Future’s bright for Doncaster, says Chamber’s Chief Exec Dan Fell
Doncaster Chamber is looking forward to a year of prosperity for the city and its business community, with the outlook for 2024 looking very bright if the right steps are taken to create the conditions for economic growth, says its Chief Exec Dan Fell.
He said it was no secret that the past eighteen or so months had largely been defined by persistent challenges and missed opportunities. “In that space of time, Doncaster has had to reckon with the closure of its international airport, the near-miss of its campaign to be the home of Great British Railways, and assorted macroeconomic headwinds that are still exacting a heavy toll across the country.
“The Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that there could now be light at the end of this tunnel and that the future could have many great things in store for our city. Indeed, the organisation has a number of ambitious but credible aims it hopes will be fulfilled by the end of this year, and is pledging to work tirelessly to ensure these are met or in-progress.
“I believe that, after the disappointments of recent months, Doncaster is poised to stage a comeback in 2024 and we intend to be a big part of that resurgence.
“Our business community has suffered multiple knocks lately but, through characteristic Yorkshire grit and sheer resilience, they have capably weathered that storm. We are determined to make this year better for them, and for all of Doncaster’s residents, by righting the ship, finally capitalising on our city status, and embracing the exciting opportunities that are firmly within our grasp.
“Later on in 2024, we will be publishing a new Business Manifesto that sets out exactly how we want to achieve these goals but, in the meantime, a few clear priorities do stand out.”
Land sale paves way for new factory near Boston
Lincolnshire County Council’s sale of 10.28 acres of land at Kirton Distribution Park paves the way for Dhoot Transmission UK, known locally as Parkinson Harness Technology, to build a new factory making specialist vehicle parts.
Planning permission for the development, which could create 80 jobs, was granted last year.
David Earnshaw, MD at Parkinson Harness Technology, said: “The facility will enable the company to further develop our position as a leading supplier of High Voltage leads for the UK specialist vehicle market alongside our long standing Low Voltage product.
“When your bins are emptied, it is in part, with product made here in Lincolnshire. We’d like to thank both Lincolnshire County Council and Boston Borough Council for their critical help in putting this project together.”
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This new factory will be a fantastic addition to the 27-acre Kirton Distribution Park, and Parkinson Harness Technologies will be joining other high profile businesses on the site such as Duckworth Jaguar Land Rover and Sportsbikeshop.
“All of the land here has now been allocated, and Kirton is another example of how the council is providing the investment to encourage businesses to start-up, re-locate and grow, in our county.”
Nuclear industry develops apprenticeship scheme for employees of the future
The Nuclear AMRC and AMRC Training Centre have together created the new Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship to develop graduate professionals with the skills to work across the UK’s current and future civil nuclear programmes.
Employers to attend this special event to find out more about the apprenticeship, and how you can use the programme to develop new talent in your company.
As well as introducing the scope and requirements of the course, the half-day event will include presentations from a range of nuclear industry representatives on the importance of the new degree apprenticeship and how it aligns with plans to tackle the skills shortage across the sector.
The event also provides an opportunity to see the industry-leading training facilities available at the AMRC Training Centre, close to the Nuclear AMRC on South Yorkshire’s Advanced Manufacturing Park.
The Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship has been developed with the support of industry partners including UKAEA, Westinghouse, Rolls-Royce, Sellafield and Jacobs. It is designed to provide the engineering and management skills needed to ensure that nuclear systems and equipment can be operated safely and efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way.
Specialist modules include the principles of nuclear engineering, advanced manufacturing and materials for nuclear applications, and industry codes and standards. Depending on previous experience, the course will take up to five years to complete.
Yorkshire companies acquired by logistics group
Burnley-headquartered EFS Global has acquired a substantial group of companies including: YDL, Leeds Parcel Company and Pass the Parcel.
The group of companies service the pallet and parcel distribution sectors across five sites within North and West Yorkshire. The group of companies represents the largest acquisition EFS Global has made, adding more than £30m+ turnover to the group.
The day to day running of the companies will remain in the hands of the existing senior leadership teams with Jordan Kellett (director of EFS Global) overseeing from a wider group perspective.
This acquisition adds a further three trading companies to the 23 acquisitions the group has made since 2015. This also takes the site tally up to 40 premises throughout England and Scotland.
Jordan Kellett, director at EFS Global, said: “We begin 2024 with the incredibly exciting acquisition of these well-known and reputable companies. I am thrilled that we have managed to get our largest acquisition to date over the line, plugging some key areas of the country in North & West Yorkshire.
“We are not only acquiring well-known and reputable companies, but an extremely experienced team of people that I am excited to work with on both their own companies and the wider group.”
The corporate team at Davis Blank Furniss advised EFS Global on all transactional matters. The team was led by Sonio Singh, partner and head of the corporate department. He was supported by colleagues Lauren Sever, senior associate and Hannah Kay, trainee solicitor.
Sonio Singh added: “We were very pleased to once again advise the EFS Global team on its latest strategic acquisition. It is fantastic to see EFS continue to grow in what is a very competitive market and I am sure this deal will further augment their rapid reach across the UK.”
Aon names new Leeds-based partners
Aon plc, the professional services firm, has promoted two of its Leeds-based colleagues to partner.
Sue Austen has had a career in the UK pensions industry spanning over 30 years, the majority of which have been spent with Aon. She leads a team of over 100 colleagues who support trustees and in-house pensions teams in the management of their pension arrangements.
Sue said: “Having briefly held roles at other consultancies, it was joining Aon that provided me with the opportunities that have shaped my career.
“The mix of continuing to advise clients, developing industry-leading solutions, and holding management responsibilities provides genuine variety which, when combined with working with an inclusive and diverse team, makes this such an exciting role.
“The pensions industry continues to face challenges and with regulatory changes on the horizon, I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with clients and colleagues.”
Andrew Grime is a qualified actuary with over 20 years of pensions industry experience, advising a range of pension schemes, varying in size from £40 million to £4 billion.
With his breadth and depth of expertise, Andrew helps schemes set and execute long-term benefit and financing strategies, with a key emphasis on the risk settlement market, where he has a particular focus on the rapidly developing superfund and capital-backed journey plan market.
Andrew said: “I’ve spent my entire career at Aon and am privileged to be part of such a diverse and highly talented team.
“My role is all about helping clients solve problems, and the pace of change within the pensions industry has provided an enormous opportunity for sponsors and trustees to improve member outcomes, as well as providing exciting opportunities for colleagues looking to broaden their career paths.
“Becoming a partner will enable me not only to shape and influence wider business priorities, but also to focus on further developing the fantastic junior colleagues within the team, so they are equipped to support evolving client needs.”
Growth Hub supports Dales-based furniture maker
Yorkshire Dales-based furniture maker Tom Addison has been helped to boost his business with support from the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub.
He said: “I discovered the Growth Hub through a local business group that introduced me to business relationship manager Nick White. Our first meeting was online, and that’s when the journey began.”
Nick said: “Tom came as a referral to the Richmondshire Small Business Grant. Our online discussions led to helping Tom produce an application to the fund.”
Tome said:“I’ve received a lot of support through the Growth Hub, with signposts to various funding and potential grants. I secured the startup grant from Richmondshire District Council, amounting to £1,000, which I used towards a bandsaw. This has significantly improved what I’m able to do. It has allowed me to take on a broader range of jobs and produce intricate curved work.”
Beyond the funding, Tom highlighted the Growth Hub’s role in improving his digital marketing efforts. “I’ve received a lot of training on social media platforms, which I’ve made the most of. The Growth Hub has contributed to the growth of my business by providing me with the skills to promote my business online. I’ve created short videos, some of which have gone viral, and my audience has grown tenfold into the thousands of followers.”
Nick added: “Tom is typical of a small business in a rural area. His business is a good examplar for others working from home, but seeking a market outside their local area.”
Tom endorsed the Growth Hub, saying, “I recommend the Growth Hub to other businesses. It mentors in the early stages, providing ongoing support, a reliable point of contact for queries. Their experience and contacts can point you in the right direction. A fantastic springboard for young businesses.”
2024 Business Predictions: Dr Edward Ziff, Chairman and CEO, Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS)
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Dr Edward Ziff, Chairman and CEO at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS).
As we enter the new year, Leeds’ property sector is poised for transformation amid discussions on the cost-of-living crisis, inflation and rising interest rates. I feel this shift in focus is expected to drive efforts in rebalancing and fortifying the UK economy, with a specific emphasis on enhancing major cities in the North.
Leeds is experiencing significant momentum in private rental and purpose-built student accommodations. Whilst anticipating a slowdown, I am confident that these sectors will remain resilient.
The working landscape in Leeds seems to have adopted a hybrid model, reshaping office demand and emphasising the importance of environmental credentials for prime offices. Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) has promptly responded by prioritising high-quality, multi-tenanted schemes and we are now exploring alternative uses, including office-to-student-accommodation conversions for key sites.
In Leeds’ retail sector, grappling with online shopping challenges, our strategic portfolio diversification has reduced retail exposure from 60% to 19% over seven years. The focus persists on resilient segments such as food, discount stores, and convenience outlets and we expect this to continue.
Consumer preferences for sustainability are driving transformations in Leeds’ property sector, aligning seamlessly with TCS’s commitment to high environmental standards, EPC A ratings, and BREEAM Outstanding certifications. The planned expansion of our CitiPark and CitiCharge electric vehicle charging infrastructure will also further cater to Leeds’ evolving needs.
In conclusion, I hope our strategy stands resilient in navigating economic dynamics, leveraging strategic assets, adapting to work trends, and prioritising sustainability and I wish you all a prosperous 2024.
Sewell FM helps health centres reduce carbon footprint through lightbulb switch
Hull-based Sewell Facilities Management has worked with Hull Citycare to replace almost 7,000 light fittings with low-energy LEDs in 13 health centres across the city.
The final light of the programme was fitted by Sewell FM technicians Andy Richardson and Craig Webb at Elliott Chappell Health Centre, making Hull the only city to have all its health centres fully fitted with LEDs. Sean Henderson, MD of Sewell FM, who manage building maintenance for the health centres, said: “Changing a lightbulb in a health centre isn’t as easy as you think, as you need to close off the space, put up barriers and sometimes even bring in mobile elevating working platforms to reach fittings in higher and difficult to reach areas. It causes disruption for the building’s users and staff, takes our facilities team away from urgent jobs and then, a year or so after you’ve put the new lightbulb in, it needs replacing again. “After trialling LEDs at Bilton Health Centre, we knew the benefits that moving to LEDs would bring for the buildings, patients and our staff, so we agreed to pay for and fit the new lights to all the health centres ourselves. It was an ambitious target to get all the replacements completed within two years, and our technicians have worked really hard to get the job finished. Now we have much longer lasting lights that don’t need changing every year, they can put their time and energy into ensuring all our buildings stay in the best condition.” Tim Wigglesworth, Chief Executive of Hull Citycare, said: “Decarbonisation is at the top of everyone’s priority list at the moment, so when Sewell Facilities Management came to us saying they could reduce energy consumption and also save money, it seemed like a win-win situation. It’s already saving the health centres thousands of pounds every year, which is money that can be spent on clinical services and making the health centres even better for patients.”Financial services volumes dip in fourth quarter
The fourth quarter of 2023 saw financial services business volumes contract for the first time since June 2020, according to the latest CBI Financial Services Survey. Volumes are expected to be broadly flat over the next three months.
The quarterly survey, conducted between 21 November and 15 December, also showed that optimism and profitability were both flat across the quarter, with profitability set to fall in the three months to March. Headcount growth accelerated over the quarter and is expected to remain quick in the months ahead.
There was a mixed picture for investment intentions, with firms expecting to increase investment in IT and vehicles, plant & machinery, while cutting back on capital expenditure in land & buildings. Notably, this was the first survey since December 2014 in which FS firms expect to increase investment in vehicles, plant & machinery.
Key findings:
- Business volumes fell at a quick pace in the quarter to December (weighted balance of -23% from +27% in the quarter to September). Firms expect volumes to be broadly flat next quarter (-3%).
- Optimism was broadly unchanged in the quarter to December (-3%).
- Average spreads declined slightly in the quarter to December (-4% from +5% in September). Firms anticipate that spreads will fall at a quicker pace next quarter (-23%).
- The value of non-performing loans was broadly unchanged in the quarter to December (+3% from +8% in September) but is expected to grow marginally next quarter (+4%).
- Profitability was broadly flat in the quarter to December (-3% from +13% in September) but is set to fall next quarter (-19%).
- Headcount grew at a fast rate in the quarter to December (+46% from +34% in September). Firms expect headcount growth to ease next quarter, while remaining quick overall (+32%).
- Firms expect to increase investment in IT and vehicles, plant & machinery in the next 12 months (compared to the last 12). Capital expenditure on land & buildings is set to be cut back.
- Uncertainty about demand was the most commonly cited factor likely to limit investment in the next 12 months (53% from 47% in September).
- The share of firms citing cost of finance as a potential limiting factor for future investment declined noticeably from last quarter (9% from 28% in September).
Farmers could get £25,000 flood recovery grants, says NFU
The support has been made available for those affected by Storm Henk through Defra’s Flood Recovery Framework, which is used in exceptional circumstances to support councils and communities following severe flooding.
Farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their land will be able to apply for the funding to go towards repair and reinstatement costs.
As was the case with Storm Babet, farmers should also be eligible for up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant to help them return quickly to business as usual, says the NFU, and up to £5,000 from the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme to help make their homes and businesses more resilient to future flooding.
NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw welcomed the news on the funding and said the NFU would be looking through the details carefully to see what is covered and who is eligible to apply. “Many areas of the country are continuing to experience devastating floods and our thoughts are with those communities affected.
“Thousands of acres of productive farmland are still under water and many crops are not going to survive the winter with the huge financial stress and misery that brings.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation and supporting our members via our network of contacts in the Environment Agency and local authorities.”
Defra Secretary Steve Barclay said: “45,000 properties are already protected thanks to our flood defences, and I would like to pay tribute to the work of Environment Agency teams, first responders, and others.
“For those who have sadly been affected, our Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme will soon be open to help residents protect their property in the future, while our Farming Recovery Fund will support farmers who have suffered damage as they work to put food on our tables.”
The Farming Recovery Fund is triggered following exceptional weather events and was last made available in 2019/20.
