CPP Group to close Leeds office

Tess Egginton
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CPP Group to close Leeds office
CPP Group, which creates assistance solutions for insurance and financial services companies, is set to close its Leeds office as it looks to “streamline” the company.

CPP Group has announced a reorganisation of its leadership team and a set of cost reduction measures which it says are “designed to streamline the Group and align overheads with the Group’s new size and focus.”

It follows the completion of a Change Management Programme (CMP) and the disposals of CPP Turkey and CPP India.

Simon Pyper is set to step down as CEO and will assume the role of chief financial officer & managing director of legacy operations. He is expected to leave the Group during 2026.

David Bowling (chief financial officer) and Eleanor Sykes (chief operating officer), meanwhile, will step down from the board and their executive roles but will continue, in a non-executive capacity, with responsibilities for Homecare Insurance Limited, the Group’s captive run-off insurance business. They will oversee its operations and orderly closure.

Brian Barter has been appointed CEO of Blink, the Group’s parametric InsurTech business, and will join the Group board.

Making significant cost reductions, the business is lowering Board costs, closing the Leeds office, and making other central savings.

The various actions taken by the Group in recent years is expected to see central costs come down from £10.1m in 2023 to a run rate in the region of £2.5m per year, following the most recent round of cost cutting.

David Morrison, chairman, said: “This reorganisation simplifies and streamlines the Group’s senior management structure, reducing aggregate central cost whilst focusing on the requirements of Blink and the management of the legacy operations.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Simon, David and Eleanor for their outstanding service and contribution to the Company. Simon took over as CEO early in 2022 and has been responsible for instigating and executing the strategy that has led to the exit from the legacy holdings in Turkey and India and refocusing the Group on Blink.

“David played a critical role in the financial management of the Group in the same period and for executing the Group’s legacy disposals, including those most recently in Turkey and India, and Eleanor has made a noteworthy contribution to the operational effectiveness of all aspects of the Group.

“In the period in which they have been in their respective roles, the Group has been transformed in terms of strategic clarity and objectives and operational discipline, and I am pleased that each of them will continue, in different capacities, to be involved with the Group for a while to come.

“On a personal note, I would like to record my thanks to each of them for the role that they have played and to wish them every success in the future.”

Grants awarded to eight Leeds projects driving growth and innovation through training and support

Tess Egginton
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Grants awarded to eight Leeds projects driving growth and innovation through training and support
Funding has been confirmed for eight Leeds projects that will help people from a diverse range of backgrounds make the most of their business skills and ideas.
The projects will see various organisations delivering training, mentoring and other support to new and established businesses as well as prospective entrepreneurs. This work, it is hoped, will drive growth and innovation by providing valuable insights into everything from financial literacy and marketing to artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technological solutions to environmental issues. The knowledge-sharing projects are being backed by a new grants programme, managed locally by Leeds City Council and financed by central government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Dozens of organisations – from the public, private and third sectors – submitted their own individually-devised project proposals to the council earlier this year in the hope of securing a grant from the programme. Now, the successful applicants have been chosen. Grants ranging from £25,000 to £36,000 are being awarded to the following organisations:
  • Unity Property Services, which will offer workshops, mentoring and networking events for pre-start, early-stage and established businesses, with a focus on empowering members of disadvantaged and underrepresented communities in Leeds;
  • Trust Leeds, which will run a programme of enterprise support – covering areas such as financial literacy and marketing – that aims to help entrepreneurs, particularly women, start and develop viable micro-businesses;
  • Future Transformation, which will deliver AI workshops and youth innovation bootcamps as well as ‘challenge labs’ where participants will co-create tech-driven solutions to environmental issues;
  • Come Play With Me, which will seek to strengthen Leeds’ music sector infrastructure by running a training and mentoring programme for creative entrepreneurs, especially those from marginalised communities;
  • Startling, which will offer practical and personalised innovation guidance and business support via a combination of peer-to-peer learning, one-to-one mentoring and themed masterclasses;
  • SHINE, which will give expert business advice to female entrepreneurs through a programme of workshops, mentoring and networking as well as the use of a new AI-enabled community platform;
  • Offploy, which will provide support such as business skills training and e-learning access to people who might otherwise face barriers – like long-term joblessness or mental health challenges – on their route to traditional employment;
  • FinTech North, which will run a programme of mentoring, peer-led learning and leadership development for underrepresented entrepreneurs and early-career professionals, with an emphasis on financial technology and adjacent sectors.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “These grants are a great example of how the council can support people from different local communities as they look to carve out their own niche in the world of business. “We were delighted with the response we received to our call for applications earlier this year, with the chosen projects being perfectly placed to deliver top-level learning, mentoring and other activity. “The work being done by the projects won’t just help individual businesses, it can benefit Leeds as a whole through the creation of jobs and the cementing of the city’s already impressive reputation as a centre for innovation. “Whether you’re running a business or have future entrepreneurial ambitions, we’re proud to be doing our bit to ensure you have the right tools, skills and opportunities for achieving success.”

North Defence expands into European vehicle production

April Lara
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North Defence expands into European vehicle production

North Fire has rebranded as North Defence and opened a new European headquarters and production facility in Luxembourg, less than two years after launching its Yorkshire manufacturing plant. The expansion positions the company to meet growing demand for light military and rapid response vehicles across the EU.

The Luxembourg facility has been commissioned and staffed with local engineers. Orders for EU-based defence organisations are already in production at the site. The Yorkshire plant will remain the centre of excellence for the company’s firefighting vehicle division, now able to incorporate advanced military technologies into its designs.

North Defence has leveraged military experience across its workforce. Many team members are former British Army engineers, a factor cited as central to the company’s vehicle development capabilities. Major (retired) Mark Gresty has been appointed general manager of the Luxembourg operation, bringing extensive operational and leadership experience.

The rebrand reflects North Defence’s combined expertise in military and civilian rapid response vehicles, aiming to streamline design, production, and deployment across Europe.

Huddersfield Town gains full control of Accu Stadium

April Lara
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Huddersfield Town gains full control of Accu Stadium

Huddersfield Town has completed the takeover of Accu Stadium, securing full ownership and operational control of the venue and surrounding site. Previously, the stadium had been managed through a joint venture, Kirklees Stadium Development Limited (KSDL), with Huddersfield Town holding 40%, Kirklees Council 40%, and Huddersfield Giants 20% since the stadium’s opening in 1994.

The club has signed a 300-year leasehold for the site, with existing KSDL staff now employed by Huddersfield Town. Huddersfield Giants will remain at the stadium as tenants in 2026 under a separate agreement.

The move allows Huddersfield Town to manage stadium operations independently, pursue infrastructure improvements, and explore wider commercial opportunities. The club has already undertaken significant upgrades to the venue during 2024 and 2025, positioning the stadium as both a football venue and a potential destination for broader developments.

This acquisition marks the first time Huddersfield Town has held complete control of its home ground, providing a platform for future investment, operational efficiency, and revenue growth.

Northern Powerhouse Rail plans postponed again

April Lara
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Northern Powerhouse Rail plans postponed again

The revival of Northern Powerhouse Rail has been delayed, with no announcement forthcoming at the upcoming Labour Party conference.

Plans for a high-speed link between Liverpool and Manchester remain under extended review due to concerns over long-term costs. 

The project, first proposed in 2014, aims to reduce travel times between northern cities and support regional economic growth outside London.

Previous announcements were expected during the June Spending Review, the government’s infrastructure strategy, and the publication of key infrastructure pipelines, but none have materialised.

Changes to the project have been made under successive governments. The rail line was central to a wider “Northern corridor” regeneration strategy. Key ministers who supported the initiative are no longer in office.

Glenbrook acquires Leeds industrial property for £3.55m

April Lara
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Glenbrook acquires Leeds industrial property for £3.55m

Glenbrook Investments has purchased 1–4 Whitehall Industrial Estate in Leeds from Glenstone REIT for £3.55 million. The 40,000 sq ft warehouse sits 3.5 miles from Leeds city centre and is fully leased to Just Trays Ltd, a shower tray designer and manufacturer, with rent of £286,000 per year secured until June 2029.

The estate hosts multiple industrial occupiers and offers transport links via Junction 1 of the M621, providing access to the M1 and M62. Just Trays, acquired by Kartell in 2019, has expanded its manufacturing and international distribution since its takeover.

The deal follows Glenbrook’s recent Leeds activity, including the sale of 5–6 Commercial Street and lettings at St Albions to a flexible office operator. Northcap advised Glenbrook on investment and occupational matters, with Brabners providing legal due diligence. M1 and Knights acted for Glenstone REIT.

Hull firm sold to fast-growing employment screening specialist

Tess Egginton
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Hull firm sold to fast-growing employment screening specialist
Agenda Screening Services has been sold to Veremark, a technology-driven background screening and credential verification platform. Established in 1996 and based in Hull, Agenda is a provider of background employment screening services, serving clients across sectors including life sciences, security and education. In a transaction advised on by Joe Norris, KBS Associate Corporate Director, Agenda joins forces with Veremark, which supports global hiring with solutions ranging from reference and identity checks to continuous screening and blockchain-based career passports. The partnership is expected to generate an extended footprint across Europe and beyond, with enhanced operational capabilities to meet growing client demands at scale. Founded in London in 2019, Veremark has over 6,000 clients, including global brands in fintech, energy and professional services. “This deal creates a combined entity that is bigger, with deep global reach and sector expertise; better, with leading technology and more integrations; and driven by the desire to build the best global service and candidate experience,” said Daniel Callaghan, Veremark’s CEO. Chris Withers, Managing Director of Agenda Screening Services, said: “We are proud of the trusted relationships we have built over the past 29 years. By joining forces with Veremark, we can continue to offer the same personal and flexible service our clients value, while giving them access to faster, smarter and more global capabilities.” KBS Corporate’s Joe Norris said: “I’m really pleased with the outcome of this transaction. I believe Veremark is an ideal partner for Agenda Screening Services and I’m sure the combined business will continue to go from strength to strength, while allowing Agenda Resource Management to focus on its core activities.”

Sheffield Forgemasters appoints installer for UK’s largest open-die forging press

Tess Egginton
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Sheffield Forgemasters appoints installer for UK’s largest open-die forging press
Sheffield Forgemasters has appointed Swiss forging specialist Presstrade Technologies GmbH to install the UK’s largest open-die forging press. Presstrade will oversee installation of a 13,000 tonne press and 450mt manipulator, built by Mitsubishi Nagasaki Machinery Mfg. Co. Ltd. (MNM), into a brand-new new Forge Building on Sheffield Forgemasters’ site on Brightside Lane in Sheffield. The complex assembly requires a team of engineers from Presstrade to provide all material specifications for the project, delivery of logistics and lifting plans, and installation of the press, manipulator, and tool-change manipulator. Craig Fisher, programmes director at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “There are very few forge engineering specialists with the experience to install a press of this size, so we are delighted that Presstrade has secured the contract to build our new Heavy Forging Press. “The project will require Presstrade to move more than 8,500 tonnes of components from a secure storage facility and manage the whole assembly of the press, prior to it being commissioned by MNM.” The press itself will be installed on a deep-piled concrete base and is serviced by a 450mt rail-bound manipulator to handle the large ingots, with an adjacent tool manipulator to automate tool changes. Peter Bierhalter – owner and managing director of Presstrade, said: “Sheffield Forgemasters is installing a highly capable 13,000 tonne forging press, which is a complex construction. “Presstrade has more than 30 years of experience in the installation of similar forging equipment and we look forward to delivering on this key project.” The forging press is part of a £1.3 billion recapitalisation programme to underpin the MOD-owned company’s manufacture for UK and Allied defence programmes and will be complemented by a brand-new 30,000 sq m machining hall. The press installation is scheduled to begin in July 2027 and is estimated to take 12 months to complete.

Investment in Keighley’s high-growth sectors outlined as a priority

Tess Egginton
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0
Investment in Keighley’s high-growth sectors outlined as a priority
Investment in Keighley to support high-growth sectors including advanced manufacturing, engineering and technology will be outlined as a priority, in a report to be put before Bradford Council’s Executive Committee.
External public funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) of £73.4m has been secured via three streams towards delivering this ambition which will bring together industry and research, attracting new businesses and supporting the expansion of existing businesses. 
Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, transport and planning, councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “This level of investment in Keighley truly is transformational and the impressive work which has already been delivered through the Keighley Towns Fund, such as the successful redevelopment of Providence Park, shows what we are able to achieve.  
“I would like to thank the Keighley Towns Fund Board for their work creating the vision for the town and supporting the delivery of all these fantastic projects. 
“We are now looking to definitively shape the long-term programmes for the Plan for Neighbourhoods and Levelling Up streams of funding, on projects which will no doubt also attract private-sector investment to the town. 
“This is an exciting time for Keighley with the funding to bring about tangible change and increased long-term opportunities for local people.”
The funding streams include: 
  • Towns Fund (£33.6m) – This funding is to drive sustainable economic regeneration and productivity across the UK. This investment is already delivering improvements to Keighley town centre and providing jobs and training opportunities, alongside wider cultural and social benefits for the local area.  
  • Plan for Neighbourhoods (PfN £20m) – Funding over a period of 10 years has been confirmed to create thriving places, stronger communities and empower decision-making for the town. A 10-year Regeneration Plan and 4-year Investment Plan will be submitted to the MHCLG before the 28th November 2025. Public consultation that was undertaken in 2024 highlighted three key themes: Regeneration, High Streets & Heritage; Safety & Security; and Transport. 
  • Levelling Up 3 (LUF3 £19.8m) – In agreement with MHCLG this money has been ringfenced for key projects. Of these which is currently underway is a significant investment in the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) including £2m for Keighley Signalling at the North end of the line, £2m for a Diesel Multiple Unit & Rail Car Depot & Workshop as well as £1m for an Oxenhope Head Shunt (new sidings at the railway) at the South end of line. 

Sheffield launches strategic plan to boost skills and employment

April Lara
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0
Sheffield launches strategic plan to boost skills and employment

Sheffield has introduced a new Employment and Skills Strategic Plan aimed at improving access to jobs, training, and career development across the city. The plan responds to growing business activity, a rising population, and increasing workforce skills, while addressing high levels of economic inactivity among working-age residents.

Developed with local government, businesses, education providers, and community organisations, the plan focuses on creating a more equitable and sustainable economy. Its initiatives include enhanced careers guidance for young people, expanded apprenticeships, support for those who have been out of work, and skills development in digital and green sectors.

The strategy outlines three primary objectives. First, it aims to stimulate economic growth by linking talent with local opportunities and promoting upskilling and career advancement. Second, it aims to reduce inequality in the labour market by improving access to training, employment, and fair workplaces.

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