East Riding Councillors have given the green light for 173 new homes in the village of Elloughton.
Planning committee members voted unanimously to approve plans from York-based housebuilder Persimmon for a mix of homes on land off Welton Low Road. The land is allocated for housing in the East Riding Local Plan. A mix of homes will be provided including bungalows and houses ranging from 1 to 4 bed properties. 26 of the new homes will be transferred to a registered housing provider. All properties will be fitted solar panels and EV chargers. Residents will also benefit from over 2.5 acres of public open space which will include the retention and enhancement of the Roman road with information boards detailing the history of the road. The developer is contributing over half a million pounds of funding in the local area including money towards education and two new football pitches to be given to the Council. Graham Whiteford, planning director at Persimmon Yorkshire, said: “We’re pleased that Councillors have approved these plans for high quality new homes for local people. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Council, local stakeholders and residents as these plans progress.”audioadpro makes trio of hires
audioadpro – specialists in programmatic digital audio advertising – are celebrating record growth following their inaugural year.
As they expand into a larger workspace at Tileyard North in Wakefield, audioadpro have welcomed three new team members: Vanessa Farrall (digital audio campaign planner), Isabelle Lewis (digital audio campaign planning assistant), and Katie Hopkins (marketing and communications officer).
With backgrounds in digital media, commercial development and brand strategy, they each bring valuable knowledge to further facilitate client service and campaign performance.
Co-founders Roger Cutsforth and Michael Dobson said: “Our first full year in market has been way beyond our expectations and being able to attract great people like Vanessa, Issy and Katie is hugely exciting for us.
“We’ve gone from two blokes with a concept to simplify the disparate world of digital audio advertising in a borrowed office, to a team of 12 serving brands and ad agencies across the globe from our bijou office in Tileyard North.”
Simpson Millar appoints head of business development
Consumer law firm Simpson Millar has appointed Esther Ralston as its new head of business development, as it continues to strengthen its growth strategy and expand its national presence.
With more than 15 years’ experience in senior business development and marketing roles within the professional services sector, Esther has a strong track record of helping organisations grow through trusted relationships, fresh commercial thinking, and practical support for teams on the ground.
Her approach includes working with existing clients in new ways, exploring untapped markets, and improving how internal teams collaborate and communicate. Her expertise spans client engagement, marketing strategy, team development, and leading business change across complex, fast-moving environments.
Based in Leeds but operating nationally in her new role at Simpson Millar, she will now lead on developing new commercial opportunities and forming long-term partnerships with external organisations — including charities, hospitals and other key introducers. She will play a key role in supporting the firm’s national expansion and strengthening its client-focused offering.
Esther Ralston said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Simpson Millar at such a pivotal moment. In a sector that has evolved significantly in recent years, the firm has set out a clear vision for the future and a strong sense of purpose which really align with my own values.
“I’m excited to help build new partnerships and support our teams in reaching more people who need expert legal advice.”
Dane Stanley, director of marketing at Simpson Millar, added: “Esther’s experience and strategic mindset make her a fantastic addition to the team. She has a proven ability to build relationships, inspire people, and find new ways to grow — all of which will be key to delivering on our ambitions. We’re delighted to welcome her on board.”
Thurston Group restructures team
Yorkshire-based offsite manufacturer Thurston Group has restructured its team to enhance delivery, support growth, and maintain operational excellence.
In line with Thurston’s ambition to reach £100m in turnover within the next six years, the promotions and appointments are set to support the company’s plans to scale.
Hayley Richardson has been appointed as operations director after 5 months in the role on an interim basis. Her remit includes heading up a team of four senior leaders across the areas of design and technical, commercial, construction, and pre-construction.
Richardson has worked in finance roles across the construction, education, healthcare and charitable sectors for over 25 years, at both executive level and board level in project director, and FD and CFO positions.
Having spent the past few months involved with Thurston, assessing areas for improvement and business success, Richardson brings an understanding of the delivery journey from the customer viewpoint, providing valuable insight as Thurston improves its processes.
Reporting to Richardson will be Marc Johnson, who has been promoted from technical director to the role of head of design and technical; and Gary Robinson, moving from construction director to the role of pre-construction director.
Joining the team, and also reporting to Richardson, will be Mike Langton, who has joined as head of commercial.
The restructuring is rounded out with Joanne Ainsley and Simon Shirtliffe joining the commercial team as estimators.
Speaking about joining Thurston Group in a new permanent role, Hayley Richardson said: “After spending a few months getting to know the business and the brilliant team, I’m delighted to be joining Thurston on a permanent basis.
“Everything I’ve seen so far from Matt and the team to drive improvement has been really positive, and I know there’s plenty of hunger to continue improving, to help us meet our ambitious growth plans.
“As we aim to become the number one modular manufacturer in the country, I’m keen to use my personal insights of the customer journey to help deliver consistently high-quality products and projects to our clients.”
Speaking of the new appointments and promotions, managing director of Thurston Group, Matt Goff, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Hayley to Thurston permanently, after her brilliant work over the past year in helping us expand our service offering to the education and healthcare sectors. I’m also excited to welcome Mike, whose expertise spans both traditional and modular construction.
“This new structure, underpinned by quality and led by a first-class team, is designed not only to meet the growing demands of the business, but to unlock internal development opportunities and create the capacity we need to thrive as a larger business, as we set out to meet our ambition of being the modular manufacturer of choice in the UK.”
npower Business Solutions Foundation boosts funding to £10 million for local causes
npower Business Solutions (nBS) has announced an additional £5 million investment in its community fund, the nBS Foundation, bringing the total amount to £10 million. This commitment is aimed at supporting not-for-profit organisations in Yorkshire, a key region for the energy provider.
Launched in 2024, the nBS Foundation provides grants of up to £100,000 to organisations located within 50 miles of Leeds and Dewsbury. The foundation has already funded 43 local projects, including those addressing domestic abuse, sustainability initiatives such as solar panel installations, and support for electric vehicle programmes. The fund focuses on empowering organisations that seek to drive long-term positive change in their communities.
The additional £5 million will further assist projects dedicated to sustainability, job creation, and social innovation. Organisations interested in receiving support can submit applications through Charis Grants, an independent entity that manages the allocation process.
Leeds Building Society relaxes affordability tests, boosting borrowing capacity by £34,000
Leeds Building Society has adjusted its affordability stress tests, allowing homebuyers to borrow up to an additional £34,000. This change, effective from tomorrow, will apply to first-time buyers, home movers, and remortgagers, with typical applicants able to borrow between £9,000 and £34,000 more.
The lender is reducing stress testing rates by up to 1.24%, following similar moves by other major institutions like Barclays, Nationwide, NatWest, Lloyds Banking Group, Santander, Hodge, and Accord Mortgages, all of which have recently relaxed their borrowing criteria.
This shift in lending policies comes in response to feedback from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which earlier this year noted that lenders had been overly cautious in their affordability assessments, particularly for first-time buyers. The FCA has since clarified that there is flexibility within existing rules, which lenders have now started to utilise more effectively.
Leeds Building Society’s decision is aimed at increasing support for individuals looking to enter the property market, aligning with broader government goals to boost growth in the housing sector.
Shipley car cover manufacturer secures grant funding
A Shipley business which manufactures specialist covers for vehicles has secured a grant from the Shipley Towns Fund, to invest in equipment.
Specialised Covers Limited is a family-run business established in 1981. The 50-strong team is based at a production facility on Dockfield Road. The £7,364 grant from the Shipley Towns Fund, and support from the Council’s Invest in Bradford team, will enable the business to invest in updated hardware and software to improve capacity and accelerate growth.
Commercial manager Veronica Jeffries said: “As part of our ongoing business development, we’re launching a new website which will have a 3D configurator enabling customers to see their tailored cover prior to purchase.
“And we are also looking to increase our export business enabling sales growth with our improved website supplying our products internationally. It’s an exciting time of growth for our business and the investment from the Shipley Towns Fund is definitely welcome.”
Bradford Council’s lead member for regeneration, transport and planning, Alex Ross-Shaw said: “It is always rewarding to see the support of the Council’s Invest In Bradford team translate into tangible success for businesses. This is an exciting business with a lot of potential for growth and we wish them every success.”
Chair of the Shipley Towns Fund, Gill Thornton added: “This is a success for another interesting business based in Shipley. It is fantastic to see a company like this – which has a really quality, specialist offering – flourish and make such good use of the funding. We’re delighted the Towns Fund is able to support them in this way.”
Premier Technical Services Group expands building maintenance division with acquisition
Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG), the Castleford-based provider of specialist services to the construction and facilities management sectors, has acquired HD Sharman Group Ltd (HDSG) – a leader in commercial roof maintenance and refurbishment systems.
Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, HDSG helps organisations extend the life of their building assets.
The acquisition of HDSG represents a strategic expansion of PTSG’s capabilities in roofing services, complementing and strengthening the proposition delivered through its existing business, NSS – the commercial roof cleaning, maintenance and reactive repairs firm.
Paul Teasdale, executive chairman of PTSG, said: “HD Sharman Group is a respected name in the UK roofing sector – and rightly so. Their engineering excellence, commitment to customer outcomes and long-standing reputation for quality align perfectly with PTSG’s culture and ambition.
“Bringing HDSG into the Group allows us to significantly broaden our roofing services proposition and respond to growing demand for integrated solutions across the commercial property market. We are delighted to welcome the team into the PTSG family.”
Leigh Daveran, newly appointed managing director of HDSG, said: “Joining PTSG marks an exciting new chapter for our business.
“We are proud of the heritage and reputation we have built and we believe this partnership will allow us to go even further – enhancing our product and service offer, reaching new markets and combining forces with likeminded specialists at NSS and across the Group. We look forward to working together to deliver even greater value for our customers.”
Outgoing managing director, Mark de Rozarieux, the driving force behind HDSG and its growth, will remain closely involved in the business, working alongside Leigh to ensure a smooth and successful integration into the PTSG Group. He will retain his seat on the board of directors and continue to play an active role in shaping the strategic direction of the business.
East Riding businesses benefit from £1.5 million in grants and expert support
East Riding businesses have received a boost through £1.5 million in grants and a range of tailored support programmes, driven by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC). These initiatives, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), aim to support local businesses across various sectors.
The Invest East Yorkshire Business Support Services, a key element of ERYC’s offering, has been instrumental in delivering this support. The services include expert advice, networking opportunities, and workshops on key topics such as sustainability, tourism, and supply chain management. In partnership with local universities, government agencies, and private sector organisations, the team has ensured that assistance reaches businesses throughout the region, with a special focus on Bridlington and Goole.
In total, 189 businesses have secured over £1.5 million in grant funding, leading to the creation of 161 new jobs. In addition, nearly 1,500 businesses have benefited from direct support, with 207 entrepreneurs becoming business-ready and 45 new ventures established. This initiative highlights the region’s dedication to promoting business growth and innovation.
Partnership boosts rail telecoms with new infrastructure investment
A strategic partnership between Network Rail, Freshwave, and Neos Networks aims to improve the UK’s rail telecoms network by eliminating signal blackspots and modernising the infrastructure. Neos Networks will be responsible for deploying 1,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable along key railway lines, including the East Coast Main Line, Chiltern Main Line, and West Coast Main Line. The initiative will also commercialise spare fibre capacity, creating a robust digital connectivity backbone for businesses. The partners have plans to extend this network to over 5,000 kilometres in the future.
The collaboration addresses the growing demand for high-performance digital infrastructure, driven by factors such as AI growth and data centre capacity. Freshwave will address signal gaps by deploying mobile infrastructure in 57 tunnels along major rail routes, including the 4 km-long Chipping Sodbury tunnel. Mobile connectivity will also be enhanced at 12 key stations, such as Birmingham New Street, Glasgow Central, and King’s Cross, with installations expected to begin in 2026.
These upgrades are crucial for improving Network Rail’s asset monitoring capabilities and enabling advanced technologies like trackside sensors and CCTV. The enhanced network is expected to bring long-term economic benefits, contributing to the UK’s digital future and supporting the formation of Great British Railways.
