Rupert Soames is to be the next President of the CBI, and will be formally elected by members at next June’s AGM.
Soames started his career at the General Electric Company and brings to the CBI nearly 40 years’ experience running global businesses in manufacturing, services, IT, and engineering. Having been one of the longest-serving public company CEOs in the UK – including 11 years at Aggreko and nine at Serco – he brings with him a wealth of boardroom experience from some of the biggest companies in the UK.
Currently serving as Chair of FTSE medical technology manufacturer Smith & Nephew, and with over 20 years of board experience, Soames will also provide deep experience in corporate governance.
He said: “I am pleased and honoured to have been nominated to be the next President of the CBI. After a decade of disruption and distraction due to Brexit, Covid, inflation and labour shortages, business and government need to work closely together to deliver a prosperous future where economic growth will lift living standards and sustainably fund the UK’s vital public services.
“The CBI is needed more now than at almost any time in its history, and it will be a privilege to lead the organisation in the coming years.”
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, said: “Rupert is a fantastic advocate for UK business, and I am delighted to enter the new year working alongside someone with his depth and breadth of experience to ensure the CBI delivers a strong voice for our members, trade associations and for the UK business community.
“As we head into 2024, leadership from business is vital in delivering sustainable growth and a positive vision for the UK economy, and I look forward to delivering that together.”
Investment creates enterprise hub in former library exhibition space
An enterprise hub to support businesses in Shipley has been set up in the former exhibition space in the town’s library.
Created at a cost of £80,000 the hub will offer resources and advice to the area’s businesses and start-ups, and the space will also be used for events, meetings and co-working. It will also be part of the Leeds City Region’s Business and IP Centre’s local offering, which offers free advice to businesses based in West Yorkshire.
Opening the new facility Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The Enterprise Hub will be an excellent resource for the local business community, particularly those starting-up or newly-established businesses.
“The space has been fully refurbished with equipment for co-working, as well as access to specialist business databases. The results of the work here are excellent and an example of what can be achieved on the ground for local people when the Towns Fund money is used effectively. I’d like to thank all involved for their hard work and congratulate them on what has been achieved here.”
Adam Clerkin, Chair of Shipley Towns Fund from where the money came, said: “There will be a dedicated business information advisor based here, who will be able to offer advice and guidance as well as training existing staff.
“Shipley has a thriving business community and we’re keen to support it. We’d invite everyone to come down and see what the resource has to offer and how the hub can support the success of local businesses.”
At the opening, teams from the Hub and the library were joined by members of the towns fund board and representatives of the Council, as well as the Leeds region Business & IP Centre.
Hudgell Solicitors to become employee owned
Hudgell Solicitors is to become employee owned following a decision by founder Neil Hudgell to transfer the majority of shares to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
Mr Hudgell, who established the firm in Hull in 1997, says the move is being taken to “embrace the talent” within the business, to “give something back” and to protect its long-term future.
Employees will collectively acquire the majority stake in the business as a group, held on trust, enabling them to become involved in the firm’s decision-making, strategy and direction moving forward, as well as benefitting from future profits.
Mr Hudgell will remain active, but says the time is right to give staff a “direct voice in the management and ownership of the business and its future.”
“Reaching the milestone of 25 years in business resonated with me more than I anticipated it might do, and having reached the age that I have, I turned my mind to the future,” he said.
“There are many law businesses that have been around 50 and 100 years, so my mind now is to create a bit of a legacy.
“The best way to do that, and protect the long-term future of the firm, is by embracing the talent we have in the business, elevating that and giving them more of a direct voice in the management and ownership of the business for the future.
“This will also ensure we retain the culture and ethos of the business, and provide continuity for our team and our clients.”
Mr Hudgell says he is not ready to step away from a business that he still has “plenty of energy and passion for.”
“I don’t expect that people will notice too many immediate changes, certainly from my perspective I’m going nowhere, this is about transitioning over a measured, quite considerable period of time,” said Mr Hudgell.
“I don’t see my role and involvement changing for five years or more, I still have the energy and passion for what I do, I still enjoy the work and I still enjoy the people, that’s not changed. This is all about the next 25 years and beyond.
“My real driver is to encourage and reward the people in the business who have energy and ideas, and with the drive to become more prominent leaders within the business. I want to invest in the people that have helped us achieve what we have achieved so far. It’s time to give them something back.
“One of the things I am most proud of is the number of people who have been here for the majority of the 25 year journey. There is also a good core of people who have been here 20, 15 and 10 years.
“We have a very stable, loyal core workforce and I think it is appropriate that they are given an opportunity to be more central to the ownership, running and decision making at the business.
“Moving forward we need the business to reflect the views of the people that are a bit younger and perhaps have a bit of a different dynamic workwise. It’s about harnessing those different mindsets and different ways of working and encouraging the people with the ideas and energy to help themselves.”
Mr Hudgell will remain on the senior executive team alongside Chief Executive Rachel Di Clemente and the rest of the Executive Management Team.
“The business will continue with the same name, same branding, same approach and same executive team. It is business as usual, but going forward people will have more opportunity to become involved in the journey we are now on. Even though it already feels that way, it will now be our people’s business, not just Neil’s, and that is very positive,” said Mrs Di Clemente.
“I think our people will embrace the opportunity this provides. We are a cohesive team here at Hudgells and this almost formalises how we like to do things, ensuring our colleagues are able to help shape the future of the business and share in its success.”
ABP invests £4.2 in new crane for the Port of Hull
Associated British Ports has invested £4.2 million in a new Liebherr LHM 420 mobile harbour crane for the Port of Hull.
The multi-purpose crane came from Liebherr’s factory at the Port of Sunderland and will be used by Thor Shipping and Transport for general cargo lifts within their stevedoring operation at the port.
ABP is delivering an investment plan that is working to ensure high levels of safety, across its ports alongside improved efficiency and reduced emissions. The Liebherr LHM 420 has a range of features to ensure the comfort of the operator, with its hydrostatic drive enabling precise control of the crane.
The new crane is also equipped with a revolutionary hybrid drive system. Energy from lowering a load, along with surplus power from the conversion drive, is diverted to an accumulator that enables a power boost when required, despite the primary power delivery remaining unchanged, helping to conserve fuel.
Earlier this year ABP launched its sustainability strategy Ready for Tomorrow. Backed by an investment of £2 billion the strategy outlines how ABP will be decarbonising its own operations by 2040 at the latest and supporting major infrastructure projects to enable the wider UK energy transition.
Simon Bird, ABP Humber Regional Director, said: “We are scrutinising every investment we make to ensure we are working towards our Ready for Tomorrow goal whilst meeting the needs of our port tenants and customers. The Humber Ports offer great connectivity to northern markets and a multi-skilled team of stevedores to deliver timely operations safely.
As 2023 comes to a close we look to an even brighter New Year with the Humber playing its vital role in the country’s energy transition and enabling more sustainable trade to our island nation.”
New Government-funded programme to drive growth and innovation in West Yorkshire firms
Leeds Beckett University is partnering in a new Government-funded support programme, to drive innovation and boost the productivity and resilience of West Yorkshire businesses.
Funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, West Yorkshire Business Boost will have its physical base at The Knowledge Exchange business hub at Leeds Beckett University’s city centre Rose Bowl building.
Leeds Beckett academics in The Leadership Centre and Leeds Business School will provide expertise around innovation, growth and leadership development.
The programme is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the West Yorkshire region and aims to provide the knowledge, mentoring and expertise to support the sustainable growth of local businesses. It is designed and delivered by Exemplas with partners Leeds Beckett University, Chamber International, Medilink, and Sustainable X.
Dr Julia Morgan, Head of The Leadership Centre at Leeds Beckett University, explained: “We are proud to be partners in the new Business Boost programme and to welcome a new cohort of businesses into our wider community of support.
“Our work at The Leadership Centre is underpinned by our academic research and industry experience within Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett University.
“We have extensive experience of working successfully with our regional SMEs to embed the leadership capabilities necessary for their businesses to thrive, become resilient, and drive innovation in their industries.”
The programme has three services: Export, Innovation and Leadership.
Nick Palmer, West Yorkshire Business Boost Innovation and Leadership Programme Manager at Exemplas, said: “As we begin work in West Yorkshire, I’m incredibly optimistic about the impact our programme will have on the local business landscape. I’m looking forward to working closely with SMEs and offering them the support and advice they need to thrive.”
Council buys former House of Fraser building in Grimsby
The former House of Fraser building on Grimsby’s Victoria Street West has been bought by North East Lincolnshire Council.
Contracts have been exchanged and the sale, which has been advised by strategic partner Queensberry, also includes a leasehold on an adjacent car park.
The five-storey building sits within the council owned Freshney Place and with a frontage on 9 to 29 Victoria Street West. It has been empty since House of Fraser closed four years ago.
Continuing to see it unused was not an option, said Council Leader Cllr Philip Jackson, who has responsibilities for regeneration and the economy. This purchase, he explained, would provide yet more opportunity for the authority and its partners to look at the redevelopment and diverse use of Freshney Place as a whole.
“In order to effect change, which we all know is needed, we must look at opportunities such as this with a view to shaping and guiding redevelopment. Town Centres across the country have changed almost beyond what any of us would have anticipated and that is what we are determined to do here,” said Cllr Jackson.
“We have a fantastic opportunity to re-invent Freshney Place and complement its retail offer with the new cinema, leisure attractions, and fresh new market. The House of Fraser building will now form an integral part of those plans. This is a good move for the town centre,” he added.
Over the last five years, the reshaping of the town centre has been led by the local authority. Along with partners and stakeholders including the Greater Grimsby Town Board, it has won multi-million-pound funding bids from Central Government.
This money, all ring-fenced for specific projects, has seen the transformation of St James’ Square and Garth Lane with its new footbridge, river dredging and extensive paving and landscaping. Further to that, work has started on the redundant St James’ House with the E-Factor purchasing the building to create a business hub.
This is in addition to the Future High Streets Fund, and projects earmarked for Towns Fund money including the already underway full refurb of Riverhead Square, a plan for new housing at Alexandra Dock and the new OnSide ‘Horizon’ Youth Zone. The latter involves the transformation of the historic redundant buildings along Garth Lane into a state-of-the-art centre for young people.
Meanwhile initial work has now started with Queensberry on the multi-million-pound Freshney Place Leisure & Market Hall Scheme with its new cinema, market, and leisure attractions.
More good news is the arrival, in mid-2024, of a Community Diagnostic Centre. The NHS facility in Freshney Place will bring thousands more people into the town centre every year – with such increased footfall through the town centre presenting more opportunities.
Balfour Beatty Living Places secures £330m Highways Maintenance contract extension from Lincs County Council
Balfour Beatty Living Places has been awarded a £330 million six year Highways Maintenance contract extension by Lincolnshire County Council. The extension builds on the current six year contract which is due to end in 2026, extending it until Spring 2032.
Balfour Beatty Living Places will continue to work closely with the Council to maintain the regions 9,240 kilometres of carriageways, provide drainage cleaning services as well as winter and reactive highways maintenance such as gritting, road repairs and traffic management.
The company will utilise its Operational Control Hub, which launched this year, to monitor all activities in real-time and drive efficiencies across the local road network.
The Hub serves as a platform for teams to promptly address network issues, facilitating real-time digital planning. It empowers efficient organisation of both reactive and emergency works, along with streamlined defect reporting in a dynamic digital environment.
Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: “We are delighted that Lincolnshire County Council have extended our contract by a further six years, testament to the strong relationship we have built.
“Today’s announcement will see us continue to provide a best-in-class highways maintenance service, whilst offering customer focused solutions in a collaborative partnership and leaving a lasting positive legacy for the communities we serve.”
Jonathan Evans, Head of Highways Client and Contractual Management Services, said: “The LCC Executive unanimously voted in favour of extending the contractual arrangement with Balfour Beatty Living Places by a further six years ensuring long term service continuity and allowing both parties to focus on strategic improvements in service delivery.
“In addition to this, we have secured a number of improvements for the residents of Lincolnshire and I’m excited to work with Balfour Beatty to implement these in the near future.”
The contract will continue to employ a workforce of 183, including 10 apprenticeship and graduate positions as part of Balfour Beatty’s commitment to The 5% Club.
Former John Banner department store acquired as plans for Attercliffe regeneration move ahead
Sustainable property company Citu has acquired the historic John Banner department store as part of its wider commitment to the regeneration of Attercliffe.
Purpose-built in 1934 by the retail entrepreneur John Banner, the four-storey building on Attercliffe Road was seen as a key Sheffield landmark whose reputation was synonymous with offering a high-quality shopping experience.
Rumoured to be the very first department store to have an escalator, it created its own Banners’ cheques and currency to allow customers to enjoy credit in store, decades before credit cards became readily available.
After the Second World War, the business was sold by the Banner family and the 48,000 sq ft building was eventually converted into upper floor offices and ground floor retail in the 1980s, as it remains today.
Still home to 25 businesses, the building will now benefit from significant investment to restore some of the former glory to the building fabric, as well as bringing it up to modern energy performance standards.
Citu Founder and Co-Director Chris Thompson said: “We are delighted to confirm the successful acquisition of the iconic John Banner building in Attercliffe. This strategic investment marks a significant step in our commitment to investment in this community.
“The John Banner building holds a significant place in the architectural landscape of the Attercliffe high street, and we are honoured to be entrusted with its stewardship. Our team is excited about the opportunities this acquisition presents, and we are dedicated to preserving the building’s historical significance while introducing modern, innovative elements that align with our vision for sustainable development.”
Originally designed by local firm, Chapman and Jenkinson Architects who were responsible for various buildings around the city in the early 20th century, including the Cutlery Forger’s factory at Owlerton and The Star & Central Picture Houses in Sheffield, the restoration of the John Banner building will preserve the façade to retain its original features.
The John Banner building is a short walk away from the nearby Attercliffe Waterside regeneration project that Citu has a live planning application in for. The 23-acre urban scheme will transform brownfield land either side of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal and aims to be on site in early 2024.
Chris added: “This part of the city has been under appreciated for so long, we wanted to prioritise the leisure and commercial elements that will bring new investment into the district as quickly as possible, and Banners is an integral part of that wider vision.”
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee, said: “This is another really positive step forward for the regeneration of Attercliffe and the wider East End of Sheffield. The Banners building is a local landmark, and it is great to see that an imaginative developer such as Citu has seen its potential.
“Their investment here, together with the major scheme they are bringing forward at Attercliffe Waterside, the work linked to the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and the substantial Levelling Up Fund projects, will transform the area into a fantastic place to work and live and is another perfect example of Sheffield being a city on the up.”
Council seeks developer for East Bank Urban Village
Hull City Council has started its search for a lead developer partner to deliver its East Bank Urban Village project, which is expected to see the creation of 850 new homes, next to the River Hull.
The site has been allocated for high-quality apartments with the opportunity for features such as social rooftop areas and spaces for families, outdoor play and integrated quality private amenity spaces.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “The East Bank Urban Village is an exciting project and one with huge potential to be transformative for the city.
“This can be a benchmark development in terms of high-quality design and improvements in placemaking and building new communities in Hull. It is pleasing that the council is now in a place to start procurement and will soon make the plans become a reality.”
The council’s procurement process will be done through the Homes England DPS Framework.
This approach will assist the council to achieve its overall vision of the City Plan and emerging community strategy.
Leeds-based business manages enhancements to Northallerton healthcare
Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital can now scan 100 more patients every week, following a £3m revamp of part of their radiology department.
Sewell Group’s Community Ventures team, based at Thorpe Park in Leeds, managed delivery of the scheme for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which was part of a national programme to deliver clinical diagnostic services closer to patients’ homes.
The 15-month project saw the old radiology block transformed into a modern hospital department, creating a spoke site for the Tees Valley Clinical Diagnostic Centre programme, which also includes sites in Stockton, Hartlepool, and Redcar.
Community Ventures worked with multiple stakeholders to arrive at the design solution for the new facility, applied for funding to develop the scheme, delivered it in a live hospital environment and coordinated the transfer of clinical services to alternative locations – including a mobile CT scanner in the car park – whilst the works were ongoing.
The result is a state-of-the-art facility, with two CT scanners, including a new £900,000 machine, viewing rooms, a new cannulation room, two new ultrasound rooms and a new dental scan room, as well as changing facilities and an accessible toilet.
As well as giving extra capacity for patients to be seen, helping reduce waiting times and improving health outcomes for patients, the facilities will enable more heart patients to undergo scans at the Friarage, instead of having to travel to other hospitals.
Kelly Smith, head of radiology at South Tees said: “This is fantastic news for our patients across Hambleton, Richmondshire and beyond who will benefit from faster imaging and access to more diagnostic appointments closer to home.
“The new scanner is the highest specification scanner we have got across the whole department and it’s great to see it benefitting our Friarage patients.”
Scott Clarkson of Community Ventures, who project managed the scheme whilst seconded into the Trust’s Capital Projects department, said: “This was anything but a straightforward project, but the results have been amazing to see.
“Arranging the removal of two X-ray machines and the temporary storage of a CT scanner during the works wasn’t easy, but the staff in the department showed incredible flexibility and willingness to adapt during the delivery of the works.
“The scheme is now delivering a significant increase in diagnostics capacity in the region, and knowing that the end result of our work will save so many lives really makes it all worthwhile.”
