Insolvency-related activity across the UK rose sharply in February, with Yorkshire and the Humber recording a 39% increase, according to data from R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body. The East Midlands (79%) and South West (77%) saw the most significant jumps, while Northern Ireland was the only region to see a decline (-38%).

The data from Creditsafe, includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings. Meanwhile, new business start-ups remained stagnant, rising just 0.2% in Yorkshire and the Humber—the only English region to see growth. Scotland recorded the highest start-up increase at 9%, while Northern Ireland and Wales also saw slight gains.

The Compleat Food Group has acquired The Real Yorkshire Pudding Co for an undisclosed amount, shortly after announcing plans to cut nearly 200 jobs across its Nottingham and Crewe sites.

The Yorkshire-based Real Yorkshire Pudding Co, which generates £33 million in revenue, supplies both own-label and branded chilled Yorkshire puddings.

This acquisition follows Compleat’s 2024 purchases of SK Foods and Zorba Foods, which specialise in private-label party foods, dips, and deli fillings, as well as Harvey & Brockless, a speciality food producer and distributor.

Backed by private equity firm PAI Partners, The Compleat Food Group was formed in 2021 and employs over 5,000 staff across 15 locations. Its portfolio includes brands such as Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Wrights, and Palace Culture.

Executives from both companies described the acquisition as a strategic fit, citing shared values, product quality, and future growth opportunities.

Doncaster has submitted a bid to become a UK Artificial Intelligence (AI) Growth Zone, backed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and a separate industry-led proposal from global AI firm Automated Analytics. The initiative is supported by local tech and AI businesses, positioning Doncaster as a hub for AI innovation.

The UK Government invited regional and local authorities to propose locations for large-scale AI infrastructure based on criteria such as access to large power connections, redevelopment potential, and existing tech or industrial ecosystems.

Doncaster’s proposal highlights its energy infrastructure, AI industry expertise, and the upcoming Gateway One Digital Tech Hub. Automated Analytics CEO Mark Taylor stated that Doncaster has the infrastructure and talent to scale AI development beyond data centres and contribute to the broader AI ecosystem, including research and skills training.

Doncaster Chamber CEO Dan Fell emphasised that AI adoption is critical for future workforce development and business growth, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. The bid aims to accelerate AI innovation, upskill the workforce, create high-value jobs in key industries, and support sustainable energy initiatives, including the planned reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

ASSA ABLOY, the Swedish access solutions business, has acquired Senior Architectural Systems (SAS), a Doncaster-based independent supplier of aluminium windows, doors and curtain wall systems and thermally efficient fenestration systems into the commercial construction sector. “I am very pleased to welcome SAS to ASSA ABLOY. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to add complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. Neil Vann, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of EMEIA Division, said: “SAS is an exciting addition to our UK business, and I am delighted to welcome the team to ASSA ABLOY. “SAS offers an innovative and high-quality range of window and door profile systems including market leading thermally efficient technology. Their portfolio will further extend the ASSA ABLOY offering in the commercial OEM market in the UK.” SAS was established in 1991 and has 150 employees. The main office and factory are located in Yorkshire.

TEi Ltd, a Wakefield-based industrial services provider, entered administration on 7 March and was acquired by Titan Bidco Limited. The sale, completed by administrators Kristian Shuttleworth and Clare Boardman of Teneo Financial Advisory, ensures business continuity and secures more than 200 jobs.

Titan Bidco is a sister company to Rainham Industrial Services, a national provider of industrial repair, maintenance, and site installation services, backed by global investment firm H.I.G. Capital. TEi Ltd serves industries including oil and gas, power generation, steelmaking, and chemical processing, offering design, supply, repair, and maintenance services.

Ashcourt Group has launched Ashcourt West Yorkshire, further strengthening its leading position in the construction and aggregates market. This latest acquisition continues the firm’s expansion and enables it to offer its full range of services to a whole new geographical area, in the coming months. Operating from a 6.5-acre site in Stourton, just two miles south-east of the heart of industrial Leeds, the new site will offer a range of virgin and recycled aggregates for collection and delivery. It will also provide muck away, plant hire, road sweeper hire, haulage and fuel. Further products and services will be following soon. Ashcourt West Yorkshire, the latest addition to Ashcourt’s ever-expanding portfolio, further increases the business’s presence across the UK. It joins three existing regional businesses; Ashcourt (Hull & East Yorkshire), Ashcourt (Durham & Tees Valley) and Ashcourt (Lincolnshire). This new depot enables the business to support existing customers in another region whilst opening opportunities with new ones. Ashcourt will also be looking to recruit for a number of employment positions, showing a commitment to providing job opportunities in the region. Having operated within the construction sector for over 15 years, Ashcourt Group has a wealth of experience, allowing it to offer specialist advice on a range of topics. It is through this experience that the business identified the need for an efficient, reliable and independent aggregate supplier, to focus not only on the quality of products, but also the enhanced quality and standard of customer service. Unlike many aggregate suppliers, Ashcourt is part of a wider group offering concrete products, waste disposal services and heavy haulage as well as having the business capabilities to be the main contractor for a number of large corporations and projects.

The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: North of England survey pointed to a continued downturn in hiring activity across the region during February. However, the rates of decline for both permanent placements and temp billings eased from January. Vacancies for both permanent and short-term staff also fell at softer, but still sharp rates. The latest survey also indicated that starting salaries fell for the first time in four years during February, in part due to a substantial rise in permanent staff availability. The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: North of England is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 150 recruitment and employment consultancies in the North of England. Slower decline in permanent placements The number of people placed into permanent roles decreased for the twentieth month in a row across the North of England in February. Recruitment companies linked the sustained decline in appointments to client hesitancy and a subsequent drop in vacancies, in part due to the incoming National Insurance increase. Although still marked, the downturn eased notably from January’s 55-month record. For the second month in a row, the North of England recorded the sharpest drop in permanent placements of all four monitored English regions. February survey data pointed to a fourth consecutive monthly decrease in temp billings across the North of England. The decline reflected reduced demand for temporary staff, according to recruiters. Though solid, the rate of contraction was noticeably the softest over the aforementioned sequence of decline. Of the four monitored English regions, only the Midlands posted a slower contraction in temp billings than that seen in the North of England. The North of England’s downward trend for job vacancies extended into February for both permanent and short-term staff. Permanent job openings decreased rapidly, albeit with the rate of contraction easing on the month. The pace of decline in temp vacancies likewise slowed in February. Job openings for temporary staff fell at a solid pace, but one that was noticeably softer than that seen in January. Stronger rise in permanent staff supply signalled in February Latest data pointed to a further increase in permanent staff availability across the North of England, thereby stretching the current period of expansion to 14 months. The rate of growth was substantial and considerably faster than in the previous survey period. Recruiters linked the rise in permanent staff supply to challenging job market conditions, including redundancies. That said, the increase in the North of England was softer than the UK average. The upward trend registered for the supply of short-term staff in the North of England was extended to two years in February. Panellists noted that company layoffs and reduced demand for temp staff had boosted candidate numbers. Although steep, the pace of expansion was slower than that seen on average over this two-year period. Of the four monitored English regions, only London registered a faster uptick in temporary staff availability during February. February sees first drop in starting salaries for four years The seasonally adjusted Permanent Salaries Index dropped below the crucial 50.0 mark for the first time in four years in February, to signal a renewed decrease in starting salaries across the North of England. Two of the four monitored English regions posted reductions in pay, the North and the South. That said, the rates of decrease were only mild and fractional, respectively. Short-term staff in the North of England saw their hourly pay rates rise further during February. With the respective seasonally adjusted index posting just above the neutral 50.0 mark, the uptick was the weakest seen over the current 15-month sequence of pay growth and only slight, however. The North of England posted a softer increase in temp wages than those seen in the Midlands and London. Meanwhile, the South of England recorded no change to temp pay rates. Commenting on the latest survey results, Phil Murden, Leeds Office Senior Partner at KPMG UK, said: “The job market in the North remains challenging, with permanent staff placements declining for close to two years now. Although the rate of contraction has eased slightly since January, hiring hesitancy persists as firms continue to manage costs amid sluggish growth. “The first drop in starting salaries in four years reflects a significant rise in candidate availability, driven by redundancies and shifting market conditions. With more candidates entering the market due to restructuring, competition for available roles is increasing. “There are, however, reasons for optimism on the horizon. The pace of decline in hiring activity has eased, suggesting that businesses are selectively investing in talent for key roles. Firms’ investment in long-term strategic planning will be crucial in shaping a more resilient job market in the coming months.” Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive, said: “After a long winter, there are some hints of a turn in the labour market in the UK as we head into Spring. This is led by the private sector across the UK – despite recent tax rises – and that should not be missed. “The downturn in the North eased significantly from January’s 55-month record and the rate of contraction was noticeably the softest for four months in the region. “Enabling companies to grow is at the heart of our prosperity – the Chancellor must use the Spring Statement to build their confidence in growth. At the moment, though, things are still slow as companies hold their breath in the face of significant costs rises from April with changes to National Insurance and the National Living Wage. “Getting the Industrial Strategy flying is a key part of this – for the whole economy, not just key sectors – as is addressing policies in the Employment Rights Bill so they do not prove to be a brake on growth. “Despite a long slowdown, the North still face skill shortages. This comes from mismatches, training gaps and the impact of an ageing population. Addressing productivity through technology and better management will be critical to addressing this, and recruitment firms will be key partners for businesses in changing their approach. “Pay growth is easing and broadly unchanged across much of the country which should please the Bank of England rate setters.”