rradar appoints new commercial director as part of growth strategy
rradar, the litigation and commercial law firm which specialises in digital and insurance innovation, has appointed Richard Sheridan as its new commercial director.
Richard joins Hull-based rradar from global insurance claims management firm Sedgwick International UK.
In this newly-created role, Richard will report directly to rradar’s CEO Gary Gallen and will be a key member of rradar’s senior leadership team.
Gary explained: “This is a very significant appointment for us as we embark on a sustained period of growth. Richard will refine and implement our commercial plan, centred on a programme of diversification and development to achieve our vision of becoming a next generation legal services business, providing first-class legal and other business services through a human and digital hybrid.
“He will be responsible for overseeing our product development and pricing, identifying new market opportunities, developing and implementing a targeted sales strategy, overseeing client relationship management and ensuring high client satisfaction.
“We pride ourselves on transforming how legal services are accessed and Richard’s appointment will help us to deliver our vision as part of our five-year business strategy. It is crucial to have someone of Richard’s calibre and high-level experience on board, complementing our existing leadership capabilities. This will ensure we are ready to meet the challenges and growth opportunities ahead for the rradar team.”
Richard commented: “This is a tremendously exciting opportunity and challenge for me. I am delighted to be joining such a progressive and innovative firm as rradar, especially at a time when the company is embarking on a sustained growth strategy.
“It is a privilege to be a member of the senior leadership team and I believe that my extensive experience as a director with Sedgwick, and with the Capita Group before that, will enable me to make a significant contribution to rradar’s expansion and success over the coming months and years.”
Richard brings extensive experience to rradar as an innovation and corporate business leader, having served in senior roles in insurance, business process outsourcing and professional services. He has over 25 years’ experience in building and growing long-term client relationships based on integrity, innovation and service delivery coupled with a strong record in sales and new proposition development.
Richard’s move follows hard on the heels of recent high-profile leadership appointments of Andy Clarke as rradar’s chief technology officer and Kieran Rigby as non-executive director to rradar’s board.
Yorkshire-based ultrafast internet provider celebrates extraordinary expansion
A Yorkshire-based internet provider is continuing its extraordinary success by connecting 5,000 new customers in just 12 months.
Pure Broadband, which offers full fibre broadband across Yorkshire, has also recruited employees to seven new roles during the same period, with key appointments including a financial director, service operations manager, sales manager and marketing manager to support the company’s ongoing growth.
Other milestones for the Hull-based ultrafast broadband provider during the year include the expansion of its internet offering into Doncaster and Rotherham, the launch of new branding and a new website and a move to new premises on Hessle’s Priory Park.
Tony Jopling, who was appointed as Pure Broadband’s managing director in mid-2021, entered the role with the target of doubling its growth over the next three years.
With its 5,000th customer acquired during the year set to be connected this month, the company is now ahead of this initial target.
Tony said: “As a team, we couldn’t be happier with the results we have seen over the past year.
“From customer service advisors to technicians, our employees have truly gone above and beyond to take our business to the next level, and to connect 5,000 new customers in just a year is testament to their hard work.
“With our strong recommendations on review websites such as Trustpilot, more residents across Hull and the wider Yorkshire region are choosing Pure Broadband as their internet provider every day.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to beat our growth targets as word spreads further that there’s a great alternative to some of the bigger broadband providers right on their doorstep.”
For more information about Pure Broadband, please visit: www.purebroadband.net.
Harrogate-based IDHL acquires eCommerce transformation specialist
Harrogate-based digital heavyweight, IDHL, has acquired specialists in eCommerce transformation, Ampersand as their acquisitive growth strategy accelerates following Bridgepoint investment.
Manchester-based Ampersand specialises in technical solutions that look beyond the website to relieve growth-limiting operational pain points for leading eCommerce brands including Selco, Swoon and Seraphine.
Able to provide a greater service offering to their client base as part of the Group, Ampersand is set to benefit from the IDHL proprietary platform and robust operational infrastructure that will underpin business growth as they continue to scale.
For IDHL, the addition of Ampersand further builds upon its Manchester presence, while strengthening its development resource capability at a point of significant growth in the industry.
This latest acquisition closely follows the addition of luxury eCommerce agency, Fostr, extending the collaboration opportunity across the Group’s wider web division which also comprises of eCommerce agencies Pinpoint and Statement alongside web digital transformation experts, NetConstruct.
Following the acquisition, Darryl Adie will continue to lead Ampersand, along with Managing Director Brett Cooper, working in close collaboration with IDHL’s leadership team to integrate and grow the business as part of the network of agencies.
Darryl Adie, Ampersand CEO, said: “We are excited to be joining the IDHL Group and the opportunities it will bring to the Ampersand team and our customers. We look forward to accelerating the work and achievements of the Ampersand team to date with the Group’s support.”
Dennis Engel, Chief Executive at IDHL, said: “We are delighted to have Ampersand join IDHL Group. Their eCommerce technical capability enhances our web division offering which supports our growth strategy and investment in this expertise.”
‘Best Companies’ scheme awards Clarion top three star accreditation – again!
Leeds law firm Clarion has once again been recognised as one of the UK’s ‘Best Companies’ to work for. Having achieved three star accreditation in the small companies category in 2020, it has this year again been awarded the top accolade, this time in the large company category in recognition of the ‘world-class employee engagement’ of its 288-strong workforce.
Clarion once again took part in the nationally recognised and respected ‘Best Companies’ scheme which is a standard of excellence for UK businesses. The initiative assesses workplace engagement and measures it against the rigorous Best Companies Index score, which covers factors such as leadership, wellbeing and personal growth, in order to celebrate and showcase outstanding employers.
With a turnover of over £23m and with 30 partners, Clarion recognises that people are at the heart of its success and the firm has made attracting and retaining talent central to its culture. It has consistently achieved high levels of employee engagement in its internal annual surveys with 95% of colleagues reporting both that they are ‘proud to work at Clarion’ and that they would recommend the firm as a place to work.
Helen Saunders, head of HR at Clarion, said: “We are extremely proud to once again be recognised in these prestigious national awards. To receive the highest three-star accreditation is testament to our success in ensuring we are focussed on all elements of our culture and the impact that has on our people. From ensuring colleagues are kept fully informed and have opportunities for regular feedback, to participating in innovative CSR activities with community partners and providing mentoring and coaching opportunities to support career development, we care about our people. We believe colleagues should be recognised and rewarded for their contribution, and also undertake regular employee engagement surveys as well as developing our award-winning BeingWell programme as part of this commitment.
“To be able to always put our people at the front comes from authentic leadership – we are committed to living our values and making our culture stand out. This has been particularly evident over the last two years as colleagues have faced difficult times amid the pandemic disruption, but have remained engaged, working hard within their teams and supporting one another as they swiftly adapted to new ways of working. Our aim is to make Clarion a fabulous place to work and this latest award shows that we are making that happen.”
Joint managing partner Roger Hutton said: “As a relatively young law firm, we have put people at the heart of what we do from our inception. As we have grown, we have not lost sight of this focus and, indeed, our unique Clarion culture has been vital to retaining and attracting talent as the team has expanded – we welcomed another 41 colleagues last year alone.
“Excellent communications with two-way listening is vital, as well as providing constant ongoing support. We have worked hard to ensure that our positive culture is purposeful through every touch point internally – it has to be true and lived in order to thrive, and it is only by having a truly engaged team that we can continue to provide outstanding service to our clients.”
Perkins&Will confirmed as architects for new Leeds hospitals
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has taken another step forward with its vision to transform healthcare for its patients and staff by confirming Perkins&Will, led by Penoyre & Prasad with Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, as designers of the two new hospitals on the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) site.
The architects have now signed a contract with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to design the two new state-of-the-art hospitals on the site of the LGI. The 94,000m² building will house two unique hospitals—one for adults and one for children— including a centralised maternity and neonatal unit. Significantly, these designs bring together for the first time clinical services for children and young people under one roof.
This world-class team have designed and delivered some of the most innovative hospitals and women’s and children’s care environments in the world, and bring a combined experience of over 146 years of healthcare experience to the project. Their appointment follows a competition held by the Trust in 2021 to find an architect to design its “Hospitals of the Future” project—one of 40 new hospitals that the U.K. government has committed to build by 2030 as part of its New Hospital Programme (NHP).
The design team is now undertaking staff and patient engagement sessions to gather input and support the next stage of design development. The feedback from adults, children, young people, parents and carers from across the region will help shape how the facility might look and feel in these early designs.
Meanwhile, work continues to clear the LGI site where the new hospitals will be situated, following the demolition of the Trust’s Old Nurses’ Home, the Hearing and Balance Unit, King Edward Building, Children’s Paediatric Offices and Wellcome Wing. Construction is scheduled to start on site in 2024 with the new facilities planned to be fully operational in 2027.
Simon Worthington, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Director of Finance and Senior Responsible Officer for the Hospitals of the Future Project, said: “The Perkins&Will concept design is very exciting and will create a fantastic landmark for the city of Leeds. The way the new hospitals have been designed will enable them to operate independently, but also benefit from improved and more efficient communication and care when located together. We are excited to be moving into the next phase of the design and engaging with staff and the community to help bring to life these flagship hospitals, which will serve Leeds and the wider region for many decades to come.”
Mark Rowe, Managing Principal of Perkins&Will, said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed to design the Trust’s new hospitals at the Leeds General Infirmary site. Not only will this new healthcare project bring incredible resources to the people of Leeds and the wider region, but it will also set the bar for best-in-class healthcare facilities. The design will benefit everyone—staff, patients, and visitors. We will create a beautiful place that enables the Trust to continue to be a leading light in the fields of healthcare innovation, research, and education.”
Business and political leaders signal Humber’s concerns to Transport for the North’s new team
Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce President Phil Jones welcomed the recently appointed Chair and Chief Executive of Transport for the North to key discussions with the region’s political and business leaders focusing on transport in the Humber.
Transport for the North’s Chair, Lord Patrick McLoughlin, who previously served four years as Secretary of State for Transport, was joined by TfN’s new Chief Executive Martin Tugwell at the meeting at the Chamber’s head offices in Hull. They were welcomed by Chamber President Phil Jones.
Dame Diana Johnson thanked Lord McLoughlin for his work so far, but said we needed to turn around 50 years of decline in this area, but as she looked forward to the benefits of Freeport status highlighted that “we all know we need to upgrade rail infrastructure for the Humber.”
She told the meeting: “We need to see full rail electrification of all rail routes to Hull – the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) failed here. I know funds and powers of TfN are to be further reduced. MPs are really worried about TfN’s funding for the future. We want to see a reversal of cuts made to Hull in the last decade. There was good news recently on the Liverpool route, but we still need a direct link to Manchester Airport. Improvements to one part of the North will always mean another part misses out, and that’s not Levelling Up.
“We also need to see improved passenger facilities at Hull Paragon Station – it is visitors’ first impression of city and it’s not good enough.
“Road improvements for Hull are also an issue. Development of a waterway network for travel and tourism as part of a broader holistic approach to transport is needed.
“Despite our differences we have worked cross-Party, cross-Humber, for the good of this region,” she added.
Emma Hardy MP agreed: “The Integrated Rail Plan was a real disappointment for the city and the area. The move to hybrid working means a regular and effective train service is even more important than before. It would be great to have TfN’s full support – we’re not asking for anything unreasonable”.
In listening mode, Lord McLoughlin, said there was a fantastic job to do. He had been at the Transport Select Committee this week, and had helped to get the Castle Street scheme implemented. He said he was committed to HS2 because it is modern infrastructure adding to the existing Victorian infrastructure. He said he agreed with the MPs’ points about the station, noting that St Pancras and Kings Cross stations in London are now destinations in their own right.
Martin Tugwell said he was keen to get out and about and present TfN as representing the whole of the North. “What has come across to me is the passion and the opportunities in the Humber – we should see this as a global gateway at the heart of the national economy. We need to keep going for the longer term.
Martin said: “The Iintegrated Rail Plan was a disappointment, but those needs haven’t gone away and we need to do more. We need to be shouting about the strength of the rail recovery, back to passenger numbers pre-Covid, freight paths are also back to pre-Covid levels.
“I am looking forward, maximising everything we can with Network Rail. Longer term we’re about to embark on the Independent Economic Review and it’s time to update that and review it.”
The Managing Director of Trans-Pennine Express, Matthew Golton, said he was a firm believer in coalitions of the willing – he had moved back to the North for first time in 30 years and had found the London centric arguments very striking.
“It’s about how you make the right arguments to the right part of the machinery. Hull to Liverpool was an opportunity and the Rail North board had agreed that this should happen and I am going to make it happen.
“Airport links should absolutely be part of the picture, as will new bi-mode trains.”
Mr Golton promised improvements to Hull stations, the installation of ticket barriers and the general tidying up of the station. “It’s a question of where you set your ambitions and how dogged you are. It’s all about cross-Party co-operation and clarity of message,” he said.
The Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Daren Hale, said: “We need electrification, track improvements with better track maintenance to improve resilience on rail which would help to solve issues in the North West too. The Eastern side of the TfN area suffers more than the West. We have to keep banging that drum. We talk about passengers, but we also need to talk about freight, electrify to Hull, then you’re nearly to the docks – we’re the most Carbon polluting area other than the Ruhr, and better rail connectivity would help to address that.”
The main political representation from the South Bank came from the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Cllr Philip Jackson, who said: “If Hull thinks it’s sidelined by TfN, the South Bank feels ignored. The Port of Immingham, the largest port by volume in the country, the Port of Grimsby, the centre for offshore wind which is growing hugely, and Cleethorpes which is the East Coast’s premier resort, all need better connectivity.
“DFDS recently announced a £100m investment in the port and we’re trying to improve the container services out of the port, and are told by ABP director Simon Bird that loading gauge issues are stopping them taking hundreds of lorries over the Pennine routes off the road”.
Cllr Jackson also aired his disappointment that the direct rail link between Kings Cross and Cleethorpes had been deferred for a further year, especially as the gauge issues had been resolved and overnight stabling for the trains in Cleethorpes was available.
“We’ve not had a though train to London since 1992 and reinstating that service would be a big boost for Cleethorpes and Grimsby.
“I would also ask for speed improvements on local lines – these are key South Bank asks,” he added
Mr Golton said they are banging the drum about getting the loading gauge changed and recognise the importance of the freight and passenger community working in tandem. He noted he was not responsible for LNER, but it was their intention to bring direct trains to Cleethorpes and that work will start in the summer. He highlighted that he had done his first trip to Cleethorpes in his new role and he agreed it takes a long time.
The Managing Director of DFDS Seaways, Andrew Byrne, noted that had previously worked in freight rail, so knew both sides of the arguments. “The way the shipping and transport industry has developed in the Humber has been huge – we move through more units than anywhere else, other than Dover. The Humber doesn’t have a rail freight terminal. Bulk goes out of Immingham. I met with rail freight group this week, but we are still driving rail freight out of the Humber. Minis from Plant Oxford are brought on car transporters. We really need to find a way to unlock this resource,” he said.
Martin Tugwell said: “The Humber a UK Global Gateway and we need to be getting this message across. Their freight and logistics strategy “starts” that process and we need to focus more on that. I am very keen to look at how we get the business voice even more strongly into the conversation. We need to decarbonise freight as it’s one of the most polluting sectors and we need to see how we can build on previous work to look at electrification into Hull. Coming back to the IRP, the TfN board is clear about realising savings and reinvesting the money elsewhere in the North.
The Chair of the Chamber’s Shipping, Transport and Renewables Committee, Albert Weatherill, said: “We have the largest port in the UK, the fourth largest in Europe, 20% of all rail freight originates out of the Humber. The world is investing in the Humber with wind, carbon capture, green aviation fuel, you don’t need an economic case, it’s already here, but how much bigger could this become?”
Martin Tugwell agreed. “We really need to crack these outcomes and hold ourselves to account. Decarbonisation is no longer an ambition, it’s now a legal requirement. We have to get smarter if we are to see this economic growth coming.”
David Gibson, the new Managing Director of Hull Trains, highlighted that his company had recently invested in a new fleet of Hitachi 802 trains and reduced carbon emissions by 60%. He said: “We are talking to Hitachi about rechargeable batteries to do electrification without overhead lines.
“Hull Trains had recently celebrated 21 years out of Hull Paragon Station and now had its track access extended to 2032, so we really look forward to the future and we are seeing green shoots. We had 220 passengers yesterday morning. In December, our board approved 94 services a week, our best offering ever with improved Sunday services and running 10 car trains on Fridays and we have an additional path on a Sunday. We have real ambition for this area.”
Rail Consultant David Walford said: “It was fact that TfN was favouring the North West, not just a perception.
“The cost of rail also needs to be looked at. We are paying a lot more per mile than other areas for a much worse service, we have gone backwards, while other areas have gone forwards. If you want to level up, level up East and West first, rather than North and South,” he urged.
Chamber Chief Executive Dr Ian Kelly highlighted that the Chamber had helped to get Hull Trains established 20 years ago. “What Hull Trains has done has been remarkable and a tremendous success story, what we’ve done on the back of good services has been astounding and giving us the services we’ve outlined opens up our economy and all we’re asking for is a basic catch-up”.
Lord McLoughlin promised to take all these things away and look at what can be done.
British Steel’s Craig Harvey said his company was a huge polluter and it had a huge journey ahead of us, but it was encouraging to hear everything that’s been said and his comment would be that industry really needs this.
Ben Gilligan, of East Yorkshire Buses, noted that they were coming out of the pandemic but there were big challenges. We are facing about 75% of pre Covid passenger levels at the moment and there’s a real risk to rural services at the moment as funding will run out soon. It was a big worry and big issue for the East Riding is that connectivity by bus will not viable and the impact on communities can be pretty severe. “The MPs will be writing to me if I cut services, but will have to make difficult decisions if no new funding is forthcoming.”
Giving a vote of thanks, Chamber Vice President Mike Whitehead, said it was good to see so many important people around the table and it had been a very good discussion. He thanked the council leaders and MPs for representing both banks of the river and putting their cases so clearly.
Work To Deliver New Social Housing In Doncaster Begins
The latest phase of the Council’s new build programme for affordable rented homes has begun, with three new housing developments across the borough.
In total 33 new affordable homes will be available when construction completes in January 2023. National contractor Willmott Dixon has been appointed to build the new homes.
The project includes the building of:
- Twenty-one 2-4 bedroom houses on Adwick Lane, Toll Bar (above)
- Seven 2-3 bedroom houses on Appleby Road, Intake
- Five 2-3 bedroom houses on Athlestane Crescent, Edenthorpe.
Find out more about apprenticeships at presentation event on Wednesday
Doncaster Council’s Apprenticeship Team are delivering a ‘Virtual Insight Presentation’ session, giving individuals the opportunity to learn more about roles and careers at Doncaster Council.
Whether you are considering an apprenticeship, looking at undertaking a degree, considering a career change or maybe not sure what you want to do and simply want to find out more about the diverse career areas available, this may be of interest to you.
The session will be delivered over MS Teams on Wednesday 9th February at 1pm and will run until around 1.45pm. The session will involve an introduction from the Apprenticeship Team, presentations from recruiting managers who will talk about their latest vacancies and some of our current apprentices will be talking about their experiences working at Doncaster Council
There will be an opportunity for question and answers towards the end of the session. If you would like to submit a question(s) beforehand, please add this into the Eventbrite form using the link below. We may be able to take questions on the day depending on time.
To register your interest in this event, please click on the Eventbrite link below.
Virtual Insight Event- Apprenticeships at Doncaster Council Tickets, Wed 9 Feb 2022 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
Once you have registered on Eventbrite, you will receive an email with joining instructions. You will need to download Microsoft Teams onto your device to ensure you are able to join the sessions.
For more information please email apprentices@doncaster.gov.uk
More grant funding to help small and medium businesses benefit from digital technology
The Digital Innovation Grant is open for a new round of applications, closing again at midday on Monday 28 February.
The Digital Innovation Grant programme supports Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and can include eligible charities and social enterprises, in South Yorkshire to develop their use of digital technology.
By exploiting digital technologies, businesses can access new markets, promote their products and services more effectively and develop new cost-effective ways of working. Examples of typical projects include client relationship management systems, new software developments, development of apps, e-commerce solutions and live high quality video streaming.
The funding is not available solely to support a technology refresh, applicants must clearly evidence how the grant can add value to their business and help them grow and exploit new opportunities.
The scheme aims to enhance the digital capabilities of SMEs by raising their confidence in the use of digital technologies and will support them to increase their levels of productivity and competitiveness to achieve business growth.
The Digital Innovation Grant will be delivered through a competitive process. Following the call for applications, completed applications will be assessed for eligibility, then ranked according to a number of economic and inclusive growth indicators.
Councillor Paul Turpin, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Jobs and Skills, said: “Digital skills and technology have proved a lifeline for many of our businesses throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen so many display their creativity and innovation by transforming their ways of working to adapt to new ways of living and the fast pace of digital advancement.
“We recognise that it can be hard, particularly for smaller businesses, to fully understand and utilise the power of digital technologies, so this funding along with the support available from our Business Sheffield team, will be vital in helping them grow and fulfil their potential.
“I would encourage all those interested to check eligibility, reach out for our support and advice, and get applying now.”
Funding and application details
- The funding is available towards projects of no more than £10,000
- Up to 50% of the value of an investment may be awarded
- Successful applicants will receive a minimum award of £1,000, up to a maximum of £5,000
- Applications close on Monday 28 February 2022
- Applications will be assessed by Friday 18 of March 2022
- Applicants will receive a decision by Friday 1 of April 2022
Guildhall restoration unlocks carbon savings
A River Water Source Heat Pump has been installed at York Guildhall, as part of the refurbishment and redevelopment work.
This will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the historic building at the heart of the city.
The location of the Guildhall, on the banks of the River Ouse, provides the opportunity to take advantage of this low-carbon energy source.
The River Water Source Heat Pump installation will allow to make carbon savings of around 40 tonnes per year in operation when compared against an equivalent fossil fuel energy solution.
The Main Hall, Slype space and new-build offices will be heated from the River Source Heat Pump using underfloor heating.
Further offices and meeting rooms, will be heated by Fan Coil Units (FCUs) that are run from the River Water Source Heat Pump. These FCUs combine heating and cooling coils, providing warmth in the winter and cooling air in the warmer summer months.
The historic Guildhall building is being restored and redeveloped for the 21st century, with works now reaching the final stages. The building will provide modern business space with public access, conference and events space and retained civic use.
Councillor Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change at City of York Council, said: “It was fantastic to see first-hand some of the work that has taken place to restore the Guildhall and bring this historic building into the 21st century.
“The carbon output of this heating method is much lower than using a traditional gas boiler. Over time, with the greening of the grid, the carbon savings will only increase.
“As a Council, we are determined to play our part in helping to achieve our ambition of becoming a carbon net-zero city. The installation of the River Water Source Heat Pump at the Guildhall is yet another step towards achieving this goal.”
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance and Performance at City of York Council, said: “It makes perfect sense to take advantage of the Guildhall’s unique riverside location to heat large parts of the building.
“Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of the renovation works. Through the installation of the River Water Source Heat Pump, we are making sure the Guildhall restoration project delivers environmental gain alongside the many community and economic benefits.”
Faye Davies, Managing Director of Burrell Foley Fischer architects for the project, said: “As architects we consider carefully our specification choices and their environmental impact. The riverside location of the project provides an ideal alternative energy source for the refurbished and extended building and will significantly reduce its in-use carbon footprint.”
