Futureserv becomes employee-owned
Survey finds half of SMEs won’t be able to pay energy bills next spring
Volunteer Chairman will lead group pushing to promote Bradford
Hull offsite manufacturer purchases factory
Arco opens £2m safety centre in Berkshire
Hull-based health and safety company Arco has launched a £2m safety centre in Bracknell, Berkshire, bringing its expert knowledge, high-quality products and training under one roof to the south of the UK.
The new centre will also bring 12 new jobs to the area, and is a strategically significant move for the fifth-generation family business. Arco’s Bracknell will be the company’s largest dedicated safety centre, hosting practical learning environments, including a 20-metre external tower for working at height training and confined space labyrinth training facilities, as well as an on-site safety store where customers can purchase products. Jaime Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “The new Bracknell safety centre is a significant milestone for Arco. As our largest dedicated safety centre, it is ideally placed to bring our industry expertise, expansive product offering and practical training capabilities to more customers, nationally. “The expansion of Arco’s capabilities in Bracknell allows us to provide joined-up health and safety solutions for businesses UK-wide. Bracknell safety centre demonstrates the future of health and safety; end-to-end service, combining risk assessment, training and equipment provision all under one roof.”HullBID relaunches award scheme for city businesses
Businesses in Hull are again being offered the chance to shine as the countdown to the HullBID Awards 2023 begins.
The awards are open to all HullBID member businesses, who can enter free and challenge for honours across 10 different categories. The general public are also encouraged to send in applications for their city centre favourites too. The HullBID Awards returned to the calendar earlier this year and generated the toughest, but also friendliest, competition across all the categories as city centre business colleagues seized the opportunity to showcase the excellence on offer in all sectors. For 2023 there will be three new categories – Eco-friendly, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Commitment to Health and Wellbeing – and HullBID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito is confident there will be another strong turnout after a year of great achievement. Kathryn said: “The HullBID Awards have grown every year since we first held them in 2014 and we were thrilled this year to see over 330 people celebrating in spectacular fashion with the feelgood factor overflowing. “The current year has been another one of huge challenges, but also of great success as businesses have demonstrated resilience and innovation. We’ve seen lots of changes and many new faces. That tells us there’s a mood of growing confidence, and we hope that’s reflected by a clamour to enter the awards.” The awards can be entered by all HullBID member businesses, their customers and the public. Applicants just need to set out which category they are entering, the name of the individual, business or organisation, and the reasons why they should win. Multiple categories can be entered but a separate form must be completed for each category. Businesses can scan a hard copy entry and email it to catherine@hullbid.co.uk HullBID member businesses can also have their applications collected by ringing 01482 611800. Shortlisted entries will be revealed on Friday 16 December 2022 and all finalists will receive four complimentary tickets to the Grand Awards Ceremony where they can enjoy a three course meal with wine. Extra tickets can be purchased at a discounted price of £40 plus VAT each. Contact francesca@hullbid.co.uk The 10 award categories for the 2023 HullBID Awards, with sponsors in brackets are: Eco-Friendly Award (AA Global Language Services) Welcoming Premises Award (HEY Credit Union) Outstanding Employee or Team Award (Hinks Insurance) Innovative Marketing Award (St Stephen’s) Customer Service Excellence Award (East Yorkshire) Contribution to the Community Award (Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside) Entrepreneurial Spirit Award (Hull City Council) Commitment to Health and Wellbeing Award (DoubleTree by Hilton) The Best in Food and Drink Award (Prospect Centre) Outstanding Contribution Award (The 55 Group) The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 9 December 2022 and the winners will be announced at a gala celebration dinner which will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Friday 27th January next year.Leeds-based specialist investor sets out to improve food supply efficiency
Leeds-based Isara, a new specialist investor in the food sector, has launched its debut £300m fund focused on improving the efficiency, quality and sustainability of food supply systems across the UK, Ireland and Western Europe.
Isara intends to invest in food production and distribution businesses, helping to stabilise and transform the existing food ecosystem which is undergoing structural shifts caused by rising inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, labour supply scarcity, and a growing commitment to sustainability.
Led by Michael Rice, Isara’s team has extensive expertise working with businesses and management teams across the food sector, including Eight Fifty Food Group, Orchard House Foods, Chaucer Foods, West Cornwall Pasty Co, Heron Foods and Seabrooks, bringing hands-on experience and a network of specialist advisors to support portfolio companies.
While focusing on majority shareholding investments, the fund’s flexible investment approach will facilitate investment in opportunities where others cannot invest, as well as enabling Isara to take a longer-term view than traditional private equity investors. Practically, this means Isara can support the capital-intensive projects required to deliver radical improvement in the food industry which most investors are unable to deliver.
The fund is backed by the Sadel Group, a private family office which invests and operates in the Real Estate, Cold Storage and Energy sectors, predominantly in the UK & Western Europe. The Isara team will execute their own separate acquisition and investment thesis, while also being able to leverage the high level of technical skill present in existing Sadel businesses to help implement value creation plans where relevant.
Specific areas of consideration for Isara will include improving the carbon footprint of the businesses they invest in, ensuring industry leading corporate governance, supporting and strengthening leadership teams and workforces, and creating sustainable growth.
Michael Rice said:“We are on the cusp of a potential food crisis in the UK. We believe existing food production and supply chains have become inherently inefficient, and are under unsustainable levels of strain from a number of factors including the coronavirus crisis, increasing energy costs, food inflation and financial market volatility.
“At Isara, our fund will be used to champion increasing the efficiency and sustainability of food systems, seeking to address the challenges of long-term underinvestment, labour supply challenges, supply chain security and sustainability. Not only is this good business, but this will also create seismic benefits for the wider economy and, ultimately, the sector’s impact on the planet.”
Monks Cross business park almost full
Yorkshire law firm Gordons celebrates double graduation for pioneering law apprenticeship
Agricultural Growth Zone created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland
An Agricultural Growth Zone has been created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland’s agricultural sector.