BBF Limited, the ambient cake and dessert manufacturers, has appointed Stafforce to manage its recruitment of production personnel.
The manufacturer has appointed Stafforce to provide a volume labour solution across its five UK bakeries based in Hull, Blackburn, Bradford and Doncaster.
A team of Stafforce recruitment professionals will be based on-site to liaise with production managers to assess daily needs, which continuously change according to seasonal fluctuations and customer demand. Whilst production personal engaged through Stafforce for BBF are temporary workers, most have contracts with Stafforce that provide them with a range of benefits which help to ensure loyalty and job security.
Sunny Singh, Stafforce sales director, said: “Over the last two years, we’ve had to think outside the box to find innovative ways to ensure we can meet demand for clients across all sectors, in particular the food industry, that has been severely impacted by the effects of Brexit and the pandemic.
“This has included a mix of traditional recruitment methods as well as new approaches such as social media campaigns and local initiatives where we’re out and about in communities speaking to people about jobs in the area. We’re delighted to have been appointed by BBF Limited to support with their recruitment of production personnel.”
Cheryl Charnley, head of HR at BBF, added: “The consultative approach and close working relationships we have developed with the Stafforce team working on-site has resulted in a true partnership.”
BBF operates six bakeries, five across the North of England and one in Poland. The baker works closely with the UK’s most prominent retailers to produce more than 600 million cakes/desserts annually.
Stafforce is a division of Nicholas Associates Group and has a branch network located across the UK and several other on-site managed services contracts with other leading food producers including Youngs Seafoods and Birds Eye.
World-class gymnast Nile Wilson is seeking to increase participation in the sport at all levels with the opening of a new gymnastics club, named after him, in his home city of Leeds.
Located in Elmfield Way, Bramley, the Nile Wilson Gymnastics Club will be one of a network of gymnastics clubs around the UK that aim to ‘change the game’ by delivering unique and more engaging activities balanced against the requirements of gymnastics programmes. The clubs are suitable for all ages, offering pre-school programmes and recreational gymnastics for 4-16 year olds, through to adult gymnastics.
Due to open on 21st February, the Leeds venue offers an outstanding 11,000 square feet facility with state-of-the-art equipment for all gymnasts, including climbing walls and slides. It also features viewing areas with cafeteria facilities, as well as changing and toilet facilities. It will create between 15 and 20 jobs.
Grace Allison of Leeds law firm Clarion’s real estate team advised Nile Wilson Gymnastics on securing the seven-year lease at Elmfield Way. It joins the business’ inaugural 12,000 square feet facility in Dinnington, Rotherham, which opened in summer 2019.
Having been a gymnast from the age of five years old at Leeds Gymnastics Club, Nile was crowned British Junior Champion in March 2014 and the same year he became the first British gymnast ever to win five gold medals at the European Junior Gymnastics Championships. In 2016, Nile competed in the Rio Olympics where he won a bronze medal in the High Bar final, again a first for GB in gymnastics. In 2017, Nile was placed sixth in the All-Round World final and in 2018 he won five medals at the Commonwealth Games, three Gold and two Silver, to take his Commonwealth medal total to nine.
Luke Sutton, director of Nile Wilson Gymnastics said: “It’s great news that we’ve not only been able to save an established gymnastics facility from closure, but also that we will be offering a huge range of exciting programmes for all members of the family. The aim is to create a modern and welcoming club which can provide opportunities for gymnasts from around the Leeds area, and we’re pleased to have been able to partner with one of the region’s leading law firms to help us to secure this first-class site.”
Shipley-based Consult Red, an employee-owned tech R&D innovator, has appointed experienced technology consulting leader Raghu Venkatesam as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A leader in software and hardware innovation of Media and IoT platforms for enterprise customers, Consult Red’s success is rooted in deep engineering and R&D.
Raghu will assume day-to-day leadership of the company and join the Board of Directors. With a proven track record of customer centricity and scaling technology-led services business in Asia, Europe and the USA, Raghu joins Consult Red from IBM Consulting. He held several roles as a Senior Partner over 12 years, including transforming their Cloud Application Innovation business in the UK & Ireland and leading global client engagements across financial services, public sector, media & telco, energy & utilities, automotive and retail.
Raghu’s broad sector experience will help Consult Red to leverage its track record in cutting-edge, connected devices and systems to meet soaring demand for smart, internet-of-things (IoT) products.
Raghu Venkatesam, new CEO, said: “I am excited to join the Consult Red team as we accelerate our clients’ innovation and delivery of differentiated Media and IoT solutions in their markets. Our deep experience in R&D, embedded hardware design, software development and systems integration, along with our competencies in Edge Computing, AI and Security, enable our clients to scale their IoT offerings quickly and securely.
I look forward to further capitalising on our heritage in the media industry. At the same time, we continue setting strong foundations in other industries such as Industrial & Manufacturing, Healthcare, Consumer Electronics and Energy & Utilities. Our Employee Ownership model is one of the key ingredients in our ‘secret sauce’ which differentiates us in the industry.”
Karen Bach, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “I am delighted Raghu is joining the team. Consult Red has successfully built an enviable track record helping clients deliver digital transformation, manage risk and get to market faster. Andy has led the team to our strong position today, and I thank him personally for everything he has achieved.
We are very excited about building on this great success, and Raghu’s impressive international tech knowledge and understanding will help us support more customers. He will lead our deeply experienced software engineers to continue delivering world-leading and innovative IoT solutions for companies. It is the start of an exciting new chapter.”
Raghu replaces Andrew Stewart who is retiring from the company. Andrew will remain on the Board of Consult Red and continue supporting the business.
Andrew Stewart, retiring Consult Red CEO, said: “I’m so proud of what had been achieved during my time at the helm. Our global growth is beyond what we hoped for, but our transition to an employee-owned organisation is the greatest achievement. A key to our success has been that we have engineers and innovation at the heart of our culture and service offer. Employee ownership means that those values and the foundations we’ve put in place will be preserved as the company continues its journey”.
A row of Grade II-listed buildings on Whitefriargate in Hull are to be partially converted into modern apartments following a £433,000 grant from Historic England.
The grant will support the conversion of unused upper floor space, above retail units, at 7-9 Whitefriargate.
Hull City Council is also supporting the project, which is being delivered by Hull Trinity House Charity, with a £35,000 grant.
Whitefriargate is undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration scheme, supported by private investment as well as funding from Hull City Council, Historic England and the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP.
Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone on Whitefriargate is investing £1.75m into projects that will revitalise the area, diversify the traditional high street offer and bring unused floor space back into use.
Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Whitefriargate is an important and historic part of our city centre. The ongoing investment in the area will ensure that its iconic buildings and historic past can play a key role in the bright and exciting future of our city.
“Revitalising and reinventing our city centre requires a balance of various different ideas and projects. We all know that retail can no longer dominate and sustain our high streets, which is why projects like this one, that will create first-class and modern city centre housing, are key to creating a sustainable and successful city centre offer.”
The project will create two one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment over two floors on 7-9 Whitefriargate.
Hull Trinity House Charity has been working with Historic England architectural consultants and Hull City Council’s conservation officer to create a scheme for the comprehensive refurbishment of the previous shop upper floors, where existing historic features will be retained and restored to create a unique place to live in the heart of the Old Town Conservation Area.
The Grade II-listed 7-9 Whitefriargate buildings were designed by Charles Mountain Junior for Hull Trinity House in 1829-30.
Craig Broadwith, from Historic England, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Hull Trinity House as they help to transform Whitefriargate and bring much needed homes into the heart of Hull’s Old Town. Historic England is proud to be part of this renewal, working with our partners at Hull City Council.
“The High Streets Heritage Action Zones, led by Historic England, is a government-funded initiative and designed to secure lasting improvements to our historic high streets for the communities who use them.”
The Whitefriargate regeneration project includes a number of grant schemes and funding projects.
Regeneration is also being supported by the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP’s Humber High Street Challenge Fund, which is investing £1m in the area.
630 properties in Leeds will see improvements in their energy and thermal efficiency thanks to a £9.6million grant from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
The funding will be used to improve some of the council’s least insulated properties in some of Leeds’ most vulnerable communities. The properties identified will benefit from the installation of external wall insultation, reroofing, roof insulation and provision of ventilation.
Leeds has a long and successful history of improving the energy efficiency of social housing. The average council home is typically warmer than an equivalent private property, however, there are still a considerable number of less efficient properties where the council aims to focus these improvements.
Seven high-rise buildings have been identified where efficiency improvements would deliver the biggest economic and environmental benefits. The properties included in the first wave of funding will be: Lovell Park Grange, Lovell Park Heights, Lovell Park Towers, Moor Grange Court, Parkway Court, Parkway Grange and Parkway Towers. Once complete, residents living in these properties will benefit from significant reductions in heat loss, due to better insulated homes.
Leeds City Council will also contribute £12million of its own resources towards the project which will work towards the city’s ambition of being carbon neutral by 2030.
In addition to the funding received by Leeds City Council, The West Yorkshire Combined Authority have attracted a further £5million which will be match funded to total £10million. This investment will further reduce carbon emissions from residential properties across the region.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment and housing said: “I am delighted that we have received this funding from the government which can now be used to invest into homes across the city which need these improvements the most.
“Ensuring residents have a warm and safe home that they can afford to heat is a priority for the council, especially given the rising costs of energy bills which many people are facing this year; and this project will help to achieve that. It will also support the council’s commitment to invest £100million on energy efficiency upgrades to social housing by 2025 as well as the potential to generate new ‘green’ job and apprenticeship opportunities similar to those we have seen in previous council-led decarbonisation programmes.”
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate said: “Every resident in Leeds deserves to live in a warm home. By improving the energy efficiency of some of the coldest council properties in some of Leeds’ most vulnerable communities, we can help reduce fuel poverty (currently experienced by an estimated 10% of Leeds households), and help cut the city’s carbon emissions from domestic properties. It will also help us make Leeds a greener, fairer and healthier city and support local ‘green’ jobs in industries carrying out the improvements, all while supporting our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.”
A beer from Yorkshire brewery T&R Theakston has been highlighted as one of the top UK ales in a new book from renowned beer writer Adrian Tierney-Jones, titled United Kingdom of Beer.
The brewery’s much-loved Old Peculier brew – a 5.6% dark ruby red ale with tasting notes of black cherry and banana – has been described by Tierney-Jones as “a beer that gives you faith in the virtues and visions of greatness that good beer can bring.”
Old Peculier takes its name from Masham’s historic Court of the Peculier, and for many years was affectionately referred to as Yorkshire’s “Lunatic’s Broth”, on account of its high ABV.
United Kingdom of Beer takes readers on a journey across the British Isles, exploring 250 of the finest beers available in bottles and cans. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the types and styles of beer available in modern Britain, complete with tasting notes and background stories about each beer, as well as a look into how to pair the beers with food, mood and occasion.
Simon Theakston, managing director of Theakston Brewery said: “The original Old Peculier recipe has been long lost in the mists of time, though its inheritance has been faithfully passed down from generation to generation and, as far as anyone can say, has remained completed unchanged over all these years.
“With such a long legacy behind it, the ale is a highly valued heirloom and it’s fantastic to know that it’s still as popular and highly-thought of now as it was all those years ago. As one of our core range of legendary ales, it has grown an almost cult-like following not just in the UK, but across the world. Long may it continue.”
Speaking about the book, Adrian Tierney-Jones said: “Whether on a day out or meeting up with friends, extraordinary beer helps to make great days even better. Coming out of the pandemic, 2022 is a fantastic year to enjoy the many delights that the exceptional breweries across the UK have to offer.
“I am thrilled and delighted to use my expertise to select and share the best beers from around the UK – including Theakston’s Old Peculier – with readers who are as passionate about beer as I am.”
The United Kingdom of Beer is the latest book from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), creators of the Good Beer Guide. It is available to pre-order now. To find out more about T&R Theakston, visit: https://www.theakstons.co.uk/.
Praetura Commercial Finance has provided more than £18.5m of funding to support the growth ambitions of two northern SMEs in the first month of 2022.
The first deal of the year saw Praetura support logistics and warehousing group OTIF on its £12.5m acquisition of John Truswell & Sons, the family-owned distribution business based in Barnsley, in a deal that marked OTIF’s third acquisition in five years.
OTIF is owned and operated by entrepreneur Graham Darnell, and the acquisition enables the group to strengthen its distribution network. Darnell has already recognised the opportunity for expansion and is planning to increase Truswell’s haulage capacity by more than 17 per cent, supporting the company’s wider existing expansion plans. This will be supported by the wider OTIF Group’s network combined with Truswell’s established infrastructure, including its warehousing and office facilities in Barnsley.
Praetura Commercial Finance’s team was instrumental in negotiating the deal, and a team from Praetura Asset Finance helped to create a more flexible mix of funding facilities that met the business’s goals.
Graham Darnell, Managing Director at OTIF Group, said: “Praetura immediately understood our long-term goals and what the company was trying to achieve. The funding process was straightforward, efficient and their team ensured we completed within our target timeframe.”
The deal was introduced and managed through Praetura’s long-term broker relationship with PMD Business Finance, a finance company known for its continued success in the structured finance arena. Callum Bull, structured finance director at PMD Business Finance, said: “We are delighted to have supported Graham with his latest acquisition, in what was an important deal for the group’s future growth plans. It was refreshing to work with a lender who was able to take a commercial approach across multiple products to deliver the required funding package.”
Praetura Commercial Finance’s second deal of the year saw the team provide a £6m growth finance facility to an innovative supplier of allergy-sensitive goods. Praetura’s client supplies some of the biggest names in the UK retail and grocery sector and whilst the pandemic has created challenges for the retail sector, the company is now pursuing further expansion following several substantial contract wins.
Stuart Bates, founder and commercial director of Praetura Commercial Finance, said: “Over the last six months, Praetura has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of funding applications submitted as UK entrepreneurs look to rebuild and grow after the pandemic.
“Many entrepreneurs and management teams feel empowered to take their businesses into their own hands. We’ve seen a real increase in funding requests to support management buyouts, management buy-ins and acquisitions, as well as an interest in refinance deals that give businesses the financial flexibility to get back on track.
“The pandemic has clearly driven more entrepreneurs to specialist finance providers who will take the time to understand their business’ strengths, weaknesses and assets, compared to more institutional lenders who will only focus on their previous lending history.”
Construction work is well underway at City Square House, the flagship 140,000 sq ft office building next to Leeds Station by developers MRP.
Design & Build Contractors, McAleer & Rushe, began construction in May 2021 and the first construction milestone has now been achieved with the erection of its first tower crane.
This landmark building in Leeds city centre will start to emerge as the steel superstructure rises from the ground. Completion of City Square House is planned for Summer 2023 and the opening will coincide with the completion of the extensive public realm improvement works at City Square.
Global law firm DLA Piper have signed a deal to take 83,000 sq ft of prime office space at City Square House in the largest private sector pre-let deal in Leeds in the past 20 years.
Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who is advising MRP, said: “It is tremendous to see this flagship building slowly taking shape, providing a very genuine cause to be optimistic about the commercial property sector in Yorkshire.
“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 55,000 sq ft will help to address the pressing need for quality Grade A office space in the city centre.
“City Square House will now join the Majestic, 1 City Square, 34 Boar Lane and Platform as four state-of-the-art office developments, which are a credit to the city of Leeds. They underline the fact that Leeds is now one of the most flourishing regional cities, not just in the UK, but in Europe,” said Mr Fox.
He added: “It is also fitting that DLA Piper, whose origins as a law firm in Leeds date back to 1764, have kick-started one of the most significant developments in the city so far this century.”
Angus Montieth, development director at MRP, said: “We have been quietly going about our business of building the best office building in Leeds with sustainability and wellbeing at the heart of its design. City Square House office will quickly take shape during 2022 and it will slot into place as the final piece of the City Square regeneration plan.”
Mr Fox explained: “The pandemic has transformed the ways of working. Businesses are working flexibly, they want an appealing office environment for staff to enjoy working collaboratively and the office should be an attractive destination. City Square House delivers on the environmental commitments businesses have made to their staff, customers and shareholders.
“The speculative development of City Square House was another telling reminder that the death of the office, because of the global pandemic, was a myth. I was fascinated – and reassured – to read the news that Google is backing a return to the office with an investment that will expand its UK capacity by 50 per cent and reinvigorate the work environment. The search giant is spending £730m and expects its staff headcount to rise from 6,400 to 10,000. It is buying one of the London sites, Central Saint Giles, in which it is currently a tenant.”
Mr Fox added Google’s confidence in the office as a viable and dynamic workspace was vividly underlined in Leeds where, apart from City Square House and 34 Boar Lane, new office developments included Globe Point, Trevelyan Square, Tailors Corner and 123 Albion Street.
“The Leeds office market is incredibly strong, whatever the doom-mongers might say. Just watch the deals roll in this year.”
Sills & Betteridge LLP’s corporate offer has been boosted this month with the appointment of consultant solicitor Robin Johnston.
Robin supports insolvency practitioners, creditors (including lenders, suppliers and shareholders) and turnaround investors, typically advising on businesses in distress, refinancing, turnaround and rescue strategies and accelerated M&A. He is experienced in dealing with all aspects of insolvency processes including administrations, liquidations, receiverships and voluntary arrangements.
He is a member of R3 the Association of Recovery Professionals and the Turnaround Management Association.
Robin will work alongside James Conduit’s corporate team in Lincolnshire, the wider East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
Robin Johnston
James said: “Expanding the range of services we offer to business clients, by adapting to market changes has always been key to the strategic development of our corporate and commercial practice.
“Robin’s hire was very much in response to recent, increased demand for his area of expertise. He is an absolute professional and his intuition and pragmatism are first class. He will be a huge asset to the team and will complement our approach perfectly.”
Robin said: “These are very challenging times for businesses, to say the least. The benefit to leaders and management of calling on insightful and strategic professional advice, as the economy recovers, cannot be understated. By joining such a great firm, I can collaborate with a team of real experts to deliver the advice and solutions our clients will need and I am excited to get started.”
In addition to his legal practice with Sills & Betteridge LLP, Robin serves as a trusted advisor, coach and guide to entrepreneurs and business leaders in the finance, technology and professional services sectors.
City of York Council has submitted plans to transform the castle car park, Eye of York and the wider area into a new, world-class public space.
The plans have been designed by landscape architects at BDP and include ambitious proposals to transform the Castle Gateway area. As part of the planning process, these plans are now available for viewing and comments.
The newly unveiled design follows the open community brief produced in 2019, which set out ideas submitted by residents on the future use of the space. The design concepts and evolving ideas were tested with the public throughout 2021.
The plans include:
A new open space to gather, play and enjoy the fountains and also host large scale events throughout the year
A park will transform the Foss riverside, and create a new link behind the Castle Museum into Castle Gardens and the new bridge to Castle Mills
A path around the base of Clifford’s Tower will allow people to walk around the motte, and also serve as an act of remembrance to commemorate the 1190 Jewish massacre
The Eye of York, will retain the central oak tree and lawn, whilst increasing biodiversity, providing seating and a performance space for music, theatre and public speaking
A route through the former car park area will reinstate the historic Castlegate approach that linked the city with the castle area
Tower Street will become a shared space for pedestrians and cars, with blue badge parking provided
New landscaping will create a feeling that you have arrived into a new place and will also create different qualities of space, from reflective and peaceful to lively and playful.
A flythrough video showing the full scheme can be watched at: https://youtu.be/uu9F-kf6Xqw
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said: “This is another significant step forward for the Castle Gateway scheme.
“We are grateful to those who have helped shape the plans through their feedback over the last few years, to make sure this space is what the community and city needs.
“Castle Gateway is a part of our plans to make York an even better place to live and visit, creating a world-class public space for everyone to enjoy and attracting high quality events on our residents’ doorsteps.”
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance and Performance at City of York Council, said: “I’m delighted that we have reached this next stage of the Castle and Eye of York project with some truly bold and ambitious plans to transform this culturally and historically significant area.
“The feedback from businesses and residents is at the heart of these plans, so I hope as many people will continue to engage as the project progresses to ensure it delivers a world-class space that is right for our communities.”
The planning application can be viewed at https://www.york.gov.uk/planningapplications under reference number 22/00209/FULM.
You can also comment by email to planning.comments@york.gov.uk or by post to Development Management, City of York Council, West Offices, York YO1 6GA.
Events are taking place in February which will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the planning application, including:
A Facebook Live online presentation and Q&A will be taking place on Wednesday 16 February from 6pm to 7pm. This will be hosted on the City of York Council Facebook page. Residents can interact with the session by submitting questions in advance by emailing them to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk. People can also comment during the event if they have a Facebook account.
Hosted My Castle Gateway walks will be taking place on Saturday 19 February 2022, on-site between 12pm to 1.30pm. The walks will present the designs, explore how they respond to the Open Brief, and discuss how you will use the new spaces. Please book your place in advance at https://mycastlegateway.org/events
Further information can be found on the My Castle Gateway project at https://www.york.gov.uk/CastleEyeOfYork and https://mycastlegateway.org/.
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Angus Montieth, development director at MRP, said: “We have been quietly going about our business of building the best office building in Leeds with sustainability and wellbeing at the heart of its design. City Square House office will quickly take shape during 2022 and it will slot into place as the final piece of the City Square regeneration plan.”
Mr Fox explained: “The pandemic has transformed the ways of working. Businesses are working flexibly, they want an appealing office environment for staff to enjoy working collaboratively and the office should be an attractive destination. City Square House delivers on the environmental commitments businesses have made to their staff, customers and shareholders.
“The speculative development of City Square House was another telling reminder that the death of the office, because of the global pandemic, was a myth. I was fascinated – and reassured – to read the news that Google is backing a return to the office with an investment that will expand its UK capacity by 50 per cent and reinvigorate the work environment. The search giant is spending £730m and expects its staff headcount to rise from 6,400 to 10,000. It is buying one of the London sites, Central Saint Giles, in which it is currently a tenant.”
Mr Fox added Google’s confidence in the office as a viable and dynamic workspace was vividly underlined in Leeds where, apart from City Square House and 34 Boar Lane, new office developments included Globe Point, Trevelyan Square, Tailors Corner and 123 Albion Street.
“The Leeds office market is incredibly strong, whatever the doom-mongers might say. Just watch the deals roll in this year.” 
