Yorkshire family business HSL joins The Furniture Makers’ Company

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire family business HSL joins The Furniture Makers’ Company
A long-established family business, HSL, which has been making and selling upholstered chairs, sofas and adjustable beds from its base in West Yorkshire for more than 55 years, is the latest business to become a corporate member of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry. Established in 1968 by the Burrows family, the company has a team of around 200 people employed at its head office and manufacturing facilities in Batley, with a further 300 staff working across its 55 showrooms nationwide. HSL’s new product ranges have gained the Queen’s Award for Innovation and, earlier this year, it was awarded the prestigious Manufacturing Guild Mark for business excellence by The Furniture Makers’ Company. It has also recently been featured in an episode of BBC show Inside the Factory. Ben Waters, HSL operations director, said: “As a long-standing UK furniture manufacturer, we are proud to be joining The Furniture Makers’ Company this year. It is a great opportunity for us to contribute to our thriving community of furniture makers, and we look forward to collaborating around issues such as sustainability, training, and education. “Most importantly, we are eager to raise the profile of our industry and spread awareness of the fantastic charity work undertaken by The Furniture Makers’ Company.” Brian Ahern, master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “We are pleased to see another high-quality, long-established furniture maker joining our number. “HSL showed itself to be an exceptional British manufacturer when it was awarded our coveted Manufacturing Guild Mark a few months ago and it’s great news that it is now choosing to play a more active role in the continued success of our dynamic furniture sector.” Corporate membership provides opportunities for leading businesses from the trade to support the Company’s charitable activities, get involved with civic events and network with other members.

£150m JV formed to deliver major build-to-rent development in Leeds

Tess Egginton
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£150m JV formed to deliver major build-to-rent development in Leeds
Build-to-rent (BtR) developer and operator, PLATFORM_, has formed a £150 million joint venture with Housing Growth Partnership (HGP), the Lloyds-backed equity investor, to deliver a 451-apartment BtR scheme in Leeds. It represents the first phase of PLATFORM_’s transformative 1.3 million sq ft mixed-use development on Sweet Street, in the South Bank regeneration area of Leeds. Winvic Construction has been appointed as the main contractor, marking its third collaboration with PLATFORM_, following the successful delivery of BtR developments in Cardiff and Sheffield. PLATFORM_, HGP and Winvic were joined by James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the development. Securing consent from Leeds City Council in 2023, PLATFORM_’s latest neighbourhood will include 1,351 BtR homes and 150,000 sq ft of commercial space, representing more than £500 million of investment. Scheduled for completion at the start of 2027, the previously vacant site will become a mixed-use community, featuring a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, complemented by extensive amenities including a gym, residents’ lounges, co-working spaces, extensive roof terraces and curated green spaces. Alongside the residential offering, the first phase includes the refurbishment of historic pub, The Commercial Inn, and creation of a 4,000 sq ft convenience grocery store. A new public square will serve as the focal point of the new neighbourhood, designed to foster community interaction and create an attractive destination for residents and visitors alike. The homes will all be rated EPC B or above and feature renewable energy sources, energy-efficient heating and lighting systems, and smart in-home technologies. Jean-Marc Vandevivere, CEO at PLATFORM_, said: “Our new joint venture with HGP will accelerate the delivery of much-needed homes in Leeds, bringing an important city centre site that has been vacant for over 15 years back into use. “This latest addition to the PLATFORM_ development pipeline embodies our long-term commitment to the city’s growth, creating a sustainable, inclusive community. This project will not only provide new homes but will also contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of the South Bank area, supporting Leeds’ economic growth and inward investment goals.” Colin Bennett, Investment Director at Housing Growth Partnership, said: “Our partnership with PLATFORM_ will deliver a landmark development in Leeds, which will contribute to the regeneration of the South Bank, providing new homes, and enhancing the local economy. “It extends what has been a transformative year for HGP’s Living platform, which has seen us significantly scale our funding into the PBSA and multi-family sectors. We look forward to working with PLATFORM_, and seeing this vibrant community come to life and the positive social impact it will deliver.” Winvic’s Managing Director for Multi-room, Mark Jones, added: “We are looking forward to working with PLATFORM_ once again on this significant scheme, which will set new standards for sustainable urban living in Leeds. Our shared focus on quality and community-centred design ensures we will deliver a vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood that future generations can be proud of. “This development will play a key role in transforming the Leeds skyline, and we are proud to be part of it. With our collaborative approach and focus on quality and excellence, we’re confident in the successful delivery of this development, and we look forward to progressing through the construction phases toward completion.” Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It’s really pleasing to see this prominent brownfield site in Holbeck, the former industrial heartland of our city, being transformed from its current derelict state by a scheme that has such an emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity and quality of life. “The development promises to be a landmark addition to the already-thriving South Bank and will also, by creating new homes and jobs, complement our wider efforts to ensure Leeds is a place with opportunities for all.” The Sweet Street development will create approximately 360 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs during the construction phase and support more than 1,000 FTE jobs once completed across the residential, commercial and leisure uses within the scheme.

Leeds intellectual property firm secures private equity investment

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Leeds intellectual property firm secures private equity investment
CBPE has invested in HGF, the intellectual property (IP) firm. HGF specialises in the creation and management of IP portfolios for many of the world’s foremost companies and research institutions.

Founded almost 30 years ago and headquartered in Leeds, HGF has demonstrated consistent growth year-on-year. The firm has expanded significantly, becoming the second-largest provider of IP services in the UK, with a growing presence across Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland and Ireland.

Today, HGF supports over 3,000 highly innovative organisations worldwide with their patent, trademark, and IP strategy needs.

The partnership with CBPE will allow HGF to accelerate its investment in people, technology and enhanced services. This collaboration will also facilitate a broader equity participation across the firm, reflecting HGF’s commitment to a culture of innovation and employee engagement.

Martyn Fish, Partner, CEO, HGF, said: “This investment marks a significant opportunity for HGF and everyone in the team. I am thrilled with our decision to partner with CBPE to take the next step in our journey. Their culture and values are closely aligned with ours, and we share a common vision for the future of HGF.”

Harry Hewlett, Director, CBPE, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the HGF team. IP services is a sector that we know well from prior work. We recognise in HGF a highly attractive business, with a strong team committed to delivering exceptional service to its clients. We look forward to supporting the business during the next phase of its growth journey.”
 

CBPE’s investment in HGF was led by Harry Hewlett and Ian Moore, with support from Jolyon Latimer, Rachel Milton and Namrata Pai.

CBPE was advised by Addleshaw Goddard (Legal), PwC (Financial, Tax), JEGI Clarity (Debt Advisory), Roland Berger (Commercial), AJ Gallagher (Insurance), Crosslake (IT) and Anthesis (ESG). HGF were advised by Investec (Corporate), CMS (Legal) and Grant Thornton (Financial, Tax, Commercial). Senior debt was provided by HSBC, who were advised by Pinsent Masons (Legal).

Half of South Yorkshire businesses faced disruption over finance, says survey

Stuart Pearcey
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Half of South Yorkshire businesses faced disruption over finance, says survey

Roughly half of South Yorkshire businesses have experienced some form of disruption over the last five years as a result of not being able to access the financial support they need,  according to the findings of a poll on the subject by the regions three regional chambers of commerce.

The Access to Finance Survey was open from mid-August to mid-September and canvassed the views of organisations from across Doncaster, Sheffield, and also Barnsley & Rotherham. Among other things, respondents were asked if they feel confident that they know where they can turn to for business finance, which forms of relevant support are on their radar, and what their top considerations would be when it comes to making a decision here.

One headline finding is that, while four in ten South Yorkshire firms have in fact sought business finance in the past five years, only around half are actually confident that they would know where to turn in this situation.

As the questionnaire results then go on to explain, the vast majority of firms in our region are unaware of the full suite of options available to them here. Indeed, although banks might be recognised as an obvious route to take (as identified by 83% of respondents), awareness of all other forms of support and lenders was well below 50%, and some beneath 10%.

The Chief Execs of all three South Yorkshire Chambers issued the following joint statement “These findings are eye-opening and worth paying attention to, especially once we take into account the very tangible impact that it can have for a business when they cannot find the financial support they need. Concerningly, 44% of our respondents told us that a lack of said access has indeed caused disruption for them, or otherwise forced them to scale back their ambitions, in the last half-decade alone.

“It is therefore important that we, as a region, heed what the private sector is telling us and respond to these challenges. While we certainly have a good number of high-quality, trustworthy lenders & financial organisations on our doorstep in South Yorkshire, there is clearly a visibility issue; with so few firms being cognisant of all their options.

“In terms of what businesses are looking for, a convenient application process and the ability to talk to somebody were regularly cited as top considerations. In fact, both of these ranked above the competitiveness of the offer in question, or even the reputability of the brand they were speaking to.

“Elsewhere, almost half of respondents indicated that they would be interested in accessing a programme designed to connect them up with new investment opportunities, while there was also a similar appetite for a low percent government loan targeted at supporting investment in decarbonisation.

“With the business community having articulated its needs, it is now incumbent upon the region to ensure that they are being met; the Chambers can provide a conduit to local businesses but it is incumbent on the providers of alternative finance to work with us and to extend their marketing and business engagement efforts to ensure that finance is getting to the parts of the economy that need it.”

£6.9m mill transformation project completes at Bradford College

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£6.9m mill transformation project completes at Bradford College

A multimillion-pound renovation project on Bradford College’s main campus has transformed a derelict mill into a flexible digital, science, and allied health training facility for higher-level students.

Garden Mills, on Thornton Road, opened its doors to staff and students recently after months of construction work on the 1900s five-storey building. The development results from £5.8 million in funding from The Office for Students (OfS) Higher Education Capital Fund and a £1.1 million College contribution.

The site is now the College’s dedicated building for HNC, HND, and degree programmes in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), including digital and ophthalmic courses. The site supplements the extensive STEM facilities established across other Bradford College campuses.

Contractors Tilbury Douglas led the Garden Mills project and installation of industry-standard equipment, including six digital IT labs, an ophthalmic dispensing suite, a prep room, a clinical suite, a real-life work environment with consulting and testing booths, a collaboration area, and academic teaching spaces.

Christopher Malish, Vice Principal Finance & Corporate Services, said: “Seeing Garden Mills return to life has been extremely rewarding. This new facility will enhance the student experience, create more graduate opportunities, and counter regional skills shortages in STEM-related sectors. These aspirations align with our vision of creating ‘a better future for all through education and training’.

“Our strategic objectives include delivering curricula that meet the needs of students, employers, and our community. We’re delighted that Garden Mills will help to upskill local people in specialisms that are in demand, while supporting vital regional economic growth.”

Garden Mills is the first of several ongoing Bradford College capital developments to be completed. Over the last two years, nearly £32 million in funding has been secured, which is being used to enhance, refurbish, and build aspirational new facilities in the heart of Bradford.

Other projects include new vocational T Level facilities in David Hockney Building, overseen by Sewell Construction and funded by £3.5 million from the Department for Education (T Level Capital Fund – Wave 5). Set to complete in Autumn, the project will create a commercial barbering salon, nail bar, collaborative lecture spaces, TV studio, media editing and recording studios, and a remodel of The Grove training restaurant.

Work on the College’s purpose-built Future Technologies Centre is also underway with Phase 1 of the scheme, led by contractor Morgan Sindall. This new site will support the growth of technology and low-carbon skills capability within West Yorkshire and be the home of modern automotive and digital engineering curricula, such as electric/hybrid vehicles and advanced manufacturing.

The College’s Automotive, Digital and Engineering Department will relocate to the new premises, once completed in 2025/2026. Students will use industry-relevant facilities to gain skills in new technologies for careers in a fast-moving sector. The project was made possible by a £15 million investment from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF), boosted by a £2m College contribution.

The Future Technologies Centre, Garden Mills, and T Level facilities all form part of an ambitious Bradford College estates strategy. The capital masterplan centres around building facilities that open up pioneering student careers and support regional economic growth.

Work completes on West Yorkshire heritage railway’s new visitor attraction

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Work completes on West Yorkshire heritage railway’s new visitor attraction
A new visitor centre has been opened inside what is believed to be the last-functioning water tower of its kind in the UK, on the historic Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Work started last year on the tower at the northern terminus of Keighley Station, as part of the £100,000 project funded by Keighley Towns Fund, with an additional £42,000 from The Railway Heritage Trust. The tower was originally constructed by the Midland Railway Company in 1883 to provide water for locomotives arriving in and departing from places such as Bradford, Carlisle, Halifax, Leeds, Morecambe and Scotland, and it is still used today to refresh the KWVR’s fleet of historic steam engines. KWVR is one of England’s leading heritage railways, and the tank that tops the building holds 30,000 gallons of water and can supply up to 10,000 gallons a day for the railway’s major events. The bottom half of the building used to house a pump engine that moved water up from the River Worth, which flows just below the station to the tank. However, following the introduction of main water supplies to the area, the space fell into disuse. Keighley Assistant Station Master James Crossley, who led the visitors’ information and interpretation element of the Water Tower project for the KWVR, explained: “Work to convert the vacant space into a visitor centre started in September 2023. The floor level has been raised to that of Platform Four, where the Water Tower is situated, and one of the key features we have introduced is a glass panel over the original well. “If you add in under-floor heating and a heat-pump system, a new electric system as well as a new door, the painting and decorating and fitting out; it has been a major undertaking for the railway. The space is now open daily for people to explore, and admission is free.” The KWVR’s own volunteer workforce kitted out the centre with interactive features, including the history of the railway and its connections to the Midland Railway, a model of how the Water Tower works, and elements of the railway’s vast archive of pictures. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, said: “This historic water tower is such an important structure and part of Keighley’s proud rail heritage. It has been incredible to see the process of restoring the former pump-house to create an accessible centre for passengers and visitors, without compromising the operational function of the water tower itself.” Chair of the Keighley Town Board Tim Rogers added: “The KWVR is one of the leading educational, heritage and tourist attractions across the district, and indeed the country. It draws so many people to the area and strengthens our local economy. We’re pleased to have been able to support this contemporary visitor centre with a significant amount of funding, so it can continue to delight passengers and visitors for many years to come.”

Boost for health technology sector as West Yorkshire signs historic trade and investment pact with Nashville

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Boost for health technology sector as West Yorkshire signs historic trade and investment pact with Nashville
The city regions of West Yorkshire and Nashville, Tennessee, will work together to turbocharge their health technology sectors. The landmark agreement, signed this week [Monday 7 October] by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, will help encourage the flow of trade, investment and knowledge sharing between the two regions. The announcement came on the eve of the first meeting of the Council of the Nations and Regions [Friday 11 October], which will see the Prime Minister Keir Starmer convene the UK’s leaders to discuss growth and investment, and kickstart a new era of “genuine, meaningful, and focused partnership to change the way we do business, redefine our position on the world’s stage, and unlock the whole of the UK’s untapped potential to make everyone, everywhere better off.” Mayor Brabin will miss the meeting in Scotland to carry out the final days of her US trade mission in Boston, Massachusetts, before returning on Monday 14 October for the Government’s inaugural International Investment Summit in London, where boosting trade and investment with the USA will be a key focus. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This groundbreaking new partnership with Nashville will deliver real results at home – new jobs, more investment, and better care for patients. “It’s a major vote of confidence in West Yorkshire, and a testament to the strength of our healthtech sector, the talent in our universities, and the innovation of our businesses. “By working together, our great regions will reignite growth and transform the lives of patients worldwide, as we work to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.” Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of Nashville, said: “I am excited to collaborate with West Yorkshire in a way that will improve health outcomes for residents of both cities. “Nashville has a strong history of work and innovation in the health care sector, and a partnership with excellent minds overseas ensures that will continue to flourish.” According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Mayors plan to establish a “Healthtech Bridge” connecting both sides of the Atlantic. In practice, this would mean greater partnership working between the two regions’ businesses, universities, chambers of commerce and regional government authorities. It will see the UK and USA working together to overcome shared healthcare challenges through the use of technology. In West Yorkshire, healthtech firms have pioneered new products to support cancer patients during chemotherapy [Paxman Scalp Cooling], new software to speed up response times for paramedics [Dedalus], and new blood tests that use AI to predict the likelihood of a patient having cancer as a percentage [PinPoint Data Science]. In addition to supporting patients in the NHS and worldwide, investing in healthtech also presents a significant economic opportunity for the region. West Yorkshire’s Investment Zone will see the Mayor work collaboratively with the region’s universities in Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield, to drive investment, growth, and solutions to real world problems. Over the next five years, the West Yorkshire Healthtech and Digital Tech Investment Zone could create more than 2,500 new jobs, and unlock over £220 million of private investment. The transatlantic Healthtech Bridge, which the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce helped to broker following multiple trips to West Yorkshire, will help to turbocharge this regional growth through a brand new exchange programme. The scheme will support knowledge sharing between the two regions’ businesses and universities, including the world-leading Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Lori Odom, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to facilitate international partnerships that bolster long-term regional growth. The Healthtech Bridge with West Yorkshire strengthens our global ties and cements Nashville’s role as a leader in innovation and international business. “This collaboration enhances our health technology sector, creates jobs, and elevates Nashville’s standing in transatlantic business relationships.” As the home of NHS England, the Department for Health and Social Care, and the largest teaching hospital in Europe, West Yorkshire is a global magnet for health innovation. The region is home to more than 300 healthtech companies, with Leeds ranking as the third most attractive city in the world for healthtech businesses which are ready to launch or looking to move. Nashville, which has almost doubled its number of health and life sciences professionals since 2000, has been identified by the Mayor as a prime trading partner for West Yorkshire. Overall, the state of Tennessee ranks third in the USA for the export of medical supplies and equipment, worth over $4 billion. The historic Healthtech Bridge was announced by Mayor Brabin to an audience of global health innovators at the NCQA Health Innovation Summit in Nashville, as part of a week-long trade mission to create opportunities for West Yorkshire businesses in the USA. The partnership was welcomed by UK and US-based firms, including Paxman Scalp Cooling, which manufactures and exports scalp cooling systems to minimise patients’ hair loss during chemotherapy, and Womble Bond Dickinson, which supports healthtech firms to export and scale to international markets. John Scannapieco, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson and Honorary Consul from Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Tennessee, said: “The healthcare challenges we face here in Nashville are similar to the ones seen in West Yorkshire, and in many communities around the world. Healthcare providers must address such issues as caring for an aging population, allocating limited resources, and dealing with staffing shortages. “Since these challenges are global, our approach to finding solutions needs to be global, too. Both of our communities are hubs of health technology innovation, and by working together and sharing knowledge and ideas via the Health Tech Bridge, the people of Nashville and West Yorkshire will both benefit.” Richard Paxman OBE, CEO of Paxman Scalp Cooling, said: “I am proud to join this US Trade Mission to shine a spotlight on the incredible strength and enormous opportunities present within the transatlantic marketplace. “For Paxman, the US presents our biggest current opportunity and remains our primary focus, accounting for over 50% of Group revenues. Paxman US, Inc. operates from offices in Houston, Texas, with over 600 cancer centres across more than 40 states utilising Paxman Scalp Cooling Systems to help cancer patients mitigate the side effect of chemotherapy-induced hair loss. “Alongside the further advancement of scalp cooling, since early 2019 Paxman has been developing a portable compression and cooling product. The product aims to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which causes chronic, permanent nerve damage in hands and feet. A multi-centre, randomised efficacy study across 25 sites in the United States, using this device, is ongoing.”

AES Engineering acquires controlling stake in US firm

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AES Engineering acquires controlling stake in US firm

AES Engineering Ltd has further increased its reliability services and product offering in North America by acquiring a controlling stake in the global marine propulsion shaft sealing company PSS Seal LLC, for an undisclosed sum.

The group also owns AESSEAL, in Rotherham, the world’s largest homogeneous designer and manufacturer of mechanical seals. This latest expansion in the global market follows acquisitions in the Netherlands, Canada, Australia and USA. PSS Seal LLC (PSS), headquartered in Seattle, Washington is a recognised global leader in the reliability and sealing technology sector for marine vessel propulsion systems. The company has over four decades of engineering and manufacturing expertise with an extensive direct and indirect marine channel to market. The acquisition will allow the existing customers of PSS to benefit from a wider product and service offering from AESSEAL, and the products and services of all other companies owned by AES Engineering Ltd. Chris Rea, Group Managing Director of AES Engineering Ltd, said: “The acquisition of PSS supports our strategic decision to globalise our sealing technology marine business and further strengthens our customer reliability offering for this important market. “Shaft sealing technology is the critical application in this sector and our business can now provide a one stop shop for sealing and reliability products and services.” PSS founder and CEO Frederic Laffitte said: “The culture, and global reach of AES Engineering Ltd, together with the extensive product range of AESSEAL makes this a complimentary match for the PSS marine shaft seal product range. “Many of our customers have been calling for an increased product offering for the marine sector balance of plant, and we can now deliver on this request.” PSS President Kevin Woody said: “The selection of AES Engineering Ltd as our partner was an easy decision due to their product technology, similar dedication to customer service and reliability focus. “This partnership allows us to immediately meet the demand from customers for an expanded product range as well as opening new opportunities in other markets.”

Lincoln BIG achieves national recognition for high standards

Stuart Pearcey
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Lincoln BIG achieves national recognition for high standards
Lincoln Business Improvement District has received a national accreditation for Business Improvement Districts in recognition of its standards of transparency and responsible governance, following an independent review process. Lee Roberts, Head of Operations, Lincoln BIG said: “This accreditation affirms that Lincoln BIG is operating in an open and transparent way that aligns with national standards. “The accreditation confirms our commitment to openness and transparency, and we continually strive to ensure that we operate in an open and transparent way and that this is applied in all projects that the BID delivers “It is important to have this accreditation as a formal, independently-assessed recognition of the work we do on behalf of our members, especially as we begin the ballot process leading to vote of our city centre businesses in November that will determine whether we receive support for a fifth BID term of five years covering the period 2025 to 2030, we felt it was important to demonstrate to member businesses that we follow recommended best practices and standards.” The BID Foundation, a group of over 75 Business Improvement Districts, has developed the Industry Standards for all BIDs with input from UK government and other national bodies. The Standards highlight information and documentation that should be made publicly accessible and easily identifiable by every BID and are independently accredited by the Institute of Place Management. Lincoln BIG has passed the Industry Standards accreditation by demonstrating the high standards of aspects including its business plan, governance mechanisms and reporting, Directors and personal interests, and detail on ballot results.  

British Ports Association Conference returns to North Lincolnshire

Stuart Pearcey
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British Ports Association Conference returns to North Lincolnshire
Industry leaders from across the maritime sector will converge on North Lincolnshire next week for the British Ports Association Conference 2025, hosted by Associated British Ports and Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd. Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “The combination of the Humber’s ports leading roles in both trade and the energy transition make it an ideal location for this prestigious industry event.” Andrew Dawes, Regional Director Designate of the Humber ports added: “Portsmouth delivered a fantastic event and we’re keen to build on that for next year in the Humber. We’re looking forward to hosting it alongside Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises and welcoming everyone to the region for what will be an impressive showcase.” Martyn Boyers, Chief Executive of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd, and chair of the BPA Fishing Ports Working Group, said: “As a long-standing member of the BPA and attendee at the Conferences, I am delighted that we can present a joint ‘BPA Humber Conference 2025’ with our friends at Associated British Ports. “I am pleased that Grimsby Fish Dock and ABP have secured Forest Pines Hotel again as the single venue. We look forward to show casing the Humber and the incredible changes that have taken place in the Humber Ports since then.” Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the BPA said: “We are particularly excited that our members are uniting to highlight the importance of the Humber to both the maritime sector and the country as whole. As the UK’s largest port complex, the ports on the Humber are involved in a rich mix of activities including freight, passengers, offshore wind and fishing and we are pleased that the occasion will provide the opportunity to showcase its important role. Our Annual Conference is a national event which brings the ports sector together once a year in a different location and we look forward to seeing everyone there.” The event will be held at the Forest Pines Hotel near Brigg from Wednesday 15th to Thursday 16th October.
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