Leeds sportswear initiative wins international award
A groundbreaking Leeds City Council-led partnership tackling inequality through sport has won an international award.
The Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange Partnership, created by Leeds City Council’s Active Leeds service, sees recycled or unwanted sports kit distributed to deprived communities in the city.
A first such partnership of its kind, the innovative project addresses inequality through supporting active lifestyles and also helps to tackle the climate crisis through recycling and significantly reducing waste, aiding the city’s environmental and net zero aims.
The work of the partnership was recognised on a global level last week by winning the ‘Purpose-led Partnership’ category at the prestigious Sport Positive Awards 2024 in London, seeing off international competition from major projects around the world to win the prize.
The Leeds Equipment and Kit Exchange Partnership is made up of Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Zero Waste Leeds, Action For Sport, Run for all, Leeds United Foundation, The Recovery Runners, Leeds Dock Run Club, Leeds City College, LS-TEN Skate Park, Pendle Sports, British Cycling and Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.
Working together to maximise all available assets, the partnership responds to the needs of diverse communities in Leeds to provide appropriate sports attire and remove the stigma associated with recycled kit.
The partnership in Leeds was initially inspired by the BBC’s ‘Kit out the Nation’ campaign which ran in 2021, and has developed in the years since with more than 20,000 items of kit recycled or reused by community groups in the city.
As well as encouraging healthy active lifestyles, the project also helps to reduce landfill through a more environmentally-sustainable approach, supporting local organisations in creating their own kit donation schemes, reducing waste, and creating a community-driven circular economy promoting inclusive growth.
Chief executive of Yorkshire Sport Foundation Nigel Harrison said: “We’re proud to share this award with our incredible partners across the city. This project shows the strength in working together to address inequalities, stop waste, and remove a barrier to people playing sport or being physically active.
“The right kit and equipment comes at a cost, and this partnership is ensuring that more people in Leeds aren’t prevented from starting something new or continuing something they love because they can’t afford a pair of trainers or a piece of sports equipment.
“One of the best things about this recognition is that it will raise even more awareness of the initiative. With the continued commitment of the organisations involved and the support of the people of Leeds, the kit exchange partnership can make a positive impact on even more lives.”
£16m investment means enhanced capacity and more jobs for Barnsley manufacturer
Investment of £16m in its manufacturing base in Barnsley is expected to boost production capacity and create new jobs for plastic pipework producer Naylor.
An opening ceremony at the Cawthorne premises began with an official office opening by Edward Naylor, CEO and Naylor MD Richard Edwards. Attendees were then treated to a guided tour of Naylor’s new manufacturing facilities, highlighting the company’s commitment to innovation and efficiency.
Mr Naylor said: “We’re very proud of our new facilities which give us the office and factory space we need to maintain the growth of recent years”
The investment has enabled Naylor to expand its production capacity and launch new products. This expansion is expected to create new jobs and boost the local economy.
Ultra-luxury cars get new-look home in Leeds
Yorkshire-based JCT600 has made its largest-ever single investment in a dealership site with the transformation of JCT600 Brooklands in Leeds to create new homes for Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley.
The creation of the state-of-the-art multisensory showrooms has also added five new jobs, and brings the three iconic marques together on one site for the first time anywhere in the UK
JCT600’s automotive history at the Brooklands site on Ring Road, Lower Wortley dates back to 1999. Since then, it has been refurbished three times, but never fully redeveloped until now. The idea for the project was conceived in 2018 when JCT600 added Rolls-Royce to its stable of luxury brands, but was delayed due to Covid. Work started on site in the summer of 2023 with the project finished a year later.
John Tordoff, executive chairman of JCT600, said: “Our very first showroom built on Sticker Lane in Bradford in 1960 was called ‘Brooklands’ so the name means a lot to my family and the business.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the first company in the UK to bring these three iconic British brands together under one roof in what is a unique luxury vehicle destination. It’s yet another demonstration of our total commitment to the brands we represent, our loyal customers and to the Yorkshire region.”
100 jobs saved in Dewsbury as buyer found for glass manufacturer
A buyer has been secured for an at-risk glass manufacturer.
Martyn Rickels and Anthony Collier of FRP were appointed as joint administrators of Dewsbury-based double and triple glazing glass unit manufacturer Oakland Glass on 9th October 2024. The firm had fallen into difficulty after a challenging trading period.
However, following an accelerated sale process, a deal to purchase the company as a going concern has been agreed with Clayton Glass Limited.
The agreement sees all 110 of Oakland’s staff members transferred to the new owner through the TUPE process. Clayton Glass has also acquired all of the £11m-turnover firm’s unencumbered fixed assets, stock and intellectual property.
Martyn Rickels, partner at FRP, said: “Oakland Glass is not alone in having struggled in what is an increasingly challenging sector and we’re pleased to have found a path forward for the company.
“Clayton Glass has a solid track record in the industry, having produced glass units in the UK for three quarters of a century. We’re optimistic that the new owner has the experience, expertise and resources to put Oakland back on the path to growth.”
Ryan Green, Director at Clayton Glass, said: “This deal is the best outcome for both parties – it enables us to expand our glass manufacturing capacity and provide security for Oakland’s 100 plus employees. We’re excited to welcome them to the Clayton Glass family.”
Shoosmiths LLP provided legal counsel to the administrators during the deal process and LCF Law acted for Clayton Glass.
Apprenticeship provider launches new South Yorkshire training centre
JTL, apprenticeship providers in the building services engineering sector, recently welcomed John Healey MP to officially open its new training centre in South Yorkshire.
The charity’s newest training centre located in Wath Upon Derne, will serve as a hub for electrical apprenticeships and training in green technologies. The state-of-the-art facilities are the result of a £2 million investment, highlighting JTL’s commitment to delivering high-quality, learner-focused training, addressing local skills shortages, and supporting the UK’s green skills agenda.
The official opening event was attended by John Healey, MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, who unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion and addressed the audience of local employers, industry representatives, apprentices, school students from Wath Academy, careers advisors, and the JTL delivery team about the importance of fostering skills for the future.
The South Yorkshire centre has electrical engineering workshops, classrooms, an End Point Assessment (AM2) preparation workstation, breakout areas, and is set to play a key role in helping the region meet its growing demand for skilled professionals alongside local businesses taking on an apprentice.
Attendees had the opportunity to tour the new centre, meet the first cohort of apprentices, network and learn more about the technical skills being taught, which will include renewable energy systems and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The South Yorkshire Training Centre will be a flagship facility for JTL, contributing to the local economy and equipping future generations with the skills needed to meet the UK’s demand for sustainable homebuilding and energy infrastructure, through a specialist ‘Green Hub’ of training for renewable technologies.
According to the South Yorkshire Trailblazer Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), future skills needs include addressing replacement demand for an ageing workforce and jobs linked to new technology and construction methods and the drive for net zero.
With over £11.8 billion in planned projects for the sub-region – two-thirds (£8 billion) of which will be in the green economy – this includes low-carbon tech, electric vehicles, carbon capture and resilient utilities networks, and will all require highly-skilled electrical engineers.
Across the North East region, where JTL has training centres in South Yorkshire, Hull and York, the industry charity is training approximately 1,800 apprentices in partnership with 1,200 employers.
John Healey MP, who represents the local Rawmarsh and Conisbrough constituency, said in his remarks: “I am delighted that JTL has chosen Wath as the home of its new South Yorkshire training centre for apprentices to learn their trade.
“The centre has already created 17 jobs locally through new tutors, administrators and supervisors and the plans are in place to train almost 100 new electrical apprentices from across the borough with an expansion into plumbing courses in the near future.
“Apprenticeships provide our young people with a valuable pathway into critical sectors, allowing them to earn while they learn and develop the essential skills they need for their careers. Our community is full of skilled talent and we are eager for the next generation to be able to pick up a trade and get on in life.”
Sir John Low, Chair of the JTL Board, said: “The opening of our South Yorkshire Training Centre marks an exciting milestone for JTL as we continue to expand our network of facilities to meet local, regional, and national skills needs.
“This new centre will help to equip young people in the South Yorkshire area with the practical, hands-on experience necessary to succeed in the building services industry, particularly as we move towards a greener economy. We are thrilled to contribute to both the local community and the wider national agenda for skills development and net-zero commitments.”
Energy company starts work on electricity storage site in North Yorkshire
Building work has started at Monk Fryston in North Yorkshire on SSE’s largest battery storage project.
At 320MW, the project is SSE’s largest battery storage facility being built, and one of the largest of its kind in the UK. Once completed, the site could power over half a million homes for up to two hours at a time, during times of peak demand.
SSE Renewables, Morrison Energy Services, and Sungrow have planted a ceremonial tree near the entrance to the site.
Heather Donald, Director of Onshore Wind, Solar & Battery at SSE Renewables, said: “It’s fantastic to have construction under way on our largest battery storage project at Monk Fryston, and to have been joined by our project partners Morrison Energy Services and Sungrow to mark the occasion.
“To be building a battery project of this size and scale is a huge testament to how far we have come in such a short space of time, with our first 50MW battery asset at Salisbury already entering full operations earlier this year. “Battery storage projects like this one at Monk Fryston will be vital in reaching the UK’s net zero targets, providing flexibility to the grid when the sun isn’t shining, and the wind isn’t blowing.”
Yorkshire Water enters partnering agreement with Citizens’ Advice
Yorkshire Water is partnering with Citizens Advice Leeds to support customers facing financial difficulties by making bill payments more manageable and offering extra assistance to those who are eligible.
Citizens Advice Leeds will refer customers struggling with their bills to Yorkshire Water support schemes, helping to make their payments more manageable and reduce debt. Yorkshire Water will also help eligible customers sign up to the Priority Services Register for extra assistance.
Claire Gott, community engagement field manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We know that many people in the Leeds area are experiencing financial hardship. Unfortunately, not enough customers who are eligible for our support schemes are signing up.
“By partnering with organisations like Citizens Advice Leeds, we can better reach and help those in need. This is our third partnership with Citizens Advice, and we’re already seeing positive results with more customers getting the help they need.”
Julie Balfour, specialist services director at Citizens Advice Leeds, said: “We’re really excited to see how our partnership with Yorkshire Water will improve the debt advice process for our clients. We’re hopeful that having easier access to Yorkshire Water’s support schemes will improve outcomes for our clients and save time for our advisors.”
Yorkshire Water is looking to work with other organisations dedicated to supporting financially struggling communities. There are four digital awareness sessions available for companies wanting to learn more about the financial support available to customersCarolina wins place amongst UK’s top 30 housing champions
Manningham Housing Association’s high-flying Corporate Project Manager Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira has been named as one of Housing Today’s Top 30 Housing Champions.
Originally from Brazil, Carolina joined the BME organisation – which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley – as an Admin Assistant in 2019, before rising through the ranks to her current position.
Her ability to use technology – particularly AI – to deliver better services and improved customer satisfaction at Manningham Housing Association, coupled with her willingness to share her experiences and successes with the wider housing sector, earned her the title of Inspirational Colleague of the Year at the Housing Heroes Awards 2024.
Carolina’s continued commitment to her work has resulted in her latest accolade as part of leading online publication Housing Today’s Every Person Counts campaign, which aims to provide a space for housing professionals to engage in debates and share solutions about skills, employment, regulatory compliance, equality diversity and inclusivity, and workplace culture.
Carolina said: “I am so proud of what we do at Manningham Housing Association, knowing that it genuinely changes lives.
“For me, housing is not just about providing roofs over heads. It is about creating safe, thriving communities where people can grow and feel secure. That is what makes it so rewarding.
“Success also depends on teamwork and that is what Manningham Housing Association excels at.
“It is an honour to be included in the Top 30 Housing Champions, but it is an achievement I share with my colleagues.”
BCC welcomes launch of Government’s Industrial Strategy
Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, has welcomed the launch of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, saying it’s vital in securing the long-term stability that businesses need to plan ahead and invest.
But she sounded a note of caution: “It must deliver on that promise, and it needs to set out clearly how we will leverage the country’s competitive advantage. Alongside the key growth sectors of the economy, it must also integrate each region’s strengths into the plan.
“We need to send a message to the world that the UK is the best place to start, grow and invest in business, and create a new ‘Brand Britain 2.0’ that builds on the past but looks to the future.
“This means putting green and digital innovation at the heart of what we do, investing in infrastructure and skills, removing barriers to investment and putting more energy and resources into exporting. The more we sell to the world, the stronger our economy will be.
“Establishing a new supply chain taskforce, to increase resilience is also essential. The pandemic, war in Ukraine, and the Middle East crisis, have all highlighted the UK’s deep connectivity with global markets for energy, medicines, communications technology and manufacturing components.”
Shelborn secures Bluesmith at South Central in Leeds
Shelborn Asset Management has secured another letting at their redevelopment of South Central in Leeds. This follows on from the recent deals with AON, Keepmoat and Inseego UK Ltd.
Bluesmith Information Systems, a software and data engineering provider for blue chip and government clients, is taking 11,000 sq ft of recently refurbished space at the 75,338 sq ft development in Millshaw.
Bluesmith, whose clients include Yorkshire Water and Skipton Building Society, is relocating from offices in nearby Beeston.
Stuart Edmondson, director for Bluesmith Information Systems, said: “We can’t wait to move into our new office space next year. The facilities look excellent, it has nearby transport links and ample parking, so it’s a great location for us.
“Underpinning our success story in building cloud-first modern data platforms and developing custom applications are our people, who work closely together in agile teams. Expanding into South Central creates an enjoyable work environment for our people, which will help us to continue to delight our customers.”
Eamon Fox, partner and head of development at the Leeds office of Knight Frank, who advised landlords Shelborn, said: “This is one of the most important and prestigious office deals in the south Leeds area this year. Bluesmith is a highly successful software and data engineering provider, and this move marks an important foundation for future sustainable growth.
“The comprehensive refurbishment of South Central, formerly offices for Barclays Bank, now provides some of the finest office space in Leeds. The Bluesmith deal is a resounding endorsement of what South Central has to offer.
“There’s no doubt South Central ticked all the boxes. The combination of its excellent location and first-class facilities, including ample car parking, communal spaces, lounge and a gym, was exactly what Bluesmith wanted as the company continues to grow.
“The development is close to the M621, M62 and M1, providing excellent access to Yorkshire’s motorway network, making it easy for staff to get there by car. It is also close to the popular White Rose Shopping Centre.
“Significantly, this was a deal in which landlord, tenant and agent all worked together on a tri-partite basis to ensure the best possible outcome for both the deal itself and the fit-out of the offices. We wish Bluesmith all the best in their splendid new home.”
The Leeds office of CBRE is the joint marketing agent of South Central with Knight Frank.
