Catella APAM, the real estate asset and investment manager, has secured a 10-year letting to HGF, one of Europe’s leading intellectual property firms, at 1 City Square, Leeds.
Acting on behalf of Danish pension fund Britannia Invest, Catella APAM has let the fourth floor of the building.
Chalwe Silwizya, senior asset manager at Catella APAM, said: “We are pleased to welcome HGF to One City Square, following the successful completion of our Cat A refurbishment on the 4th floor.
“This letting underscores the building’s strong appeal to global occupiers and reflects continued tenant demand for high-quality, Grade A office space, as the ‘flight to quality’ trend continues to drive market activity.”
Fox Lloyd Jones acted for Catella APAM, with Newmark representing HGF.
Nick Salkeld, director of Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “We’re delighted to have played our part in welcoming HGF to 1 City Square in the newly refurbished 4th floor.
“In the backdrop to the post-pandemic workspace revolution, 1 City Square has remained a market leader and continues to attract noteworthy corporate occupiers which is testament to the asset management strategy.”
Aviva’s £3.7 billion Direct Line acquisition completes with staff reward
Aviva has concluded its £3.7 billion acquisition of Direct Line, creating a major player in the UK motor insurance market. As part of the deal, the company is giving £500 in free shares to its 32,000 employees, which includes 23,000 at Aviva and 8,500 at Direct Line. The shares will vest in three years.
The merger, which the Competition and Markets Authority cleared earlier this week, combines two of the UK’s most recognised insurance brands. Direct Line, known for its namesake brand as well as Churchill and Green Flag, will now bolster Aviva’s position, covering more than 20% of the UK motor insurance market.
Despite the growth prospects, concerns loom over job security, with Aviva having previously flagged 2,300 potential job cuts as part of a plan to achieve £125 million in cost savings annually.
Aviva’s financial terms included cash and stock options, valued at 129.7 pence per Direct Line share, plus a dividend for Direct Line shareholders. The result is that Aviva shareholders now control 87.5% of the combined company.
Fix Auto UK expands into Sheffield after 20 years of growth
Fix Auto UK has marked a significant milestone by appointing its first-ever franchise in Sheffield. This expansion brings the well-established brand to South Yorkshire, filling a gap between its existing locations in Manchester East, Barnsley, Matlock, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Grimsby.
The new franchise was founded by Dominic Burns and Yan Masterman, who began their journey in the automotive industry as teenage apprentice technicians. In 2022, they launched their business, initially operating from a family garage. As demand for their high-quality service grew, the duo quickly moved to larger premises and now operate out of an 8,000 square foot facility near Sheffield’s city centre, conveniently located close to the M1.
The new site is equipped with two spray booths, one dedicated to commercial vehicles. Despite currently repairing up to 20 vehicles per month, the team is poised to expand their capacity significantly, with the potential to double their output.
The duo’s decision to join Fix Auto UK reflects their ambition to take the business to the next level. They acknowledged the value of the network’s support to achieve their goals, having already invested heavily in their facilities, team, and equipment to meet industry standards like BSI10125. The appointment of Fix Auto Sheffield signals the next chapter for this growing business in the heart of Sheffield.
Doc, I’m from the future: Yorkshire’s businesses seek skills flux capacitor
Yorkshire’s business leaders are channelling their inner Doc Brown – and they’ve got a message for their past selves: “Great Scott! Train your team!”
In a nod to Back to the Future’s 40th birthday, Lloyds’ Business Barometer shows more than three in five Yorkshire bosses (61%) would go back in time to boost skills in their workforce.
A similar proportion would focus on launching new products or services (59%), while just over two in five (42%) would invest more in marketing and communications.
Look ahead to the future and the skills race is still on. Nearly half (47%) say upskilling is key to growth, with skills relating to leadership (50%), AI (46%) and communication or collaboration (36%) topping their priority lists.
Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds, said: “In Yorkshire, businesses are putting skills at the core of their plans for the future. And it’s a combination of technical know-how and softer strengths that they see as key. Whether by boosting adaptability or helping build resilience, this approach could help fuel long-term innovation and growth.”
Leeds company raises £10m to scale rapid robotic grid upgrade tech
AssetCool, a Leeds-based deep tech company pioneering advanced robotics and coatings for power lines, has raised £10m in a Series A funding round backed by global energy investors.
The oversubscribed round was led by Energy Impact Partners (EIP), with participation from Extantia Capital, Taronga Group and existing investor Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, managed by Mercia Ventures. This new funding builds on the support of additional investors including Kero Development Partners and Northern Gritstone.
AssetCool addresses one of the most pressing bottlenecks in today’s energy transition: grid congestion. As demand for electricity surges, grid operators are under increasing pressure to boost transmission capacity quickly and affordably.
At the same time, the existing infrastructure is aging, and conventional methods to increase capacity, whilst critical for the energy transition, are slow, costly, and logistically challenging.
AssetCool’s coating platform offers an alternative – capable of increasing the capacity of overhead lines by up to 30% at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods.
“We are laser-focused on doing the hard yards to improve the physical layer of the grid, specifically overhead systems,” said Dr. Niall Coogan, CEO and co-founder of AssetCool.
“The AssetCool team is innovating at the nexus between robotics and materials science to bring meaningful improvements to an aging network. We’ve developed a new range of coatings systematically optimised for overhead lines that makes the grid more efficient and resilient – not by rebuilding it, but by enhancing what already exists.”
“AssetCool stands out in the market with its ability to deliver firm capacity upgrades faster and more cost-effectively than any alternative we’ve seen,” says Sam Bursten, principal at EIP. “We’re excited to partner with the AssetCool team and support their global growth, leveraging our strategic utility network to help them scale.”
No dispute over trio of promotions at Yorkshire law firm
A Yorkshire law firm has promoted three of its dispute resolution team. Andrew Donaldson, Catherine Scholfield and Bridie Johnson-Power have all been promoted to the position of associate.
Charles Abraham, who heads the team at LCF Law, said: “Andrew, Catherine and Bridie provide strategic advice, cut through legal jargon, and help clients resolve their disagreements. They are all hugely valuable members of our team.”
Andrew is a Canadian-qualified solicitor who joined LCF Law in 2019. He brings particular expertise in high-value contractual disputes, director duties and shareholder claims.
“Being a disputes lawyer means getting to know a huge variety of industries, from railway maintenance to online retail and everything in between,” said Andrew. “It’s a role that constantly challenges you to think commercially and strategically and one I thoroughly enjoy.”
Catherine works on property litigation and contentious probate matters. She qualified in 2017 and has built a reputation for her attention to detail and effective handling of sensitive cases.
Since qualifying in 2021, Bridie has advised on a wide spectrum of disputes, building long-term relationships by providing transparent, tailored advice.
LCF Law’s managing partner, Ragan Montgomery, added: “Renowned for their strategic and results driven approach, Andrew, Catherine and Bridie are leaders in their field. All three are super talented and client focused.”
Sheffield provider of healthcare software solutions acquires e-learning firm
Agilio Software, a Sheffield-based provider of healthcare software solutions, has acquired Blue Stream Academy, a Derbyshire healthcare e-learning solutions firm. This strategic acquisition brings together two well-recognised providers in Primary Care to create a comprehensive and complementary healthcare learning platform.
The combined platform will integrate content from Blue Stream Academy, which covers the wider healthcare practice team, with Agilio’s GP-aligned courses.
The acquisition significantly expands Agilio’s sector reach, taking the company into new healthcare sectors including Social Care, Urgent Care, and Hospice & Palliative Care.
“We are excited to join forces with Agilio Software,” said Casey Braddock, Blue Stream Academy CEO. “Our combined expertise and resources will enable us to deliver even greater value to our customers, providing them a broader range of content and access to Agilio’s platform of market-leading HR tools.”
Ben Betts, CEO of Agilio Software, added: “We are delighted to welcome Blue Stream Academy and all their customers to the Agilio family.
“This acquisition aligns with our vision of providing comprehensive and innovative healthcare learning solutions as part of making our frontline healthcare services operationally excellent. Together, we will continue to support and empower healthcare professionals with the best tools and resources available.”
Leeds innovation hub boosts start-up growth through accelerator programme
Leeds-based start-ups are gaining a competitive edge with the Go-to-Market (GTM) Launchpad, an accelerator programme designed to fast-track business growth. A partnership between the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, and innovation specialists L Marks, the programme offers structured guidance, resources, and mentorship to entrepreneurs.
After an intensive bootcamp at Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation hub, ten start-ups were selected for the eight-week accelerator. They received weekly learning sessions and one-on-one mentoring with experts, while L Marks facilitated corporate engagement opportunities with industry leaders.
This initiative, backed by Leeds City Council’s Innovation@Leeds 2024/2025 programme and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, aims to refine business models and accelerate commercial readiness.
Among the successful participants is Compost-It, a social enterprise co-founded by University of Leeds alumni Husain Alogaily and Simrun Punjabi. The company focuses on turning food waste into compost and bioenergy. The programme helped them transition from concept testing to acquiring their first set of customers and securing partnerships with local businesses, including the First Direct Arena.
Another participant, Caleb Forbes, founder of TRL Fashion Space, is helping clothing brands become more sustainable. The accelerator proved essential in refining his business model and scaling his operations.
The success of the programme highlights the growing impact of the Leeds Anchor Network, which unites the city’s major employers to drive inclusive growth and innovation. The GTM Launchpad is just one example of how collaboration can foster long-term success in the region.
Shopping centre facelift plans gain approval
Plans to revitalise Wakefield’s The Ridings shopping centre have received approval. The project will see 22 retail units upgraded, focusing primarily on those along All Saints Walk, a key link between the centre’s eastern and western sections.
The renovation will involve installing new cladding, repainting concrete panels, and adding black windows to create a more modern, cohesive appearance. These changes aim to address the outdated and mismatched storefronts, many of which are currently vacant. The goal is to attract new businesses to the underperforming areas of the shopping centre.
The proposed upgrades are expected to enhance the centre’s aesthetic appeal and foster a more vibrant retail environment. The development plans highlight a commitment to using high-quality materials that blend well with the existing structure and local streetscape.
Previously, Wakefield Council had considered purchasing The Ridings as part of a broader regeneration effort but opted against it in December 2022 due to financial constraints. Instead, the council chose to seek a third-party buyer. The centre was acquired by Zahid Iqbal in March 2023, marking a new phase for the shopping centre’s redevelopment.
IntelliAM expands to the USA with first order from major food manufacturer
IntelliAM, a Yorkshire-based tech firm, has successfully entered the US market, securing its first order from a leading food manufacturer. The order covers three major manufacturing sites and will see the integration of IntelliAM’s AI and machine learning technology. The company’s software, on-site sensors, and technology support will help the manufacturer optimise operations and enhance return on investment.
Installation of IntelliAM’s AI systems is set to begin this month, with the initial contract spanning 12 months. This expansion marks a significant step in IntelliAM’s global strategy to improve machine asset performance and boost productivity across industries.
IntelliAM’s technology helps manufacturers extract actionable insights from operational data, improving asset care, reducing downtime, and increasing productivity. With an established client base that includes half of the world’s top 12 food and drink producers, the company’s AI solutions are increasingly becoming essential in enhancing manufacturing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
