University of Lincoln joins £3m campaign to drive midlands economic growth
The University of Lincoln, UK, has joined a groundbreaking coalition of 17 universities, in support of a £3m international campaign which has been launched this week to drive economic growth in the Midlands.
Each year, the University contributes more than £400 million to the local economy and has forged sustainable, long-term relationships with a diverse range of organisations. These global connections will be leveraged to attract inward investment into R&D, innovation and science. This important work supports the University’s ambitions laid out in its Strategic Plan 2022-27 – of being a university which contributes significantly to the success of the region and beyond.
The campaign is led by Midlands Innovation and the Midlands Engine Partnership and hosted at Loughborough University, the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign has been developed with a range of regional partners including the West Midlands Growth Company, Midlands Enterprise Universities and the East Midlands Freeport. It was launched at the UK Real Estate, Infrastructure and Investment Forum (UKREIIF), attended by nearly 13,000 investors, delegates and developers.
The university consortium will showcase five sectors in which the Midlands is world-renowned for the strength of its research and innovation. International alumni, industry and university connections in six markets (Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) will be drawn upon to engage investors and raise the profile of the Midlands.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Professor Neal Juster, said: “The University of Lincoln is proud to be a member of this consortium whose aims align with, and further support, its commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity in the region and contributing significantly to the nation’s success through regional regeneration and international connectivity.
“This campaign will help to redefine how academia works in partnership with industry, and we look forward to showcasing what the University of Lincoln has to offer. From its R&D equipment and facilities spanning a range of key disciplines such as agri-food, engineering, and life science technologies, we have a wealth of opportunities for collaboration with.
“An example of this is the University’s sector-leading Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, which was recently awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work supporting the success and sustainability of the UK’s food and farming industries through innovations in research, education and technology.”
Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Andrew Griffith MP, announced an award of £1.5 million from the UK’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) to support the campaign over the next two years, which has been matched by universities and regional partners. The Minister said: “The UK is home to world class research hubs and by bringing together the expertise and connections of universities, government and industry, we can bolster our efforts to win international investment into some of the Midlands’ strongest sectors.
Clegg Construction completes £9m care home near Tadcaster
Contractor Clegg Construction has handed over a new 65-bedroom care home to Barchester Healthcare.
The £9m Highfield Care Home at Barkston Ash in North Yorkshire is located on the former Scarthingwell Park Estate and replaces an ageing care home that had previously been on the site.
The new two-storey facilities include lounge, dining and communal areas and will provide 24-hour residential care tailored to the individual in a warm, friendly, and modern environment, as well as specialist care for those living with dementia.
Throughout the build, Clegg Construction consistently achieved high Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) scores in testament to Clegg’s engagement with the local community, its approach to safeguarding the environment, and the protection of the workforce.
Darren Chapman, operations director at Clegg Construction, said: “Highfield Care Home is situated in an idyllic location, with peaceful and picturesque surroundings which will provide future residents with a sense of well-being. It is less than five minutes away from Tadcaster and all the services and facilities that the town offers.
“Clegg Construction is proud to have delivered such a wonderful scheme for Barchester Healthcare, which has a reputation for providing high quality, person-centred care services in superior care environments.”
Clegg Construction has vast experience in managing the construction of new-build, state-of-the-art care and nursing homes across the country for a number of respected operators, delivering over 400 care home beds in recent times.
As part of its commitment to engaging with the local community during the build of Highfield Care Home, Clegg Construction visited Barkston Ash Catholic Primary School to speak to pupils about how local flora and fauna have been protected during construction and also organised a bird box design competition. Clegg also donated fencing to a local residents’ group and wood to residents.
More than 20 existing trees and hedgerows on the site, including a mature turkey oak, a sycamore maple, a Lawson cypress, and a hazel tree, were safely protected, and common pipistrelle bats found at the site were moved to a place of safety.
The team on the Highfield Care Home scheme working alongside Clegg Construction included project manager and quantity surveyor Holden & Lee, architect Harris Irwin Architects, structural engineer Cameron Darroch Associates and M&E consultant Harniss.
Senior Property Development Manager for Barchester Healthcare, Michael Coggin, said: “We’re now welcoming residents to our stunning new care home in Tadcaster. Not only will our residents have a home set in beautiful grounds, the new home will also offer a range of job prospects boosting employment in the neighbouring areas. We look forward to showcasing our home to the local community, if anyone has questions about care please do come and see us.”
Ramsdens appoints head of corporate
Yorkshire law firm Ramsdens Solicitors, which has 11 offices across the region, is strengthening its company and commercial practice by appointing Edgerton-based Adam Cockroft to step up to take the reins of the nine-strong team, supported by former head Stephen Newman.
Having joined Ramsdens in 2010, Mr Cockroft has played a key role in the growth of the practice acting for a diverse range of clients from small businesses to large corporates, across a broad range of sectors spanning healthcare, retail, industry and professional services.
He also represents a number of clients with large property portfolios, and his specialisms include sales, acquisitions, mergers and corporate re-organisations.
Former head of corporate, Stephen Newman, who is stepping aside from leading the team after more than two decades, remains a partner and will continue to advise his clients and assist Adam Cockroft as the team continues to grow and build its reputation.
Mr Newman said: “It is time to hand over leadership of the team to the next generation of lawyers. For any business to thrive, it’s important to acknowledge when to make change, and Adam is an excellent lawyer whose enthusiasm and new ideas will take the practice into a bright and exciting future.
“Stepping back from head of the practice also gives me the opportunity to concentrate on what I enjoy most, serving the needs of this firm’s clients. My passion for my work has never diminished and I am looking forward to getting back to the ‘coalface’.”
Mr Cockroft said: “With our long-established name, which is trusted by businesses and individuals throughout Yorkshire, I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the company and commercial practice into the next phase of our development.
“It will very much be about harnessing the latest technology and modern ways of working while delivering the outstanding service our clients have come to expect.
“Stephen’s knowledge and years of experience will be invaluable as he supports our dynamic team which includes some of the region’s most talented dealmakers. With deal volume and size increasing every year, we have established a solid client base and have our sights set on further growth.”
Furniture company founder Lord Kirkham to speak at Doncaster conference
The man who created furniture maker DFS from a roof above a snooker hall in Carcroft is to be a speaker at the 2024 Doncaster, What’s Next Business Conference.
He’s Lord Kirkham, and will outline what he thinks are the biggest opportunities within Doncaster’s collective grasp, where the city ought to be heading and what needs to be done to put it on the best trajectory possible, while also sharing his own experiences in a range of business sectors and in politics.
Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “Our business conference is a true highlight in the calendar each and every year, giving attendees an opportunity to participate in a high level discussion about our city’s assorted fortunes and aspirations. Indeed, we always come away from the event feeling galvanized and eager to do what we can to help Doncaster reach its full potential.
“Having Lord Kirkham participate in the conversation this time around will be an immense privilege. Given how much he has achieved over the course of his illustrious career, I am positive that the audience will be interested in what he has to say and that he will have an insightful perspective to share on a great number of topics.”
Lord Kirkham added: “I owe stellar gratitude to the City of Doncaster. My family and I grew up here, my values and standards were formed here, and the foundations of my business career were built here. It will be an absolute privilege to share my lifetime of knowledge, proven business concepts, hard-earned experience, passionate beliefs, and insights with delegates at this business conference in June.”
At the age of 25 Graham Kirkham created his fortune by producing high quality furniture sold directly to the public at fiercely competitive prices made possible by cutting out warehouse dealers in the middle of the supply chain. From these humble beginnings, the company — known then as Northern Upholstery — eventually became the retail giant DFS, which was valued at £271 million when it was first floated on the stock market back in 1993.
He was a director and major shareholder in the Iceland supermarket chain, a long-serving chair of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a philanthropist working for and supporting many other charities, and an active member of The House of Lords. He holds a number of prestigious titles as well, including two knighthoods and a life peerage. Closer to home, he is also a freeman of the City of Doncaster and a past winner of Doncaster Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement accolade, which was bestowed in recognition of his manifold accomplishments over the years.
Huddersfield’s ‘catalytic’ investment opportunities attract big business audience at sell-out UKREiiF 2024
Huddersfield’s immense potential for health innovation investment and business growth was showcased to a high-profile business audience at a sold-out event held in Leeds last night, as part of the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2024.
The ‘Huddersfield: the Future of Health Innovation’ event brought to the fore the catalytic impact for wider investment in the town that the major developments at the University’s National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) and the West Yorkshire Investment Zone represent.
Over 6,000 investors, funders and developers from across the world flocked to Leeds for UKREiiF, which is being held in the city for the second year running. The fringe event attracted over 150 public and private sector stakeholders, including investors, developers, health businesses and more, to discuss the opportunities that Huddersfield offers and create connections.
Manufacturers’ output volumes rise for first time in year and a half
Manufacturers reported that output volumes rose for the first time since November 2022 in the three months to May, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect output to rise further in the three months to August, albeit at a modest pace.
Order books remain under pressure, with both total and export order books weakening in May. Manufacturers reported that stocks of finished goods were more than adequate to meet expected demand. Meanwhile, expectations for selling price inflation softened, having picked up earlier in the year.
The survey, based on the responses of 245 manufacturers, found:
- Output volumes rose in the three months to May, having been flat or falling in every month since November 2022 (weighted balance of +14%, from +3% in the three months to April). Output is expected to rise modestly in the three months to August (+7%).
- Output increased in only 8 out of 17 sub-sectors, but this was sufficient to offset flat or falling volumes in the remaining sub-sectors, with the chemicals, food, drink & tobacco and motor vehicles & transport equipment sub-sectors driving overall growth.
- Total order books weakened in the three months to May, with a net balance reporting order books as “below normal” falling to -33% (from -23%). The level of order books therefore remained below the long-run average (-13%).
- Export order books were seen as below normal and deteriorated relative to last month (-27%, from -23%). This was also below the long-run average (-18%).
- Expectations for average selling price inflation softened in May (+15%, from +27% in April), having picked up steadily over the first four months of 2024.
- Stock adequacy for finished goods improved in the three months to May, with the net balance of firms reporting that stocks were “more than adequate” rising to +14% (from -1% in the three months to April), broadly in line with the long-run average.
Firms hope for cut in interest rates next month as inflation eases
Responding to news that CPI rose by 2.3% in the year to April 2024, down from 3.2% in March, Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses said getting back within touching distance of the Bank of England’s 2% target had been a difficult road for many small businesses.
She aded: “Small firms will overwhelmingly feel relief that inflation has fallen precipitously in recent months. However, they’re still feeling battered and bruised by the impact that spiralling prices have had on them since inflation hit a peak in October 2022, and are still having to adjust to prices significantly higher than they were a couple of years ago.
“A cut in interest rates is starting to feel overdue, and all eyes will now turn to the next base rate decision in June. Yesterday, the IMF recommended that the Bank of England should cut the base rate by up to three times this year, and that the base rate should be taken to around 3.5% by the end of 2025, from its current level of 5.25%.
“Core inflation’s decline has not been as rapid, however, and it rose by 3.9% in the year to April 2024, down from 4.2% in March. This may make the Bank of England less inclined to cut the base rate at the next meeting, which would be a missed opportunity.
“Small firms’ confidence levels started to rise over the first quarter of this year, according to our research, and we want to see this valuable momentum keep and even pick up pace, rather than stalling or slipping back again.
“The economic growth we all want to see will be powered to a great degree by small firms, so it is vital to get their growth ambitions back on track, not held back by cost pressures and high interest rates.
“The needs of small businesses should be top-of-mind for policymakers and politicians, as it is their trajectory which will shape the future direction of the economy.”
Family backing helps start-ups off the ground, according to new research
New data shows that three in every ten of the UK’s small business owners have been given financial backing from a family member – with three-quarters saying it was essential for setting up their business.
And it’s suggested that the trend is based on a reluctance by banks have a weakened appetite to lend to small businesses.
From parents to grandparents, siblings to partners, new data from iwoca, one of Europe’s largest small business lenders, finds that families can be a significant contributor when a small business gets off the ground.
Over a third said they had received more than £25,000 from their relatives, with one in five receiving over £50,000.
iwoca’s study with 500 SMEs found that a third (35%) asked family members for support because they needed the funding urgently; a sixth because they couldn’t afford loan repayments; and one in ten either had their funding application rejected by a bank or the bank’s financing terms didn’t work for their business.
Mark Di-Toro, Director at iwoca, said: “Time and again data shows that the major banks are reducing their appetite to lend to small businesses, meaning they’re increasingly having to look for finance elsewhere.
“This means families have also been filling the gap. From parents to grandparents to brothers and sisters, millions of small business owners are seeking the support of their families to help get their businesses off the ground.”
Inflation nears Bank of England target
Inflation has continued its journey towards the Bank of England’s 2% target, coming in at 2.3% in April, down from the 3.2% reported in March.
Measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), it is, however, slightly ahead of forecasts (2.1%).
Falling gas and electricity prices resulted in the largest downward contributions to the monthly change, while the largest, partially offsetting, upward contribution came from motor fuels. There were also large downward effects from alcohol and tobacco, food and non-alcoholic beverages, recreation and culture, and communication.
Meanwhile, core inflation, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, stood at 3.9% in the 12 months to April 2024, down from 4.2% in March.
Alpesh Paleja, CBI Lead Economist, said: “A big fall in inflation was always on the cards for April, given Ofgem’s 12% cut to the energy price cap. Households and businesses will welcome a more benign inflationary environment, but it’s worth noting that many will still be struggling with a high level of prices, particularly in food and energy bills.
“Today’s data further sets the stage for interest rate cuts in the coming months. While the Monetary Policy Committee is likely to reduce interest rates over the summer, they are still holding out for more definitive falls in measures of domestic price pressures.
“It’s encouraging that pay growth is now a touch below the Bank of England’s forecast, but there’s still a long way for it to get closer to levels consistent with inflation at target.
“The Bank will also be mindful of growing upside risks to inflation in the near-term: with the growth outlook improving at home, and tensions in the Middle East threatening to stoke commodity prices and supply pressures globally.”
University signs strategic partnership with energy company
The University of Bradford has signed a strategic partnership with energy infrastructure company SSE Energy Solutions to collaborate on education, research, and the implementation of sustainable energy initiatives.
Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “This new partnership with SSE aims to develop further innovation of green technologies, something we feel passionate about at the university. “We are committed to taking action on sustainability and decarbonisation on our own campus, whilst enabling the development of green skills, jobs and technologies, working closely with the West Yorkshire Mayoral Green Task Group. “We are excited to establish this partnership and look forward to working with SSE on a range of green opportunities.” Neil Kirkby, MD of Enterprise at SSE Energy Solutions, said: “Strategic collaborations like our agreement with the University of Bradford are crucial in driving the transition to a sustainable energy future. By utilising our combined expertise and resources, we can accelerate innovation, create skilled jobs, and unlock the potential of clean energy as a lever for regional growth. “This partnership is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration in addressing the critical challenges of climate change and shaping a net-zero future for generations to come.”
The intention to use the expertise and resources of both organisations to enhance educational opportunities, foster cutting-edge research, and explore innovative solutions to address the university’s energy supply and decarbonisation goals. The collaboration will also focus on developing a talent pool of students and graduates equipped with the skills to enable West Yorkshire and the UK to become leading net carbon economies.
As part of SSE’s commitment to championing a fair and just energy transition, the company will work closely with the University of Bradford to foster strong regional relationships and contribute to the economic growth of the West Yorkshire region as part of its Social Value strategy designed to create sustainable cities and communities.
The strategic MoU will also look to challenge inequality through inclusive recruitment practices and initiatives that promote diversity in the energy sector. This includes inspiring low-carbon career education by providing students with opportunities to engage in real-world sustainable energy projects and gain valuable industry experience.
SSE is a member of the West Yorkshire Mayoral Green Task Group, which aims to create green jobs and skills for young people and unites experts from business, education and training, and the third and public sectors.
