Broadband provider KCOM has announced plans to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the UK Government target. The Hull-based company, with 170,000 customers across East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, will introduce a raft of green initiatives to help it reduce its carbon footprint including introducing electric vehicles and using solar panels for its offices to joining a carbon offset scheme planting woodland in Yorkshire. Tim Shaw, KCOM CEO Tim Shaw said: “Climate change is the biggest challenge facing the planet today and now is the time to act. As a major employer in our region, it’s important that we take a lead and do what we can to show we’re serious about reaching Net Zero and combatting  global warming. We no longer have the option of standing by and hoping for someone else to come up with a solution. “We already work with great local initiatives such as the Oh Yes! Net Zero campaign and The Waterline Summit, but today we are putting our money where our mouth is and making our pledges to reach Net Zero by 2040, which is ten years ahead of the Government’s national targets. “It will be challenging but we believe it the right thing to do for our business, our customers, our region and our planet.” Among the major initiatives impacting on KCOM’s march toward Net Zero is its £17m programme to replace its legacy copper landline network with a full fibre one. The project, which will take two years to complete, is one of the biggest infrastructure schemes in the company’s history and will start transferring homes and businesses from copper to fibre in Beverley in April. It will then move on to migrate other areas of Hull and East Yorkshire in the KCOM network. The environmental impact of the network upgrade is huge, reducing KCOM’s electricity usage by 35% while also reducing its carbon emissions by a quarter. KCOM today announced it is also partnering with Yorkshire-based family business Make It Wild, which will offset 1,500 Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2e) greenhouse gases by planting trees in Make it Wild’s Yorkshire nature reserves. Other initiatives KCOM has unveiled include working with ground-breaking ‘urban mining’ company N2S to reclaim precious rare earth metals such as copper, platinum and gold from KCOM’s old IT and exchange equipment. The metals will then be reused to make new equipment as part of a sustainable circular economy. Tim Shaw added: “We’re already made a great start on our journey towards Net Zero. For instance, 18% of the energy we need to run our Salvesen Way offices is already produced by solar panels. By teaming with innovative companies such as N2S we’re looking to eradicate our e-waste and feed valuable rare materials back into the economy. “But we still have a long way to go and the plans we’ve unveiled today will be transformative for our business and hopefully set the benchmark for how other local and national companies view their approach to Net Zero.”

Positive changes are underway at the iconic White Hart Hotel in Lincoln’s historic Bailgate, with the recent appointment of a new General Manager and an imminent programme for a full transformation of the hotel with a sensitive and comprehensive refurbishment scheme. The hotel’s owner, local businessman Andrew Long, said: “Since acquiring the White Hart Hotel in July 2022, the intention has always been to maximise the full trading potential and to enhance the status of the full range of facilities. Our extensive refurbishment will respect the centuries of heritage in the building and its exceptional location. “To now have a confirmed date for the commencement of the works is very exciting for the future of the White Hart, as well as a further ‘milestone’ for Lincoln’s historic Bailgate and the surrounding Uphill area. “We believe that the hotel will become one of the very best in the region, as well as remaining a popular and welcoming venue for our loyal guests, many of whom have known the hotel for several decades and generations.” The hotel will close for the extensive refurbishment and improvement works for three months from 1st March and is scheduled for reopening in June. The work will include a complete refurbishment and ‘refit’ of the main Lounge Bar, as well as the addition of a new Club Bar and a relocated Reception. At the same time, the contractors will complete a sensitive refurbishment of the ground and first floor function rooms, inclusive of the former Orangery / Eastgate Suite and King Richard Room. There will also be a significant reconfiguration of the Restaurant, which will be ‘rebranded’ and re-launched in July. This will include an impressive new frontage onto Bailgate, appropriately elevating the venue as a sophisticated ‘special occasion’ dining destination in its own right, offering high standards of cuisine with extensive use of local produce. Six bedrooms will be re-launched at the start of June, with the other 44 bedrooms and suites to be refurbished in a ‘rolling programme’ throughout the remainder of the year. There is also a full re-branding project being undertaken in conjunction with renowned illustrator Chris Mitchell (who has been instrumental in many iconic designs for world-famous brands), which has already commenced in readiness for the reopening of the hotel. Paul Noble joined the team as new General Manager in mid-January, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the White Hart. Having worked in hotels and restaurants across the country, ranging from country houses to some of London’s finest eateries, he will oversee the preparation for the reopening in conjunction with the senior members of the full project team. Paul said: “There’s nowhere quite like the White Hart and the uniqueness of this hotel is something which I’m very excited about. The world class location and the future potential are what have drawn me to this role and it’s going to be one of the most sought-after Cathedral city hotels in the country once the refurbishment has taken place.” Andrew added: “Paul brings a huge amount of experience and energy to the role of General Manager. His appointment will be instrumental to the full delivery of our objectives to create a substantial jewel in Lincoln’s crown.” Interior design concepts are being handled by the nationally renowned DO Design team. Director, Sarah Daniels, said: “Visiting Lincoln and the White Hart, we were struck by the need to reflect the heritage and innate features that may have been lost over time through previous renovations. We want to bring back a deep, warm feel and the colours and aesthetic choices we’ve planned will give a look that is both sympathetic to the building’s history without taking it back in time. “This will also be supported by a suitable choice of varied furniture and antiques.” Building work is to be undertaken by the Lindum Group in conjunction with many other Lincoln-based companies, project managed by Luxury Hotel Management, working in conjunction with John Robert Architects, Building & Quantity specialists P&BC, together with Banks, Long & Co.

Bradford-founded solicitors Eatons has appointed Property and Business Partner Joad Singh to its commercial property team. Working out of the firm’s recently opened “Airport West” offices in Yeadon, Joad joins the team of 50 established lawyers based in Bradford and Bingley, to further develop the commercial and residential property team as well as the business division. Specialising in commercial property, business acquisitions and disposals, Joad has more than 15 years of legal experience, including a decade as partner with Shipley’s Atkinson & Firth. He joins Eatons’ Property Partners Claire Roberts and David Butterfield to continue to develop the firm’s specialist offering. Joad said: “This is a challenging time for the commercial sector and with any transactional work comes a need for savvy business advice and guidance. I pride myself on working in partnership with our clients, all of whom have their own personal circumstances at the heart of their brief – a past to protect and a future to build. “I’m delighted to join such an established and respected legal team and I’m focussed on continuing to develop a service which has property and business expertise, client confidence and compassion at its core.” Eatons Solicitors’ Darley Street offices were established in 1887. Today the team specialises in services from family and matrimonial law to commercial property and employment matters and prides itself on having 25% of staff serving 10 years or more, alongside its dedication to supporting the next generation of trainee solicitors. Managing Partner Graeme Brown added: “We employ the very best in our industry and we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Joad into the team. “People first” is the Eatons culture and that applies to our staff and the clients we work with. Joad embraces and embodies all that we represent and we’re looking forward to his leadership in the continued expansion of our property and business division.”

Business Lincolnshire is inviting businesses across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to their first live #BLLive show next week. Based around the region’s growing digital sector and the Go Digital Conference, the #BLLive ‘Customer of the Future’ online event will be held at 1 pm on Tuesday 28th February, covering the digital trends shaping tomorrow’s customers. Hosted by Guy Lewis, co-director at the CDI Alliance, with a guest appearance from David Regler, Business Lincolnshire’s Digital Sector Growth Manager, the event will share more details of the upcoming Go Digital conference; how to register, who is speaking, workshops being delivered and information on the other activities on the day. Zoe King, Director of Epix Media and part of the Steering Group leading the Mosaic Digital Community in Greater Lincolnshire, will also be joining as a guest speaker; sharing details on how the community is growing and speaking about future events for the digital sector. Speaking about the upcoming show, Guy Lewis, said: “We’re really excited to host this first live show of the year, focusing on understanding the digital trends shaping tomorrow’s customers and how businesses can use more digital technology in their everyday strategies. “We invite businesses from across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to join this live event to hear from experts in the digital field and to find out the benefits of incorporating digital practices into their business.” Find out more about Business Lincolnshire’s upcoming #BLLive show on Tuesday 28th February, here.

Yorkshire-based Sewell Estates has become part employee-owned with majority shareholder Paul Sewell moving a quarter of the company’s shares into an employee ownership trust in a move to secure the long-term future of the business and protect its culture. Almost 300 people who work across Sewell Estates’ seven businesses are now Co-Owners, meaning they’ll have a greater say in how the business is run and the potential to share in any company profits.Estates Mr Sewell said: “I have always believed in employee ownership – that employees make or break a company and should have a greater stake than just salary and bonus can provide. They should feed into the strategic concept of a company, its sustainability and overall value. “My shareholding in the business began back in 1986 with a 25% stake in what was F Sewell & Son (no family ties, just a naming coincidence), and for me that was the most important – it gave me a degree of security; I felt that I’d be able to make a difference, be appreciated and have a voice. That’s what I wanted for myself back then, and what I’ve long wanted for the people who work across the group now. “People across our business have always had a voice, but the introduction of an employee ownership trust will formalise this and give our people even more autonomy, freedom to make decisions and directly feed into the governance of the group – whoever they are within our business. It will also protect and enhance the culture we’ve built over many years and our ability to make a difference to the communities in which we work.” Paul will continue to Chair the group and business operations will remain unchanged, with Jo Barnes, Sewell Estates MD, continuing to steer the leadership team in place to manage the business alongside the existing governance structure. The added benefit for customers will be having an even more engaged workforce that want to deliver the best quality service in an ethical and sustainable way. People from across the group’s seven estates businesses will be represented on a Co-Owner Council to share employee voice and ideas for taking the business forward. They’ll feed into the Trust Board who will govern the interests of the staff, with an independent chair, Deb Oxley. Deb has a vast experience in employee ownership after being CEO of the EOA for several years, leading a national campaign to raise the profile and impacts of employee ownership. She said: “Employee ownership is not a new model, but it’s one that’s growing hugely as business owners are looking for a sustainable solution to succession and ensuring their business is a force for good, not only profit. “Sewell Estates is the perfect example of a business for whom this was a natural next step. They already have a huge amount of employee engagement and input, but this move will solidify that and give people more opportunities to influence change. “Because they’re co-owners, staff in employee owned businesses tend to be more entrepreneurial and committed to the company and its success. Having got to know the Sewell Group over recent months, I’m sure this will be the case.”