- Bradford Central
- Bowling and Barkerend
- Bradford Moor
- Tong and Holme Wood
- Shipley and Bingley
Free professional business support launched for Bradford entrepreneurs
Bradford Council is set to boost new business start-ups in key areas of the district with a free professional business support programme.
Delivered by highly experienced and skilled enterprise coaches, Build Your Business will provide personalised advice and specialised support to budding entrepreneurs considering launching their own businesses or becoming self-employed.
Fledgling firms under 12 months old wishing to develop and grow their business can access the service at no cost.
One-to-one support will be delivered in local community settings.
The Build Your Business programme has been commissioned for where there are a gaps in business support and includes firms in:
Companies and employees sentenced after 18-year-old worker’s death
Two companies and two people have been sentenced after an 18-year-old construction worker was fatally injured while working on a house-build construction site in Boston, Lincolnshire.
P & R Plant Hire (Lincolnshire) Limited, D. Brown (Building Contractors) Limited, Brent Woods and Darrell Tripp were all fined following the death of Josh Disdel.
In July 2018 Mr Disdel, and another worker, both employed by P & R Plant Hire (Lincolnshire) Limited, had been tasked with clearing debris from manholes at a house-build construction site at White Bridges, Boston.
While work was taking place, Mr Disdel’s colleague was asked if he could move the works van to allow another vehicle to pass. However, he was not aware that Mr Disdel was lying on the road with his head and torso in a manhole, directly in front of the van.
As the vehicle moved forwards one of the wheels entered the top of the manhole contacting Mr Disdel. Mr Disdel was then taken to hospital but later died as a result of serious crush injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that neither the Principal Contractor, D. Brown (Building Contractors) Limited, nor the groundworks sub-contractor, P & R Plant Hire (Lincolnshire) Limited, had ensured that the work was planned in such a way to ensure that workers were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
Brent Woods, a manager within P & R Plant Hire (Lincolnshire) Limited for approximately 10 years, sent employees to carry out the task without a risk assessment or method statement in place despite having previously produced such information in the past.
In addition, workers had not been trained to work in a road, had not been provided with any equipment to ensure the work was carried out safely and had not been provided with any instruction on any safety measures to be used at site.
Darrell Tripp, a site manager for D. Brown (Building Contractors) Limited for approximately four years, having worked in the construction industry for about 40 years, did not carry out a site induction of Josh Disdel and failed to carry out suitable checks to ensure the workers had the relevant training. Mr Tripp also failed to ensure there was a safe system of work in place of whether there were adequate control measures.
Yesterday (September 6), at Lincoln Crown Court, D. Brown (Building Contractors) Limited of Seas End Road, Spalding, were found guilty of contravening Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £15,765.92
P & R Plant Hire (Lincolnshire) Limited of Station Road, Cambridgeshire, pleaded guilty to contravening Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,264.87.
Brent Woods of North Parade, Holbeach, Spalding was found guilty of contravening Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and pay costs of £1200.
Darrell Tripp of Broadgate Lane, Deeping St James, Peterborough was found guilty of contravening Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act. He was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and ordered to pay costs of £1200.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Mark Welsh said: “This was a completely avoidable incident, caused by a multitude of failures by both companies and both of the individuals who appeared in court.
“All of the defendants failed to adequately plan the work to identify the risks, failed to ensure that the individuals carrying out the work were trained and competent to do so, and failed to ensure a safe system of work was in place and followed.
“The result was the tragic loss of life of a young man who was looking forward to a bright future.”
Businesses invited to take part in Lincolnshire’s first hybrid domestic abuse conference
Lincolnshire businesses re being invited to take part in the county’s first domestic abuse hybrid conference.
Organised by the Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership, the conference is on Tuesday 29 November live online and at The Showroom in Lincoln from 9.15am to 3pm. It will feature a range of guest speakers, including representatives from Lincoln City Football Club and Lincolnshire Co-op, who will be talking about the work they have done with their staff and how this has been of benefit.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for safer communities, said: “Identifying domestic abuse is part of a business’s legal safeguarding responsibility. The Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Partnership can provide free advice and support to give your business the confidence to raise the issue of domestic abuse, helping increase the wellbeing and mental health of your workforce.
“This work will help businesses to identify when members of their workforce may be at risk of domestic abuse or if a person is choosing to abuse. In addition, it explains how to listen to their concerns and support them accordingly.
“The conference will be an opportunity to hear how some of our local businesses have already taken steps to raise awareness of domestic abuse within their workforce and the positive impact this has had. Hopefully, other businesses will learn from their experiences and see the benefits of taking a proactive approach.”
The conference is aimed at senior managers and corporate leaders, as well as those that work in human resources and health and safety departments. The event is free to attend, but places must be booked in advance by those attending either online or at the venue. You can find further details on the guest speakers and reserve your place here.
Realise strengthens its early years portfolio
Realise, the MBO supported by private equity investor Enact provided in October 2020 and now one of the UK’s most prominent training providers, has strengthened its growing position in the early years market by securing the acquisition of FW Solutions.
FW Solutions, which was formed in 2008 by husband-and-wife partnership Rodney and Sandra Hardy, is an independent training provider which delivers apprenticeships and training to more than 100 early years settings across Yorkshire and North-East England.
The entire FW Solutions team, including all trainers, will move to become part of Realise, which will extend its provision by offering training in residential childcare for the first time.
Realise Managing Director Gregg Scott said: “We are delighted to have acquired FW Solutions and to be trusted by Rodney and Sandra to continue the outstanding work they have overseen in recent years.
“The business has an excellent reputation for delivering outstanding training and apprenticeship programmes and we look forward to working with the settings that already partner with FW Solutions.
“The early years sector is a huge passion for everyone associated with Realise and we are determined to play our part in helping develop the careers of those people working in the sector, as well as helping to retain talent in early years settings. We are thrilled to be strengthening our team by welcoming colleagues from FW Solutions into the Realise fold.
“The acquisition of FW Solutions fits perfectly with our long-term strategy of organic growth supported by strategic acquisitions, it will create huge opportunities for development for everyone involved and there is an exciting future ahead for all parties.”
Departing owner Rodney said: “It is with a heavy heart that we are leaving FW Solutions but it’s the right time for Sandra and I to retire. We will miss all members of our highly qualified team, who have shown such loyal support and dedication over the last 14 years, as well as the expanding number of settings we have been fortunate to partner with.
“When we were initially approached by Realise regarding an acquisition, we knew this was an exciting opportunity to expand on the initial concept of FW Solutions yet retain the family-based environment which has been such a key part of the success.
“Our main ethos has always been to support employers to meet their individual employment needs by offering carefully tailored training solutions and the Realise philosophy of ‘right learner, right programme’ fits perfectly with that.
“We wish all our former colleagues at FW Solutions and the entire team at Realise every success for the future and are excited to watch the continued progress and expansion.”
Paul Denvers, investment director at Enact, said: “This is another significant moment in the short but impressive history of Realise. When we first met the management team at Realise in 2020, we were impressed with their vision for strong and sustainable growth. Acquisitions such as FW Solutions, built on the success and stable foundations of the business as a whole, ensures that vision is being delivered.
“We are thrilled to be supporting a business which is delivering on its expansion plans, and while we are actively looking for further acquisition opportunities, the key focus for Realise will always be retaining a quality learner experience and supporting people at its core.”
New partner joins Wilkin Chapman’s public sector team
Local government specialist Estelle Culligan is to be a partner in Wilkin Chapman’s regulatory and public sector department, which is led by partner Jonathan Goolden.
She will be involved in local, regional, and national work for the department, but also building a presence for the firm in the south east, where she is based.
With more than 18 years’ experience working in-house for local authorities, guiding councils on various legislative and governance issues, Estelle brings a wealth of valuable in-depth knowledge and a great understanding of the concerns and challenges faced by councils.
“I’m looking forward to working with the department which already offers a fantastic array of services in the local government sector. My many years’ experience as a monitoring officer and head of legal, means that I understand and have first-hand experience of the unique challenges faced by councillors and officers. This will allow me to advise on the full range of local government issues, including constitutional and governance matters, code of conduct investigations, employment, planning and housing”, Estelle commented.
She added: “I have been aware of Jonathan and Wilkin Chapman’s reputation in the sector for several years and am absolutely thrilled and delighted to be joining such a great team”.
Jonathan Goolden said: “Estelle is going to be a great asset to our department, not only increasing the skill of the team, but the capacity and reach of what we already do. Local government is an intensely regulated sector where imaginative and politically aware solutions which have regard to the public interest are often required. Estelle is able to think flexibly and propose pragmatic outcomes to her clients.”
Solomon acquires Gale and Phillipson
Solomon Capital Holdings (Solomon) has acquired Gale and Phillipson in a deal that puts in place the final foundation block of its plan to build an integrated national advice and wealth management business.
The deal, which comes on the back of the purchase of Beaufort Financial and YOU Asset Management earlier this year, will see Solomon take full ownership of Gale and Phillipson with CEO David Carr joining the Executive team at Solomon following completion.
Founded in 1988, Gale and Phillipson has offices in Richmond, Northallerton, London and Newcastle, from where its 34 advisers oversee the assets and financial affairs of over 3,500 clients. The business also has its own discretionary fund management arm with around £500m under management and an additional £900m under advice.
With Beaufort Financial, YOU Asset Management and now Gale and Phillipson at its core, Solomon’s model is to acquire other successful regional firms to create an integrated network of hubs serving in excess of 50,000 clients across the UK.
Solomon is backed by private equity firm J.C. Flowers & Co. Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
David Carr, Gale and Phillipson CEO, said: “This is a momentous day for everyone at Gale and Phillipson and the thousands of clients we are so passionate about serving. What the team at Solomon has planned will set new standards in the UK advice and wealth management sector and it is testament to the strength of our business and talent of our team that we have been invited to play such a pivotal role alongside Beaufort Financial and YOU Asset Management.”
Commenting on the deal, Andy Moore, who joined Gale and Phillipson as Managing Director in June this year, said: “The Solomon proposition is one of the most compelling I have seen in all my time in the industry. The vision, strength and experience of the management team combined with the resources and financial firepower of J.C. Flowers means Solomon must be a serious consideration for any quality firm looking to take their business to the next level and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
Simon Goldthorpe, vice chairman of Solomon, said: “The acquisition of Gale and Phillipson means we now have the best possible foundations in place to really step up our acquisition and onboarding process. With a strong pipeline of high-quality deals already in place we will be adding considerable scale to the business over the coming months as we deliver on our aim to create a leading national advice and wealth management business serving in excess of 50,000 clients.”
Leeds Beckett partners with Yorkshire-based Inspired Pet Nutrition to pioneer sustainability in the pet food industry
Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with Thirsk-based Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) on a cutting-edge new project to audit and reduce the carbon emissions of their full supply chain.
This will ensure IPN achieve their net zero carbon goal, and secure their position as industry leaders and pioneers in sustainability.
IPN will work with academic experts at Leeds Beckett on a two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, which is part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. The aim of the project is for IPN to become the first UK pet food manufacturer to analyse the sustainability of the company’s whole supply chain, using a Carbon Footprint Evaluation Model.
Professor Christopher Gorse, researcher in the Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) at Leeds Beckett and project leader, explained: “All large companies at the moment are progressing on a journey towards net zero – and IPN are already well on their way. They have already achieved carbon negative accreditation in relation to their on-site emissions, such as fuel and electricity consumption, known as ‘Scope 1 and 2’ of the international Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
“This project will set up a framework to analyse and evaluate IPN’s ‘Scope 3’ emissions – the carbon produced within the supply – or value – chain. This is the most difficult to measure and will ensure that IPN are a truly sustainable company.”
IPN are the biggest UK-based manufacturer of dry pet food – including some of the biggest and most sustainable brands in the UK, like Harringtons and Wagg. They were the first pet food company in the UK to introduce recyclable and compostable packaging – and the first Scope 1 and 2 carbon negative major pet food manufacturer in the UK, through their use of recyclable packaging, green energy, and a variety of off-setting initiatives.
Chris Wragg, group marketing director of IPN, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of our vision at IPN: To become the Nation’s most sustainable, most loved, home of pet nutrition brands. This project will play a key role in understanding and improving our supply chain and business, helping us to continue to leave a positive pawprint in everything we do. For people, by enabling them to feed great nutrition they can afford & feel good about, meaning healthier and happier pets, and for the planet by reducing our environmental impact.”
Will Bushell, head of marketing – Dog Business Unit of IPN, said: “We believe the key to developing more sustainable business practices is data. By better understanding the environmental impact of our full supply chain we will be able to set better targets, make better decisions and measure their impact more effectively so we can show our customers, our shoppers and our employees that we are making a positive impact and walking the talk.”
The KTP will begin with the recruitment of a full-time KTP Associate, who will be an experienced graduate, and will be embedded as a full-time member of the IPN team for the duration of the two-year project. The Associate will lead the project, with the full support and input from the academic team at Leeds Beckett.
The team will begin by capturing exactly where the energy use is within IPN’s supply chain – and then apply sophisticated data analysis techniques to monitor and evaluate this and determine which areas IPN need to prioritise to gain the biggest energy savings. The techniques will be developed throughout the project to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
This value chain evaluation will enable IPN to make strategic decisions about their choice of ingredients and suppliers. A key part of the project will be to work with smaller suppliers to assist them in measuring their own carbon emissions and become more sustainable. The university team will fully embed the new skills into IPN to create a sustainable, resilient, whole systems approach to evaluating their energy sources and select the best suppliers for high value, environmentally-friendly products – now and in the future.
Professor Gorse added: “IPN are a very progressive company – not many companies are doing so much to commit to achieving net zero carbon, and really look at their supply chain and work with people outside of their organisation to make energy savings. It is very exciting to be embarking on this very advanced project.
“It is so important for us at LSI to create examples of how a company can transfer to be a net zero carbon company, and maintain quality and competitiveness, at a time when energy costs are rising. There is a green economy now and companies need to respond, or they will be left behind.
“This will be a strong partnership between IPN and Leeds Beckett going forwards, and it is an example of what we can do as a university with similar companies with the ambition to meet net zero carbon by 2030 or sooner. We are in a strong position to support other organisations in a similar way.”
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) aim to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills within the UK knowledge base.
The Leeds Beckett KTP team is led by professor Chris Gorse and includes Dr Alfred Chinta, course director at Leeds Business School, with more than 20 years’ experience of working in supply chain management; and Dr Jim Parker, reader in the Leeds Sustainability Institute, specialising in building energy modelling and the urban environment. Manufacturers call for ‘shock and awe’ Budget to prevent economic scarring
Britain’s manufacturers are calling on the Government to bring forward a package of policy measures on the scale of those seen during the worst points of the pandemic to prevent a permanent scarring of the economy and help avert a severe recession, potentially substantial insolvencies and job losses.
The call comes on the back of data from Make UK showing the massive impact of rising energy costs on companies, together with the cumulative effect of increases in other business expenses such as increased transport costs and disruption alongside National Insurance Contributions and the proposed increase in Corporation Tax.
According to Make UK, the impact of the potent cocktail of factors from the last few years, now being compounded by the energy crisis, is as big a threat to manufacturers as the Covid pandemic, if not greater.
As well as the impact of the rise in energy costs, almost three quarters of companies (74%) say they are facing increased transportation costs and more than four fifths (82%) reported transport disruption is an issue for their business. Four in ten companies surveyed said that disruption at the Dover Calais crossing was causing either catastrophic or major disruption to their business.
The measures Make UK is proposing include specific proposals on energy, as well as a range of measures to aid cashflow, provide greater access to Labour supply along with initiatives to encourage investment, especially in energy efficiency technologies.
Chief Executive of Make UK, Stephen Phipson, said: “Whilst industry has recovered strongly over the last year, we are clearly heading for very stormy waters in the face of eyewatering increases in energy costs and a difficult international environment. This threatens to shatter expectations of a sustained recovery from the pandemic.
“Some of the factors impacting companies are global and cannot be contained by the UK Government alone. However, just as it is quite rightly taking measures to protect the least well off, given the rate at which companies are burning through their balance sheets just to survive, it must take immediate and substantial measures to help shield companies from the worst impact of escalating costs and help protect jobs.
“We need a shock and awe suite of proposals to protect viable companies and jobs and we need them now. Manufacturers cannot afford to wait for a functioning Government to get its feet under the table.”
Among the immediate measures being proposed by Make UK include:
- Reduce VAT on business energy bills from 20% to 5%
- Reverse the National Insurance Contributions increased from 2022
- Extend current business reliefs applied to other sectors to manufacturing
- Extend business rates reliefs for both building improvements and eligible plant & machinery
- Introduce a long-term capital allowance regime to spur investment in green technologies and energy efficiency measures to reduce energy consumption
- Make the Annual Investment Allowance permanent
- Undertake a full and fundamental reform of Business Rates
- Commission the Migration Advisory Committee to review and revise the shortage occupation list by early 2023 at the latest
Out of control energy bills are now business threatening for 60% of manufacturers
Britain’s manufacturers are warning that their energy costs have already spiralled out of control, with nearly half reporting that their electricity bills have shot up by over 100% in the past 12 months and 53% expect the same fate in the coming year.
The current crisis is leaving businesses facing a stark choice – cut production or shut up shop altogether if help does not come soon. A worrying 12% of manufacturers have already made job cuts as a direct result of increased energy bills, but admit that more drastic action such as full shutdowns and wider redundancies will be needed if the expected price hikes of over 50% materialise in the next 12 months.
High energy prices are no longer an issue for energy intensive industries only, the impact is being felt across manufacturers of all sectors and sizes. Companies have attempted to mitigate against this with 58% already adjusting business practices to reduce energy consumption by insulating buildings and installing better performing heat systems. And over half have already priced in the increases into their final product.
Some 13% are now reducing production for short periods or avoiding production altogether during peak energy price periods, with 7% reducing production already for longer periods in the day. Over a third of firms are actively searching for a new energy provider and two fifths have renegotiated a fixed tariff for the next year.
Securing their own energy supply has become a priority for many manufacturers, with over a quarter (27%) of firms surveyed saying they have managed to find the funds and have already moved to onsite generation.
One in 10 have redistributed capital from other parts of the business to cover energy costs while 7% have taken on new or further finance to cover rising energy bills. Over seven in ten have seen reduced margins or profits as they struggle to pay the bills, with almost every manufacturer surveyed saying Government is not doing enough to support industry.
The UK is currently lagging way behind other EU counterparts who are offering far more emergency help for industry – the Italian Government for example has reduced levies placed on gas and electricity bills, reduced VAT and introduced tax credits for energy intensive industries.
To bring the critical help to UK businesses, the new Government urgently needs to take short term, medium term, and long-term action.
Short term
- Remove Carbon Price Support to reduce electricity costs. For medium electricity users this would save companies almost £90,000 a year
- Explore Industry Price Cap to freeze prices at an agreed rate – funded either directly by Government or explore way of working with banks to fund an arrangement to finance a cap
- Maximise incentives to enable businesses to be less reliant on the National Grid. Extend 100% rates exemption for plant and machinery use in onsite renewable energy generation and electricity storage from 12 months to at least 3 years, more reflective of the payback period of the investment.
- Extend business rate relief on commercial building improvements (eg insulation) from 12 months to at least 3 years
- Rapidly reform wholesale market to decouple electricity prices from the gas price
Chamber chosen to deliver skills improvement for Hull and East Yorkshire
The Hull & Humber Chamber has been chosen to lead the development and delivery of the Local Skills Improvement Plan for the Hull and East Yorkshire region.
Skills shortages are regularly highlighted by Humber businesses in economic surveys as a key recruitment issue, and LSIPs, funded by the Department for Education, aim to put the voice of local employers at the heart of the learning and skills system to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership between employers and further education providers. It is hoped this will allow provision to be more responsive to the skills needs of employers in the Hull and East Yorkshire labour market.
Chamber LSIP Manager Hannah Crookes said: “LSIPs are an exciting opportunity for the Chamber to bring together employers, training providers and other key stakeholders to set out the key priorities and changes needed in Hull and East Yorkshire to help ensure post-16 technical education and training is more closely aligned to local employer and labour market needs.
“We will be looking at a collaborative approach as we move forward to develop a successful LSIP for our area.”
Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly said: “Hannah has worked particularly closely with our Board member Sir Nic Dakin and I to ensure strong stakeholder dialogue and engagement as part of our LSIP proposals for Hull and East Yorkshire as well as in Lincolnshire too, where the Chamber also represents business. We look forward to driving this important agenda with our partners to ensure the Humber delivers on the skills needs of the Energy Estuary.”
