DSW Ventures has led a pre-seed investment into RoxFit, a York-based hybrid fitness platform that provides training and racing insights.
DSW Ventures led the £800,000 round, with co-investment from regional angel group, York Angels, and additional angel investment from across Europe and the US.
Since its launch in 2024, RoxFit has achieved more than 100,000 downloads. It offers features including detailed analysis of race results, a library of workouts, a workout builder, and ‘PaceMe’ – a smartwatch integration feature which enables users to pace themselves during races and workouts.
The fitness platform’s next phase of growth will focus on rapidly deploying key features on the technical roadmap, optimising the user experience, and building partnerships in the hybrid fitness ecosystem. RoxFit will also continue to extend its reach to as many users as possible.
CEO Ben Wilson is an experienced developer and entrepreneur, and RoxFit’s CMO, Joey Allott, leads the marketing strategy with previous experience at Runna, a personalised running coaching app that was recently acquired by Strava.
They are supported by recently appointed chair, Tom Sermon, former CEO of digital health and wellbeing company, The Global Corporate Challenge, which was acquired by Virgin Pulse.
Ben Wilson, CEO of RoxFit, said: “We’re thrilled to have the backing of DSW Ventures, York Angels, and our wider investor group as we build the go-to platform for hybrid fitness athletes. This investment allows us to accelerate product development, enhance the user experience, and grow our footprint within the Hyrox and wider hybrid fitness communities.
“As athletes ourselves, we’ve built RoxFit to solve real problems we’ve experienced, and this funding brings us one step closer to helping thousands more train smarter and race better.”
Knight Frank completes duo of Yorkshire investment deals worth £6m
The Leeds office of Knight Frank has completed two deals in Yorkshire to high net-worth investors, underlining the strength of private capital in the region.
Acting on behalf of Swiss Life and in conjunction with Knight Frank’s sector specialist Ed Price in Birmingham, the Leeds office has completed the sale of an ASDA petrol station and convenience store in Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough for just under £3m.
Graham Foxton, partner Knight Frank, said: “The sale resulted in a competitive scenario with a number of local investors seeing the attraction of the opportunity.”
The Leeds office has also completed the acquisition of a single let industrial unit in Normanton on behalf of a local investor for a similar price. The seller, a Yorkshire-based property company, was advised by Ben Hall at NorthCap. The buyer was a long-standing client of Knight Frank.
Knight Frank have also been instructed to sell 2 Brewery Wharf for Swiss Life, an office building in Leeds city centre.
Yorkshire business confidence rises, as more firms plan to hire
Business confidence in Yorkshire rose 18 points during May to 52%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
Companies in Yorkshire reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 14 points at 59%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 23 points to 46%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 52% (vs. 34% in April).
A net balance of 54% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 35 points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example by investing in training (45%), entering new markets (33%) and introducing new technology (33%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall, UK business confidence increased 11 points in May to 50% – its highest level since August 2024.
Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects strengthened six points to 56%, while their confidence in the wider economy also climbed 16 points to 44%.
The East Midlands was the most confident UK nation or region in May (66%), followed closely by the North East (65%).
Sector insights
Construction firms’ confidence rose to a nine-month high of 56%, while those in the service sector reported a one-year high of 54%. Manufacturing confidence also rose by two points to 40%. However, retail confidence fell by five points to 40%, the lowest level since January this year.
Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds, said: “The warmer weather has brought with it a sunnier outlook for Yorkshire’s business, with greater optimism from firms in both their own trading prospects and the wider economy.
“It’s encouraging to see local businesses pursuing growth by expanding their teams and investing in training and development to build long-term success. We’re committed to working alongside them to support steps like these – offering the insights and funding they need to seize new opportunities and achieve their ambitions.”
Heating supplier ramps up digital focus as B2B sales move online
FlexiHeat UK, a West Yorkshire-based heating systems supplier, has partnered with digital agency Digitaleer to expand its online presence amid growing demand for energy-efficient solutions and digital-first sales journeys in the B2B sector.
The move reflects a wider shift across the UK’s industrial and HVAC sectors, where procurement is increasingly driven by online research. Industry analysis reveals that over three-quarters of commercial heating purchases now involve extensive digital research before supplier engagement, a significant increase from just five years ago.
Established in 1992 and previously trading as Kroll UK, FlexiHeat UK serves commercial, industrial, and domestic markets. Its product line includes waste oil heaters, electric heating systems, and condensing oil boilers, with energy efficiency now a core selling point as businesses prioritise cost reduction and sustainability compliance.
The digital upgrade comes as SMEs across the UK face challenges in managing digital marketing due to limited in-house capacity. Recent research from the British Chambers of Commerce indicates that over a third of SMEs struggle with digital presence. At the same time, a growing share is prioritising marketing investment to bridge the gap.
The partnership aims to enhance search visibility and lead generation by showcasing FlexiHeat UK’s energy-efficient technologies, particularly relevant as energy costs remain elevated and sustainability pressure intensifies across supply chains.
Persimmon targets 150-home scheme in Pickering
Persimmon Homes has submitted a planning application to North Yorkshire Council to develop 150 homes on Firthland Road in Pickering. The scheme features a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses, with 35% designated as affordable housing.
Each home is planned to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The development also proposes financial contributions via a Section 106 agreement to support upgrades to local infrastructure and services. The proposal aligns with current demand trends for energy-efficient housing.
Vape ban forces stock sell-off across North Yorkshire
Businesses across North Yorkshire are being urged to clear the remaining stock of single-use vapes ahead of a nationwide ban taking effect on 1 June. Under new environmental regulations, the sale and supply of disposable vapes will be prohibited in England, Scotland, and Wales. All products sold after this date must be rechargeable and refillable.
The move aims to reduce plastic waste and limit youth access to vaping products. Trading Standards officers are encouraging retailers to sell off their existing inventory while advising consumers to shift toward reusable devices. Public health officials have reaffirmed that vaping remains a valuable tool for adult smokers seeking to quit, provided non-smokers and children are not targeted.
Waste disposal is also in focus, with lithium-ion batteries in vapes posing a fire risk if discarded improperly. Vape-specific recycling bins have been deployed across North Yorkshire’s household waste recycling centres to prevent contamination of kerbside bins and reduce landfill volume.
The shift is part of a broader public health and environmental strategy, with implications for retailers, distributors, and waste management providers operating in the region.
Wound care innovation hub to open in East Yorkshire
A £48 million wound care research centre is set to launch in East Yorkshire through a partnership led by the University of Hull and key industry stakeholders. The Wound Innovation Centre (WIC) will focus on chronic wound research and commercial development of treatments, addressing a condition that currently costs the NHS over £8 billion annually.
The project is backed by £16 million from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund and an additional £32 million from partners including Reckitt and Polaroid Therapeutics. The WIC will operate across the University of Hull campus and Castle Hill Hospital, creating a joint research and clinical infrastructure.
The centre will serve as a national hub for skin and wound research, designed to accelerate discovery, clinical testing, and commercial application. With involvement from academia, healthcare providers, and private industry, it aims to accelerate the development and market introduction of solutions, particularly for antimicrobial resistance and hard-to-heal wounds.
The partnership aligns with Reckitt’s broader R&D interests in skin health and complements its consumer healthcare brands.
Plans submitted for £15m housing development at former Silsden school sites
Yorkshire property developer Redstart Robinson has submitted plans to City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) for the redevelopment of two former school sites in Silsden.
If approved the £15m development will deliver a combined total of 48 new homes, including 10 affordable units across both sites.
The brownfield sites on Elliott Street and Hothfield Street, both formerly occupied by Victorian-era school buildings and located within walking distance of each other, have been vacant for around three years. The schools were closed following the development of a new, larger primary school in the town, making the historic buildings surplus to requirements.
Under the proposals, the derelict buildings will be demolished to make way for a mix of new homes. Both sites are allocated for residential use in CBMDC’s housing supply plan and the development supports the council’s ambition to bring underused brownfield land back into productive use.
Redstart Robinson Developments director, Andrew Foggitt, said: “These sites offer an opportunity to provide a well-balanced mix of housing while bringing new life to two long-vacant plots in the heart of Silsden.
“Our proposals align with Bradford Council’s commitment to regenerating brownfield land and meeting local housing needs and, subject to approval, we’re excited to move forward and bring this high-quality development to life for the benefit of the community.”
As part of the plans, Redstart Robinson will make section 106 financial contributions towards the South Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) payments, ensuring environmental responsibilities are met in line with planning policy.
If approved, construction is expected to begin within three months, with the build programme estimated to take between 12 and 18 months.
Lincolnshire neurodiversity assessment provider acquired
Keys Group, a provider of specialist education and care services, has acquired ADHD 360, a Lincolnshire-based private healthcare provider specialising in neurodiversity assessments, diagnosis and treatment.
The acquisition enables Halesowen-based Keys Group to expand and diversify the specialist support it offers to children and adults across the UK. ADHD 360 delivers services for both privately and NHS-funded clients, supporting individuals with ADHD, autism and other neurodiverse conditions.
David Manson, CEO of Keys Group, said: “As waiting times for ADHD and neurodiversity diagnoses continue to grow, ADHD 360 offers an invaluable and timely service.
“Many of the individuals we support – both children and adults – are neurodiverse, and we understand the transformative impact of receiving the right diagnosis and treatment at the right time. ADHD 360’s expertise will not only strengthen our service offering, but also help us to improve outcomes for even more people across the UK.”
Trade deal puts UK’s largest bioethanol plant at risk of closure
The future of the UK’s largest bioethanol production facility, Vivergo Fuels in Saltend, East Yorkshire, is uncertain following the removal of a 19% import tariff on US ethanol. The tariff cut was part of the recent UK-US trade agreement, which has intensified pressure on domestic producers already grappling with depressed bioethanol prices.
Vivergo, owned by Associated British Foods, had already scaled back production earlier this year due to market conditions. The company has now warned that, without immediate government intervention, it may be forced to shut down operations entirely, putting more than 160 jobs at risk and halting local wheat procurement.
The Saltend facility produces bioethanol for E10 fuel, which contains up to 10% bioethanol and is used across the UK to reduce transport emissions. It also supplies animal feed as a by-product. The plant’s viability is heavily tied to stable domestic policy and pricing conditions.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has met with Vivergo and Ensus UK, the country’s other major bioethanol producer, to discuss the industry’s future. While the government has acknowledged concerns and expressed willingness to explore support options, no concrete commitments have been made to date.
The outcome may have broader implications for the UK’s low-carbon fuel strategy and domestic supply chain resilience.
