A group of employees from IntelliAM and 53 North Group (53N) have come together to support a heart-warming cause – transforming a special needs school’s tired and outdated Life Skills Bungalow into a vibrant, welcoming space for pupils.
The Life Skills Bungalow at The Willows School, Thurcroft, plays a vital role in helping students with additional needs to learn everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and personal care in a realistic home-like environment. However, years of wear and limited funding had left the facility in desperate need of a makeover.
IntelliAM and 53N stepped in to help. They pledged donations of materials, time and money to help breathe new life into the bungalow. Tesco in Dinnington, Wickes at Drakehouse and Carracks in Sheffield have also kindly donated paint, soft furnishings, and appliances.
Employees from IntelliAM and 53N have spent the week renovating every room in the bungalow and assembling furniture.
Rachael Booth, headteacher at The Willows School, said: “Our students rely on this space to build essential life skills. Thanks to the generosity of our local community, the bungalow will now reflect the dignity and care our pupils deserve.”
The school has also set up a JustGiving page to raise money towards the project and for future supplies the school may need. So far, they have raised £500 of their £2,000 target.
Jane Robinson, vice president of business development at IntelliAM, added: “At IntelliAM, giving back to our communities is very important to us. Supporting the renovation of the Life Skills Bungalow is more than just a project, it’s an investment in inclusion, opportunity, and a brighter future for everyone involved.”
The revamped Life Skills Bungalow is set to reopen next week, with pupils already looking forward to returning to a space that feels more like home.
The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA), and newly elected Mayor, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, have revealed major investment opportunities at annual real estate investor forum UKREiiF.
As a newly formed Combined County Authority, GLCCA hosted a pavilion, working in partnership across the Greater Lincolnshire inward investment teams and Team Lincolnshire – a public and private sector group of Lincolnshire ambassadors – to put investment opportunities worth £3.6bn to the economy to investors.
Dame Andrea announced the investment opportunities for Greater Lincolnshire, which sit across 17 locations and include everything from shovel-ready housing developments to long term multi-sector investment sites.
Greater Lincolnshire’s core sectors of agri-food, energy, defence, and ports and logistics all have investment sites on offer. The area also has big growth opportunities in advanced engineering and manufacturing as well as automation and agri-tech.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns said: “Greater Lincolnshire is critical to the UK’s economy for its food security, defence capabilities and much more. Not only do I care about giving more to the residents of the area I represent, I also know what a significant contribution we make to the nation.
“The GLCCA is already developing a clear plan to deliver with the powers and funding that have been negotiated – but we’re ambitious – and I fully plan to start work on getting more devolved funding and powers for Greater Lincolnshire as soon as possible.
“Our area has attractive investment opportunities and enormous potential for growth, and I know by working together with dedicated teams across Greater Lincolnshire, we can maximise the opportunities at UKREiiF to boost growth and investment.”
Tony Reynolds, inward investment manager at Lincolnshire County Council and Team Lincolnshire lead, said: “By attending UKREiiF as a collective, we are showcasing what Greater Lincolnshire can offer to a national audience of developers and decision makers within the property and investment industry. The conversations we have at this event can positively impact the economy of Greater Lincolnshire for many years to come.
“Greater Lincolnshire has clear investment opportunities and now the GLCCA has been formed and with the strong voice of Dame Andrea as Mayor, we can accelerate growth and be at the front of the queue for discussions with government and future funding opportunities.”
Bradford College has officially begun connection works to the £70 million Bradford Energy Network, a low-carbon heat network designed to significantly reduce the city’s reliance on fossil fuels. The move is part of a broader decarbonisation strategy supported by a £2.6 million public sector grant administered by Salix, the Department for Energy Security, and Net Zero.
The network, developed by 1Energy, will supply renewable heat through underground pipes to Bradford College, the University of Bradford, and Bradford Courts. It is expected to deliver an 85–90% reduction in emissions for connected buildings. The College alone anticipates an annual carbon saving of over 285 tonnes through its connection to the system, which includes one of the UK’s largest air source heat pumps.
ThermaMech delivers external infrastructure works, including pipe installation across Bradford city centre. The project is also providing skills development opportunities, including student placements, industry masterclasses, and curriculum-linked tours, to support local construction and engineering talent.
The energy plant is scheduled for completion in spring 2026, with heat delivery expected to begin by September of the same year. Phase one of the network aims to cut approximately 8,000 tonnes of carbon emissions city-wide.
Law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed experienced private client lawyer Alison Hall as partner and head of private client.
Alison re-joins the firm where she started her professional life as a trainee and grew to partner. She brings over 25 years of experience advising individuals, families and business owners on matters including wills, probate, trusts, inheritance tax and succession planning.
Her work includes a strong focus on the rural sector, advising farmers and landowners on managing today and planning for the future – as a business and as a family – most recently supporting people as they navigate changes to inheritance tax.
Alison Hall said: “Ward Hadaway already has a fantastic technical team and I’m excited to be building on that foundation. There’s a clear opportunity to raise the profile of our private client services and expand our reach across our regions.
“What matters most to our clients are trusted, personal relationships and being the person they turn to when it really counts. I’m proud to hold that position for my numerous clients. And I am excited to lead a strong team, further building on our reputation and impact in this area.”
Steven Petrie, managing partner at Ward Hadaway, added: “Alison brings deep sector knowledge, strong leadership and a client-first approach that aligns perfectly with our values.
“Her appointment marks an exciting chapter for our private client team and ensures we continue to offer high-quality, relationship-led legal advice across all areas of life and business. As our firm expands into new regions, and further private client opportunities emerge, I know she will play an important role in helping us to achieve our ambitions as a full-service firm.”
Young people lack the financial education to equip them for entrepreneurship. Almost one in five young people (19%) in the UK say that better financial education at school and college would help them to set up or grow a business, according to data from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) released to mark National Numeracy Day (21 May).
FSB says that the government must now make financial education a compulsory part of the national curriculum in England.
Almost a quarter (24%) of young people in the UK struggle with financial knowledge when it comes to starting and running a business, while one in ten (10%) say they struggle with maths, according to FSB’s Generation Entrepreneur research, with Simply Business.
FSB is calling for all secondary schools, and primary schools at Key Stage 2, in England, to give effective financial education to equip young people with the skills needed to start their own business.
Jennifer Thomas, area manager at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “To thrive in business, the next generation needs strong financial skills—starting from an early age. That’s why it’s time for the Department for Education to make financial education a compulsory part of the school curriculum and ensure teachers are properly equipped with the training and tools to deliver it.
“Whether it’s understanding taxes, applying for funding, managing invoices, or handling personal finances alongside a growing venture, young people deserve the knowledge that will give them the confidence to succeed. Embedding financial literacy into education will lay the foundation for future entrepreneurs and a more financially savvy society.”
According to new research from Grant Thornton UK, UK mid-sized businesses are adjusting their international strategies amid growing trade pressures. While overall sentiment remains relatively strong, a shift in confidence is evident as decision-makers respond to an evolving global trade landscape.
The firm’s April 2025 Business Outlook Tracker found that while most mid-market leaders remain upbeat about the domestic economy in the short term, fewer expect their profits to rise, suggesting emerging caution. Optimism surrounding economic conditions slipped slightly, and profit expectations have seen a more notable drop.
Internationally, trade with the US is under review. Despite strong historical ties and growth potential, tariffs are causing businesses to rethink. A majority still see the US as a key market, but a growing number are preparing to scale back or exit entirely. Nearly half of firms with current US trade exposure expect to stop altogether, and only a minority foresee no disruption.
Speciality Steel UK (SSUK), a major steel producer in South Yorkshire and part of the Liberty Steel Group, has been granted an eight-week adjournment in High Court insolvency proceedings as discussions with a potential buyer continue.
The firm, which operates electric arc furnace (EAF) plants in Rotherham and Sheffield and employs approximately 1,450 staff, is currently navigating a complex debt restructuring process following the 2021 collapse of its key financial backer, Greensill Capital.
Lawyers representing SSUK confirmed in court that urgent meetings with a third-party purchaser are underway. This prompts the judge to delay the winding-up petition until mid-July to allow time for a potential sale to materialise.
The development gives Liberty Steel additional breathing room to pursue restructuring plans or sell SSUK. The business has faced increasing scrutiny from unions and political stakeholders over the pace of turnaround efforts, with calls for leadership changes and fresh ownership to stabilise operations and safeguard jobs.
The Department for Business and Trade stated it monitors the situation, but emphasised that commercial outcomes remain the company’s responsibility. Businesses with supply chain links to SSUK are advised to stay vigilant, as the outcome could influence continuity and pricing in the UK steel sector.
Two leisure centres in Lincoln that abruptly shut down in April are set to reopen by mid-July under new management. The City of Lincoln Council has appointed Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) as the interim operator of Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres following the collapse of the previous operator, Active Nation.
GLL, a not-for-profit social enterprise with over 250 leisure facilities across the UK, will manage both centres on a two-year contract. The council owns the buildings and moved quickly to secure a new operator after Active Nation ceased trading due to financial pressures, citing the energy crisis as a key factor. The council had offered a £500,000 support package, but the charity did not accept the terms.
Since the closure, the Lincoln City Foundation has maintained outdoor operations at both locations. GLL plans to upgrade facilities, replace gym equipment, and recruit staff across various roles. More details on programmes, memberships, and courses are expected to be released this summer.
The transition aims to minimise disruption to residents and maintain local access to fitness and wellbeing services, while providing stability for the council’s broader leisure strategy.
The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds has purchased the freehold of its site at Leeds Dock for £11.69 million, which gives the institution complete control of its waterfront footprint for the first time. The deal was funded through a government loan issued via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The acquisition includes adjacent buildings and surrounding areas at Leeds Dock, setting the stage for a major redevelopment push to boost the museum’s economic and cultural footprint. Plans are underway to transform parts of the site into multi-purpose spaces for arts, events, conferences, and hospitality.
The museum, which turns 30 next year, is expected to be more active in regional regeneration and targets increased capacity for events and tourism-related infrastructure. Early projections estimate the initiative could contribute nearly £30 million to the local economy.
The announcement was made during the UK Real Estate, Investment & Infrastructure Forum, which was held at the museum itself. The deal positions the Royal Armouries as a key stakeholder in Leeds’ city centre growth strategy and opens the door for further private-sector partnerships across the cultural and commercial sectors.
Lincolnshire-based construction firm Build Manager is marking the end of its first year in business with a major achievement, securing and delivering its first major commercial contract, a bespoke 4,000 sq ft two-storey office development for IFI Group Ltd in Saxilby.
The project, which spans a 25-week contract duration, represents a significant milestone for the young company and demonstrates its capacity to deliver fast-paced, high-quality commercial builds.
Since being appointed at the end of 2024, Build Manager has wasted no time. In just over four months, the team has finalised designs, delivered the groundworks ‘in-house’, erected the steel frame and tarmacked the new entrance road.
The new office is being developed for IFI Group Ltd, a specialist fire safety, risk management consultancy and training provider, and will support their continued growth within the region.
The project has brought together a number of Lincolnshire-based collaborators, including architects LK2, structural engineers William Saunders, aggregate supplier UDCS Ltd, concrete supplier AMS Build Group Ltd, roofing and cladding contractor B C Roofing and architectural windows and door specialist Kole Architectural.
Build Manager was launched just over a year ago with a focus on upfront commercial viability advice and streamlined, transparent project delivery. Winning the IFI Group contract marked the company’s first large-scale commercial development and a strong close to year one.
“To end our first year in business by securing and delivering a significant commercial contract is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Matthew Jones, director at Build Manager. “This project showcases what we’re all about, efficient delivery, clear communication, and a collaborative approach. It’s been a fantastic way to build momentum heading into year two.”
Build Manager was set up by Lincolnshire-based construction professionals Matthew Jones and Ben Taylor. The pair, who have worked in management for a number of local main-contractors, set up on their own after spotting a gap in market for their services.
Matthew, from Scotton, and Ben, from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincoln have been involved in many notable projects in and around the county, including £2.2m new build commercial units (60,000 sq ft) at Discovery Park on Whisby Road – North Hykeham, £3m renovation of Lawress Hall for the University of Lincoln and the new £4.5m Community Ward at John Coupland hospital in Gainsborough, to name a few.
IFI Group Ltd shared their satisfaction with the process so far, praising Build Manager’s professionalism, reactiveness, and on-site efficiency.
How the finished project for IFI Group Ltd will look
“From the very beginning, the team has been incredibly reactive, professional, and easy to work with,” said Ben Freeman, director of IFI Group Ltd. “Communication has been clear and consistent throughout, and progress on site has been impressively efficient. It’s been a smooth experience so far, and we’re genuinely excited to see our new office coming to life.”
As the office build continues at pace, Build Manager is inviting other local businesses considering new developments or construction work to reach out for some free upfront advice and viability studies.
“Whether you’re planning a new office, warehouse, or commercial space, we’d love to hear from you. Our goal is to make the process smooth, stress-free, and successful,” added Matthew.
Local businesses can contact Build Manager at info@build-manager.co.uk or find out more at www.build-manager.co.uk.
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