Bumper year in education sector sees construction firm start major extension project in York

Tess Egginton
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Bumper year in education sector sees construction firm start major extension project in York
Construction firm Hobson & Porter is seeing a bumper year in the education sector, after starting a major new extension project in York, as well as working on numerous other school and college projects across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The company is now working on a £1.4m extension at St Paul’s Nursery School on St Paul’s Square in York’s Holgate area. The project, on behalf of City of York Council, also involves internal alterations and the refurbishment of the existing Grade II listed nursery building. St Paul’s opened in 1936, making it York’s oldest nursery, and it was gifted to the local authority by the Rowntree family. This latest project follows Hobson & Porter starting work earlier this year on an extension at Cambridge Park Academy in Grimsby, which will almost double the size of its sixth form college for SEND pupils. Hobson & Porter is also building two new primary schools near Grimsby, at Scartho and Waltham, for North East Lincolnshire Council, which will open this year and both will be run by Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust. In Skegness, Hobson & Porter is building a new £12m learning campus for Skegness TEC (Training, Education and Careers). Richard Hunter, managing director at Hobson & Porter, said: “We have a proven track record and a strong reputation for continually producing an exceptional standard of work in the education sector and this has made it a key part of our business. “Much of our success is due to our ability to plan for and meet the tight deadlines the sector faces, with a lot of rapid-delivery and complex projects typically crammed into the summer months, when schools and colleges are closed. “We’re very pleased to start work at St Paul’s Nursery School, which will benefit from our expertise in the education sector and complement our existing projects. We’ve also worked hard to devise effective ways to overcome the project’s unique challenges which include the site’s limited access, its Grade II listed boundary walls, and we’re building a timber framed extension that must be sympathetic to its surroundings. “Ultimately, once work completes, there’s no doubt it will create a significantly enhanced environment where young people can learn, grow and thrive, which is our ultimate aim for every education scheme we deliver.”

Growth boost for Yorkshire & Humber manufacturing

Tess Egginton
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Growth boost for Yorkshire & Humber manufacturing
Manufacturers in Yorkshire & the Humber have seen output recover to almost a sixth higher (14%) than that recorded in 2019, according to the latest snapshot of the sector’s contribution to the region’s economy. The Make UK/BDO Annual Regional Manufacturing Outlook report shows the importance of the manufacturing sector to the Yorkshire & Humber economy, accounting for almost a sixth (13%) of the region’s total output. It also contributes 280,000 highly skilled jobs, 10% of the region’s employment overall. Three major sectors account for almost half of manufacturing production with the largest being the food and drink sector, worth almost a quarter (19.1%) of industrial output in the region. This is followed by the metals sector (largely steel) at 15.1% and then chemicals at 10%. In 2024 Yorkshire & Humber was responsible for 6% of the UK’s total goods exports (up from 5% in 2023) with the EU being the dominant destination (56%), making it one the most dependent of any English region or devolved nation. This is followed by North America (17%) and Asia & Oceania (13%). Dawn Huntrod, region director for Make UK in the North, said: “Industry remains critical to the growth of the Yorkshire & Humber economy, providing high value, high skill jobs and aiding the process of creating wealth across the region. “The Government has made a welcome bold statement of its intent to tackle the UK’s anaemic growth at national and regional level with its industrial and trade strategies. This should now be allied with the local growth strategies and priorities of each region, including infrastructure and innovation, together with other measures to ensure the UK is an attractive place to do business.” Steve Talbot, head of manufacturing in Yorkshire at BDO, added: “The government has made clear that their industrial strategy is proudly place based and these results remind us that manufacturing in the Yorkshire & Humber is a great place to start. “Accounting for a sixth of the region’s output and ten per cent of its employment, manufacturing is undoubtedly vital to the continued growth of the region. “What these businesses need now is targeted investment and support to locate new trading partners, boost export levels and bridge the skills gap.”

British Steel expands apprenticeship programme with 59 new positions

April Lara
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British Steel expands apprenticeship programme with 59 new positions

British Steel is set to recruit 59 new apprentices this September as part of a broader drive to strengthen its workforce. This marks the company’s first intake of apprentices in three years, with roles spanning engineering, technical, and functional areas.

The UK’s only primary steelmaker will hire 21 additional apprentices, increasing the total to 59, across its operations in Scunthorpe, Teesside, and Skinningrove. The company has also introduced technical apprenticeships at its R&D facility in Sheffield.

In total, British Steel is hiring for 30 engineering, 6 technical, and 7 functional positions. These new roles are designed to address the growing need for skilled talent within the business.

The HR team has highlighted the exceptional quality of applicants received for the apprenticeship positions. With the continued focus on building an internal talent pool, these apprentices will play a vital role in shaping the company’s future, with a clear focus on sustainability and profitability.

Applications for most of the roles closed last month, with assessments and offers currently being processed. However, British Steel is still accepting applications for technical positions in Sheffield and seven functional roles in Scunthorpe, including positions in procurement, commercial, HR, IT, finance, and health and safety.

Sheffield’s rail electrification delayed again, South Yorkshire left behind

April Lara
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Sheffield’s rail electrification delayed again, South Yorkshire left behind

The electrification of the Midland Mainline (MML) has been delayed yet again, with Sheffield set to remain the largest UK city without electrified railways. The latest pause affects plans to extend the electrification north of Kettering, originally intended to reach Sheffield by the end of 2020. The pause comes despite earlier proposals for the MML to extend to Doncaster and Leeds, including a link through Rotherham with a new station.

The Government’s decision to halt the project follows ongoing concerns over rising costs and prioritisation of other schemes. As a result, Sheffield will continue to depend on outdated diesel trains, which are slower, more polluting, and less reliable. These older trains contribute to higher emissions, which runs counter to the Government’s broader environmental goals.

This pause contrasts with the progress seen on the East Coast Mainline (ECML), which completed its electrification upgrade in 2020, enabling the introduction of new, modern trains. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has expressed concern over the ongoing delay, highlighting the environmental and operational drawbacks of sticking with diesel-powered services.

The Government has stated that while the next phase of electrification is paused, the potential for full electrification remains under review and may be reconsidered when funding becomes available in the future.

Sephora expands into Yorkshire with Meadowhall store opening

April Lara
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Sephora expands into Yorkshire with Meadowhall store opening

Sephora UK has launched its first store in Yorkshire at Meadowhall, Sheffield. The 3,389 sq ft store is the retailer’s first opening of 2025, following its Liverpool ONE debut in May. The store attracted 1,000 customers on its opening day, eager to grab one of the exclusive goodie bags.

This opening is part of Sephora’s broader UK expansion, which saw stores opened in major locations across 2024, including Manchester Trafford Centre, Newcastle Eldon Square, Gateshead Metrocentre, Birmingham Bullring, and Bluewater Shopping Centre. Future openings are set for Manchester Arndale, Oxford Westgate, and Cardiff St David’s.

Sephora UK’s expansion is driven by its strategy to enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and inspiration for beauty consumers nationwide. The new Meadowhall store further strengthens the retailer’s presence in the region and supports the centre’s goal of offering a premium beauty shopping experience. The opening is seen as a significant milestone for both Sephora and Meadowhall, positioning the shopping centre as a top destination for beauty shoppers in the area.

UK government commits £2.5bn to drive automotive sector’s zero-emission shift

April Lara
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UK government commits £2.5bn to drive automotive sector’s zero-emission shift

The UK government is injecting £2.5 billion into the automotive sector as part of its DRIVE35 programme, a decade-long initiative aimed at positioning the country at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) and zero-emission vehicle production. This funding is designed to support a range of projects, from high-volume manufacturing to innovative EV startups, ensuring the UK’s continued leadership in sustainable automotive manufacturing.

The new funding package aligns with the UK’s broader Industrial Strategy, which aims to increase business investment in advanced manufacturing, particularly in sectors such as automotive. By providing both capital investment and research and development funding, DRIVE35 seeks to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing, supporting everything from major gigafactories to smaller-scale R&D projects. A £500 million allocation for R&D, running until 2035, underscores the government’s commitment to long-term innovation in the sector.

The UK’s automotive industry, which is a key contributor to the economy, saw £21.4 billion in output in 2024 and supports over 132,000 jobs across various roles. With the rise in demand for electric vehicles, making the UK the largest EV market in Europe by 2024, the government’s investment will help maintain momentum, ensuring continued growth and innovation within the sector.

As part of the programme, funding will focus on three main areas: large-scale manufacturing transformation, R&D for scaling up emerging technologies, and funding for innovation in the sector. The government expects that these investments will create thousands of jobs, stimulate billions in economic growth, and reduce CO2 emissions by advancing cleaner vehicle technologies. These efforts will help attract global investors and ensure that the UK remains an attractive destination for automotive innovation.

Investments announced alongside the DRIVE35 programme include a £100 million boost for EV component production in Bolton and £15 million for EV part manufacturing in the West Midlands. These projects are expected to create significant high-value employment and strengthen the UK’s role as a leader in the global EV supply chain.

North Yorkshire care home changes hands

Tess Egginton
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North Yorkshire care home changes hands
Arden House residential home for the elderly in Pickering, North Yorkshire, has been sold to a growing care group. A care home for up to 14 elderly residents, Arden House was established by Steven and Karen Blakey in 1987 and was run under their ownership until Steven’s sad passing in 2022, when Karen took over sole responsibility. The home was brought to market to allow her to retire. Following a confidential sales process with Jonathan Wickens at Christie & Co, Arden House has been purchased by Lenore Care, which now operates five homes with a total of 137 beds across the North East of England. Jack Jenkinson, director at Lenore Care, said: “We are delighted to welcome Arden House to our group. This beautiful property, located in the heart of Pickering, is supported by a dedicated and compassionate care team. We look forward to continuing our support as the business grows and thrives within the local community.” Jonathan Wickens, director – care at Christie & Co, said: “The sale of Arden House illustrates there is demand for smaller care homes across the North of England where they offer personalised, high levels of support whilst retaining that ‘homely’ feel. We are sure that Lenore will maintain the fantastic standards that have ensured Arden House retains its ‘Good’ rating with the Care Quality Commission.”

South Yorkshire mayor raises concerns over pausing of Midland Main Line electrification

Tess Egginton
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South Yorkshire mayor raises concerns over pausing of Midland Main Line electrification
South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard has raised his concerns after the government announced it is pausing the electrification of the Midland Main Line – delaying faster, greener rail services between Sheffield, London, and the wider North. While other parts of the North received new investment in rail infrastructure including new stations and improved signalling, South Yorkshire was left out of new rail funding and the government also confirmed that electrification of the Midland Main Line, a long-standing priority for the region, is being put on hold. The decision means Sheffield will remain the only major UK city without electrified rail services, relying instead on older, more polluting diesel trains that are slower, less reliable, and worse for the environment. The pause runs contrary to the ambitions set out in the White Rose Agreement and Lord Blunkett’s Yorkshire’s Plan for Rail, which calls for faster, cleaner connections between Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester, and London. The region previously missed out when HS2 to Sheffield was one of the first legs to be cancelled which would have reduced the journey time from Sheffield to London from 120 minutes to 87 minutes, with additional seating capacity on brand new electric trains through electrification of Midland Main Line. Mayor Coppard has called on the government to think again and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for South Yorkshire’s transport priorities, including: electrification of the Midland Main Line, a new station at Rotherham Gateway, upgrades at Doncaster, faster services from Barnsley to London and between Sheffield, Manchester, and Leeds, and investment in Supertram expansion. South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard said: “There’s frustration in the region. After decades of national underinvestment in our transport network, we’re having to wait longer for vital rail improvements that would create jobs, opportunities and economic growth. It feels like one step forward and two steps back. “We were told HS2 would come to Sheffield. That was cancelled. Now electrification of Midland Main Line is being paused. All we’re asking for is a fair deal. “I’ve raised my concerns directly with the government, and I’ll keep doing so. South Yorkshire deserves a modern, reliable, and sustainable transport network – and I won’t stop fighting for it.”

Micronclean makes duo of director promotions

Tess Egginton
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Micronclean makes duo of director promotions

Micronclean has promoted Stella Yates to sales director and Sophie Harris to QSHE & HR director, in recognition of their continued contributions and strong leadership within the business.

These appointments also reflect the Skegness-based firm’s commitment to keeping a healthy balance between developing internal talent and bringing in fresh perspectives from outside the organisation.

Over the past 12 years, Stella has developed her career within the business. Starting as a business development manager, she has earned several promotions and taken on a variety of roles, while also gaining her MBA. This positions her well to take full responsibility for the sales and service teams as sales director. Sophie joined the business three years ago as its first QSHE associate director. Since then, she has made the role her own – launching the Microngreen business objective, reinvigorating health and safety, and expanding her remit to include HR as QSHE & HR director. Robert Parker, managing director at Microclean, said: “Stella and Sophie both deserve this promotion. We are lucky to be able to take a long term view for our succession plan that allows us to make really strong appointments. This is great news for both Stella and Sophie and also for Micronclean. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Cresswell, who is stepping down from the board at the end of the year after 14 years as Sales Director. Phil is continuing to work in the business as National Key Account Manager looking after our Key Accounts team.”

Sheffield manufacturer faces job cuts due to rising costs

April Lara
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Sheffield manufacturer faces job cuts due to rising costs

Jenx, a long-established Sheffield manufacturer, has announced plans to close its factory, putting 65 jobs at risk. The decision comes as the company faces rising operational costs, declining public sector funding, and a challenging market environment.

Founded in 1982, Jenx manufactures specialised equipment for children with disabilities. Despite reporting a £250,000 profit for the year ending August 2024, the company faces significant challenges due to global market instability, including the impact of tariffs on its primary export market, the USA.

The firm, which currently employs 110 people, will shift its focus to its UK distribution arm, Jiraffe, amid the closure of its Herries Road factory. The company remains hopeful that a viable alternative solution may be found during the consultation period. If not, Jenx plans to cease manufacturing by the end of the year, marking a significant shift in its operations.

This move highlights broader challenges faced by UK manufacturers, including rising wages and increased National Insurance contributions, which have further pressured their profitability.

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