Creativity in advertising will come under the spotlight next month when three Yorkshire digital agencies join forces for an event which is attracting industry colleagues and clients from across the region.
Hull-based 43 Clicks North will host the seventh edition of its Power Hour at Social in Humber Street, Hull, on Friday 7 July. Speakers will include Tom Berridge, the firm’s head of paid media, plus Dave Ellis, co-founder of Leeds-based Everything’s Fine, and Callum Devine, co-founder of cbsocial in Middlesbrough. Power Hour was launched by 43 Clicks North founder and MD Mike Ellis as a post-pandemic initiative to put top tech talent from East Yorkshire alongside some of the key players from bigger cities. Tom will pose the question “Is There Room For Creativity in PPC” and will outline how he uses data creatively to solve problems for clients and maximise results. Dave will discuss the work of his two-man remote design and motion studio that focuses on making things move, from explainer animations and social content to app demos and showreels. Callum, who specialises in Facebook and social ads, sees creativity as key to success and client performance for his firm’s work in Meta advertising and content creation. Mike said: “Numbers at Power Hour are increasing from one event to the next as we all work to bring together people from different agencies to build a digital community and develop skills in the sector across Yorkshire and the North. “Demand for this event is higher than ever but that’s not surprising because creativity really counts when times are hard and budgets are tight, and we’ve got three speakers who all work in advertising and have that at the heart of their skill set.” Power Hour is a free event and taks place at Social, Humber Street, Hull, at 1pm.Wood and Centrica Storage explore East Yorkshire low-carbon hydrogen production hub
Wood is working with Centrica Storage to evaluate the feasibility of transforming its Easington gas processing terminal to a low-carbon production hub. Centrica Storage has partnered with Equinor on this project to deliver hydrogen to the Humber region.
Based in East Yorkshire, the hub will be integrated with Centrica’s Rough field redevelopment, as well as the Easington Terminal’s hydrogen fuel switching project, both of which Wood is executing parallel studies for.
The development of the Easington low-carbon hub over the next ten years supports Centrica’s goal to achieve net zero by 2045. Hydrogen is a crucial element in achieving this target, as well as contributing to the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Wood will leverage its extensive experience in the hydrogen sector to evaluate development scenarios including both green and blue hydrogen production facilities and their associated offsites and utilities.
Dan Carter, president of decarbonisation at Wood, said: “This study is closely aligned with Wood’s strategy to focus on enabling our clients to decarbonise their operations and reach net zero through sustainable design. The creation of the Easington hub would provide secure low-carbon energy to the region, supporting the UK’s energy transition.
“We are delighted to continue working with Centrica Storage on the design of this facility, utilising our trusted technical experts, combined with decades of hydrogen experience.”
Martin Scargill, Centrica Storage Managing Director, said: “We are excited to continue our collaboration with Wood as we explore opportunities to fulfil our pledge of facilitating the UK’s transition to net zero, with our goal to establish 1GW+ of green and blue low carbon hydrogen at Easington in East Yorkshire.
“We entered into a co-operative agreement with Equinor in 2022 to develop low carbon hydrogen at Easington and as we progress through the design phase, we are building upon our strong and strategic partnership with Wood, whose extensive experience in the hydrogen sector is critical in developing and driving this project forward.”
Begbies Traynor Group firms move to new Leeds home at Wellington Place
Property group Eddisons and independent insolvency practitioner Begbies Traynor have relocated their Leeds offices to Wellington Place.
The two firms, part of Begbies Traynor Group, have taken the 7,100 sq ft second floor of 10 Wellington Place, which will be home to Eddisons’ head office and the Leeds office of the national insolvency specialist.
The two businesses employ more than 1,200 people nationally with around 100 staff alone working out of the Leeds office.
Eddisons managing partner Anthony Spencer said: “This is an exciting move to state-of-the-art offices for both Eddisons and Begbies Traynor and represents our joint commitment to Yorkshire, where Eddisons was first founded in 1851, and an investment in our people, as well as strengthening the relationship between the two firms.”
He added: “It’s a reflection of our change in priorities since Covid, and an emphasis on the wellbeing of our team, that we are actually taking less overall space than we had previously but it is more people-focused.”
Julian Pitts, regional managing partner for Begbies Traynor in Yorkshire, said: “This is a great move for both firms and 10 Wellington Place will be an inspiring city centre environment both for our own staff and our clients.
“While we have reduced the need for storage space, our new offices will have much improved staff welfare facilities, including a larger kitchen and more breakout spaces, embracing more modern ways of working and making this a welcoming and productive environment for our team.
“We believe these new offices located in this impressive new development, are a reflection of the ambition of the group and an important milestone, supporting our strategic growth plans and enabling us to better serve our clients.”
Three firms become Chamber Patrons in Yorkshire
Adams Foodservice, PIB Insurance and Arup have upgraded their membership of the membership West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
Bradford-based Adams Foodservice is a family-run food and drink giant servicing the country’s hospitality trade, while PIB Insurance, in Leeds, is a national leader in its field. Finally, Arup, which employs hundreds of people in the region across its offices in Leeds and York, is a global collective of designers, consultants and experts with a focus on the built environment.
The developments come hot on the heels of Teesside International Airport becoming patrons earlier this year.
James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber, said:“The work these firms do is cutting edge and the firm is so well-respected in the region. We look forward to working with them even more closely as we strive to make the region everything it can be as a place to do business.”
Mohammed Kola, Finance Director at Adams Foodservice, said: “We are delighted to be a patron member of the West and North Yorkshire Chambers. We have already experienced the phenomenal work the Chamber does both nationally and internationally.
“As patron members we hope to add value by helping promote the growth of local businesses and the surrounding communities.”
Arup’s upgrade comes at an exciting time for the business as it prepares to relocate its Leeds offices to state-of-the-art new premises in the city’s Wellington Place development.
Tom Bridges, the firm’s Leeds and York Office leader said: “Arup’s vision is to collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world. That is why we are proud to be a patron member of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber.
“Our teams work with local businesses and regional partners across our City Regions to reshape and generate our communities, helping to influence a greener, healthier and more prosperous future for Yorkshire.”
A spokesperson for PIB Insurance said: “We are delighted to be patrons of West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
“Supporting businesses at a local level is very important to us, as is the commitment of the Chamber in the region.
“We are pleased to be listed amongst other businesses and look forward to working with you all.”
Calls for Government action to prevent new EU rule crushing UK’s steel industry
Trade body UK Steel has warned that almost 23 million tonnes of non-EU steel could flood the UK, if the UK fails to introduce its own ‘Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism’ at the same time as the EU.
The steel trade association says the UK Government must act swiftly to avoid crushing the UK steel industry when the EU brings in new import carbon costs in 2026.
Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel, said: “Over three times our annual steel consumption is at risk of being diverted from the EU to open markets like the UK, which could suffocate our domestic industry. By not acting now UK government will burst the dam, when high-emission, cheap steel floods the UK market while ruining our export opportunities at the same time.
“We need a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to level the playing field on carbon costs across local and international suppliers. By having a competitive domestic steel industry, the UK can lead the way to Net Zero steelmaking. Steel is vital to the UK’s economic resilience, jobs and hitting Net Zero targets for the wider economy, and integral to green tech, transport and future housing.”
The Government has today closed its consultation on a UK CBAM. UK Steel’s new stats expose how 23 million tonnes of steel currently imported into the EU could be diverted from Europe and onto the UK market when the EU’s CBAM is put in place, if the UK has no equivalent. The UK uses only 9Mt of steel, meaning any imported, cheap and high-emission steel will be stacked in stock yards, undercutting local costs and devastating the domestic industry.
The main aim of a CBAM policy is to create a market for low-emission steel and help the industry decarbonise. Imported steel can undercut domestic production simply because most nations do not apply the high carbon costs to their steel industry.
The second blow would come from the restrictions to exports, as 75% of the UK steel industry’s exports totalling 2.55Mt of steel (£3.5bn in value) goes to European markets. This could face a trade barrier from the European CBAM from 2026, unless the UK moves forwards with its own UK CBAM.
By implementing its own Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the UK removes a trade barrier to the steel industry’s biggest market, stops the risk of trade diversion in its tracks, and creates a market for low-carbon steel vital for UK plc’s Net Zero transition.
Nine in ten mid-sized businesses halting growth plans due to difficulty accessing capital
Difficulty accessing capital is forcing nine in 10 (91%) of mid-sized businesses to curb growth plans, according to the latest research from accounting and advisory firm BDO.
The bi-monthly survey of 500 leaders of medium-sized businesses, which looks at the challenges and opportunities facing UK companies, reveals nearly one in four (24%) are being forced to scale back the business or make redundancies as a result of difficulty accessing capital. 22% are unable to finance plans for expansion, with a further fifth (20%) struggling to invest in new technology or software to improve their business for this reason.
An additional fifth say they are unable to raise salaries while almost a quarter (24%) are also struggling to invest in initiatives or benefits to retain current employees. Concerningly, this comes as 24% of businesses cite staff and skills shortages as one of their biggest challenges over the next six months.
Amid growing concerns about their access to capital, record levels of inflation or increased operating costs, such as energy bills, commercial rent and payroll, are the biggest challenges facing over half (56%) of mid-sized businesses. Improving cash flow, generating new sources of revenue or raising new financing from existing funding sources are also the top priorities for more than two-fifths (44%) of companies over the next six months.
Against this backdrop, businesses are turning to private capital markets for potential funding solutions. Private equity investment is the most attractive source of capital for almost a third (32%) of those in need of new funding, followed by equity capital markets (28%) and government support schemes (25%).
As a result of tough economic challenges, 40% will need to raise funds over the next year, while a further third (33%) plan to source new financing in the next 13 to 18 months.
Mid-sized companies, which employ eight million people and provided a around a quarter of UK jobs according to further research, are now calling on the Government to support them with rising costs and improve access to capital to make the UK a more appealing place to do business.
More support from policymakers to address high costs from inflation was the most common call among business leaders. Almost 30% want the Government to do more to improve access to private sources of funding, including bank loans, regional banking and private equity investment.
Even more (32%) are calling for better public financing, such as government grants, specifically targeted at businesses in the mid-market. More than one in three (35%) want the Government to introduce or improve tax incentives to help support their business and a third (33%) believe the Government could do more to offer support with energy bills, whether through subsidies or improving insulation for commercial buildings to cut demand altogether.
Richard Austin, partner at BDO LLP, said: “Despite staying resilient through an incredibly difficult time, tough challenges remain for mid-sized businesses, with access to capital becoming a critical issue.
“As the engine of the UK economy, these companies are responsible for a large, vital proportion of its income and employment and their success will play a key role in the economic performance of the UK overall. Businesses believe more can be done to address their concerns, drive their growth and ensure the UK remains an attractive place to do business both today and in the future.”
JMG acquires Southampton commercial insurance broker
Leeds-headquartered JMG Group has acquired commercial insurance broker GR Marshall as the Southampton-based broker approaches its fiftieth year in the industry.
GR Marshall, which was established in 1974 by Gill Marshall, is now led by Robert Tipp who became a major shareholder and Managing Director in 2001 and then sole shareholder in 2013.
A privately-owned commercial broker which operates primarily in the property, motor trade and personal insurance market, GR Marshall provides broker services to local clients as well as property managers across the UK.
The business employs five staff at its office in Hythe and will continue to trade under the GR Marshall brand.
Robert Tipp, GR Marshall MD, says: “This sale is the next step in building on the success we have achieved and, with the expertise and backing from the JMG Group, will allow us to take the business even further.
“I’m currently wearing six or seven hats at any one time and, whilst they are all essential parts of running a successful insurance broker business, I want to engage even more with clients, which is what this move will allow me to do.
“It was important that we found a buyer that shares our people-focussed values and the sales process has more than confirmed this of JMG Group. From the get-go the team has been friendly, responsive, warm and has kept true to their word – every interaction is how I would have wanted to be treated if I were a JMG Group client, which is a testament to the calibre of the team.”
Nick Houghton, Group CEO, JMG Group, said: “What makes GR Marshall special is its approach to client handling and this is reflected in the longevity and loyalty of its client base.
“The Group will help GR Marshall with some of the ‘heavy lifting’ elements involved in the day-to-day running, yet allow Robert and his team the autonomy to steer the business as they best know how. Having GR Marshall on board gives us additional expertise to share across the Group and a stronger foothold in the South of England.”
Move to 40,000 sq ft Barnsley site marks new era for Lucy and Yak
The Mayor of Barnsley, Councillor James Michael Stowe, was on hand to help fashion brand Lucy and Yak open their new premises at the Gateway 36 Business Park yesterday.
Created by Barnsley-born Lucy Greenwood and Chris Renwick in 2017, the independent retailer has grown to become a popular clothing provider with more than 800,000 followers across their social media platforms.
While they have shops in major cities such as Brighton, Bristol, and Nottingham, and a new store which will open its doors in Manchester’s Northern Quarter next month, the heart of the business remains in Barnsley.
The new 40,000 square foot site in Hoyland will see the company move from their previous home, a 10,000 square foot unit in Wombwell, where they manufactured scrubs, scrub caps and bags for frontline workers in local NHS hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councillor Robert Frost, Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It’s brilliant to see Lucy and Yak moving into a new site and staying in the borough. For such a well-known fashion brand to continue to operate from Barnsley demonstrates the potential and opportunities we can offer to businesses.
“Our award-winning Enterprising Barnsley business support team are proud to have paid their part by assisting the company in identifying local properties for their expansion as well as providing specialist business coaching support. We will continue to support the company for many years to come.
“It’s clear that Lucy and Chris have not forgotten their roots and are investing in Barnsley, giving something back by providing skilled job opportunities for local people. We look forward to seeing Lucy and Yak continue to grow their business operations in the borough.”
Lucy said: “I still can’t believe how far we have come in six years from our first distribution centre being in my parent’s basement in Kendray to now having this beautiful new distribution centre and providing so many jobs to people from my hometown. It feels weird seeing my name on such a huge building!”
Chris added: “We’re really proud to continue growing in Barnsley, Lucy’s hometown, and creating more jobs for the wonderful Barnsley locals!”
Bowker gets AA rating for new warehouse in Thorne
A newly-opened warehouse in Thorne operated by food distributor Bowker is to be awarded the highest-possible Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standard status.
By obtaining AA BRCGS status at the Thorne facility, Bowker has now achieved the highest certification across all its food grade distribution centres, proving stringent quality control for the safe handling and storage of food throughout the supply chain.
Nick Brightey, Regional Director at Bowker, said: “This milestone demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards of food safety and quality. Our clients can trust that their products are handled and stored with utmost care, meeting the rigorous industry requirements. We are proud to have all of our food grade distribution centres attaining this esteemed status, underscoring our position as a leading provider in the logistics industry.”
The AA BRCGS accreditation is a globally recognised standard in food safety and quality management systems, emphasising the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of product integrity and customer satisfaction.
The new Thorne warehouse is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and innovative storage solutions, the Thorne warehouse further strengthens Bowker’s capabilities to provide efficient and reliable food grade distribution services.
£21m of new funding to unlock a brighter future for West Yorkshire
Following a meeting of the West Yorkshire Mayor and the region’s council leaders, more than £21 million will be invested in tackling the climate emergency, building stronger transport links for the future and supporting training for high-tech green jobs.
The investments come following last week’s publication of the Combined Authority’s West Yorkshire Plan, which aims to build a “brighter West Yorkshire that works for all” by 2040.
This funding will drive forward some of the plan’s key missions, helping to build a prosperous, well-connected and sustainable region. When added to other recent project approvals in the Spring, in areas such as Thorpe Park Rail Station and further investments in the Mayor’s Fares scheme, the Combined Authority is now investing more than £54m into the future of the region.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “We are getting on with delivering important work the people of West Yorkshire want to see.
“This multimillion-pound investment supports our missions set out in the West Yorkshire Plan, and will help us create good jobs, strong transport links, and a more environmentally friendly region for future generations.
“It’s crucial we focus on a better future for our children and children’s children helping them reap the rewards of living in a greener, safer, brighter West Yorkshire.”
