Insect farm business moves into South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone

Stuart Pearcey
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Insect farm business moves into South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone

Fairman Knight and Sons UK have taken office space in the innovation space at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone, at the heart of the UK Food Valley.

Fairman Knight upcycles organic food waste using ‘bioconversion’ into Black Soldier Fly larvae which is then dried and used as sustainable pet, animal, and aquaculture feed as a sustainable low carbon alternative to soya. The waste from production makes a high quality fertilizer and the larvae can be further rendered to a highly anti-microbial bio-oil that could supplement antibiotics. The sustainable family farming business moved from its former base at a farm north of Grantham and is developing an operational site in Spalding. Fairman Knight have been supported by the UK Food Valley team by linking them to funding opportunities, office space and helping them to connect with fresh produce businesses in the region. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy at the county council, said: “Fairman Knight is clearly an innovative business and has chosen to benefit from the opportunities on offer by being located at The Hub. Food and farming is evolving and sustainability and research will be at the heart of it. “The South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone is leading the way nationally in supporting this vital sector.” The Hub has been gradually filling up with tenants who are taking advantage of its fantastic location, modern work spaces and proximity to world-leading research and development facilities on-site. Julian Knight said: “My co-founder William and I wanted to set up a sustainable family farming business that would stand the test of the next 30 years. Essentially we produce a low carbon animal protein and one of most sustainable fertilizers possible – and we have zero waste. “We wanted to be close to our partners in the University of Lincoln and close to our main production site. We are an Agritech business so we want to be based in this new centre for the industry. “We plan to have two production sites operational in 2025 in Greater Lincolnshire with a minimum of 20 staff employed.” The company has recently received three grants – Grants4Growth from South Holland District Council, a grant from the South Kesteven District Council Rural Prosperity Fund and also won the Innovate UK Competition for Eastern England Agri-tech.

Plans submitted for new mixed-use development in Boston

Tess Egginton
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Plans submitted for new mixed-use development in Boston

Boston Borough Council has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of the Crown House site on the Rosegarth Square regeneration scheme.

The Crown House proposal, subject to planning consent, would see a new mixed-use building featuring retail units on the ground floor and apartments on the remaining two storeys above. The scheme will also be enhanced with landscaping, parking and cycle storage to complement the overall Rosegarth Square masterplan. The scheme aims to transform Rosegarth Square as a thriving community space. It will provide the opportunity for the retail units to offer outside dining as well as the wider area being used by family and friends to meet up and enjoy this part of the town.
Within these proposals the Council has also taken the opportunity to provide new public toilet facilities and to relocate the existing Changing Places facility. In addition, the council has also submitted demolition notices for both Crown House and the former B&M buildings, marking an important milestone in transforming this area of the town centre. These plans follow in the footsteps of the recently approved planning consent for the proposed public realm works, which features new artwork, external social spaces, and a new entrance/drop-off area for the Len Medlock Centre. It will also include a sensory garden designed for quiet contemplation and reflection, as well as an amphitheatre-style seating area. Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “The submission of the planning application is another major milestone in transforming this run-down part of town into an exciting new space for everyone. “By integrating with the wider Rosegarth Square redevelopment, the proposal is expected to bring lasting benefits to Boston, improving the area’s visual appearance, accessibility, and community potential. “It’s been a long-held aim of mine to be able to respond to resident’s concerns regarding the provision of public toilets so I am delighted that we are able to offer these improved facilities much nearer to the town centre. “The plans reflect our commitment to bring a brighter future for our town and a place where Boston people, businesses and visitors can all be proud of.”

Eddisons selected to sell portfolio of nine commercial properties

Stuart Pearcey
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Eddisons selected to sell portfolio of nine commercial properties
Leeds-based property group Eddisons has been appointed to sell a portfolio of nine, mostly retail and hospitality properties across the UK with a collective guide price of £7.5m. The Fenwall portfolio includes the Stafford branch of Barclays Bank, a Loungers venue in Malvern, and two Costa outlets in Bolton and Norfolk. A large, and currently vacant, Grade II-listed Regency building on Cheltenham’s famous Promenade, and an ornate three-storey Victorian property in Malvern, let to hospitality group Loungers UK, are among the nine properties in the portfolio. Stephen Hawkins, Eddisons’ regional managing partner, said: “These are diverse and high-performing assets that we have been instructed to sell as a whole or individually. A strong tenant profile includes Costa, Vodafone, Barclays Bank, Loungers UK, restaurant chain Cote and health testing company Randox.

Huddersfield company becomes employee-owned

Tess Egginton
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Huddersfield company becomes employee-owned
Greengauge, a building and engineering consultancy specialising in sustainable, low energy design based in Huddersfield in Yorkshire and Bradford upon Avon in Wiltshire, has become employee-owned. Its founding directors, Hannah Jones and Toby Cambray, have recently taken the bold step of transferring ownership of the company to an Employee Ownership Trust for the benefit of its employees. This means the employees have a greater say in the business, its strategy and direction as well as the opportunity of financial benefits. John Lewis is probably the best-known example of employee ownership in the UK. In making this move, Greengauge, which has 16 staff, will enable its employees to have more involvement in how the company works, while also ensuring that the business retains its unique culture and ethos into the future. Hannah Jones, Managing Director of Greengauge, said: “This is an exciting next step in Greengauge’s journey, ensuring that staff will be integral to the company’s decision-making and benefit from any profits. “Starting 14 years ago from a houseboat, we have grown exponentially, with our portfolio of services now ranging from MEP design, Passivhaus and AECB design through to certification along with more specialist hygrothermal risk analysis and complex 3D thermal bridge modelling.” The transfer to an Employee-Owned Trust was supported by Jeremy Kirk of SouthWestFD, which provides financial management and strategic input to Greengauge, along with the legal team Stephens Scown, led by Gavin Poole, and Forth Accountancy, led by Claire Forth.

Ideal Heating secures Government funding to accelerate heat pump production

Tess Egginton
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Ideal Heating secures Government funding to accelerate heat pump production
Ideal Heating has received significant Government funding to accelerate production of heat pumps in the UK. The funding will enable increased production capacity of monobloc heat pump units and controls at the firm’s site in Hull as well as hot water cylinders at the Gledhill manufacturing facility in Blackpool. It is the first funding award from the Government’s Heat Pump Investment Accelerator competition, which aims to unlock significant private sector investment in the UK heat pump market. Ideal Heating and Gledhill, the cylinder manufacturer, are both part of the UK operations of Groupe Atlantic, which has a long-standing history of manufacturing heat pumps. The two businesses have been awarded almost £5.2m and have pledged a further investment of over £6.8m in heat pump production, taking the total to just over £12m. It represents a major boost for British manufacturing, as the Government works with leading companies in the UK heating sector to kickstart a homegrown heat pump industry, boost the UK’s energy security and support hundreds of low carbon jobs. To mark the funding, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Energy Consumers, visited Ideal Heating’s headquarters in Hull and National Training and Technology Centre near the Humber Bridge. The Government funding and the investment by Ideal Heating and Gledhill will enable the production of 115,000 air source heat pumps and indoor controls at Ideal Heating’s site in Hull annually by 2030. It will also enable production of 120,000 pre-plumbed hot water cylinders every year at the Gledhill site in Blackpool, within the same timescale. Jason Speedy, Ideal’s Heating’s Chief Operations Officer, said: “We’ve been manufacturing market-leading heating products in the UK for well over a century. “Across the heating industry we’re now seeing a significant transition from gas boilers to sustainable solutions, such as heat pumps. That aligns closely with the UK’s net zero targets. “This funding is a vote of confidence in our business and our position at the forefront of the industry’s move to low carbon heating solutions. “It will enable us to accelerate our plans for heat pump production and complements the broader programme of investment across our operations as we lead the industry to a greener, low carbon future.” The Government funding will support increased investment in infrastructure and equipment at the Hull and Blackpool sites to accelerate the design, development and manufacture of air source heat pumps, pre-plumbed hot water cylinders and associated components. Ideal Heating is part way through a £60m investment programme at its Hull site, spanning production, distribution, and research and development capabilities, with a specific focus on heat pumps. The business employs around 1,000 people, the vast majority of them in Hull, in roles ranging from production, distribution, research, development, IT and engineering. In August 2023, Ideal Heating launched its first heat pump production line in Hull and has since invested further in this facility. Construction is also well advanced on a £19m UK Technology Centre at the Hull site, which will serve as a testbed for product innovation, including heat pump technologies. In addition, Ideal Heating’s Expert Academy training arm is playing a role in the re-training of gas engineers across the country to work with heat pumps and low carbon solutions. Ideal Heating Production Director John Cook said: “As a proud UK manufacturer, we’re embracing the technologies which will heat British homes and businesses for decades to come. “Ideal Heating has already seen one significant transformation, from coal to gas-powered products. Now, we’re evolving again to low carbon solutions. “We’re delighted to have been awarded this significant funding which will further enhance our production capabilities at our sites in Hull and Blackpool.”

Diana Taylor wins Overall Woman of Achievement Award

Stuart Pearcey
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Diana Taylor wins Overall Woman of Achievement Award
Inspirational women were recognised and celebrated at the 2024 Women in Business Women of Achievement Awards, which celebrate the achievements of businesswomen across Hull and East Yorkshire who either run their own business or are excelling in their profession, industry, organisation or charity. Dr Diana Taylor, managing director at Future Humber, was announced as the winner of the Overall Woman of Achievement Award, which was sponsored by Smailes Goldie Chartered Accountants. Diana has made notable contributions to promote the Humber locally, nationally and beyond. As well as this, she inspires others to achieve, making significant contributions in what can sometimes can still be seen as ‘a man’s world’. Caroline Neadley, chair of Women in Business Hull, said: “At each Women of Achievement Awards, we’re blown away by the amazing accomplishments of the brilliant women in our region. And this year was certainly no different. “With a room full of 400 guests, there was a real sense of pride and comradery, with those in attendance celebrating friends, family and colleagues. I’d particularly like to thank the Women in Business committee, this year’s award sponsors, and of course all of the nominees.” Winners also included Sue Perkins, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work building a number of successful businesses that have enabled hundreds of people to realise their career potential. Natasha Barley, CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society, won the Outstanding Impact Award for reshaping the future for countless families of seafarers facing crises such as bereavement, illness or family breakdown. Michelle Taft from the John Good Group was selected for this year’s Judges Award for her dedication to empowering women, driving social impact and championing inclusivity, whilst overseeing a huge growth in funding support by the Matthew Good Foundation. Dawn Sullivan, co-founder of HU4 Community Trust, won the Voluntary Award for helping to fill a huge void in facilities and community spaces for local residents, providing invaluable support to improve their lives. Caroline added: “Our guest speaker, Janet Street-Porter, was all we hoped for and more, and it was great to hear stories and anecdotes from her expansive media career. “After commenting that she was honoured to be speaking to a room full of so many successful career women, Janet emphasised the importance of trusting and supporting each other, and promoting other women’s talents. “As she said: ‘Successful career women don’t get where they are by luck – gamblers are lucky, not hard-working women’. “We also raised over £4,600 for our chosen charity, Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University, which is incredible.” Award winners  New Business Award, sponsored by Sparq: Gemma Wardell, founder and owner of Human Brilliance Established Business Award, sponsored by NL Group: Emma Dallimore, CEO at Hull & East Yorkshire Mind Voluntary Award, sponsored by Jadan Press: Dawn Sullivan, co-founder of HU4 Community Trust Apprentice/Trainee Award, sponsored by Bishop Burton College: Chloe Hammond, head of finance at NL Group Women in STEM Award, sponsored by Ansell: Julie Shave, tutor and assessor at HESTA Female Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by Lexus Hull: Vicky Simpson, founder and owner of VCare24 Women Breaking Boundaries Award, sponsored by MKM Building Supplies: Dr Diana Taylor, MD at Future Humber Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Pace: Natasha Barley, CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by The One Point: Sue Perkins, owner of Crancher Ltd Judges Award: Michelle Taft, executive director at Matthew Good Foundation and non executive director at John Good Group Overall Women of Achievement Award, sponsored by Smailes Goldie: Dr Diana Taylor, MD at Future Humber

American nuclear exporter expands MoU with Sheffield Forgemasters

Stuart Pearcey
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American nuclear exporter expands MoU with Sheffield Forgemasters
America’s largest exporter of nuclear components Holtec has expanded its MoU with Sheffield Forgemasters to support manufacture of component parts for its SMR-300 Small Modular Reactor. The new MoU agrees that both parties will Collaborate on the design and manufacture of component parts for 16 of Holtec’s SMR-300 Small Modular Reactors from 2026 to 2050, and identification of further production collaboration for other Holtec civil nuclear components. It will see qualification work for Sheffield Forgemasters, as a Holtec approved supplier of nuclear safety significant components, and review of the design for manufacture and purchase specifications for such identified forgings, to maximise efficiency. Working in partnership, Sheffield Forgemasters and Holtec will also seek to apply for opportunities relevant to the prototype manufacturing of components and testing of unique processes in order to reduce costs. The expanded agreement is the latest in a long list of commitments from nuclear suppliers to work with Sheffield Forgemasters on new-nuclear projects, with the company holding unique status as the UK’s only supplier of large, nuclear-grade castings and forgings. Sheffield Forgemasters has signed civil nuclear MOUs with GE Hitachi, Rolls-Royce SMR, X-Energy, Cavendish Nuclear, EDF and Holtec

Train operator Northern gets head of property on secondment from Network Rail

Stuart Pearcey
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Train operator Northern gets head of property on secondment from Network Rail

Robert Ellams has joined Northern on a secondment from Network Rail to be the train operator’s head of property, having spent ten years managing the Network Rail building infrastructure portfolio along the North and East Coast routes.

He said: “In my previous role at Network Rail I’ve had the opportunity to work with Northern on their property portfolio in the North West and the North East, so I’ve already got an understanding and appreciation of the challenges we face as a business.

“There are 2,570 stations on the UK mainline and Northern is responsible for the management of 467 of those – more than any other train operator in the UK. That’s no mean feat.”

Lisa Leighton, people director at Northern, added: “We’re working hard to make our stations the heart of their community, not only providing a safe and comfortable environment to catch the train – but also to offer additional services that make our customers’ lives easier.

“Robert’s experience in this area is exceptional and his move from Network Rail to Northern is a great example of how the rail industry can benefit from career development opportunities across track and train and we’re delighted he’s joining the team.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 467 stations across the North of England.

Manufacturing output volumes fall, but near-term outlook improves

Tess Egginton
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Manufacturing output volumes fall, but near-term outlook improves
Manufacturing output volumes fell in the quarter to November, and at a faster pace than in the three months to October, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). But the near-term picture is more positive, with manufacturers expecting output volumes to rise modestly in the quarter to February. Total order books improved relative to last month, while volumes of export order books were unchanged. Both total and export order books were reported as below their long-run averages. Expectations for selling price inflation picked up in November, with prices expected to rise at a rate that is broadly in line with the long-run average. Stock adequacy (for finished goods) was the highest since August 2020. The survey, based on the responses of 317 manufacturers, found:
  • Output volumes fell in the three months to November, at a faster pace than in the quarter to October (weighted balance of -12%, from -6% in the three months to October). Output is expected to rise in the three months to February (+9%).
  • Output decreased in 14 out of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to November, with the fall driven by the chemicals, mechanical engineering and metal products sub-sectors.
  • Total order books were reported as below “normal” but improved relative to last month (-19% from -27%). The level of order books remained below the long run average (-13%).
  • Export order books were also seen as below “normal” in November to the same extent as last month (-27%). This was also below the long-run average (-18%).
  • Expectations for average selling price inflation rose in November (+11% from 0% in October) with the balance standing broadly in line with the long-run average (+7%).
  • Stocks of finished goods were seen as more than “adequate” in November (+21% from +17% in October), with the balance the highest since August 2020.
Ben Jones, CBI Lead Economist, said: “Output has underperformed expectations in recent months, with manufacturers pointing to uncertainty around the UK Budget, the US elections and recent political instability in Europe as among the factors leading customers to pause or cancel orders. “Many firms still need to work through the implications of the Budget for their own plans for pay, hiring and investment, but it’s an encouraging sign that output volumes are expected to return to growth in the quarter ahead, with order books also showing some improvement this month. “Now is the time to build on this momentum by prioritising the policies that will give firms the confidence and certainty to invest, making the UK a more attractive place to do business. The Government can act now to implement key enablers that will kickstart growth and lead the economy into a path of long-term, sustainable prosperity, including a clear Industrial Strategy, reforms to business rates and the apprenticeship levy.”

Paul joins Finance Yorkshire board in non-exec capacity

Stuart Pearcey
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Paul joins Finance Yorkshire board in non-exec capacity
Finance Yorkshire has appointed experienced corporate lawyer Paul Trudgill to its board as a non-exec Director to replace Jennie Adams, who served on the Finance Yorkshire board for 15 years. Paul is a partner in the corporate group in the Sheffield office of Knights. He advises owner-managed business and SME clients in all aspects of company law including mergers and acquisitions, disposals, management buyouts and increasingly employee ownership trust transactions. He said: “I have been a member of the South Yorkshire professional and business community for more than 30 years and therefore have an informed perspective to bring in terms of Finance Yorkshire’s external environment including in relation to its target market. “I have considerable experience of transactions involving venture capital (VC) funds, advising investee companies and acting for VC funds in relation to their investments.” Finance Yorkshire chief exec Alex McWhirter said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to the Finance Yorkshire board where he will complement our other non-executive directors with his breadth of corporate legal knowledge and expertise. The board acknowledges the time Jennie gave to Finance Yorkshire over many years in which her contribution to our discussions and decision-making was invaluable.”
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