Seven senior promotions at BRM Solicitors
Growth at regional law firm BRM Solicitors continues with seven promotions across its two offices in Chesterfield and Sheffield.
The promotions include two new heads of departments, one director, three senior associates and an associate.
The round of promotions are to acknowledge the continued hard work of key staff within the firm.
James Alger, newly appointed as head of Sheffield real estate, said: “This is an important chapter in the continued growth of BRM, I aim to continue to grow the real estate team and continue to provide a top-tier service to all clients.”
New corporate director Trevor Bird said: “The team at BRM are very talented and it is great to see the team being strengthened to support our growing client base.”
Property litigation solicitor, James Parden, plot sales specialist, Rachael Sawyer, and real estate solicitor, Chris Hey have all been promoted to senior associate.
Wills and probate solicitor, Rose Evans, was promoted to associate.
Additional promotions have also been made at the firm, including employment specialist Ellie Leatherday who has been promoted to the position of senior solicitor in the employment team, who have seen strong growth in its client base over the last 12 months.
Sanjeev Batra, new head of Chesterfield real estate, said: “The promotions highlight BRMs commitment to staff development and we are dedicated to offering mentoring and clear career progression for our staff.”
People pile into Paull for beach clean-up
Seventeen volunteers from KCOM’s People Team have helped to clean a 100m stretch of the rocky Paull beach as part of an initiative working alongside the Marine Conservation Society.
Chief People Officer Kenneth Ross said: “It’s been a brilliant but also an incredibly eye-opening day to learn just how much rubbish we throw away, pump into the sea and pollute our world with.”
As well as making the world a little cleaner, collecting plastic and other discarded litter will also form part of an ongoing survey by the MCS to assess the amount of rubbish being dumped in the sea and washed up on our local beaches.
Data collected by the society is used to advise the Government on policies to help clamp down on plastic and other types of waste escaping into the natural environment.
Among the litter collected on the day were: dozens plastic bottle tops, cotton bud tubes, sweet wrappers, bottles, cans, a plastic chair, bedraggled wet wipes, a nappy and hundreds of mini plastic balls – or nurdles – which are the raw material used by manufacturers to make plastic objects. Described as the “most toxic waste you’ve never heard of” these tiny spheres pollute the sea and are eaten by wildlife.
Multi-million pound deal sees wagon maintenance contract work done at Doncaster
Doncaster will be the setting for maintenance of more than 700 railway wagons under a multi-million pound contract awarded to Wabtec UK by GB Railfrieght.
Wabtec will undertake preventative maintenance and failure repairs, operate a 24/7 callout service, and overhaul wheelsets. The fleet of wagons will be used by Network Rail as part of its 10-year infrastructure modernisation plan, overseen by Wabtec UK’s Doncaster team.
Garry Mowbray, Vice President of Regional Services UK – Wabtec, said: “This is a superb team effort by all involved and provides further evidence of Wabtec UK’s well-earned and justifiable reputation within the freight sector. I am confident that our skilled maintenance teams will provide the robust support and responsiveness that GB Railfreight will deservedly expect”.
David Golding, Asset Director of GB Railfreight, said: “With their wealth of experience and long, reputable history of successfully managing wagons, the award of our contract to Wabtec UK will come as positive news to the freight industry. We have full confidence in the ability of their maintenance teams and look forward to working with them in support of our customers.”
Wabtec is a global company, with operations in more than 50 countries.
Rotherham school expands service provision in South Yorkshire
Witherslack Group, the leading provider of schools for children with special educational needs, is to open a new vocational training centre in South Yorkshire.
The educational specialist has taken a 16,000 sq ft unit at Kea Park in Rotherham which will become the organisation’s sixth setting in Yorkshire alongside current schools in Rotherham, Wakefield and Shelf.
The training centre will support a catchment area from across the region, expanding its current provision at Abbeywood School in Rotherham which educates boys and girls between 10 and 18.
Abbeywood School supports pupils with conditions such as Autism, ADHD and SEMH and provide a unique, safe, and inspirational environment where young people can fully thrive and develop.
Colin Swaine, property director at Witherslack Group, said: “Once operational, the centre will be used to support Key Stage 4 children from our existing Abbeywood School nearby.
“Not only are we helping to satisfy the demand for SEN school places in the South Yorkshire region but will also create several new jobs in the area.”
Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of industrial in Yorkshire at Knight Frank, which acted on behalf of Leeds based property company Pullans, with CBRE Leeds, said: “Kea Park is a development of four modern, self-contained units and forms part of the well-established and successful Hellaby Industrial Estate.
“Since being built, the units have been refurbished and provide accommodation for a number of businesses due to the flexibility of the space. Bruce Strachan, Property Director at Pullans, added: “We are delighted to have been able to secure the letting to Witherslack Group and play our part in the delivery of much needed training and educational facilities for the region. The work undertaken to transform the unit has been comprehensive and has resulted in a very impressive state of the art facility, with which they can be very proud. They have been a pleasure to deal with throughout the letting and redevelopment project and we wish them every success going forward.”
Firms given powers to employ agency workers to fill gaps caused by strikes
As a result of a change in the law coming into force today, businesses can provide skilled agency workers to fill vital staffing gaps caused by industrial strike action.
With industrial action across a range of sectors threatening to disrupt crucial public services, the government has worked at speed to repeal trade union laws that restrict employment businesses from providing temporary agency workers to fill vacant positions caused by staff striking.
From today, businesses most affected by industrial action will be able to call upon skilled, temporary staff at short notice to plug essential positions. This will help to mitigate the disproportionate impact strike action can have both on the UK economy and society by allowing crucial services, that we all use on a daily basis, to continue functioning.
Today’s change in the law will apply across all sectors, for example, in education where strike action can force parents to stay at home with their children rather than go to work.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:“In light of militant trade union action threatening to bring vital public services to a standstill, we have moved at speed to repeal these burdensome,1970s-style restrictions.
“From today, businesses exposed to disruption caused by strike action will be able to tap into skilled, temporary workers to provide the services that allow honest, hardworking people to get on with their lives. That’s good news for our society and for our economy.”
While this law change will provide greater flexibility to businesses, companies will still be required to abide by broader health and safety rules that keep employees and the public safe. In addition, it will be the responsibility of individual businesses to hire temporary workers with the correct and suitable skillset and/or qualifications to meet the obligations of the role.
Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps said:“While next week’s rail strikes will come too soon to benefit from this legislation, it’s an important milestone reflecting the government’s determination to minimise the power of union bosses.
“For too long unions have been able to hold the country to ransom with the threat of industrial action but this vital reform means any future strikes will cause less disruption and allow hardworking people to continue with their day to day lives.”
The government has also changed the law today to raise the maximum damages that courts can award against a union, when strike action has been found by the court to be unlawful. For the biggest unions, the maximum award will rise from £250,000 to £1m.
Work starts on new hotel for Leeds
GMI Construction Group has started work on the last piece of the Sovereign Square development in Leeds.
The project comprises a 12-storey, 305 room hotel on the last remaining plot within the flagship development site.
GMI is principal construction contractor, having been appointed by the Marrico LLP and Helios development JV partnership.
Around 190 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with the 140,000 sq ft hotel creating over 80 full-time jobs upon completion in 2024.
Interstate Group will operate the hotel under the dual Hyatt brands of Hyatt House and Hyatt place, providing short and long stay accommodation for both business and leisure guests. It will feature meeting rooms, an on-site gym, ground floor restaurant and bar extending externally into the public square, plus an independent rooftop bar with dedicated entrance.
The development, funded by Abrdn/UK Commercial Property REIT (UKCM), has been designed by Leeds-based DLA Architecture, which has taken its inspiration from surrounding architecture and Leeds’ merchandising and textile history.
Chris Weathers, GMI Construction Group’s commercial director, said: “Sovereign Square has become a landmark in the heart of the city, being the first new public space to have been developed in Leeds for more than a decade.
“This striking hotel is the last piece in the development’s jigsaw in what has become one of the most high-profile, sought-after destinations in the city. It will complete the extensive regeneration of the area and further enhance the other adjacent developments and public green space.”
Steve Ford, development director at Marrico, said: “This project will deliver a first class hotel in a prime location and helps address a shortage of quality accommodation for business and leisure visitors to the city. This is the final remaining development site in Sovereign Square, adjacent to the railway station and at the heart of Leeds’ vibrant business, retail and leisure sectors.”
James Dunne, head of UK transactions, real estate at Abrdn, added: “It’s fantastic to see the beginning of the realisation of so much hard work and commitment from all the parties involved in getting us to this start on site. The real hard work starts here though and it’s exciting to think of the premium product that is going to be delivered into the Leeds market by the excellent construction, development and professional teams entrusted with bringing the scheme forward.”
Lidget Lane Industrial Estate fully occupied as knives manufacturer takes final unit
Whittle Jones, managing agents acting on behalf of Northern Trust Company, have completed the letting of unit 12H at their Lidget Lane Industrial Estate in Thurnscoe to Premier Machine Knives.
The letting was completed on a 3 year lease agreement, and has resulted in the 13,000 sq ft estate now being fully let and home to 10 different businesses.
Premier Machine Knives manufacture and supply a wide range of products to meet the cutting needs of a variety of businesses, predominantly in the food industry including supermarkets, bakeries, dairies and seafood processors.
Alongside the food industry they also supply to manufacturing companies, such as automation, aerospace, medical, fabrics, plastics, paper, and cardboard. There are many industrial machines which use knives for various cutting processes.
Rob Asquith of Premier Machine Knives said: “The premises at Lidget Lane will help facilitate the continued growth of our business whilst still providing an efficient service to our clients.”
Lidget Lane is a development of 11 single storey workshop / industrial units located approximately 1 mile from the A635.
Clare Harrison, assistant management surveyor at Whittle Jones Yorkshire, said: “I am delighted to welcome Katherine and the team at Premier Machine Knives to Lidget Lane, which is now fully occupied. I am looking forward to seeing the continued growth of the business.”
Lincoln firm’s spuds form basis of cooking inspiration for more than 2,000 children
National potato supplier Branston will give at least 2,200 children across Lincolnshire a portion of spuds and recipes to inspire their cooking.
Lincolnshire County Council is running the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which will support children in the region who are eligible for free school meals during the summer break. Backed by Branston, the initiative will help children and their families realise the versatility and economical nature of fresh potatoes.
The government-funded HAF programme supports thousands of children across the county, who are invited to attend fun activity sessions across 85 venues in Lincolnshire, including sports centres, community halls and schools.
Simon Telfer, HR director at Branston, said: “Getting involved with the local community is incredibly important for us. Providing food education from a young age ensures children are aware of how their food is grown and the best ways to cook it.
“As part of our support, we’re providing recipe cards with simple and tasty meals to help families stretch their spuds for maximum output. The recipes include bubble and squeak patties, creamy mackerel stuffed skins and plenty of helpful tips. There are tips on cooking in a microwave or on the hob, reducing the energy required for an oven and removing the barrier for those families that don’t have access to one.”
In addition to donating potatoes, Branston has also funded a series of cookery classes hosted by Eamonn Holmes, which has been set up through his social enterprise, GoGro. Eammon will present 20 sessions, sponsored by Branston, to children on the HAF programme, which will involve hands-on cookery demonstrations and education around ‘field-to-fork’ food.
Simon added: “It was important to us that we offered the children some skills and education as part of the programme. We’re pleased to have the involvement of Eamonn to build a buzz around food. The aim of the sessions is to get kids passionate about what they’re eating and showing them that a simple spud can be turned into a tasty meal.”
Firm seeks 15 Yorkshire companies for business start up accelerator programme
Start up accelerator Unrest has picked Sheffield as the base for its next programme to supercharge businesses – and wants to hear from consumer-driven companies across Yorkshire.
The accelerator, which ran its first programme in London and helped develop 16 businesses with goals including green agendas, diversity, fertility, improved mental health, will run its next hub from Sheffield and wants businesses from across Yorkshire to apply.
The South Yorkshire Unrest Programme will start in September, and annually aims to support up to 30 North England-based, consumer-driven startups which positively impact on people’s lives.
By supporting these start-ups in its first programme outside of London, Unrest hopes to tip the scales of investment and growth, accelerating businesses forward through workshops, one-to-ones, access to a similar business community and through exclusive opportunities with its partners.
It will be delivered in partnership with Capital Enterprise (UK) Limited and Barnsley Council, and is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund.
Orr Vinegold, Unrest Founder, said: “We first started in London in 2021 to support and accelerate start-ups changing the world. We champion diversity of thought, background, and geography to support more businesses that reflect the makeup of our communities. And this is why we have chosen to expand to build our next impact accelerator programmes within South Yorkshire.
“Businesses that have a positive impact on the world, now hold the influence, power and potential to accelerate change and leave the planet better than they found it and make a meaningful difference.
“Consumer demand for impact-driven brands is growing at a record-breaking pace with investment in these companies increasing six-fold from 2011 to 2019 — reaching over £5bn a year by the end of the decade.
“Venture capital investors are avidly looking for purposeful brands with high growth potential — but none of the existing players are moving into the impact and consumer territory with a clear brand message — resulting in a shortage of investable start-ups in this space.”
In 2021, over 68% of all UK investment went solely to companies based in London, with the next largest investment region (the South East), receiving only 10%. This investment imbalance hinders start-up diversity and distribution of wealth within the UK. In contrast, less than 1% of all UK investment went to Yorkshire, despite amazing businesses growing out of the region.
Orr added: “Not only does the Unrest programme aim to target and improve this imbalance in opportunity – there’s a genuine flurry of purpose driven start-ups coming from Yorkshire and the North. Data shows that 20% of impact companies are started in Yorkshire.”
Cllr Robert Frost, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture at Barnsley Council, said: “This is a brilliant programme for our region and for the TeamSY project, and we hope to see a number of Barnsley businesses benefit from this. The accelerator is great for supporting businesses already creating a positive impact and opening them up to better investment potential.”
Laura Bennett, Regional Lead, Capital Enterprise (UK) Limited, added: “Yorkshire is proudly supportive of social impact initiatives and mission-driven projects, and we have a long tradition of social enterprises founded here, working to support our communities and reduce inequalities.
“We are thrilled that Unrest are bringing their expertise, experience, and networks to the region to supercharge 30 mission-driven businesses to think big and act globally – taking South Yorkshire ingenuity and passion for social good to a national and international audience.”
Unrest will run the South Yorkshire Programme in tandem with its London programme, with crossover events. At the end of the programme, startups from South Yorkshire will be invited to London to pitch alongside their London cohort counterparts at an investor-filled Demo Day.
The last Unrest demo day saw over 100 investors on the guest list including Big Society Capital, Balderton Capital, Beringea, Saatchi Invest, Qventures and Mission Ventures.
Mr Vinegold added: “This programme focuses on exponentially growing the right businesses that deserve to make a difference. We’re dedicated to building the next generation of mission-driven companies, turning businesses into a force for good. We can’t wait to help accelerate the next cohort of start-ups from South Yorkshire that are looking to change the world.”
Further details: www.unrest.world
VINCI Building wins £70m Sheffield Forgemasters contract
VINCI Building has been appointed on an early works contract and pre-construction services agreement at Sheffield Forgemasters, worth more than £70 million.
The company will construct a new service road, undertake demolition works and services diversions at Sheffield Forgemasters’ Brightside Lane site to accommodate a new forging line.
The appointment marks the first phase of the wider investment, valued up to £400 million over ten years, to underpin critical defence assets at the engineering company’s Brightside Lane site, with construction of the UK’s largest open-die forging operation to install a 13,000 tonne forge-line.
Chris Winspear, regional director at VINCI Building, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to kick off the first phase of a significant investment into the company and to the wider benefit of the Sheffield City Region.
“Initially, VINCI Building will handle construction of a new access road onto Sheffield Forgemasters’ site, including all necessary service diversions and partial demolition of existing buildings.
“We will also undertake intrusive survey works and provide support with scheduling and risk management, engagement of supply chain and development of costs for the main construction works.”
The contract, covering the forging line installation, is set to run until 2025, when the new forge is commissioned and Sheffield Forgemasters’ existing 10,000 tonne press will be decommissioned.
Gareth Barker, chief operating officer at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “This contract is a key milestone in our recapitalisation project, which will see up to £400 million invested across the site to first establish a new heavy forging-line and to then install 16 new machining centres to increase our capabilities as a world-leading engineering facility.
“Vinci Building will input into the current phase of the RIBA 3 design works which should promote buildability and development of the subsequent main-works contract to install a new, circa 140,000 sq ft building, to house the new forge-line.
“Further to this, we are looking to invest locally through our contracting partners as we launch the first phase of construction works.”
VINCI Building UK joins Turner & Townsend (Cost Management Services/Independent Quantity Surveyor and Principal Designer), Tetra Tech (Engineering Services Provider/Lead Designer) and JLL (Planning Consultant) on Sheffield Forgemasters’ recapitalisation project.
Sheffield Forgemasters recently announced that its new 13,000 tonne Mitsubishi press has been shipped from Japan and is now in secure storage prior to installation.
