ABP sets port industry world’s first for training accreditation
Associated British Ports has become the world’s first ports group to be approved by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment to act as a training provider for its courses.
As a result, ABP employees have started benefitting from the IEMA-accredited course “Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce”. The training, delivered by ABP Academy, the company’s in-house training provider, focusses on providing fundamental awareness of environment and sustainability issues.
Kerry Thompson, ABP Group Head of Academy, added: “This concentrated one-day course provides a practical introduction to environmental sustainability, equipping our workforce with the knowledge, understanding and motivation to make a positive difference within their role at ABP.
“This is ideal for all ABP colleagues especially those working in and around our ports. It will help embed environmental sustainability across all job roles.”
The IEMA is the global professional body for individuals and organisations working, studying or interested in the environment and sustainability. Its CEO Sarah Mukherjee said: “It’s crucial that we equip our workforces with the skills and training needed to embed environmental and sustainable practice across all job roles, in order to meet our net zero goals. It’s great to see ABP embracing their commitment to the clean energy transition.”
Alan Tinline, Group Head of Health, Safety and Environment, added: “We are really pleased that the ABP Academy has become the first IEMA-approved training provider in the port sector.”
“This will help us meet the increased environmental sustainability demands from our stakeholders by growing the environmental management skills of colleagues across ABP.”
In addition to supporting environmental management training, ABP’s ports play a key role in enabling the UK clean energy transition. In late February 2023, ABP will be publishing its sustainability strategy, which will contain its targets for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations.
Drax donation helps ATC Squadron’s IT skills take flight
Renewable energy company Drax has given £2,500 to air cadets of the 2008 (Bawtry) Squadron to fund IT equipment to help them improve their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths skills.
Drax’s Charity Committee awarded the money for upgrading the squadron’s IT suite used for online training, presentations, flight simulation and general admin of the organisation. The equipment will replace the old technology which no longer supports the software they use. The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) is a youth organisation for 12–20-year-olds with an interest in aviation and the Air Force which teaches valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, First Aid and much more while the disciplinary aspect encourages self-improvement and high personal standards. In addition to aviation, the RAFAC also teaches cadets about related topics such as space, radio, cyber and engineering disciplines. Jane Breach, Drax UK Community & Education Manager, said: “Drax has a long history of supporting the communities local to its operations and promoting STEM education. It’s so important that the next generation have the tools needed to become the skilled workforce of the future. We’re pleased to be able to support the valuable work that the Cadets do and hope that this donation will have a positive impact on the squadron in developing their IT skills.” Flight Lieutenant Andrew Archer RAFAC said: “We are always striving to give our cadets the best experience possible and help them develop skills they can take with them into their future careers. This donation from Drax to upgrade the old equipment we are currently using in our IT suite will really help our young people with their technology skills. We currently have 35 cadets in the squadron and donations like these are so important for topping up the funding we receive and allowing us to keep offering life enhancing experiences for our young people.” The group recently visited Drax Power Station near Selby for a full tour to learn how renewable electricity is generated from sustainable biomass and to see Drax’s Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) pilot project. BECCS is a vital negative emissions technology which Drax plans to use to permanently remove millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year, whilst also generating the reliable, renewable electricity the country needs. They saw the 427-metre turbine hall that houses the huge turbines which power the generators to produce electricity, as well as the wood pellet storage domes – each large enough to fit The Royal Albert Hall inside, and the 115m high cooling towers, which are taller than the Statue of Liberty. Drax is committed to supporting the communities local to its operations through various initiatives including fundraising for local charities and supporting education and skills.South Yorkshire prototyping could be worth £100bn to UK in nuclear waste disposal
Markets worth as much as £100billion in the long term could be opened up by cutting edge research involving the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
The Nuclear AMRC is working with waste technology specialist Deep Isolation to develop corrosion-resistant canisters for the safe underground disposal of spent nuclear fuel assemblies.
Deep Isolation is developing a range of technologies to safely encapsulate and dispose of radioactive spent fuel within deep boreholes up to three kilometres underground.
The new collaborative project is funded by the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, part of the UK government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, and aims to develop Deep Isolation’s disposal canister designs to meet UK regulatory requirements.
Chris Parker, MD of Deep Isolation EMEA, says: “This canister provides an option for disposal in a deep borehole that brings greater flexibility and potential cost savings for disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste. By giving the UK choice and flexibility in disposal, it helps ensure new nuclear as a vital component of the UK’s 2050 net zero strategy.
“An added benefit is that the UK’s advanced manufacturing capabilities provide us with an ideal supply chain with which to service the growing international demand for deep borehole disposal.”
The Nuclear AMRC will make prototype containers which will be taken to America for testing in a borehole demonstrator, with the aim of incorporating any modifications into a second prototype .
The Nuclear AMRC will also review the UK supply chain’s readiness for producing the canisters in bulk, identifying any potential gaps in capabilities or capacity. The project will give UK manufacturers an early mover advantage in the global borehole disposal market, which could be worth more than £100 billion in the coming decades.
The work will be completed by late 2024, and will be guided by a board of industry leaders including Alan Woods, strategy director at Rolls-Royce SMR, who says: “The innovation they are bringing to market – small, modular disposal of radioactive waste in deep boreholes – will be an important enabler of the international SMR market, and a great export opportunity for UK manufacturers.”
Bespoke training turns into money in the bank for Doncaster’s Polydon
South Yorkshire Growth Hub’s Business Advisors recommended that Polydon should upskill staff on a 3D software design system it had recently bought, called SolidWorks.
SolidWorks put together a bespoke training plan involving nine staff undertaking four days of intensive training in sales, design, development and manufacture using its latest software. The result is extended product design capabilities supporting oil and gas, agriculture, rail, defence and the energy sectors.
Polydon MD Harold Howard said: “We have been able to become more competitive, increase our turnover and access markets that we could not have done before as we can now offer a full design package. We have been able to attract new customers and now work with businesses on a global basis offering them a fully animated 3D design which we can prototype and test before it goes into manufacture. These capabilities really do give us a competitive edge.
”The Skills Bank funding has made a real difference as it has enabled us to extend our services and enhance our capabilities. It means we are much more a design and development-focused business, rather than being purely a manufacturer. The training has enabled staff to get the most out of the SolidWorks software package along with making our whole sales, design and manufacturing processes more efficient.
Julie Mather, Skills Advisor at the South Yorkshire Growth Hub, said: “It is fantastic to hear that Polydon Industries has experienced such a major impact to its business since staff undertook the Skills Bank training. Since the pandemic, many manufacturers have taken advantage of Skills Bank funding to enable their staff to enhance their skills. This is having major benefits in enabling them to meet industry challenges and address the skills shortage that exists across many sectors.”
Skills Bank provides employers across South Yorkshire with access to high quality training and funding to support skills training that will enable them to develop their business. Skills Bank is part of South Yorkshire Growth Hub, a service which exists to help businesses to find the best possible support to grow, whether that is investment in Skills and Training, access to finance options, support with innovation or export or even helping new businesses to get off the ground.
New food training for businesses hopes to protect customers with allergies
Business Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire Trading Standards have launched an online training video to help make businesses aware of their responsibilities around allergens.
The Government introduced tougher new laws on food allergens after the death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse. Natasha sadly died after unknowingly eating sesame in a sandwich she bought in an airport coffee shop in 2016. These new labelling rules, widely known as Natasha’s Law, came into effect in 2021.
The new training video aims to highlight the importance of accurate allergen labelling and the laws that apply to food businesses of all types.
Angela Kane, Senior Lincolnshire Trading Standards Officer, works with Business Lincolnshire to provide advice to local businesses. She said: “If you work in a food business, allergen training is crucial. This video training provides a valuable update and reminder to Lincolnshire’s food businesses and their staff about the importance of accurate food allergen information.
“Sadly, Natasha Ednan-Laperouse’s story is not the only one of its kind, and there have been numerous deaths in the UK of customers suffering anaphylaxis after eating something they didn’t know contained an ingredient they were allergic to.
“Lincolnshire Trading Standards does inspect food businesses to make sure there aren’t undeclared allergens in the food they serve. But we’d much rather business owners train their staff up and not ever run the risk of giving one of their customers a severe allergic reaction.”
You can watch the training video now on the Business Lincolnshire YouTube channel, here.
For further business advice, contact the team by visiting: www.businesslincolnshire.com/contact.
Reward eyes regional growth with business development director appointment
Scott Wood’s appointment as a new business development director at Leeds-based Reward Finance Group accelerates its growth plans in Yorkshire and further increases its profile in the corporate space.
With Reward a provider of tailored business finance loans and asset based solutions in Yorkshire and nationwide, Scott arrives with an extensive professional network across corporate finance and accountancy.
Having worked at some of the UK’s major banks for over 16 years, Scott joins from HSBC where he was a relationship director and worked closely with a portfolio of mid-corporate businesses to provide a range of financial solutions.
A key part of his role will be working alongside founding director Dave Jones to drive business development growth across Yorkshire with a specific focus on larger transactions to build on the growth Reward has already seen in this space.
Jungle IT snaps up office space at Kirkstall Forge development
Managed Service Provider Jungle IT is taking 2,987 sq ft at Number One Kirkstall Forge. The team of 60 will relocate this week following a bespoke fit-out.
Delivering complete IT strategies and solutions, Jungle IT is expanding and was keen to grow in an environment designed to support collaboration, creativity and prioritise health and wellbeing.
The company was attracted to Kirkstall Forge due to the six-minute train journey to Leeds, which offers sustainable travel for the team, as well as the proximity to nature with the woodland, canal and river on the doorstep.
Richard Knight, operations director at Jungle IT, said: “Our new facility is designed to promote modern ways of working, with flexible spaces that can be adapted to the differing needs of our team. The sustainable and lifestyle credentials of the facility will allow us to demonstrate to our staff, clients and prospects our investment in the well-being of our team and our commitment to innovation.”
Hands On Healthcare has also expanded within the studio space at the development, moving from a 14-desk space to 40-desks.
Frank Collins at Hands On Healthcare said: “We moved into Kirkstall Forge in July 2022. It has a great community feel and offers far more than just a space to work in. The contemporary space, activities, events and facilities ensure it is a fantastic environment for our team.
“The studios have eased our fast growth, taking the headache of running the office away so we can concentrate on growing our business.”
Only 3 studios remain available, offering space from 6 up to 14 desks.
Emma Roe, front of house manager at Kirkstall Forge, said: “We are delighted to welcome another new business to the Kirkstall Forge business community.
“The site continues to be a popular choice with its dedicated railway station offering easy access to Leeds, Bradford and onto Manchester. It is a modern, inspiring environment designed to nurture smaller businesses as well as large corporates, with onsite facilities and events which help to attract and retain staff.”
Ultimately, the £400 million Kirkstall Forge scheme is set to become home to a mixed-use community comprising of 1,050 new homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space.
Manufacturing output volumes fall at fastest rate in over two years
Manufacturing output volumes fell at their fastest pace since September 2020 in the three months to February, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey.
The survey found that expectations for selling price inflation were at their lowest since May 2021, having declined steadily from the multi-decade highs seen in early 2022. But expectations for selling price inflation remained well above their long-run average. The volume of total order books and export order books were reported as below normal, while stocks of finished goods were seen as broadly adequate.
The survey, based on the responses of 280 manufacturing firms, found:
- Manufacturing output volumes fell in the three months to February (weighted balance of -16%, from -1% in the three months to January), a significant disappointment to last month’s expectations (+19%), and at the fastest pace since September 2020. Output is expected to rise moderately in the three months to May (+7%).
- Output fell in 11 out of 17 sectors in the three months to February. The decrease in output reported this quarter was largely driven by the motor vehicles & transport equipment, chemicals and paper, printing & media sectors.
- Total order books were reported as below “normal” in February, to a similar extent as in January (-16% from -17%). This was broadly in line with the long-run average (-13%). Export order books were also seen as below normal and to a greater extent than last month (-27% from -22%). This was below the long-run average (-18%).
- Expectations for average selling price inflation in the three months ahead were the lowest since May 2021 (+40%, from +41% in January), having declined steadily from the multi-decade highs seen in early 2022 (+80% in March 2022). But they remained well above the long-run average (+6%).
- Stocks of finished goods were seen as adequate in February, with the balance broadly similar to January (+9% from +12%).
Trio of new directors unveiled at Fox Lloyd Jones
Strategic property and construction advisors, Fox Lloyd Jones (FLJ) have promoted Adam Watson, Louise Larking and Daniel Jamieson to the position of director, to further strengthen its senior leadership team and long-term growth ambitions.
Daniel, Louise and Adam previously held associate director roles within the company and have individually led a variety of successful commercial property schemes across the UK. They will now be tasked with both developing the existing team members skills and playing a more strategic role in the future direction of the business.
Daniel has been with the Leeds-based firm of chartered surveyors for over seven years, having been involved in several high-profile developments in partnership with clients such as British Land, Opus North and Pickard Properties.
Louise heads up the retail and leisure leasing division and is one of the longest serving members of the team, having been at FLJ since the company was founded in 2004. Key achievements to date include working closely with Town Centre Securities as leasing agent for a number of years across its 1m sq ft island site at the Merrion Centre and on its substantial Vicar Lane asset also in Leeds.
She has also been heavily involved in the letting of commercial spaces within a number of city centre build-to-rent schemes, including Mustard Wharf and Tower Works, on behalf of Legal & General Investment Management.
Completing the trio of senior promotions, Adam has been with FLJ for over five years and has played a pivotal role in delivering iconic properties such as The Headline, the Wellington Street build-to-rent scheme transforming part of the former Yorkshire Post site on behalf of Grainger Plc.
Other successful developments include the recent completion of the major B&Q distribution centre at Symmetry Park in Doncaster for Tritax and Interchange 26, a speculative industrial and logistics development in Bradford on behalf of Opus North.
Paul Fox, co-founder and director at Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “Daniel, Louise and Adam have proved to be terrific colleagues since joining our business and these promotions are recognition of the hard work, knowledge, commitment and expertise they’ve demonstrated over that period.
“In line with our growth plans, it has worked well to be able to promote internally knowing the strengths and skills of each of the new directors. All three of them are very committed to their work, as well as developing members of our core team and continuing to add tremendous value to our clients.
“Equally, they are brimming with ideas on how we can shape the future growth of the company – and they all offer qualities which will further enhance our senior leadership team. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the next chapter in their careers here at FLJ.”
New director promotion at Leeds architecture practice
Leeds-based architecture practice, Brewster Bye, has promoted Andrew Chapman to director and Tim Chesnutt has become a full qualified architect at the firm after successfully completing his RIBA part 3 exams.
Andrew is now entering his tenth year at Brewster Bye and during that time he has designed a wide range of pioneering residential and purpose-built student accommodation schemes throughout Yorkshire and beyond.
He’s also worked on a number of high-profile developments in Leeds city centre, which are currently on-site. These include the transformation of Fairfax House, which is located on the corner of Merrion Street and Wade Lane, from a 1960s office building into 154 apartments, along with a two-storey rooftop extension that will create a further 14 homes.
Andrew has also led the new nine storey student accommodation scheme that is now being built at 26-34 Merrion Street in the Leeds Grand Quarter Conservation Area, that will offer 88 high specification apartments.
Tim Chesnutt joined Brewster Bye in 2019 as a part 2 architectural assistant after graduating from The University of Huddersfield with a first class BA (Hons) Architecture International Degree, before gaining a Masters of Architecture with a Distinction grade. He’s now completed a Professional Practice and Management in Architecture (RIBA part 3) qualification to become a fully certified architect.
Tim has recently been involved in several affordable housing schemes and retirement developments. These include a development of 41 affordable houses, in the Long Lee area, between Keighley and Bingley, and a development of 20 retirement houses and apartments in Bentley near Doncaster, that are currently being built using modern methods of construction, where the homes are produced off-site.
Brewster Bye currently employs a team of 21 in Headingley and plans to recruit further this year. Mark Henderson, director at Brewster Bye, said: “Andrew thoroughly deserves this latest promotion to director level. He’s due to complete a decade at Brewster Bye and in that time, he has designed a vast range of innovative schemes that are popular with clients, planning departments and the people who live in them. He’s a talented professional and a real asset to the business.
“Tim is also very dedicated and has worked hard to secure his qualification and become a certified architect. He has an exciting future ahead and is an integral member of our team working on all types of affordable and older persons housing schemes, which is an important and growing part of the work we do.”
