Gleeson and Lloyds join forces on northern PRS developments

April Lara
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Gleeson and Lloyds join forces on northern PRS developments

Gleeson Homes has partnered with Lloyds Living to expand its presence in the private rental sector, delivering 170 properties across three mixed-tenure schemes in the North of England. The developments are located in Knottingley, Wakefield; Chopwell, County Durham; and Goldthorpe, Barnsley.

The partnership reflects the growing demand for professionally managed rental homes in regional markets, with Lloyds Living overseeing operations and Gleeson leading construction. Both companies emphasise the importance of sustainability in new housing delivery, with most units set to feature air-source heat pump technology to reduce running costs and lower emissions.

Work is already underway across the sites, with phased completions scheduled between 2025 and 2027. The agreement highlights the growing importance of large-scale partnerships in accelerating the rental housing supply, particularly in areas where affordable, energy-efficient homes are in short supply.

Graham Prothero, CEO at MJ Gleeson plc, commented:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lloyds Living again. We both share a vision for a future where everyone has access to high-quality housing without compromising on value. We’re proud to be part of building thriving communities that will be around for years to come.”

Yorkshire tech firm secures multi-site AI deal with Hovis

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire tech firm secures multi-site AI deal with Hovis
Yorkshire-based tech firm IntelliAM has secured a major expansion to its commercial partnership with bakery brand, Hovis. The expanded contract – which represents a ninefold increase on the original agreement – will see full deployment of the IntelliAM platform across multiple manufacturing sites. It will also include integration of IntelliAM smart sensor interfaces across production lines, alongside ongoing consultancy services to drive measurable gains in reliability, productivity, and asset availability. The anticipated productivity improvements are expected to deliver full return on investment within the first year, accelerating Hovis’ journey towards AI-powered, proactive manufacturing excellence. In September 2024, IntelliAM secured an initial contract with Hovis to deliver reliability consultancy services across three key sites. The project successfully delivered gap analyses, criticality assessments, and tailored maintenance strategies that enabled targeted, data-driven improvements to production reliability. Chris Bradley, chief operations officer of Hovis Limited, said: “We are pleased to be making this next step investment in IntelliAM’s services and AI platform, following a detailed analysis of the outcomes from our initial engagement.” Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM, added: “This expanded contract represents a significant milestone for IntelliAM, validating the commercial value of our AI-driven solutions. We are proud to be deepening our relationship with Hovis and to be helping them lead the way in transforming UK manufacturing productivity. “IntelliAM exists to transform productivity in the manufacturing industry. We are committed to powering a new industrial revolution through artificial intelligence and machine learning – helping manufacturers tap into billions of machine data points to enable intelligent asset management and deliver transformational change.”

Accent Housing secures £33.8m Government funding to expand affordable homes programme

Tess Egginton
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Accent Housing secures £33.8m Government funding to expand affordable homes programme
Accent Housing has secured £33.8m in new government funding through its Strategic Partnership with Homes England. The funding, part of a £2bn top-up announced in Spring 2025, will enable Bradford-based Accent and its partners to deliver 301 additional affordable homes, most of which will be for Social and affordable rent. Accent is already a Strategic Partner with Homes England under the Affordable Homes Programme 2021–2026. The new package will enable Thrive Homes, one of Accent’s partner housing associations, to deliver a further twenty-two social and affordable rented homes in Borehamwood, while Accent will deliver the remaining 279 across its development programme. Nick Apetroaie, chief executive of Accent, said: “This latest funding is a great vote of confidence in our place-based development programme and our people. It means we can go further and faster in delivering the affordable homes that communities across the country desperately need. “With demand higher than ever, we are determined to play our part in tackling the housing crisis and providing secure, quality homes for those who need them most.” Steve Morris, interim executive director for development and sales at Accent, said: “Our Development programme has gone from strength to strength since becoming a Strategic Partner for Homes England. “We currently have over 700 homes under construction on 18 sites from Surrey to Yorkshire, including the regeneration of a large estate in Bradford due to complete in Spring 2026. This additional support gives us confidence to keep building, while we await announcements around the Government’s longer-term funding plans.” Chantelle Barker, director of development at Thrive Homes, said: “This is fantastic timing. We have just gone into contract on our 186-home development with Hill Investment Partnerships (The Hill Group) at Lyndhurst Farm, Borehamwood. This funding confirmation gives us security to deliver the last phase of 22 homes on that site, which will include homes for social rent.”

Redditch Medical acquired by Schülke & Mayr

April Lara
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Redditch Medical acquired by Schülke & Mayr

German healthcare company Schülke & Mayr has acquired Redditch Medical, a UK-based manufacturer of cleanroom contamination control products. The transaction delivers an exit for investment firm Traditum, which backed a management buy-out of Redditch Medical’s parent company Entaco Group in 2024.

Redditch Medical, founded in 2012, produces the InSpec range of disinfectants and detergents for life sciences and provides technical support through microbiological and chemical analytics. The business employs 44 staff, with exports driving most of its turnover.

Following Traditum’s investment, the business expanded production capacity, opened a laboratory, strengthened its management structure and launched new product lines. This led to growth in both domestic and international markets.

Schülke & Mayr’s purchase gives it a stronger foothold in cleanroom solutions, complementing its infection prevention portfolio across pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Redditch Medical will continue operations under its current leadership while pursuing further expansion in European and global markets.

Traditum retains a stake in Entaco’s other divisions, which continue to manufacture surgical needles and medical devices in Worcestershire.

David Mitchell, CEO of Traditum, said: “Redditch Medical shows how strong leadership and supportive investors can unlock the potential of a business. Under Steve’s direction and with Traditum’s support, it has undergone a remarkable transformation in a little over a year. Becoming part of schülke will open up new opportunities as it enters the next stage of its growth journey.”

Lithia expands UK presence with Hatfields deal

April Lara
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Lithia expands UK presence with Hatfields deal

Lithia UK has completed the acquisition of Hatfields Group, finalised on 30 September 2025. The transaction covers four Land Rover dealerships and an OMODA JAECOO site, marking the group’s first move into the Chinese brand in Britain.

The deal takes Lithia UK’s Land Rover footprint to 11 locations, many also offering Jaguar services, with new coverage across Hull, Liverpool, Pickering, and Shrewsbury. The Hatfields operations will be integrated into Lithia’s Stratstone luxury and exotics division while continuing under the Hatfields name. Staff will remain in post.

The OMODA JAECOO dealership in Hull will join Lithia’s Evans Halshaw division, which already works with brands including BYD, Ford, and Vauxhall. This brings a new OEM partner into the portfolio at a time of growing interest in emerging global marques.

Hatfields, established in 1922, has a long-standing history with Jaguar Land Rover, including recent industry recognition. Lithia UK confirmed the move strengthens its representation of Jaguar and Land Rover’s full model range while broadening its geographic reach in the North of England.

BHP records highest trainee intake in over a decade

April Lara
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BHP records highest trainee intake in over a decade

Accountancy firm BHP has recruited 54 trainees this year, marking its largest intake since before 2015. The new cohort reflects rising demand from SMEs and mid-market firms for specialist financial support.

The group includes 29 graduates, 17 non-graduates, and seven placement students. For the first time, permanent roles have also been offered to individuals who previously joined BHP through its Work Experience Academy, which provides early exposure to accountancy and finance careers.

BHP, which operates across Sheffield, Leeds, York, Chesterfield and Cleckheaton, runs a development programme giving trainees experience across its full range of services while they study for professional qualifications. Over the past five years, more than 190 individuals have progressed through the scheme into permanent roles within the firm and the wider industry.

Karen Arch, chief people officer at BHP, said: “In an uncertain world, it’s crucial that we have the right talent in place for businesses and organisations looking for trusted advice, now and in the future.

“We are hugely proud of the development opportunities we offer to people through our leading training programme and it’s especially pleasing to be able to offer employment to the highest number in ten years despite the wider mixed economic outlook.

“A fifth of those joining us in this cohort are actually coming back, having previously worked with us during their year in industry at university or taken part in our Work Experience Academy, which is testament to our positive environment and values-driven culture.”

The firm said the latest intake supports its long-term strategy of building talent pipelines across accountancy, payroll, and IT, as regulatory requirements continue to expand for its client base.

Yorkshire law firms gain ground in national rankings

April Lara
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Yorkshire law firms gain ground in national rankings

Yorkshire’s legal sector has secured a strong presence in the 2025 edition of The Legal 500, with nearly 550 rankings across 45 practice areas.

The guide assesses almost 1,200 UK firms and more than 13,000 lawyers. In Yorkshire, Walker Morris, DLA Piper and Addleshaw Goddard led the listings, recording 24, 24 and 23 firm rankings respectively, alongside more than 40 individual lawyer rankings each. Pinsent Masons and Irwin Mitchell completed the top five, achieving 19 and 18 firm rankings.

The year saw notable consolidation. Wilkin Chapman and Rollits merged, creating a wider presence across Hull, York, and Beverley. Sheffield-based Bell & Buxton joined Sills & Betteridge in September, while Lupton Fawcett was acquired by Flint Bishop, strengthening Leeds as a key hub.

In Leeds, Walker Morris retained its position as the city’s leading independent firm, with Clarion close behind on 16 total rankings. Sheffield’s main players highlighted were CMS, DLA Piper and Irwin Mitchell. Hull continued to demonstrate a distinctive market identity, with Andrew Jackson, Gosschalks and the newly merged Wilkin Chapman Rollits performing strongly.

The 2026 edition of The Legal 500 will be the first to include a law firm comparison tool, enabling side-by-side analysis of rankings, matters, and lawyer recognition.

HP Construction completes management buyout

April Lara
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HP Construction completes management buyout

South Yorkshire-based HP Construction Ltd has completed a management buyout, securing the future direction of the company as its long-standing directors step down.

The deal transfers ownership to Nick Gillott, Darren Bocking, and Amanda Hayes, who take over from outgoing co-managing directors David Hutchison and Richard Powell. The new owners bring decades of experience within the business, with backgrounds spanning project management, finance, and operations.

HP Construction, established in 2006, delivers civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the industrial, commercial, and motor retail sectors. The company has built a strong reputation nationwide for its work on large-scale developments.

SMH Group acted as lead adviser on the transaction, providing corporate finance and tax guidance. Legal support was provided by MD Law, which advised the sellers, and Dawson Radford Solicitors, which advised the management team.

Nick Gillott, on behalf of the management team, said: “This transaction secures the future of HP Construction and provides a platform for the next phase of growth. Darren, Amanda and I are committed to maintaining the high standards the company is known for while building on its excellent reputation in the sector.”

The MBO marks a transition in leadership designed to ensure continuity for staff and clients while positioning the business for future growth.

Broadway centre placed on market for £74m

April Lara
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Broadway centre placed on market for £74m

The Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford has been put up for sale with a price tag of £74m.

The property, managed by Munroe K Asset Management on behalf of Broadway (Bradford) Limited, is being marketed by Savills. The estate agent is acting for LPA Receivers Jemma McAndrew and Matthew Nagle of its Recoveries and Receivership team.

The scheme covers 72,876 sq ft of retail and leisure space and is currently home to 57 outlets, including Primark, JD Sports, Boots, Superdrug, and Next.

Construction on the £260m development began in 2004 but was delayed by the global financial crisis before opening in 2015. At launch, more than 70 units opened with expectations of creating 2,500 permanent jobs and a projected 40% uplift in city centre footfall.

Since then, the retail mix has shifted with the loss of chains such as Debenhams and the recent exit of M&S. Despite these changes, the site remains a central destination for shopping and leisure in the city.

The sale comes as Bradford continues to attract investment across both public and private sectors, positioning the centre as a significant opportunity for potential buyers.

Veterinary group completes £13m refinancing deal to support growth strategy

Tess Egginton
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Veterinary group completes £13m refinancing deal to support growth strategy
Rotherham veterinary group, The Pet Vet has completed a £13m refinancing deal with HSBC to support its growth strategy, as well as continued investment within its estate of 12 surgeries. Established in 2011 by chairman and founder Dr Rob Jones MRCVS, The Pet Vet initially grew organically to four large surgeries in the South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire regions. In July 2022 it acquired The Vet from CVS, adding a further eight surgeries and establishing a national presence. After the acquisition, The Pet Vet focused on restructuring its operating model to optimise efficiencies, creating new career pathways for clinical and non-clinical colleagues, and investing in new equipment for in-house advanced services. With a refinancing deal now secured with HSBC, facilitated by Castle Square Corporate Finance and with the assistance of Race FD Solutions and Parsons Accountants, this marks the start of a period of growth. The Pet Vet is looking to secure new surgery sites across the UK and continue investing in its existing estate, developing services to provide customers with greater choice of veterinary care in their local area. Dr Mel Fuller, CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to have secured funding through HSBC to support our future growth aspirations. As we expand, our tried and tested model will provide the blueprint for establishing successful new surgeries to complement our existing estate.”
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