Yorkshire Water faces significant fine for pollution incident

April Lara
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Yorkshire Water faces significant fine for pollution incident

Yorkshire Water has been fined £865,000 following a pollution incident at its Ingbirchworth Water Treatment Works in South Yorkshire. The company was found to have discharged millions of litres of chlorinated water into Ingbirchworth Dike over nearly a month, with devastating effects on local aquatic life.

The discharge, which lasted from 1 November to 26 November 2017, involved around 1 million litres of chlorinated water released each day. This level of contamination, even at low chlorine concentrations, proved toxic to fish and other aquatic species. The pollution resulted in over 430 dead fish being discovered in a single day, and it is believed that the total death toll was much higher.

Yorkshire Water was ordered to pay the fine, alongside costs of £34,979.79 and a victim surcharge. The company had pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of polluting the watercourse. The court highlighted failures in the company’s systems, which allowed the release of chlorinated water into the environment despite alarms being set at incorrect levels and a faulty inlet valve. These system failures, along with a lack of adequate checks, were deemed a significant factor in the prolonged discharge and subsequent environmental damage.

Since the incident, Yorkshire Water has implemented corrective measures, including adjusting alarm settings, replacing the faulty valve, and introducing more stringent checks to prevent future occurrences.

£37m investment boosts health and employment support in West Yorkshire

April Lara
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£37m investment boosts health and employment support in West Yorkshire

A new initiative in West Yorkshire will provide comprehensive employment and health support to residents, aiming to integrate services at GP surgeries, hospitals, dentists, and community hubs.

The £37 million funding aims to simplify access to essential support for individuals with health conditions and disabilities, offering personalised services all in one location. This effort forms part of a broader strategy to reshape employment assistance in the region.

At the first meeting of the Healthy Working Life Board, key figures, including Mayor Tracy Brabin, discussed their goal to make West Yorkshire the healthiest region in England by 2040. The board, which will oversee the programme’s progress, will meet regularly to ensure the initiative delivers sustainable support to residents, helping them navigate health and employment challenges with ease.

This initiative reflects West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s commitment to transforming local health and employment services for long-term benefit.

BAE Systems raises full-year guidance after strong first-half results

April Lara
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BAE Systems raises full-year guidance after strong first-half results

BAE Systems has upgraded its full-year profit and revenue forecasts following a strong first-half performance. The company attributes its positive outlook to increased global defence spending, a growing order book, and solid operational results.

Sales for the first half reached £14.6 billion, up from £13.4 billion in the same period last year. Pre-tax profits also saw a slight increase to £1.19 billion from £1.16 billion. During this period, BAE secured £13.2 billion in new orders, including several high-profile contracts.

Key highlights include the laying of the keel for HMS Dreadnought at the company’s Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, a major milestone in the construction of four Dreadnought-class submarines for the Royal Navy. BAE also received £1 billion in additional funding for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which is being developed in collaboration with international partners from Italy and Japan. This programme aims to deliver the next generation of combat aircraft.

Additionally, BAE has secured a $1.2 billion contract to provide the US Space Force with space-based missile tracking capabilities. The company is also preparing Royal Navy ships for the UK Carrier Strike Group 2025 and has made strides with the development of all-electric uncrewed air systems for the Navy’s Indo-Pacific deployment.

Looking ahead, BAE is revising its forecast for the full year, expecting sales to rise by 8% to 10% and underlying EBIT to increase by 9% to 11%. The company has also set its free cash flow target at over £1.1 billion. However, the share buyback programme will be reduced due to a stronger-than-expected share price.

With a solid pipeline of orders and a strong market position, BAE remains confident in its continued growth despite the challenges of a global threat environment.

Quintet of office lettings completed in Horsforth

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Quintet of office lettings completed in Horsforth
Carter Towler and WSB Property Consultants (WSB) have completed five office lettings at Jack Lunn (Properties) Ltd’s Horsforth office schemes. It means Feast Field is now fully let, and Jason House is close to full occupancy with only one refurbished suite remaining available. Strong tenant demand has led to lettings totalling 7,122 sq ft. 1485 Recruiters took 687 sq ft on the ground floor of Unit 6 at Feast Field; Innova Legal took 1,575 sq ft at Unit 9 at Feast Field; TKI Property Group has moved into 1,586 sq ft at Unit 1, Feast Field; Healing Touch Rehab, a physiotherapy practice, took 1,649 sq ft at Unit 2, Feast Field; and at Jason House, DRP Insurance expanded into an additional 1,625 sq ft in Suite 3. Tom Newstead, from Carter Towler’s office agency team, said: “We only have one fully refurbished suite of 1,085 sq ft left at Jason House, as everything else at both Jason House and Feast Field is now let. With 24 units between the two schemes, it’s a real achievement to be so close to full occupancy. “The location of the developments right in the heart of Horsforth, plus the quality of the refurbishments and the continued investment from Jack Lunn, have clearly resonated with occupiers.” Nikki Moore, speaking on behalf of Jack Lunn Group, added: “We are delighted with the results that have been delivered by our joint letting agents Carter Towler and WSB. They are well-connected and proactive, and their deep understanding of the local market has helped us achieve excellent results at both sites.” Robin Beagley of WSB said: “The continued success of Feast Field and Jason House is largely due to Jack Lunn getting the basics right; delivering high quality, refurbished office space, in a great location, offered on competitive and flexible terms.” Feast Field is a courtyard-style development of 12, self-contained office buildings. Jason House is a three-storey building in the heart of Horsforth town centre, providing a variety of office suites.

Experienced SaaS sales leader joins Yorkshire’s IntelliAM

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Experienced SaaS sales leader joins Yorkshire’s IntelliAM
IntelliAM has appointed James Gayton as its new vice president (VP) of sales, as the Yorkshire-based tech firm gears up for further global growth, following the news of its expansion into the US earlier this month. James brings over 20 years of sales leadership experience to IntelliAM. He has built high-performing teams across SaaS, CRM, and enterprise AI software, and has a strong track record of scaling intelligent software solutions across the manufacturing and distribution sectors. In his most recent position, James led the EMEA and Americas sales teams at Sales-i, where he played a pivotal role in preparing the business for its successful acquisition by SugarCRM. Under his leadership, the team delivered £6.3m in ARR in a single year, achieving 55% YoY growth, and increased total contract value by 28% through larger, multi-year enterprise deals. He brings deep expertise in AI-powered sales intelligence, commercial team development, and market expansion across the UK and US. “James’s strategic approach and proven success in delivering sustainable revenue growth make him a strong addition to our team,” said Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM. “He has a proven track record of building efficient sales functions, delivering strong and sustainable revenue growth, and understanding the needs of manufacturing and distribution clients in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. “As we look to further expand our global footprint and bring the power of AI and ML to more manufacturers, James’s appointment marks a significant step forward in our commercial strategy.” James Gayton, VP of sales at IntelliAM, added: “I’m thrilled to be joining IntelliAM at such a pivotal point in its journey. The product is strong, the team is ambitious, and there’s a clear opportunity to strengthen its presence globally. I’m passionate about building effective sales teams and delivering commercial impact, and I see huge potential to do just that here.” James also spent 12 months in Chicago, where he built a successful sales team from the ground up, gaining hands-on experience in recruiting, onboarding, and scaling commercial operations across North America. He brings strong expertise in selling enterprise AI solutions into FMCG and industrial manufacturing sectors, with a concentrated understanding of complex buying journeys and procurement cycles. Clayton concluded: “Beyond his impressive credentials, James is a passionate team builder and mentor. He’s known for cultivating collaborative and empowered sales cultures, and that’s the kind of environment we’re committed to creating here at IntelliAM. We’re excited to have him onboard.”

TaskMaster secures £15m funding to boost UK expansion

April Lara
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TaskMaster secures £15m funding to boost UK expansion

TaskMaster Resources, a Leeds-based workforce solutions provider, has secured £15m in funding from Bibby Financial Services (BFS) to accelerate its UK expansion. The funding includes a £13m Confidential Invoice Discounting facility and a £2m cashflow loan, designed to give the company the financial flexibility needed to scale its operations and integrate recent acquisitions.

With a 29-year history in temporary and permanent staffing, including sectors such as warehousing and industrial, TaskMaster aims to reach £100m in annual turnover. The funding has already facilitated the company’s acquisition of part of a competitor’s trade in the South-West, marking a key milestone in its post-acquisition strategy since being acquired by IPE Ventures.

The £2m cashflow loan is structured over three years to support TaskMaster’s expansion plans, enabling it to secure larger contracts and extend its geographical footprint across the UK. This funding is a crucial part of TaskMaster’s efforts to capture a larger share of the industrial recruitment market and further solidify its growth trajectory.

Spa and wellness retreat in South Yorkshire listed for £1.3m

April Lara
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Spa and wellness retreat in South Yorkshire listed for £1.3m

A spa and wellness retreat business in Fishlake, South Yorkshire, has been listed for sale for £1.3m. The property, Truffle Lodge Spa, includes a five-bedroom detached house with gardens, treatment rooms, a swimming pool, games room, bar lounge, and other wellness amenities. It also holds planning consent for two additional en-suite guest bedrooms.

Established in 2015, Truffle Lodge Spa employs a team of 20 freelance therapists and front-of-house staff, supported by local contractors for pool maintenance, gardening, and cleaning services. The sale offers an opportunity for a buyer to acquire an established business with strong growth potential, along with an existing client base and solid reputation in the wellness sector.

The business is well-located, with access to Doncaster and major motorway routes. The sale also provides an opportunity to expand the business with the approved planning for additional guest accommodation. The founder, Pam Webb, has decided to sell the business after 10 years, citing a desire to spend more time with family and enjoy a slower pace of life.

This listing presents an appealing prospect for investors or operators looking to enter the wellness industry, offering a turnkey operation with an established team and significant growth potential.

JECO secures £960,000 investment to advance automation tools for game developers

April Lara
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JECO secures £960,000 investment to advance automation tools for game developers

JECO, an automated software firm based in West Yorkshire, has raised £960,000 to expand its development of tools aimed at video game software developers and digital creatives. This funding is the first investment through the British Business Bank’s new co-investment platform, managed by Haatch, under its Regional Angels Programme.

The round is led by Games Angels, with participation from British Business Bank. The platform, which launched with £7 million in funding, aims to address regional imbalances in early-stage investment access, particularly for innovative entrepreneurs in key sectors such as gaming technology.

JECO, which focuses on creating automated toolsets to streamline game development and enhance efficiency, is poised to make a significant impact on the sector. The investment is expected to accelerate their efforts in providing cost-effective solutions for developers, while also exploring ways to tackle wider environmental challenges within the industry.

The Regional Angels Programme, part of the British Business Bank’s initiative to strengthen regional economies, seeks to support businesses that can contribute to long-term economic growth outside of London and the South East.

Yorkshire business confidence sees July dip

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Yorkshire business confidence sees July dip
Business confidence in Yorkshire fell four points during July to 45%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Yorkshire reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down seven points at 54%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down one point to 36%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 45% (vs. 49% in June). However, a net balance of 47% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up eight points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products and services (48%), entering new markets (43%) and introducing new technology, such as AI or automation (43%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. National picture Overall, UK business confidence increased one point in July to 52% – its highest level since 2015 and the third consecutive monthly increase. Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects rose one point to 58%, while their confidence in the wider economy increased two points to 47% Wales was the most confident UK nation or region for the second month in a row (76%), followed by the North East (73%). Sector insights  July saw the service sector’s confidence increase by 11 points to 61%, one of the main drivers behind this month’s overall increase in business confidence, indicating strong momentum in the sector. This gain was partially offset by declines in other areas, with retail firms down eight points, manufacturers down four points and the construction sector down six points. Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds, said: “Despite a fall in confidence, it’s encouraging to such clear growth plans from Yorkshire’s firms. Many businesses are planning to grow their teams, launch new products and services, and explore new markets in the months ahead, and we’ll continue to be ready with our on-the-ground support to help them take these steps.”

Greater Lincolnshire receives £600,000 funding for solar initiatives

April Lara
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Greater Lincolnshire receives £600,000 funding for solar initiatives

Greater Lincolnshire is set to receive over £600,000 to fund solar panel projects across the region. The funding will support the installation of solar panels on public sector buildings in North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and Lincolnshire County Council areas.

Originally, the proposed projects included solar panels paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS) for sites such as the Ancholme Leisure Centre in Brigg and the Doughty Road depot in Grimsby. However, following amendments during a business and infrastructure board meeting of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA), the battery storage element was removed from the funding application. The decision has prompted a pause as the GLCCA reassesses the project’s costings with the government.

The £602,000 allocated from the Mayoral Renewables Fund and Great British Energy is intended for solar panel installations on public buildings, aimed at reducing energy costs. The board also expressed a preference for sourcing solar panels from UK-based manufacturers and local installers, with ethical sourcing as a key consideration if local options are unavailable.

Discussions are ongoing between the GLCCA and the government regarding the revised design, costings, and timeline of the projects.

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