Knight Frank promotes six in Leeds
Global property consultancy Knight Frank has made six promotions at its Leeds office.
Tom Goode, Matt Turner, Rebekah Donaldson, Amy Wood and James Green have all become partners, while Victoria Harris is now an associate.
Nationally Knight Frank has promoted 51 employees to partner and 77 to associate.
Henrie Westlake, partner and head of the Leeds office, said: “These promotions are thoroughly deserved and a recognition of the hard work, dedication and dynamism each of the six have demonstrated during the past 12 months.
“All six have contributed to the continuing success of the Leeds office of Knight Frank in what are challenging times for the commercial property sector. Their commitment is exemplary and they have my warmest congratulations.
“On a national and international level, despite market disruption, Knight Frank has outperformed expectations, which is testament to our strength, the power of partnership and a huge amount of hard work from our brilliant people globally.”
William Beardmore-Gray, Knight Frank’s chairman, added: “We are pleased that 50 per cent of partner promotions and 40 per cent of new associates are female, moving the gender balance of partners in a positive direction, progress that we will seek to maintain and increase in future years.
“Providing meaningful career paths for the best talent in real estate is key to the future success of our business and I would like to congratulate everyone at Knight Frank who has earned a promotion this year and wish them every success in their next chapter within our partnership.”
Goole grants of up to £50,000 are designed to benefit the town’s economy
Opportunity Goole, one of eight projects that make up the Goole Town Deal regeneration programme, has launched a grant funding scheme that both individuals and organisations can apply to.
Grants of up to £50,000 are now available for projects designed to enhance the local economy in some way, and that they wouldn’t have been able to access the funding elsewhere. The grant scheme will be open to organisations initially and will then begin to accept applications from individuals soon afterwards. Opportunity Goole Project Manager Dawn Redfern said: “The eligibility criteria is deliberately very broad and the grant scheme is open to anyone over the age of 16 in the Goole area. The main requirement is that the grants should be used to boost the local economy in some way. So, for example, an organisation may want to apply for grant funding to pay for some training for its workforce. “Meanwhile, an individual could apply for funding towards transport costs to help them secure employment or give them access to training. However, if applicants can access the funding they need elsewhere, we’ll signpost them to that instead. The idea is that the Opportunity Goole grant scheme provides financial support that people can’t find elsewhere.” Phil Jones, Chairman of the Goole Town Deal Board, welcomed the launch of the Opportunity Goole grant scheme, adding: “Since its launch earlier this year, Opportunity Goole has already delivered some really positive outcomes for both individuals and employers. The launch of this new grant scheme is a really positive step because it has been designed to fill a gap in existing provision so the criteria is very broad and flexible. Even if you’re unsure whether you’d be eligible to apply, it’s well worth emailing the team or popping in to Goole Library to see them and talk your ideas through.” Members of the Opportunity Goole team are also be able to help and advise applicants with their grant funding applications. Anyone who would like to apply or find out more is asked to email the team at: opportunity.goole@eastriding.gov.uk. Members of the Opportunity Goole team are based within Goole Library on Carlisle Street in the town centre and both local residents and businesses/employers looking for free support are welcome to drop in and see them or can email in advance to pre-book an appointment. Billed as a ‘one-stop shop’, Opportunity Goole provides easy access to information about local job opportunities, training provision, business support and more to anyone over the age of 16 years, regardless of whether they’re employed, unemployed or retired. The team can also help people to access information about Goole Town Deal and workforce development, helping individuals to gain the knowledge and skills they need to secure employment and ensuring that employers can recruit local people with the skillset that they’re looking for. For more information about Opportunity Goole and the other projects funded by Goole Town Deal, visit www.gooletowndeal.co.uk.Pudsey site sold for new homes
Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has sold a site in Pudsey, West Yorkshire to Leeds Federated Housing Association for the delivery of 54 new homes.
Keyland secured outline planning consent from Leeds City Council for the new homes under a Planning Promotional Agreement (PPA) with a local landowner in 2021. The site was marketed with the benefit of outline planning permission and a suite of technical information by Keyland and the Leeds office of Cushman & Wakefield.
The transaction represents Keyland’s first completed PPA sale in which they acted as Land Promoter as well as joint owner with the neighbouring landowner. The PPAs involve Keyland working with independent landowners, corporates, and regulated bodies to overcome obstacles to development on strategic sites to facilitate development by securing planning consent for future use. The Pudsey PPA followed on from agreements with landowners in Wakefield, Leeds, and Calderdale.
The 5.5-acre site is located in an established and popular residential area mid-way between the centres of Leeds and Bradford, adjacent to Owlcotes Reservoir on Owlcotes Road.
Matthew Turnbull, land & planning manager at Keyland Developments Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have completed our first PPA sale with this site.
“The purpose of our PPA agreements is to align our interests with those of the landowner, and it enables landowners of any scale to maximise the potential from their sites without incurring any risk or cost to themselves.
“The planning consent and subsequent sale to Leeds Federated Housing Association has facilitated new homes to contribute to the local authority’s long-term housing targets.”
Phil Roebuck, partner at Cushman & Wakefield who acted for Keyland in the land sale, said: “The unlocking of this site in a highly sustainable location has enabled the delivery of new homes at a time when regional shortages are well documented. The new development will complement its surroundings and benefit from nearby amenities, services, and transport.”
Two new deals complete at historic Yorkshire mill complex
Two new deals have been completed at Sunny Bank Mills, the historic Yorkshire mill complex between Leeds and Bradford.
During the past 11 years Sunny Bank Mills, one of the most famous family-owned mills in Yorkshire, has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use complex for the 21st century, creating nearly 500 sustainable new jobs.
The two new companies moving into Sunny Bank are PQS Tech Solutions, formerly based in Pontefract Lane, Leeds, which is taking space in No 10 The Mending Rooms, and David Yeadon Ltd, which is relocating from Bagley Lane, Leeds to the iconic 1912 Mill.
Andy Brooke, Managing Director of PQS Tech Solutions, explained the reasons for the company’s move.
“We like the mill, basically because it’s such a nice place with a great sense of community. The extra parking spaces were a big selling point, as was the option of having anything from shared Wi-Fi to a direct fibre Internet connection.
“Landlords William and John Gaunt have been great. They are very accommodating when we have wanted to look round and they went the extra mile to find the ideal office for us.
“As a business we have been going for 11 years. We run alongside the PQS Survey hire business and have previously just had space in their depots. The PQS Tech business model has changed quite drastically over the last 12 months and more of our staff are office based.
“Because of this, I wanted a nicer environment for them to be in every day. It’s important for me that my staff are happy at work, and I do think that having such a friendly environment to work in every day is very positive for all of us.”
Meanwhile David Yeadon, owner and Managing Director of David Yeadon Ltd, explained that he had chosen Sunny Bank Mills for its sense of community and its facilities: “I live locally and was aware of the history of Sunny Bank and its connection with the arts.”
John Gaunt said: “We are delighted to welcome PQS Tech Solutions and David Yeadon to Sunny Bank Mills. These deals are a resounding endorsement of the quality of our flagship 1912 Mill and of the historic Mending Rooms.
“Both companies have had a successful track record in recent years and we look forward to helping them to build on their success. They are joining a vibrant business and cultural community here at Sunny Bank, where I’m sure they will thrive.”
Guernsey’s oldest veterinary practice joins York’s VetPartners
Guernsey’s oldest veterinary practice is entering a new chapter in its 104-year history after joining VetPartners.
Isabelle Vets, which has been looking after Guernsey’s pets, farm animals and horses since 1919, is the first veterinary practice from the island to join VetPartners.
Some of Europe’s most respected and trusted small animal, equine, mixed and farm practices and animal healthcare companies are part of VetPartners, which was established by vets in 2015 and has 11,000 employees working across 700 sites.
New Era Vets in Jersey became VetPartners’ first Channel Islands practice in November 2019.
Because no two practices are the same, VetPartners encourages its practices to embrace their independent spirit, while supporting them by investing in people, facilities, equipment and latest technology so they provide outstanding care for patients and an excellent service for clients.
While Isabelle Vets’ long-serving clients will still be able to see all the same familiar faces at their main practice in Route Isabelle in St Peter Port and branch surgery in L’Islet in St Sampsons, the practice is excited about fresh opportunities for investment, career development for colleagues and expansion of facilities that will come with being part of a larger veterinary group.
Isabelle Vets directors Doreen Munn-Litten and Sarah-Jane Heathcote have run the practice in joint partnership for the last three years. Doreen, a surgeon, graduated from Glasgow University in 1995, and holds a Certificate in Small Animal Surgery. She has been a director of the practice since 2012.
Sarah-Jane graduated from Liverpool University in 1999, and primarily focuses on looking after Guernsey’s horses. She joined as a director in 2015, and holds a Certificate in Equine Dentistry.
They will remain as practice leaders with their established team of 45 colleagues, including 11 vets.
Doreen said: “What makes Isabelle Vets so special is that we are the longest established practice in Guernsey and generations of islanders have used our services so everyone feels we are a big part of the community.
“Having provided more than 100 years of service for the animals of Guernsey, it is important to us that we continue to progress for future generations with the practice in safe hands. We look after all the dairy herds on the island, most of the horses and many small animals, and partnering with a larger veterinary group will provide huge benefits.
“Through VetPartners, we will be able to access greater resources and expertise covering all species. We can tap into the knowledge of specialists who are part of VetPartners, which will be beneficial in an ever-changing environment when medicine and surgery are moving on as we want to stay at the forefront of excellence.
“VetPartners is clinically focused and our vets will have access to top-quality education and CPD. They can then put new knowledge and skills into practice in the service we deliver daily. Everything will look and feel the same for our clients but it will enable us to remain at the leading edge of premium veterinary care.”
VetPartners was established by CEO Jo Malone in November 2015 with three practices in the North of England. It has its headquarters in York.
Jo said: “We are excited to welcome our new colleagues from Isabelle Vets. They are a highly respected practice and are rightly proud of their reputation for providing outstanding care for the animals of Guernsey. We will support them to continue to deliver the best possible care for their patients and an excellent service for their clients, as well as being a great place to work.”
Following European expansion in 2019, the group now has practices in Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the Channel Islands.
New raft of skills bootcamps aims to help up to 800 people
The York and North Yorkshire LEP is partnering with specialist providers and leading employers to deliver a programme of 30 Skills Bootcamps, supporting more than 800 individuals.
For learners, Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving those who take part the opportunity to build up specific skills and – if they are unemployed or seeking to change career – a fast-track to an interview with an employer looking to recruit new talent. The current raft of sessions, running until next spring, builds on a similar programme last year, involving 1,000 people.
This current programme of Skills Bootcamps offers a range of courses in areas such as cyber security, game design, programming, forestry, rail engineering and care, and reflects the diverse needs of our local economy.
Peter Emery, Chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Skills and Employability Board, said: “Skills Bootcamps offer a great way for learners to progress their careers and for employers to gain additional expertise. This latest menu of courses offers an exciting range of opportunities and can be tailored to a company’s actual needs thus making them a very attractive option to many SMEs and micro-businesses.”
Partners delivering Skills Bootcamps in collaboration with Y&NY LEP include Learning Curve Group, City of York Council, Calderdale College, Coders Guild, Corecom Technology Academy, Northern Regeneration CIC, Wakefield College, Hybrid Technical Services, Luminate Education Group and Craven College.
Last year Third-based steel construction company Severfield put five employees onto a metal fabrication Skills Bootcamp led by Derwent Training, in Malton.
Luke Malton, a steel fabricator and one of the Severfield employees who took part, said: “I really enjoyed this course. The tasks that we completed over the 12 weeks were very hands on, so it felt like we were thrown in at the deep end at first, but that’s exactly what was needed to make sure we got the most out of the time. I already feel like I have a broader skill set that I can continue to build on during my time here and that will allow me to work on a wider range of jobs.
“Some people might be put off by the idea of taking part in something like this, because it feels like you’re going back into education. But because we were able to complete the training sessions during work hours, it felt a lot more like professional development than teaching.”
To find out more about Skills Bootcamps, please email: emilie.bjorndal@ynylep.com
HEYLEP to support Hull businesses with Export Growth Grant funding programme
Hull City Council have announced the successful awarding to the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (HEYLEP) of UK Shared Prosperity Funds (UKSPF) to support local Hull based businesses with its Export Growth Grant (EGG) project.
The Programme aims to provide revenue grants to Hull-based exporters to support business growth through exporting to new markets.
Grants to a maximum of £5,400 are available to SMEs trading in a Hull Postcode (HU1 – HU9).
Companies applying will be expected to evidence the availability of 40% match funds of their overall project cost.
The overall objective of the EGG Programme is to assist businesses looking to participate at UK, European and International Trade Shows, thus enabling them to enter new markets following their exhibition stand at the Show.
Applications are now open – please contact funding@heylep.com for more details.
Bradford banking group acquires money-saving app
Bradford-headquartered Vanquis Banking Group has acquired money-saving fintech uSnoop Limited (Snoop).
Snoop provides its customers with personalised insights to help them better understand and manage their finances. The Snoop app uses AI and open banking data to help people save on household bills and targets savings of up to £1,500 per year for customers.
Snoop also helps businesses understand emerging consumer spending trends by analysing customer spending habits and transactions on its platform, enabling businesses to be better informed about their customers.
The acquisition will provide Snoop with significant scale, allowing access to Vanquis Banking Group’s 1.7 million customers who will benefit from the app, as well as with capital to grow the Snoop proposition.
This acquisition marks an important step for Vanquis as a specialist bank, bringing a money management and saving app into its customer proposition.
Ian McLaughlin, incoming Chief Executive Officer, Vanquis Banking Group, said: “Vanquis Banking Group is uniquely positioned to become the leading lender to underserved consumers.
“Snoop’s technology will enable the Group to provide a differentiated proposition to its customers with tools enabling them to manage their finances better and save them money.
“I am delighted Snoop is becoming part of our Group and am confident that the combination of our customers and scale, with Snoop’s market leading technology, will allow us to go from strength to strength.”
John Natalizia, Chief Executive Officer, Snoop, said: “Snoop’s ambition is to make everyone better off, and we believe that personalisation is the most powerful way to empower people to take control of their finances and make a real difference to their spending habits.
“Our cutting-edge technology, which leverages Open Banking, allows us to do just that. Today’s announcement strengthens our purpose, and Vanquis Banking Group is the perfect partner to help the business grow.”
Coatings firm secures funds for expansion
A third-generation family business that provides specialist paints and coatings to industry has secured £200,000 from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, to step up its nationwide expansion.
New Guard Coatings, which is based in Wetherby and had an existing warehouse in Leicester, has expanded nationally in recent years with the addition of sites in Glasgow, Hull, Warrington and Crawley. The funding will enable it to roll out trade counters or collection points at all the existing locations and create four new jobs in Wetherby and Hull.
The company, which currently employs 38 staff, also plans to increase exports to the US via its existing office in Houston.
New Guard was established in 1977 by father and son team Alan and Paul Cooper and since 2014 has been run by Paul’s son, Ben Cooper. It is the second loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance. A previous loan received in 2019 has helped to support its expansion to date.
Ben Cooper, Managing Director, said: “At New Guard, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer top brands and rapid local service while maintaining our family business ethos.
“We set out our national expansion strategy seven years ago and, with the support of NPIF and Mercia, have already achieved most of our original goals. This latest funding will help us to complete our national network with the launch of a South West office and strengthen our footprint in the existing regions.”
Andy Clough of Mercia added: “New Guard is an example of a third-generation family business that is continuing to grow and has expanded well beyond its Yorkshire heartland. Thanks to its extensive stock levels and rapid service, it has become the ‘go to’ supplier for commercial coatings. This latest funding will enable it to firmly establish its position as a national operator.”
West Yorkshire towns join forces to maximise region benefits from tourism sector
Towns and cities across West Yorkshire have joined forces to form a Local Visitor Economy Partnership to maximise the potential of the region’s visitor economy.
It will involve councils in Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees, Bradford and Wakefield alongside West Yorkshire Combined Authority. An interim board has been appointed which includes key tourism partners across West Yorkshire who will help shape the future or tourism for the region.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “Local Visitor Economy Partnerships are at the heart of transforming the visitor economy landscape in England and we are delighted to welcome West Yorkshire onto the programme.
“We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with West Yorkshire as the LVEP is established, providing ongoing support including a dedicated VisitEngland regional development lead.
“Having the right national and local infrastructure in place to grow our visitor economy, in an inclusive, accessible and sustainable way, will ensure England continues to be a compelling destination for both domestic and international visitors.”
Currently, each of the five West Yorkshire districts manage tourism activity for the region’s 65 million annual visitors individually.
The new LVEP programme, developed and administered by VisitEngland, will see districts come together, sharing ideas and resources while they collaborate on ways to grow the visitor economy, attract more visitors and inward investment and create job opportunities across West Yorkshire.
The West Yorkshire LVEP will also be able to access expert advice, dedicated toolkits and training programmes as well as getting support for applications for important national funding.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “Through this new partnership, we can drive forward West Yorkshire’s tourism offer and give the sector the vital support it needs. Combining our strengths to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire, we’re ready to show the world why it’s the place to be.”
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “We are delighted to have secured LVEP status and excited that we will now be working more closely with our neighbours so that together, we can showcase the very best West Yorkshire has to offer.
“Our region is a completely unique, vibrant and beautiful place which deserves an international spotlight. By working more collaboratively and sharing ideas, we can support each other in highlighting what makes our districts so remarkable individually whilst also collectively showing just how special West Yorkshire is as a region.”
