Not-for-profit company buys Glanford Park
Glanford Park has been bought by a not-for-profit company, securing the home of Scunthorpe United for generations and creating a new, sustainable future for the club which has played at the ground since 1988.
As part of the deal, an anticipated 100 jobs are expected to be created from developments around the ground, along with up to 150 homes for older residents and people with complex needs on an area which already has outline planning permission.
Club owner owner Michelle Harness said: “Wanting to bring Glanford Park back to Scunthorpe United supporters and the community was the reason I stood up in the first place, along with the Board of Directors. To all of us, it’s why we’ve been working hard every day and every night. It means a lot to the Board, it means a lot to me, and I know hugely that it means a lot to the fans.
“Going forward, we need to continue to tackle the extreme levels of debt that were left with the club when we took custodian. Donations from local businesses and people around the town have been totally humbling, and it shows how desperate everyone in the area has been to keep their beloved football club going.
“All of the additional money that we’ve been able to get in is helping to pay off our debt and get us one step closer to being more sustainable as a football club, which we are striving to do every day.
“The hard work doesn’t stop. In fact, it truly does start today. We got our football club back. We got Glanford Park, our home, back and now, we must fight to keep it, and the only way we can do that is through donations, sponsorship, buying tickets and merchandise, and supporting as many of our initiatives as you possibly can.”
Holly Mumby-Croft, MP for Scunthorpe and Vice-Chair of the Towns Fund Board, said: “This deal represents a bright new future for club, for the community and for our town – it has been backed by Government cash.
“Securing the ground as Scunthorpe United’s home will be a welcome relief to fans who now know that the team will always be able to play at Glanford Park.
“We have had meetings with the club and with Government to get the right deal in place to make sure the community is a key part of developing a new sustainable future. Glanford Park not being in the hands of any one single person was critical to securing that new future.
“Lots of people have been in touch with me, supporters and local residents alike and I’ve listened. It’s great to be able to confirm that through working with the council and the club we can now start to build further.
“Michelle has shown a real passion for the club and the fans, she has been a pleasure to work with and her iron will has ensured the deal has been completed.”
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Government has provided a lot of cash to back communities across North Lincolnshire in recent years and today marks another such occasion.
“The ground is safely in the right hands to create a new future for the club and the revenue generated will ensure a good deal for taxpayers and that more money can be reinvested back into the ground and the host of community activities for young people and families.
“The new jobs that will be created and the new homes for older people – which is more than a third of the population here, are key parts of building a brighter future.”
For Scunthorpe United, it is another monumental milestone in the resurrection of the football club. The primary focus of the Board of Directors when they took over as custodians of the club was to bring Glanford Park back to the fans, and back to the community.
By completing the deal in a community interest company, Glanford Park will always be protected within the community, and will never be at threat, regardless of any changes to the Board or future ownership.
University of York research projects awarded funding to deliver bio-based solutions to key industry challenges
Two University of York research projects have been awarded funding, as part of a £42 million programme, to work with industry partners in co-developing new sustainable technologies for healthcare, agriculture, cosmetics and wastewater treatment.
Working with Croda Europe Ltd, a specialist chemical company, Professor Ian Graham, from the University’s Centre for Novel Agricultural Products in the Department of Biology, will co-develop new sustainable technologies to improve the performance of new medicines, increase food production and help reduce the use of ingredients in cosmetic formulations from unsustainable sources.
The project is part of the BioYorkshire programme, which aims to deliver a new green agenda to create jobs and boost the regional economy through sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
Professor Graham said: “This funding will enable us to develop sustainable production platforms for bioactive chemicals from plants that have the potential to replace petrochemical derived products across a range of industrial sectors.”
In the second project, Professor James Chong, from the University’s Department of Biology, will work with Yorkshire Water Services Ltd, to understand how groups of microorganisms respond to design and process engineering in wastewater treatment. The project will result in digital models to help improve anaerobic digestion – a process through which bacteria break down organic matter – such as animal and food wastes – in the absence of oxygen.
Professor Chong said: “Through this new award we will be able to develop and enhance the biobased technologies used to recover resources from wastewater. Our partnership with Yorkshire Water provides a route for lab-based results to be rapidly applied as process innovations.”
The two projects, along with eight others, are supported by £17 million from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and is part of its first round of bioscience prosperity partnership funding, including funds from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
This UKRI cross-council investment has been further supported by more than £21 million invested by industry partners.
Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Andrew Griffith, said: “Our new bioscience prosperity partnerships are a valuable opportunity for government, business and academia to come together and help unleash world-class, pioneering discoveries across the UK while growing our local economies.”
Dr Lee Beniston FRSB, Associate Director for Industry Partnerships and Collaborative R&D at BBSRC, said: “The projects supported will deliver on UK ambitions for private sector investment in research and innovation as outlined in the Science and Technology Framework, helping to drive economic growth and societal impact through key bioscience and biotechnology sectors and industries.”
New tenants take occupancy to pre pandemic levels at Leeds’ Marshall’s Mill
Edward Architects and Regenerate Asset Management are the latest businesses to take space in Marshall’s Mill, part of Holbeck Urban Village within Leeds South Bank, with both making the move into the historic estate due to business growth.
Edward Architects have moved from Whitehall Waterfront in Leeds to a 2,000 sq ft suite on the fourth floor of the Mill to accommodate a need for more space due to an expanding team.
Employees at the company, which has offices in Leeds and London, know the area well having spent over 200 hours of their free time working on the Holbeck HiLine, a community-led project that aims to bring the former viaduct back to life as a walkway and sky garden.
Becky Edward, practice manager, said: “We love how light it is in the Mill, as well as the rustic feel of the building, the environment has such character, it’s inspiring. We really enjoy too that we are working near other creative companies and the communal reception, with the nod to the Mill’s past use through considerate attention to restoration, perfect for when we welcome guests.”
The Leeds office for Regenerate Asset Management will be the first office in the North of England following the team opening a London office earlier this year. It will also be headquarters for the new and growing company which focuses on finding new and improved ways to conserve and diversify agriculture practices in a more ecological way.
Around 10 people will initially be based in the 1,566 sq ft space on the second floor of Marshall’s Mill with the space also being used for training, meetings and workshop sessions. The location was key for the national company as they regularly host visitors from across the UK and the regenerative aspect of the Mill fitted well with the ethos of the sustainable organisation.
“Working from home has been our only option until now,” says group financial controller for Regenerate Asset Management, Philippa Saxon. “Moving into the space has already helped us to collaborate. There are lots of communal spaces in the building and Holbeck Urban Village is a striking conservation area as well as having plenty of options in the neighbourhood for somewhere we can grab a coffee or some lunch.”
Both lettings were managed by agents Creative Space Management and Knight Frank. Paul Taylor, Managing Director for CSM, said: “The Mill continues to be well occupied and is popular with businesses looking for quality distinctive space. It’s been a strong year overall with take-up back at pre-pandemic levels.
“Utilisation of office space seems to have stabilised recently with many back working in the office rather than from home, often underpinned by some kind of social element during the week.”
Yorkshire business confidence amongst highest in UK
Business confidence in Yorkshire fell two points during November to 50%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking – conducted between 1st-15th November, before the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement announcement on Wednesday 22nd November.
Companies in Yorkshire reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up three points at 49%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down six points to 52%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 50%.
Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as investing in their teams (44%), introducing new technology (36%) and evolving their offer (33%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. A net balance of 26% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down 15 points on last month.
Overall UK business confidence rose three points in November from 39% to 42%, the third consecutive monthly increase, while firms’ outlook on the overall UK economy increased four points to 38%. Businesses’ optimism in their own trading prospects also continued the upward trend for the second consecutive month, rising three points to 48%.
Companies’ hiring intentions reached their highest level since May 2022, with 35% of firms intending to increase staff levels over the next 12 months, up three points month-on-month.
Firms in London reported the highest level of business confidence, jumping nine points to 56% followed by the North West (54%), Yorkshire and the Humber (50%) and the North East (48%). Companies in the North West reported the biggest uptick in business confidence, increasing 20 points month-on-month to 54%.
Firms in the services industry reported an increase in confidence to 46% (up three points), the highest level for over two years (since September 2021), reflecting broad-based optimism in the sector. Retail confidence also rose for a second month to 42% (up five points), while sentiment among manufacturing firms reached a five-month high of 45% (up nine points) in contrast with recent shortfalls. Construction firms’ confidence improved for the first time in three months to 35% (up four points), but this still lags other sectors.
Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s interesting to see that businesses in Yorkshire are looking to introduce new technology as they target growth over the next six months. Not only will this help them to introduce more modern working practices, but it can also help unlock profit and have productivity benefits.
“Businesses can also take advantage of the Chancellor’s recent announcement in the Autumn Statement that a 100% upfront tax deduction for UK capital expenditure on plant and machinery is becoming permanent. This makes it a great time for businesses considering significant capital investment to invest into new technologies.”
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Business confidence rising to a 21-month high shows the resilience of UK companies, as both trading prospects and economic optimism continue to rise.
“It’s encouraging to see signs that wage expectations may be stabilising, even against the backdrop of hiring intentions increasing to an 18-month high. Price indicators in the survey are similarly up, with our data continuing to show that firms are still safeguarding their profit margins in response to past rises in interest rates, wage increase pressures, and the prospect of higher energy prices again this winter.
“Our next survey in December will reveal how firms are digesting the measures announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last week as they navigate the busy festive season and make plans for 2024.”
Henry Boot Construction start work on Minsthorpe Community College sports facilities
Construction has started on a major new sports facility at Minsthorpe Community College in South Elmsall.
The project is being carried out by Henry Boot Construction and, when finished, it will provide two activity studios, changing rooms, toilets, storage facilities and office space, as well as a 594 m2 main sports hall.
Work got underway this summer to replace the previous sports facilities and is expected to be completed by spring 2025, alongside refurbishment works to several of the existing blocks.
The new sports block is targeting a rating of A+ for energy efficiency (EPC).
During the pre-construction phase, Yorkshire-based Henry Boot Construction has worked closely with the Department for Education (DfE), Niemens Architects and Dudleys Consultant Engineers.
During the turf-cutting ceremony at Minsthorpe, Tony Shaw, Henry Boot Construction Managing Director, said: “It’s great to get started on the construction stages of our work here at Minsthorpe Community College. Since the beginning of the design and planning process, we have had a clear vision of what the final product will look like.
“Projects like this are always incredibly rewarding, providing high-quality facilities to the local community that will greatly benefit them. We are modernising existing spaces so that we can support curriculum activity and greatly enhance the student experience.
“We’re starting to build a strong portfolio in the West Yorkshire area and this project adds to our ever-increasing Department for Education portfolio which began in 2017. We’re proud to be working on this fantastic project.”
Leeds insurance group makes fresh acquisition
Leeds-based Bspoke Insurance Group Ltd (Bspoke Group) has agreed to acquire the personal lines elements of the Police & Forces Mutual businesses, Police Mutual Healthcare (PMHC) and Police Mutual General Insurance (PMGI), from The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited (Royal London).
Bspoke Group, which is backed by private equity investors RCapital Partners LLP & MIG Partners LLP, will acquire 100% of the share capital of the two businesses, subject to regulatory approval.
This is the second acquisition for the specialist insurance MGA group following their buy-out in October 2022, further building the momentum for their organic and inorganic growth strategy within the niche insurance sector.
The transaction will see over 250,000 general insurance policies and c16,000 healthcare policies transfer to Bspoke Group.
Tim Smyth, Bspoke Group CEO, said: “With a 150-year history, PMHC and PMGI are both highly regarded and trusted names within the police and military sectors, and we are thrilled to have secured their purchase.
“This type of specialist product fits perfectly within the Bspoke Group portfolio. It was always our intention to combine organic growth with acquisitions where they have a clear strategic fit to our long term aims.”
Siobhan Barrow, Royal London UK Distribution Director, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Bspoke Group on this transaction on the general insurance and healthcare elements of the Police and Forces Mutual businesses.
“These are not central to our core business of protection, long-term savings and asset management. Customers will be better served by an expert in those GI and Healthcare markets. Central to our considerations has been finding a buyer with the right strategic and cultural fit, and who recognised the heritage of the businesses.”
Tim Smyth added: “It’s a hugely significant deal for Bspoke Group which continues our recent substantial growth in the MGA sector. We are taking on a well-run, highly respected business that enjoys a loyal customer base with very high persistency and an experienced, respected team who really know their customers and appreciate the value of high-quality service.”
The PMGI and PMHC businesses are based in Lichfield and Liverpool. 140 colleagues, including the management team led by Kerry McMahon White, Managing Director, and Phil Hall, Commercial Director, are expected to transfer across to become part of the Bspoke Group under TUPE arrangements in the New Year.
Second £1.2m pilot boat joins the Humber fleet
New pilot vessel, the TRENT, has joined ABP Humber’s fleet at the port of Grimsby.
A £1.2m pilot boat called the Trent has joined the Humber fleet as part of ABP’s replacement programme.
The vessel is the second in class Orc design 171 built by Norfolk-based boat builder Goodchild Marine Services in 2020 to supply nine state-of the-art pilot boats over a five-year period. ABP’s total investment of £9 million is delivering five vessels to serve its Humber ports, three for Southampton and one for Barry in South Wales.
This class of vessel is at the forefront of technology and handling performance. Named by many pilot boat operators throughout the world as the ‘Pilot Boat of Choice’.
Simon Bird, ABP Humber Regional Director, said: “These innovative pilot vessels, designed by Frech naval architect Pantocarene, will be ensuring ABP can deliver its exemplary pilotage service here on the Humber.
In 2021 alone there were in excess of 34,000 ship movements on the estuary, overseen by ABP’s Vessel Tracking Service. 15,000 of these movements were acts of pilotage carried out by ABP’s Humber Pilots.
Over the coming weeks the Trent will be put through its paces by our pilot launch crews as they familiarise themselves with the new vessel.”
Stephen Pierce, General Manager Goodchild Marine Services Limited, said: “Our aim is to deliver the highest quality pilot boats, which provide a safe, comfortable, reliable and efficient vessel. Thus, ensuring the best possible working space for the boat crews, pilots and the maintainers.”
Invited guests, including the TRENT’s sponsor Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull North, gathered for the vessel’s naming ceremony at the Port of Hull.
MP Dame Diana Johnson said: “It is a great pleasure to have been asked to be the official sponsor of this impressive looking vessel. I know that over the course of her lifetime as a working pilot launch, she will be providing a vital function in taking pilots out to large ships beyond Spurn Point, so that they can be brought safely into our ports and bring in the goods and supplies that we all need. She will therefore be an essential component part in the role that ABP plays here in the Humber, of keeping Britain trading.”
Government publishes guidance to help firms maximise the benefits of AI
Guidance published today is intended to help all UK businesses to unleash the potential of Artificial Intelligence across their workforce by making sure employees have the skills they need.
The guidance is intended to help employers boost employee understanding of AI so they can use it safely in their day-to-day role, by setting out the key knowledge, skills and behaviours they should have in order to reap the benefits of AI safely – including how to use artificial intelligence tools effectively such as Large Language Models and the safe and secure management of sensitive data.
Minister for AI Viscount Camrose, said: “Making sure workers up and down the country have the skills they need for their jobs with and in AI is a key part of our strategy in making the UK an AI powerhouse and ensuring the skills of our workforce keep pace with this rapidly developing technology.
“This guidance will be vital in helping us realise that ambition, continuing an important conversation with businesses across the UK to make sure the steps they can take are practical, functional, and successful.
“Having a workforce which is equipped to work alongside AI will drive growth for businesses and allow us to realise the enormous opportunities AI presents in every sector of our economy.”
Focused on five key areas, the guidance covers everything from using AI to evaluate the performance of projects through to how to build the skills and techniques needed to solve issues as people work with AI when they crop up. Employees will be helped by employers and training providers to develop a deeper understanding of how their organisation works with AI, how they can further incorporate its use, and in turn what tools they need to tackle a particular task. From admin to accounting and a range of other aspects in a worker’s day-to-day role, the guidance will support employees to propose solutions and build a strong knowledge base to go from strength to strength as they work increasingly with AI.
Given the growing use of AI in businesses across the country, this will serve as a vital tool for employers to ensure their workers can harness the huge potential of the technology to fuel both their own development and that of their organisation. By upskilling workers, businesses will also ramp up productivity and ensure their workforce can focus on the tasks which will make the biggest impact. Having a highly skilled workforce will allow businesses to go from strength to strength, fuelling their success and contributing to the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.
Developed in partnership with the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme and The Alan Turing Institute the guidance marks a first step, with the UK government continuing to work closely with the business community and experts to further develop the guidance and draw concrete actions which can be implemented by businesses across the country – ahead of publishing a final version.
It comes as the Chancellor welcomed Microsoft’s £2.5 billion investment in UK AI over the next 3 years – expanding its next generation AI datacentre infrastructure, which is a vital investment to process, host and store the massive amounts of digital information needed to develop AI models. He will today (Thursday 30 November) visit one of Microsoft’s new ‘next generation datacentre facilities’ under construction in North London – which will create jobs and run fully on renewable energy – joined by Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, and Microsoft UK CEO, Clare Barclay.
- Read the full draft guidance and details on how to provide feedback.
Nilesh Shah joins new accountancy company as Group Chairman
Nilesh Shah, ex-CEO of leading accountancy firm Blick Rothenberg, is taking on the role of group chairman of a new accountancy group formed by Blixt.
He said: “I have a passion for building high-growth, people-centric businesses. By overseeing group strategic decisions and advising on who we partner with going forward, I will ensure everyone involved in this journey is working towards our collective ambition to create a leading people-driven accountancy group. I am very excited to kick off this journey with Duncan & Toplis as the first pillar of the group. They bring almost a century of experience in developing quality talent and providing excellent advisory services to clients.”
Carl Harring, CEO at Blixt said: “Establishing a strong and strategic group leadership team is a crucial step in the development of our accountancy group. Core to this group’s mission is to continue providing exciting growth opportunities for the talent in the businesses we partner with and ensuring we continue to push the boundaries of excellence in client service. Nilesh very much shares this mindset with Blixt and the group’s first platform business, Duncan & Toplis, and we are therefore very pleased to have him on board as group chairman. Businesses joining this journey in the future will share this mindset too.”
Adrian Reynolds, managing director of Duncan & Toplis, said: “We’re thrilled to be the first business in the UK to form a platform in this exciting new venture, as we focus on growing our organisation in the years to come, both organically and through carefully selected acquisitions. Nilesh’s appointment to the role of group chairman gives us access to guidance and insight from some of the best minds in the industry as we embark on delivering Duncan & Toplis’ accelerated growth strategy.
Adrian Reynolds, managing director of Duncan & Toplis and Damon Brain, director at Duncan & Toplis (and succeeding Adrian in April 2024 as managing director) will sit with Nilesh Shah on the board of the group. Working alongside them will be Carl Harring, CEO of Blixt, and Hamza Virjee, director at Blixt.
Recyclable safety gear development earns recognition for Arco
Hull-based Arco has been awarded the prestigious ‘Recycled Product of the Year Award’ at the 2023 MRW National Recycling Awards for its ‘Responsible Hi-Vis’ clothing range.
The products have been created to tackle excessive waste in a niche and difficult-to-recycle segment of the clothing industry.
The ‘Recycled Product of the Year’ category called for products entered to show the best of sustainability, and have been designed with careful consideration of resources and incorporate recycled content.
Through a partnership with polyester recycling company, Stuff4Life, Arco’s Responsible Hi-Vis garments are designed to last longer, made from certified recycled and responsibly-sourced materials, and developed with end of life in mind, focusing on the recyclability of materials.
Once a garment comes to the end of its life, it can be recycled using Stuff4Life’s patent-pending chemical recycling solution that’s currently in development, with the recovered materials from the recycling process becoming valuable raw materials that can be transformed back into new polyester yarn for garment production over and over again.
Jim Harbidge, Head of Sustainability at Arco said: “This award confirms our view of a future where the value of textiles is preserved through the process we have developed. As we and our customers begin to move away from thinking about these items as ‘disposable’, we have been able to incorporate other aspects of design to offer comfort, durability, recycling ease and of course lower life-time costs.
“Our aim is to make the most sustainable items also the lowest cost choice. Our new range is already available to customers who are working with arco on their journey to circularity.”
John Twitchen, Co-Founder of Stuff4Life said: “This award is the result of all the hard work and commitment Arco has made in developing these exceptionally well-designed products.
“Nearly 90 per cent of the 33 million workwear items provided to workers annually currently end up in landfill or are incinerated, but this workwear range is fit for a future where materials have multiple usages and longer lifecycles.
“We’re pleased to have played a role in challenging conventions and championing change, and of course we look forward to recycling these fantastic products back into new stuff when they have served their purpose.”
