- The Chair in Qualification for Fusion will address fundamental engineering challenges in the qualification of components, fabricated assemblies and systems for use within future fusion power plants.
- The Chair in Fusion Materials will focus on innovation in materials design and processing to improve power plant performance and the decommissioning and recycling of new materials.
University of Sheffield to work in partnership with UKAEA on fusion energy project
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the University of Sheffield will work in partnership to drive the development of fusion technology and the UK’s future fusion industry.
The collaboration will see the University of Sheffield appoint two chairs in fusion research and development, and establish new research programmes to address global fusion challenges:
Battery company recruits production teams for South Yorkshire manufacturing facility
The Ultimate Battery Co has started producing batteries at its site at Thurcfroft in South Yorkshire with the first products being dispatched this month.
It’s making starter, lighter, and ignition batteries for vehicles, and hopes to be employing 500 skilled workers by 2026.
A recruitment drive is under way for various roles in the first of a series of production teams, and recruitment will continue over the forthcoming months as production ramps up.
Maurizio Cunningham Brown, Founder and Global CEO of UBC, said: “The site at Thurcroft is the ideal location for our first facility. It combines the benefits of local industry knowledge, good transport links, and a strong workforce ethic. It is close to our research partnership with the AMRC and The University of Bradford, as well as strongly supporting the commitment from the South Yorkshire MCA to net zero manufacturing. It is a quantum leap for the company and will support the government’s objectives to achieve net zero and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”
Production of UBC’s patented and cutting-edge battery modules has started, with the first order being dispatched in March 2023. Currently, the company is making substantial investment in the site to create a state-of-the-art facility. This includes the evaluation and installation of renewable energy solutions. Additionally, UBC have begun their next round of funding.
The batteries it makes are lighter and more energy dense than other types, using the company’s own Duophasic technology, involving a modular design making the battery suitable for vehicles of all sizes, from electric scooters to trains and planes.
UBC’s = battery products are designed for a sustainable economy. Locally-sourced materials with a high recycled content are used and, at end of life, up to 95% of material is recovered for re-use. The manufacturing process uses innovative techniques to ensure quality and minimise waste. UBC will make use of renewable energy generation across the operations to minimise carbon footprint.
The new Thurcroft site will also house UBC’s innovation hub team of scientists and engineers, who will focus on bringing the advantages of UBC revolutionary technology into the development of the next generation of power trains for electric vehicles. A key part of the innovation hub will be the rapid prototype centre, reducing product development time from years to weeks for new battery applications.
Sheffield pair banned as company directors for 17 years after Covid loan fraud
Two Sheffield businessmen have been banned for total of 17 years for falsely claiming Covid loans for their TV rigging services and online fitness companies.
Michael Andrew Higgins, 56, and Dean Emanuel Miller, 41, both from Sheffield, have been disqualified as company directors for a total of 17 years after separate Insolvency Service investigations found that through their respective companies they had each abused the covid loan support scheme. Michael Higgins was sole director of Steel Rigging Ltd, which traded as a company providing driving services for vehicles on outside TV broadcasts, from its incorporation in March 2015 until it went into liquidation in December 2021. In November 2020, Higgins applied for a £20,000 Bounce Back Loan to support his business through the Covid-19 pandemic, stating on the application that the company’s turnover for 2019 had been £80,000. But Steel Rigging Ltd went into liquidation in December 2021, owing £23,900 – including the full amount of the Bounce Back Loan – and prompting an investigation by the Insolvency Service. Investigators found that the company’s turnover had in fact been just under £40,000 in financial year ending 31 March 2019, and around £43,100 for the following financial year, meaning that the company had claimed at least £9,200 more in loan money than it was entitled to. They also discovered that Higgins had transferred the £20,000 to his own bank account over a period of three weeks in January and February 2021, without any evidence to show that these funds were used for the benefit of Steel Rigging Ltd. And in a separate case, Dean Miller, sole director of IBODYTALKS Ltd, an online health and fitness business also based in Sheffield, applied for a £42,000 Bounce Back Loan for his company in May 2020. Miller stated in the application that the firm, which was incorporated in April 2019, had been dormant until April 2020, and used a predicted turnover of £168,000 to apply for the loan. Under the rules of the scheme, businesses incorporated after 1 January 2019 were asked to estimate their turnover. But the company went into liquidation in October 2021 owing more than £40,000, triggering an Insolvency Service investigation. Investigators discovered that IBODYTALKS Ltd had in fact been trading since December 2019, after finding that five deposits totalling £588 had been made into the company bank account between then and April 2020. They calculated that IBODYTALK’s projected turnover for the year could only have been around £101,100, meaning that it had received more than £16,700 of loan money to which it had not been entitled. Investigators also found that in June 2020, a month after the company received the loan, Miller transferred £41,000 to a connected company, and did not provide any evidence to show the money was used for the benefit of IBODYTALKS Ltd. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted disqualification undertakings from the two directors, after both did not dispute that they had caused their companies to receive Bounce Back Loans to which they were not entitled, and failed to show that the money had been used for the economic benefit of their companies.. Michael Higgins’ disqualification lasts for 8 years and started on 3 January 2023. Dean Miller was banned for 9 years, beginning 1 February 2023. The disqualifications prevent them from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. Lawrence Zussman, Deputy Head of Company Investigations at the Insolvency Service, said: “Covid support schemes were a lifeline to businesses across the UK, protecting jobs and preserving businesses.“Michael Higgins and Dean Miller abused the scheme, and their lengthy bans should serve as a reminder to others that the Insolvency Service will not shirk from its responsibility in taking action in order to protect the public and the taxpayer.”
Largest unit at Norquest industrial estate let
Over 36,000 sq ft of prime industrial space on Norquest Industrial Estate in Birstall, Leeds has been let to a company that specialises in refrigerated courier services.
Property consultancy GV&Co marketed the unit for its client, Mileway, the last mile logistics real estate company, with Igloo Thermo Logistics signing a 10-year lease on its latest depot.
More than 76,000 sq ft of industrial space has been created across three units at the newly developed industrial estate and GV&Co and Carter Towler are now marketing the remaining units which measure 7,211 sq ft and 33,020 sq ft. All the units have a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating, ground level loading, large secure yards and parking areas, fully fitted first floor offices and reception areas.
Igloo Thermo Logistics has moved from its previous base in Morley to expand into the new industrial unit, which also has dock level loading. The national operator was established in 2004 and employs 190 people across three depots in Leeds, Luton and Taunton.
Operations director, Leigh Ogley, said: “We operate next day throughout the UK delivering temperature controlled consignments of any size to clients anytime, anywhere. Crucially, for many of our clients, we also have on-site storage facilities, so this brand-new unit has given us extra capacity for this service. With plenty of space, and an easily accessible location, close to junction 27 of the M62, it ticked all our boxes.”
Associate director at Mileway, James Chasen, said: “We recently refurbished Norquest – including improving the environmental efficiency of the building – to best meet the needs of today’s logistics companies, and the response has been fantastic. We are pleased to welcome Igloo Thermal Logistics as a customer to Mileway and to be able to support their continued growth plans.”
Surveyor, Will Woodhall at GV&Co, said: “Norquest Industrial Estate sits in a well-established distribution location off the A62, just one mile from the intersection of the of the M62 and M621 motorways, both of which connect to the M1, so it’s the ideal location for a company like Igloo Thermo Logistics that transports goods to clients all over the UK including schools, airports, restaurants, distributors and manufacturers.
“With an EPC rating of A, the unit is highly energy efficient, which was another selling point and we are expecting the other two units to let very shortly considering the amount of interest we are getting for them.”
Increasing international trade means increased demand for tougher British crane tracks
Increasing levels of international trade are helping grow opportunities for the strongest crane rail ever rolled by British Steel.
The company launched a hard-wearing, high-strength crane rail grade in October 2020, and enquiries are on the up, especially in emerging markets in Asia. Special Profiles Account Manager James Platts said: “The market for these particular crane rails is relatively small but growing. We’re seeing an increasing trend for its use in the Far East including at Kowloon, Singapore and Shanghai – but demand is widespread and in the last year alone, we’ve also had enquiries for ports in Belfast, Barcelona, London, Dubai, Jeddah and Freemantle.”
The crane rail’s industry name is 110CrV, recognising that it has additions of chromium and vanadium, which give the steel rails a longer life span than standard grades. Developed on the back of an existing specification used in the rail sector, the chemistry was carefully adjusted to develop the exacting product required by the world’s port operators.
“This crane rail’s higher strength is helping customers achieve significant time and cost savings,” said James. “Their strength mean they’re more durable so the time between rail replacements is extended and they can carry heavier loads too, allowing port operators to increase their capacities.”
The crane rails are laid into the ground and enable huge cranes to manoeuvre alongside ships so they can unload containers onto the dockside. The cranes themselves are very weighty and when carrying heavy containers too, the rails are continually exposed to extremely heavy loads.
James said: “A great deal of work went into developing the steel specification needed to cope with the constant crane movements. We also had to use our expertise to adapt the straightening processes in our Skinningrove mill to roll this specification.
“Customers are not just choosing our crane rail because of the significant benefits it brings, they also want to work with us because of our deserved reputation for high-quality products and service. It’s exciting to see the market demand growing around the world and we expect this trend to continue, so we’re now starting to explore how we could extend our 110CrV product range to provide the world-class products our customers are looking for.”
Leading accountancy practices merge
Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy practice, has announced the establishment of Streets Eadie Young Chartered Accountants.
The announcement follows the merger of the Banbury practice, Eadie Young Chartered Accountants with Streets Chartered Accountants, a mid-tier multi regional practice.
When asked about the merger, Doug Eadie, director, said: “This combination is a great match, both in terms of client focus and cultural fit. Now that Eadie Young is part of a larger practice we can confidently promise greater continuity of service to our clients and improved career prospects for our team.
“We also believe that our clients will benefit in that the combined firm will be able to offer a wider range of services including areas of specialist corporate and private client tax planning, international advice and personal financial planning.”
Nathan Bignell, a fellow director with Eadie Young, becomes Streets Eadie Young’s Managing Director. Commenting on his promotion and the merger, he said: “This is an exciting change and supports the rapid growth we have seen as a firm over the past decade. We are now able to offer a much-enhanced service to both existing and potential clients whilst still being able to provide the personal, responsive assistance our clients require, essential in any modern practice.”
Looking at what the merger means to Streets, the firm’s managing partner, Paul Tutin, said: “With Streets’ existing offices across eastern and central England we have been looking to establish a presence in Oxfordshire. With our presence now in Oxfordshire along with existing offices in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire we are very much part of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
“Whilst we considered opening a new office in the county, we really wanted to join up with another like-minded firm. We were therefore delighted to enter into a conversation with Eadie Young. Very early on in our discussions it was clear that we shared the same vision and values for the profession and for supporting our clients.
“By coming together both Eadie Young and ourselves will be able to capitalise on our respective expertise and will be better placed to grow, develop and support the needs of both existing and future clients. We also feel that the merger brings exciting opportunities for our team members and for new recruits who can join a progressive and expanding practice. With the Streets Eadie Young office in Banbury, we now have 20 offices from Manchester in the north to Brighton in the south.
“Whilst many large firms have moved to more regional models, Streets remains committed to and focused on looking after clients that live, work, and operate businesses in the local area. This approach is very much at the heart of our strategic focus for growth, which is likely to include further mergers of like-minded firms. Our aspiration is to become a top 20 UK practice by 2030.”
Streets Law, the firm’s dedicated corporate and commercial law offering led by Managing Director and solicitor, Adam Aisthorpe, undertook the legal work on behalf of Streets for the merger, including drafting the sale and purchase agreement and dealing with the due diligence process in collaboration with internal colleagues in the tax and audit teams at Streets.
Legal work on behalf of the Shareholders of Eadie Young Ltd, was led by Hitendra Patel, director and head of Company Commercial with regional law firm, Spratt Endicott Solicitors.
Firms collaborate to develop former Kirklees mill site
Dudleys Consulting Engineers has been appointed by Lovell Partnerships to advise on the development of 46 family homes on the 4.6-acre former Greenside Mill site in Skelmanthorpe, Kirklees.
After helping Lovell with civil and structural evaluations to support planning approval Dudleys is now providing detailed support to prepare the challenging site, between Huddersfield and Wakefield, for redevelopment.
Peter Dixon, Director at Dudleys said: “Extensive evaluations were required to help secure planning consent for new development proposals, where past attempts had failed. The site is bounded to the north by the Whistlestop Valley family railway visitor attraction and there is an 18-metre level difference from one side of the site to the other. With the planning desire to maximise development potential, we had to overcome significant technical challenges to address the level changes.
“Given the derelict nature of the existing buildings and the relic materials in them, we needed to undertake initial building safety surveys to inform of any dangerous areas and facilitate surveys required, most notably for the heritage record of the relatively untouched building interior and contents.”
As demolition progresses to allow construction of the new housing scheme to start in Spring 2023, Dudleys is undertaking a number of investigations to former shallow coal mining zones and existing drainage features to allow redevelopment works whilst maintaining a wetland area at the lower eastern point of the site.
Dudleys is working alongside Sten Architecture, Books Ecological and PB Planning to assist Lovell Partnerships in delivering Garrett Grove by early 2024.
73 year old South Yorkshire business leader to tackle Everest
Nick Cragg, executive chairman of talent solution specialists Nicholas Associates Group, is taking part in the Bristol to Base Camp challenge in aid of the International Charity PHASE Worldwide.
Nick, his wife Marie and friend Dr Gerda Pohl were founding trustees of PHASE Worldwide, set up in Rotherham in 2005. Together, they set up the organisation with the simple idea of supporting isolated communities by providing Practical Help to Achieve Self Empowerment. Through its sister organisation, PHASE Nepal, the charity has since gone on to change the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Nepal through its integrated and sustainable programmes.
The Bristol to Base Camp Expedition will commence on 22 March 2023 from PHASE Worldwide’s base in Bristol. It will take the group 16 days trekking to reach Everest South Base Camp, during which they will ascend to an altitude of 17,598 feet. Joining Nick on the trek are five other individuals from across the UK, all with a common goal of helping to raise as much as they can for PHASE Worldwide.
All monies raised by Nick’s trek will support PHASE Worldwide to continue its vital work in Nepal and help change the lives of thousands more vulnerable families in remote communities across the country. The overall target for the trek is £32,184 and Nick aims to raise at least £6,000.
Nick said: “The timing of this trip is quite poignant as Nicholas Associates Group has reached several pinnacles recently, including announcing our intention to float on AiM, creating Aristotle Partnerships.
“I now find myself aspiring to reach another high point in my life by trekking the highest peak in the world to support another community that is dear to my heart. I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to help others and hope that I can reach our fundraising target.”
Each year PHASE Worldwide improves the lives of over 20,000 people in Nepal. Their mission is to empower isolated communities through integrated and sustainable programmes and the charity currently supports projects in some of the most remote and rural communities across the country.
In these areas, poor health, low levels of education and few livelihood opportunities trap people within a cycle of poverty, preventing people from taking control of their lives. PHASE Worldwide enables people to access knowledge, skills, and services whilst at the same time, strengthening local government provision, to empower them to improve their own lives.
If you would like to donate visit this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/nick-cragg-bristol-to-base-camp
Works get underway on new 20-acre Lincoln employment site
Local contractor and property developer, Stirlin, has commenced works on a new commercial site in Saxilby, Lincoln, which will create hundreds of new jobs.
The new site, known as Enterprise West Lindsey, will provide up to 350,000 sq ft of commercial development opportunity, delivered by Stirlin in partnership with Castle Square Developments.
Enterprise West Lindsey is prominently located on Skellingthorpe Road, opposite Stirlin Court and adjacent the established Riverside Enterprise Park (by Stirlin and Castle Square), benefitting from convenient access to the A1 and A46 Lincoln bypass.
Stirlin are well underway with the first phase of works on site, while working alongside a general ecologist to ensure protection of the natural environment. Phase one includes all main infrastructure works, such as the installation of a pumping station and foul drainage, as well as surface water and access roads, taking it from a greenfield site to development parcels which are ready for building out.
Tony Lawton, Stirlin, says: “We are delighted to commence infrastructure works at Enterprise West Lindsey. This scheme has been several years in the making, so this is a real milestone for all involved. Enterprise West Lindsey will provide employment opportunities for years to come, supporting the continued growth of the economy in Greater Lincoln.”
Surveyor at Banks Long & Co, Harry Collins, says: “We have been working alongside Stirlin and Castle Square Developments for some time to bring this scheme together, it is fantastic to see the hard work coming to fruition and to bring this excellent scheme to the market. Enterprise West Lindsey will conclude another exciting development within Saxilby – an ever growing industrial/employment location near Lincoln.”
Gregory Properties buys York site for student homes
Gregory Properties has bought a strategic site on York’s Foss Islands Road to ease the shortage of purpose-built student accommodation in the city.
Gregory has drawn up plans to deliver 138 studios with seven communal rooms and well-being amenity within a largely three-storey purpose-built building. Instead of parking facilities, the proposals include an allocation of around 100 cycle spaces.
Harrogate-based Gregory Properties is no stranger to York having delivered the £40 million Foss Islands Retail Park in 2007. The Group is also well versed in delivering residential accommodation and was responsible for The Refinery, a 400-bed student scheme in central Leeds , shortlisted for national award recognition.
John McGhee, Head of Residential at Gregory Properties is leading the project. He said: “Our commitment to York as an evolving city is long standing and we are passionate about repurposing brownfield sites in a sustainable way to support modern day use. This site is a prime example of an under-developed site with old, tired and outmoded buildings but well located for student provision.
“We know that York has one of the worst shortages of student accommodation in the UK. Affordable accommodation for students is a priority for both Universities in attracting young talent and with this scheme, we hope that we can deliver against at least a small part of the current shortage.”
The proposals have been met with no objection from Historic England which has determined that scheme designs meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework, in particular in relation to proposals affecting heritage assets.
