Accountancy firm names new financial services audit partner
Accountancy and advisory firm Azets has appointed Alain de Braekeleer as a financial services audit partner.
Based in Leeds, Alain is a seasoned FS specialist who brings a wealth of experience from his 20 years in the FS audit practice at KPMG.
His time there included leading numerous Financial Statement and Client Money audits as well as providing a variety of non-audit services to clients.
Alain has experience across a wide array of FS firms and he has supported and worked with companies and groups of all shapes and sizes.
His appointment comes as Azets’ audit business continues to grow in Yorkshire. Leeds has become the UK’s second city for financial services, while the North of England has one of the largest concentrations of financial and business services firms in Europe.
Russell Turner, regional managing director for Yorkshire, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Alain to Azets. “He brings exceptional experience and expertise in the highly-specialist, sophisticated and exacting FS audit space which will allow us to bring this new service to clients across the north.
“This will complement both our existing audit and assurance offering in the region and our well-established and successful FS audit services in London and the south east.”
Chris Butt, head of audit for Yorkshire, said: “Alain is a strong and strategic hire with an excellent reputation whose appointment represents an investment in the future of the company.
“It is an opportunity to widen our client base and build a new business arm from the ground up across the region.”
Mr de Braekeleer said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Azets at such an exciting time in its growth and look forward to supporting many of the varied companies that make up the thriving Financial Services sector in Yorkshire.”
Alain will support clients in asset management, asset finance and fintech as well as a range of other types of financial services firms.
BGF exits Yorkshire-based care village group following 12-year partnership
Following a 12-year partnership, BGF has secured a strong return on its investment in Springfield Healthcare Group, as it exits the partnership with a sale of six care villages.
Springfield Healthcare operates six care villages across the Yorkshire region, providing more than 500 registered care beds and employing 700 people.
Starting out as a single care home, Springfield first secured investment from BGF in 2012 to expand its care village model into more locations across the North of England.
During the investment period, BGF has provided a total of £31m of growth capital across multiple funding rounds to support the creation of new care homes, including a multimillion-pound renovation of the former Terry’s Chocolate headquarters in York. Springfield’s expansion has supported the creation of 700 new jobs in the region.
Graeme Lee, the founder of the Springfield Group, will continue to own and operate Springfield Home Care Services, a domiciliary care business, and Springfield Garforth Care Home in Leeds as well as continuing to develop new Springfield Care Village projects in the region.
Graeme Lee, CEO of Springfield Healthcare Group, said: “Springfield’s care villages are the result of a simple vision, the best environments with the best care in the heart of the community. We are confident our incredible homes and teams of committed care professionals will continue to flourish as we move forward.”
Mark Rigby at BGF who sat on the Board of Springfield, said: “We are pleased to announce our exit from Springfield Healthcare Group after a highly successful investment period. Our patient capital approach has allowed us to maintain a flexible and supportive partnership with Graeme and his team, providing sustained support throughout various economic cycles and the Covid pandemic in ways other investment firms might not have been able to.”
Ben Barker, Head of Portfolio, BGF said: “This exit represents one of the largest ever gains for BGF, following a 12-year partnership and a commitment to supporting the company’s aspirations. The outcome is the result of shared partnership values, thoughtful growth plans and an exceptional management team. We wish everyone at Springfield all the best for the future.”
In addition to the funding, BGF has played a key role in Springfield’s growth strategy, from facilitating key appointments, such as the non-executive Chair, Mark Beadle, and collaborating closely with Graeme Lee and his management team to professionalise the business as it has scaled.
Law firm moves to new offices in Sheffield
Tigers Rugby Union favourite James Norman recently joined his sponsor Sills & Betteridge Incorporating Acclaimed Family Law at the opening of new Sheffield offices.
The firm has relocated to New Oxford House, Barker’s Pool in the regenerated ‘Heart of the City’ Quarter to enable their next period of growth, and will operate in Sheffield as Sills & Betteridge Incorporating Acclaimed Family Law.
Specialist matrimonial practice Acclaimed Family Law of Campo Lane joined full-service East Midlands firm Sills & Betteridge LLP to make available to their clients, a wider range of personal and commercial services.
For Sills & Betteridge, the collaboration proved a strong strategic fit realised their aspiration to operate in Sheffield, a key ambition in their development plans for Yorkshire, seeing the firm’s Northern network grow to 5 offices since 2018.
Michelle Cooper, Partner and Founder of Acclaimed Family Law said: “The relocation to larger, prestigious premises in such a high profile part of the city is an exciting move for the original Acclaimed Family team, especially as we will now join forces with colleagues from Sills & Betteridge. Clients will now have access to a full range of complementary services from experts so all their needs are met under one roof.
Together, the merged practice will continue to offer the high quality matrimonial representation, with specialists in high value and complex cases on which Acclaimed built their formidable reputation, alongside family law representation for publicly funded clients, family mediation, residential property, private client work and corporate commercial legal services.”
Chief Exec Martyn Hall said: “We are ambitious for Sheffield. We look forward to further integration of our two practices and working together to develop various service expansion opportunities. The new office will enable us to accommodate additional strategic hires across a number of practice areas and support our future growth”.
The firm now has 18 offices across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands employing over 430 people. 2024 has been a period of significant activity for the firm including its acquisition of Nottingham headquartered Campions Solicitors, significant refurbishment of its Boston premises and current relocation of its Northampton and Sleaford teams to larger premises.
Anglo-Italian deal means £50m investment in steel furnace for Sheffield
Italian steel company Marcegaglia is to invest £50m in an electric arc furnace that will create 50 jobs in Sheffield as part of a deal worth a total of £485m.
The remainder will cover investment by defence specialist Leonardo at its plant at Yeovil in Somerset.
In a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this afternoon, Prime Minister Kier Starmer confirmed the £485 million of investment into UK defence, clean growth and innovation.
The Prime Minister says he has been continuing his drive to reset the UK’s relationship with its closest European partners to deepen co-operation on shared challenges, boost bilateral trade and investment and drive economic growth at home.
Italy is one of the UK’s top ten trading partners, with annual bilateral trade between us worth £50 billion. It is also a pivotal NATO, G7 and EU player, and a key aim of the Prime Minister’s visit today was to unlock deeper co-operation across security, defence and migration.
Sir Keir said: “I am in Italy with a clear message for one of our closest international friends and partners: Britain is a place to do business.
“It is only by resetting our relationships around the world that we can break down the barriers that have been holding the UK back for so long. It means we can attract investment such as the significant sum I’m announcing today, create jobs for hardworking British people and deliver on my ultimate mission for the UK – economic growth.
The UK and Italy have also agreed to work more closely to tackle illicit financial flows linked to organised immigration crime and share intelligence to disrupt the maritime equipment supply chains used by vile people smuggling gangs.
The two leaders also agreed to deepen their defence co-operation by confirming that Italian Army and Navy will participate in UK Carrier Strike Group Operations in the Indo-Pacific next year.
Housebuilder unveils plans to deliver £40m investment in Doncaster
Housebuilder Keepmoat has revealed plans to create 310 new homes in Doncaster, following the acquisition of a dual parcel of land on Herald Road.
Keepmoat purchased the land from Doncaster Council as part of its wider aim to create more homes for the area and will work in partnership with other developers to deliver a range of multi-tenure houses.
Of the 310 new homes to be built, 132 houses will be delivered on the acquired southern parcel of land on the development, with 30 being sold as affordable housing for delivery by Yorkshire Housing, Doncaster Council and Highstone Homes.
The further 178 homes are planned to be delivered by the housebuilder on the northern parcel of land on the same site, which is currently subject to planning via the council.
Daniel Crew, Managing Director at Keepmoat Yorkshire East, said: “It has been brilliant to complete the deal with the council and acquire the new land within the Yorkshire East region.
“The development is located just four miles from Doncaster town centre and is in easy reach of Thorne, Scunthorpe and Sheffield, which is an ideal location for those commuting to work.
“We’re looking forward to working alongside our partners to deliver new homes in Doncaster, as we continue to build on our successful partnerships in the region to provide new homes for local people while transforming disused land into a desirable, thriving community to enjoy in years to come.”
Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Business, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into increasing the open space and habitat provision for this housing development, above and beyond the normal standards. This will make it a great place to live and I’m very pleased to see this housing development commence on site.”
£6m transformation of Elland town centre complete
The £6 million transformation of Elland town centre is now complete, with aims of ensuring it remains a thriving, safe and enjoyable place to spend time.
The completion of work at Southgate was the final step in this ambitious project, which was made possible with over £6 million of funding from the UK Government’s Future High Streets Fund.
Representatives from Calderdale Council and the contractor, Eric Wright Civil Engineering, marked the overall project completion with an official visit to see the transformation first-hand in August 2024 – Elland Market, the main high street area and the new Elland Community Hub.
As part of the Council’s priority for thriving towns and places, the work in Elland aimed to make it easier and more pleasant for residents, workers and visitors to enjoy all the things to see and do in the town centre.
Investment in Elland’s marketplace has been a key part of the project, preserving the town’s heritage – it first hosted a market in the 12th century. To ensure this remains a welcoming and vibrant part of the high street for generations to come, the Market Square area has been upgraded, with new local stone flags and anchor points to secure the stalls. The revamped market reopened in February 2024. The improvement of Victoria Gardens next to the market, with new trees and plants, gives people an attractive place to sit, relax and socialise.
The transformation of the high street is making it more appealing to shoppers and people enjoying their leisure time in Elland. Southgate, the main shopping street, has been improved between the junction with Victoria Road and the junction with Westgate and Northgate. There are wider footpaths, new level crossings, new local stone flags, anti-skid surfaces, granite setts, benches to rest and meet, and street trees and plants that make the area more attractive and help drain away rainwater for flood resilience, as part of the Council’s climate action priority.
The main high street area is now mainly for people who are walking or cycling. Limited loading is available for residents and businesses and there is access for private off-street parking. Timber Street car park can now be accessed from Victoria Road / Southgate.
There are new drop-off bays and parking for people with disabilities on Coronation Street, with a ramped footpath providing safe, step-free access to the high street.
The former Cartwheel Club has been completely refurbished, and the brand new community facility in the heart of Elland opened in May 2024. Run by the Elland Community Hub Committee, it is being used for events, meetings and office space, bringing local people together in a vibrant building. Set to become a symbol of community spirit in Elland, the Hub is expected to play a crucial role in the future growth of the town.
The Future High Streets work in Elland factors in the benefits that will be felt from the creation of the town’s planned new rail station, improved options for walking, cycling and catching the bus, and for greener, faster and easier ways to get around. This supports the Council’s active travel work and helps tackle the climate emergency.
Cllr Sarah Courtney, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: “2024 has already seen the grand openings of Elland Community Hub and the revamped market, and now we’re thrilled to celebrate the overall completion of the transformation work across the town centre.
“Elland is a real treasure in Calderdale’s mix of towns and places. The Council, residents and local businesses are ambitious for the area, and based on community feedback over several years, the Future High Streets projects are helping to sustain Elland as a thriving town for years to come, with an improved layout and feel.
“As Elland is a conservation area, with special historic interest, we have worked to carefully protect and enhance the many heritage features that people love in the town.”
Diane Bourne, Managing Director at Eric Wright Civil Engineering, added: “We’re incredibly proud to have delivered these significant upgrades to Elland’s historic marketplace as well as completing these new community facilities for future generations to enjoy. The team has worked closely with Calderdale Council and the local community and stakeholders to ensure the works are both sympathetic to the town’s history and will also stand the test of time. It’s great to see them open and being used by the public.”
Mayor launches free support to inspire West Yorkshire students into creative careers
Almost 200 secondary schools and colleges across West Yorkshire are set to receive free support to educate young people about careers in the creative industries.
The support – funded by Mayor Tracy Brabin with specialist input from Leeds Heritage Theatres and Grand Futures Leeds Art Network – is a collection of free, downloadable lesson plans designed to empower teachers to open up the world of the creative industries to their pupils.
The interactive and educational lesson plans include interviews with working creatives in the region, filmed and delivered by trainee journalists from Leeds City College.
Through the advice and expertise of creatives – including both on-stage and backstage talent such as set and costume designers – the West Yorkshire Mayor hopes to showcase the variety of roles on offer in the region’s booming creative industries, on the eve of Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.
Mayor Brabin, who enjoyed a thirty-year career as an actor and writer before entering politics, has pledged to offer the same opportunities she had to young people across West Yorkshire, by building a “region of learning and creativity.”
She will also collaborate with other Northern Mayors on a new partnership called One Creative North, with plans for a £50 million investment bank to support high-growth creative industries businesses.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “West Yorkshire’s creative industries are bursting with amazing careers waiting to be seized, and I want young people across our communities to follow their passions and thrive in life.
“However, I know how difficult and daunting this can be, for some more than others. That’s why we’re giving free support to hundreds of schools to inspire and educate their students, no matter their circumstances or background.
“I’m confident this new initiative will provide invaluable opportunities for creative talent to be unleashed in a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Catherine Hayward, Interim Head of Learning & Engagement at Leeds Heritage Theatres, said: “As a network, Grand Futures (chaired by Leeds Heritage Theatres) is committed to increasing opportunities for young people to explore the creative industries – right here in West Yorkshire.
“We know that the arts can often seem like a mystery, the magic of backstage hidden from the audience’s view, but through our projects we shine a light on some of the less well-known job roles in our industry.
“By gaining a thorough understanding of the arts sector in our region, we hope young people will develop a deeper understanding of the sector and take steps towards a career in the creative industries.”
The Mayor’s new “Careers in the Arts” initiative was launched on Friday (13 September) at the “West Yorkshire School, College and Business Leaders Conference” in Wakefield, which brought together over 200 employers and educators from across the region.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority also launched a new “skills swap service” and “careers portal,” designed to help schools and colleges teach the transferable skills that young people need to succeed, while connecting them directly with the employers who can offer valuable opportunities for work experience.
The three new initiatives are all part of the Combined Authority-led “West Yorkshire Careers Hub,” which comprises almost 200 schools and 600 business volunteers, all dedicated to preparing young people for the world of work.
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers power ahead with more growth in the pipeline
Manufacturers in Yorkshire & the Humber are powering ahead with a boost to overall economic prospects forecast from a period of greater political stability.
The findings come in the Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO which shows almost six in ten companies (58%) believe that the recent change in Government will lead to better economic growth overall in the next 12 months. In contrast just 6% of companies expect GDP to decline this year as a result of the new Government.
According to the survey, business confidence in Yorkshire & the Humber is continuing to climb, reaching levels last seen at the beginning of the recovery from the pandemic.
The balance on output in Yorkshire & the Humber was +38% but is forecast to jump to +55% in the next quarter. Total orders are following a similar pattern, increasing from +45% to +48% in the next three months.
This boost is resulting in strong recruitment intentions with companies looking to take on staff to cope with demand (the balance on recruitment increasing from +24% in Q3 to a forecast +38% in the next three months). Companies in Yorkshire & the Humber are also investing in line with taking on staff as the balance on investment has risen to +21%.
Make UK is forecasting that manufacturing will grow by 0.5% in 2024. This is a downgrade from 1.2% forecast in the last quarter but is due to ONS revisions on which the forecasts are based. GDP is forecast to grow 1.1% in 2024 and 1.8% in 2025.
Dawn Huntrod, Region Director for Make UK in the North, said: “This is a very positive set of results for Yorkshire & The Humber which reflects the boost to stability provided by the new Government.
“We now need to see this momentum maintained with a new industrial strategy and other measures in the Autumn Statement to boost growth, in particular investment in major infrastructure projects which will provide a long-term return for the economy overall.”
Steve Talbot, Head of Manufacturing at BDO in Yorkshire, added: “Manufacturers across Yorkshire & the Humber are hopeful that a period of greater political stability will provide a better economic outlook ahead, and that in turn is boosting business confidence.
“All eyes are on the Government’s next steps. We need an industrial strategy that is fit for purpose to ensure that the confidence firms currently have in future economic prospects is not misplaced.”
Investor sets sights on Yorkshire floor coverings firm
Nimbus, the Pan European investor, has acquired National Floorcoverings Group (NFCG).
The investment represents Nimbus’s first UK investment out of its new Fund V investment vehicle following the successful exits of two UK manufacturing businesses earlier in the year.
NFCG produces a range of floor coverings which includes fibre bonded carpets for the education market, tufted carpet tiles for the commercial sector, aluminium/modular entrance matting and specialised indoor and outdoor sports surfaces.
Operating from two sites in Heckmondwike and Rotherham, NFCG consists of four market facing divisions Heckmondwike, Paragon, Playrite and Mat.Works. The group has been under family ownership for over 60 years dominating the educational sector with its Supacord product since the early 1970s.
Nimbus have supported the incumbent Managing Director David Rhodes and his Management Team in leading a management buy out. Mr Rhodes said: “This investment marks an exciting new chapter for the group and we are looking forward to working with Nimbus who have an excellent track record in supporting UK manufacturers adapt to ever-changing commercial landscapes.”
David Keenan, who led the investment for Nimbus, added: “NFCG holds a very strong market presence in the UK and we hope to work with David and his team to advance further export opportunities whilst introducing new product ranges to our existing markets.”
Opening of £9m research centre brings new hope to cancer, dementia and heart disease patients across the North
Research and treatment for cancer, dementia and heart disease is set to take a huge step forward after the long-awaited handover of a £9m molecular imaging facility at Castle Hill Hospital in East Yorkshire.
At a ceremony to mark the occasion Professor Pat Price, an internationally renowned expert in cancer research, said the significance of the new molecular imaging research centre (MIRC) is underlined by data which shows more must be done to develop a much-needed national cancer recovery plan for the UK.
Prof Price added: “What is happening in Hull with the new MIRC and the Jack Brignall Centre is fantastic but now we need this push in terms of fundraising to show people what we can do. We need more capacity in diagnostic imaging otherwise cancer patients in the area are just going to have to wait longer. This will save lives.”
Prof Nick Stafford, founder and chair of the Daisy Appeal, said: “We currently carry out 4,500 scans every year in the Jack Brignall Centre but the scanner is at capacity. We are looking to upgrade it to a digital device capable of getting through 7,500 scans per year, but new technology does not come cheap.”
This new research centre complements the existing PET CT scanning centre which has been operating for the last nine years. There are ongoing plans for further development to improve medical services in Hull and the charity is looking to secure new funding for the digital scanner at a cost of approximately £2.8m within the next year.
Prof Stafford, a former professor of head and neck surgery, founded the Daisy Appeal in 2000. He remains chair of the charity which created a partnership between the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Hull. Milestones include the opening of the £8m Daisy Appeal Medical Research Centre in 2008 and the £4.5m Jack Brignall PET-CT Scanning Centre in 2014. To date £23m has been raised by the charity.
Equipped with its own cyclotron, the MIRC will make its own radiotracers which in the past have had to be bought in from manufacturers elsewhere – a journey of an hour or more for products which have a short half-life. When the new facility is up and running the radiotracers will be produced on site and delivered directly to the Jack Brignall Centre for immediate use in scans to detect cancers, dementia and heart disease.
Work on the MIRC commenced in 2018 with completion due in 2021 but construction, complications and equipment delays caused by the impact of Covid have pushed the project back. Having taken delivery of the facility, Prof Stafford said work will now begin on the commissioning and licensing procedures, with radiotracer production on course to start in the next two months and the cyclotron operational in about six months.
He said: “We will be able to manufacture a variety of clinically relevant radiotracers not currently available to patients in the north of England and, as the only facility of its kind between Cambridge and Edinburgh, we aim to become a referral centre for specialised PET imaging.
“Clinical scanning activity in the UK is predicted to rise 12 per cent year on year for the next decade and the industry partners we work with are gearing up to meet that. GE, who supplied our cyclotron have predicted an increase in sales for radiotracers and radiotherapeutics in the United States from $1.17bn in 2020 to $24.9bn by 2031. I’d like our facility to have a share of the UK element of this market.”
Annual running costs for the MIRC are £700,000 and the charity will continue to pursue other revenue opportunities from grants, corporate and personal donations and fundraising activities in the community.
The NHS review commissioned by the new government and published by Lord Darzi, reported that the UK has appreciably higher cancer mortality rates than other countries, with no progress whatsoever made in diagnosing cancer at stage one and two between 2013 and 2021.
Prof Price, chair of Radiotherapy UK, Professor at Imperial College London and a clinical oncology consultant for 35 years, said: “The importance of the new facility is about dealing with the increased incidence of cancer. There will be a 30 per cent increase in the incidence of cancer by 2040, one in two people will get it and there is a big delay in terms of diagnostics.
“We need chemical science centres like this one that can develop the methodology for PET studies. Not many places in the UK can do that and Hull would not normally be up for this level of infrastructure but we have known Nick for a long time, he came to us with his vision for Hull and he did something really tough and really important.
“It’s complex clinical science, it’s ambitious and they have attracted some very good people who can go to the next level now in terms of international support. To really make the most of this they need to get some pilot data which will help them secure bigger grants and become a jewel in the crown for the UK.”
