“Nalivaika failed to do this and this sentence sends a strong signal to the business community that such a blatant disregard for keeping your accounts up-to-date will not be tolerated.”
Nalivaika was appointed as sole director of Niki Contractors in January 2020. The company had been trading since December 2016 with different directors in charge. Niki Contractors was wound-up just over a year into Nalivaika’s directorship in May 2021 due to mounting debts. Investigations by the Insolvency Service revealed Niki Contractors made more than 4,300 payments to 614 people labelled ‘wages’ between April 2020 and January 2021. The total cost of these payments was more than £3.7 million. Niki Contractors also made 106 payments totalling £869,670 to purchase vehicles, mainly older commercial vans, between July 2020 and January 2021. More than £4.5 million was paid to Niki Contractors from other companies in the same period. Nalivaika failed to explain any of the payments and did not deliver company records to the Insolvency Service or the liquidator when requested. Niki Contractors was liquidated with liabilities of more than £2.5 million. Nalivaika’s breaches have prevented the liquidator from being able to investigate the company’s accounts.Construction company director given suspended prison sentence
The director of a Leeds-based construction firm who failed to keep up-to-date accounting records and explain why his company spent more than £800,000 on over 100 vehicles has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Eugenijus Nalivaika was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Friday 3 May. He was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £4,714.30.
The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to keep accounting records when he was director of Niki Contractors Ltd at a hearing in February.
Nalivaika, of Charlton Road, Leeds, was also disqualified as a company director for seven years in January in separate civil proceedings brought by the Insolvency Service.
Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Eugenijus Nalivaika enjoyed the benefits of limited liability while running his business without accepting the responsibilities that come with it.
“Directors must ensure proper records are kept, filed and preserved. This is to protect consumers and other businesses who have dealings with the company.
Experienced property professional joins Zenko
Independent Leeds-based residential sales and lettings agency, Zenko Properties, has appointed highly experienced property professional, Jacqui Pringle, as head of operations, property management and compliance.
Jacqui, who brings more than 18 years’ experience to the newly created role, said: “I worked with Leeds city living pioneer, Jonathan Morgan, for more than five years at Morgans City Living, which was ultimately sold to Linley & Simpson, and then retired and moved to Cumbria.
“I really missed working in property in Leeds however, and when the opportunity arose to work at Zenko Properties, I jumped at it. It’s such an exciting time for the business and with new, bigger offices opening in the heart of Leeds city centre, I’m really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and to playing my part in the growth of what is a very ambitious, but grounded team.”
Partner, Jonathan Morgan said: “Jacqui played an integral role during her time at Morgans, and her unmatched experience levels and unique skill sets will free up Zenko’s directors, and specifically managing director, Tobias Duczenko, to focus on business growth, whilst Jacqui takes care of the day-to-day business operations. Jacqui was our first choice for the role, and we’re delighted to have her on board.’’
Managing director, Tobias Zenko, said: “We aim to become the go to residential agent of choice in Leeds city centre and bringing Jonathan and now Jacqui into the business will help us to achieve this ambition.
“We have an impressive reputation in the city centre market for being a reliable and first-rate lettings agent and property manager, and currently manage more than 700 properties, as well as offering residential sales and specialist property investment services.”
Zenko Properties was founded in Leeds city centre in 2015 by Tobias Duczenko. Jonathan Morgan joined Zenko as a partner in 2023 and Jacqui’s appointment will see team numbers bolstered to 10.
Hull College celebrates success at Humber Renewables Awards 2024
Hull College has been crowned winner of the Excellence in Renewable Education, Skills, and
Training award at the prestigious Humber Renewables Awards 2024.
Now in its twelfth year, the awards celebrate the exceptional contributions of businesses
and individuals in advancing the renewable energy sector within the Humber region,
renowned as the UK’s Energy Estuary.
The gala dinner event, staged in partnership with the Offshore Wind Conference, was held at Hull’s Doubletree by Hilton Hotel on Thursday 2nd May.
As the Humber solidifies its reputation as a leader in renewable energy and embraces zero-
carbon ambitions, Hull College’s award win in the Renewable Education, Skills, and Training
category underlines its commitment to advancing renewable energy education.
Recognising the critical need for specialised knowledge in this sector, the college has
developed an extensive suite of bespoke courses in sustainability and renewable energy,
working in collaboration with over 100 leading businesses in the sector.
This initiative has resulted in more than 2,600 students completing training across 11 different courses, ranging from introductory sustainability to advanced courses in heat pumps and renewable transport, all of which have been in addition to their main study programme.
Reflecting on the award win, Nick Marshall, Head of Engineering and Advanced Motor
Vehicle at Hull College, said: “We are honoured to be recognised for our dedication to
advancing renewable education and skills training in the Humber region.
“At Hull College, we are committed to providing forward-thinking education that empowers
our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the ever-evolving
renewable energy sector.
“Collaborating closely with local businesses and organisations is integral to our approach. By aligning our curriculum with industry needs, we ensure our students are well-prepared for tomorrow’s challenges today.
“As we forge ahead, our vision is to establish the college as a beacon of renewable energy
education in the Humber. We aspire to nurture the next generation of innovators who will
shape a greener, more sustainable world for generations to come.”
Hull College has recently launched an exciting new Foundation Degree in Renewable
Energies and Technologies – and applications are now open. The two-year course will begin
in September 2024 and will run at the college’s Queen’s Gardens campus.
From wind turbine dynamics to hydroelectric training rigs, wave energy units, geothermal
units, and solar hydrogen cycle trainers, students will gain the knowledge and skills they
need to embark on a career in the exciting and dynamic world of renewable energy.
In addition, the college also offers a Welding and Fabrication for Renewable Industries
qualification for both school leavers and adults, providing specialised training in MAG
manual metal arc welding, alongside oxyfuel gas cutting and plasma cutting.
For more information about these new courses and how to apply, visit www.hull-
college.ac.uk.
Projekt Renewable wins community award
Projekt Renewable was named the winner of the Engaging the Community | Community Project Award, in partnership with Blackrow Wind, at the Offshore Wind Connections Humber Renewable Awards that took place in early May at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Hull.
Projekt Director Rich was there on the night, saying: “I honestly didn’t think we’d stand a chance given the other projects that had been shortlisted. “The win is for everybody that was in the room on the night – PRG (Projekt Renewable, Grimsby) is one of several projects working to bridge the gap between community and industry. And in an industry that is moving as rapidly as renewables, that conduit and channel of communication is vital. “The judges summed it up for me, ‘It’s very easy for big companies to pledge some money to a community project, but it’s really hard to do it the other way around and build something of substance from the ground up’.” Conceived 2021, designed 2022, delivered 2023 – PRG exists because Projekt Director, Richard Askam, was tasked with creating something in the centre of Grimsby to inspire the next generation. The world knows Grimsby for its fishing heritage but its flourishing renewable energy sector and the opportunities that lie within it, exist and operate largely out of sight. An educational and cultural hub, Projekt Renewable, Grimsby has been created to inspire the next generation of renewable energy experts through a ‘destination’ full of energy and immersive experiences. Creating a better environment for the future of our planet and the generations to come, with homegrown talent at its core – this is what Projekt Renewable embodies. Designed and built from shipping containers, re-purposed to house a podcast and YouTube studio along with visitor experiences from the likes of RWE, The Crown Estate, NSPCC, myenergi and others – Projekt Renewable has quickly gained national notoriety as Government and industry seek to bring the public on the journey to Net Zero.Raft of new businesses join 3M Buckley Innovation Centre
3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC), a subsidiary of the University of Huddersfield, has welcomed a raft of new businesses from a range of sectors including packaging, property finance, vet diagnostics and formulation testing.
Urolith, ECO PACK, Crafted and the Charlesworth Family Group have taken offices and labs at the 3M BIC leaving only a few remaining spaces at the centre.
Urolith Diagnostics is a start-up business and aims to improve pet healthcare by accurately detecting the composition of kidney and bladder stones in animals using state-of-the-art spectrometry. The data can be used by vets to determine the best treatment for the pets.
ECO PACK specialises in developing and commercialising sustainable packaging solutions for Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical companies that supply to major FMCG retailers.
Part of the 2M Group of Companies, Crafted works with personal care start-ups as well as established brands to help them realise their brand ambitions, from creating new products, upscaling a successful and growing line or expanding a range.
The Charlesworth family has been in business in Huddersfield since 1928. It became the Charlesworth Family Group following the sale of its printing company in 2010 and publishing division in 2015. The Group initially formed as a vehicle for property investment, but soon branched into investing and providing finance and services for small businesses. It has worked across several industries and countries for over 20 years.
3M BIC’s CEO, Sue Cooke, said: “It’s fantastic to see innovative businesses becoming part of our community, many of which benefit greatly from our in-house facilities and access to the University of Huddersfield for recruitment and knowledge exchange opportunities.
“They are all from very different sectors and at different stages of growth, so we are looking forward to supporting the businesses to thrive over the coming months and years.”
Martin Leeming, Managing Director of ECO PACK, said: “As we scale up, we need to have the right infrastructure in place to deliver the projects we already have and to recruit the talent that we need.
“Access to 3D printing and the expertise available from the Engineering and Business functions at the University of Huddersfield is the perfect way for us to leverage our own in-house design expertise and provide challenging and rewarding projects to students.”
Other businesses at the 3M BIC include Ionix, Surfachem, Bailey Walsh & Co and Kromek, that have all had a base at the 3M BIC for over a decade, as well as the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the centre’s anchor tenant. FIS Information Systems, Water Industry Forum, Simplifai, the Institute for Educational and Social Equity and Kent Pharma are also based at the 3M BIC.
Lincoln specialists assist in roll-out of farming industry tech to alleviate labour shortages
Specialists from the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology at the University of Lincoln have contributed world-leading expertise to assess how the rapid roll-out of robotics and automation technologies could alleviate labour shortages in the UK’s food supply chain.
The University of Lincoln is at the forefront of industry-aligned research and development to drive forward innovations in the sustainability, efficiency, and productivity in the UK’s £100bn+ food and farming sector. This track record has been recognised with awards including the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education in 2023.
From establishing the world’s first doctoral training centre to train the next generation of agri-tech innovators, to launching award-winning spin-out companies deploying world-first technological solutions in-market, Lincoln’s teaching and research is supporting agri-food businesses across the country to supply the nation with the high quality, affordable, sustainable food.
Professor Simon Pearson, Founding Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, co-chaired the independent Automation in Horticulture Review in 2022 with Defra Secretary of State George Eustice. The Independent Review into Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Chain, led by John Shropshire, published a year later, addressed related challenges and opportunities in the roll-out of automation technologies across the sector. Both reviews were prompted by concerns about labour market constraints in the post-Brexit food supply chain highlighted in the UK Government’s National Food Strategy in 2021.
Professor Pearson said: “The announcement today is a significant and welcomed intervention from the Government to drive productivity in the critical UK horticulture sector. The intervention supports the long-term sustainability of the sector and underpins the production of affordable and healthy fresh produce for all. In addition, it will help upskill our workforce with state-of-the-art robotic and automation technology.”
New figures show SMEs have turned UK away from recession, says BCC
The British Chambers of Commerce says new GDP figures are a welcome sign that the UK has moved away from last year’s shallow recession.
Head of Research David Bharier says businesses across the UK have been the driving force behind the recovery.
“Firms have shown resilience in the face of multiple headwinds and this estimate should give business and investor confidence a boost.
“However, significant challenges remain. The UK has seen waves of economic and political uncertainty in recent years, from inflation to skills shortages and trade barriers with the EU, which have weighed down on its growth potential. Our latest surveys show that most SMEs are still not increasing investment.
“With signals from the Bank that their next move will be an interest rate cut, it is now essential that policymakers show businesses a clear plan for growth to unlock their economic potential.”
Future Humber delegation takes regional message to London
Future Humber brought together a 15-strong delegation of partners in London to spotlight the Humber’s ambitious vision for industrial decarbonisation at Innovation Zero 2024. The event, now in its second year, attracted thousands of attendees to London Olympia, driving conversations and actions towards a sustainable, low carbon future.
Supported by the UK Government, Innovation Zero is the UK’s largest sustainability conference and provides a meeting place for announcements, partnerships, deal-making, and collaborations for those who develop, produce, deploy, and fund low carbon solutions. At the forefront of London Olympia stood the Humber Pavilion, showcasing representatives and projects from leading partners Air Products, Arup, Aura, Drax, Equinor, Humber Freeport, Meld Energy, Oh Yes! Net Zero, Phillips 66, Prax, px Group, SSE Thermal, Uniper, the University of Hull and VPI. With more than 10,000 delegates visiting , the Pavilion served as a hub for engaging discussions and networking opportunities, allowing attendees to delve into the region’s decarbonisation initiatives through interactive displays and engaging conversations with partner representatives. Diana Taylor, MD of Future Humber, said:”As a region, the Humber is at its strongest when it aligns with a single, consistent voice. The decarbonisation agenda is perhaps the greatest example of cross-sector collaboration we have seen to date. The Humber Pavilion at Innovation Zero is a true show of force and statement of intent from our region and serves as an important reminder that the Humber simply has to play a critical role on a national stage to drive the UK to net zero.”SME confidence creeps back, but interest rate ‘hold’ was a missed opportunity, says FSB
“Our most recent research into small businesses’ economic prospects supports the argument for a summer cut in the rate. Nearly three times as many small firms rated the availability and affordability of new finance as ‘poor’ than rated it as ‘good’ in the first three months of this year, according to our most recent Small Business Index, while the proportion of successful new finance applications among small firms dropped to the lowest level recorded since this time last year.
“The domestic economy is cited as by far and away the biggest concern with regards to future growth prospects, while the second-most commonly cited barrier to growth is consumer demand. Keeping the rate at its high plateau for longer than absolutely necessary will make it much harder for small businesses to think about growth and investment, which is what will be needed for the economy as a whole to get out of its pattern of near-zero growth.
“We’ll know today whether we are formally out of a recession, but the tentative recovery seen in the first part of this year is still fragile. Small firms’ confidence is returning – in part because they are anticipating rate cuts this year. There is only so long they can wait, which is something we would urge the Bank of England to bear in mind.”
UK exits recession
The UK has moved out of recession, with new figures showing the economy grew by 0.6% in the first quarter of the year.
Strong economic growth in March (0.4%) contributed to the strongest quarterly growth since the fourth quarter of 2021, when the economy was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was influenced by growth across the services sector and manufacturing, while construction output fell.
GDP (gross domestic product), a key measure of economy growth, had been predicted to rise 0.1% month-on-month and 0.4% in the quarter.
Ben Jones, CBI Lead Economist, said: “Back-to-back increases in output over the first months of this year suggest the UK is now on the road to recovery. With falling inflation boosting households’ spending power, as well as opening the way for a reduction in interest rates in the months ahead, the economy should be able to sustain some momentum through the year.
“But a consumer-led recovery could prove short-lived without more determined action to tackle the long-standing problem of weak productivity growth, which ultimately sets the UK’s economic speed limit.
“Firms want to see action that could help support investment and cut costs which, includes extending full expensing to leased and rented assets, and a business tax roadmap to give firms the certainty and confidence they need to plan ahead and invest in a vibrant UK economy.”
