11 Yorkshire businesses receive The King’s Award for Enterprise

Tess Egginton
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11 Yorkshire businesses receive The King’s Award for Enterprise
The recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been revealed today (6 May), celebrating the achievements of businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands. This year, 197 businesses representing a diverse range of sectors have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country, highlighting the ambition, ingenuity, and success of our diverse business community. Of these, a total of 11 awards went to businesses in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Eight were recognised in the International Trade category, one for Innovation, and two for Sustainable Development. This year’s recipients from Yorkshire and the Humber include:
  • White Rose Education, a West Yorkshire-based business exporting their educational resources for teachers and students globally to drive growth, strengthen UK relations, and promote world-class learning. They have been recognised in the International Trade category.
  • Integra Buildings, a manufacturer challenging the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable construction through bespoke design and offsite manufacturing. Based in the East Riding of Yorkshire, they have been recognised in the Sustainable Development category.
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports said: “There are some inspiring businesses from Yorkshire and the Humber recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise: from White Rose Education’s success exporting educational resources around the world to Integra Building’s sustainable manufacturing methods. “I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in Yorkshire and Humber region and abroad, helping to boost the UK economy.” Michael Gosling, chair of the White Rose Education Board, said: “Receiving The King’s Award for International Trade is a huge honour and a reflection of the dedication, hard work and passion that drive everything we do at White Rose Education. “This recognition not only celebrates our global reach but also reinforces our commitment to supporting teachers and pupils around the world with high-quality, accessible educational resources. It’s a proud moment for our entire team and is a testament to the positive impact we’re making in classrooms worldwide.” Gary Parker, CEO of Integra Buildings, said: “Receiving The King’s Award for Enterprise is a tremendous honour for our business and all of our team. This award reflects and rewards the total commitment we have across our business to excellence in project performance and delivery. It also recognises our commitment to adopting sustainable policies and practices in everything we do. “Modular building has so many advantages over traditional methods of construction; one of those being that it is inherently more sustainable. We passionately believe that the future of construction is modular, and that the companies embracing sustainability will be the most successful for many years to come.” The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed two years ago to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, has awarded over 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965. His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants – The King’s representatives in each county – will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. One representative from each winning business will also be invited to a special Royal reception event. Yorkshire and the Humber recipients include:
Vuba Chemical Innovations Limited
Solderking Assembly Materials Limited
Technical Services (UK) Ltd
The Group Company (UK) Ltd
Abbey Forged Products Ltd
International Energy Products Limited
Think So Ltd
Turner & Townsend (Holdings) Limited
White Rose Education Limited
Integra Buildings Limited
AES Engineering Ltd
  Mark Davies, founder of ThinkOTB, recognised for its excellence in International Trade, said: “It’s a huge honour to follow on our Queen’s Enterprise Award five years ago, with a King’s Award. We’re proud to be one of the UK’s most creative companies operating in a niche marketplace, which combines innovation with marketing, becoming a ‘go-to’ expert for many international businesses. We’ve pioneered highly successful techniques that have helped some of the world’s most recognisable brands to innovate.”

Rotherham group snaps up Manchester building inspection company

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Rotherham group snaps up Manchester building inspection company
Align Building Control, an inspection company operating across a wide variety of construction sectors, has been sold to ICA Group in a deal led by KBS Corporate. Trading since 2012 and based in Heald Green, Greater Manchester, Align’s team of surveyors have established a reputation for their knowledge of building regulations and relevant legislation. The company works across the residential, commercial, healthcare, arts, hospitality, leisure, energy and industrial sectors. Align now joins Cook Brown – another company sold by KBS Corporate – in the Building Control Services division of ICA Group, which was rebranded from Hickton Group in January 2025. Rotherham-based ICA Group is a multi-disciplinary provider of site inspection and consultancy services, and has acquired Align to strengthen its shared expertise and expand its presence across England and Wales. ICA’s announcement of the acquisition stated that Align’s reputation “is built on responsiveness and technical knowledge, with a company culture that complements that of ICA Group.” Michael Clemence, director and sole shareholder of Align, said: “Really pleased to be joining ICA Group. All of us at Align Building Control look forward to a very exciting future.” Paul Liptrott, KBS Corporate deal executive, advised on the transaction and described an unusual element which needed to be overcome in the search for the ideal buyer. “A lot of interested parties had to ‘park’ the exploration of the deal whilst the industry underwent some changes,” said Paul. “They all came back to explore the opportunity simultaneously, and effectively made up for lost time in a short period. This is a rare thing to experience in the sale of a business.” Ultimately, Paul was delighted that a suitable buyer was found for Align, offering a collaboration that will greatly benefit both companies. “ICA Group had acquired a business marketed by KBS Corporate previously within this space and explored this opportunity as a way to build upon their existing operations,” added Paul. “The acquisition allows Mike to work towards his retirement whilst helping to integrate the business within ICA Group. “Anyone who meets Mike would find themselves fond of him and I personally believe ICA Group offered a great prospect for his exit plans. Obviously this is what we work towards, and this outcome is great to see. “ICA Group is well established in the industry and this is a win for all involved.” Paul expressed thanks to KBS Corporate colleague Daniel Calderbank (document writer), along with Hentons, who oversaw the legal side of the transaction.

Investment to upgrade Lincolnshire level crossings with £1m funding

April Lara
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Investment to upgrade Lincolnshire level crossings with £1m funding

Network Rail is investing close to £1 million to modernise four significant level crossings in Lincolnshire, aiming to improve safety and operational efficiency for both road and rail users.

The project will involve essential upgrades at the Holton le Moor, Brigg, Butterswood, and Little London crossings. These improvements, set to take place over several weeks, include replacing outdated infrastructure such as deck units, cill beams, road surfaces, and markings. The works will impact traffic and rail services across the region.

The surface renewal work at all crossings is expected to result in more reliable infrastructure that requires less frequent maintenance, providing long-term cost-effectiveness.

During the works, rail replacement bus services will be operating between Cleethorpes and Barnetby, with affected passengers advised to check updates on the National Rail website. Diversion routes for road traffic will also be signposted.

This substantial investment aims to enhance the future efficiency of the crossings while improving safety for both road and rail users.

Leeds firm invests in South Wales industrial site for SME redevelopment

April Lara
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Leeds firm invests in South Wales industrial site for SME redevelopment

Leeds-based commercial property company Industruct has acquired a disused food production facility in Blaenau Gwent for £1.25 million, marking its first investment in the South Wales market.

The 116,520 sq ft site, located near Abertillery, was formerly operated by Tillery Valley Foods, which ceased trading following administration two years ago. The asset had remained vacant since.

Industruct plans to transform the site into a series of refurbished industrial units aimed at SMEs in manufacturing, production, and logistics. Units will start at 5,000 sq ft, with flexible layout options to meet varying operational needs.

Refurbishment work has already begun, with a focus on reconfiguring the property to enable multi-tenant occupancy. The move signals Industruct’s strategic expansion into regional markets and aligns with continued demand for modern industrial space outside core urban areas. Global consultancy Knight Frank advised the seller on the transaction.

Hull secures £3.9m to expand zero-emission bus fleet

April Lara
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Hull secures £3.9m to expand zero-emission bus fleet

Hull City Council will receive £3.9 million from the UK government to support the rollout of 42 zero-emission buses, with deployment expected by spring 2027.

The funding is part of a broader £37.5 million Department for Transport initiative aimed at adding 319 electric buses across 12 local authorities in England. The move aligns with the government’s push to decarbonise public transport, while supporting UK-based manufacturing and local job creation.

The investment coincides with the ongoing passage of the Bus Service Bill, which seeks to return more control of transport services to local councils.

This follows Hull’s recent approval of a separate £7.6 million DfT grant focused on enhancing bus service frequency, adding up to 30 new shelters, and improving accessibility across key routes.

Leeds seeks new funding to complete delayed White Rose rail station

April Lara
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Leeds seeks new funding to complete delayed White Rose rail station

Business and transport leaders in West Yorkshire are preparing to present revised plans to complete the long-delayed White Rose Rail Station project in Leeds. The £26.5 million scheme, which stalled in March due to unforeseen cost increases, remains incomplete despite reaching around 70% construction progress.

Located between Morley and Cottingley on the Leeds–Huddersfield line, the new station is adjacent to the White Rose Business Park and within walking distance of the White Rose Shopping Centre. It is intended to boost transport links for South Leeds and support economic development in the area.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), working in partnership with landowner Munroe K and principal contractor Spencer Rail, is now seeking approval to secure additional funding to resolve outstanding project issues. The matter will be discussed at the WYCA meeting on 8 May.

Remaining works include mechanical and electrical systems, lift installation, internal and external finishes, and railway-specific infrastructure such as signalling and passenger information systems.

Despite the full budget being allocated—£12 million from the Transforming Cities Fund and £5 million from the Leeds Public Transport Infrastructure Programme—the project has faced several cost and delivery challenges since construction began in Spring 2022.

Bradford day nursery sold after 25 years

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Bradford day nursery sold after 25 years
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Rainbow House Private Day Nursery Ltd in Bradford. Rainbow House Private Day Nursery Ltd is a well-established setting which provides day care for up to 88 children at any one time. It is located in Low Moor in Bradford. The previous owners, who had owned the setting for 25 years, recently decided to sell to pursue a well-earned retirement. Following a sales process with Grace Day at Christie & Co, it has been purchased by The Little Academy Day Nursery Ltd, which owns and operates two other sites around West Yorkshire. Grace Day, business agent – childcare & education at Christie & Co, said: “Working with the vendors has been an absolute pleasure from beginning to end. They have established an impressive and highly respected nursery, which I was confident would attract significant interest. “I am thrilled to have found the perfect buyers to continue their legacy and care for the team. This marks another successful nursery sale in West Yorkshire, which received multiple offers from a variety of buyers. The Yorkshire nursery market has been very active in recent months, and I anticipate this trend to continue.” Rainbow House Private Day Nursery Ltd was sold for an undisclosed price.

UK ramps up semiconductor R&D with £7m investment in AI-enhanced materials discovery

April Lara
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UK ramps up semiconductor R&D with £7m investment in AI-enhanced materials discovery

The UK government is investing £7 million in AI-powered semiconductor research, aiming to accelerate the development of advanced materials through new infrastructure at the National Epitaxy Facility based at the University of Sheffield.

Backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the funding will support the deployment of a Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) system equipped with artificial intelligence to streamline and optimise the discovery of next-generation semiconductors. The new system is designed to explore novel material combinations, including the integration of semiconductors with superconductors, which could potentially enable entirely new categories of electronic devices.

The National Epitaxy Facility, operated in collaboration with the universities of Cambridge and UCL, plays a key role in UK semiconductor research and development. The upgraded MBE infrastructure will focus on sustainable materials using earth-abundant elements such as aluminum, nitrogen, and zinc, with an eye on environmental impact and global competitiveness.

Semiconductors underpin critical digital technologies, and breakthroughs in materials, like the development of Gallium Nitride, have historically led to new industries, including the global LED lighting market, now valued at £100 billion. The broader semiconductor industry is worth around £900 billion globally.

New roles for senior Yorkshire partners at Saffery

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New roles for senior Yorkshire partners at Saffery
Chartered accounting and business advisory firm, Saffery, has made two key promotions in its senior leadership team in Yorkshire, with Sally Appleton becoming head of the Leeds office after taking over from Jonathan Davis who is now heading up the wider northern region. Jonathan joined Saffery in 2012 and has led the Yorkshire team for the past six years. In his new role, he will oversee the running of Saffery’s offices in Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh and Inverness. He will continue to focus on his market presence in Yorkshire and his client portfolio which consists of owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, mid to large corporates and academies across the region. This year Sally celebrates her twentieth anniversary at Saffery, and she now heads up the Yorkshire office at Wellington Place in Leeds city centre, which currently has an 84-strong team. She is now responsible for managing all the office’s operations and overall client service, as well as a focus on recruitment, employee wellbeing and ensuring the office is aligned with Saffery’s national strategy. Sally will continue to oversee her existing client work which includes multi-generational businesses across Yorkshire as well as charitable organisations, including independent schools and academies. Sally, who grew up in West Yorkshire and becomes Saffery’s first female head of the Yorkshire office, said: “This opportunity is a genuine honour and it’s great to continue working alongside Jon, who will still be based locally in our Leeds office. “It also comes just a few months after I was elected on to Saffery’s partnership committee which provides a governance and oversight function of the management board, on behalf of all Saffery’s 90 partners. It is an exciting time for the firm and I’m really looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.” Jonathan added: “Sally is a hugely respected member of the Saffery team, both in Yorkshire and across the wider firm, with both her clients and colleagues alike. She’s forward thinking, pragmatic and brilliant at problem solving, so she’s undoubtedly the right person to lead the Yorkshire office and I’m looking forward to supporting her in her new role. “I’m stepping into my new role at a time when Saffery is in a very strong position in the north of England and Scotland. Both Leeds and Edinburgh have recently relocated into flagship new offices, at Wellington Place and Haymarket Square respectively, and when this is combined with the expertise and established client bases in Manchester and Inverness, it’s a superb area to head up with a highly knowledgeable and dedicated team of more than 350 people.”

Torsion Homes targets regional growth with £53.3m development pipeline

April Lara
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Torsion Homes targets regional growth with £53.3m development pipeline

Residential developer Torsion Homes has announced a £53.3 million order book as it launches a new office in Stockport, signalling a focused expansion strategy across the North West.

The Leeds-based company is currently delivering seven residential schemes, including a £12 million development at Val D’or in Leeds, now under construction. Other ongoing projects include sites in Scorton, Richmondshire (£2.7 million) and Hebden Bridge (£4 million).

Torsion Homes operates a vertically integrated model covering land sourcing, development, construction, and sales. It is actively seeking land opportunities for sites with 10 to 40 units or more, with or without planning permission, to support its long-term pipeline.

The Stockport office marks a strategic step in scaling operations beyond Yorkshire, aligning with the wider Torsion Group’s three-year regional growth plan, which focuses on supplying housing across city centres, towns, and rural areas.

The expansion underlines the company’s ambitions to position itself as a key player in addressing the UK’s housing demand, particularly across Northern England.

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