Rotherham-based land regenerator Harworth completed the last quarter of 2024 with housing plot sales of more than £71m, taking the total for the year to £104m – double the total for 2023.
The company says the sales volume reflects the continued strong demand for its de-risked serviced residential land product as well as evidencing success of the Group’s strategy to accelerate delivery of residential sites and broader range of products. Alongside its Residential plot sales Harworth also completed land sales at Skelton Grange (Phase 1, 27 acres) and Ansty (278 acres), for total headline sales value of £106.3 million. Harworth Group Chief Exec Lynda Shillaw said: “Harworth had a busy fourth quarter in 2024, concluding nine Residential land sales, comprising 1,896 plots for £71.7 million. This takes the total plot sales for 2024 to a new annual Harworth record of 2,385 plots, generating £104.1 million of cash, split between upfront and deferred payments, and is in line with our strategic target of 2,000 per year on average. “Throughout the year we continued to see healthy demand, and notably we also completed two major land sales at our Skelton Grange and Ansty developments in December, for £106.3 million. The proceeds from these sales will be reinvested into our Industrial & Logistics development programme to continue creating value for our stakeholders. “We are committed to delivering sustainable regeneration schemes, creating new communities in our regions and supporting delivery of much needed high quality housing in the UK by accelerating delivery at our sites, and broadening the range of our mixed tenure products, which saw 582 of the year’s plots sales to affordable housing providers. “Our approach to placemaking and strong collaboration with strategic partners is key to success on these developments, and our extensive consented pipeline of 4,568 plots positions us well to continue supporting growth in the UK.”Danielle takes over as MD at Berwins Solicitors in Harrogate
Harrogate-based law firm Berwins has appointed Danielle Day as MD, succeeding founder Paul Berwin, who has been instrumental in the growth of the business for almost four decades.
She said: “I’m naturally honoured to take on the leadership of such a well-respected firm, especially at such an exciting time for us.
“Berwins has a proud history of supporting businesses to thrive and people to navigate often challenging periods in their lives. The firm has been able to do that, not just by building a team of legal experts, but by developing and practicing a culture of exceptional care. That’s an approach I’m passionate about and, as we prepare to launch a number of new initiatives, it’s one that will be at the heart of all we do.”
Danielle has been a member of Berwins’ board since 2022. She has also successfully led the firm’s Family Team to sustained growth, championing the development of new and cutting-edge ways of supporting clients through difficult circumstances.
Paul Berwin said: “Since joining the firm over a decade ago, Danielle has shown herself to be both an excellent lawyer and a gifted leader.
“Those gifts, coupled with an innovative approach to problem solving, mean that she is ideally suited to take the firm forward as Managing Director. Just as it is a pleasure to work alongside her, I will take great delight in seeing her contribute to what promises to be a bright future for the firm.”
Paul remains a director and active force within the firm, focusing his attention on Berwins Corporate and Commercial work, both as a departmental head and a standout lawyer.
Young farmers offered training at 80% course cost discount
Agricultural industry training is being offered to young farmers at a vastly reduced rate through a funding partnership between the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Askham Bryan College.
The college is offering partly-funded places on a range of agricultural industry courses to its current students and members of Young Farmers’ Clubs living or working in North Yorkshire.
The concessionary rate of up to 80% off these course opportunities including Tractor Driving, Pesticide application and Forklift Handling has been secured for farming students by the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network.
It is part of a new programme of activity that uses legacy funding secured from the Partnership Investment Fund Limited by YFFRN to offer a training support programme for the benefit of rural and farming SMEs.
Madge Moore, Chair of the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said: “This is an excellent opportunity for young people to obtain training and certification that is financially supported in key subject areas that are essential to have as you progress through your farming career.
“All of these courses help to raise awareness of the need to operate safely and within the required legislation, providing an essential foundation for any career in agriculture.”
Askham Bryan students studying on one of the range of agriculture courses in livestock and crop production, as well as members of the Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs are able to benefit from these heavily reduced industry tickets to improve their employability and skills for when they enter the workforce.
Rugby Club board confirms plan for commerce and community
The board of business leaders behind Hull Kingston Rovers has confirmed a masterplan for community and sporting excellence designed to provide a platform for success on and off the field.
The Super League club has received a positive initial response to proposals for a sports campus development bringing together community and commercial elements, with national brands are ready to move pending the outcome of a planning application in the spring.
Rovers chairman Paul Sewell said heads of terms have been agreed with two big retailers for an investment capable of creating more than 100 jobs and generating revenue to support the club’s on-field ambitions.
He said: “The vision is a sports campus. It will be the cornerstone of our plans for the future and will build on the potential of other projects which we have already delivered and which are creating a legacy for the community.
“We will be going for planning permission in the spring and we are encouraged by the response to the pre-application process. We aim to have spades in the ground within a few months of permission being granted.”
Dr Sewell is also chair of Sewell Group, which works across investments, consultancy, data mapping and intelligence, construction and facilities management and announced a deal in January 2022 for the naming rights of Rovers’ stadium, Sewell Group Craven Park.
In December 2022 he was appointed chair of the club and charged with leading a new board to work alongside the club’s chief executive, Paul Lakin, and support the owner, Hull-based solicitor Dr Neil Hudgell.
Among the recruits were David Kilburn, the co-founder of MKM Building Supplies, James McNicol, managing director of London-based Oil Brokerage Ltd, and Becky Oughtibridge, director of professional services at Sewell Group.
Another member, Ian Richardson, brought international experience in sectors including law, health and beauty. He has now stepped down having retired from his other business roles, but he remains excited about the club’s potential.
He said: “I have really enjoyed my two years on the board and would highly recommend the experience. An exciting potential is being realised, and I will follow future progress with pride and fondness.”
Dr Sewell added: “Ian has made a significant contribution at a pivotal time in our development. His calm and considered approach will be a hard act to follow. We will look for someone who fits the culture and shares our values and passion for revitalising the club, the wider game, and hence the community.”
Hallam Land completes sale of 632 Coventry housebuilding plots to Vistry
Sheffield-based land promotion and planning business Hallam Land has sold 632 residential plots at Pickford Gate in Coventry to national housebuilder Vistry Group.
The completion of the sale to Vistry by Henry Boot subsidiary company Hallam follows exchange of contracts on about 600 plots in the Midlands. The disposal meant Hallam achieved its 2024 financial target with sales of c.2,800 plots last year. While this was marginally below Hallam’s sales target of 3,000 plots for the year, the sale of 52 acres of employment land in Coventry to Royal London in November 2024 offset the volume reduction.
Hallam secured an initial planning promotion agreement with the landowners to promote the wider ‘Pickford Gate’ site in 2015. A planning application was submitted in 2018 which secured outline planning consent in 2021 for the 52-acre employment land parcel, as well as 2,400 homes, of which at least 25% are proposed for affordable housing along with a primary school, district and local centres, green open spaces, community facilities and playing fields.
This is Hallam’s fourth sale at Pickford Gate. The previous transactions include the sale of 250 plots to the UK housebuilder Countryside Partnerships in March 2023 and the sale of 491 plots to David Wilson Homes in September 2024 as well as the 52 acres of employment land sold in November 2024. Hallam retains 1,027 plots for future sale on the site.
Self-employed warned of rising costs of later life care
Self-employed workers planning for their retirement across the UK could be at risk of significantly downplaying the possibility of needing later-in-life care, research from independent consultancy Barnett Waddingham finds.
The company, which has offices in Leeds, says more than a third of people expect their health and care costs to increase substantially well into their retirement, but fewer than one in five have fully factored having to go into care into their retirement plan even though the annual cost of care could be between £60-£70,000.
Mark Futcher, Partner and Head of DC at Barnett Waddingham, says: “There’s no doubt about it, the UK’s care crisis is deeper than we thought. As of now, Age UK estimates there are 2.6 million people aged 50+ in England unable to even access care; including hundreds of thousands stuck on waiting lists, or waiting for their needs to be assessed. Now, our data suggests that millions more are unlikely to even be able to afford it when they reach retirement.
“While there are numerous factors to take into account, what’s evident is that very few people are even thinking about their health or care considerations when planning for their retirement. As a result, we’re at risk of a growing population with woefully inadequate pension savings that could buckle under pressure at even the slightest sign of illness in retirement.
“While education, awareness and financial guidance will play an important part in fixing this problem; time and time again, the inadequacy of auto-enrolment workplace pension contributions is the main problem that must be resolved. With details of the Government’s highly-anticipated pensions review still to come, there’s an urgent need to fix our pension system to ensure better outcomes for retirees, whether they need care or not.”
More than half of those aged between 55 and 64, or those closest to retirement, expect health and care costs to remain stable in the first decade, and significant proportions – 38% and 30% – carry this belief into the second and third decades, respectively. And while fewer expect increased costs in their first decade (34%), more than two-fifths of this age group anticipate increased costs well into their fourth decade of retirement.
The findings raise concern that many workers could be significantly unprepared for, or unaware of the financial realities of retirement, particularly as care needs and costs often increase over time. A fifth (20%) expect that they will be retired for 10-15 years, but fewer (18%) said they considered their current health when estimating this, and just 20% their lifestyle decisions.
Lincoln company wins third-party accreditation for temperature control calibration
Lincoln-based AML Instruments has won third party accreditation from UKAS for its temperature calibration services.
It means the company can provide calibration services for a wide range of temperature measuring devices, ensuring accuracy and reliability that meet the highest international standards.
MD Alex Leeson said: “Achieving UKAS accreditation for our temperature calibration services is a significant step forward for AML Instruments. This accreditation is testament to our commitment to excellence and provides our customers with the assurance that their temperature measuring devices will deliver the highest accuracy, reliability, and compliance.
“We’re excited to support businesses across a diverse range of industries from automotive and aerospace to packaging and pharmaceuticals achieve optimal stability, repeatability, and the best possible temperature measuring results.”
Creation of Steel Council hailed as defining moment for industry in the UK
Establishment of a Steel Council in the UK marks a defining moment for the industry in the UK, according to Gareth Stace, Director General of the country’s trade body UK Steel.
Speaking after the council’s first meeting, he said: “The establishment of the Steel Council marks a defining moment for the future of steelmaking in Britain. The Council represents a crucial step towards creating a comprehensive Government Steel Strategy – one that lays the foundations for a sustainable and resilient industry.
“This strategy is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to foster a competitive business environment that encourages long-term investment and ensures steelmaking remains at the heart of the UK economy.
“We are committed to collaborating with the Government, trade unions, and industry partners to turn this vision into a shared success, securing the sustained growth that our sector, its workforce, and our communities rightfully deserve.”
The council has been launched by the UK Government to advise on rebuilding the industry with up to £2.5bn funding through its upcoming Steel Strategy. It brings together industry figures, experts, trade unions and devolved governments to secure the long-term future of steelmaking in the UK, and will meet regularly as the Government prepares to launch its strategy, providing a link between industry, workers, experts and government in every part of the UK.
British Steel’s Chief Commercial and Procurement Officer Allan Bell, who attended the first meeting, said: “Britain needs a strong and sustainable steel industry, and the new Steel Council can play an important role in helping deliver this.
“We look forward to working with the Government, and our fellow British steelmakers, to ensure the UK keeps making the steel it requires for generations to come.”
Test tube potion expert named as amongst UK’s top entrepreneurs
Barnsley businesswoman Leonie Briggs, who works with mini-inventions, test-tube potions, and rainbow explosions, has been named as one of the UK’s top 100 female entrepreneurs.
Leonie, thought to be the first Barnsley woman to be recognised as a trailblazer in Small Business Britain’s annual female entrepreneur awards, set up her interactive science education business Amazelab during Covid, since when she has introduced an estimated 250,00 young people to science.
She delivers fun and accessible STEAM workshops for children of all ages and abilities focused on exciting an interest in science; and encouraging young people to consider careers in sectors such as research, design, technology and engineering. This year she will provide a cosmic workshop in collaboration with the International Space Station and the UK Space Education Office as part of Mars Day on March 2.
Former science teacher Leonie, of Hoyland Common, said: “I love what I do; and I’m thrilled to be included in this year’s list of top female entrepreneurs. I’ll use every opportunity this provides to shout about the value of science education for all. I also want to highlight the many wonderful careers in science which are available to young people, especially in our region where there is so much industry and innovation.”
Leonie will attend a celebration event at Westminster on International Women’s Day on March 8, wearing an outfit made by another Hoyland Common entrepreneur – designer-dressmaker Jilly of Jilly’s Fashion.
Leonie added: “I’m passionate about science education and helping young people to discover new things, work things out and create stuff that make them go ‘Wow’. I never miss an opportunity to get out there and so many wonderful people and organisations have been in touch with me since Covid that I’ve been able to collaborate and deliver more and more – growing the business quicker than I could ever imagine.”
Siemens Mobility secures £560m contracts with HS2
Siemens Mobility has secured four contracts worth £560m for key infrastructure and long-term maintenance on HS2.
The company already building trains for London’s Underground at its manufacturing hub in Goole will join key contractors under the Rail Systems Alliance, playing a crucial role in the delivery and operation of the 140-mile high-speed railway connect London to the West Midlands.
The contracts Siemens Mobility has secured contracts covering trackside Automatic Train Operation (a first for a high-speed railway); Engineering Management; High-Voltage power supply systems; and designing and implementing Operational Telecommunications and Security Systems for the entire HS2 route.
All contracts are expected to start this year, and include long-term maintenance agreements, and potentially including additional options.
Rob Morris, Joint CEO, Siemens Mobility UKI said: “HS2 is going to transform rail travel in Britain, and we’re delighted to be playing a key part in delivering it.”
“Our work for HS2 will help in sustaining British jobs and skills from our UK based workforce, and in our 2,500 strong supply chain.”
“We’re already committed to investing £100m in a brand-new digital engineering, manufacturing and research and development centre in Chippenham which will now play a key role in delivering HS2.”
