New partnership to empower Leeds start-ups
Leeds-based start-up businesses will be empowered to boost their strategies to enter new markets, achieve growth, and build long-term sustainability, through a new partnership between Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, L Marks and Leeds City Council.
The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad aims to support 30 start-ups based in Leeds by assisting them in refining their go-to-market strategies through strategic and tactical guidance to effectively target and engage corporate customers and partners.
It is free to take part – start-ups or anyone with a minimum viable product can apply for a place via the L Marks website before the closing date of Monday 9 December.
The programme consists of three elements:
1-Day Bootcamp at Nexus: On Tuesday 21 January, startups will participate in practical sessions, supported by innovation specialists L Marks. This bootcamp will focus on solution design and market entry strategies, addressing critical aspects such as identifying target customers, formulating engagement approaches, and demonstrating value.
8-Week Accelerator at The Knowledge Exchange: Selected startups will take part in an in-depth learn-by-doing course by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University, between 30 January and 20 March. Led by Professor Lebene Soga, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management Practice at Leeds Business School, the accelerator includes eight workshops and mentoring sessions from Leeds Beckett experts. It will build on the progress made in the bootcamp, equipping start-ups with the skills, knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to validate their products and grow the business through customer acquisition.
Corporate Engagement: L Marks will draw on its extensive corporate network to assist selected startups in corporate engagement, alongside the accelerator programme. This includes a roundtable with decision-makers from innovative organisations who will share strategic and tactical insights on collaborating with other businesses.
Professor Lebene Soga said: “We are delighted to be a partner in the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad where we will share our extensive expertise in supporting start-up businesses and SMEs to growth, increase productivity, and achieve long-term sustainability.
“Through our accelerator programme, we will ensure that start-ups effectively embed the knowledge gained during the bootcamp, and tailor this to their individual businesses.
“By welcoming start-ups into The Knowledge Exchange here at Leeds Beckett, we hope this will open the doors to the University for them, where they can access further business support programmes to help them innovate and thrive.”
Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks, said: “With Leeds quickly gaining recognition as one of the UK’s most dynamic cities for startups, we are delighted to partner with Leeds Beckett University, the University of Leeds, and Leeds City Council to create the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad.
“The city’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, coupled with a rich talent pool, has already positioned it as a leader in tech and digital sectors. This initiative will provide local businesses with hands-on support, solution guidance, and corporate connections to help refine their market strategies, scale effectively, and unlock new growth opportunities.
“At L Marks, we have seen first-hand how entrepreneurship and innovation drive economic growth. Through the Leeds Go-to-Market Launchpad, we will enhance the startups’ commercial readiness enabling job creation, attracting investment, and fostering a more resilient and diversified local economy – further strengthening Leeds’s position as a hub for innovation and business growth.”
Work gets underway on £18.9m sustainable, affordable housing development
Work is underway on an £18.9 million zero-gas affordable housing development at Newstead in South East Sheffield.
Esh Construction is delivering 77 new homes with enhanced sustainability credentials on behalf of Sheffield City Council.
Designed by Peak Architects, the development will feature 36 one and two-bedroom apartments with communal gardens and balconies, alongside 41 two, three and four-bedroom properties with off street parking and gardens.
All homes will be fitted with air source heat pumps instead of traditional gas boilers, as well as enhanced insulation and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
Esh’s Operations Director, Simon Woodward, said: “This project underscores our commitment to delivering more sustainable and future-proofed housing that meets the needs of the community and supports the transition to greener living.
“Marking the first affordable homes Esh will deliver for Sheffield City Council, we are proud to be supporting the council’s goal to develop energy efficient housing stock that will reduce the environmental impact and ensure long-term affordability for residents. We look forward to showcasing progress over the coming months.”
Sheffield City Council has been awarded £1.3 million of funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund towards the Newstead development.
Cllr Douglas Johnson, Sheffield City Council’s Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, said: “Sheffield City Council is delighted to be pushing ahead with expanding our council housing offering for current and prospective tenants.
“Our plans remain to build or acquire more than 1,000 council homes in the next five years – and partners such as Esh are instrumental in helping us achieve this. Our aim, as always, remains to provide more choice of good quality, environmentally friendly and affordable homes for residents.
“The Council continues to face an unprecedented demand for affordable and social housing in the city, and projects such as Newstead being completed will help to meet some of that demand.”
Through its Constructing Local strategy, while on site Esh will deliver a range of employability sessions to local schools and colleges, while investing in a local workforce and apprenticeship opportunities.
The scheme is expected to complete in Summer 2026.
Approval gained to bring one of Europe’s largest EV car parks to Leeds
Vastint UK has received planning permission from Leeds City Council to bring one of Europe’s largest electric vehicle charging car parks to its Aire Park development in Leeds.
The private multistorey car park, which will be located to the north of Great Wilson Street, will serve the occupants of Aire Park’s commercial district, offering 433 spaces, all with electric vehicle charging capability.
In line with the development’s commitment to encouraging healthy and sustainable lifestyles, the car park will also provide a secure cycle hub at its ground floor with 516 spaces, bike wash and service stations.
Set to be built on land originally used as warehousing for the Tetley brewery, designs for the new car park building will be in keeping with the sensitive development already seen across Aire Park.
Designed to be a safe and easy to use parking facility, the car park building will conveniently connect with Aire Park’s office facilities and provide an attractive new link street connection from Great Wilson Street onto South Brook Street and into the heart of the development.
This link street will also offer additional opportunities for planting and landscaping, building on the 700 new trees Vastint will bring to Aire Park as part of its eight-acre park, set to be the largest new city-centre public park in the UK.
On the planning approval, Simon Schofield, head of development North, said: “We’re really proud to be bringing one of Europe’s largest EV car parks to Leeds and our plans for this car park are in keeping with the ethos we’re applying throughout the development of Aire Park.
“We want to make sustainable and environmental choices an easy option for the future users of the development, from the convenience of charging their car in any parking space to having a bicycle service station on hand for quick fixes if required.
“This is the level of detail and attention we’ll be bringing throughout the creation of Aire Park as we build a brand-new community in the Leeds South Bank with wellbeing and sustainability at its heart.”
Doncaster firm helps to launch plastering academy on Merseyside
Doncaster-based Keepmoat is one of a trio of businesses partnering with a Merseyside college to launch a plastering training academy.
Keepmoat is working with Sterling Plastering and Hugh Baird College to launch a bespoke training academy that will support young people into plastering apprenticeships, bolstering its commitment to bridge the nationwide construction skills gap.
It’s anticipated that 225,000 new construction workers are needed by 2027 in the UK, and this week the Government also announced that 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available every year through DoE funding.
The SPL Change Academy will offer Level 1 and Level 2 NVQ plastering courses, supported by tutors from Hugh Baird College. Peter Barlow, Keepmoat’s North West Regional MD, said: “It’s been brilliant to support the launch of the SPL Change Academy by providing a mock timber frame house.
“The Keepmoat team has also created a traditional working environment of closed rooms, where the students will carry out their training, in place of small open bays. The team is also set to deliver a series of site skills-focused employability sessions, in order to help bridge the gap between college and site work.”
Chris Cox, MD at Sterling Plastering adds: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with like-minded and local businesses to create our newly built 6,000 square foot warehouse-style unit to upskill young people across Merseyside to help guide future professionals in the trade.”
Bradford firm wins UK Employer of the Year title
Bradford-based Mansfield Pollard has been named UK Employer of the Year at this year’s Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards.
CEO Lou Ellis-Frankland said: “Winning any award is an honour, but earning a national award takes it to another level. It is a powerful affirmation of our vision to drive profitable growth, establish Mansfield Pollard as the industry brand of choice, and become the region’s top employer. This achievement reflects the exceptional dedication of our employees and their invaluable contributions across every area of our business.”
Ashe said this had been an outstanding year for Mansfield Pollard, completing a hat-trick of business accolades. Earlier this year, the company was also recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work 2024, and named Yorkshire Business of the Year 2024. Together, these awards highlight the company’s relentless focus on its people, innovation, and excellence in all aspects of business operations.
Demolition clears the way for £21m development at Catterick Garrison
Catterick Garrison’s £21m town centre development has taken a major step forward with the demolition of buildings on the site now under way.
Preparatory work, including asbestos removal and the stripping out of internal fixtures such as wiring, is nearly complete. Demolition specialists are taking down the buildings where the internal work has concluded, to make way for construction on the new facilities to start early in the new year.
Once complete, the development will include a new community building, a multi-use events space and a new public square. Alongside this, the project will improve landscaping, pavements and cycle paths, as well as upgrading Coronation Park and improved play areas.
The new town centre buildings will benefit both service personnel and their families and the public. We are working with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation on the multi-million pound project. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is funding the demolition and we have secured funding from the Government for the redevelopment.
Naylor Agility makes second acquisition this year
South Yorkshire-based Naylor Agility, a UK manufacturer of high-quality agility equipment and a division of Naylor Specialist Plastics Ltd, has acquired First Contact, an established agility equipment-hire and sales business.
The acquisition is the second to be completed by Naylor Agility this year and will enable Naylor Agility to further expand its product offering to include ‘contacts’ – dog walks, seesaws and A-frames – and weave poles. Naylor Agility’s product range also includes high quality dog agility tunnels, soft walls and long jumps.
John Grice, MD of Naylor Agility, said: “We’re excited to welcome First Contact to the Naylor Agility family. First Contact is a trusted supplier of premium agility equipment and this acquisition aligns perfectly with our mission to improve the standard of agility equipment which is available in the UK. Together, we will continue to innovate and to deliver the very latest solutions to enhance the sport of agility.”
Based in Deepcar, South Yorkshire, First Contact will benefit from additional resources and be able to offer a wider range of products to its customers. The dedicated First Contact team trading as ‘Naylor Agility’ will also continue to offer their expertise in equipment hire to ensure competitors and their dogs receive the best possible competition experience.
Hazel Higgins, co-founder of First Contact, said: “The time is now right to take First Contact to the next level and I am confident that this will happen with the support of Naylor Agility. My team and I are very excited to be working with Naylor Agility, making the best agility equipment in the world and putting UK based manufacturing at the forefront of sport.”
Naylor Agility is based in Wombwell near Barnsley, and is a division of Naylor Specialist Plastics Ltd, a fourth generation family-owned business. The company has been manufacturing dog agility tunnels since 1983 and has worked with First Contact since 2003, making tunnels for hire at events.
Construction hire firm turns to SEO experts to boost online visibility
Family-run construction hire company PAL Hire has appointed digital agency The SEO Works to bolster its online visibility.
Following the initial enquiry an in-depth audit from the expert team at The SEOWorks identified several opportunities that could be taken in order to take organic visibility to the next level – all of which were highlighted within a competitive pitch process.
Marketing Manager Barnaby Crawshaw said: “We welcome The SEO Works as our partner to amplify our online presence and help us deliver great customer experience. Their expertise in digital marketing and the construction industry aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and passion for innovation. As a company, we partner with suppliers that are best in class, and the SEO Works is a welcome addition to our team.”
The digital agency will identify gaps in strategy and potential opportunities – all helping to contribute towards the end goal of improving search visibility throughout the UK for PAL Hire.
Azets recruits former KPMG leader as regional Sanrio partner
Azets has appointed Ian Beaumont, recently retired head of KPMG in the north east, as regional senior partner for Yorkshire.
Ian started his career with Haines Watts before going on to become office senior partner at RSM Robson Rhodes, BDO and KPMG.
Russell Turner, regional MD for Yorkshire, said: “To attract a heavyweight business advisor of Ian’s calibre is a genuine coup.
“With more than 35 years’ experience in this region, Ian’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to develop and attract top talent in order to ensure we can provide the high quality advice and support regional businesses and their owners deserve.”
Ian said: “Azets is fantastically placed to support aspiring regional businesses and their owners with expertise that will support them along the full growth lifecycle.
“With growth comes additional complexity for our clients and, as a national firm, we are able to call upon national specialists as well as provide international reach.”
Azets has three offices in Yorkshire in Leeds, Bradford and York where it employs 335 people.
Greater Lincolnshire launches AI accelerator project 20 firms
Twenty businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland to take part in an AI Adoption Accelerator designed to guide business leaders through the transformative journey of Artificial Intelligence adoption.
Running from January to the end of March, this hands-on programme provides workshops and expert-led sessions aimed at helping businesses overcome common barriers to AI, such as misconceptions and fears about cost, complexity, and relevance. AI is no longer exclusive to large tech firms – businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, can integrate AI solutions to boost productivity, improve customer experience, and streamline operations.
Councillor Colin Davie, Councillor for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “AI is transforming the way businesses operate, and we want to ensure that businesses in our region aren’t left behind. This programme is a fantastic opportunity for local companies to explore how AI can streamline their operations, enhance productivity, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. The hands-on support provided by this programme will help businesses overcome any reservations they might have and empower them to adopt AI confidently.”
He said the programme wa s a unique opportunity for businesses to explore the potential of AI in a structured, supportive environment.
With only 20 places available, Business Lincolnshire encourages businesses to register early for this transformative programme. Applications are open to businesses that have been trading for over 12 months and are based in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland. The programme requires attendance from a decision-maker and another key staff member to ensure the successful implementation of AI solutions within their organisation.
