher information about the business grant scheme. The Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Scheme helps small businesses to employ apprentices of any age, who live in Richmondshire.  The scheme provides a one-off grant of £2,000 for apprenticeships of Level 1 – 3 and £3,000 for apprenticeships of Level 4 plus. Over the last two years, the scheme has helped support 44 employers and their apprentices from a wide range of backgrounds and trades, including hospitality and care, mechanics, electricians, carpenters and bricklayers. They have shared grants worth £95,000. Read further information about the Apprenticeship Wage Subsidy Scheme.

North Yorkshire tourism businesses invited to help shape county as a destination

Stuart Pearcey
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North Yorkshire tourism businesses invited to help shape county as a destination
Tourism businesses across North Yorkshire are being invited to take part in consultations leading to creation of a Destination Management Plan for the region. Authorities are launching an open discussion about priorities, vision and aspirations for the future: what will work and what needs to happen, visitor economy/destination strengths, challenges and opportunities and what you think needs to happen in the future and how do you see yourselves and services involved in a) the process and b) the implementation. These sessions are a mixture of in person and online:
  • 17th May – The Old Deanery, Ripon – 11:00 – 13:00
  • 17th May – Skipton Castle, 15:00 – 17:00
  • 18th May – Scarborough Rugby Club – 11:00 – 13:00
  • 23rd May – Online – 17:30 – 19:00
  • 25th May – Online – 12:00 – 13:30
Attendance at these events is free, but firms are asked to register via Eventbrite for further details and confirmation of attendance – https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/north-yorkshire-destination-management-plan-2137459. In addition to the stakeholder sessions the North and West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce undertaking a product audit of North Yorkshire’s visitor economy to better understand the views of industry, asking  questions around the quality, quantity and distinctiveness of various aspects of the destination. A spokesman said: “This survey will ask about accommodation, attractions and experiences, food and drink, festivals and events, heritage and culture, landscape and countryside, towns and villages, access and transportation and visitor services.  We also want to gauge your views on what is prospering or holding back the development of the destination and understand some of the key priorities you feel should be taken forward.” Complete the survey at https://cvent.me/YB2V7D.

Companies share in £24m grants to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions

Stuart Pearcey
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Companies share in £24m grants to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions
Companies in our region are to share in more than £24m from the government to reduce their energy costs and cut carbon emissions.
  • Ardagh Glass in Doncaster is receiving £1.7 million for their Doncaster Efficient Furnace Project, which will develop a brand-new container glass production furnace at the facility.
  • Mitsubishi Chemicals UK in Hull is receiving over £3.1m to install state-of-the-art technology which will combust waste gas to generate energy.
  • Naylor Industries in Barnsley, a specialist clay pipe manufacturer, is receiving over £73,100 to explore re-using waste heat from the exhaust gases of their kilns, to make their manufacturing process more energy efficient.
  • Wienerberger Limited in Doncaster is receiving over £220,000 to install a more efficient energy and heat recovery system, including an electric heat pump, to replace gas oil and generate no carbon emissions at their concrete roof tile factories.
The money will be used to help clean up their manufacturing processes and improve their energy efficiency, and will come from the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund designed to support businesses using high amounts of energy to reduce their fossil fuel using innovative low-carbon technologies. This will help companies save on their energy costs, which in turn will safeguard British jobs and help grow the economy – one of the government’s five priorities. Greg Methven, UK Operations Director at Ardagh Glass said: “Our Efficient Furnace project will improve efficiency at the facility while reducing its carbon footprint. The grant support provided has been a key enabler in upgrading the project from a standard cross-fired furnace to more energy efficient end-fired furnace technology.” Minister for Energy Efficiency Lord Callanan said: “We are leading the world in reaching net zero, having cut emissions by over 44% since 1990 – but to keep up this progress and achieve our green goals, we’ve got to transform our industrial sectors, as some of the industries most critical to our economy are also those with the highest emissions. “We’re backing them with government funding to use the latest technologies to cut their emissions and their reliance on fossil fuels – helping to future-proof these industries as we grow our green economy.”  

Doncaster Chamber discusses benefits of antipodean trade deals

Stuart Pearcey
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Doncaster Chamber discusses benefits of antipodean trade deals
Doncaster Chamber is touting the associated benefits for South Yorkshire  businesses that result from the bilateral trade agreements with both New Zealand and Australia that come into force soon The provisions of the deals include lifting of tariffs on all UK good exports in both Australia and New Zealand, as well as the cutting of red tape for digital trade and modified rules that will make it easier for British professionals to live and work in either of the two countries. Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “These deals are a positive step forwards for our economy and Global Britain; our exporters in particular should be very excited, as they stand to gain a lot. “As a Chamber of Commerce, we always encourage local businesses to expand their trade overseas, so long as it is viable for them. With the domestic market facing challenges, now might be the perfect time for beginners to make that jump. “Indeed, with the removal of tariffs, simplified customs procedures and no language barriers, Australia and New Zealand — despite being on the other side of the globe — could be the ideal markets for those who want to get into exporting. “Of course, we recognise that international trade can be highly intimidating for newcomers, on account of the challenges involved in meeting customers, developing overseas distribution networks and complex documentation. That’s why we have a team of expert professionals and strategic partners on hand to help you navigate such complexities and to support you throughout the entire journey. “This is a positive Free Trade Agreement that signals this country’s commitment to supporting international traders and Brand Britain. There is now a chance for businesses to seize this opportunity to expand their overseas markets. The Chamber is a reliable partner to both business and government when it comes to promoting international trade. We are primed and ready to help companies take advantage of this new opportunity.” Doncaster Chamber’s international trade services encompass everything from customs declarations, right through to relevant training and export documentation.

Government investment promises to cut Monday morning madness when trying to reach a GP

Stuart Pearcey
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Government investment promises to cut Monday morning madness when trying to reach a GP
Patients will be able to contact their general practice more easily and quickly – and find out exactly how their request will be handled on the day they call – as part of a major multi-million pound overhaul of primary care, the government and NHS will announce this week. Practices across the UK will also be given £240 million this year to embrace the latest technology, replacing old analogue phones with modern systems so patients never get engaged tones and easy to use online tools to ensure patients get the care they need as soon as possible. This will mean when patients contact their practice online or over the phone, they will know on the day they make contact how their query will be managed, rather than being told to call back later. If their need is urgent, they will be assessed and given appointments on the same day. If it is not urgent, appointments should be offered within two weeks, or patients will be referred to NHS 111 or a local pharmacy. Primary care is the way most people access the NHS, and the government is committed to modernising the way patients contact their GP surgery – improving satisfaction and delivering on the Prime Minister’s promise to cut waiting lists. Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay will announce a major expansion of the role of receptionists to become expert “care navigators” – whose job it is to gather information, to make sure patients are directed to the most suitable healthcare professional and to simplify and streamline the process. Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We are already making real progress with 10% more GP appointments happening every month compared to before the pandemic. I want to make sure people receive the right support when they contact their general practice and bring an end to the 8am scramble for appointments.

“To do this we are improving technology and reducing bureaucracy, increasing staffing and changing the way primary care services are provided, which are all helping to deliver on the government’s promise to cut waiting lists.”

Minister for Health Neil O’Brien said: “Where GPs have already moved over to these new technologies we see they free up the phones, making it much easier for people to get through to their general practice team. “As well as being more convenient for patients, these really easy to use digital tools allow a lot of patients to get the help they need without ever needing to go in for an appointment, which will help cut waiting lists.

“Investing £240 million in these modern tools and the help GPs need to move onto them will make things more convenient for patients, but also make the workload more manageable for general practice teams.”

An average sized practice of 10,000 patients often receives more than 100 calls in the first hour every Monday. With advanced digital telephony, rather than an engaged tone patients will receive a queue position, a call back option and their call can be directly routed to the right professional. The phone system will also be integrated with the clinical systems so practice staff can quickly identify patients and their information from phone numbers. Practices that have invested in modern online booking and messaging systems find they help free up phones for those who prefer to call, while giving patients a convenient way to get the help they need. As well as helping patients to make contact the government is supporting staff in dealing with the calls. Working with NHS England the government will fund 6,500 care navigator training places – that is one member of staff per practice who can then pass on the training to colleagues. Care navigators will help assess, prioritise, respond and assist. They can help make sure those who want to see a named GP or preferred member of staff can do while those who are happy to see a duty doctor can also do so. Care navigators will direct patients to other professionals within the general practice or other medical professionals such as community pharmacists who can best meet the needs of the patients. Successful care navigation can help direct 40% of requests more effectively and speeds up appointments for those who need them.
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