ITM CEO Dennis Schulz said: “Shell is a leading global energy company, and we are proud they have selected us for this prestigious project. The performance of our latest generation electrolyser stacks in the REFHYNE I plant played an important role in Shell’s proceeding to FID, as did their extensive due diligence on our technology and our capability to deliver this large-scale commercial project.”
Sheffield firm wins contract to supply Shell with hydrogen production technology
Sheffield-based clean energy company ITM Power has signed a contract to supply 100MW of TRIDENT stacks and skids to the Shell Rheinland Energy and Chemicals Park in Germany as part of the REFHYNE II project.
REFHYNE II will use renewable electricity to produce up to 44,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen daily, partially decarbonising fuel production at Shell’s Wesseling refinery. The electrolyser is scheduled to begin operating in 2027. Linde Engineering has been chosen as the EPC integrator and will collaborate closely with ITM. for the REFHYNE II project.
PwC fined £15 million
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) for failing to report to the regulator their belief that London Capital & Finance plc (LCF) might be involved in fraudulent activity. This is the first time the FCA has fined an audit firm.
PwC encountered significant issues throughout their 2016 audit of LCF. A senior individual at LCF acted aggressively towards auditors, and the firm provided PwC with inaccurate and misleading information. PwC found the audit very complex, and it took considerably longer to complete than anticipated.
LCF’s actions, and PwC’s own work on the audit, led PwC to suspect that LCF might be involved in fraudulent activity. PwC was duty bound to report those suspicions to the FCA as soon as possible, but they failed to do so.
PwC eventually satisfied itself that LCF’s 2016 accounts were accurate. Whether or not its suspicions remained, it still had an obligation to report its previous concerns to the FCA.
LCF went into administration in January 2019 after the FCA ordered the firm to withdraw misleading promotional material for the sale of mini-bonds. Thousands of investors were misled because they were not given the full picture about the risks of the product. The Serious Fraud Office has an open criminal investigation into the failure of LCF.
Therese Chambers, Joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight at the FCA, said: “Auditors have a central role to play in keeping our markets clean. They have privileged access to information and they are required by law to report suspicions of fraud to the FCA.
“There were a number of red flags that led PwC to suspect fraud. They should have acted on them immediately. Their failure to do so deprived the FCA of potentially vital information.”
Doncaster sees Yorkshire’s highest growth in SME numbers since the pandemic
Doncaster has seen Yorkshire’s highest growth in the number of SMEs since the pandemic, with Hull and Sheffield coming in as second and third respectively, according to new research from business lender iwoca.
The survey reveals there are now 9,975 SMEs in Doncaster, an increase of over 1,000 since 2019. This business growth within Doncaster brings thousands of new jobs, with the number of available jobs up by 9.6% between 2019 and 2022. Recent data shows that the number of working people in Doncaster has increased by nearly 12,000 since 2019, to a total of 135,450.
Doncaster Chamber’ CEO, Dan Fell said: “This robust post-pandemic recovery in Doncaster suggests an entrepreneurial spirit within the local business community. This success, clearly, is down to the individual business leaders and their teams that have shown determination and entrepreneurial to start and sustain successful companies.
“However, it also highlights the strong business support and advocacy that exists locally within the city and has played a role in this success. This naturally includes the Chamber of Commerce but also the Council’s Business Doncaster team, organisations such as Finance for Enterprise, and learning institutions such as Doncaster College and Harrison College that are working hard to meet local skills needs.
“Last week brought the challenging news that international business Aalberts IPS (formerly Pegler) would likely be ceasing manufacturing in Doncaster. Today’s news demonstrates that, despite challenges in the global market, Doncaster’s economy – overall – is moving in the right direction that our city is recognised as a great place to start and scale a business.”
Research revealed that the transport and storage sector saw the largest growth in Doncaster, with an increase of 245 SMEs within the industry. With the imminent re-opening of the former HS2 College and Doncaster Sheffield Airport, small businesses in the city’s expanding transport sector could stand to benefit further. Pass Logistics is a prime example, having started as a sole trader with just a man and a van. Over seven years, the company has grown into a £7.5 million business, employing over 35 staff and securing major contracts across the UK.
Iwoca’s research is based on analysis of ONS data on business and employment and compared the number of SMEs in Yorkshire in 2019, with the total number in 2023. Their findings revealed significant growth of small businesses in Doncaster, with an 11.3% increase compared to pre-pandemic levels.
In Hull the number of SMEs rose by 10.9%, from 5,980 in 2019 to 6,630 in 2023. In Sheffield the SME increase was 7%, increased by 16,935 between 2019 and 2023.
Barnsley packaging producer develops authenticity check security labels
Barnsley business JK Machinery is developing a new type of security label which can be scanned by an app to quickly check if a product is authentic.
The company has already secured a patent for their innovative label design and is now ready to work on perfecting production of the prototype in bulk.
It has invested in a £9,000 printing press for this task – backed by a Business Productivity and Digitalisation Grant secured through Barnsley Council’s Enterprising Barnsley programme.
The grant is supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and part-funded by the government’s existing UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
JK Machinery technical director Jack Round said: “We’re very excited about developing this new type of security labelling for manufacturers and producers whose high-quality goods are often targeted by fraudsters trying to pass off their own fakes as the genuine article.
“The international trade in counterfeit goods has grown massively in recent years and we are keen to help our customers add more robust protection to their products.”
Security labels made by JK’s Machinery at its Claycliffe Business Park premises will feature complex embedded code behind the print and invisible to the naked eye, which can be scanned by an app. The concept is intended as a step up from encrypted QR codes, commonly used today, which can be seen and potentially copied. The aim to make it as easy as possible for buyers to check they have the real thing; and very difficult for fraudsters to crack the coding device and replicate it.
Jack, whose grandparents set up JK Machinery in 1989, said: “The Business Productivity Grant has come at a perfect time to help us to purchase this costly machine which will not only allow us to develop our new product and bring it to market quicker, but also help us to increase production efficiency across the board. Everything would have been slower to achieve without the grant.”
Business support advisor at Enterprising Barnsley Paul Johnson said: “JK Machinery is a great example of manufacturing business in Barnsley. Their commitment to advancement and innovation not only benefits their business, but also contributes to the fight against counterfeit goods on a global scale. Proving Barnsley is a fertile place where innovation and manufacturing can thrive.”
UK’s export portfolio is stronger, according to British Chambers of Commerce
June was a strong month for UK trade, with goods exports to the EU experiencing a double-digit rise. Services growth was steady for the month, and throughout the last quarter.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The data reflects the strengths of the UK’s export portfolio in professional, travel, financial and business services as well as manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and transport goods.
“To keep up this momentum, we want to work with the Government on its forthcoming Trade Strategy. It must ensure the UK has the right framework in place to increase exports and improve the efficiency and security of its supply chains.
“This must include a focus on improving trading terms with the EU, to cut the costs of doing trade and sustain June’s welcome sales growth in our largest export market.”
Shop owner given suspended sentence for his part in ‘vile trade’
The owner of a Spalding shop has been given a 13-month suspended sentence for selling illegal cigarettes in what the judge labelled a ‘vile trade’.
Ali Idris Khader, 52, of Ewetree Drive, Leicester, has pleaded guilty to offences relating to proceeds of crime, tobacco regulation offences, and trademark offences.
At Lincoln Magistrates Court he was sentenced to 13 months custody, suspended for 12 months; 25 hours of rehabilitation activity, and a curfew between 8pm and 6am daily for four months.
Officers from Lincolnshire Trading Standards had carried out test purchases at the store on Sheep Market in Spalding in February 2023. After being sold counterfeit illegal cigarettes, officers returned to raid the premises and seize the illegal products a few days later.
A second test purchase in May and further raid in June 2023 lead to the service applying for a closure order on the store in June 2023, shuttering the premises for three months.
Senior Lincolnshire Trading Standards officer Kimberley Marshall said: “We are committed to tackling the sale and supply of illicit tobacco. Some people may not fully realise the seriousness of this crime, and that these products are often unsafe knockoffs, made in unhygienic conditions, and can pose a real fire safety risk. The illicit tobacco trade can also fund other organised crime.
“People in Lincolnshire have died in house fires caused by these types of cigarettes, and shops selling threaten the livelihoods of legitimate law-abiding businesses.
“These are not shops that sell a few cigarettes or vapes ‘on the side’. Instead, they exist solely to supply illegal goods. The shops are operated by criminals and out-of-county organised crime groups.
“We will continue to work with Lincolnshire Police and other partner agencies to combat this illegal trade of counterfeit, unsafe products.”
In prosecuting, the judge noted that Mr Khader was knowingly selling the goods in a ‘vile trade’ that presented an increased risk of fire and risk to life. He said: “If you run a business that sells goods to the public it is your responsibility to make sure they are legitimate and fit for consumption. You were sourcing goods that were clearly not legit, and arranging for them to be sold as if they were.”
Clugston celebrates century of involvement with Scunthorpe’s steel industry
Scunthorpe-based Clugston Distribution is celebrating 100 years’ service as a supplier to the town’s steel industry.
The company celebrated its own 100 years of being in business in 2022, in partnership between them and the steelworks for almost all the time they have been in business.
The name ‘Clugston’ has been more of a constant than the name of the steelmaking operation in the town, which has gone through numerous incarnations and owners from around the world.
ABP names new Regional Director for the Humber
Andrew Dawes is to take over as ABP’s Regional Director, Humber, when Simon Bird leaves the company at the end of October.
Andrew has 30 years’ experience in the global ports and terminals industry with companies such as DP World, APM Terminals and ICTSI. Alongside his strong leadership credentials, he brings with him a wealth of experience in safety, operations and commercial activities. His experience also includes MD roles with P&L accountability for terminals plus wider regional portfolio responsibility.
He said: “This is an incredible time to be joining ABP as the next five-year business strategy is launched. The Humber Region which has some really exciting projects and growth opportunities. It plays a key role in delivering ABP’s twin missions of Keeping Britain Trading as well as Enabling the Energy Transition here in the UK.
“I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with my Humber colleagues, customers and wider stakeholders and to bringing my family to live in this fantastic region.”
Andrew will join ABP on 1st October, allowing a period of handover with the outgoing Regional Director, Simon Bird, who will be stepping down from the role at the end of the month.
Car dealer sentenced by court after sale of unroadworthy vehicle
A car dealer has been fined £1,000 by York magistrates after selling a car so unroadworthy that it was potentially dangerous to who was driving, as well as pedestrians and other road users.
Junaid Ahmed Majeed and his company Dealonwheelz Ltd pleaded guilty to selling an unroadworthy Toyota Aygo to a Kirkbymoorside resident, and misleading a Thirsk resident about the service history, warranty and MOT history of a Vauxhall Corsa.
Majeed and the company also admitted telling both customers that the cars were ‘sold as seen’ to try to prevent them from asking for a refund or repair when things went wrong, and of failing to tell the Kirkbymoorside resident that she had a right to cancel her contract with the company.
York Magistrates heard that a consultant engineer who examined the Toyota found that it had been “repaired” in a totally inappropriate manner, with defects covered by filler and underbody sealant presenting a serious defect of the structure of the vehicle’s bodyshell.
The defect created the potential for the car to be badly damaged if it was involved in a collision, putting the occupants at greater risk.
The engineer’s report concluded: “I consider that the vehicle was in an unroadworthy condition, in that its use on a road would involve a danger of injury to any person within or other road users and pedestrians, due to the potential catastrophic failure of structural components.”
Majeed, of Hawke Avenue, Heckmondwike in West Yorkshire, and Dealzonwheels Ltd of Commercial Street in Leeds, each pleaded guilty to five offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Majeed was ordered to pay fines totalling £500 and compensation of £2,000.
The company must pay fines totalling £500 and £200 towards prosecution costs.
Major step forward in transformation of Wakefield’s former market hall
Plans to transform Wakefield’s former market hall into a new events space have taken a major step forward.
Wakefield Exchange is welcoming applications from creative and digital business, and from independent food and drinks businesses in Wakefield and across the wider West Yorkshire area, to be part of the new venue, that is due to be launched this winter.
The launch will be part of Wakefield Council’s 366-day programme of cultural and creative activity, Our Year 2024.
Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “The Wakefield Exchange will offer residents a fantastic experience with an exciting programme of events and activities in a landmark venue. “It will provide opportunities for creative and digital businesses and independent food and drinks businesses. “We have listened to feedback from residents and we’re pleased that we’re now at this stage, as we look forward to launching the venue later this year.”
The Wakefield Exchange will provide new events space to attract visitors into the city centre on a permanent basis. The venue will create jobs in the catering sector and there will also be business spaces on offer to small and medium digital and creative businesses, enabling Wakefield Exchange to play its part in the regeneration of the city centre. The £7.7 million transformation, which is being supported by funding from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, will also provide skills training opportunities for local residents and workspace to attract new creative businesses into the city centre.