Leeds-based digital marketing agency Present Works is creating new jobs and expanding its services after receiving a six-figure funding investment.
Founded in 2018 by Brett Jacob and Peter Lowes, Present Works is a Business-to-Business communication specialist, delivering a wide range of marketing and media solutions to a range of clients.
The investment to support its growth has been provided from NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, which is managed by FW Capital and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
This is the second round of investment secured from the Fund after Present Works received £100,000 in growth capital investment to fund a move to larger premises and create new jobs in Leeds in 2020.
This latest round of funding is helping to create two jobs and develop a new performance marketing service for the agency’s client base. This will enable clients to track and evaluate the effectiveness of their marketing activities.
Brett Jacob, founder and Managing Director at Present Works, said: “FW Capital have supported Present Works from our early days. Their financial and professional support have assisted in the development and broadening of our B2B marketing offer to our client base. We are excited for our plans for next year and beyond and grateful to FW Capital for their continued backing and belief in our business.”
Dave Hawkins, portfolio executive at FW Capital, said: “Present Works has a dynamic management team who are focused on driving forward the business and providing exceptional creative and digital marketing services to their impressive list of clients. I’m delighted to see the progress the business has made since the first round of funding from FW Capital and excited to continue to support their growth journey.”
Farm Electronics Ltd consolidates Grantham operation onto just one site
Dutch-owned Farm Electronics Ltd, which makes ventilation and refrigeration crop storage equipment, has moved from two sites in Grantham to just one on the town’s Mallard Business Park on Trent Road.
The new premises give the engineering firm almost 16,000 sq ft of warehouse and office accommodation on its own independent site within Park’s wider secure and gated setting.
Mallard Business Park is managed by Grantham Estates, which manages more than 200 properties across the East Midlands and Eastern region.
There are four units in total at Mallard Business Park where Farm Electronics Ltd joins operators and distributors from a range of sectors, including stone & porcelain tiling, sewing & crafting, and clothing care tools & accessories.
Adam Fryer, Commercial Director at Farm Electronics, said: “Our search had been low key for the past couple of years. While not retained as our agent, when Eddisons alerted us to availability at Mallard Business Park and brokered the introduction to Grantham Estates, it became clear that Unit 1 was the obvious location for the next phase of our planned business growth – which already sees us adding two new recruits this month to our current headcount of 13.”
James Moore, Estates Manager at Grantham Estates, added: “The park’s proximity to the A1 is one of its strongest features and, as such, Unit 1 attracted a number of enquiries after we began to market it last spring.
“However, following Eddisons introducing Farm Electronics to us, it was clear that this firm was in the best position to become the new tenant. That negotiations proceeded swiftly from there and concluded before the end of the year is a testament to the professionalism and focus of all parties involved.”
Former Leeds council official joins Eddison’s in new role as head of sustainability
Property consultancy Eddisons has appointed Nazar Soofi, former head of decarbonisation at Leeds City Council, to the new role of head of sustainability and decarbonisation.
The move marks a major strategic hire for the company as it launches its own sustainability centre of excellence, based at its Leeds head offices. Headed by Soofi, the new centre will act as a hub to provide leading-edge advice on carbon reduction and environmental best practice across the public and private sectors.
Credited with delivering the £50m decarbonisation programme at Leeds City Council that has become a global benchmark for sustainable urban development, Soofi has led the transformation of more than 80 sites in the city since 2021, including Leeds Town Hall, Civic Hall and Central Library, transitioning them from fossil fuels reliance to renewable energy.
Mr Soofi said: “I’m really excited to take on this new role with Eddisons, which as a business is ahead of the curve on sustainability. My appointment is testament to the fact that they are fully committed to supporting their clients to realising their net zero ambitions.
“The new centre of excellence will be an accessible one stop shop providing practical advice on anything from a cradle to grave project to troubleshooting, and the most practical ways to achieve sustainability aims. I am looking forward to working with private and public sector organisations and steering sustainable and environmentally conscious practices right across the UK.”
Anthony Spencer, Eddisons managing partner, said: “Naz is a leading light in the field of decarbonisation and sustainability and we are absolutely thrilled that he is joining Eddisons, where his contribution will enable us to make a step change in the services we can offer our clients in providing the very best advice and practical assistance on sustainability.
“We are passionate about sustainability and there is huge and growing demand from our clients for advice on best practice in this area. Headed by Naz, our new centre of excellence will be a ground-breaking facility that will act as a beacon in the progress to net zero.”
Harrogate agency wins award as top PR company
Harrogate-based sustainability communications consultancy Ethical Team Public Relations has been voted Specialist PR Agency of the Year in the Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2023/24.
The Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2023/24, dedicated to celebrating the achievements of SMEs, has acknowledged the Ethical Team for its outstanding contribution to supporting responsible businesses and propelling the narrative of sustainability communications.
Ethical Team founder Iain Patton said: “The success of Ethical Team PR stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to authentic brand news narratives while simultaneously fostering social equity and environmental sustainability.
“Our approach provides businesses with a flexible, ‘outside-in solution’ for purpose-driven organisations, enhancing their capacity to amplify their stories globally online and in broadcast media on vital topics such as climate change, science, health, and environmental challenges”.
UK Atomic Energy authority plans development of West Burton power station near Gainsborough
Thousands of jobs could be created in the wake of Bassetlaw District Council’s decision to approve the first stages of plans for a multi-billion-pound project transforming West Burton power station site to support the development of the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant.
It’s the STEP Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production – or STEP – programme, and it’s being ld by the UK Atomic Energy Authority
Bassetlaw District Council has approved plans for the first temporary building to be constructed on site, Coucnil leader James Naish said: “Delivering a prototype fusion energy plant at West Burton will bring massive investment to the area and is a game changer for our local economy.
“The granting of our first planning permission to the UKAEA and the first planning permission for new construction on the STEP site is a significant milestone for the Council. I look forward to more applications coming forward as the project continues to develop at West Burton over the next two decades.”
The temporary building will house project staff as they work on the plans to deliver a prototype fusion energy power station to prepare for future production of low carbon energy.
Fusion energy has great potential to deliver a safe and virtually limitless source of clean electricity, based on the same processes that power the sun.
James Cowan, Director of Programme Development for STEP as part of UKAEA Group said: “It’s going to be our first UKAEA base in North Nottinghamshire, and a location from which we can fulfil our vision of delivering a prototype fusion plant that moves us towards commercial viability.
“We are pleased to be working with Bassetlaw District Council on this programme of national significance. I hope this will be the first of many planning approvals in the future, helping us to collectively deliver social and economic benefits to the area.”
Rotherham-based printer commits £5m investment to create book binding division
Rotherham-based online printer instantprint is investing more than £5m in its latest factory upgrade with the creation of a book binding division.
Co-founder James Kinsella said: “The print market is highly competitive and to support our customers with high-quality books that make them look exceptional, we knew we need to invest in our factory to ensure that we can produce books at the highest quality and lowest unit cost. The first Landa press has fitted seamlessly into our workflow and has given us a lot more flexibility around what we can offer to our customers.”
“The area that the Landa is making the biggest impact is in booklet work, perfect bound books for example are printed as blocks and then run through our Kolbus KM600. The Landa has enabled much faster turnarounds as well as opening a wider range of materials that traditionally were only available on litho quantities.”
The launch and investment of the division has come directly from customer feedback. The printing giant is focusing heavily on guaranteed quality from their team of expert book makers with almost six decades of book printing experience and some of the worlds most advanced printing presses on hand.
The company has ordered a second printing press to bolster its operations in luxury and lay flat book printing, as well as stitched and perfect bound booklets – some of the fastest growing segments of the business.
As part of a broader £5m investment in its book printing division, the new seven-colour Landa S10P press will significantly enhance instantprint’s production capacity. The press will be integrated alongside the existing S10P in the instantprint workflow allowing a seamless flow from customer upload and approval through to printed sheets on the floor.
Grade II listed Leeds landmark sold
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has sold the iconic, Grade II listed, Oxford Place former Methodist Mission in Leeds city centre’s Civic Quarter.
With a history dating back to the early 1800s, the former chapel extends to over 33,000 sq ft and provides an opportunity for expansion and development. It is located on Westgate, immediately adjacent to the Grade I Listed Leeds Town Hall.
Planning consent had been granted for two different boutique hotel schemes, but the purchaser is likely to pursue a residential scheme.
The property has been acquired by Samara Properties Ltd, a Leeds-based investor and developer with several completed schemes around The Headrow and Westgate/Park Square areas of Leeds city centre.
Richard Corby, Senior Director & Head of Leeds Office at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “We are excited to have disposed of this outstanding opportunity to acquire a striking, large and historic city centre asset with significant redevelopment potential. The regeneration of Oxford Place will provide a scheme of huge benefit to both Leeds city centre and the public realm.”
Harry Albazie, Director at Samara Properties, said: “We are thrilled to embark on the redevelopment journey of Oxford Place, an iconic Grade II listed building in the heart of Leeds. The potential for residential development aligns with our commitment to thoughtful urban renewal contributing to the city’s vibrant landscape.”
LSH acted on behalf of the Managing Trustees of the Methodist Church. Revd Kerry Tankard, Chair of the Yorkshire West Methodist District, said: “Oxford Place served Methodism in Leeds City Centre for over 185 years. It provided a space for worship, social engagement and enterprise, advice, and counselling.
“However, the changing needs of the city, and the work of Methodism, mean that it is the right time to let go of this building and instead invest the resources in our work through Leeds Sanctuary, the new shape of the Methodist Church in Leeds City Centre.
“Through Leeds Sanctuary we create spaces of hospitality, wellbeing, activism and craftivism, and enable people to think differently about their faith. Oxford Place was an important part of who we were, and it will help us as we move forward in the great city of Leeds.”
Casa by Moda acquires 100 Doncaster homes
Casa by Moda has acquired 100 Doncaster homes which will now be available for rent as part of a wider mixed-residential masterplan with Albemarle Homes.
Casa at Westmoor Grange will have homes ranging from two to four-bedrooms. This family rental housing model differs to the traditional private landlord model, providing residents with long-term security and a range of lifestyle and wellbeing benefits.
The homes also include highly responsive home technology – including Utopi’s smart home sensors, which allow residents to control and monitor their living environment from room temperature, to air quality, to light pollution. The homes also benefit from additional sustainable elements, with solar PV panels and EV charging points available.
Casa at Westmoor Grange is located on the outskirts of Armthorpe.
Sarah Nelson, Director of Operations at Casa by Moda, said: “Casa at Westmoor Grange is our second neighbourhood in Yorkshire and will deliver the same high standard of renting as our previous neighbourhood at Casa, Abbey Court in Leeds – not only in terms of quality, but also being able to offer residents leases of up to three years, something unheard of in the traditional rental market.
“During the current period of economic uncertainty, we believe it’s important to be able to provide our residents a security of tenancy that can only come from our long-term approach.
“With demand for rental accommodation remaining high, our approach as a long-term owner and operator is to create not only high quality, sustainable homes, but new communities that go beyond bricks and mortar by actively supporting the wellbeing of our residents.
“As they join the existing Westmoor Grange community, we look forward to welcoming the very first Casa residents to the neighbourhood in the Summer.”
Darryl Barker, Managing Director at Albemarle Homes, said: “Our ethos, and the reason Albemarle Homes was established, is to provide quality built properties that become a home from the very start.
“Our Albemarle Standard is what sets us apart and we’re pleased that Casa by Moda has identified this and made the decision to incorporate a number of our Westmoor Grange homes into its unique private rented portfolio.
“We feel it is important that consumers are given a range of options to meet their own individual circumstances and support this alternative choice.”
AMRC forms partnership with Productive Machines
Productive Machines has joined the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) as a new member, with the aim of helping to increase productivity and reduce carbon emissions in manufacturing.
Productive Machines, a Software as a Service (SaaS) and AMRC spin-out company, specialises in AI-based technology designed to reduce waste and optimise machining processes through easy-to-use solutions replacing trial and error processes for big and small engineering companies.
The partnership between the AMRC and Productive Machines signifies a strategic alignment of expertise in the pursuit of precision engineering. As the newest Tier 2 member of the AMRC, Productive Machines brings its wealth of knowledge and disruptive technologies to the collaborative table, contributing significantly to the AMRC’s mission of driving net zero manufacturing.
Dr Erdem Ozturk, CEO of Productive Machines, expressed enthusiasm about joining the AMRC community. He said: “We have a special bond as a spin-out of the AMRC and we are thrilled to join this partnership and again become a part of the AMRC.
“This collaboration provides us with unique opportunities to promote techniques such as digital tap testing and to accelerate machine tool process optimisation contributing to shaping the future of advanced manufacturing.”
Matt Farnsworth, commercial director for the AMRC, said: “As a spin out from the AMRC’s machining dynamics research team, we are extremely proud of the success of Productive Machines and absolutely delighted to have them joining the AMRC’s industrial partner network.
“We feel they have unique technology differentiation within the field of machining dynamics optimisation and modelling that provides a huge opportunity for further collaboration within the AMRC network and perfectly compliments our other technology providing members in this space.”
Leeds’ 75Media acquires London-based iQ OOH
Leeds’ 75Media has acquired London-based iQ OOH, making it one of the fastest-growing out-of-home roadside networks in the UK.
75Media has incorporated iQ’s 81 digital panels into its own portfolio and all of its employees, including iQ founders Tim de Monte and David Peters, will transition into the newly expanded organisation.
iQ was founded in 2021, by De Monte and Peters, both former directors at Global. Specialising in digital billboards, the deal will see 75Media almost double its current offering of digital large format roadside locations.
The company will now operate over 200 digital billboards in a range of large and ultra large formats across the UK and moves the business towards its vision of becoming the number one roadside OOH network.
Alongside a growing portfolio of 300 large format classic paper billboards, 75Media now has over 500 sites spanning the UK, from Aberdeen in the North to Bournemouth in the South.
Paul Inman, Managing Director at 75Media, said: “We’re very excited to be welcoming Tim, David and the iQ team to 75Media. With their impressive expertise in the industry, and their track record working with the agency sector, it makes perfect strategic sense to bring iQ into the 75Media fold, as our skills, specialisms and sites ideally complement each other.
“This deal is significant as it firmly places 75Media within the top six OOH networks in the UK, and we don’t intend to stop there. Given where we started three years ago, we’ve worked hard to grow in a way that is sustainable, doesn’t compromise our levels of service, and drives significant value for our investors.
“We welcome working with businesses directly as well as with agencies, and that is demonstrated by our mission to become the number one network for brands in the UK.
“For us, that means high quality sites, strong customer service, supporting clients with planning and measurement and generally making the case for OOH as a hugely effective advertising medium for brands of all types. Bringing iQ on board takes us one step further on that journey.”
Tim de Monte added: “We can see the strength that combining our businesses will bring and look forward to connecting the teams together. Overall, we’re tremendously excited about the proposition we’re evolving in the market and I look forward to bringing an increasingly strong offering to our specialists and agencies.”
75Media now employs 35 people, with its HQ in Leeds and colleagues based in major cities across the UK.
