Operations at the UK’s largest bioethanol facility, Vivergo Fuels in Saltend Chemicals Park near Hull, are under threat following recent changes to trade policy between the UK and the US.

The removal of a 19% tariff on ethanol imports, as part of the new US-UK trade agreement, has raised concerns about a potential influx of cheaper American ethanol, putting UK producers at a competitive disadvantage.

Vivergo Fuels, which has been lobbying for government intervention, warns that without immediate support, the facility could cease operations within days. Employees recently visited Parliament to press MPs for action.

The Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell, toured the site to show support, while central government has stated it is engaging with the bioethanol sector to assess potential support options. Discussions are ongoing between industry leaders and officials.

The situation highlights growing tension between international trade commitments and domestic industrial resilience, particularly in energy and low-carbon sectors. Businesses across UK manufacturing and renewables are watching closely as the outcome could set a precedent for how trade deals intersect with national green industry priorities.

FRP Corporate Finance has expanded into Leeds, marking its eleventh office in the UK and further solidifying its strategic push into regional markets. The move follows recent acquisitions in Cardiff and Newcastle, signalling the firm’s focus on building a nationwide footprint across key economic hubs.

Operating under the wider FRP Advisory umbrella, FRP Corporate Finance advises on approximately 100 transactions annually. The new Leeds base strengthens the firm’s reach in Yorkshire, where it already manages a significant number of deals. The corporate finance function will co-locate with FRP Advisory’s existing restructuring and forensic services office in the city.

Dan Sheahan, formerly of Investec, has been appointed partner to lead the Leeds office. With over two decades of experience in M&A and fundraising, particularly in the automotive and mobility sectors, he brings deep expertise to support the firm’s growth plans in the region.

The expansion takes FRP Corporate Finance’s footprint to eleven cities, including Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Norwich, and Reading. The move underlines FRP’s ambition to provide on-the-ground advisory services to clients across the UK’s most active dealmaking regions.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is reviewing the proposed merger between parcel delivery firm Evri and DHL Group’s UK ecommerce logistics division. The deal, announced in May, would see DHL Group take a significant minority stake in Evri, while Apollo-managed funds retain majority control.

The combined operation would bring together more than 30,000 couriers and van drivers, 12,000 employees, and a fleet of 8,000 vehicles. Together, they are expected to handle over one billion parcels and one billion business letters annually.

The CMA is assessing whether the transaction could substantially lessen competition in the UK parcel delivery and ecommerce logistics market. As part of its standard process, the regulator has invited to comment from interested parties, which closes on 25 June.

Evri, formerly Hermes UK, traces its origins to Grattan Mail Order in Bradford in 1974. It currently operates over 10,000 out-of-home locations and has a growing network of automated hubs and depots nationwide. The merger is positioned by both parties as a move to enhance consumer and business delivery options through improved scale and efficiency.

New data from NatWest’s May Regional Growth Tracker points to a modest resurgence in business confidence across the UK, with firms reporting more optimistic outlooks and slight improvements in activity levels. Half of the 12 monitored regions reported growth in output, while sentiment about future activity rose in all areas. The North West and London saw the largest monthly increases in expectations, with the West Midlands remaining the most optimistic overall.

However, the recovery remains patchy. Wales posted the fastest growth in business activity during May, while London recorded its weakest performance in two and a half years. Inflows of new business rose only in Wales and stabilised in the East of England, with all other regions seeing a drop, led by a sharper decline in the East Midlands.

Employment figures were generally down, with Scotland being the only region to report a slight increase in headcount after six months of stagnation. The North West continued to cut jobs for the eighth straight month, though the pace slowed.

Order backlogs fell across the board for the third consecutive month, with the North West experiencing the most significant drop in outstanding work. Scotland saw the mildest decline.

Pricing trends moderated slightly, with the rate of increase in average prices charged slowing in every region compared to April. Wales recorded the biggest fall in output price inflation, while Northern Ireland and the West Midlands saw the highest ongoing pressure.

Input costs rose at a softer pace than the previous month but remained above historical norms. The South West and East of England faced the steepest increases, while Scotland saw the most subdued rise. Businesses continue to raise prices to manage persistent cost pressures, including rising labour expenses following April’s national insurance changes.

North Lincolnshire businesses have the opportunity to gain national prestige through the King’s Awards for Enterprise, with applications now open until 9 September 2025.

Open to companies, non-profits, and public sector bodies with at least two UK-based employees, the awards celebrate excellence across four categories: innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

Winners benefit from national visibility, use of the King’s Awards emblem, and access to high-level networking via a Royal reception. Honourees also receive an official visit from the Lord-Lieutenant, acting on behalf of His Majesty The King.

The awards are designed to recognise organisations with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials, making them especially relevant to B2B firms looking to enhance credibility, attract partnerships, and scale operations in competitive markets.

North Lincolnshire Council has encouraged local businesses across key industries, including engineering, manufacturing, and logistics, to leverage this platform for growth and recognition. Recent winners such as Wrendale Designs have reported tangible benefits in staff morale, global brand perception, and new market access following their award.

The application process is now live. Interested businesses are advised to begin preparations early to meet the September deadline.