ROCOL reinforces customer support with new appointment
International lubricants manufacturer ROCOL is reinforcing its support for UK customers with the appointment of a new metalworking fluid chemist.
Daniel Moulson studied Chemistry at Sheffield Hallam University before starting his career with in the cosmetics industry. Working first in quality control, he continued his career there as a microbiologist. He joins the technical department at ROCOL where his primary role is to work with the service engineers to offer advice and recommendations for the efficient running of metalworking equipment. Daniel is also the first point of contact for customers with issues that cannot be fixed on-site and require deeper investigation.
Daniel commented, “The opportunity to join an organisation that is well established and has such a fantastic reputation is one I had to take. Being given the opportunity to work with high-quality products and deliver the great levels of service that ROCOL customers have come to expect is something that excites me a lot.
“Joining ROCOL allows me to apply the knowledge and skills and knowledge that I have from both university and my career so far in a way that will be beneficial to customers. It also allows me to develop new skills and learn from an experienced team.”
Daniel’s appointment reinforces ROCOL’s commitment to the metalworking sector and ensures that ROCOL customers across the country will continue to receive the highest levels of service and support.
Chris Dyson, ROCOL Technical Manager, said, “We’re pleased to have Daniel joining us. He is a talented chemist and has an appetite to deliver a top-class service to our customers. I know that our metalworking customers will benefit from his skills and commitment.”
For more information about ROCOL and its products, visit www.rocol.com, contact customer.services@rocol.com or phone +44 (0) 113 232 2700.
Manufacturing company fined £90,000 after workers exposed to risk
Metals fabrication company MTL Advanced Limited have been sentenced for health breaches after several workers were diagnosed with hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard that the company was visited by the Health & Safety Executive in March 2018 following a concern received from an employee. During that visit it was found that there were multiple health and safety breaches, resulting in the company being issued with Improvement Notices.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that there were systemic failings to recognise the risk of hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) or to take appropriate action to control exposure. Of particular concern were accounts from employees of pain and tingling in their fingers, hands and arms and that there were no limits on their use of vibrating tools such as angle grinders.
MTL Advanced Limited of Grange Lane, Rotherham, South Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company has been fined £90,000 and ordered to pay £14,061 in costs.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Laura Hunter said: “Work activities involving vibrating tools should be properly assessed so that appropriate controls can be implemented to avoid exposing employees to harm.
“Employees suffering from HAVS can experience difficulty in carrying out tasks in the workplace involving fine or manipulative work and are less able to work in cold conditions. Sadly, these effects can be permanent and life changing.”
Flight simulator lands at IASTI Newark
Learners share their excitement as they try out the simulator for the first time.
Students at the UK’s first International Air and Space Training Institute (IASTI) Newark will receive virtual flight training thanks to its in-house simulator.
The Alsim ALX worth £35,000, is a standout feature of the newly developed workshop at Newark College’s interim IASTI site, where students get hands-on with the tools and technologies used within the aviation industry.
The institute’s aspiring pilots are delighted to have access to this incredible facility as part of their everyday training.
Student Leyla Binns said: “It’s so exciting! When you’re in there, you think you’re in a real-life cockpit. It feels so real and to have this experience and to put it into practice is amazing. I just can’t wait to carry on using it and building my knowledge.”
Her classmate Sam Mason has some previous experience in a light aircraft from his time at Air Cadets.
He said: “It’s unbelievable how realistic it is. Down to simple things like the rudder pedals and all the buttons and how they feel. It’s really exciting stuff!”
Through virtual flight training, aspiring pilots at the IASTI can safely hone their skills, practicing against a range of variables including day and nighttime flying, weather conditions and even different aircraft types.
Meanwhile learners on the engineering pathway can become accustomed to what happens while an aircraft is in flight and how to address faults as they occur.
Jim Guthrie, the Learning and Skills Lead at IASTI Newark, said: “We’re excited to have the simulator system here at IASTI Newark. It will provide extraordinary experience and training for learners, allowing preparation for fully powered flight within light aircraft.
“The simulator allows experience within different aircraft types that will prove both enjoyable and important whilst allowing progress from light aircraft to small multi engine aircraft within the simulator environment.”
The IASTI enables students to learn from aviation professionals as they develop the skills needed to become pilots, engineers or flight dispatchers, leading to Level 3 Diplomas in Aviation Operations or Aircraft Maintenance. Bespoke study programmes are co-designed by industry experts to provide a sustainable talent pipeline within the sector.
The IASTI is one of nine priority projects developed by Newark Towns Fund Board and is funded through the Government’s Towns Fund initiative. A planning application, which will see a multi-million-pound premises for IASTI built in the Centre of Newark by 2023, is awaiting approval.
Until then students are based at the specialised interim IASTI facility at the Newark College campus.
Council to support and celebrate young entrepreneur community
City of York Council is set to organise a Young Entrepreneurs Evening on Thursday 3rd February 2022 from 6 to 7 pm.
The virtual event will bring together young entrepreneurs based in York to hear from some of the city’s most successful business leaders and understand the support on offer in the York area.
The event is free to attend and aims to celebrate and support the young entrepreneur community in York. Interested participants can register for the Young Entrepreneurs Evening.
The programme will kick-start with attendees hearing from Cllr Ashley Mason, Sheriff of York and Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning at City of York Council on the importance of entrepreneurship in the city.
This will be followed by a 30-minute interactive Q&A session facilitated by Sam Hields, Senior Investment Associate at OpenOcean. The panellists involved in this session are –
• Lee Grabham – Co-founder & Production Director, Brew York,
• Casey Woodward – Founder & Chief Executive, AgriSound
• Bethany Watrous – Director & Lead Digital Archaeologist, Experience Heritage
Attendees will then also have the opportunity to meet York’s Enterprise Support Providers to understand the support available for young entrepreneurs in York. This session will be delivered by –
• Andrew Raby – Growth Hub Manager, York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub
• Alice Ingram – Business Advisor, Ad:Venture Programme
• Brian Littlejohn – Growth Manager, City of York Council
The event will conclude with Cllr. Andrew Waller addressing all participants.
Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning said: “York is a city filled with entrepreneurial spirit, as shown by our history of innovation past and present, and more recently in how our business community has been able to adapt, recover and stay resilient in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Young Entrepreneurs Evening aims to bring together a handful of young business leaders to share their business journeys and provide an insight into what makes York a great place to set up a business.
“I encourage all aspiring entrepreneurs and young businesses in York to attend the free virtual event to learn about the enterprise support on offer that will not only benefit them but also help us build a strong, vibrant local economy.”
Process set up to get grants to York businesses
A new application scheme is opening so eligible York businesses can access the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grants.
City of York Council is continuing to support businesses impacted by the pandemic. Since the announcement was made by the chancellor regarding additional business support grants, the council has worked incredibly hard to understand the latest guidance and set up a convenient process which will pay grants to eligible businesses as quickly as possible.
As a result of this work a new process has been set up to distribute grants to leisure and hospitality businesses who are eligible for the latest grant support.
The council is today (14 January) emailing over 1,600 businesses across the city who are eligible to apply to start the process. The council’s Covid business support webpages have been updated with the eligibility criteria and an application form and any business who does not receive an invite by next week will be able to go online and complete the application form. The deadline for applications is 28 February and updates will continue to be provided on the progress of paying the latest grants to businesses.
The council is also continuing work to finalise the processes for distributing the COVID-19 Additional Restrictions Fund and Additional Restrictions Grant through a local support scheme and will announce more details on this as soon as possible. Updates will be shared through the business e-newsletter, which businesses can sign up to at Register for council updates – City of York Council as well as through social media and local media.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance and Performance said: “This has been an exceptionally difficult past two years for businesses and we continue to do all we can to support them. Since the start of this pandemic we have administered over 25,000 grants with a value of more than £113 million of government grants to York businesses, applied all available business rates support and invested £1 million in additional local support.
“Earlier in the pandemic we were among the quickest paying local authorities and we have been working to get this support to businesses as swiftly as we can. We are now in a position to open the application process so businesses can access the latest round of support. Businesses can also visit our website to view the eligibility criteria and how to apply. Our incredible teams will process all applications as swiftly as we can so that businesses get these grants as soon as possible.”
Councillor Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning said: “Our teams have been working tirelessly to set up a fair and easy way for businesses to access these important grants. We want to make things as easy as possible for businesses to access this support, which is why we are writing to businesses so they can access this support as swiftly as possible and providing an online form so that grants can be administered quickly.
“We thank businesses for their patience and understanding whilst we have set up this new process. We continue to update our webpage so ask that businesses visit https://www.york.gov.uk/COVID19BusinessGrants for the latest information.
“Anyone who is missed out on this latest support is asked to get in touch with economicgrowth@york.gov.uk as we are continuing to lobby government for comprehensive support and longer-term clarity to ensure businesses and livelihoods are saved.”
LSH launches Leeds planning team with senior hire
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has expanded their Planning, Development & Regeneration (PDR) arm with the appointment of Alex Roberts into their Leeds office.
Alex joins LSH as a Director and will oversee the PDR operations across Yorkshire and the North East.
Alongside this, Alex will also be responsible for providing expert advice to both public and private sector clients on a wide range of planning issues around housing, employment and infrastructure to support Local Plan preparation, strategic site promotion and planning applications.
Commenting on the move, Alex said: “I am delighted to have joined LSH at an exciting period of growth for both the firm and the Planning, Development & Regeneration team.”
National Head of Planning, Development & Regeneration, Dr. Steven Norris said: “We are delighted to welcome Alex to the team as we expand our operations and develop our service offering across the country with his arrival.
We are committed to working with the most talented individuals in the sector and the appointment of Alex is testament to that. I look forward to working with him to continue to grow our team across Yorkshire and the North East.”
Record year for Leeds recruiter due to post-lockdown hiring boom
Leeds-based finance recruitment consultancy Headstar has reported record growth of 35% in its latest financial year, driven by a post-lockdown hiring boom in finance professionals.
The business, which recruits all areas of a finance team from entry level to CFO, experienced surging demand for its services in 2021, with growth-focused SMEs increasingly looking to recruit finance professionals to help guide them through challenging times.
As a result, Headstar achieved record revenues of £2,265,592, up £595,000 on the previous year, while its profits also grew by 80% year-on-year.
The business placed more than 200 people in finance roles across the UK last year and added an additional 79 clients, attracting a wide range of SMEs, as well as larger businesses including Capita, Eversheds and A-Safe.
2021 also saw the recruiter expand its own 18-strong team of recruitment experts and associate finance directors, making four appointments and three promotions – with the company planning to grow its team by a third in 2022 as it looks to ensure it’s best placed to meet growing demand for its services.
While all of its specialist recruitment and finance consultancy divisions saw a significant increase in demand in 2021, Headstar’s part-time and portfolio FD services performed exceptionally well, with businesses of all sizes seeking senior level finance expertise as they looked to grow.
The recruiter’s transactional finance division also saw a surge in demand following the end of the last lockdown, as employers looked to strengthen their finance functions through the hiring of credit controllers and payroll managers in particular.
Commenting on the current recruitment landscape and the company’s record performance, James Roach, managing director of Headstar, said:
“In the wake of a job market where vacancies reached record levels last year, competition for talented people is fiercer than ever, particularly in the finance sector.
“As a result, our mix of recruitment and finance consultancy services have never been more in demand, with businesses increasingly recognising the importance of having strong finance functions during these turbulent times.
“2022 has started strongly for us and we believe it will be our most successful year yet. We plan on adding six people to our talented recruitment team, ranging from consultants to heads of divisions, as well as expanding our portfolio FD team, as we look to ensure we’re better placed than ever to connect businesses with quality finance people.”
The business, originally known as Finance Directors Yorkshire, was established 35 years ago and has grown significantly in recent years, expanding its client and contractor base which consists of a wide range of UK SMEs, mainly based in Yorkshire, including PureGym, Mamas & Papas and Tile Giant. Alongside placing permanent and interim finance staff, Headstar also provides a range of consultancy services, designed and delivered by experienced finance directors, including turnaround support and part-time finance directors.
Artorius expands regional presence with new offices at Bowcliffe Hall
Artorius Wealth Limited is pleased to announce the opening of a new office at the iconic Bowcliffe Hall in Yorkshire to support the growth of its regional business.
Bowcliffe Hall was built between 1805 and 1825 and is situated just off the A1(M), four miles south of Wetherby and close to both York and Leeds.
Mark Widdup, Senior Client Partner at Artorius commented: “Artorius is focused on regional growth opportunities and we have always spent time and a great deal of effort finding unique offices that our clients love to visit and our staff enjoy working in. The environment at Bowcliffe Hall is unique and coupled with the Drivers’ Club, has become a go to destination to meet likeminded friends and business associates. We believe this unique environment allows us to better understand our clients and the business community we serve. Furthermore, it’s convenient location and superb facilities make it ideal for our clients in Yorkshire and the North East”.
Jonathan Turner, Chief Executive of Bayford Group said: “Artorius will be a fantastic addition to Bowcliffe and we are delighted to have them join us. The team have been regular visitors over the years so we look forward to seeing them more often as part of our thriving business community.”
Finance agreement will see University’s campus development accelerated
Sheffield Hallam University and Pricoa Private Capital have agreed a Private Placement issuance that will enable the University to accelerate its campus plan.
The agreement will see Sheffield Hallam draw down £70m to support the development, which is a key part of the University achieving its ambition to become the world’s leading applied university.
Planning has already been approved for the first phase of the plan, which will see three new buildings for teaching and learning on the site of the former Science Park and adjoining car park adjacent to Howard Street leading up from Sheffield Station.
Improvements will enhance a key gateway to Sheffield City Centre and create a new ‘university green’ public space, whilst creating new buildings that are zero carbon ready. The predominantly brick buildings will also preserve and enhance the character of the surrounding Cultural Industries Quarter, which is home to several historic buildings from Sheffield’s industrial heritage.
The Science Park has already been demolished and construction is set to begin in 2022. The development is the first phase of wider plans to improve the city centre campus, which is estimated to see over £200m invested in delivering significant benefits for students, staff and the wider community – making Sheffield Hallam an even more attractive place to study and work.
Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Our campus plan will greatly enhance the learning and working experience for students and staff, therefore we are delighted to have been able to work with Pricoa Private Capital on this agreement to support the acceleration of the development.
“Work has already begun on the first phase of the campus plan, and we look forward to the development progressing over the months and years ahead.
“This transformational change is a key part of Sheffield Hallam’s vision to become the world’s leading applied university; showing what a university genuinely focused on transforming lives can achieve.”
Adam Shield, director at Pricoa Private Capital, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Sheffield Hallam University through a £70 million Private Placement issuance to support the acceleration of the University’s campus plan.
“Sheffield Hallam is a vitally important institution to the South Yorkshire region, its industry partners and in widening higher education access. The University’s investment in high quality facilities in the heart of Sheffield will bring significant benefits for students, staff and the city of Sheffield, as well as furthering the University’s ambition to create an environmentally sustainable campus.
“Sheffield Hallam shares Pricoa’s culture of building long-term relationships and we are excited to be a partner to the University in the years to come.”
The Campus plan is being developed by a number of key partners as part of collaborative ‘Hallam Alliance’. The first of its kind in the UK for a university building programme, the Alliance involves all design, construction and facilities management partners working collaboratively with the client through all stages of design, construction and operation.
Members of the Alliance include Sheffield Hallam University, BDP ARUP (Design), BAM (Construction) and CBRE (Facilities Management).
Sponsors back 2022 festival showcasing Leeds manufacturing careers
The Leeds Manufacturing Festival, which is due to launch its 2022 programme next month, showcasing the diverse career opportunities on offer for young people in the city’s large manufacturing sector, has announced the line-up of organisations that are supporting this year’s initiative.
Leeds City College, specialist recruiter for the manufacturing and engineering sectors E3 Recruitment and accountancy firm Saffery Champness are all sponsoring this year’s programme of online and in-person events, which are focused on informing school and college students about the realities of working in a modern manufacturing business and the skills that employers require.
Beginning in February, this year’s festival will feature a series of events including careers panels, opportunities for young people to meet employers and visits to some of Leeds’ leading manufacturing firms.
Gina Yates, head of careers, work experience and progression at Leeds City College said the 2022 programme would give students and staff a unique opportunity to engage with Leeds manufacturers and learn more about working environments, careers and progression options.
She added: “On a strategic level, the college’s engagement with the festival will open dialogue about innovation and changes in vocational education and continue to build a collaborative approach to addressing regional skills shortages and the future talent pipeline.”
E3 Recruitment director Andrew Joseph said: “To address the skills gap that manufacturing and engineering faces, it’s more important than ever that we promote our industry to young people, advising them on the opportunities and careers that are open to them.
“I know from personal experience as a parent that there has previously been a void in students’ knowledge around career opportunities in manufacturing, and the festival plays an important role in showing youngsters and their parents what’s on offer.”
Saffery Champness partner Sally Appleton added: “We are proud to be supporting this year’s festival. The manufacturing sector is key to our local economy and we are keen to play our part in showcasing the opportunities available to young people in our region in this dynamic industry.”
Tracey Dawson, who chairs this year’s Leeds Manufacturing Festival, said: “The backing of our sponsors is vital to ensuring we reach as many young people as possible and show them just what excellent job opportunities and diverse career paths the manufacturing industry can offer them.
“Technical and practical skills are essential to the future of the sector and are currently in short supply so students will see that equipping themselves with these vital skills at an early stage will make them highly employable when they come to start a career.”
Now in its fifth year, the festival is organised by the Leeds Manufacturing Alliance and Leeds Chamber and supported by Leeds City Council, the Leeds City Region LEP and the Ahead Partnership.
Schools, manufacturing businesses and students can find out more and get involved at www.leedsmanufacturingfestival.co.uk.
