New apprenticeship opens route for nuclear industry careers
Aspiring nuclear engineers and scientists have a new route into careers in low-carbon energy, with the launch of a degree apprenticeship delivered by the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre.
The Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship will produce graduate professionals who can work across the UK’s current and future civil nuclear programmes. It has been developed with the support of the Nuclear AMRC and industry partners including UKAEA, Westinghouse, Rolls-Royce, Sellafield and Jacobs.
The course has been 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. Graduates will qualify with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), and be well suited for roles including design, operational management, project management, plant performance enhancements and maintenance of safety standards.
The Nuclear AMRC and the AMRC Training Centre worked together to ensure that the course meets industry needs, coordinating input from employers in the nuclear supply chain and supporting development of the curriculum.
Liz Gregory, Supply Chain and Skills Director at the Nuclear AMRC, says: “We are committed to supporting our supply chain companies to obtain suitably qualified personnel to meet today’s challenges and those of the future. There is a real shortage of staff in the nuclear sector, so we are working hard with our partner organisations to meet their needs for high-quality training and to give young people the best possible start in the industry.”
Apprentices will be employed by a company working in the nuclear supply chain throughout their training. Their employer will pay the course fees plus a basic salary, either with support from the apprenticeship levy or via co-investment with the government if the employer doesn’t pay the levy. As part of their final year of study, the student will carry out an industrial project to tackle a real engineering challenge for their employer.
For people who want to work in nuclear but are not currently employed in the sector, the AMRC Training Centre can match applicants to a suitable employer.
Nikki Jones, Director of the AMRC Training Centre, says: “The nuclear sector is a rapidly-developing high-value sector in the UK with immense growth opportunities. With the new Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship, we want to feed into the skills bank for industry employers and also provide our apprentices with quality training and knowledge needed to get a head-start in the industry.
“Building on the AMRC Training Centre’s remarkable track record in apprenticeships in other high-value sectors, we’re confident that the new degree apprenticeship will be an excellent first step towards plugging the existing skills gap in the nuclear industry and will open up exciting, new opportunities for young people looking to get into the industry.”
VetPartners continues Netherlands expansion
One of the Netherlands’ best known veterinary groups has joined VetPartners.
Dierenartsen Groep Nederland (DGN) is VetPartners’ second acquisition in the country after welcoming DierenDokters to its expanding European portfolio in February 2023.
The growth of DGN, which has 26 clinics in 33 sites across the Netherlands, has been supported by private equity firm Standard Investment.
Their decision to join VetPartners gives the group a strong base of practices in the Netherlands.
VetPartners owns some of Europe’s most trusted and respected veterinary practices and animal healthcare companies, with 11,000 employees working across more than 700 sites in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.
VetPartners was founded in October 2015 by CEO Jo Malone, a small animal vet and director at The Minster Veterinary Practice, in her home city of York, where it has its headquarters.
Mrs Malone said: “DGN is a highly respected group of practices and we share common values of putting people first and ensuring our vets have the autonomy to make their own decisions for their patients.
“Right from the outset, the aim of VetPartners was to bring together like-minded practices who wanted to work together and ensure a bright future for the veterinary profession. Our culture is one of warmth and belonging and we believe DGN are a great fit for our family of practices, and we look forward to working with them.”
DGN Chief Operating Officer Mischa Weijers will lead the group’s expansion in the Netherlands.
Mr Weijers said: “We have joined VetPartners so we can continue our growth and continue to improve veterinary care in our local, well-known clinics that are so familiar to our clients.
“Putting employees, patients and clients at the centre of our business decisions is the basis of our success, and VetPartners lives and breathes that philosophy as well, so that makes them a great fit for us.
“Combining VetPartners’ industry leading experience with our love for working together and having fun promises a bright future. Our vets, nurses and other team members very much welcome being part of VetPartners because they see the group as a great cultural fit.”
Marnix van der Feltz, partner at Standard Investment, said: “When we started building our group of Dutch veterinary practices, we focussed on having entrepreneurial vets/owners who wanted to continue running their own practice and provide the best possible service for clients. Combined with working with Standard Investment to facilitate further growth, this has led to great success.”
DGN was advised by Lincoln International and Stek. VetPartners was advised by VBK, Mills & Reeve and PWC.
Willmott Dixon Interiors to deliver hospital’s new endoscopy suites
Willmott Dixon Interiors have been chosen to deliver two new endoscopy suites at Mexborough’s Montagu Hospital.
As part of the works, the project team will reconfigure and refurbish more than 9,000 sq ft of space within the hospital’s endoscopy ward and rotunda building on behalf of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The £4.3 million project will provide new staff and patient facilities, a discharge lounge and recovery ward, and new consultant and ancillary rooms. There will also be a new reception and waiting area, staff room and toilets.
Willmott Dixon Interiors has begun early on-site activities, with the full 30-week project expected to be completed later this year.
It follows the contractor’s recent completion of a similar project to refurbish the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Montagu Hospital.
Phil Crowther, director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to deliver important new facilities for local people.
“The creation of a new endoscopy suite builds on our recent refurbishment of the CDC at Montagu Hospital and will improve patient experience by providing faster diagnosis and treatment.
“We are highly experienced in the delivery of healthcare refurbishment projects and will be working to a fast-paced programme, with minimal disruption to hospital staff and patients.”
Willmott Dixon Interiors is delivering the refurbishment of the endoscopy ward and rotunda building at Mexborough Montagu Hospital alongside a project team that includes P+HS, WT Partnership, CAD 21 and Alan Johnston Partnership.
Leeds-based Brand8 PR appointed by water and energy efficiency company Cenergist
Brand8 PR has been hired by water and energy efficiency company Cenergist to advise on its corporate and business-to-business communications.
The Leeds-based agency is undertaking media relations, social media, content marketing and search activity on behalf the business to help support the delivery of its growth plans.
Cenergist enables its clients to reduce carbon emissions and water consumption to meet sustainability goals and comply with regulation using its energy, district heating and water management services.
The Washington, Tyne & Wear, headquartered business’s clients include water companies, local authorities, social housing providers and property developers.
One of the company’s projects is delivering Leeds City Council’s ‘Clustering for Warmth’ initiative. This involves Cenergist designing and installing low carbon ground and air source heating systems into 26 housing blocks across the city.
Julie Keogh, head of consumer marketing at Cenergist, said: “Brand8 PR won the pitch due to the agency’s clear strategic approach and track record of successfully advising a range of businesses operating within the sustainability and property sectors.
“We have ambitious growth plans both within the UK and internationally and look forward to working with Brand8 PR to help us achieve our objectives.”
Founded in 2010, Brand8 PR’s clients include Norway-based global sustainable technology company TOMRA, housebuilder Avant Homes and urban logistics property developer and asset manager Chancerygate.
Brand8 PR managing director, Rob Smith, commented: “With the requirement for private and public sector organisations to achieve sustainability goals continuing to gather pace, Cenergist is ideally placed to advise within this rapidly expanding market.
“We are working alongside the company’s senior management team on communications activity which will raise awareness and create demand for the company.”
Lincoln-based chartered surveyors snapped up
Begbies Traynor Group, the business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, has acquired BLC No1 Limited, which trades as Banks Long & Co, for a maximum consideration of £3m.
Banks Long & Co is a firm of chartered surveyors employing 38 staff in Lincoln and operating throughout Lincolnshire and Humberside. The business will integrate with Eddisons, the group’s property division.
The Banks Long & Co team provide commercial property agency, property management, building consultancy and valuation services to a wide range of regional clients including public and private sector organisations, which aligns with the group’s current service offering and strengthens its regional presence across Eastern England and South Yorkshire.
In its financial year ended 31 August 2022, Banks Long & Co generated revenue of £2.6m (unaudited) and normalised pre-tax profits of £0.4m (when reported on the same basis as the group). Trading is projected to at least maintain this level in the current financial year to date. It had net assets of £2.1m (including £1.4m cash) as at 31 August 2022.
Anthony Spencer, director at Eddisons, said: “I am very pleased to welcome the Banks Long & Co team to Eddisons, which extends our footprint into Lincolnshire and enhances our existing presence in Eastern England and South Yorkshire.
“The Banks Long & Co team are highly experienced with a proven track record in delivering high quality professional advice to public and private sector clients. We continue to seek further opportunities for expansion across the UK.”
Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor Group plc, said: “The acquisition of Banks Long & Co is in line with our strategy to develop our property advisory and transactional services division, by increasing both its scale and market position, as well as the scope of its service offering and geographical coverage.
“Banks Long & Co has excellent relationships within its local market place offering its clients a broad range of real estate services which they have developed over many years and we are very much looking forward to working with them.”
Farmers’ confidence slumps to lowest point since Covid began, says NFU
Spiralling costs of production faced by farmers and growers have driven down the confidence of people in the industry to the lowest levels since the start of Covid, with almost 90% saying they are being negatively affected by input costs such as energy, fuel and fertiliser.
An NFU survey shows that the phasing out of current farming support payments is negatively impacting farm business confidence with 82% of farmers citing farm support payments as a major cause.
Horticulture, livestock and poultry sectors is having the greatest impact on confidence. The evidence of this was shown on supermarket shelves with shortages of some produce including, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.
Despite the knock to confidence, British farmers’ intention to invest in renewable energy generation and energy efficiency has increased rapidly.
This demonstrates a real ambition to future-proof farm business resilience and reach British farming’s net zero by 2040 target, as well as the importance of energy security to the nation’s food security.
But, the investment needed to increase climate-friendly farming capabilities is being hindered by the low levels of short- and medium-term business confidence.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “It is shocking but not surprising that our farmer confidence survey is reporting the lowest levels in three years. During this time, we have experienced a global pandemic, a war in Europe, tumultuous political change and extreme weather. If this lack of confidence and uncertainty is allowed to continue during such challenging times, it has the potential to lead to further shortages on supermarket shelves.
“We know from experience that low confidence indicates that farmers don’t have the means to invest in their food producing businesses, which could result in little to no growth in our domestic food security at a time when we need it most. It is also at odds with the government’s own plans for growth, and the commitments made by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last year to support British farming by setting a target for the nation’s food security, with a statutory duty to report on domestic food levels.”
Future farming support is needed, Minette Batters said. “As well as food security, energy security is crucial to our nation, and currently 38% of British farmers are using or producing renewable energy. As an industry we have a huge ambition to increase this but confidence in the future is deterring farmers from making this important investment.
“Farmers need to know that government is supporting them through policies that build profitability and resilience into farm businesses to allow us to unlock a thriving food and farming industry. For this we need to see clarity on future farming support policies, including the Environmental Land Management schemes, which will help farmers plan ahead and build financial resilience into their businesses.”
Manufacturing software specialist joins Sheffield’s Nuclear AMRC
Manufacturing software specialist Kaizen PLM has joined the Nuclear AMRC to help develop new capabilities for automated welding, inspection and additive manufacturing.
Kaizen PLM specialises in product lifecycle management systems allowing manufacturers to manage product data throughout the entire lifecycle from ideation, design, and manufacture to service and disposal. It is a smart expert partner for Siemens Industry Software in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on additive manufacturing and virtual commissioning applications.
The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, based at the University of Sheffield and part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, collaborates with companies of all sizes to help them innovate and win work in the nuclear supply chain.
As part of its tier one membership, Kaizen PLM will support the deployment of new robotic platforms for welding, inspection and additive manufacturing of metal components for the nuclear sector and other quality-critical industries.
John Crossley, NDT technology lead for the Nuclear AMRC, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kaizen PLM to the Nuclear AMRC, as their expertise in Siemens software can significantly improve the efficiency of our welding and inspection projects. One big benefit for us is that we carry out all our modelling in Siemens NX, and Kaizen’s solutions allow us to easily drag and drop our models into additive manufacturing software rather than having to reprogramme everything.”
Anthony O’Riordan, MD for Kaizen PLM, said: “With our advanced technology and expert services, we enable manufacturers to continuously improve their processes and products, ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficiency. By working with the Nuclear AMRC to virtually commission large additive robotic cells, we demonstrate that manufacturers can test and optimise their processes before physical implementation, reducing costs and improving efficiency.
“Through our partnership with the Nuclear AMRC, we are able to leverage both parties’ expertise in advanced manufacturing and software solutions to help manufacturers in the nuclear sector overcome their unique challenges. With our combined focus on supply chain development and skills training, we empower manufacturers to stay competitive and drive innovation in the industry.”
Customer demands mean ABP switches from coal to cars at International Terminal
ABP has invested in new vehicle handing facilities at the Port of Immingham to meet customer demands.
The half-million-pound infrastructure in the Humber International terminal will mean when cars are discharged off the vessel, they are sent to a first point of rest facility near the berth. The terminal was originally built to handle coal, but as the UK coal usage rightly declines, so ABP have looked to plug gaps in the shipping schedule with car ships, to help meet customers’ needs.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “We have taken on this stevedoring role and have proven we can handle it and very much look forward to expanding our automotive services.
“It’s part of ABP’s commitment to helping our customers and we continual look to invest in our infrastructure to accommodate growing industry demand. The Humber is a major player in the automotive market, and we continue to invest to ensure we can handle larger vessels.”
Kia UK Supply Chain General Manager Awais Ajmal said: “A big thanks to ABP for stepping in at short notice on several of our recent deliveries. This has allowed Kia UK to maintain deliveries to our valued customers during a critical time for new registrations. Due to a high level of back orders for Kia vehicles ABP prevented disruption in our time sensitive supply chain.”
The ports of Grimsby and Immingham serve the European and Far East automotive markets being ideally placed in the middle of the UK and central to serving the north and south of the country.
In 2025 it will be fifty years since Grimsby was chosen as the base for the first vehicle imports with Volkswagen. Since then, the Humber has grown to be the UK number one automotive distribution centre in the UK. The £26 million Grimsby River Terminal (GRT) is a two-berth facility capable of handling vessels carrying up to 3,000 vehicles.
Over 800,000 cars a year pass through our Humber ports reducing transport time and costs by streamlining the process. The addition of ABP stevedores offers customers a complete supply chain solution should it be needed.
Leeds manufacturers team up with university to achieve strategic growth plans
Leadership and marketing experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with a Leeds-based manufacturing company to bring academic knowledge and innovation into the business – supporting them in their ambition to enter new markets and achieve continued long-term, sustainable growth.
A team of Leeds Business School academics will work with Moulds, Patterns and Models Ltd (MPM) on the two-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), which is part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK.
Founded in 1978, MPM is a family-owned business specialising in manufacturing and supplying composite fibreglass tooling and products to key sectors including automotive, leisure and renewable energy. The company has a strong reputation for quality and reliability.
Dr Julia Morgan, Head of the Leadership Centre at Leeds Beckett and project supervisor, explained: “MPM’s leadership team is very forward-thinking and highly motivated – they have already achieved impressive growth and made many operational changes over the last ten years, and they are now looking to work with us to achieve the next stage of their ambitious growth plan.
“The KTP will support MPM in their goals to enter new markets and develop new products and services. We will do this by using innovative solutions to challenge their existing practices and create strategic change in the business.”
The KTP will focus on two areas: sales, marketing and strategic insights to grow market share; and strengthening leadership skills and ensuring a high-performing and engaged team are retained within the business to facilitate this growth.
Ben Wilson, Managing Director of MPM, said: “Sometimes, you don’t know what you don’t know, and we’re excited to have a fresh pair of eyes, ears and insight into our plans and vision whilst developing the team and business for a more successful, sustainable and enjoyable future.”
Dr Julia Morgan has 20 years’ experience of working in Human Resource Management and Leadership Development consultancy. Project leader, Dr Catherine Ashworth, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, has extensive experience of working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on knowledge exchange projects and has led multiple KTP projects.
A skilled graduate will be recruited to carry out the project, as a full-time member of staff within the business, and with the full support and input of the academic team at Leeds Beckett.
MPM’s relationship with Leeds Beckett University began in 2021 when Ben Wilson took part in the Small Business Leadership Programme – the government’s pilot course which has now become the successful Help to Grow: Management programme – supporting senior managers of SMEs to boost business performance, resilience, and long-term growth.
Through the partnership with Leeds Beckett, MPM staff members will have access to a range of development opportunities through the University’s wider business support programmes and services, including Help to Grow: Management, the #WECAN (Women Empowered through Coaching and Networking) programme – building the leadership skills, capabilities and opportunities of women in SMEs in the Leeds City Region, and student consultancy projects and placements.
Jo Griffiths, Head of KTP at Leeds Beckett University, added: “The team at MPM are very engaged and want to scale their business sustainably for the benefit of their employees as well as the regional economy. This aspiration aligns directly to the UK government’s Build Back Better and Levelling Up agendas, which are focused on economic growth, improving skills and spreading opportunity more equally across the UK.”
Lewis Silkin expands in the North with new Leeds office and partner hire
Lewis Silkin LLP is opening a new office in Leeds and has appointed James Keogh as a partner in the firm’s employment law group. He will lead what will initially be a new three-strong team based in the city.
Having studied, trained, and worked in Leeds throughout his career, James is well known in the region as a trusted employment and HR law advisor to some of the largest corporations in Yorkshire.
A specialist in complex change/restructuring projects, industrial relations and trade union issues, sensitive investigations, and TUPE matters, James’ clients include household name brands in retail, luxury, hospitality, and manufacturing including FTSE 250 and AIM businesses.
James will be joined (in early summer) by managing associate Gemma Woodhead. Previously an in-house employment counsel at Warner Brothers, Gemma spent 8 years supporting various businesses across the entertainment group and helping to manage their workforces across EMEA.
James and Gemma will be supported by associate Breesha Loughran, who brings expertise in workplace investigations and Employment Tribunal litigation.
The new office marks the latest step in the growth of Lewis Silkin’s national presence, following the firm’s launch and rapid growth in Manchester last year, and adding to its offices and regional hubs in London, Oxford, Cardiff, Belfast, Dublin and Hong Kong.
James Keogh, partner at Lewis Silkin, said: “I’m over the moon to be joining Lewis Silkin and helping to build our new presence in Leeds. We’ll be a part of the UK’s leading specialist employment team, providing the firm with a strategically important base in Yorkshire and adding to the strength of its offering across the North of England.
“It’s an exciting period of growth for Lewis Silkin and our new footprint means we are perfectly placed to support the ever-changing needs of our clients. I look forward to our Leeds team making a valuable contribution to the continued success of this fantastic firm.”
Richard Miskella, joint managing partner at Lewis Silkin, added: “I’m delighted to welcome James, Gemma and Breesha to Lewis Silkin. James is a real rising star with a well-earned reputation in the region and beyond for advising on complex employment issues at the highest level, for a range of both national and Yorkshire-based clients. The combined team bring both depth of local market knowledge and breadth of expertise in our core and high growth sectors.
“Their appointment, and the opening of our new office in Leeds – hot on the heels of Manchester – is an important step forward to establish a strong and joined up presence in the North that will work alongside Lewis Silkin’s other offices. We are constantly adapting to meet the evolving needs of our clients. We are now able to deliver local access to the highest-quality teams and advice through our regional hubs – including in the North of England, one of the most dynamic and innovative economic regions in the UK.”
