SIG grows despite market headwinds, driven by UK and German strength

April Lara
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SIG grows despite market headwinds, driven by UK and German strength

Building materials supplier SIG reported a 2% increase in like-for-like sales for the first quarter of 2025, reaching £636 million, outperforming wider market trends despite continued construction sector weakness across Europe.

Total revenue fell by 1% compared to the same period last year, largely due to fewer trading days, currency fluctuations, and the impact of branch closures over the past 12 months.

Demand remains well below historical levels in most markets, but the company has observed early signs of volume stabilisation. SIG attributes its relative strength to operational and commercial improvements, with the UK and Germany delivering the strongest results.

While construction demand across the UK and EU remains subdued, SIG’s performance suggests it is gaining market share and positioning itself to benefit from any future recovery.

Private school closure signals business pressure from new VAT rules

April Lara
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Private school closure signals business pressure from new VAT rules

St George’s Preparatory School in Boston, Lincolnshire, will shut down at the end of the academic year, citing financial strain following the introduction of VAT on private school fees.

The school, rated “outstanding” by Ofsted, is among the first in the independent sector to announce closure directly linked to the government’s new tax policy, which took effect in January. The VAT measure is part of a broader initiative expected to generate £1.8 billion annually by 2029/30, supporting public services, including state education.

In addition to the VAT burden, the school’s operating costs have risen due to increases in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage. The combined financial pressure has led to daily losses that the school describes as unsustainable.

Falling enrollment has also contributed, as fewer families opt for fee-paying education due to the higher cost base.

The decision highlights growing concern within the independent education sector over the impact of fiscal policy changes on private institutions’ viability. Support measures are being arranged for students transitioning to new schools and for staff facing redundancy.

The policy is currently under legal challenge, with critics arguing it may breach human rights and be discriminatory. The government maintains that the primary aim is revenue generation for public investment.

OnPath wind farms highlight scalable regional impact for renewable energy stakeholders

April Lara
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OnPath wind farms highlight scalable regional impact for renewable energy stakeholders

OnPath Energy’s four onshore wind farms in Yorkshire generated more than 96,500 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity in 2024, enough to meet the annual power demands of around 33,200 homes.

The sites Penny Hill near Sheffield, Hook Moor east of Leeds, Marr west of Doncaster, and Hazlehead near Barnsley also helped reduce grid-related carbon emissions, displacing the equivalent output of nearly 13,400 petrol vehicles.

In addition to energy generation, the wind farms contributed over £61,000 to local community benefit funds, aimed at supporting grassroots projects and initiatives near the sites.

Kirklees pushes ahead with Dewsbury land sales to bolster budget

April Lara
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Kirklees pushes ahead with Dewsbury land sales to bolster budget

Kirklees Council is advancing its asset disposal programme with a new round of auctions that includes three sites in the Dewsbury area. The move is part of ongoing efforts to address financial pressures following a £47 million budget deficit in 2023.

The upcoming auctions feature land and buildings formerly used for community and commercial purposes in Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury town centre. These are among six properties across Kirklees set to go under the hammer in April and May. Guide prices suggest the council expects to raise at least £25,000 to £100,000 per site, depending on size and location.

This latest phase continues a wider sell-off that has already included more than 50 assets, ranging from museums and libraries to car parks and business centres. Sales so far have brought in substantial returns, with former council-owned sites such as the Red House Museum and Fartown Village Hall achieving six-figure sums.

All revenue from the sales is being reinvested into the council’s capital plan, which funds local infrastructure and economic development. The programme reflects a shift by local authorities toward asset realisation as a means of maintaining fiscal stability in the face of ongoing budget constraints.

Yorkshire Building Society taps Infosys for long-term digital overhaul

April Lara
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Yorkshire Building Society taps Infosys for long-term digital overhaul

Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) has partnered with Infosys to modernise its digital infrastructure and support its 2030 strategic objectives. The collaboration will focus on enhancing digital services across the mutual’s mortgage, commercial, and savings offerings, with a mobile-first and data-driven approach.

Infosys will apply its expertise in financial services and next-generation technologies, including cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics, to streamline operations, improve scalability, and boost efficiency. The initiative forms part of YBS’s broader effort to improve customer and employee experiences through technology-enabled services.

This partnership signals a continued push among UK financial institutions to modernise legacy systems and deliver faster, more secure services in line with evolving member expectations.

Goldthorpe logistics company grows with grant

Tess Egginton
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Goldthorpe logistics company grows with grant
Expansion works have completed at a logistics firm’s Goldthorpe base. Mallinson Properties has added two major extensions to the premises of its logistics arm, KMS Transport, thanks to a grant from the Goldthorpe Towns Commercial Investment Fund. The investment has increased warehouse capacity at the site on Goldthorpe Industrial Estate and helped to create more than 20 jobs. The £1.2 million grant was secured with support from Barnsley Council’s business development arm, Enterprising Barnsley. It’s part of the broader £23.1 million Goldthorpe Town Deal, which is revitalising Goldthorpe, Bolton upon Dearne and Thurnscoe with funding from the UK Government’s Towns Fund. This investment aims to unlock major employment growth in the Dearne Valley area by supporting new and existing businesses to create well-paid jobs and attract new investment. Cllr Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “Our investment in supporting this expansion is already paying off in terms of jobs created and the growth of the Dearne’s economy. “This is more evidence that Barnsley is a great place for businesses to invest and add to an economy that benefits everyone. “We will continue to do whatever we can to help businesses and developers bring forward projects creating new employment opportunities.” Stephen Mallinson, managing director of Mallinson Properties, said: “We are delighted with the completion of our expansion project, which has been made possible by the Goldthorpe Towns Commercial Investment Fund. “Not only has this allowed us to meet the growing demand for our services, but it has also benefitted the local economy and community by creating new job opportunities.”

Architects appointed to lead Sheffield Town Hall restoration

Tess Egginton
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Architects appointed to lead Sheffield Town Hall restoration
The architect leading on the project to restore, refurbish and secure the long-term sustainability of Sheffield Town Hall has been appointed. Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios was chosen following a competitive selection process and will lead the work to breathe new life into the building that first opened its doors in 1897. Since then, the Town Hall has hosted some of the most important events in the city’s history, from council meetings and civic events, to sporting celebrations and marriages. Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios are known for their work in sustainable design and social design with their projects including the transformation of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Brighton Dome Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre along with Bath Abbey. The team has also worked on Sheffield’s Heart of the City 2 project, including the Grade II* Listed Leah’s Yard. Cllr Tom Hunt, leader of Sheffield City Council and chair of strategy and resources policy committee, said: “Our iconic and historic Town Hall is at the heart of Sheffield’s democracy and public life. From weddings to citizenship ceremonies, council meetings and elections, this special building has a unique place in the lives of Sheffield residents. “I’m delighted that our work to restore and refurbish the Town Hall is moving forward with the appointment of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios as project architects. Through this work we will breathe new life into the Town Hall so that the building can continue to serve everyone in our city and be a modern, accessible workplace.” Geoff Rich, partner and director of heritage and creative reuse at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, said: “We are thrilled to be selected to lead the design team for the renewal and refurbishment of Sheffield Town Hall. “The project represents an exciting opportunity to complement the building’s unique heritage with inclusive and sustainable design, and to ensure the Town Hall meets the future needs of Sheffield’s communities. “Our practice and project team have many strong links with Sheffield, and we feel hugely honoured to be invited to collaborate with the City Council and RLB on this transformative project.”

My Pension Expert secures £25m refinancing to support expansion

April Lara
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My Pension Expert secures £25m refinancing to support expansion

My Pension Expert, a UK-based at-retirement advisory firm, has secured a £25 million refinancing deal through digital lender OakNorth. The agreement is set to aid the company’s expansion, particularly through acquisitions, following a strong trading performance.

The funding will enable My Pension Expert to settle its previous debt with Beechbrook and provide additional capital for future mergers and acquisitions. The firm, which offers independent pension advice through remote consultations, is backed by Palatine Private Equity, which invested in the business in 2022.

Acquisitions are central to the company’s growth strategy, as demonstrated by its recent purchase of adviser Tenet&You in May 2024. The acquisition supports My Pension Expert’s goal to increase its market presence and value through strategic partnerships.

The refinancing deal reflects the company’s ongoing organic growth, and future acquisitions are expected to build on its success. The firm’s leadership is optimistic about its ability to continue expanding rapidly and innovating within the sector.

Major expansion of York business park completes

Tess Egginton
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Major expansion of York business park completes
A £3.3 million expansion of a long-established business park close to York’s Outer Ring Road has completed with the construction of three new industrial units. The development at Northminster Business Park has seen three former agricultural buildings transformed into new and detached industrial and warehouse units, which range in size from 6,032 sq ft to 8,093 sq ft, in a self-contained area of the site known as Cropton Court. The buildings are available to buy or let and are being jointly marketed by property consultancy practices GV&Co and PPH Commercial. One unit has been sold, with another unit currently under offer. They have been built by local contractor, Elvington Park Building Services with York’s LHL Group project managing construction. Northminster Business Park is already home to more than 50 businesses, with approximately 1,000 employees. George Burgess, managing director at Northminster Properties, which owns the site, said: “We’ve specifically designed these buildings to appeal to ambitious businesses that require high specification and quality space, along with exceptional sustainability credentials, in a secure environment. “This all makes Cropton Court another exciting development at Northminster Business Park and we’re looking forward to welcoming more businesses into our thriving community.”

UK project aims to cut offshore wind farm maintenance costs with autonomous robotics

April Lara
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UK project aims to cut offshore wind farm maintenance costs with autonomous robotics

A new initiative funded by Innovate UK is working to revolutionise offshore wind farm maintenance with autonomous robotic systems. Sheffield-based robotics company BOW has teamed up with ORE Catapult and ACUA Ocean in the OSIRIS project, which aims to combine drones and subsea robots to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve safety in offshore renewable energy.

Currently, maintenance operations account for around 25% of the lifetime costs of offshore wind farms. Traditional methods rely heavily on human intervention, which is costly, time-consuming, and exposes workers to safety risks. The OSIRIS project seeks to address these challenges by deploying a fully autonomous inspection system that will be scalable and cost-effective.

BOW’s role in the project is focused on enhancing simulation and testing capabilities. The company’s software development kit (SDK) will integrate with ORE Catapult’s Synthetic Test and Unified Demonstration System (STUDS), allowing for more efficient testing of robotic systems in various environmental conditions before they are deployed in real-world offshore settings.

The project will also see ACUA Ocean’s hydrogen-powered unmanned surface vessel (H-USV) deployed as the central hub for managing and coordinating aerial and subsea robots. The combination of these robotic systems aims to reduce reliance on crewed vessels, cutting emissions and improving operational efficiency.

The initiative is part of the UK’s broader efforts to increase offshore wind capacity, with the government aiming to quadruple its offshore wind capacity by 2030. By integrating robotics into offshore wind farm operations, the project is not only set to reduce costs but also accelerate the transition to a Net Zero energy sector.

Expected to be fully operational by 2027, the OSIRIS project could set the stage for broader applications of autonomous robotics across the marine industry.

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