With the retained AA rating, the company now ranks within the top 11% of all companies in its sector, indicating the company’s ESG practices are well-aligned with shareholder interests.
A spokesman for the company said: “It also means we are a company leading its industry in managing the most significant ESG risks and opportunities. More importantly, as the MSCI ESG ranking is the primary research tool and most widely used benchmark by investors, our ranking will further help investors to understand the importance we place on being a business that is fit for the future.”
ITM Power wins Double-A rating for third successive year
Sheffield-based clean energy company ITM Power has achieved an AA MSCI ESG rating for the third consecutive year.
The rating measures a company’s resilience to long-term environmental, social and governance risks and identifies industry leaders and laggards. Companies are rated according to their exposure and how well they manage those risks relative to peers.
Almost 80 York businesses gather for skills training event
York’s medieval Hospitium played host to Google’s Digital Garage when almost 80 businesses gathered for a day of digital skills training.
Google’s expert trainers guided businesses through a range of innovative ways to attract new customers and take their brand to new heights. Attendees learned how to harness the power of video marketing, craft engaging narratives on social media and use Google Analytics technology to measure online engagement.
The event marked the end of a series of four free digital training events – three online and one in-person- that were organised this spring by City of York Council, in collaboration with Google UK. Further events are already being planned for autumn this year.
The Google Digital Garage is one of Google’s flagship investment programmes in the UK, helping businesses and individuals learn free digital skills through a range of courses and one-to-one sessions.
Google mentors and City of York Council Business Growth Managers were on hand throughout the day to offer personalised support and advice to businesses.
Between sessions, attendees networked over lunch, enjoying refreshments in the fourteenth-century Hospitium building and the surrounding Museum Gardens.
The support offered by this programme of events does not end with the sessions themselves; businesses that have attended any of the four training sessions have also been able to sign up for free one-to-one support from Google.
The Google Digital Garage is one of Google’s flagship investment programmes in the UK, helping businesses and individuals learn free digital skills through a range of courses or one-to-one sessions.
This event forms part of City of York Council’s business support offer, after the council received £130,000 for 2022/23 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This is one of several initiatives using the funding to help businesses in the city thrive.
Neil Ferris, Corporate Director of Place at City of York Council, said: “The events we have run this spring alongside Google have empowered over 400 York businesses to build their brand online and grow their business.
“Given the success of our recent training events, we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with Google and organising more events later this year.”
Debbie Weinstein, Managing Director of Google UK & Ireland, said: “Digital technologies are truly transformative and can help businesses and individuals across the UK to increase their earnings, boost their productivity and unlock their full potential.
“As a former business owner myself, I understand how tough it is to know where to turn to for advice. That’s why we’re providing hands-on support as part of our nationwide digital skills drive to help equip more people with invaluable skills that help to create jobs and economic opportunities.”
Mandate Systems moves into new West Yorkshire premises
One of the UK’s leading providers of independent pressure system examinations, Mandate Systems, has relocated to the newly-refurbished Woodvale House in Brighouse, courtesy of commercial lettings specialist and landlord, Towngate PLC.
The firm has committed to a five-year lease on the spacious ground floor suite, which comprises a 1,700 square foot modern, open plan office space and kitchenette facility.
Woodvale House itself forms part of a contemporary office development within a tranquil, landscaped setting, on the perimeter of the vibrant market town in Calderdale.
The family-run business, formed over 30 years ago, boasts a specialist team of highly-skilled engineers which undertakes site surveys up and down the UK — ensuring pressure system compliance on air, mixed gas, and steam systems.
Having carved a substantial reputation within the industry, Mandate Systems services companies of all sizes — from sole traders to global blue-chip organisations. The new Brighouse premises will offer the team increased space from which to operate.
Towngate PLC’s marketing manager, Julia Ford added: “We are delighted to welcome Mandate Systems as our new neighbours at Woodvale Office Park. This newly configured and refurbished space will, I am sure, work very well for the team. With excellent access to the motorway network and great amenities — including restaurants, bars, shops, supermarkets, gyms, and even a swimming pool — it is a fantastic place to work!
“The ground floor has been divided into two to accommodate the existing ground floor tenant, who had expressed a desire to downsize their premises, thus creating two carefully considered and attractive office suites. We wish the team the best of luck in the new space.”
Speaking of the move, Managing Director at Mandate Systems, Amy Kent noted: ”The Towngate team has been a pleasure to work with as we searched for — and moved into — our new home.
“The site will make the perfect space for our operation, and we’re very much looking forward to taking full advantage of the range of local amenities.”
YCC Charity seeking support as Network Rail commence Huddersfield train station redevelopment plans
Yorkshire Children’s Centre (YCC), which has its headquarters at Brian Jackson House, Huddersfield has recently been impacted because of the redevelopment of Huddersfield train station.
The changes come from the Transpennine Route Upgrade plan. In the plan, Network Rail plans to invest in the railway that runs through Huddersfield to Leeds and beyond, to improve connectivity and help support economic growth in the North of England.
After a long period of planning and consultation, Network Rail officially commenced the redevelopment of the station on 8 May 2023. In doing so, YCC – situated next door to the station – has lost the use of Network Rail owned land to the rear of Brian Jackson House. YCC have used this land for over 35 years.
This move means that YCC have restricted rights to access the back of their building, for prearranged deliveries only. This access was previously used for deliveries, staff parking, and an entrance for service users amongst many other things. YCC ultimately only own and have a legal right to access the land which the building sits upon – and not an inch more.
CEO Mark Farmer said: “We completely support the upgrade to the railway service for Huddersfield, as part of the wider regeneration of the town and wider Kirklees. We have worked closely with Network Rail and its partners to maintain some access but are looking for alternative parking arrangements to help our employees and building users.”
YCC’s Head of Children and Family Services, Catherine McKenzie, explained: “In terms of service delivery, we have already been impacted by simple things such as access into the building which has affected delivery of our much-needed child safety equipment. This has resulted in precious staff time being utilised to make alterative arrangements rather than spending time supporting families.”
YCC continues to operate within Brian Jackson House including delivering services on site such as Stay and Play, Child Contact and Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme work.
YCC are appealing for any individuals or local organisations who may know of any free parking opportunities/may have a few parking spaces to spare close to the Brian Jackson House building, to please get in touch with YCC to support the delivery of the charity.
Catterick town centre set for £21m transformation
Ambitious plans to breathe new life into the heart of Catterick Garrison will be completed within two years.
They will provide a wealth of new facilities for the community, including members of one of the largest Army bases in the country.
The £21 million transformation project will see a new town centre created with a community and business skills centre, a town square and improved park facilities as part of the Government’s levelling up initiative to tackle regional inequalities.
North Yorkshire Council will work with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to bring the proposals to fruition by June 2025. The council have received £19 million from the Levelling Up Fund, with the remaining match-funding coming from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the council.
The four-acre plot around Shute Road, which extends into the neighbouring Coronation Park, will be redeveloped to provide more community facilities, improve pedestrian access and pave the way for further improvements that will deliver extra retail and commercial premises. That in turn will drive further investment into the area and the wider town centre for both the military and civilian communities.
Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, told members of the authority’s executive that agreements for partnership working on the scheme were already being drawn up, and site surveys had been completed.
He said: “This exciting project will transform the current tired centre of Catterick Garrison and greatly improve amenities for the local community. Work will begin early next year with completion by summer 2025.
“It will benefit everyone living and working in communities around the garrison, as well as the service personnel and their families who are stationed at Catterick and who play a vital role in the life of our county.”
Catterick Garrison is home to one of the largest Army bases in the country with the town centre transformation bringing benefits to Armed Forces personnel and their families.
North Yorkshire has a proud history associated with the military dating back more than a century. There are 10,770 military personal in the county, one of the largest numbers nationally.
Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Basing and Infrastructure, said: “As home for many British Army units and the training centre for infantry soldiers, Catterick is an important garrison and this investment is very good news for our people.
“I am delighted that this transformative project is progressing at pace and we look forward to working with our local partners over coming years, to deliver improved facilities and services for military and civilian communities.”
The redevelopment plans include:
- Creating a new town square.
- Landscaping improvements, including upgrading Coronation Park and Shute Road by providing enhanced play areas and improved routes linking into the existing town centre.
- Enhancing key footpaths and cycleways through Coronation Park and on the approach to the town centre.
- Building a new community and enterprise facility with a glass pavilion and outdoor seating area.
Yorkshire launches new strategy to generate more tourism income for county’s businesses
A new strategy aimed at attracting more visitors to North Yorkshire will tackle long-standing issues affecting the tourism sector to boost the multi-million pound industry.
The first-ever countywide plan is currently being developed to promote the tourism industry and help attract an increasingly diverse range of visitors, while also dealing with a host of issues that have affected the sector.
The destination management plan will aim to promote a year-round visitor economy and will also investigate ways of addressing skills shortages and increasing wages as workers in the sector have traditionally had lower salaries.
Tourism officers, responsible for drawing up the destination management plan, are also hoping to work with key partners to improve sustainable transport links, such as bus and train services, to provide visitors with easier access to travel across England’s largest county.
Council leader Cllr Carl Les said: “The visitor economy has long been one of the drivers of North Yorkshire’s overall economy, and we recognise the importance which the industry has in supporting thousands of businesses across the county.
“The opportunities that are now being provided with the new North Yorkshire Council are immense, and it will be the first time that we will have a countywide plan dedicated to promoting the visitor economy.
“This will not only support the industry and the tens of thousands of jobs it provides, but it will also help attract new enterprise and more visitors for the opportunity to enjoy locations in North Yorkshire that are already known across the world.”
A draft destination management plan is due to be finalised by the end of June, before a bid will go to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Support in September for North Yorkshire to become a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, which will involve private and public sectors and would need to follow a new national process to be eligible for support and potential funding from the Government.
Tourism officers in North Yorkshire are working closely on the project, pooling their knowledge and expertise to ensure the strongest possible proposal for a LVEP is submitted.
The North Yorkshire Water Park at Wykeham Lakes near Scarborough has carved out a growing reputation as a leading tourism attraction since it was launched in 2017.
The site underwent a £1.6 million revamp in 2021 and created a new café and changing rooms, as well as expanding the activities on offer, including land-based pursuits such as a 250-metre zipwire, bushcraft sessions and puzzle rooms.
General Manager Gareth Davies said: “We have such a varied offer for tourism in North Yorkshire, from the coast to the moors and the dales. There is a real benefit to now have a single organisation to develop a strategy for the whole of the county, as we have so much to shout about.
“For us at the water park, it is good to hear that there will be a particular focus on promoting outdoor activities, which is definitely an area that can grow for tourism in North Yorkshire.”
Contractor chosen to deliver 500-home Leeds BTR scheme
Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed to construct a 500-home build to rent (BTR) residential scheme at Whitehall Riverside in Leeds city centre.
The £140 million project is being delivered by Glenbrook and backed by Legal & General following last month’s announcement of what is Leeds’ largest build-to-rent funding deal and the pair’s first venture together.
Danny Roberts, development director at Glenbrook, said: “With planning permission secured and the funding agreement with L&G now in place, we’ve immediately moved forward with the delivery of Whitehall Riverside and are working towards a completion date of April 2026.
“Given the scheme’s extensive sustainable credentials, it was vital that we had a best-in-class contractor in place with similar values. We have a well-established relationship with Bowmer + Kirkland and this appointment provides certainty to the market that we will be delivering a high-quality product and provide an even broader range of choice for people in the city.”
Paul Sykes, regional director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “After the undoubted success of High Definition at MediaCity, we are delighted to be continuing our successful partnership with Glenbrook to deliver an outstanding development that aligns with both Bowmer and Kirkland’s and Glenbrook’s values, and commitment to provide much more than just a building.
“Sustainability, social value, and placemaking are at the heart of what we collaboratively aim to achieve, leading the industry in delivering quality and attractive places that people will be proud to call home.”
The project team includes Sheppard Robson, Curtins, Abacus, Re-form, Crookes Walker Consulting.
New phase of business space delivered at Lincoln commercial park
A new phase of business space has been delivered at Lincoln’s premier commercial park, Leafbridge.
Lincoln-based construction contractor and developer, Stirlin, was appointed as lead contractor to deliver the new units on behalf of their client, PKS (UK) Ltd.
The new phase, named Parkes Way, provides 23,000 sq ft of employment space, split across six individual units – ranging in size from 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft.
The industrial units have been designed to accommodate a variety of business uses, with each unit benefitting from an electric sectional door, DDA compliant toilet facilities and ample parking.
Stirlin has delivered over 49,000 sq ft of commercial property on the 44-acre site so far, split across three phases, providing a mix of light industrial units and hybrid office and warehouse space.
Caroline Parkes, owner of PKS, says: “This is the third time Stirlin have delivered industrial units for PKS (UK) Ltd. These premises are ideally located, with great access to train and road links. Parkes Way offers a great mix of versatile commercial accommodation, available to let.
“Working with the team at Stirlin has been a professional and pleasurable experience from start to finish. The project was delivered on time and within budget, with high quality, desirable results.”
Tony Lawton, Managing Director at Stirlin, says: “Since the first units at Leafbridge were completed in 2021, we have seen a notable demand for new employment space in the area, so we are delighted to deliver this new phase of units on behalf of our valued client, PKS.
“Leafbridge is situated in a convenient, accessible location and is occupied by both local and national businesses, making it incredibly attractive to those seeking investment opportunities.”
Jasper Caudwell, chartered surveyor at Pygott & Crone, says “Leafbridge continues to perform as Lincoln’s Premier business park with the new Parkes Way bringing a much-needed extension to the already flourishing park.
“Parkes Way comprises over 23,000 sq ft of business space available to let and we are delighted to be acting alongside our valued clients in bringing these attractive units to market. We have already received a good level of interest and look forward to seeing these occupied by growing businesses.”
Business confidence in Yorkshire falls, but remains in positive territory
Business confidence in Yorkshire fell 11 points during May to 19%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in Yorkshire reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 21 points at 20%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down four points to 17%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 19%.
Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offer (31%) investing in their teams (30%) and introducing new technology like AI (24%).The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.A net balance of 3% of businesses in the region expect to reduce staff levels over the next year, down four points on last month.
Overall UK business confidence dropped five points to 28% in May. Despite the dip, every UK nation and region report a positive confidence reading.
As the country celebrated the Coronation, London reported the highest levels of business confidence at 43% (down four points on last month), followed by the North East at 35% (down six points month-on-month). The West Midlands, South East and South West, also reported high readings in May, all at 30%.
Firms remain optimistic about their own trading prospects, with a net balance of 34% expecting business activity to increase over the next 12 months, down just five points on last month.
Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Despite there being a slight dip in overall business confidence for the region this month, it’s encouraging to see that Yorkshire firms remain broadly optimistic and are looking at evolving their offer as an avenue for growth.
“To avoid any delays and to capitalise on opportunities quickly, businesses should ensure they have the working capital to help with short-term finance needs. We’ll be by the side of businesses as they target growth in the coming months.”
Confidence among manufacturers increased to a one-year high of 40% (up from 29%), while retail registered a more modest two point rise to 26%, and construction remained robust at 34% despite its monthly nine point decline. Services confidence, however, fell back to 26% from 36%, almost erasing last month’s rise. Overall, confidence across the broad sectors remains above levels at the start of the year.
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “As the economic environment remains challenging, compounded by stubborn inflation and higher wage pressures, business confidence has dipped slightly this month as firms feel cautious about the wider economy and their own trading prospects.
“However, while firms’ trading prospects and economic optimism both eased back, they still remain in positive territory as the UK has avoided an outright contraction in GDP – indicating a certain amount of underlying resilience in the economy.”
Humber shares vision for prosperous green future at Innovation Zero Congress
The Humber’s place promotion organisation has shared the region’s vision for a clean, green, prosperous future to an international audience.
Future Humber presented the Humber 2030 Vision at the Innovation Zero Congress, held at the London Olympia, alongside key partners in the region’s drive to a sustainable net zero economy. The Innovation Zero Congress is the UK’s largest event to drive businesses towards low and zero carbon solutions. It hosted more than 12,000 visitors and featured 200 exhibitors and 350 speakers across eight stages over two days. The Humber 2030 Vision is the prospectus of decarbonisation projects that represent a potential £15 billion investment in the UK’s Energy Estuary, including Humber Zero, H2H Saltend and Gigastack. It details how these projects can establish the UK’s first low carbon industrial cluster in the Humber by 2030, unlocking significant investment and creating tens of thousands of jobs. The vision also highlights why the Humber, as the UK’s largest carbon emitter, represents the single biggest industrial decarbonisation opportunity. Future Humber, alongside 10 partners including RWE, Phillips 66, Drax and SSE Thermal, created its own ‘Humber Pavilion’ to showcase the vision at the congress. The 16m by 6m pavilion featured nine separate stands representing individual decarbonisation projects under the Humber 2030 Vision. It also had a central networking area where members of the Future Humber team and partners were able to interact with thousands of visitors to the pavilion. Future Humber was launched last month to replace Marketing Humber, with a renewed strategy and focus on its powerful network of Bondholders that spans the private and public sectors across the region. The repositioning includes a refreshed and expanded Board of Directors to further strengthen Future Humber’s voice across all sectors and give the region national and international influence. The change to Future Humber more accurately reflects the organisation’s wide-ranging work to make connections, build partnerships to promote the Humber, and help secure investment to drive growth. The Future Humber team at the Innovation Zero Congress included Managing Director Dr Diana Taylor. She said: “The Humber has huge decarbonisation ambitions and we’ve made important strides on our journey to net zero – but we must grasp the opportunity before us. “Now is our time and, by working together under the shared messaging of the Humber 2030 Vision, we can achieve our ambitions of creating a sustainable, thriving green economy. “As a convenor, Future Humber, supported by the strength of our network of Bondholders, is helping unite the region and share its story to influential decision-makers. “There was an incredible amount of interest in the Humber 2030 Vision across the two days at the Innovation Zero Congress and visitors to our pavilion were fascinated by the level of activity, investment and potential for our region to lead the UK’s green economic recovery.” The Future Humber team were also joined by Henri Murison, Chief Executive of The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, who is also a member of the new Future Humber Board. He presented the collaborative voice for the industrial clusters of the North and amplified the narrative for the Humber as a major player at a session titled Regional Net Zero Regeneration: Future Growth Opportunities. He said: “We need to put real energy into collaboration across the North, not competition, to achieve our goal of a prosperous green future. “There’s been an incredible amount of work carried out across the Humber to get where we are, and significant progress has been made, but we’ll only get to where we want and need to be internationally by the scale of the prize for decarbonising industry on the Humber being secured. “The Humber 2030 Vision represents a potential £15 billion investment in the region, which would be truly transformative. We need government to move more quickly to secure this investment and gain the benefits to UK plc of it being spent.”