Yorkshire Building Society colleagues raise over £48,000 taking on Yorkshire Three Peaks
Yorkshire Building Society colleagues helped to raise over £48,000 for FareShare, the UK’s largest charity tackling the environmental problem of food waste for social good, by taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Over 240 colleagues took part in a gruelling 10 or 26 mile walk, in torrential rain, wind and even some sunshine, to raise money for the Society’s charity partner.
The money raised will fund Building Skills for the Future programmes in seven of FareShare’s regional centres, including London, Bristol, Merseyside, Milton Keynes, Yorkshire, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. The employability programme supports people who are unemployed into good, sustainable work, addressing one of the root causes of poverty. The Building Skills for the Future programme offers participants coaching, support, practical workshops and work experience to help them to gain full-time employment.
In addition, the partnership will fund an outreach programme offering free, face-to-face sessions and workshops helping participants overcome financial hardship by supporting the building of important skills such as CV writing, job searching and improving financial wellbeing. It is hoped that the two programmes will help 2,500 people improve their employability and help them become more financially resilient.
Tom Simpson, Managing Director of YBS Commercial Mortgages, said: “The walk itself was really challenging but everyone was so determined to complete it and raise as much money as possible for FareShare, Yorkshire Building Society’s charity partner.
“We’re delighted that we’ve managed to raise over £48,000 so far, which will help towards our target of raising £1million to fund Building Skills for the Future programmes that will help to lift over 2,500 people out of financial hardship.”
Polly Bianchi, Director of Fundraising at FareShare, said: “We’re hugely grateful to all the Yorkshire Building Society colleagues who took on this challenge in support of FareShare.
“The Building Skills for the Future employability programme, funded by Yorkshire Building Society, will help thousands of people seek long-term employment, as part of our important work to provide a hand up not a hand out to communities across the UK.”
IT and telecoms specialist invests £30k into new site at Slaithwaite’s Globe Mill
Yorkshire IT and telephony expert, Probado, has signed a lease on the Globe Mill building in the heart of Slaithwaite as it continues to expand its nine-strong team and operations.
The move sees Probado take on three offices within the mill across a combined space of 900 sq ft, with a £30k investment into a bespoke fit-out with new furnishings, automatic height adjustable desks, video conference facilities and gaming area for the team to unwind.
Thanks to continued revenue growth, increasing its client portfolio by 20 per cent this year, and the expansion of its technical services team with three new starters in the last 12 months, a larger space was required for the firm, which celebrates its 17th birthday this year.
The partnership with Globe Mills was strengthened when Probado won the contract to support The Globe, and some of its clients, with network and telephony services.
Gordon Maclean, director and co-founder of Probado, said: “We are excited about this move to The Globe which provides us with the space and facilities to support our growing team and ambitions.
“The location in Slaithwaite town centre offers brilliant local food and shopping options, walking routes and rail links and we are confident that it will be a great place for the team and customers alike.
“We have invested in new furnishings and barista training for all staff from Darkwoods Coffee, a local brand renowned for its high-quality coffee, to ensure we are creating a happy, modern and attractive environment for our team to work from.
“We’re also thrilled with the new IT contract with The Globe, this further solidifies our relationship with them, providing us both with new and exciting opportunities to flourish and support fellow West Yorkshire businesses.”
Drax Foundation shares £500k with non-profit organisations
The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax Group, has given £505,070 to seven non-profit organisations across the regions in which it operates in England and Scotland, including almost £50k to a biodiversity project in Selby.
Shona King, Drax’s Head of Community, said: “This latest round of donations will make a tangible difference to communities in England and Scotland. The projects we are supporting range from restoring ancient hedgerows in Northampton to helping young people from rural communities in Argyll to build their Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills.”
The Drax Foundation operates in the UK, USA and Canada. It is focused on funding initiatives that deliver education and skills development in STEM, those that improve green spaces and enhance biodiversity within local communities and improve access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in areas of low social mobility.
Shona continued: “Last year we launched the Drax Foundation and we are excited about the opportunity to build on the progress we have made to ensure that more people can develop their STEM skills, have access to quality local green spaces, and be lifted out of fuel poverty through access to affordable renewable energy, and energy efficiency measures”.
In England, the Foundation has donated a total of £227,002 across three projects including:
- Project: WILD C.I.C, £49,502, Selby: Project: WILD C.I.C is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to addressing declining biodiversity in Yorkshire and supporting young people with mental illnesses. The Foundation’s funding will see the social enterprise deliver its ‘Eco Leaders’ project to increase understanding of local green spaces with young people in the Selby area.
- Canal & River Trust, £27,500, Northampton: The Canal & River Trust is the charity looking after 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and Wales. The Foundation’s funding will enable the Trust to run a programme restoring ancient hedgerows in Northampton, mobilising a volunteer programme including training in hedge laying techniques.
- Energy Sparks, £150,000, England: Energy Sparks, is an energy education charity. The Foundation’s funding will increase the number of schools which can access Energy Sparks free of charge. Energy Sparks works with schools and pupils to understand energy usage and saving through real life data from their school.
Leeds ice cream manufacturer gobbled up
Bidcorp UK has acquired the trade and assets of Northern Bloc Ice Cream, an independently run ice cream manufacturer supplying retail and food service customers including Booths, the National Trust and Wagamama.
The Leeds-based business, which opened its doors in 2014, offers a range of quality and natural products including vegan, bespoke and bold ice creams in various innovative flavour profiles. They also have a low-sugar ice cream range for children and an ice cream for dogs supporting the Dogs Trust.
Northern Bloc will join Bidcorp UK’s network of manufacturing businesses, which includes Simply Food Solutions and Yarde Farm, and will continue to trade under its well established name.
Jim Gouldie, Supply Chain and Technical Services Director at Bidfood UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Dirk Mischendahl, Managing Director, and the Northern Bloc team to our Bidcorp UK family.
“Their passion, ethical ethos and reputation for providing great-tasting products at an excellent service completely resonates with our core mission and values. We look forward to supporting the team and expanding their brand presence through multiple routes to market.”
Dirk Mischendahl, Managing Director at Northern Bloc, added: “We are very excited about joining the Bidcorp UK group and having the opportunity to continue the journey we started in 2014, creating great flavours and making ice cream centre of plate!”
Sheffield law firm wins place on housing investment communities framework
Sheffield law firm Shakespeare Martineau has secured a place on the Communities and Housing Investment Consortium legal services framework.
Louise Drew, partner and head of building communities at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are extremely proud to have been appointed to CHIC’s relaunched legal panel. This opportunity allows us to offer a comprehensive suite of legal support to CHIC’s members over the next four years.
“The current housing landscape presents significant challenges, with a national shortage of affordable and social homes that is expected to grow. In this rapidly-changing market, registered providers require robust advice and innovative solutions to meet the increasing demand.
“Our specialist legal and non-legal teams are dedicated to advising delivery partners of affordable and social housing in all facets – from securing development finance and innovative structures to collaborative working and managing the sale or rental of properties.
“This appointment is testament to the quality of our people and our unwavering commitment to supporting our clients in the social housing sector as they navigate both the challenges and opportunities presented to them.
“We look forward to contributing to the CHIC and supporting its members in their mission to deliver exceptional services to residents.”
CHIC is a member-owned and governed consortium that delivers compliant procurement solutions and commercial support to members. The consortium secures savings for members and is committed to the delivery of improved environmental outcomes and added social value.
Over the next four years, the 24-strong panel will share work with an estimated value of £50 million. The framework has four ‘lots’ covering corporate, governance and finance; housing and asset management; development; and property.
CHIC, formed in 2010 as a not-for-profit organisation, supports housing providers and local authorities to ensure they can provide the best service to their residents.
UK is leaving the 2020 inflation crisis, says BCC Head of Research
British Chambers of Commerce Head of Research David Bharier says data showing CPI easing to the Bank of England’s 2% target, is a further sign that the UK is exiting the inflation crisis which began in late 2020.
He said: “It provides additional weight for an interest rate cut in the coming months, something which will be welcomed by firms of all shapes and sizes.
“Our research has shown that a steadily declining number of businesses are concerned about inflation, from a record peak of 84% in mid 2022. This is positive news, but prices are not falling, just rising more slowly, and the economic outlook remains challenging. Our latest forecast expects inflation to nudge back up again to 2.3% by the end of the year.
“To restore economic growth and stability, policymakers should focus on the long-term. Our election manifesto outlines a 5-point plan for immediate action by the new government. We need a green industrial strategy, better skills planning, business rate reform, improved relations with the EU, and support for SMEs to embrace AI.
“Our manifesto has been welcomed by all the main parties and gives a clear blueprint for action after July 4th.”
Manufacturing employers come together for awards ceremony
Manufacturing and engineering employers have celebrated some of the sector’s brightest younger stars at a packed awards ceremony held at Leeds Beckett University’s Rose Bowl building.
The Leeds Manufacturing Festival Awards, now in their third year, showcase the talent and outstanding contribution of younger people to the industry in West Yorkshire. This year’s awards saw a record number of nominations from employers keen to reward and celebrate the achievements of outstanding apprentices and other team members.
Scooping the award for Future Manufacturing Leader, sponsored by Leeds City Council, was Kieran Dinsdale, operations supervisor at packaging manufacturer Greyhound Box.
Kieran, who joined the company as an apprentice 10 years ago, was singled out to receive the award for his creativity, professionalism and outstanding leadership qualities.
MD Louise O’ Brien said: “Kieran leads a team of 12 and commands respect from everyone he works with. He is composed, patient, intelligent and highly skilled; a real asset to Greyhound Box and someone who always upholds our values and culture.”
The Apprentice of the Year award, sponsored by engineering apprenticeship benchmarking organisation Next Gen Makers, went to Dan Brodie of electrical control panel designer and manufacturer Bensons Panels. An apprentice panel wirer who has been with the business for just over a year, Dan is in the second year of his level 3 electrical fitter apprenticeship with the company.
This year’s Employers of the Year, sponsored by E3 Recruitment, were selected for their commitment to employees and investment in people development. They were named as energy equipment and solutions firm Schneider Electric in the large employer category, with FaberExposize UK named as SME Employer of the Year. The company specialises in large-format printed flags and banners for outdoor sporting events, festivals, major retail and automotive brands.
A special award of Manufacturing Ambassador went to Graham Cooper, formerly site director at Agfa UK’s Leeds plant. The award recognised Graham’s role in initiating the Leeds Manufacturing Festival and his contribution in raising the profile of the sector.
The trophy was presented by Chris Black, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the manufacturing employers sponsoring this year’s festival: Greyhound Box, Leeds Welding Company. MPM, Sound Leisure, Saftronics, Bensons Panels and Kirkstall Precision Engineering.
HullBID launches networking opportunity for hospitality businesses
HullBID has launched a venture designed to offer city centre hospitality businesses a helping hand and bring together the wider membership for a new networking opportunity.
The HullBID Supper Club was unveiled with a launch at Bilocca – the new training restaurant at Hull College – and will be rolled out from next week with a first season of six dates at destinations including local independents and big brands.
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “Our new supper club is a great opportunity for our members to network in a relaxed and informal setting and at the same time to support some fabulous city centre eateries.
“We will be covering a variety of dining styles and cuisines and each venue has agreed to put together a bespoke, discounted menu for us, with HullBID providing a complimentary welcome drink at each event. The response from restaurants and guests has been really enthusiastic and we’re expecting demand to increase as the supper club becomes established.”
The first HullBID Supper Club will takes place on Wednesday June 26 at Bert’s Pasta Bar in Humber Street. Further events will take place every month through to November.
BID members were given a taste of what to expect with an exclusive lunch at Bilocca, named in honour of Lilian Bilocca and her fellow Headscarf Revolutionaries, who campaigned to improve safety for working at sea.
Kathryn said: “The preview event at Bilocca is the perfect place to launch what we’re doing because it shows what Hull College is doing to address the issues in the hospitality sector.
“Young people and adult learners can learn all aspects of the hospitality and put them into practice in a real restaurant setting. Everything we have seen suggests they will all be an asset to any hospitality business as they embark on their careers. All the feedback from our guests indicates they will be coming back to Bilocca for a second helping!”
Debra Gray, Principal and Chief Executive at Hull College, said: “In relaunching the restaurant we thought about our city and our roots and about the work of Lil Bilocca and her fellow Headscarf Revolutionaries who fought for their men and the fishing industry in which they worked.
“Our brand is based around their headscarf knot and features in our marketing, menus and as etchings on the windows. The famous Headscarf Revolutionaries mural takes pride of place on our wall.
Samantha Dunion, General Manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Hull, said: “The HullBID Supper Club is a great idea. It’s an opportunity to network in a different environment and to welcome so many businesses into our world.
“We work with Hull College a lot and Bilocca is the pinnacle of what we are all trying to achieve. It’s enabling young people to showcase what they can do and develop their talents ready for coming into my industry.”
Phil Ascough, who co-founded the Monday Night Supper Club in 2014, said: “From day one we were all about bringing businesses together to support the hospitality sector and we were delighted when HullBID launched their own initiative.
“We estimate we’ve generated more than £150,000 plus repeat business for restaurants and café bars over the last 10 years but it’s not enough, we’ve lost some fantastic venues and we welcome anything that helps to keep the sector afloat.
“We extend across a wider area but we’ll still be visiting city centre venues and we’ll definitely be booking in at Bilocca and supporting Hull College in training the hospitality professionals of the future.”
Sustainable aviation fuel project set for Saltend
px Group has revealed that OXCCU will develop a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) demonstration plant at its Saltend Chemicals Park in the Humber that will convert carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
OXCCU is a carbon-to-value company that develops catalysts and processes to convert carbon dioxide and green hydrogen into fuels, chemicals and plastics.
The climate-tech spin-out from the University of Oxford has demonstrated the world’s first direct carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation process, turning CO2 directly into aviation fuel range hydrocarbons, also known as SAF, with minimal oxygenate byproducts.
The project presents a novel approach to SAF production simplifying a multi-step process to a single step.
OXCCU will now build a First-of-a-Kind (FOAK) demonstration plant at Saltend Chemicals Park, which will be fed by biogenic carbon dioxide, and green hydrogen. The plant is expected to produce 160 kilos (200 litres) of liquid fuel per day, of which the majority will be SAF.
The approach directly aligns with the Advanced Fuel Fund’s objective to use carbon dioxide as a carbon source for SAF production due to feedstock concerns at scale with the other biofuel SAF routes.
px Group will provide the engineering design and construction of the Outside Battery Limits (OSBL) support facilities as well as operations and maintenance when the plant is up and running. The plan is for operations to start in 2026.
The project has been announced at a time when the UK Government has developed a framework to cement the UK’s status as a world leader in SAF, with a SAF mandate and a revenue certainty scheme to boost uptake and help create jobs.
The Government has committed to having at least five commercial SAF plants under construction in the UK by 2025, viewing low or zero emission technologies as key to sustainability targets.
Geoff Holmes, CEO of px Group, said: “We are truly excited to be working with OXCCU on a world’s first project that will shape the long-term sustainability of the UK aviation industry.
“At px Group we are passionate about cutting CO2 emissions and helping the UK to meet its sustainability ambitions.
“This groundbreaking project with OXCCU further meets this commitment and demonstrates the confidence in Saltend as a pioneering centre for industrial decarbonisation projects.”
Andrew Symes, CEO of OXCCU, said: “The strategic combination of OXCCU’s highly efficient novel catalyst and process with px Group’s world leading facilities creates the perfect environment for us to scale-up.
“This project will demonstrate CO2 and hydrogen directly converted into jet fuel-range hydrocarbons and the potential for much lower cost SAF.
“We look forward to working with px Group on this exciting step for the global aviation industry.”
The announcement with OXCCU follows the Hydrogen-to-Humber H2H Saltend decarbonisation project recently being granted planning permission. Equinor’s H2H Saltend is a 600-megawatt low carbon hydrogen production plant with carbon capture, one of the first of its kind and scale to be granted planning permission in the UK, helping to establish the Humber as an international hub for low carbon hydrogen whilst significantly reducing carbon emissions.
px Group is backed by Ara Partners, a private equity company specialising in decarbonisation investments. OXCCU is backed by investors including IP group (Kiko), Clean Energy Ventures, United Airlines, Eni, Aramco Ventures and Trafigura.
Seaford chef Amy to appear at Port of Grimsby Heritage Open Day
Grimsby-born seafood chef Amy Salisbury is to be one of the headliners at the Port of Grimsby Heritage Open Day on September 14th representing the Made Great in Grimsby brand.
Theme for the day is a celebration of trade routes and connections, exploring the major roles the port has played over the years and to the present day with global connections.and who will be cooking up a storm in the marquee with a seafood demonstration alongside Grimsby’s Master Fishmonger, Ivan Jaines-White.
Simon Bird, ABP’s Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “Our heritage open days grow year on year and it’s great to see the support made by visitors all interested in the amazing work being carried out in our port at Grimsby.
“We’re pleased to see the seafood sector represented and we can’t wait to see what Amy will be cooking. The event this year will be spectacular as more of the buildings have been transformed and visitors will have an opportunity to explore inside.”
Amy Salisbury, founder of seafood brand Particular & Co, and Ambassador of Made Great in Grimsby said: “I’m looking forward to you all joining me on my fishy mission in my hometown of Grimsby at this year’s Heritage Open Day.
“I’ll be talking all things fish and cooking up some fishy delights that will inspire you to get cooking our delicious seafood at home. I’m thrilled to be representing the Grimsby Fish Merchants Association’s Made Great in Grimsby at this year’s Heritage Open Day, together we can show how Great Grimsby really is!”
Ivan Jaines-White was awarded Master Fishmonger accreditation in 2019 by the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers. He has had a long and varied history with the seafood sector in the town, and currently delivers filleting training courses at the Seafood Village as a consultant to the industry.
The Made Great in Grimsby brand signifies the scale and importance of the Grimsby seafood processing sector that today directly employs over 5,500 jobs in the region and supports employment of over 10,000 job roles in the supply-chain. Trade in sustainable fish and seafood for all over the world is important to the cluster with much of its seafood arriving in the ABP ports of Grimsby and Immingham.
