Business leaders and politicians came together recently to attend a forward-looking event, in which delegates explored the opportunities available to Doncaster’s economy and what can be done to ensure its continued growth. Titled “Doncaster, What’s Next?”, the business conference was organised by the city’s Chamber of Commerce and took place at the Unipart Innovation Centre in Balby Carr. It was hosted by Tariq Shah, Director of the Vigo Group, and Noreen Nasim, TEDX Speaker and Course Leader from Doncaster College. Attendees had an opportunity to air their views about the pressing issues of the day, to engage regional government on what needs to be done, and to get involved with important conversations about the future of South Yorkshire. Representing local and regional government , the speakers included Doncaster’s own Mayor, Ros Jones, Chief Executive of the council, Damian Allen, and Nick Fletcher MP. Each of these distinguished guests gave an overview of where they believe South Yorkshire should be heading over the next 10 years, as well as the major economic projects and campaigns that are currently in the pipeline. They also spoke about how we must use our newly bequeathed City Status to our advantage, so that we can develop our reputation further, rather than simply resting on our laurels. Delving further into this ambitious vision, South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, then took to the stage near the end of the conference, to talk about what he will be prioritising in his new role. Meanwhile, from the private sector there were business experts like Tom Rumboll, CEO of SYNETIQ, Rachel Harwood, Executive Director of Doncaster Racecourse, Andrew Austwick, Managing Director of Finance for Enterprise, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, and many more. The full list is available to view on the Chamber website. Over the course of the 5 hour event, these panellists explored pertinent issues like: what would make Doncaster a better place to do business; how we can better drive innovation; the biggest misconceptions about our city, and the difficulties that many firms are facing when it comes to the skills shortage. They all took the time to field questions from the audience as well, via a series of lively Q&A sessions. On that last note, the conference also saw the debut of the region’s new People & Skills Manifesto. Devised by the three South Yorkshire Chambers (those being Doncaster, Sheffield and Barnsley & Rotherham) and informed by years of in-depth research, this progressive document lays out over 40 practical recommendations that will help local government to create a new and improved skills strategy that better meets the needs of the area’s employers. As for what else is in the immediate future for Doncaster, we have several exciting campaigns running at the moment. Right now, we are in the middle of bidding for a new hospital and to be named the home of the Great British Railways (GBR). Plus, Doncaster is also looking forward to hosting part of the Rugby World Cup in Autumn, with a number of games taking place at the Eco-Power Stadium. Of course, with us now having achieved City Status we are in a better position than ever before to campaign for these big opportunities and others like them. Speaking about this and the outcomes of Thursday’s event, Dan Fell, Chief Executive for Doncaster Chamber, said: “We heard a lot of rich and informed debate about the future prosperity of Doncaster here today. There were individual stories of entrepreneurship and tenacity that, I hope, will motivate and inspire everyone who attended. We also heard how the outside world is sitting up, taking notice, and recognising Doncaster as a great place to do business. “However, we also heard about a lot of challenges that are still facing our business community. While we have a great deal to celebrate at the moment —including the recent success of our City Status bid — some very real issues were flagged that we need to address. These range from acute people and skills shortages, to economic hardships and a lack of commitment from the government when it comes to levelling up South Yorkshire. “Our conference was focussed on highlighting these problems and finding out what we can do to solve them. From the productive discussions we’ve had here this morning, we have come away with a lot of homework, for Doncaster Chamber, for our regional partners and for national government. “Within a week, we will be telling the wider business community confirming what the next steps are and will be signposting them on how to get involved in Doncaster’s future success. When the business conference returns next May, we expect to be held to account on the things we have set out to do. “Doncaster, What’s Next has been a rousing success, generating stimulating conversation and many fantastic ideas. I’d like to congratulate everyone who was involved in making this happen so smoothly, from my colleagues at the Chamber, to our guest speakers, and our panellists. Finally, I also want to say a huge thank you to Noreen and Tariq for being such capable hosts, as well as to Unipart and DigiRail for being our supportive sponsors.” Echoing these sentiments, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It was so inspiring to see just how determined and optimistic Doncaster’s business community is. Everyone in the room was visibly passionate about securing the best possible future for their city and I am grateful to Doncaster Chamber for inviting me to be part of it all.”

Yorkshire based security firm Gough and Kelly has been enlisted to protect the historic Guildhall complex in York in its new purpose, along with providing security services for the annual ‘Mayor Making’ ceremony at the venue. Award-winning Gough and Kelly, which provides diverse security and safety solutions such as electrical contracting and event security, has held the City of York Council security contract for ten years. This contract, combined with the recent LNER stadium win has led to the company ramping up their recruitment drive in the city. The Guildhall is a grade 1 listed 15th Century building located on the infamous riverside in York. It has recently undergone a significant restoration and renovation project and has been given a new lease of life by York Science Park which will use the premises as a place for business and enterprise. The complex requires night-time security and access management to keep the treasured buildings safe. The historic venue will also be the location for this year’s Mayor Making ceremony, where the city of York appoints its new Lord Mayor, Sheriff, and civil party. Gough and Kelly staff will be on hand for crowd safety and management during the ceremony and procession. Richard Cuff, security operations manager at Gough and Kelly, says, “It is an honour to secure such a historical site, and to help ensure that it can safely fulfil its new purpose. We are also greatly looking forward to making this year’s ‘Mayor Making’ event as safe and enjoyable as possible, for everyone involved.” This is not the only historic endeavour that Gough and Kelly have been assigned to this year, as it is also making preparationsto provide security services for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London, this June.

  The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played a significant role in the “stunning success” of a prestigious North Yorkshire residential housing development. The Easingwold-based firm, one of the leading independent brick-makers in the country, has supplied specially-manufactured bricks for the contemporary development at Ferrensby, near Harrogate. Altogether York Handmade provided bricks worth £150,000 for the site, developed by Yorkshire developer Jack Lunn (Properties) Ltd, which has just been completed. The Ferrensby development is called Slingsby Vale and features 18 houses, 16 of which have already been bought or are under offer. The prices of the 11 private houses (seven are affordable homes) range from £395,000 to £845,000 and they are being marketed by the Harrogate office of property consultancy Carter Jonas. Mark Laksevics of York Handmade Brick commented: “It was a privilege to play a part in creating some beautiful family homes in Ferrensby. This is a very attractive development, which is providing much-needed local housing and enhancing the community. It is no surprise that it has been a resounding success. Carl Wright, director of Jack Lunn (Properties) Ltd, explained: “We are absolutely delighted with the stunning success of Slingsby Vale. There’s no doubt that our buyers have been impressed by the exceptional build quality, which makes these houses stand out. “We wanted our houses to be special, which is why we chose York Handmade’s bricks. The quality of the bricks and their appearance are magnificent. We are so pleased with the finished product. We wanted to fit in with the Vale of York vernacular and create a bespoke product, which complemented and enhanced the village and I think we have achieved that.” Mark Laksevics added: “While we have recently completed some stunning commissions for residential and commercial developments in London and other UK cities, it is vitally important that we continue to provide our bricks to more local Yorkshire developers and for self-builders. “It is especially gratifying to see how our bricks blend in seamlessly with the quintessentially rural landscapes of a North Yorkshire village. We are deeply committed to North Yorkshire and the Vale of York, where we have been manufacturing bricks for the past 34 years, and it is a real pleasure to see our work being represented locally.” Carl Wright added: “We believe that the pretty village of Ferrensby is one of the prime locations in North Yorkshire for quality housing. Close to the picturesque market towns of both Boroughbridge and Knaresborough and just a couple of miles from the A1(M), the village is also part of Yorkshire’s famous golden triangle, the most sought-after area in the county.

A team of 60 people from BHP has raised an impressive £20,047 for charities across the UK after they completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. The charity trek began in Horton-in-Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales, with the group tackling the 24.5-mile route incorporating 1,585m of ascent across the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – and returning back to the starting point in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. All those who took part chose to either raise money for charities personal to them or to support BHP’s elected charity, Macmillan Cancer Support. The team set an ambitious target of £15,000 and they have managed to surpass that by some margin, raising an incredible total of £20,047 James Houseman, Senior Manager at BHP and event project manager, said: “It was fantastic to see so many of the BHP team getting involved in our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. I am so proud of everyone who took part. “The key word is challenge – this was a gruelling walk across hard terrain and not something to be taken lightly. Our team – both those who walked and those who were part of the support team – pulled together brilliantly on the day to raise money for many worthwhile causes across the country. “It was a privilege to organise and to have raised more than £20,000 for so many different charities is an absolutely fantastic achievement. A huge well done to everyone who took part!” BHP Charity and CSR Partner Rachelle Rowbottom said: “I am so delighted for the team – it was a huge challenge that takes spirit and resilience, and a feat that has raised a tremendous sum of money for charity. “At BHP, we have a strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and we’re proud to be able to support the causes that our people care passionately about.”

A three-day careers event – the biggest in South Yorkshire –  to steer young people into training and jobs which will grow their potential and lead to successful careers.

Source Your Future (June 21-23) will see hundreds of students from all schools and colleges in Sheffield, plus unemployed 18-24-year-olds, head to The Source Skills Academy on Meadowhall Way for a chance to meet 65 leading businesses looking for talent.

The employment and skills event is running in partnership with the Levelling Up Futures in Sheffield Programme and See It Be It in Sheffield – who are working with schools and colleges across Sheffield to support student attainment, aspiration and work readiness. 

The NHS, the Armed Forces, Rotherham theme park Gullivers World, the Civil Service  and Meadowhall retailers Vodaphone and Apple will be among the companies vying to find the best applicants.

Thousands of jobs and over 800 apprenticeships, long-trusted routes to qualifications and lasting careers, will be on offer across the business services, IT and digital, hospitality, manufacturing, engineering and retail sectors.

Skilled advisors from The Source, Jobcentre Plus, Sheffield Futures. the City Council and Chamber of Commerce will be advising how to get into work, training and apprenticeships.

There’s also a chance to hear from young people who have made it to the finals of the South Yorkshire Apprentice Awards about how their roles have transformed their lives.

“This event is a multi-organisational effort, which sees training providers and businesses working together to engage every school in Sheffield,” said Dale Robinson, Director of Business Development at The Source,.

The organisation, a registered charity, has got thousands into work via apprenticeships, traineeships and training since 2003.

“Currently there are plenty of jobs to choose from, but it’s crucial young people find roles which will give them training and support to develop their skills and go on to rewarding careers.

Dale added: “Some young people face significant barriers to employment, because of their backgrounds. Iit is vital agencies, schools and businesses work together to ensure no one falls through the net.”