UK’s largest-ever electricity ‘superhighway’ will connect Drax to Scots wind farms

Stuart Pearcey
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UK’s largest-ever electricity ‘superhighway’ will connect Drax to Scots wind farms
National Grid Electricity Transmission and SSEN Transmission have formed a JV company that will ultimately build a 270-mile electricity ‘superhighway project’ which will be the UK’s single largest-ever electricity transmission project.

The ‘Eastern Green Link 2’ (EGL2) project will see the creation of a 525kV, 2GW high-voltage direct current subsea transmission cable from Peterhead in Scotland to Drax in North Yorkshire. 

The subsea HVDC cable system is approximately 436km in length with new converter stations at either end to connect it into the existing transmission network infrastructure. HVDC technology provides the most efficient and reliable means of transmitting large amounts of power over long distances subsea. 

The EGL2 link will support the growth of new renewable electricity generation, creating jobs and delivering a pathway to net zero emissions targets, as well as helping to alleviate existing constraints on the electricity network.

Eastern Green Link 2 is part of the significant amount of new network infrastructure required for net zero and will play a critical role in supporting the UK’s future security of supply, reducing dependence and price exposure to volatile global wholesale gas markets.

Carl Trowell, President of UK Strategic Infrastructure at National Grid said: “The government ambition of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 demands unprecedented scale and complexity of action. It’s essential that we find new ways to work and unite as a sector to rise to this challenge and this joint venture with SSEN is a prime example.

“Eastern Green Link 2 is part of our Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the grid in generations. This new infrastructure will connect more clean, renewable energy from where it’s generated to where it’s needed, helping contribute to lower energy bills over the long-term and make the UK’s energy more self-sufficient.”

Sewell Construction wins award for sustainability achievements

Stuart Pearcey
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Sewell Construction wins award for sustainability achievements
Hull-based Sewell Construction has won the sustainability category at the Constructing Excellence in Yorkshire and Humber Awards. The judges were impressed by the company’s commitment to net zero goals, the innovative approaches taken to decarbonising its work, and dedication to delivering social value. Sewell Construction Joint Managing Director Mark Boothby said: “This includes using electric diggers and plant equipment, solar powered cabins on site, maximizing digital technology and replacing diesel with vegetable oil-based fuels. “We also divert 97% of waste from landfill, and have created a community project where over 100 school children created their own bug hotels to enhance biodiversity in their back gardens. “The Sewell Construction team also uses a sustainability tracker, which monitors the benefits to the community from each project. This includes opportunities for young people to be involved, either in apprenticeships and graduate schemes, or through school engagement, volunteering by staff, support for charities and training. “We’re thrilled to have won this award, as it demonstrates the commitment we have to making a difference in the community. “Our whole team is working really hard to make sure every part of our business is as green as sustainable as possible, delivering a positive impact and legacy in our communities wherever we go. “Over the last year, we’ve created over £90 million of socio-economic impact in the Yorkshire region, and we’re not stopping there. We’re determined to keep on making every effort to bring our emissions down, continue creating value in our communities and be at the forefront for sustainability in the construction industry.”

Record growth for firm drawing confidence from crises

Stuart Pearcey
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Record growth for firm drawing confidence from crises

A training business which helps people take confidence from crises is reporting record growth after steering clients through Covid and economic decline.

Debbie Kuhr-Jones, Director of K2 Training Services, said her workload has doubled from the combination of increased demand for remote training and recurring interest in her long-term specialist area of re-training after redundancy. Debbie was driven to setting up the business after experiencing redundancy twice herself. In 1998 she lost her job as a typist so used her pay-off to upskill herself while also picking up various jobs it pay the bills and learn about technology. That commitment led to her becoming training manager at a Hull-based IT company and when that closed in 2007 she decided to go it alone offering specialist Microsoft tuition. As a one-woman business Debbie provides regular work for two freelance trainers with a client base which includes such major employers as the NHS, a number of global businesses with operations in the East Yorkshire area and her own landlord – The Deep Business Centre in Hull. As she delivers services to clients as far afield as London, India, Singapore and the United States, Debbie says she noticed two big changes in the use of technology by big businesses as a result of Covid. She said: “The obvious one has been the use of Teams. Some of my clients are in sectors which never stopped at all during lockdown and they had to have all their training delivered remotely rather than in person in our training suite or at their offices. “I wasn’t sure it would work because sometimes you couldn’t see the people, just their initials on the screen. It’s important to watch them to make sure they are picking everything up, but we got there. In 2020-21 about 75 per cent of our work was on Teams. It’s still big, but now about 85 per cent has gone back to face-to-face work.” The second stand-out change has been a stronger commitment by businesses to train their staff. Debbie’s work for The Deep highlights two scenarios. She said: “We have been doing training for staff at The Deep, filling some of the gaps and training in Excel, Word and Outlook specific to their roles rather than including things that aren’t relevant for them. “We also trained a chef who wanted to move into a different role and suddenly needed to develop his IT skills to work on things like training plans and product contents, dietary requirements and other procedures and policies. “The Deep is one of the majority of businesses which have always been serious about training, but elsewhere there were some employees who had never received formal training on computers. It was just assumed that we all knew how to use them. “If someone’s laptop breaks a company has no qualms about replacing it but when technology changes they rarely show the same commitment to help people use it properly. That changed as a result of lockdown because IT became more important than ever in terms of keeping a business running.”

More than 100 Yorkshire creatives attend free seminar about latest trends in digital advertising

Stuart Pearcey
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More than 100 Yorkshire creatives attend free seminar about latest trends in digital advertising

Cutting-edge trends and techniques in digital advertising pulled in professionals from a wide range of sectors as the latest edition of a free pan-Yorkshire forum focused on creativity.

The seventh of the Power Hour sessions presented by Hull-based agency 43 Clicks North was the first to attract a full house of over a hundred to Social in Humber Street, Hull.

Industry experts from Leeds, Middlesbrough and the hosts tackled the challenges around effective use of creativity in digital advertising. Contacts and clients from sectors including work space design, law, managed IT support and business membership organisations told of their takeaways from the event.

Mike Ellis, Managing Director of 43 Clicks North, announced plans to post the presentations online and develop a podcast service for people who missed out on tickets.

Dave Ellis, co-founder of Leeds-based agency Everything’s Fine, spoke about the quest to delivery thumb-stopping creatives – the ads that make people pause, grabbing the attention when the average user scrolls 300 feet of content a day.

Tom Berridge, Head of Paid Media at 43 Clicks North, underlined the importance of innovation. He said: “There’s no such thing as too much creative. Platforms evolve, companies grow, consumer behaviour shifts. There are a lot of challenges to overcome and the only constant is change. You need to revisit strategy as often as you can.” Power Hour was launched by 43 Clicks North as a post-pandemic initiative to put top tech talent from East Yorkshire alongside some of the key players from bigger cities. All seven sessions have taken place at Social, with interest snowballing among people who work in digital marketing and the businesses they serve. Georgina Barkworth, Marketing Manager at Chameleon Business Interiors, said: “This was my first Power Hour. I am very keen to develop my knowledge in marketing and specifically in advertising and this was a great opportunity to hear three industry experts from across the region and get their insight. “It’s been fantastic listening to them, hearing things we already do and also picking up new ideas that we can try. I left with a bunch of ideas that I can take and run with, and that’s exciting.” Joanne Brady, Digital Marketing Executive at Future Humber, added: “We like to support local events and marketing collaborations and from a personal point of view I always learn something new. It’s a good opportunity to reassure myself that we are doing the majority of it right which is never a bad thing! We knew a lot of the people here and many of them are Bondholders and it’s good to see them working together to expand their own knowledge.” Mike said: “It’s all about building the digital community in East Yorkshire by connecting with top agencies across Yorkshire and beyond, bringing their expertise here and showing what we can do for them. There’s plenty of evidence that businesses in other sectors are applying the knowledge from Power Hour to develop their own digital marketing capabilities, and that’s a great outcome.” The next Power Hour will take place at Social on Friday 7 October.

New online service seeks to support company directors by raising awareness of potential pitfalls

Stuart Pearcey
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New online service seeks to support company directors by raising awareness of potential pitfalls
The Insolvency Service has launched a new online information hub to help company directors push their business forward by being more aware of potential pitfalls. It is specifically designed for directors of micro, small and medium-size limited companies, although it will also be useful to others. Directors of limited companies, unlike sole traders, must comply with certain statutory obligations. These can range from hairdressers and builders with their own companies to directors of mid-sized companies in the IT sector, for example. Examples of the kind of advice available on the information hub here, include:
  • understanding company finances, director duties and obligations.
  • how to recognise early warning signs of financial distress.
  • how and when limited company debts can become personal debts.
The new information hub was developed after Insolvency Service research found that company directors wanted a single online hub to host clear and concise guidance, with signposts to more detailed guidance and support where needed. As well as direct research with company directors, the project also worked closely with teams in HMRC and Companies House, business finance specialists at Royal Bank of Scotland, and business groups including The Directors Helpline, the Institute for Turnaround, the Institute of Directors, and the Federation of Small Business. Leanne Webb, project lead at the Insolvency Service, said: “Our research found that too many company directors struggled to locate the existing guidance that they needed, and that it was often complicated or overwhelming when they did.

“We hope this new one-stop shop provides the solution and helps directors take their companies in a positive direction.”

Jonathan Cooper from The Directors Helpline said: “The launch of the Directors Hub is a welcome tool in the current climate for Directors of all types and sizes of businesses. We have been pleased to be recognised by the Insolvency Service as an important part of its development, due to the number of Directors we help on a monthly basis and will continue to support its ongoing development.”

Scheme attempts to get ex-offenders into work with household name companies

Stuart Pearcey
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Scheme attempts to get ex-offenders into work with household name companies
Hundreds of prisoners are being encouraged to take jobs in the retail and logistics sector on release to plug skills gaps in entry level roles, helping reduce reoffending while supporting businesses. ‘Unlocking Retail and Logistics’ events were held in over 30 prisons across England and Wales with the aim of helping British businesses fill some of the estimated 1 million vacancies in the UK by employing qualified prison leavers. Events were run by businesses including supermarket giants The Cooperative and Iceland plus well-known retailers and logistic companies such as Oliver Bonas, Greggs, and DHL. The campaign is part of a wider drive from the government to get more prison leavers into work as evidence shows it grows the economy and cuts crime. Ex-offenders in full time employment are up to nine percentage points less likely to reoffend when released and more than 90% of surveyed businesses who employ prison leavers report they are motivated, have good attendance and are trustworthy. Not only does this grow the economy but by keeping prison leavers on the straight and narrow it also helps tackle the £18 billion annual cost of reoffending and cut crime. Prisons Minister Damian Hinds said:
There is a golden opportunity right now for companies working to fill vacancies by taking on prison leavers. Not only does it help grow the economy but it is proven to cut crime.

Over 90% of businesses employing prison leavers report they are motivated and trustworthy – making them prime candidates to plug some of the current skills gaps in the UK.

Red Arrows fly-past marks opening of newly built dye bay facility

Tess Egginton
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Red Arrows fly-past marks opening of newly built dye bay facility
The Red Arrows staged a fly-past over RAF Waddington to celebrate the opening of a new £3.6m facility to help prepare the aircraft for the team’s exciting displays. Eight of the iconic Hawk T1A jets flew over their home station to mark the opening of the new Dye Bay facility, built on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) by VIVO Defence Services and Henry Brothers Construction. The facility, which is next to RAF Waddington’s runway, formed part of a pre-planned aerobatic training flight at their home base on Thursday. The 260m2 facility is the first of its type built to enable an aerial display team to carry out the critical maintenance required on the aircraft’s dye pods. It features a purpose-built plant to create the famous red, white and blue plumes, cleaning and washdown areas, a maintenance workspace, storage for spare parts and office space. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, formed in 1964, recently completed its move from RAF Scampton, in Lincolnshire, to nearby RAF Waddington. Wing Commander Adam Collins, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “Colourful smoke trails are a vibrant feature of displays and flypasts by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. The trails have an important flight safety role too. They allow the pilots to judge wind speed and direction and to locate other aircraft when different sections of the team’s formation are several miles apart. “Responsible for replenishing the Red Arrows’ smoke pods are two dedicated dye teams. Working to tight timescales, these engineers ensure the red, white and blue trails look the part when Red 1 calls ‘Smoke on, go!’. “The official opening of the new dye bay marks a step change in the quality of infrastructure and working environment for dye team personnel. The new bespoke facility allows the critical processes of smoke-pod maintenance and servicing to take place in better surroundings, increasing efficiency and safety. “The project is a real team achievement between VIVO, Anderson Green, Henry Brothers, DIO and RAF Waddington Works Services and ensures that the Red Arrows’ signature red, white and blue trails will delight and inspire global audiences for years to come.” Adell Vass, DIO Regional Delivery Central Region Head, added: “The Red Arrows are such a beloved element of our national identity that to provide support to their 2023 Display Season, on their relocation to RAF Waddington is to be celebrated. “This team came together, to successfully deliver both a temporary and permanent complex Dye Bay solution, at short notice and to tight timescales. The collaboration and engagement by all parties was key to this success and I am very proud of their achievements.” VIVO Defence Services acted as the Principal Designer and Contractor on the £3.6m project and Henry Brothers were contracted to carry out the construction. Other members of the team included lead designers Anderson Green, whose team included CBP Architects, civil and structural engineer Hexa and Fuels consultants BPS Ltd. Jerry Moloney, VIVO Managing Director, said: “Everybody loves the Red Arrows and to be able to watch them carry out a fly-past over something your organisation has been involved in is just incredible. “We at VIVO led the construction of this building with a number of partners and the Red Arrows are so pleased with what has been produced they wanted to mark the occasion in this way, that is amazing and well done to everyone involved.” Ian Taylor, Henry Brothers Construction Managing Director, added: “The Red Arrows are famous around the world, and we were very excited to have been appointed to build a maintenance facility at the new home of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. The dye pod facility is absolutely crucial in helping the display team to create the famous plumes that we see in the air when the Red Arrows perform their amazing aerobatics. “Henry Brothers has strong links with RAF Waddington, having worked on several different schemes at the base, and we are proud to have supported the Red Arrows in the team’s next chapter, helping them to continue to provide the breath-taking air displays that they are renowned for.” As the new home of the Red Arrows, RAF Waddington will receive further investment under the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) AIR Programme. The project will deliver refurbishment and modernisation of over 8000 m2 of existing infrastructure including space for aircraft parking and runway access as well as maintenance capabilities, a refurbished aircraft hangar and office space. Plans also include new, modern Single Living Accommodation (SLA) to replace the existing life-expired accommodation as part of a wider scheme to deliver replacement SLA across a number of projects. The uplift in facilities will see about 150 additional personnel operating from the site once complete.

Greener future ahead for cleaning product manufacturer following £175,000 investment

Tess Egginton
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Greener future ahead for cleaning product manufacturer following £175,000 investment

A West Yorkshire cleaning product manufacturer which supplies the hospitality and leisure sectors has secured £175,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire.

The Proton Group was established more than 50 years ago and specialises in cleaning products for the hospitality sector. Known for innovation they work closely with many of the UK brewers and have unique product and educational offerings.

The Proton Group employs more than 25 people at its manufacturing plant which includes warehousing and distribution facilities. The business is targeting £5m turnover this year.

Managing Director Murray Angus says the investment from Finance Yorkshire’s Business Loans Fund will support the company’s growth strategy as it develops new, innovative products which are more environmentally friendly. 

He said: “The investment gives us a cash boost to invest in our plant and equipment while also working on new products for our customers. Innovation is important to us, and we have just seen the launch of a new specialist product range that will be used by technicians within the trade, aimed at saving money and time for the brewers.

“We have a focus on sustainability and currently pursuing how we can support this both with alternative packaging solutions and less harmful chemicals.”

Alex McWhirter, Chief Executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: “The Proton Group is a well- established Yorkshire business with a strong track record of innovation and product development which has been integral to its success over the last five decades.

“We are pleased to support the company as it continues to innovate and win new contracts in its target markets.”

West Yorkshire business joins forces with university to revolutionise water monitoring

Tess Egginton
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West Yorkshire business joins forces with university to revolutionise water monitoring
Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with Aquatrust Water and Ventilation Limited on an innovative new project to create a bespoke remote system to monitor water for Legionella bacteria. Aquatrust are a water hygiene and treatment business employing around 40 staff, based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. They will work with academic experts in water quality, robotics, and artificial intelligence at Leeds Beckett on a 32-month Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. Aquatrust are experts in the field of water hygiene, water treatment, water regulations and Legionella control. They currently provide on the ground services to local authorities, housing associations, the care sector, schools, and the private sector across the UK. Reducing Legionella is the responsibility of every building owner and manager and Aquatrust are a key part of the process that mitigates risk against this potentially fatal form of pneumonia. Dr Martin Pritchard, Reader in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing and project lead, said: “Aquatrust are a visionary business who want to revolutionise the current industry practice of on-site measurement services to clients. “Through the KTP, we will create a novel remote management capability to enable Aquatrust to remotely monitor conditions to prevent the formation of Legionella in water pipework systems – but with the opportunity to expand into other monitoring areas. Using their own bespoke hardware monitor devices and integrated software, they will be able to report and analyse results and proactively mitigate risk for clients. This remote solution will be more cost-effective, less labour intensive, and far better for the environment.” As part of the KTP, new skills and capabilities will be introduced into Aquatrust, including hardware and software development and transitioning colleagues from on-site monitoring roles to more consultancy-led opportunities. Dr David Love, Course Director for Electronics and Robotics Engineering in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing, said: “Importantly, all current Aquatrust staff will be retained and will be upskilled. Supporting life-long learning is at the heart of what we do at Leeds Beckett University and this is a great example of a local company investing in the long-term skills of its staff as new technologies change the way an established business works.” The KTP aims to create a new, more sustainable business model for Aquatrust, where they become a solutions provider as well as a service provider, developing their own in-house products and services. Paul Kenny, Sales Director at Aquatrust, said: “I’ve been enthusiastic about introducing new innovations and improvements within the business for some time – for example, I’ve been introducing Internet of Things remote solutions for our compliance checks on water systems, and have been setting up a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to help support our sales team to be more dynamic. “I took part in the Help to Grow: Management programme delivered by Leeds Beckett last year. This really supported me with the ideas and know-how to improve the business further and develop my skills as a director. I was also connected to the KTP team and academic experts in our field through taking part in the programme.” Dr Pritchard has more than 20 years of experience working in water quality in industry and academia. His research includes the application and monitoring of novel water purification systems for developing countries. Jo Griffiths, Head of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at Leeds Beckett University, added: “There is high demand for innovation in this field and this project directly aligns to the UK government’s agenda to foster a robust economy, boost innovation and productivity and for levelling up regional economies.” The KTP will begin with the recruitment of a full-time KTP Associate, who will be an experienced graduate, and will be embedded as a full-time member of staff at Aquatrust for the duration of the project. The Associate will lead the project, with the full support and input from the academic team at Leeds Beckett.

Future of Leeds law firm secured, safeguarding 540 jobs

Tess Egginton
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0
Future of Leeds law firm secured, safeguarding 540 jobs
The future of Plexus has been secured following a sale of the business and certain assets out of administration to Axiom Ince Limited. James Clark and Rick Harrison of Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Plexus Legal LLP and Plexus Law Limited, and James Clark and Blair Nimmo of Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Plexus North LLP on 7 July 2023. Headquartered in Leeds, Plexus is a defendant law firm with a national footprint which specialises in the handling and litigation of insurance claims. Plexus Legal LLP operates via six offices in Chelmsford, Evesham, Leeds, London, Liverpool and Manchester and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Plexus North operates from one office in Edinburgh and is regulated by the Law Society of Scotland (LSS). Plexus Law is the limited company set up under the Alternative Business Structure as part of the 2007 legal reforms which allow law firms to be owned by non-lawyers. The group was incorporated in 2017, acquiring certain business and assets of the former legal business Paribas law. Following the acquisition, a new management team was introduced to the business which thereafter detected financial irregularities in relation to historical financial performance. After a forensic review, it was discovered that contingent fees were over-recognised in the group’s accounts leading to an overstatement of profits in FY20 and FY21. Filing of the FY21 statutory accounts was delayed as a result of the forensic investigation and the arising adjustments reduced previously reported profits to a loss-making position. This prompted a significant cash requirement which was then further exacerbated both by the impact of COVID-19 and declining sales in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As a result of this, Interpath Advisory was approached to examine the options available for Plexus including new investment or sale. A number of parties expressed an interest in the business, including Axiom. Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators concluded a sale of the businesses and certain assets to Axiom. As part of the transaction, 520 employees and 20 fixed share partners have transferred to Axiom. James Clark, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Undoubtedly, it has been a very difficult few years for Plexus, and so we’re pleased to have been able to conclude this transaction which not only secures the future of the business, but importantly secures 540 jobs without any need for redundancies. “Right from their initial expression of interest, Axiom were determined and committed to acquiring the practice, safeguarding jobs and importantly, helping to protect client interests.” James Clark added: “We’d like to thank all stakeholders for their work in delivering this complex transaction, and wish everyone at Axiom all the very best for the future.”
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