Government adviser joins Nuclear AMRC in directorship role
Experienced government advisor Chris Pook has joined the Rotherham-based Nuclear AMRC to help ensure that the centre’s work aligns with national energy policy, and that UK manufacturers get the support they need to play their full part in national nuclear programmes.
Chris said: “As Government Policy Director, I focus on ensuring that the government understands the needs of the sector and the challenges faced by the UK supply chain, and the role of the Nuclear AMRC in addressing them.
“Despite the political turmoil of 2022, it has been encouraging to see all administrations maintaining their support for nuclear and R&D. My job is to ensure that this support is maintained and that government at all levels is aware of the capabilities that exist in the Nuclear AMRC – a critical national asset for the UK.
“I have been working for governments of all colours since 1993, most recently at the Government Office for Science with responsibility for science capability, systems, science and innovation. Part of this was to ensure that R&D funding was increased and used effectively across government, and that departments and agencies had access to the skills and capabilities required to deliver the vision of the UK as a science superpower.
“I helped establish the Technology Strategy Board, the predecessor to Innovate UK, and represented UK science, innovation and industry in overseas postings in the US, Japan and Singapore. The insight gained from this will help me to understand how best to position the Nuclear AMRC to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future, and to understand what business needs from government.
“I will be with the team to secure the future of the Nuclear AMRC as an essential part of the UK’s industrial landscape. There will be a lot to learn, and a lot has changed since my first visit to Rotherham in 2012, but I am very much looking forward to the challenge.”
Hull’s SMES can still share in energy-saving scheme before it closes in June
Grants given to SMEs through Hull’s Business Energy Efficiency Scheme have helped the scheme to reach its carbon saving target six months ahead of its closure.
HBEES offers grants of up to £15,000 to SMEs in Hull looking to update outdated equipment or install new heating, lighting, solar or EV charging points, meaning they are saving tonnes of carbon – as well as money on their energy costs – each year. By its closure in June this year, the scheme had aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Hull by 750,000kg per year – but six months ahead of schedule it’s already broken that target at 790,000kg – with an additional 25 projects receiving support that at currently being delivered and are expected to save another 175,000kg. The scheme now fully expects to produce savings of over 1million kg a year by its closure. To put that into perspective, one tree absorbs around 2kg of CO2 a year – so a saving of 1million kg is the same as planting 500,000 trees. Hull SMEs who wish to take advantage of this scheme still have time – with almost £200,000 of grant funding still available to award to local businesses. However – eligible businesses need to be quick – as all grant applications need to be submitted by the end of March 2023. Phil Hall, HBEES Programme Manager, said: “The response we’ve had to the scheme has been fantastic – so far, we’ve supported over 200 Hull businesses to not just reduce their emissions, but have also seen some businesses save tens of thousands of pounds on their energy costs each year. “If you’ve been thinking about how you can make changes to reduce your business’s emissions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – grants are still available and we can also provide a whole host of fully-funded specialist energy advice services too.” Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “We’re very proud of what the HBEES scheme has achieved so far and how many Hull businesses have taken part, already helping play their part in helping Hull become a carbon neutral city – benefitting everyone in our city for years to come.”Laser tech company expands by choosing Leeds for its second premises
Aesthetic laser device supplier Laseraid has expanded from its Borehamwood HQ by opening a new facility in Leeds.
The move comes after a successful first year of trading with laser devices now in market with a total value of £4.5m.
Launched in autumn 2021 with a multi-million war chest for acquisition with the backing of private investors and Australian market leader Laseraid, the business was started to meet the demand from current and aspiring aesthetic clinic owners throughout the UK for cost-effective and reliable access to industry-leading laser devices.
With its headquarters in Borehamwood, near London, featuring a showroom, training academy and service centre, Laseraid has also opened a second base in Leeds, which includes a full workshop for maintenance and repairs as well as a showroom and training facilities. The team has grown from eight people a year ago to more than twenty service technicians, trainers, sales consultants and customer service staff across the UK.
“The Laseraid offering has been specifically designed to help clinics to try a variety of treatments and devices, introduce new ideas to their customers, and to help them scale up quickly, without the capital cost or lengthy financial commitments of purchasing machines,” explains Jamel Hussain, commercial director of Laseraid.
As well as access to premium laser devices from industry-leading brands, Laseraid’s subscription model includes complete servicing and support in addition to initial and ongoing training, and monthly clinic supplies credit towards stocking up clinic supplies.
In recent years, the use of lasers by clinics, doctors and dermatology specialists has boomed as technology has become available to assist with a wide range of treatments including laser hair removal, tattoo removal, skin rejuvenation, fat freezing, body contouring and facial treatments. Laseraid offers a wide range of devices to deliver these services including models such as Alma Soprano Titanium, Candela GentleMAX Pro, Cynosure Elite, Préime Derma Facial and SylfirmX Microneedling.
Guy Bunn, COO of Laseraid, adds: “With a strong heritage as a market-leader in Australia, Laseraid has brought its expertise to the developing UK aesthetics sector, offering a revolutionary package which enables clinics to expand quickly and grow to their full potential. Having got our business off to a flying start here, there are exciting times ahead as we continue to support premium clinic operators and drive the industry forward.”
Call for firms to take part in next North Lincolnshire jobs expo
North Lincolnshire businesses are being urged to grab the opportunity to sign up to the next North Lincolnshire Jobs Expo.
Employers – including Ongo, Tayto, Cooplands, Rocal, Wren Kitchens and British Steel – who have attended previous Expos report positive results from engaging directly with potential new employees.
A spokesperson from Barton-based Wren Kitchens had this to say after the last Jobs Expo in September: “We found the Expo extremely useful in terms of networking and recruitment. I spoke to around 40 candidates with five of them being booked for interviews the next day.
“I was also approached by several companies and organisations presenting some exciting opportunities that I will be looking into.”
A spokesperson from 24/7 recruitment said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day at North Lincolnshire Jobs Expo. Over 30 new candidates signed up ready to start work over the next couple of weeks at various sites.
“Not only did we build a new candidate pool but we were able to network with local businesses and potential new clients.”
An exit poll of jobseekers at the last Jobs Expo found that of the more than 700 people who attended the event, the majority said it had been worthwhile them attending, with 64 per cent saying they would definitely be applying for vacancies and another 14 per cent said they were considering doing so.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The kind of North Lincolnshire we want to build relies on high-quality sustainable jobs and a well-trained, motivated workforce. The Jobs Expo helps us go a long way towards achieving this.
“Supporting businesses to get the people and skills they need will help build back our economy better, improving the outcomes for every family in North Lincolnshire.”
Taking place on Wednesday 8 February at the Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, the Jobs Expo attracts hundreds of jobseekers and upskillers looking to improve their prospects and develop their careers.
Government unveils new “Energy Bills Discount Scheme” for businesses, scaling back support
A new, scaled back, energy scheme for businesses, charities, and the public sector has been confirmed ahead of the current scheme ending in March. The new scheme will mean all eligible UK businesses and other non-domestic energy users will receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024, rather than costs being capped.
While some have welcomed the news, others critiqued the plan as being out of touch, a disappointment, and catastrophic.
Government says it will help businesses locked into contracts signed before recent falls in the wholesale price manage their costs and provide others with reassurance against the risk of prices rising again.
The government provided a package of support for non-domestic users through this winter, worth £18 billion per the figures certified by the OBR at the Autumn Statement. This is equivalent to the cost of an increase of around three pence on people’s income tax.
The new scheme has a cap set at £5.5 billion.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said: “My top priority is tackling the rising cost of living – something that both families and businesses are struggling with. That means taking difficult decisions to bring down inflation while giving as much support to families and business as we are able.
“Wholesale energy prices are falling and have now gone back to levels just before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. But to provide reassurance against the risk of prices rising again we are launching the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme, giving businesses the certainty they need to plan ahead.
“Even though prices are falling, I am concerned this is not being passed on to businesses, so I’ve written to Ofgem asking for an update on whether further action is action is needed to make sure the market is working for businesses.”
From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, eligible non-domestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier will see a unit discount of up to £6.97/MWh automatically applied to their gas bill and a unit discount of up to £19.61/MWh applied to their electricity bill, except for those benefitting from lower energy prices.
A higher level of support will be provided to businesses in sectors identified as being the most energy and trade intensive – predominately manufacturing industries. A long standing category associated with higher energy usage; these firms are often less able to pass through cost to their customers due to international competition. Businesses in scope will receive a gas and electricity bill discount based on a supported price which will be capped by a maximum unit discount of £40.0/MWh for gas and £89.1/MWh for electricity.
Martin McTague, national chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Today’s decision to all but eliminate help through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) is a huge disappointment for small businesses. For those struggling, the discount through the new version of the scheme is not material. Many small firms will not be able to survive on the pennies provided through the new version of the scheme.
“This is so out of touch. Two pence off a kWh of electricity and half a pence off gas is totally insignificant for small businesses, despite costing billions to the taxpayer. The Government will inevitably have to come back.
“The current EBRS scheme provides certainty for a small business owner over their rates, and has made a material difference to the survival of many small businesses. The replacement scheme will do neither.
“While the New Year should be a time of optimism and excitement, 2023 looks like the beginning of the end for tens of thousands of small businesses, which have been relying on the government energy support to survive this winter.
“In addition to the withdrawal of the vast majority of support to cope with high energy prices, this decision also risks stoking inflation as small businesses bills rise, but their prices will rise at the same time. The EBRS original scheme suppressed inflation by 5% points, but this has been cancelled, today. Slashing support will drive higher inflation, just as we enter a recession.
“Our latest research shows one in four small firms anticipate either closing, downsizing, or radically changing their business model when the Government reduces energy support after March. Five days after the Prime Minister’s pledges to restore optimism and hope and grow the economy, small firms will feel let down by the Prime Minister’s decision to call in the scheme decision planned for December, and cutting back the scheme to such a minimal state.
“What’s certain from this catastrophic move is there’ll be a cliff edge after March. The small fish and chip around the corner, your local pub, and the family-run independent laundrette – all will see much higher bills. That’s on the Government.
“Gambling that wholesale energy prices will continue to fall this year is transferring the risk of further energy price shocks to small businesses. Think of the children’s nursery in East Sussex which saw its energy prices reduce from £1,200 to £600 per month by the EBRS and the small engineering company in Leicester which is facing a 500% increase in gas bills – they will have no way to mitigate a sharp jump in energy costs.
“Dividing the scheme into two tiers is sensible, but not so that the tier of support for any small businesses lighting or heating premises, or using freezers or ovens, has been set so low as to mean support diluted to such a feeble level. It would have been better value for money for small firms if the £2bn cost of their element of the scheme had been used to improve energy efficiency, to reduce the need for energy from the grid.
“The Government said that taxpayers cannot prop up failing or unproductive firms, which is insulting to many small business owners struggling this winter.
“Since the onset of Covid, we’ve lost half a million small firms. Allowing more well-run businesses to go under would be a false economy. But with this absurd degraded Energy Bills Discount Scheme, it looks like we’re getting there.”
Tom Thackray, CBI director for Decarbonisation Policy, said: “The extension to the scheme will provide respite for many firms at the start of the year and help them plan ahead for the next 12 months with more certainty.
“It’s unrealistic to think the scheme could stay affordable in its current form, but some firms will undoubtedly still find the going hard. The Government has done much to protect businesses through the energy crisis. It must remain open, flexible and pragmatic in its approach to volatile wholesale energy markets as the year unfolds.
“Heavy energy users and those exposed to global trade are among some of the most impacted in the current crisis, so the additional support for these firms is a particularly welcome step.”
New era for Beal as housebuilder moves into its own stunning new home
Beal Homes has moved into its own stunning new home, beginning a fresh chapter for the family-owned housebuilder.
The Beal team has relocated to a showpiece new head office in East Yorkshire as the company enters its 55th anniversary year.
The £5.5m, state-of-the-art building is a major investment in the business and a powerful vote of confidence in the housing market in Hull, East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire where Beal operates.
The 20,000 sq ft, two-storey building occupies a prominent position at Bridgehead business park in Hessle and is the latest flagship development at the prime business location.
The new building provides Beal’s office-based team members with a superb working environment, as well as offering industry-leading customer experience facilities.
It features an impressive reception area and central atrium, open-plan work spaces, a boardroom, meeting and training rooms, breakout spaces and a first-floor outdoor terrace.
Househunters are also welcome to visit, seven days a week, to enquire about new homes available across all the housebuilder’s developments and appreciate the vast array of choices available to make each property unique to the buyer.
The jewel in the crown of the new building is a fabulous Design Lounge, where customers work with Beal’s expert designers to personalise their new home to fit their lifestyle and tastes perfectly.
The finishing touches are now being put to the Design Lounge ready for it to welcome homebuyers to enjoy an unrivalled experience as they make their new home one of a kind in a high-end, showroom-style environment.
The Beal team have moved just 100 yards across the road from the company’s previous building, on the opposite side of the Bridgehead site, which had been the housebuilder’s home for almost a decade.
It marks a major milestone in the development of the business, which has grown to become the region’s leading independent housebuilder, with a 160-strong workforce, an unrivalled reputation for design and build quality, and a business model based on uniquely personal customer service.
Beal Chief Executive Richard Beal said: “We’re hugely excited to open a new chapter for Beal Homes in this fantastic new building.
“It represents a major investment in the business and in providing our excellent team with an exceptional working environment. It’s also a state-of-the-art facility for our customers and would-be buyers to drop into and enjoy the experience of finding and creating their new dream home.
“The expanded Design Lounge enables us to take the bespoke service we offer to all our Beal buyers to another level and accelerate our growth.
“It demonstrates our commitment to putting our buyers at the very heart of everything we do and the enhanced service we can now offer sets us further apart from other housebuilders.
“Our new building is a highly-visible showcase for the Beal brand, a place where customers can use the latest digital technology to view our developments and house types, and where our buyers will enjoy bringing their vision for their own dream new home to life.”
Beal has worked on the project with Wykeland Group, owner and developer of Bridgehead, reinforcing the strong relationship between the two local businesses, who are also joint venture partners in the regeneration of Hull’s Fruit Market urban village.
Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Hull-based Wykeland, said: “The new Beal Homes head office is the latest major investment in a continuing story of successful development at Bridgehead.
“Their new office is a spectacular, both inside and out, and a fantastic addition to the business park.
“Beal was the first business to make its home at Bridgehead, benefiting from the brand profile offered by such a prominent and prestigious location and the opportunity to purpose-design customer facilities to deliver their unique business model.
“Now Beal has invested again at Bridgehead, to take the business to the next level. It’s a perfect example of delivery on our long-term vision for Bridgehead as a place where prestige brands invest, thrive and grow.”
Designed by Yorkshire-based architectural practice The Harris Partnership, the new building is more than twice the size of Beal’s previous base, with the interior design and fit-out delivered by Hull-based Chameleon Business Interiors.
Chameleon Chairman Shaun Watts said: “We delivered the internal fit-out for Beal’s previous head office back in 2013, so it’s been great to continue our working relationship, creating a truly exceptional workspace that we’re very proud of.
“The interior design is centred around sustainability and wellness. The carpets are carbon neutral and the furniture has been sourced from sustainably considered manufacturers. There’s a living wall, ceiling foliage and even two trees. It’s an inspiring and contemporary space that accurately reflects the Beal culture and its vision for the future.
“For the Chameleon team it has been a pleasure working with a business that really does believe in investing in its employees. The end result is that, together, we have created an amazing new home for the Beal team and a superb place for their customers to visit.”
Beal is now finalising the sale of its former head office building, creating the opportunity for another business to benefit from Bridgehead’s prime location and excellent transport links.
Around 1,200 people are now employed at the Bridgehead site, close to the Humber Bridge and A63/M62 corridor. In addition to Beal, Bridgehead is home to a host of regional, national and global brands, from the John Good Group, to Ideal Heating, Centrica Storage and Porsche.
Cycle charity gets £270,000 three-year grant from city council
Hull-based cycling charity R-evolution has been awarded a grant of £90,000 a year for the next three years to continue its work running a cycle hub in Hull’s Trinity Market.
The city centre cycle hub opened in March 2021, providing free secure parking for up to 40 bikes, as well as carrying out small repairs and maintenance to help keep bicycles in working order.
Since then, the hub has evolved and the services it offers now include:
- affordable bike sales.
- refurbishment and recycling of old bikes;
- electric bike hire;
- basic maintenance training;
- safe cycling demonstrations and workshops;
- training and employment for young, disadvantaged people.
Administrators appointed to Sam Carmichael Logistics Limited
James Clark and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory have been appointed joint administrators to Sam Carmichael Logistics Limited.
Based in North Ferriby in the East Riding of Yorkshire, the company provides warehouse and distribution services across the UK.
The company had experienced cashflow difficulties as a result of temporary disruption at one of its principal customers. After assessing their options, the directors took the decision to seek the appointment of administrators.
The majority of the firm’s 21 employees were made redundant prior to the appointment of the joint administrators, with three further redundancies following their appointment.
James Clark, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “We will now commence an orderly wind-down of the business, while seeking to realise the company’s assets.”
20,000 sq ft pre-let at City Square House in Leeds
Markel, an SME-focused expert in providing integrated insurance, tax and legal services, is taking 20,000 sq ft of prime office space at developer MRP’s City Square House in Leeds on a 15-year lease.
This is the one of the most significant pre-let office deals in the city during the past 12 months. It was brokered by the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank.
City Square House is a 140,000 sq ft speculative £85m development and the only remaining undeveloped property fronting City Square.
Its design, with extensive use of glass and steel, will provide an unrivalled presence in both City Square and the adjacent Leeds Station.
The prime workspace will comprise Grade A office accommodation over 12-storeys including low carbon credentials, terraces on the 4th, 5th and 6th levels and extensive cycling, electric vehicle and e-bike charging point facilities.
Practical completion of this building is scheduled for the end of this year, by Design & Build contractors McAleer & Rushe.
Markel, who will be occupying floors 9 and 10 of City Square House, will be joining global law firm DLA in the building. DLA have taken 83,000 sq ft, leaving 37,000 sq ft of quality office space still available.
Markel functions that will be located in the new office include: the claims, underwriting, HR and IT teams, marking a significant and exciting new phase in the company’s ambitious growth plans. With a bigger space to grow into, Markel will be able to service the region more effectively as well as supporting the local economy by attracting new talent from, and into, the Leeds area with high-skilled employment opportunities.
“Markel remains committed to Leeds and growing our business, this is demonstrated in our investments in both the office and our people,” said Markel UK’s divisional managing director, Neil Galjaard. “We are pleased to take on such a prestigious building in a prime, central location. The office will be the perfect setting to achieve our growth ambitions and demonstrates our commitment to investing in our current and future workforce. Leeds has an extensive pool of talent, and with a bigger space to grow into we hope to support the local economy.”
Angus Monteith, development director at MRP, said: “We are delighted to welcome a company with such an excellent reputation as Markel to City Square House. This is a resounding endorsement of our development, which is a bold £85m investment in Leeds and which will provide high specification, flexible Grade A workspace in the heart of the city centre.
“A 15-year pre-let deal with Markel is a very significant and positive statement of intent in the long-term future prosperity of office space in Leeds and, indeed, in urban centres throughout the UK.”
Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, advised Markel.
“City Square House is the iconic new office development that the Leeds market has been waiting for. It is in a prime position, just off City Square and next to Leeds Station, and the remaining available space of 37,000 sq ft will help to address the pressing need for quality Grade A office space in the city centre.
“This is a significant deal for the city of Leeds, a vote of confidence in the city and its economy. Amidst this challenging economic climate, this is just the boost the whole region needed and a genuine cause to be optimistic about the commercial property sector in Yorkshire.”
When City Square House was launched last year, the then leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake, said: “City Square is already at the heart of life in Leeds and we are determined to improve it still further, creating a world-class space that is a source of pride for all our residents.
“The new development will help us achieve that aim and I look forward to seeing it take shape alongside the many other transformative projects planned for the city centre.
“It also offers a timely reminder that Leeds is very much open for business. Schemes like City Square House will form part of a Leeds-wide effort to ensure our economy recovers from these challenges in a way that leaves no one behind.”
Failure to extend Energy Bill Relief Scheme will mean rising prices, says Uswitch
Over half of the UK’s customer-facing businesses such as shops, hairdressers, nurseries, cinemas and gyms will be forced to raise prices if the Energy Bill Relief Scheme scheme is not extended, risking even higher rates of inflation and a further squeeze on consumer’s wallets.
The new research comes from comparison service Uswitch for Business ahead of news that details of the new scheme will be announced in the House of Commons today.
Uswitch for Business is advising firms to check they understand the terms of any new energy deal before signing and aren’t falling out of contract – which could lead to overpaying by as much as 50%, according to Uswitch market insight.
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme is a government scheme that offers businesses a discount on their gas and electricity costs, introduced for an initial period of six months from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. The revised scheme is expected to offer help with bills for a further year, until March 2024.
Eligible businesses don’t need to apply for the discounts but should check if they believe it has been applied incorrectly by their supplier. It’s important to note the level of discount on bills will vary depending on contract, tariff and date it was agreed.
Last week, the Chancellor explained that any future support post March, while at a lower level and cost, would be designed to help them transition to the new higher price environment and avoid a cliff edge in support. The new scheme is expected to cost £5bn, compared to £18bn previously.
One in five (20%) public-facing businesses such as hotels, beauty salons and gyms, say they will need to take equally drastic action such as closing some operations, downsizing or restructuring the business, and more than one in seven (13%) said they will have no option other than to reduce overall staffing.
Jack Arthur, business energy expert at Uswitch for Business, said:“The new reduced business energy support will likely be a blow to millions of struggling businesses.
“This decision, originally expected in December, is likely to most impact many smaller businesses that are much relied on by the public and are unable to shield themselves from further cost pressures.
“It’s important to note that the current level of Government support is tied to the type of energy contract that the business has secured and the date it was agreed.
“To ensure all businesses are on the right tariff for their commercial needs, it’s important to consider how they buy and use gas and electricity.
“Any business looking for a new deal must ensure they understand the terms of their contract before signing. They should also be reminded to check their contract end date as failing to secure a new agreement can add eye-watering costs to a business’ energy bill.”
