Henry Boot secures buyer for Sheffield head office

Tess Egginton
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Henry Boot secures buyer for Sheffield head office
Henry Boot has completed on the sale of its current head office, Banner Cross Hall in Sheffield, to Davison Property Investment. The new owners will sensitively restore the Grade II listed building to provide modern workspace to cater to its range of business activities including recruitment, training, payroll, clinical insourcing and property investment. The new owners intend to transform part of Banner Cross Hall into dedicated serviced workspace, for local Sheffield businesses to use on a flexible basis. Davison Property Investments currently operates successful serviced offices in the Grade ll* listed Globe Works at Kelham Island in Sheffield. Alongside the workspace, there are plans to create an artisan restaurant and café, which will be open to the public, providing an opportunity for the local community to enjoy this historic building. Banner Cross Hall dates back to 1821 and has been used by Henry Boot since 1932. Henry Boot announced in March 2023 that they would be relocating their headquarters to the Isaacs Building in Sheffield city centre. Henry Boot’s new head office aims to support the company’s ambitious growth plans by providing its people, clients and partners with a contemporary, sustainable and more collaborative workspace. Tim Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Henry Boot, said: “Banner Cross Hall has been home to Henry Boot for over 90 years and has facilitated the successful growth of the company throughout this time. “We are pleased that the building will retain its core function as an office space, while the new owners also have plans to open up the building to the public, who will be able to benefit from the fantastic grounds that the Henry Boot team have been fortunate to enjoy for many years. “The sale of Banner Cross Hall represents the next exciting part of Henry Boot’s story, and we are looking forward to the move in November this year to help strengthen the links we have with the city and our partners. Our founder Henry Boot originally based the business in premises on Moore Street in the city, so in a way, it feels like we’re coming home.” Matthew Davison, CEO of Davison Property Investment, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Henry Boot as preferred bidder to take over the custodianship of such an important local landmark. We look forward to working with Sheffield City Council and the local community to help shape the next exciting stage in Banner Cross Hall’s history.” Knight Frank advised on the sale of Banner Cross Hall.

Series of health wins for strategic brand consultancy

Tess Egginton
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Series of health wins for strategic brand consultancy

Strategic brand consultancy — The Engine Room — has scooped a series of health briefs, as the 21-year-old firm’s presence in the sector continues to grow.

The Yorkshire-headquartered agency has been re-appointed by medical diagnostics specialist, 2San. Having experienced significant expansion through the sale of Covid tests, the global firm approached The Engine Room, post-pandemic, with a range of new ‘at home’ wellness and female health kits. With a packaging design project already complete to accelerate 2San’s B2B routes to market, The Engine Room has now turned its attention to the launch of a consumer-facing brand.

This adds to the strategic rebrand — including renaming — of NHS healthtech firm, Mizaic (formerly IMMJ Systems). Having already provided electronic document management technology to a number of Trusts nationwide, the business — under the steer of a new CEO and senior leadership team — approached The Engine Room to help consolidate and reposition the brand, as it advances its support to digitise the NHS.

Former client ADL Smartcare — trailblazers in the provision of evidence-based data, research and intelligence on age-related decline — has engaged The Engine Room to rebrand The Lifecurve. The LifeCurve is a simple idea and an app-based toolkit, specially developed to empower people to take better care of their bodies as they approach key markers in their life, and consequently reduce pressure on the NHS as the population ages.

Meanwhile, Leeds GP Confederation — who originally approached The Engine Room to develop its training offer — has undertaken a values-based positioning project. Acknowledging the organisation’s range of services and complex cross-sell potential across 92 different practices, The Engine Room advised the firm to take a step back.

The brief has therefore morphed into a project to redefine its purpose, principles and personality, review its brand architecture, and map its full service offering. By helping GP Confederation visualise its multifaceted structure — a vast comms challenge in itself — the goal is to drive greater advocacy and understanding of the organisation’s work, in turn better supporting the GPs they are here to serve.

The launch of a new online magazine created by surgeons, for surgeons, completes the five-strong project line-up. Surgery International — a digital resource rich with insights, trends and thought leadership articles — represents a new brand that The Engine Room has built from the bottom up, with the potential for it to become a revenue-generating asset with real estate for commercial sponsorships and ad placements, moving forward.

Commenting on the influx of work in the health sector, The Engine Room’s founder and design director Darren Evans said: “We have long been passionate about using brand to drive change when it comes to the health, wellness and social care in society, and our extensive credentials in this complex field — not to mention deep-rooted understanding of global terminology, regulatory landscape and societal challenges — now see us support a growing number of public and private sector brands with important change agendas.

“Innovation is continually bringing new products and services to market, and brand naturally plays its part. But as the needs of the general public — and pressures on the health service — further evolve, it’s also important to redesign processes and propositions too.”

Based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, the team is no stranger to the health and medtech sectors, having long worked alongside global scalp cooling pioneers Paxman, CareFusion — which went on to be acquired by BD. An additional two projects — yet to be publicly disclosed — are also in the studio’s pipeline.

Yorkshire construction specialist marks 10 years with financial milestones and new office

Tess Egginton
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0
Yorkshire construction specialist marks 10 years with financial milestones and new office

Yorkshire-based construction specialist, Henley Group, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with an 85% increase in YOY sales and a brand-new state of the art office in Wakefield to accommodate its expanding team.

The investment in office space and new hires comes as Henley Group also reports a rise in operating profits of 192%. It is on track for circa £12m+ turnover this financial year.

The company has invested significantly in its team within the last 12 months, hiring seven office-based employees and bringing the permanent team number to 23. The brand-new headquarters enables further space for the business to expand, with ten more hires forecasted by mid-2024. Henley Group also employs 80 contracted tradesmen and operatives and is looking to employ 15 more workers in this sector within the next 12 months.

The new two-storey office occupies over 6000 sq ft. The re-location will not only accommodate the growing team, but the area has an excellent talent pool of skilled operatives and managers within the construction sector, which will help to further facilitate expansion plans.

Managing Director, Shaun Henley, founded the business in 2012, beginning his career on site learning the skills of the trade on both small and large scale residential and commercial projects. With finite funding available, Shaun invested the money into setting up his own construction firm, offering bespoke stonemasonry and brickwork services.  

Henley Group now comprises a growing portfolio of businesses including Henley Stone Specialists, Henley Stone Restoration and Remedials, Henley Granite and Marble, and Henley Rail Services.

Shaun said: “I’m really proud of how far the company has come in the last ten years since our first project in 2013. It’s a testament to the team that we’ve been able to grow this rapidly, without compromising on our core values, quality and safety.

“It’s been a difficult few years for businesses in most sectors and the construction industry is no exception, impacted by way of job losses, rising costs and key players exiting the market. While it’s been a challenging time, by focusing on uncompromising quality, expanding our service offering and business portfolio and forging key relationships, we’ve been able to buck this trend and we’re excited for what the next decade will bring.” 

Speaking about the vision and next steps for the business, Shaun said: “Our next proposition is ‘Project Eagle’, which will be the next stage in establishing an integrated construction group that offers specialist services and products by optimising Henley Group’s current position in specific sub-sectors of the UK construction market.” 

Six projects costing £36m will improve water quality in Leeds and Bradford

Stuart Pearcey
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Six projects costing £36m will improve water quality in Leeds and Bradford
Yorkshire Water is investing £36m in six projects in west Leeds and Bradford to improve water quality within Pudsey Beck by reducing storm overflows during periods of prolonged or heavy rain. The six projects include:
  • New storm water storage at Pudsey Smalewell, Pudsey beginning in October 2023
  • Additional storm water storage off Dick Lane, Thornbury, Bradford beginning in January 2024
  • New storm water storage at Farnley ring road beginning in January 2024
  • Installation of storm water storage at Kent Road, Littlemoor Bottom, Pudsey beginning in February 2024
  • Installation of storm water storage at Dale Farm, Drighlington beginning in February 2024
  • The creation of a 4.7-hectare integrated constructed wetland at a disused Yorkshire Water site previously earmarked for housing at Hough Side, Pudsey beginning in July 2024
Additional storage will be added to the network to slow the flow of heavy or prolonged rainfall, which modelling indicates will reduce the number of storm discharges into Pudsey Beck by more than 20%. The new integrated constructed wetland at Hough Side will accommodate a minimum 25,000 cubic metres of diluted wastewater from heavy or prolonged rainfall events and will take about three years to build. Plants in a series of cells will treat the diluted wastewater as it travels through the wetland via gravity. Pollutants and nutrients will be naturally broken down and taken up by the plants and bacteria within the wetland. The wastewater will not include solid waste. Once established, the wetland will also provide a biodiversity net gain and improve the area for local wildlife. Richard Stuart, director of capital delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are committed to improving water quality in the rivers across our region. One of the key focuses is reducing storm overflows to make a real difference to water quality in our rivers. “This project is a significant investment in the west Leeds and Bradford areas to improve water quality within Pudsey Beck. The additional storage and wetland we are building into the network will reduce the number of storm overflows significantly into the watercourse and is just part of a £568m capital investment we are making across Yorkshire this year alone. “While work is being conducted in the area, there may be some traffic disruption and we are working closely with local authority highways departments to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. “We know that there is more to be done to tackle storm overflows.  We are already working on our largest ever environmental investment as part of our 2025-2030 business plan. The plans, which will be subject to approval by our regulator Ofwat, outline a £1 billion investment to further reduce discharges from overflows to meet the government’s storm overflow reduction plan, including the requirement for coastal bathing waters of an average of two spills per bathing water season by 2035.” The project is a collaboration between Yorkshire Water, Stantec, Kier, Arup, WSP, Mott MacDonald Bentley, Peter Duffy Limited, Galliford Try, Barhale, Tilbury Douglas, Leeds City Council and Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Beware chatbots when seeking HR advice, says sector specialist

Stuart Pearcey
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Beware chatbots when seeking HR advice, says sector specialist
Employers in Lincolnshire are being advised not to use AI-powered chatbots for HR advice and guidance on employment law. HR expert Laura Reilly has spoken out because of the rising popularity of chatbots such as ChatGPT, Bard, and Bing AI, being used in place of some work functions. She says that whilst chatbots can be a time saver and help productivity for various tasks, their information isn’t always reliable, which could land businesses in hot water. Laura, of Taurus HR Solutions, said: “Chatbots are a great addition to many workplaces right now… if they’re used in the right way. “The problem is, their ‘learning’ is up to two years out of date, and because employment law changes so frequently, asking them for HR advice could lead to a business breaking the law – and that could mean business owners find themselves being taken to an employment tribunal for failing to stick to appropriate legislation.” Laura also points out that chatbots have been found to give out inaccurate information, or information that is country-specific, which could also lead to problems. She said: “When it comes to employment law, it’s always best to seek advice from a real-life HR expert. “We spend hours keeping up with changes to the law and making sure we’re well-versed in everything HR, to keep you and your staff protected. “While it can be tempting to cut corners to save money – especially in today’s climate – acting on the wrong advice could ultimately end up costing you way more.”

Spencer Group takes apprentice recruitment total to 50 in five years

Stuart Pearcey
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Spencer Group takes apprentice recruitment total to 50 in five years
Hull-based Spencer Group has reached a major milestone in its apprenticeship programme, with this week’s seven new recruits meaning it has employed more than 50 apprentices in just five years. The latest intake of young talent includes five engineering apprentices and two IT Services apprentices. They will join a growing number of Ron Dearing alumni who have taken up full time positions in Engineering, Commercial, Project Management, Design, Marketing, Planning, IT Service and Computer programming. As founding partners of Ron Dearing UTC, Spencer Group works closely with students from year 10 onwards with attendance at open events and career expos. The business also provides ongoing support including Work Experience Programme, Interview Skills training, Mock Interview practice, Professional Behaviours and Employability Skills training. The relationship between Spencer Group and the school has created a productive pipeline of fresh talent for the engineering industry as well as opening up exciting and rewarding opportunities for young talent. Charlie Spencer, Executive Chairman and founder of Spencer Group, said: “Employing our 50th apprentice in just five years is testament to the dedication and hard work being put in by staff at Spencer Group, Ron Dearing UTC and other employer partners to ensure there’s a pipeline of young talent within the city. “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the apprentices are making on the business as they develop into their full time positions.”

British Steel signs deal to supply steel for world’s largest wind farm foundation factory

Stuart Pearcey
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British Steel signs deal to supply steel for world’s largest wind farm foundation factory
Steel made by Scunthorpe-based British Steel is being used to create the world’s largest factory of its kind – making the foundations for offshore wind farms. It’s the £450m project to build a monopile manufacturing facility at the Teesworks site by SeAH Wind. When complete, the 800-metre-long building will be the world’s biggest monopile facility, and is the first of its kind in the UK. The 40-metre high factory will produce up to 200 monopiles every year – which form the foundations of offshore wind turbines. A new deal between SeAH, British Steel and Severfield has now been signed which will see steel from Teesside’s Beam Mill at Lackenby, near Redcar, used in the giant development. Almost 400 people are now working on the site. Many more jobs for the plant will come online towards the end of 2023 and early in 2024 – with 750 direct jobs in total and 1,500 forecast to come through the supply chain. British Steel will supply more than 30,000 of tonnes of steel under the agreement. Ben Cunliffe, British Steel’s Commercial Director for Construction, said: “We’re extremely proud that our steel manufactured at Teesside Beam Mill is going into this hugely impressive development by SeAH Wind, and we are delighted to play our part in the exciting regeneration happening on our doorstep in Teesside. “While we have a rich heritage having supplied many iconic buildings across the globe, we’re focused on the future and delivering the high-quality products our customers require. “Teesside and British Steel remain at the forefront of UK steelmaking, and we look forward to working with our partners both on this huge project for SeAH Wind and beyond in the continued levelling up and transformation of the area.”

Bolt tightening event signals major milestone on Sheffield’s West Bar project

Stuart Pearcey
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0
Bolt tightening event signals major milestone on Sheffield’s West Bar project
An official bolt tightening event has taken place to celebrate a major construction milestone in the first phase delivery of the £300m West Bar development in Sheffield city centre.
Senior officials from project funder Legal & General visited the site to view progress on the steel frame superstructure for the first 100,000 sq ft office building, No.1 West Bar, which is expected to be completed by next June.  Construction is also well under way for the two residential blocks to provide 368 build to rent apartments.
Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, a joint venture between Urbo Regeneration and Peveril Securities (the development arm of the Bowmer and Kirkland Group) secured £160 million of funding from Legal & General in the largest single city centre investment deal Sheffield has ever seen.  It has awarded a £94 million construction contract to Bowmer & Kirkland to deliver the first phase to include West Bar Square, which will be the heart of the commercial public realm area and Soho Yard which will serve the residential BTR apartments.
As part of the agreed deal between Legal & General and Urbo, a second 100,000 sq ft office building will be delivered to follow No.1 West Bar Square.  A new 450 space multi-storey car park is also part of the first phase with around 300 cycle storage spaces and electric car charging points.  Connectivity into the surrounding walking and cycling routes is incorporated to encourage more sustainable travel.
Gordon Aitchison, Director of Investment and Development at Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, said: “It’s fantastic to see such momentum at Sheffield West Bar as we continue in partnership with Urbo, Sheffield City Council, and the local community. The delivery of West Bar will provide a vibrant new quarter for the centre of Sheffield; bringing much-needed new homes, jobs, and regeneration. “With the need for investment in our UK towns and cities ever-increasing, Legal & General remains committed to using dynamic partnerships to spark regeneration and secure the economic prosperity of socially important schemes.”
Peter Swallow, MD at Urbo, said: “It is incredible to witness how far Bowmer & Kirkland have progressed with three great structures already making a prominent stamp on the city skyline and even more exciting to realise that completion is just ten months away!”
The West Bar neighbourhood is on the Inner Ring Road between Sheffield’s Kelham Island, Cathedral and Castlegate Quarters.
Surrounding public realm, West Bar Square will become a landscaped focal point of the project whilst providing much needed amenity space for occupiers and the local community.
Soho Yard offers 368 residential apartments within two buildings situated around a landscaped space and gardens with access via Plum Lane. The properties will be delivered and operated by Legal & General as part of its highly successful ‘Build to Rent – Homes for Life’ portfolio. It sits on the site of the famous ‘Soho wheel’ that powered grinding machinery near the River Don after the Industrial Revolution.
West Bar is a £300 million, award-winning development that is transforming a strategically important gateway site in Sheffield to provide one million sq ft of mixed-use space.  This includes 500,000 sq ft of new Grade A workspace, residential apartments, new high quality public realm, multi storey car parking, together with new retail and leisure uses.  As well as providing much needed new housing, it will deliver the city’s largest office floorplates whilst supporting up to 8,000 new jobs.
 

Feasibility study to be launched for Keighley’s Beechcliffe site

Stuart Pearcey
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Feasibility study to be launched for Keighley’s Beechcliffe site
Consultants are being sought for a feasibility study into the development of a multi-million-pound industrial estate in Keighley. An investment of up to £7m from the Keighley Towns Fund has been earmarked for the development of the eight-acre Beechcliffe site. The Council-owned site, beside the Hard Ings roundabout to the west of the A629, has been allocated for employment uses since the early 90s. The first phase of work will be a feasibility study to look at the level of work needed to secure planning permission, remediate the site, and construct an access road, as well as upgrade the existing path which links Royd Ings with Utley with a new cycle and footpath route. The second phase would be undertaking a full programme of work to remediate the site and deliver plots for development. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “We know there’s huge demand for employment land in and around Keighley so I’m delighted this project is moving forward. “The first stage is a feasibility study but ultimately we’re looking to create a new industrial park which will increase the opportunities for businesses in the area and generate employment opportunities for residents.” Ian Hayfield, Chair of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “This £7m allocation is a very specific fund targeting the redevelopment of identified brownfield sites, taking the pressure off greenfield sites. The aim is to increase the supply of business accommodation in Keighley, which will bring a significant economic boost for the area.” From the Keighley Towns Fund money, £14m has been specifically allocated to transform derelict buildings or empty sites in Keighley, called the ‘Development Investment Fund.’ It is from this fund that the £7m for this project has been allocated.

Former Sky Director joins Yorkshire Water in customer experience role

Stuart Pearcey
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0
Former Sky Director joins Yorkshire Water in customer experience role
Yorkshire Water has appointed former Sky Director of Home Services, Imran Patel as its new Group Director of Customer Experience as the utility pushes forward with plans to modernise the services provided to customers in the region. Imran will join Yorkshire Water in the new year, with over 20 years’ experience delivering customer-centric transformation programmes. His most recent role at Sky focussed on leading the Home Services business ensuring that Sky products are delivered into homes across the UK, leading a team of about 4,000 engineers. Before Sky, Imran spent over 18 years at BT in various roles focussed on leading field teams, contact centres and other service-related departments. Nicola Shaw, Chief Exec at Yorkshire Water, said: “Imran’s experience in managing the delivery of UK-wide services for Sky and BT, along with his passion for transformation and customer experience match well with our ambitions and we’re delighted that he will be joining our team.” Imran said: “This is a great opportunity for me to bring my knowledge and experience of all things customer and transformation to work with the teams in Yorkshire Water to develop and shape our services for the future. “I’m very much looking forward to working for an organisation that can really make a positive impact on the communities it serves.”
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