Vinyl record manufacturing start-up takes on new premises in York
Start-up business Vinyl Press UK Ltd has leased 2,500 sq ft premises at Monks Cross – the first pressing plant of its kind in the city of York.
Vinyl Press was established by musical entrepreneurs Lucy Johnson (managing director), Neville Proctor (financial director), and Susie Proctor (director), who realised an opportunity to offer smaller to mid-sized labels with much needed vinyl record manufacturing facilities in the north of England.
The opening of the facility coincides with demand for vinyl records having increased for the 16th year in a row last year, with 6.5 million sold, taking overall sales above £170m. Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) was the best-selling LP, followed by the Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds.
Vinyl Press has launched the business with a small team but expects to recruit several more members of staff within the next 12 months as the company’s order book and client roster grows. The client list already extends into Europe, and they have quickly become part of a global network of manufacturers and industry experts.
Lucy Johnson said: “I have been involved in the music industry for over two decades, so we’re absolutely delighted to see vinyl records enjoying a renaissance in the mainstream and among the younger generations across the UK.
“Since opening the doors to our new pressing facility, we have produced several records of different sizes and colours for a wide range of genres, from drum and bass and jazz, to punk and folk.
“As well as working with established record labels, we’re keen to develop relationships with smaller independent record labels to find ways to make vinyl production more accessible again on a grass roots level.”
Neville Proctor said: “It’s an exciting time to start manufacturing in the music industry. Our goal is to establish relationships with our customers and consistently produce high quality records whilst also innovating and exploring the creative possibilities so integral to physical music releases.”
Chris Waterhouse, real estate and property partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors, said: “Having acted for the Proctor family for over 20 years, it has been particularly pleasing to assist Neville, Lucy and Susie with Vinyl Press and to ensure that their best interests are protected as tenants. I wish them the very best for their new venture.”
Free business briefings bid to boost region’s digital economy
A series of free business briefings set up to drive the development of the region’s digital economy is expecting another full house next week for its milestone tenth event.
Organisers of Hull’s Power Hour have again assembled a trio of digital marketing experts from top Yorkshire agencies who will present to the audience at Social in Hull on “Why Creative Matters”.
Will Slater, Creative Content Specialist at host agency 43 Clicks North, will offer “Ten tips to improve your copy prised from the terrible claws of the Gruffalo”.
Josh Hedges, Founder and Director or another Hull-based agency beHuman, will speak to the theme of “Connecting the dots: How to maximise revenue, minimise ad costs and build brand equity with creative strategy.”
Samm King, Paid Social Analyst at Leeds-based agency Journey Further, is expected to explore some quirky content ideas with “Storyselling to Storytelling: Centring the User in Social Creative”.
Power Hour was launched by 43 Clicks North as a post-pandemic quarterly event to present top tech talent from East Yorkshire alongside some of the key players from bigger cities. All eight sessions have taken place at Social in Humber Street, Hull, and have attracted audiences of around 100 people from digital agencies and their clients across a range of business sectors.
Mike Ellis, MD of 43 Clicks North, said the event is doubly significant as the tenth Power Hour and as the latest to attract sponsorship, with Lexus Hull have agreed a partnership for the rest of 2024.
Mike said: “We’ve been building audiences ever since our first event and more recently we’ve been generating stronger interest from other business sectors. That’s really encouraging because it shows people outside our industry are increasingly aware of how we can help them, and that will help us drive the development of digital skills.”
Power Hour will take place at Social, Humber Street, Hull, at midday on Friday this week.
York firms support care leavers into employment
Young care leavers in York have been able to learn new skills, increase their independence and get life-enriching experiences thanks to the support of local businesses.
City of York Council has been working with local businesses to help care leavers gain access to work experience, training and employment opportunities.
The partnership has included GMI’s bespoke ‘Construction Cares’ Programme at York College, led by GMI Construction Group PLC, enabling young people to improve their DIY skills as they transition into independent living. Activities included learning how to hang shelves, putting on locks and door handles and painting and decorating.
GMI Construction Group PLC is one of a host of organisations across the UK which have signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant and is a Signatory Partner. The covenant is a national initiative which supports care leavers aged 16-25 to live independently, creating education, employment and training opportunities.
Businesses, education providers and other organisations can sign up to the Covenant to pledge their practical support to care leavers.
Other businesses across the city have offered support for care leavers in other ways, including providing work experience opportunities, Christmas gifts and tickets to local sporting events.
Claire Preston – Head of Responsible Business at GMI Construction Group PLC, said: “GMI Construction Group PLC created their bespoke ‘Construction Cares Programme’ in 2023 and have so far delivered this programme in Birmingham, Manchester and York and have had over 55 care leavers attend.
It is so important to teach young people life skills so they can adapt them when moving into a home of their own. Three care leavers from the programme have gone into full-time apprenticeships and four have signed up for a Construction qualification.
“I really believe that companies of all sizes can create support offers for care leavers. If you can get senior buy-in and you have the will to support young people, you can overcome challenges that SMEs might face in signing up to programmes like the Covenant.”
Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “The businesses we’ve been working with have already demonstrated how keen they are to provide opportunities for our care leavers and it’s fantastic to see the city supporting its own.
“I know that many other local businesses may want to get involved but may not know where to start. I’d encourage them to look at the care leaver inclusive employment guide [toolkit] on the care leavers’ covenant website or get in touch with our dedicated employment and opportunities lead for care leavers in York who will be able to advise them how they can best help.
“Care leavers have been supported by social workers and foster carers for periods of time during their childhoods because they weren’t able to live with their birth families. This may mean they have fewer opportunities compared to their non-care experienced peers when they reach 18 years of age. That’s why it’s so important that we pull together as a city to nurture them through early adulthood, just as the parents of any young person would do.”
Online pension checker makes pension top ups easier, says HMRC
An updated online pension forecast checker to help people enhance their state pension has been launched by the Government.
The Check your State Pension forecast is a joint service by HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions, and has been enhanced to include a fully end-to-end digital solution.
The service will show customers by how much their State Pension could increase and details of the voluntary NI contributions they would need to pay to achieve this. It allows most people under State Pension age to view gaps in their NI record and pay voluntary contributions to fill those gaps, if it will benefit them.
Anyone with NI gaps in some of their tax years that could increase their State Pension if filled, can use the new digital service to choose which years they would like to pay to fill. They can then pay securely through the service and will receive confirmation that their payment has been received and that their NI record will be updated.
Customers can access the Check your State Pension forecast via GOV.UK or via the HMRC app.
Those who are eligible have until 5 April next year to pay voluntary contributions to make up gaps in their NI record between 6 April 2006 and 5 April 2018. From 6 April 2025, people will only be able to pay voluntary contributions for the previous six tax years, in line with normal time limits.
Nigel Huddleston, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Having peace of mind when planning for retirement is crucial to ensure people can enjoy later life. That’s why HMRC has launched this new online service today, making a real difference for thousands of pensioners in their retirement while providing certainty to those in their middle years and those still planning ahead.”
Associated British Ports appoints Group IT Director
Associated British Ports has appointed Sean Kelly, above, as Group IT Director to head the company’s programme of investment in digital strategy for port operations, customer service, and cyber security.
He said: “What attracted me to ABP is the company’s great culture coupled with the ambition to carry through its leading position in the UK ports sector to the areas of technology, digitisation and cyber security. State-of-the-art IT infrastructure and new ways of working are essential to be at the forefront of the digital revolution in the maritime industry.”
Sean has extensive experience leading IT teams in different businesses including Microsoft, BT, EY, RBS. He was most recently the CIO of Business Platforms at Dentsu, one of the largest global marketing and advertising agency networks. His experience has included leading the delivery of IT programmes such as digital transformation and ERP solutions for global businesses and implementing functional and connected digital journeys.
ABP’s CEO Henrik L. Pedersen, said: “It’s great to welcome Sean to ABP. Sean will be driving forward a well-established IT organisation, developing and executing the next phase of our digital strategy, including developing a broader IT landscape supporting all areas of ABP’s business.
“Building smart, flexible and resilient technology platforms to deliver on customers’ needs and business optimisation is a key foundation of our strategy. We’ve made some great strides forward but we’re ambitious about where technology can take us, our customers and partners further.”
Forgemasters buys 21 acres of Sheffield for redevelopment scheme
Sheffield Forgemasters has bought 21 acres of brownfield land to pave the way for development of additional facilities alongside its Brightside Lane operations.
The company is already building a 13,000 tonne Heavy Forge facility, and has earmarked the largest plot of land, on Weedon Street, for a machining line that will house 17 highly advanced machining centres, which do not exist anywhere else in the UK, and will underpin production for the UK defence programme.
Gareth Barker, COO at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “The purchase of additional land is a game-changing venture for the company and will see state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities built in the historic centre of Sheffield’s industrial heartland.
“The recapitalisation programme is completely transforming the company’s facilities as our modelling reshapes the site for optimum use.
“The opportunity to purchase land immediately adjacent to our site will enable faster, more cost effective recapitalisation than trying to reconfigure existing facilities, with the added benefit of keeping production in full flow through the existing plant.”
“The main focus of the land acquisition is to enable development of a new machining facility, to house .”
The company also recently completed the purchase of 10,000 sq ft of offices at Riverside Court on Brightside Lane.
British Steel gets planning permission for Scunthorpe’s electric arc furnace
British Steel has been given planning permission to build an Electric Arc Furnace at its Scunthorpe HQ as par of its proposed £1.25-billion transformation – its biggest in more than a century of steelmaking – which is subject to appropriate support from the UK Government.
British Steel President and CEO Xijun Cao said: “We’re extremely pleased to have received planning permissions to build Electric Arc Furnaces at our Scunthorpe and Teesside sites. It is a significant step forward in our journey to net zero and we thank everyone who has supported our plans.
“The proposed installation of EAFs in Scunthorpe and Teesside is central to our journey to a green future as they would help us reduce emissions of CO2 by more than 75 per cent. However, it is crucial we now secure the backing of the UK Government.
“Our owner, Jingye, is committed to the unprecedented investment decarbonisation requires and our desire to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint, coupled with challenging market conditions, means it is imperative swift and decisive action is taken to ensure a sustainable future for British Steel.
“We are committed to working with the UK Government and need to reach an agreement quickly so we can achieve our ambitious goals, secure thousands of jobs and keep making the steel Britain needs for generations to come.”
Significant preparation works, including environmental and technical studies, and equipment selection, are underway to ensure the company’s ambitious proposals can be delivered at the earliest opportunity while discussions with the UK Government continue.
Both proposed EAFs would replace the aging iron and steelmaking operations at British Steel’s Scunthorpe site which are responsible for the vast majority of its CO2 emissions. The company proposes maintaining current operations until a transition to electric arc steelmaking.
British Steel has started preliminary talks with trade unions about electrification, and has promised to support employees affected by its decarbonisation plans.
Xijun said: “We are confident our proposals will help secure the low-embedded carbon steelmaking the UK requires now and for decades to come.”
Detailed studies show electrification would enable British Steel to continue making the products its customers require. A special paper explaining how EAF technology can produce all steel products and grades by managing the raw material mix has been published by UK Steel.
Hannah secures leading role in male-dominated world of golf
Leeds-based National Club Golfer has appointed Hannah Holden as its Head of Content, making her the first woman to be promoted to such a position in the brand’s 20-year history as it plans to accelerate digital growth.
Hannah has been with NCG for five years, is not only a talented and knowledgeable content creator, but plays her golf off a handicap of +2.
She will be responsible for creating and delivering a content strategy across NCG’s digital channels, social media, YouTube channel and print magazine that reaches club golfers across the UK.
She will also join the board at Sports Publications, the parent company of NCG, working closely with longstanding owner/managers Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy.
She said: “My generation have grown up in a world of digital media and it’s really clear that we have some fantastic opportunities to drive the brand forward and connect with even more core golfers.”
Tom Irwin said: “Golf has long since been a male dominated sport. Participation remains around 80% male, but female golfers are rising in number. It is one of golf’s enduring appeals that men and women can play together on an equal footing. Hannah’s appointment hopefully supports the view that we are all just golfers, regardless of gender.
“Hannah’s appointment marks a significant milestone as she assumes the role of the first female Head of Content at NCG in two decades. Her wealth of experience, talent and ambition are invaluable assets.
“She has been instrumental in driving our digital content strategy and shaping the evolution of our online media platform and we look forward to seeing where she will take it next.”
Councils get new compulsory purchase powers to get land for housing
Councils will now be able to buy cheaper land to help build thousands more social and affordable homes, thanks to new Government reforms coming into force today, as part of the long-term plan for housing.
Councils will be able to buy land for development through the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders without paying inflated ‘hope value’ costs. ‘Hope value’ estimates the cost land could be worth if it was developed on in the future, meaning councils are forced to pay potentially thousands more to buy land for housing or developments and get stuck in lengthy disputes about costs.
The new measures will remove hope value in certain circumstances where Compulsory Purchase Orders are being used and make it cheaper and easier for councils to transform communities by building new homes.
Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young said: “Our changes will act as a catalyst for investment in our towns and cities and drive much needed regeneration in communities across the country.
“We know we need to build more homes and alongside our Long-Term Plan for Housing, these changes will help us do that, unlocking more sites for affordable and social housing, as well as supporting jobs and growing the economy.”
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, pictured, says: “Enabling local councils to buy cheaper land through Compulsory Purchase Orders without paying ‘hope value’ will allow them to build more of the desperately needed affordable homes the country needs, in the right places for the people who need it most.
“To solve the housing crisis and unlock the land needed for these homes, these changes must sit alongside wider reforms to planning policy which should form part of a nationally coordinated fully funded long-term plan for housing.”
Stafforce promotes head of ports to brand director
Rotherham-headquartered Stafforce, part of the Nicholas Associates Group of companies, has promoted Tim Platt from head of ports to brand director for ports in the UK.
In this new capacity, Tim will spearhead efforts to foster growth and establish Stafforce Ports as a prominent brand across the United Kingdom.
With extensive experience in the provision of flexible labour to the maritime and logistics industry, Tim brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight to this pivotal role. Having served as head of ports, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a steadfast commitment to driving operational excellence within the organisation.
As brand director, Tim will be responsible for setting the strategic direction for Stafforce Ports, primarily focusing on expansion and market differentiation. Leveraging his deep understanding of the industry landscape and trends, he will lead initiatives to enhance service offerings, cultivate client relationships, and optimise operational efficiencies.
“Tim’s deep understanding of the maritime industry, coupled with his proven track record of success, makes him the perfect fit for this pivotal role,” said Paul Smith, CEO of NAG. He continued: “As brand director, I am confident that Tim will continue to drive innovation, foster growth, and position Stafforce Ports as a leading brand in its own right.”
Tim said: “I am honoured to take on this new role and excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Stafforce Ports has a strong foundation, and I am committed to building upon that legacy as we strive to become a recognised brand in the UK ports industry.”
