- Connecting industries and networks across environmental science and finance;
- Knowledge exchange and support for the application of climate science in industry;
- Innovation and early-stage business support.
Stronger links between science and innovation and financial institutions to be forged at new Innovation Hub in Leeds
Stronger links between UK science and innovation and financial institutions will be forged at a new Innovation Hub in Leeds.
The Hub, part of the UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment (CGFI), is situated in Nexus, the University of Leeds’ innovation community, in partnership with Leeds University Business School and the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures.
The Centre has three key pillars to its work; research, policy and innovation, built on a foundation of convening, collaboration and capacity building to transform finance and investment for a greener future.
Dr Martin Stow, Pro Vice Chancellor for Business Engagement and Enterprise at the University of Leeds, said: “The CGFI hub, based in Nexus, is an exciting new initiative that will help further strengthen and foster collaboration between academia, start-ups and businesses in the North.
“This hub will help accelerate the adoption of climate and environmental data and analytics by financial institutions, delivering a positive impact on the regional economy and beyond.”
The Leeds Innovation Hub is one of two physical hubs, with the other located at Imperial College London, that will support innovation and commercialisation in the North. Activities will aim to help financial institutions to accelerate their use of climate data and analytics, including:
Property firm embarks on hiring spree
A Teesside property business has filled several new roles after a record year in which demand for the firm’s services has soared.
Just two years ago, Horizon Sales and Lettings compromised of just the three current directors. Now, after a bumper 12 months, it boasts 20 staff.
The new hires are all in key management roles and have grown the Middlesbrough-based firm’s workforce by over a third.
“Three years ago, we set a target to sell 60 units a year, but now we are selling significantly more,” said Denis Shail, one of the company’s directors who is also an experience mortgage advisor.
“We are consistently achieving high rankings on Rightmove, while enquiries and valuation requests are at record levels.”
Co-director Chris Bunn added: “Business is booming, as is the Teesside property market, and that’s why we knew that the time was right to expand our talent pool.
“And it comes as no surprise that our staff have absolutely hit the ground running in their new roles.”
The new staff will take up various roles across the company, in either the estate agency or refurbishment aspects of the business.
Among the new recruits is Jan Westbury, who brings 20 years of invaluable industry experience into his new role as branch manager.
Two of the roles have been filled internally, with Charlotte Young promoted to the position of investor relations manager after two years with the Newport Road company. Her colleague James Miller becomes site manager after 18 months as lead joiner.
Externally, new business development manager Jordan Ward and maintenance manager Jeff Barber arrive after leaving well-known local estate agents, while Wendy Jonas has arrived as Horizon’s new operations manager having moved from a national house building chain and Flynn Linklater-Johnson has joined as full-time property assessor.
Director Martin McManus added: “We are thrilled with them all, and they are natural fits for our business, each bringing with them the skillsets, knowledge and enthusiasm that will drive us even further forward.
“The fact staff have been willing to move here from some very prestigious North East property companies shows just how much they believe in the vision for this company and the fact they want to help us grow it shows just how committed our staff are to the business.
“We believe there’s great things ahead and we are delighted to have them onboard for that journey.”
West Lindsey manufacturing firms offered fully-funded business advice
Manufacturing businesses across West Lindsey can access a fully funded programme of support thanks to Business Lincolnshire.
Business Health Assessment, Consultancy Coaching or Training support, Online Workshops and a Peer Networking Forum, are just some options available to business as part of the Manufacturing Support Programme, subject to certain criteria being met.
Across Greater Lincolnshire, the manufacturing sector currently employs 66,000 workers;14 percent of the total employment for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. This contributes £4.76 billion to the area’s total economic value.
Businesses can participate in every part of the service or just the parts that solve a particular need. It includes focused individual support to help implement the actions resulting from the Business Health Assessment the programme, popular areas for support include:
- Business Coaching.
- Productivity Improvement & LEAN Manufacturing.
- Sales and Marketing.
- Finance & fund raising.
- HR and Workforce Development.
- Protecting Intellectual Property.
- Leadership & Management Training.
Awards recognise the best in building design in Leeds
Designs that are making a difference to lives and local communities have been celebrated at this year’s Leeds Architecture Awards.
Awards were presented in five main categories – new buildings (up to £10m in value), new buildings (more than £10m in value), adapted buildings, cultural projects and public realm & landscape.
The respective category winners were Maggie’s Yorkshire Centre, the University of Leeds’s Sir William Henry Bragg Building, Opera North’s Music Works, Leeds Playhouse and Moortown Park.
The Heatherwick Studio design team that worked on Maggie’s – a cancer support centre in the grounds of St James’s Hospital – had double cause for celebration as it also received the evening’s top prize, project of the year. A cheque for £1,000 was also presented in support of the work of the Maggie’s charity.
The roll-call of winners was completed by 11 & 12 Wellington Place, which was given a special sustainability award.
Guests at the ceremony heard from speakers including Councillor Helen Hayden, the council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure.
The three award judges – renowned architects Natalia Maximova, Robert Evans and Charles Campion – also took part in a panel discussion with event host Andrew Edwards.
This year’s awards were the first to have been held since 2019, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Martin Hamilton, director of Leeds Civic Trust, said: “I know the judges thought long and hard before choosing the winners – this reflected the incredibly high quality of entries this year. Leeds Civic Trust champions high quality architectural design, and there is no doubt that this year’s competition displayed these qualities in abundance.
“I was particularly pleased that this year’s competition found time to pay tribute to Mark Finch who, as director of real estate at Rushbond PLC, led the regeneration of some of the city’s most iconic buildings, including two on the shortlist for this competition – the First White Cloth Hall and the Majestic.
“Mark sadly passed away earlier this year but it is hoped that his memory will live on through a prize at future awards ceremonies.”
Government asks businesses for advice on Turkish free trade agreement
The Government is asking businesses for advice on the stance to take in negotiations for a new, modernised free trade agreement with Turkey.
Trade between the two countries reached £23.5 billion in 2022, making Turkey a top 20 trading partner for the UK. In 2021, around 7,500 UK VAT-registered businesses exported goods to Turkey, including well-known brands like Vodafone.
The UK and Turkey have an existing FTA which is based on outdated provisions from the 1990s negotiated when the UK was a member of the EU, and only covers goods. We are committed to negotiating a new, modernised FTA that is fit for the 21st century and covers sectors such as services, tech and digital.
The Call for Input will give businesses, organisations, and individuals the opportunity to shape the UK’s negotiating aims ahead of talks and ensure the updated trade deal is tailored to the strengths and priorities of British businesses.
International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston will launch the Call for Input on a visit to Vodafone’s Newbury headquarters. Vodafone is one of the UK’s largest investors in Turkey.
International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Trade deals are all about creating opportunities for businesses, growing the economy and supporting jobs – that’s why it’s so important businesses tell us what they want from them.
“Turkey is a great strategic partner and we already have a thriving trading relationship – up more than 30% in the last year alone. I’m incredibly excited to start upgrading our FTA, opening up opportunities for growth and giving British businesses better access to a market of some 85 million people.”
Mike Sheldon gets second three-year term as Chair of the Seafish Board
He said: “It is a real privilege to work in such an organisation. There is so much talent directed towards supporting industry to tackle the challenges it faces.
“We have a full agenda of work over the next few years, and I am really looking forward to bringing even more value to our stakeholders and doing our bit to ensure a thriving seafood sector.
The Seafish Board is made up of seafood industry and independent members comprising a Chair, Deputy Chair, and eight members. They are responsible for the strategic direction of Seafish. Amongst the membership is Nigel Edwards of the Hilton Food Group, which supplies Tesco and Waitrose with seafood products from its factories in Grimsby.
Mike is also a board member on the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Chair of its Pork Sector panel. He brings more than twenty years’ non-executive experience and chairmanship of public bodies and private companies, as well as significant experience of establishing long term strategies and delivery plans.
Global developments see Rotherham firm’s headcount reach 2,000
Continuing global expansion means the AES Engineering Ltd group, including AESSEAL and AVT Reliability, has taken on its 2,000th employee worldwide.
The group has accelerated its growth by investing in people as well as in the latest robotic and AI-powered technology at AESSEAL’s recently-completed £61m “Factory for the Future” in Rotherham and through global acquisitions and partnerships. MD Chris Rea said the company goal was not to be the biggest, but to be the best. “We welcome all the new members of the AES ‘family’, as we need the best possible people to give the exceptional customer service that drives our success.” The group, headquartered in Rotherham in the UK, is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of mechanical seals used in all types of industry and is a leading advocate of environmentally friendly investment to reduce pollution, lower carbon emissions, and cut water use. AES has been audited as Net Zero on its direct and indirect energy use since 2021 and continues to demonstrate that its positive environmental impact, helping global customers, exceeds supply chain emissions. This gives it the unique status among major engineering companies of having achieved Net Zero on all environmental scopes. AESSEAL, the group’s main global brand, was founded in 1979, with a handful of staff. It now operates from more than 231 locations in 104 countries, and holds, in addition to its engineered product portfolio, the world’s most comprehensive standard inventory portfolio of mechanical seals, bearing protectors, seal support systems, and packing. Acquisitions in Canada, Australia, Chile, and most recently a strategic partnership in Japan, joining forces with Torishima Japan Co., Ltd. have contributed to AES Engineering’s continuing expansion.Universities of Hull and Lincoln plan Humber Freeport collaboration
The Universities of Hull and Lincoln have announced plans to collaborate on a series of key projects along the Humber region.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two universities will see a partnership focussed on regional opportunities relating to sustainability, energy, innovation, and business support.
The MOU outlines collaborative opportunities such as supporting skills and innovation in the Humber Freeport, supporting offshore renewable energy and decarbonisation in the region.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at an event held at the University of Lincoln, where senior delegates from both universities were in attendance.
Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: “Universities play a crucial role in developing solutions and opportunities through their research, innovation and enterprise; sparking growth and bringing economic prosperity.
“Our partnership with the University of Lincoln will enable us to provide focused business support and deliver real impact: driving advances in renewable energy and decarbonisation across the Humber.
“As an anchor institution in our region, and a founding partner of the ‘Oh Yes! Net Zero’ campaign we are already working towards uniting Hull and the surrounding region to lead the UK to a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future.
“The region’s green energy credentials have enabled us position the Humber as an ideal living lab to develop projects that showcase how the world can develop solutions for a clean growth future.
“As a University, we have an ambitious plan to make our campus carbon neutral by our centenary year in 2027. Our vision to be a research-led, civic university firmly focused on creating a fairer, brighter, carbon-neutral future for all is underpinned by our University strategy built around two themes – sustainability and social justice.
“True sustainability and social justice in the Humber region will be delivered through real projects involving businesses and communities and strong partnerships. I am confident that our partnership with the University of Lincoln will bring significant benefits to local communities and effect change in the region and beyond.”
Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of University of Lincoln, said: “I’m delighted that we are working collaboratively with the University of Hull to ensure our sustainability commitments have regional and global impact.
“This Memorandum of Understanding, signed this evening alongside partners from the University of Hull, highlights how Higher Education institutions can work together for the benefit of their surrounding areas and beyond.
“The Humber Estuary region is currently one of the most concentrated emitters of carbon but is rapidly becoming a major producer of clean energy and decarbonisation, with carbon capture, solar and wind energy all being developed and installed in the area.
“The Net Zero ambition and aims of the project align with the strategic plan and vision of the University of Lincoln to deliver knowledge, capabilities, and skills into industries and organisations that are essential to the region’s prosperity.”
Both the University of Hull and the University of Lincoln now integrate a Net Zero agenda into every aspect of operations including teaching and learning, research, partnerships within industry and in day-to-day estates operations.
Like the University of Hull, the University of Lincoln has made a commitment to a carbon-free future, with its pledge to work to net zero carbon emissions by the year 2040.
Specialist education school purchases grade II listed Moorfield House in Leeds
Children’s service provider Polaris has swooped to purchase the iconic Grade II listed Moorfield House building in Headingley, to transform it into a special educational needs school.
The unique opportunity to acquire approximately 20,000 sq ft on a 1.5-acre site will allow Polaris to cater for up to 80 students, in addition to the eight schools already up and running across the UK.
Strategic property advisers, Fox Lloyd Jones handled the sale of Moorfield House which comprises an attractive Grade II listed building across four floors, with the property retaining several period features including high ceilings, stone archways and a grand staircase. A single storey extension, known as the Brahm Building, provides further, ready-to-go accommodation.
The property offers a rich history, originally built around 1855 before becoming a Missionary College in 1936. Throughout the war years it is thought to have been used as a wartime administration office by the Royal Air Force, then as regional offices for the Automobile Association (AA). In recent years the building was occupied by marketing agency Brass (formerly Brahm) and acquired by Illuminating Investments in early 2020, before being purchased by Polaris.
Situated in a peaceful setting just off Otley Road (A660), the area is perfectly positioned for a school environment with large open spaces and a number of amenities in touching distance.
Polaris supports children and young people with additional needs, by helping provide them with the best tailored, diverse and appropriate education in a safe and supportive environment.
Harry Finney, associate director for Fox Lloyd Jones, said: “We’re really pleased to have successfully completed the sale of both Moorfield House and the Brahm Building to a user who is committed to restoring Moorfield House and will be using the wider site to its full potential.
“Moorfield House was a rare freehold opportunity and attracted significant interest from a diverse range of end users. We’re looking forward to seeing how the Polaris team transform the building into an educational space that will benefit the wider community.”
Loren Cahill, project manager for Polaris, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the acquisition of Moorfield House and Brahm Building in Headingley. With this remarkable space, we are poised to provide the best outcomes for young people, offering a supportive and empowering environment to learn, grow, and thrive. We cannot wait to open the doors to Ormston School and witness the positive impact we will undoubtedly make in the lives of these promising young individuals.”
Fox Lloyd Jones & Carter Towler were appointed as the joint disposal agents.
Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged
The Bank of England has decided to hold interest rates at 5.25%.
Its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 6–3 to maintain Bank Rate, with three members preferring an increase of 0.25 percentage points, to 5.5%.
It marks the second interest rates pause following a run of 14 increases as the Bank tried to get inflation under control.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) national chair Martin McTague said: “This will at least be a relief for small businesses that we seem to be at the end of continually rising rates. This means they can now strategise for growth, given that we’ve, hopefully, hit inflation’s peak.
“However, rates have got to start dropping soon as many businesses are reeling from the unwelcome effects of 14 consecutive base rate hikes. Our latest Small Business Index (SBI) has begun to show business confidence creep up, from -14.2points in Q2 of 2023 to -8 points in Q3. Now, in order for that figure to stabilise or even climb, targeted interventions are needed.
“Small businesses are really feeling the double impact of high borrowing costs and reluctant customers – an unwelcome mix in an era where the cost of doing business remains notably high.
“With the Autumn Statement on the horizon, businesses are holding their breath for supportive policies. Top of the agenda should be maintaining the 75 per cent business rates relief for SMEs in retail, hospitality, and leisure. It’s currently set to expire in March and losing it could be a knockout blow to sectors already on the ropes. It’s time the promised business rates overhaul actually happens.
“The Chancellor should also tackle the late payments issue head on by making clear that it’s not acceptable for large businesses to finance their working capital at the expense of small businesses. We’d also like to see the self-employed being able to deduct the cost of training from their taxable income. This could be a transformative policy in an era when entrepreneurs need to adapt constantly to new developments.”
