Premier Technical Services Group expands building maintenance division with acquisition

Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG), the Castleford-based provider of specialist services to the construction and facilities management sectors, has acquired HD Sharman Group Ltd (HDSG) – a leader in commercial roof maintenance and refurbishment systems.

Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, HDSG helps organisations extend the life of their building assets.

The acquisition of HDSG represents a strategic expansion of PTSG’s capabilities in roofing services, complementing and strengthening the proposition delivered through its existing business, NSS – the commercial roof cleaning, maintenance and reactive repairs firm.

Paul Teasdale, executive chairman of PTSG, said: “HD Sharman Group is a respected name in the UK roofing sector – and rightly so. Their engineering excellence, commitment to customer outcomes and long-standing reputation for quality align perfectly with PTSG’s culture and ambition.

“Bringing HDSG into the Group allows us to significantly broaden our roofing services proposition and respond to growing demand for integrated solutions across the commercial property market. We are delighted to welcome the team into the PTSG family.”

Leigh Daveran, newly appointed managing director of HDSG, said: “Joining PTSG marks an exciting new chapter for our business.

“We are proud of the heritage and reputation we have built and we believe this partnership will allow us to go even further – enhancing our product and service offer, reaching new markets and combining forces with likeminded specialists at NSS and across the Group. We look forward to working together to deliver even greater value for our customers.”

Outgoing managing director, Mark de Rozarieux, the driving force behind HDSG and its growth, will remain closely involved in the business, working alongside Leigh to ensure a smooth and successful integration into the PTSG Group. He will retain his seat on the board of directors and continue to play an active role in shaping the strategic direction of the business.

East Riding businesses benefit from £1.5 million in grants and expert support

East Riding businesses have received a boost through £1.5 million in grants and a range of tailored support programmes, driven by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC). These initiatives, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), aim to support local businesses across various sectors.

The Invest East Yorkshire Business Support Services, a key element of ERYC’s offering, has been instrumental in delivering this support. The services include expert advice, networking opportunities, and workshops on key topics such as sustainability, tourism, and supply chain management. In partnership with local universities, government agencies, and private sector organisations, the team has ensured that assistance reaches businesses throughout the region, with a special focus on Bridlington and Goole.

In total, 189 businesses have secured over £1.5 million in grant funding, leading to the creation of 161 new jobs. In addition, nearly 1,500 businesses have benefited from direct support, with 207 entrepreneurs becoming business-ready and 45 new ventures established. This initiative highlights the region’s dedication to promoting business growth and innovation.

Partnership boosts rail telecoms with new infrastructure investment

A strategic partnership between Network Rail, Freshwave, and Neos Networks aims to improve the UK’s rail telecoms network by eliminating signal blackspots and modernising the infrastructure. Neos Networks will be responsible for deploying 1,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable along key railway lines, including the East Coast Main Line, Chiltern Main Line, and West Coast Main Line. The initiative will also commercialise spare fibre capacity, creating a robust digital connectivity backbone for businesses. The partners have plans to extend this network to over 5,000 kilometres in the future.

The collaboration addresses the growing demand for high-performance digital infrastructure, driven by factors such as AI growth and data centre capacity. Freshwave will address signal gaps by deploying mobile infrastructure in 57 tunnels along major rail routes, including the 4 km-long Chipping Sodbury tunnel. Mobile connectivity will also be enhanced at 12 key stations, such as Birmingham New Street, Glasgow Central, and King’s Cross, with installations expected to begin in 2026.

These upgrades are crucial for improving Network Rail’s asset monitoring capabilities and enabling advanced technologies like trackside sensors and CCTV. The enhanced network is expected to bring long-term economic benefits, contributing to the UK’s digital future and supporting the formation of Great British Railways.

Luxury lodges in Lincolnshire hit the market for £5m

A portfolio of 32 luxury holiday lodges at Belton Woods Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Lincolnshire has been put up for sale, with offers expected in the region of £5 million. The properties, which were previously part of De Vere and are now under the QHotels Collection, are set within a freehold site of over 27.9 acres.

The lodges offer a mix of detached and semi-detached units, designed to accommodate between six and eight people. With three distinct layout configurations, each lodge is equipped with holiday home amenities and features a two-floor design that provides expansive southerly views.

The location, on the western edge of the resort, offers an ideal setting for leisure developments, and the portfolio presents significant potential for businesses seeking to enter the holiday letting market. The site is easily accessible and positioned in a picturesque area near Grantham, with transport links to major cities including Lincoln and Nottingham.

This sale presents a unique opportunity for investors and developers looking to capitalize on the growing demand in the holiday market.

Businesses scale up with new lettings at Howley Park

J Pullan & Sons Ltd has completed three major lettings at Logistics Hub Howley Park Estate, totalling over 62,000 sq ft at Junction 28 of the M62 in Morley, Leeds. The largest of the deals sees Coptrin Limited expand from 40,000 sq ft to now occupy 55,740 sq ft across Units 1, 2 and 4 on a 10-year lease. The company, a major supplier of catering packaging and biodegradable products, have expanded into the new space for warehousing and distribution to meet increasing demand. Meanwhile, The Yorkshire Resin Company Limited, a long-standing tenant at Howley Park, who are specialists in the installation of resin driveways and car parks, has taken 6,662 sq ft at Unit 5, also on a 10-year lease. This marks a step up from their previous premises at the park, providing enhanced storage, showroom, and office facilities to support their continued growth. These lettings follow the recent occupation of an 18,940 sq ft unit by a national parcel delivery company. Bruce Strachan, property director at Pullans, said: “We’re thrilled that Coptrin and The Yorkshire Resin Company have chosen to expand their operations here at Howley Park. It’s a clear endorsement of the confidence our tenants have in the park as the ideal place to grow their businesses. “These lettings reflect the strength of our prime motorway location, the quality of the space we offer, and the support available through our in-house design and fit-out team, who work closely with occupiers to deliver solutions tailored to their evolving needs.” Alex Henderson, director of Coptrin Limited, said: “Expanding our space has been an exciting journey and working alongside J Pullan & Sons made the transition seamless. Their support and expertise allowed us to relocate smoothly, with little – if any – impact on our operations and customers. “The additional space has given us the opportunity to make lasting improvements to the way we run our day-to-day business, while also tailoring the environment to fit our needs perfectly. We’re incredibly grateful for the collaboration and look forward to all the possibilities this expansion brings!” Andrew Firth, co-founder and director of Yorkshire Resin Company, said: “The Yorkshire Resin Company is thrilled with our move into a new home at the Logistics Hub in Morley. This modern, accessible base gives us the space and facilities to support our growing team and expanding services. “We worked closely with Pullans on the design and fit-out of the unit to create a bespoke space tailored to our operational needs – an investment already having a positive impact on the business. We’re now better equipped than ever to deliver top-quality resin driveway installations across Yorkshire and look forward to building on this momentum.” CBRE and Carter Towler are joint agents for Howley Park Estate.

Cutting-edge healthcare facility to treat military and civilian communities in Catterick

A new cutting-edge healthcare facility in Catterick, built by the Ministry of Defence and the NHS, will treat thousands of patients a year including the military, their families and the local civilian population in North Yorkshire and the wider area. The Catterick Integrated Care Centre (CICC) which has received approximately £110 million of funding, is a first-of-its-kind health partnership, directly employing more than 300 medical personnel from the MOD and the NHS to treat up to 1,000 people a day. Situated within Catterick Garrison, home to over 14,000 military personnel, the centre will offer a range of services, including primary care, rehabilitation, mental health support, and specialist treatments. The project aims to improve local access to healthcare, providing a variety of healthcare services in one location, and will also provide opportunities for training. Colonel Tariq Ahmad, Regional Clinical Director, Defence Primary Healthcare (North), said: “This centre is a great investment in our local community, with a bold and ambitious vision to approach care in an integrated way, working collaboratively with primary and secondary care, local authority and public health services for the benefit of our patients. It’s a coordinated approach to building better outcomes for the whole community.” Michelle Hagger, Programme Manager from NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, added: “The concept began in 2015, and our vision is now inching ever closer to reality. This purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility will bring together a broad range of integrated and responsive health and care services under one roof, helping ensure residents across Richmondshire can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.” Construction firm Tilbury Douglas was awarded the contract to build the CICC in 2021 by the Ministry of Defence, with over 200 people employed on the site over the lifetime of the project. Paul Ellenor, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Northeast at Tilbury Douglas, said: “This represents a landmark investment in integrated healthcare, and Tilbury Douglas is proud to be at the forefront of its delivery. It reflects the strength of collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the NHS, and delivery partners. “This pioneering facility will not only transform access to healthcare for both military and civilian communities, but also set a new standard for integrated service delivery. We’re proud to contribute to a project that enhances long-term wellbeing, strengthens local partnerships, and supports national priorities around Defence health and public care infrastructure.” John Weatherby, Principal Project Manager for the CICC from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which is part of the MOD and oversees all UK Defence land, buildings, and infrastructure, added: “We’re proud to be building this fantastic new facility, which will greatly benefit both the military and the local population in the Catterick area. “This is the first joint MOD and NHS project of this scale and is the result of a collaborative relationship between the MOD, NHS, Tilbury Douglas and other partners.” Work will now continue at pace to ensure the CICC is fully ready to start seeing patients when it opens in 2026, with staff due to begin familiarising themselves with the new facility shortly.

Negotiations begin as future of Vivergo plant at risk in Hull

With the future of the Vivergo plant at Saltend Chemicals Park at imminent risk, negotiations are beginning between Associated British Foods’ bioethanol business and the Government to find a viable path forward. The concerns come as a result of the recent UK-US trade deal and poor regulation, which have left local ethanol producers less competitive in the face of US imports. Vivergo Fuels is the UK’s largest bioethanol producer, with a crucial role to play in UK transport decarbonisation. It is a strategically important anchor employer in the region, supporting over 160 skilled jobs directly and around 4,000 more in the supply chain, the majority of which are based in the Hull and East Riding region.
Now, with the future of the Vivergo plant at risk, the Government has decided to launch formal negotiations with the business. Meanwhile, Vivergo has begun a consultation with employees.
An Associated British Foods spokesperson said: “We welcome the Government’s decision to launch formal negotiations with us over the future of Vivergo, our bioethanol business. “Over the coming weeks, we will engage intensively and transparently with officials to try to find a viable path forward. “In parallel, we will today begin consultation with our employees. This process will conclude with a major decision to be made on the plant’s future, which will depend on whether the negotiations deliver a credible route forwards.”

Mayor unveils £12m boost to skills training across West Yorkshire

More than a hundred guests gathered at Leeds Civic Hall on Tuesday (24 June) to celebrate inspirational adult learners from across West Yorkshire, as Mayor Tracy Brabin announced £12m to expand skills and training opportunities across the region. The West Yorkshire Adult Learner Awards, now in its second year running, recognised the exceptional achievements of learners aged nineteen and over who have transformed their lives through adult education. The winners included Caitlin Moisey, recognised for her outstanding contributions to the field of pharmacy, and Guillaume Junior Atangana and Donard Ndim Nyamjua, two refugee athletes studying at Bradford College, who were jointly awarded a Special Commendation for their inspirational journey from Cameroon to the Paris Paralympic Games. The £12m uplift in skills funding, set to deliver courses up to July 2026, will be split between basic skills and employment-focused training. This includes opportunities to gain essential English, Maths, Digital and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) qualifications, alongside Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) in industries like health and social care, and construction. The funding is a part of Mayor Brabin’s £65m Adult Skills Fund, which is supporting over 40,000 learners year on year to better their lives through training and work. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “These inspirational learners prove that it’s never too late to learn new skills, embark on exciting new careers, and put more money in your families’ pockets while pursuing a new passion in life. “When I was elected, I pledged to make West Yorkshire a region of learning and creativity, and with our multimillion-pound boost to adult skills, we are delivering on that promise. “By investing in essential skills like English and Maths alongside technical qualifications in sectors like construction and childcare, we’re equipping people with the skills they need to succeed, supporting local businesses, and building a stronger, brighter economy for all.” Through innovative partnerships with employers, training providers and the region’s seven Further Education colleges, the Mayor’s investment in adult skills is helping to upskill learners into real jobs in the local labour market, getting people into well-paid employment while supporting businesses to grow and succeed. West Yorkshire’s multibillion-pound Local Growth Plan sets out the Mayor’s ambition to build a region of learning and creativity, where people of all ages and backgrounds can access the qualifications, skills and employment support they need to fill skills shortages and fulfil their potential. Over 47,000 adult learners benefitted from support from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority over the past academic year, with a significant uptake in skills training among disabled learners, ethnic minority learners and young learners. Some local training providers have also delivered innovative wraparound support for learners, benefitting both their families and their wider communities. This includes Aim2Learn tackling food insecurity by offering free breakfasts to their adult learners, and extending this support to young carers in partnership with local schools.

Free training available for green entrepreneurs in Keighley

Keighley Social Enterprise Town, funded by Big Local, is offering free training sessions designed to support local entrepreneurs who contribute to the green economy. The initiative provides a series of workshops designed to build skills in various aspects of running sustainable businesses.

The first session, titled Are We Equal?, will focus on LGBTQ+ terminology, language, and community history. It will take place on Tuesday, July 8, at 1 pm at the Learning Coach, Ingrow West Station, and will be led by Finn Thorburn from the Equity Partnership. The session is open for registration via Eventbrite.

A second session on strategic planning will be held on Tuesday, September 9, at Airedale Enterprise in Keighley, also starting at 1 pm. Further sessions include Productivity and Boundaries with Zest on October 7 and Impact Measurement with Participate Projects on November 11. Details and bookings for these sessions will be available closer to the dates.

Businesses urged to bolster cyber defences amid rising geopolitical tensions

UK businesses are facing heightened cybersecurity risks, particularly due to a surge in cyberattacks linked to Iran, following the escalation of the Middle East conflict. Cybersecurity experts have warned of an uptick in attacks from online groups associated with Tehran, targeting both UK-based organisations and entities in the US and Israel.

Analysis by cybersecurity firm EclecticIQ shows a significant increase in cyberattacks since the Israel-Iran conflict began. The firm also reported a growing collaboration between pro-Iranian and pro-Russian hacktivist groups, amplifying the threat to UK businesses.

The UK government has urged businesses to strengthen their cyber defences in light of the growing threat. While some companies are already taking action, authorities stress that all organisations, regardless of size or sector, must urgently review and enhance their cybersecurity measures.

The recent wave of attacks has included Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assaults on key British businesses, including those in the defence sector. These attacks aim to overwhelm a company’s computer networks with excessive traffic, causing disruptions. In addition to DDoS attacks, businesses have also faced data-deleting malware and an increase in disinformation campaigns.

As the cyber threat landscape evolves, UK businesses are urged to adopt comprehensive resilience and incident response strategies, ensuring they are prepared for potential cyber operations, which may not be immediately obvious or proportional.