CATCH names new Director of Education and Training
CATCH has appointed Paul Robinson to the brand new role of Director of Education and Training.
He will lead a team of tutors and industry professionals focusing on pathway development, partnerships with employers, and ensuring that programmes are aligned with current industry needs. He will also play a crucial role in expanding access to training opportunities, supporting learners from diverse backgrounds, and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the workforce.
He said: “I am thrilled to be joining CATCH as the new Director of Education and Training. As the industry continues its journey towards achieving net zero and closing the skills gap, I am honoured to be part of its future and look forward to working within the CATCH team and collaboratively with employers to maximise the positive impact across the sector. It’s an exciting time and CATCH is pivotal in the journey ahead.”
CATCH CEO David Talbot said: “Paul’s expertise and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our mission to train not only new entrants to industry, but also to upskill those that are already making a difference. We are confident that Paul will drive significant growth and success in our skills and apprenticeship programmes.”
Yorkshire SEO firm wins global accolade
Digital growth company The SEO Works, with offices in Leeds and Sheffield, has won the Integrated Search Agency of the Year award at the Global Agency Awards 2024.
CEO Ben Foster said: “Winning Best Global Integrated Search Agency is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the talent and results-focused culture of our hardworking team. We’re delighted to be able to demonstrate our ability to get results for clients with an integrated search strategy on the global stage.”
The Global Agency Awards celebrate the transformative impact of agencies across the globe, highlighting the strategies and campaigns that organisations use to grow in the digital age. Since its inception in 2020, the awards have celebrated top agencies, from creative and design to marketing and public relations.
The judging panel is composed of marketing experts and industry veterans, this year including representatives from Sainsbury’s, Parkdean Resorts, Dunkin’ Donuts and Manchester Metropolitan University. Judging follows a robust two-step judging process that includes pre-scoring to establish a shortlist and judge voting to determine winners.
The judges said: “The SEO Works illustrates the clear correlation between employee satisfaction and client success. The recent work section stands out … showcasing the agency’s innovative solutions and tangible impact. The narrative, prioritising people and highlighting the brilliant ‘strategy on a page’ inclusion, truly resonates, demonstrating a commitment to holistic success.”
At the same event, The SEO Works won a second award for ‘Best PPC Campaign’. The judges said: “The SEO Works clearly demonstrated the need for this campaign with a well-defined business problem and expertly utilised all available tools to create a tailored strategy. Their approach to reinvest the budget into more profitable areas proved highly effective, as evidenced by the significant results. Additionally, their impressive use of first-party data reduced costs, showcasing their strategic ingenuity”.
Meld Energy gets green light for £250m hydrogen production facility at Saltend
Green hydrogen developer Meld Energy has received approval from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to construct a £250 million, 100 megawatt green hydrogen production facility at Saltend in Hull.
Meld Energy is now preparing to build the green hydrogen production facility at Saltend Chemicals Park, a move that will create the capacity to meet up to 30% of the park’s existing hydrogen demand. This significant increase in green hydrogen production will lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by a staggering 125,000 tonnes annually, a substantial step towards a more sustainable future.
Saltend Chemicals Park is a hub for top-tier chemical businesses such as BP Petrochemicals Technology, Vivergo Fuels, Yara, Mitsubishi Chemicals UK, Ineos, and Air Products, as well as the Triton Power station.
Hydrogen can be used as a replacement for natural gas, as a fuel for various modes of transport such as buses, heavy goods vehicles, and cars or as an ingredient for clean hydrogen derived fuels. When burned, it does not produce carbon, which makes it compatible with legislation aimed at addressing climate change. Meld’s green hydrogen will be produced through electrolysis, a process that involves using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is crucial for the chemical industry’s transition to net zero, as it offers a viable path to decarbonisation, especially considering the industry’s significant use of gas.
Meld Energy submitted a bid to access funding from round two of the government’s Hydrogen Production Business Model in April of this year. Successful schemes are expected to be announced later this year, with the government aiming to support up to 875 megawatts of hydrogen production in total.
The Humber region is the UK’s industrial centre and the largest industrial emitter of CO2 in the UK – with over 5% of the UK’s overall emissions and 50% more than the next largest region. This makes it an ideal location for hydrogen production. The provision of cleaner fuels is essential to the region’s journey towards decarbonisation and will provide a vital boost to the local economy, securing jobs and encouraging inward investment.
ABP Humber backs Sailor’s Children’s Society charity for 2024
Associated British Ports Humber has chosen Sailor’s Children’s Society charity to support in 2024.
The Sailor’s Children’s Society supports children whose parent/s are mariners, whether it be Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, fishermen, or those making a life from the sea, canal, or inland waterway.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “ABP supports many local charities, and we are always willing to support initiatives which foster meaningful connections and make a positive impact on the community.
“The Sailor’s Children’s Society is a worthwhile cause and does some great and valuable work. Our support will enable it to continue the work it does to ensure that the Sailor’s Children’s Society can have a positive impact on a child in need.”
Natasha Barley, CEO, Sailors’ Children’s Society said: “We are grateful to Humber Associated British Ports for their kind donation and support of Sailors’ Children’s Society. As a charity that supports seafaring families in times of distress working with Humber ABP is a perfect fit. This funding allows us to help merchant navy families who have experienced the unique challenges that a life at sea can present.
“It’s always really appreciated when companies approach the charity to offer us support because they value and see the importance of our work in the sector. We are looking forward to working more closely with ABP to ensure that merchant navy families get the support they need when a crisis happens.
“We will be using the funding provided to ensure that merchant navy families in financial and emotional crisis receive monthly support with food, gas and electric costs as well as school uniforms, winter clothing and funding for extracurricular activities and school trips that they otherwise could not afford.”
The Sailors’ Children’s Society now join Hull and East Riding Children’s University, Armed Forces North East Lincolnshire, ABP Humber Coastal Half Marathon and 10k, Grimsby and Cleethorpes Sea Cadets, and Immingham Museum.
Farmers offered support for domestic food production
A major package of measures to support farmers and grow the UK’s farming and food sector has been announced by the government.
The package will support domestic food production, boost innovation in the sector supporting it to reach its economic potential, and recruit the next generation of farming and food leaders.
This includes a new Blueprint for Growing the UK Fruit and Vegetable Sector, setting out how industry and government can work together to increase domestic production and drive investment into this valuable sector which is worth more than £4 billion to the UK economy.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: ” This announcements will turbocharge the growth of our horticultural sector supporting the building of cutting-edge glasshouses and innovative farming techniques to put British fruit and vegetables on our plates all-year round.`”
The plan involves:
- Ensuring the sector has access to affordable and sustainable energy and water
- Cutting planning red tape to make it easier and quicker to build glasshouses
- New investment to boost innovation in the sector, where Defra will look to double to £80 million the amount of funding given to horticulture businesses when compared to the EU legacy Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme.
Don’t be caught out over false claims about business rate appeal deadlines, says VOA
The Valuation Office Agency is warning firms not be caught out by false claims suggesting the deadline for business rate appeals is the end of this month.
A spokesman for the office said: “This is not true. You should be wary of anyone making this claim. Firms are generally able to challenge their property valuation on the 2023 list at any time until March 2026.”
The VOA says firms should be cautious of any agent who:
- tries to pressure them to make a decision or sign a contract
- makes claims about ‘unclaimed credits’ or similar
- says they are acting on behalf of the VOA
- demands large sums of money up front
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers see boost to growth prospects
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers are seeing a much stronger picture as they enter the second half of the year with business confidence increasing and the sector forecast to outpace the economy overall in 2024.
The findings come in the Q2 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK. According to the survey, both output and orders have picked up substantially compared to the first quarter and are set to strengthen in the next three months in line with the national picture.
Yorkshire & Humber in particular is set to benefit from increased production in the construction sector, while the renewables sector which also has a strong presence in the region continues to be strong. This better picture is translating into increased recruitment intentions with job prospects especially strong compared to historical levels.
Business confidence has also risen to equal the highest level recorded since the survey started measuring the indicator in 2014. The only previous occasion it reached the current level was during the immediate post covid rebound.
The survey also asked companies to list their top three priorities for the next Government. More than two thirds of manufacturers (69.1%) said delivering an industrial strategy was the top priority, more than half (54.2%) said strengthening EU/UK relations, while almost half (44%) said reducing the business tax burden. This was followed by investment in national infrastructure (31.5%) and reforming the Apprentice Levy (24.1%).
Make UK is forecasting that manufacturing will grow by 1.2% in 2024 but moderate to 0.8% in 2025. GDP will grow by 0.9% in 2024 and 2% in 2025.
Dawn Huntrod, Region Director for the North at Make UK, said: “After the economic and political shocks of the last few years there is now strong confidence among manufacturers in Yorkshire & Humber. At long last, companies can see concrete signs of growth and a much better economic outlook ahead.
“With prices cooling and potential cuts in interest rates to come, the next Government must capitalise on this scenario by delivering a modern, long term industrial strategy which goes beyond the 2030s and has cross Government support.”
Two further tenants secured for Sheffield Catalyst Business Park
British renewable energy group Octopus Energy and accident repair centre Solus have become the latest inward investors to take space at Mirastar’s flagship development Sheffield Catalyst.
Octopus Energy, which is one of the UK’s largest domestic energy providers, has taken 91,923 sq ft at the five unit scheme, while Solus, an Aviva company, adds to its existing bases in the UK with a new regional facility of 22,448 sq ft at Catalyst. Both leases are on market leading terms.
Both companies join surfaces specialist Cosentino and UK award-winning commercial supplier JLA Group at the development fronting Sheffield Parkway. Cosentino relocated into a 33,608 sq ft unit while JLA Group expanded into 109,166 sq ft on site.
Henry Watson, partner at M1 Agency, said: “These lettings demonstrate where Catalyst sits within the market of Sheffield. From inception we set out to provide a best in class product which suited the needs of occupiers and we have been rewarded for our confidence in the product with market leading transactions across the development.
“The unprecedented growth in demand for last mile solutions shown in the wider South Yorkshire conurbations has been triggered by the rise of the convenience economy driven by mobile technology. Proximity to customers is becoming ever important as goods need to be moved quicker and more often, intensifying the demand for space in last-mile locations such as Catalyst Sheffield.”
Rob Brophy of Mirastar added: “Sheffield Catalyst is an important scheme to deliver much needed new industrial warehouse facilities benefiting from excellent ESG credentials and unrivalled prominence and access via the Sheffield Parkway and the M1 Motorway.
“Catalyst represents a continuation of our clear strategy and vision across our portfolio by developing best in class facilities with market leading ESG credentials.”
Daniel Walker at GV&Co added: “Catalyst, Sheffield Business Park continues to go from strength to strength. This recent letting continues the success on the scheme with another household name and highlights the benefits the development offers to occupiers from both a location perspective and specification of the units.”
1.5 million sq ft industrial & logistics development set for Gascoigne Interchange in Yorkshire
Harworth Group has secured a resolution to grant planning permission from North Yorkshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee for the development of a major rail-connected industrial and logistics hub at its 185 acre Gascoigne Interchange site in Leeds.
The approved plans will see the development of up to 1.5 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space at Gascoigne Interchange, in line with the Group’s strategy to increase its direct development of industrial and logistics space from its extensive landbank, and has the potential to deliver up to £190 million gross development value (GDV). The proposal is the delivery of seven units, ranging from 57,000 sq ft to 1 million sq ft, all built to Grade A specification, with Harworth expecting to start on site in 2025. The brownfield site is one of Harworth’s next-generation of development sites and is situated in Selby, to the east of Leeds and adjacent to Sherburn Industrial Estate. It is one of the most strategically located, rail-connected sites in the region, enabling future occupiers to utilise the existing main line rail connection from the site for a wide variety of uses, including low carbon freight movement. The site, which is accessed via Junction 42 of the A1(M), has an extensive collection of rail sidings on either side of Network Rail’s Leeds to Hull main line route, with current operational connections into the northern and southern plots on the site. The rail access to the north of the site offers scope to create a dedicated railhead serving the buildings on site, with the ability to handle containers, bulk commodities or next-generation express freight services, and puts most of the UK within three hours of the site. The plots to the south of the site benefit from 1,200 metres of frontage onto the main line with connections at either end capable of accommodating a major intermodal terminal for on-site and off-site customers. Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive, Harworth Group, said: “Our development at Gascoigne Interchange is another example of Harworth’s unique ability to identify, acquire and transform brownfield sites to generate value, create jobs and increase investment in the region. “This development complements Harworth’s extensive pipeline of industrial and logistics sites and we continue to see high demand for high-specification strategically-connected Grade A industrial space.”Chairman of Leeds-based Bailie Group awarded CBE
Roy Bailie, chairman of Leeds-based Bailie Group and significant contributor to public life and civic society in Northern Ireland, has been awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the economy and opera in Northern Ireland during this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List.
The CBE has in part been awarded to recognise Roy’s contributions to the economy throughout his career. As a Harvard Business School graduate, Roy is a successful entrepreneur and business leader, with over 60 years of experience in senior management and governance in public, private and community organisations.
Roy’s services to the economy are extensive, with previous notable non-executive director roles including on the Court of Directors for the Bank of England, chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, chairman of Northern Ireland Confederation of British Industry (CBI), among others.
Through the success of his own business ventures, including growing his company Baird Group, now known as Bailie Group, to become the fifth biggest privately owned printing group in the UK, the growth of the organisation led to Roy being awarded the Officer of Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to printing in 1996, followed by a Lifetime Achievement Award from The British Printing Industry in 2007.
And now, with the rise of the digital age, the printing industry has contracted, but Roy has led a change in direction of group strategy to focus on communication consultancies and agencies, initially with the acquisition of digital transformation agency, CDS, with others acquired thereafter.
Further to his achievements in business, the CBE has also been awarded for Roy’s contributions to the opera, having served as chairman for Northern Ireland Opera for 14 years, building the organisation from the ground up to widely respected on the global stage, winning international acclaim for productions.
He has been a key influence in developing the talent and education of the opera community, with the board providing the space and tools for individuals to explore their creative skills, to widen the demographic and age range of the audience.
Roy Bailie said: “I feel greatly honoured to have been recognised for my services to the economy. The transformation of Bailie Group over the years is truly astonishing, starting as a technical printing company and expanding into a modern, highly efficient group of agencies and consultancies with the collective mission to improve people’s lives by sharing knowledge.
“My son, Fergus Bailie is the CEO of the group and has recently been appointed the Yorkshire and Humber regional chair of the CBI. I’m exceedingly proud of the success of Bailie Group which Fergus continues to drive forward, by striving to innovate and exceed growth targets for every company in the group. This year, we’re aiming for an ambitious three-year target — £60m turnover and £5m profit.”
Fergus Bailie, CEO of Bailie Group and son of Roy Bailie, said: “It’s fantastic to see Dad’s incredible lifetime achievements recognised in this year’s honours. We’re all extremely proud of him and the work he continues to do both within the industry and for the opera in Northern Ireland.”
Cameron Menzies, NI Opera’s Artistic Director, said: “Roy’s impact on opera in Northern Ireland is almost immeasurable. His extensive business expertise, visionary thinking and dogged determination have resulted in an opera company of which Northern Ireland can be justly proud.”
Roy concluded: “Lastly I’d like to express gratitude to my family, including my wife Paddy, my two children and their partners, and my five grandchildren. I couldn’t have achieved all I have without their support.”
