Ørsted has signed a key installation contract with Seaway7 to deliver transport and installation of inter-array cables for its Hornsea 3 Offshore wind farm.
Travel firms join forces to create £85m turnover business
Good Travel Management and CT Travel Group have joined forces to establish a new £85m turnover travel group.
This strategic move, backed by the John Good Group which is a majority investor in both businesses, has been completed to accelerate each business’ aggressive growth plans in the Business Travel, Incentive, Groups & Events, Trade Missions and Leisure Travel markets.
GTM acquired Wexas’ corporate travel business in 2023, has set out to be the partner of choice for business travellers who want to deal with a traveller-focused partner.
CTTG brands, CT Business Travel, CT Groups Conferences & Incentives, CT Trade Missions and Pettitts Travel, have ambitious plans to continue growth in both the corporate and leisure travel markets. The recent investment in several key appointments has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to growth.
Mark Kempster, founder of CT Travel Group, said: “We see a great opportunity to grow our combined position in the market and share values around our people.
“GTM has a long-standing reputation within the industry. It has been operating in travel since the late 1800s and is known for its client-focused service.
“It has been an amazing journey since I founded CTTG in 1988, to the proud position we find ourselves in today. That journey has been enhanced by the support of my business partners Tom Kempster, Clare Collins and David Bevan all of whom have played a key role in the success of CTTG. I’m pleased to say that Tom and Clare will be joining me as shareholders, alongside the John Good Group, in this new combined travel business.
“Over the last 37 years, I have had many experiences and made many friends within the industry, and I am now excited to continue that journey with the team at Good Travel Management and the John Good Group. We will be stronger together.”
Clare Collins, COO of CTTG, said: “The alignment of like-minded ambition combined with our passion for growth on a global scale makes this the perfect DNA to take the merged businesses to the next level.
Our teams of talented and loyal people, along with our robust supplier relationships, will continue to provide rich content, innovation and competitive pricing.
We value our clients and promise to maintain and enhance our personable approach; this will not be waived. The combined travel group have established physical office locations in London, Kent and Yorkshire, allowing us to attract the best talent in the industry to our already passionate and talented team. We will continue to invest in our remote and hybrid teams, allowing them to thrive and this is something we are looking to enhance as we move forward with GTM.”
York closes Mansion House for £1.2m refurb project
A £1.2m project protect and maintain York’s Mansion House is to be be led by Buttress Architects to deliver maintenance, accessibility and safety improvements.
The building will close on November 10th with a view to re-opening in time for Yorkshire Day on August 1st next year. Hannah Bellerby, project architect from Manchester-based Buttress Architects, said: “As we approach the Mansion House’s 300th anniversary, it is a privilege for Buttress to lead the efforts in safeguarding this vital piece of York’s civic heritage. “Our work focuses on not only preserving the building’s historical integrity but also working to ensure it remains accessible, sustainable, and fit for future generations. Through these planned restorations, we are ensuring that this significant landmark continues to enrich York’s cultural landscape for years to come.” Buttress Architects will provide specialist heritage consultancy and conservation architecture, and lead a team of experts including conservation architects and mechanical, electrical and structural engineers.
This refurbishment includes repairing wear and tear to the building and to prevent any further deterioration in the historic roof, walls and windows. It will also include important upgrades to the lift to improve the accessibility and environmental performance of the historic building, and decoration works will also refresh the interior where structural work is required.
One of the earliest civic buildings to be built in the classical style in England, the Mansion House is the official seat of The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York, and holds an important collection of items connected to the history of the city over the past 800 years.
Work to build the house began in 1725 and was completed in 1732.
New Regional Director for the Humber takes the helm
Associated British Ports’ (ABP) is delighted to welcome Andrew Dawes to the position of new Regional Director, Humber.
A highly respected maritime executive, Andrew joins one of the UK’s major ports operators, at an exciting period as the four Humber ports evolve to sustain green energy needs.
Andrew Dawes, Director of the Humber ports said: “This is an incredible time to be joining ABP as the next five-year business strategy is launched. There are some great projects and growth opportunities in the pipeline as the ports play a key role in delivering our twin missions of Keeping Britain Trading and Enabling the Energy Transition here in the UK.
“Stepping into this role I‘ve been genuinely impressed by the talent of the Humber team and achievements so far. I am very much looking forward to working with them, our customers and wider stakeholders as we embark on this momentous journey.”
Henrik L Pedersen, CEO welcomed the appointment, adding: “Andrew has an impressive career history and brings a wealth of experience from across the maritime industry which will be hugely valuable.
“He has a stellar record of operational command and of leading organisations through change. I am delighted he has joined us as we embark on a new five-year strategy.”
Andrew began work in 1995 at what was the Southampton Container Terminal (now DP World) and has progressed his career to become a seasoned maritime executive, amassing almost 30 years of experience from the global ports and terminals industry with companies such as DP World, APM Terminals and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).
Alongside his strong leadership credentials, he brings with him a wealth of experience in safety, operations and commercial and experience both as Managing Director with profit and loss responsibility of terminals, as well as regional portfolio responsibility.
Andrew will be part of the Executive team of the UK’s major ports group, and will report directly to Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP’s CEO.
Andrew was appointed after Simon Bird stepped down at the end of October as Regional Director of the Humber ports after nine years in the role.
Arrival of vet practice secures full occupancy for Long Sutton business park
The arrival of an independent vet practice means the Hoddins Way business park at Long Sutton has 100% occupancy for the first time in its ten-year history.
Katherine Cox, portfolio officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Independent vets are quite rare these days, but The Independent Vet Clinic Ltd has been incredibly popular with the community. The site is like a little village in itself and visitors to one business will often browse in the other shops or visit the café. We’re delighted that this new addition offers so much to the site and to residents.”
The Hoddins Way site was previously known as ‘CaNeBuZo’ and was an early adopter of sustainable development. It’s a unique development of seven self-contained, earth sheltered units. All contain toilet facilities, kitchen and store areas, with under floor heating and PV solar panels.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and environment at the county council, said: “Although buildings with solar panels and environmentally friendly credentials are commonplace now, the Hoddins Way business centre was unusual when we first built it.
“We’ve had lots of tenants over the years who have taken advantage of our short-term leases on easy in, easy out terms, which give start-up businesses flexibility and means they can manage cash flow more easily.
“We keep rents reasonable, and the location just off the A17 gives easy access to both Spalding and Kings Lynn. I’m pleased to see that the site now has established and thriving small businesses and is a great asset for the community.”
Sustainability in focus at this year’s Climate Action Festival
Now in its fourth year, the Climate Action Festival from the University of Lincoln, UK, is back for 2024 this November and it’s bigger and better than ever!
The Festival is held over six days and is taking place this year between 18 and 23 November, finishing with a citywide community litter pick on the Saturday. The Festival is dedicated to raising climate awareness, and aims to highlight how everyone can take positive climate action in their communities and wider afield.
This year’s themes are Climate Education, Nature Positive and Community, and will include events that celebrate nature, sustainable fashion, art and more.
The Festival has also been recognised by the prestigious UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards, and will be on the shortlist at this year’s award ceremony.
Visitors to this year’s Festival can take part in Tree Walks, learn how to survey wildlife, attend the Wild Lincolnshire Panel and much more. There will be plenty of opportunities to get creative by learning how to make nature-friendly art or by visiting the art exhibition. All of this as well as an insight into some of the positive sustainability research taking place at the University of Lincoln.
Libby John, Professor and Dean of Sustainability at the University of Lincoln said:
“Our Climate Action Festival has become an autumnal highlight celebrating all things sustainability!
“From fashion to science to wildlife to art and craft there is a varied and exciting timetable of events where staff, students and members of our wider community can contribute and feel positive about their sustainability contribution.
“So please take a look at our timetable and sign up for something new!”
This year’s Climate Action Festival will be taking place at venues across Lincoln, and will involve more partner organisations than ever before.
The Nature Positive Exhibition will be taking place at Project Space + at the Peter De Wint Building on Brayford Campus. A Community Clothes Swap will be held at the Lincoln Arts Centre every day of the Festival.
The Budget: trick or treat
James Pinchbeck, Marketing Partner, Streets Chartered Accountants
Yesterday Rachel Reeves, our first female Chancellor, delivered a Labour government’s first Budget in 14 years. The day before Halloween it certainly seemed to come with its own tricks and treats, but perhaps not the ones you might expect.
For a start, it would seem an incoming government chose to blame the previous one for the mess and the financial situation they have inherited. The first 20 minutes of her speech focused on, from her perspective, their predecessors’ failings in terms of delivering on promises and ‘tricks’ to disguise the £22bn black hole.
A Budget with a £40bn price tag
Against this background she then set out how she and the government were going to ‘rebuild Britain once again’ and restore economic stability. Who might have thought that would come with a £40bn price tag or in this case tax rises.
Whilst much of what is said to be raised following the Budget will seek to fill the ‘black hole’, some £20bn should also form part of proposed or rather committed investment in public spending including health, housing, infrastructure, defence and education. All of which, perhaps with the exception of defence spending, should help to improve our lives and economic prosperity.
The million-dollar question is who is going to pay for all this?
Sticking to their electoral pledge it is not ‘working people’ through changes to income tax, VAT nor employee’s national insurance.
No, the biggest contributor looks likely to be businesses, with the proposed increase in employers’ national insurance contributions by 1.2% to 15% and with the earnings threshold reduced from £9,100 to £5,000 from next April, set to raise £25bn a year by the end of this parliament. The Employment Allowance, which allows those with NICs bills of £100,000 or less to deduct £5,000 from their employer NIC bill, will be increased to £10,000.
More modest in the tax it will generate, with only £2.5bn forecast to be raised, is the announced increases in Capital Gains Tax (CGT), with the lower rate rising from 10% to 18% and the higher rate from 20% to 24%. It was also announced that the rate of CGT on assets qualifying for Business Asset Disposal Relief and Investors’ Relief will rise gradually to 14% from 6th April 2025 and to 18% from 6th April 2026.
Whilst perhaps changes to inheritance tax were not as wide ranging as we thought they might be, changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property will be more impacting. From April 2026, reforms include the first £1million of combined eligible agricultural and business assets for 100% relief, with excess assets at 50%. Also, from next April the government will introduce a new residence-based system for IHT, ending the use of offshore trusts to shelter assets from IHT.
Other tax rises include the increase in Stamp Duty Land Tax for the purchases of additional dwellings, changes to company car tax and the charging of VAT on public school fees. These are along with other measures to address tax avoidance, late payment of tax due and the abolishment of the non-domicile regime.
What were the treats?
Perhaps the treats, for some, may be the announcements were not as wide ranging or hard hitting as might have been expected. Certainly, the continued freeze on fuel duty will be welcome, for lovers of beer so too might be the penny off a pint.
For those serving a pint and those in retail, hospitality and leisure it must be good news that for 2025/26 eligible properties will receive 40% relief on their business rates liability, with the small business multiplier to be frozen for 2025/26.
For those on the ‘national living wage’ so too will be the increase in rate by 6.7% to £12.21 an hour.
What challenges does it present?
This Budget raises challenges and potential issues for those looking at inter-generational wealth planning and the handing of assets from one generation to the next, both from a business and personal perspective, but especially for farmers.
Also, is the consideration around the timing of the sale and disposal of assets, businesses and property that is subject to CGT and Business Assets Relief, formally Entrepreneurs Relief.
The other key area is around absorbing or managing increased staffing costs through the increase in national insurance and the national living wage. It certainly seems more and more challenging to pass on increased costs without affecting revenue, therefore profitability could be at risk.
With this Budget setting the scene or tax landscape for the term of this government and with the announcement that we will only have one Budget a year, we should all be better placed to consider effective tax and financial advice to manage our affairs and the challenges and opportunities we face. Often uncertainty is used to defer or put off planning, perhaps for once this Budget provides, whether we like it or not, the certainty we need.
Andrew takes over as ABP’s Regional Director for the Humber ports
Andrew Dawes has taken over as ABP’s Regional Director for the Humber at what’s described as an exciting period as the four Humber ports evolve to sustain green energy needs.
He said: “This is an incredible time to be joining ABP as the next five-year business strategy is launched. There are some great projects and growth opportunities in the pipeline as the ports play a key role in delivering our twin missions of Keeping Britain Trading and Enabling the Energy Transition here in the UK.
“Stepping into this role I‘ve been genuinely impressed by the talent of the Humber team and achievements so far. I am very much looking forward to working with them, our customers and wider stakeholders as we embark on this momentous journey.”
ABP CEO Henrik L Pedersen added: “Andrew has an impressive career history and brings a wealth of experience from across the maritime industry which will be hugely valuable.
“He has a stellar record of operational command and of leading organisations through change. I am delighted he has joined us as we embark on a new five-year strategy.”
Andrew began work in 1995 at what was the Southampton Container Terminal (now DP World) and has progressed his career to become a seasoned maritime executive, amassing almost 30 years of experience from the global ports and terminals industry with companies such as DP World, APM Terminals and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).
Alongside his strong leadership credentials, he brings with him a wealth of experience in safety, operations and commercial and experience both as Managing Director with profit and loss responsibility of terminals, as well as regional portfolio responsibility.
Andrew will be part of the Executive team of the UK’s major ports group, and will report directly to Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP’s CEO.
Andrew was appointed after Simon Bird stepped down at the end of October as Regional Director of the Humber ports after nine years in the role.
Trent Refractories appoints new commercial manager
John Croot has joined Scunthorpe0based Trent Refractories as Commercial Director.
He has a deep background in the refractories industry, having earned a BSc in Applied Management Science from De Montfort University, Leicester, where he also completed an HND in Mathematical Studies.
He has worked at Hepworth Refractories as a Quality Control Laboratory Assistant, later progressing to Project Estimator and Junior Project Manager roles. During his time there, he modernised quality assurance systems and managed significant projects, including furnace and stove relines.
In 2005 he went to Vesuvius as a Project Manager, overseeing OEM Ironmaking accounts and earning a European Sales Award for his achievements. His career at Vesuvius continued to grow, with promotions to Projects and Proposals Manager in 2009 and Project Services Manager in 2013, where he led large teams and handled substantial budgets. By 2015, as Project Services Director, his responsibilities extended across Europe and the Middle East, managing a budget of £35 to £40 million.
In 2019, John joined Primetals Technologies as a Refractory Expert, focusing on product rationalisation, supplier development, and technical support.
Doncaster house builder wins Project of the Year title
Doncaster-based house builder Keepmoat has won the ‘Project of the Year’ title for developments over £25m for its development at Soothill in Batley.
The Orchards development won the award at he National Building and Construction Awards for its commitment to regeneration, sustainability through the use of modern methods of construction and a multi-tenure approach.
The £52m housing project will see Keepmoat transform 30 acres of disused land into a development of 319 mixed tenure homes. Phase one of the site has seen 85 homes delivered using modern methods of construction, with the entirety of the site planned to be built using timber frame.
MMC is a process that focuses on off-site construction techniques, such as volume production through efficient factory prefabrication, as an alternative to traditional labour-intensive on-site construction.
Apprentice bricklayer Callum McNaughton, 19, who is employed by the Yorkshire West division of the housebuilder, was also shortlisted for the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award.
Callum, 19, from Batley, began his bricklaying apprenticeship in September 2023 at the National House Building Council’s Training Hub in Hull. While he trains at the Hub, Callum also gains valuable, hands-on bricklaying experience at Keepmoat’s The Orchards development also in Batley – a position that was coordinated for him as part of his apprenticeship.
Chris Clingo, Regional MD at Keepmoat Yorkshire West, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the Yorkshire West team and our fantastic award win last night.
“It’s inspiring to see our efforts in regeneration, placemaking and building homes of the future at The Orchards development in Batley recognised by such a prestigious awards programme.
“Our commitment to continuing to deliver future-proof homes at the site, in collaboration with our partners, is ongoing with work on phase two of the development already well underway, as we look to further improve the local area and develop thriving communities. We’re thrilled to be continuing delivery under our strategic partnership model to build quality, sustainable homes for the latest phase in this regeneration project.”
