Chamber AGM takes place in mood of ‘cautious optimism’
Cautious optimism was the theme of the AGM of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce at The Great Victoria Hotel in Bradford.
Chaired by Amanda Beresford of Schofield Sweeney, the thirty-minute meeting delved into how the Chamber has performed over the past twelve months – both in a financial sense and the physical work performed by Chamber members.
The annual report, produced by James Mason, chief executive of the WNY Chamber, discusses the many achievements of the Chamber and the progress which has been made over the past year.
This report was adopted by the Chamber members at the AGM unanimously and Amanda further noted that, despite recent challenges arising from political upheaval, interest rates and inflation, “optimism levels remain higher in Yorkshire than the national average and businesses are showing little sign of looking to reduce head counts.”
Elsewhere within the meeting, sixteen individuals, nominated by local representative groups were appointed as non-executive directors of the West & North Yorkshire Chamber. These individuals included Amanda and James, in addition to Laurence Beardmore, Chris Black, Mike Briffett, Aquila Choudhry, Mark Cowgill, Sarah Czarnecki, Rebecca Fitzgerald, Kerry Hope, Scott Jenkins, Nasreen Karim, Dan Murray, Craig Thomson, Victoria Wainwright and Suzanne Watson. Following this appointment, Chamber members were asked to accept members of each of the three area representative groups (the Bradford Chamber Leadership Group, the York & North Yorkshire Chamber Leadership Group, and the Leeds Chamber Leadership Group).
After the AGM came the Annual Lunch, at which members got an opportunity to listen to three guest speakers: Zulfi Karim DL, West Yorkshire High Sheriff, David Kerfoot and Alison Lowe from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and then take part in an informative Q and A session.
Wren Kitchens works with University of Hull on net zero journey
Academics from the University of Hull are working with kitchen manufacturer Wren Kitchens to accelerate their journey to net zero.
The partnership will see academics from Hull University Business School use a unique supply chain carbon mapping tool, developed at the University, to help the company become more sustainable. It will also allow customers to make choices based on the carbon footprint of each kitchen item, at point of sale, offering them the chance to make more sustainable choices. Wren Kitchens and the University of Hull have secured a Knowledge Transfer Partnership from Innovate UK, to fund the two-year project. The KTP will facilitate accelerated access to this specialist expertise and knowledge within Hull University Business School. It will also enable Wren Kitchens to fully embed environmental sustainability knowledge, know-how and innovation from the University, right across their business. This will provide the foundations for an in-house sustainability team, facilitating access to new emergent eco-conscious markets globally. Lee Holmes, Logistics Director at Wren Kitchens, said: “We believe this will be an industry first and the catalyst for others in the Humber Region to take a holistic approach to their impact on society. We hope this project will deliver thought leadership to the manufacturing sector by being future-focussed beyond the ISO regulations, and take a leading role in the region to establish and develop a circular economy. “The ultimate aim is to fully embed environmental sustainability into the company beyond the project end and offer our customers a footprint calculation output into user friendly on-pack claims in the online sales ordering process for customer awareness and enhanced informed choice.” Dr Sarah Shaw, Reader in Logistics & Supply Chain Management at the University, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with Wren Kitchens on this exciting, innovative research project. The KTP will enable Wren Kitchens to have capacity and capability to baseline their supply chain carbon footprint and make this data available to customers and to drive carbon inset improvement decisions.” In order to ensure sustainability remains at the heart of the company, two senior members of staff will study PhDs on the theme of sustainability, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to being a forward thinking and research driven business that wants to embrace cutting edge research and knowledge.CATCH announces plan for £60m training facility at Stallingborough
CATCH has announced ambitious plans to develop a £60M state-of-the-art training facility capable of training 1,000 apprentices a year by 2029.
The facility would be at its Stallingborough HQ, and aims to tackle the engineering construction skill shortages anticipated in the Humber cluster and across the UK.
In anticipation of a series of Net Zero projects set to start as early as next year, a significant demand for skilled labour is said to be on the horizon. These projects are projected to generate a potential 20,000 new industrial jobs, necessitating an unprecedented, rapid upscaling of the existing skills pipelines. Following initial funding support from key industrial sponsors, and CATCH members Phillips 66 Limited, Harbour Energy, and VPI Power, CATCH has developed plans for the future training centre expansion needed to deliver 1000 new learners per year by 2029. Developing towards a future final investment decision, CATCH plans to continue to build broad support across industry and government for this new national net zero training centre. Subject to further partner engagement and planning permission, the new facility is planned to house a national net zero conference and learning centre, bespoke classrooms and workshops for electrical, instrumentation, mechanical technical skills, a welding and fabrication hub with an impressive 160 welding bays, and a UK first of kind outdoor Process Unit Training Module to enable a real process site experience in a safe environment for all trade skills. In addition, provisions cater for enhanced car parking facilities and a dedicated CATCH regional bus infrastructure to help get talented apprentices to the site from across the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire regions. CATCH CEO David Talbot said: “Our phased strategy ensures a sustainable expansion of apprenticeship numbers, targeting the training of 1,000 apprentices annually by 2029. “The backbone of this initiative’s success will be the support from the industrial supply chain. Many companies understandably are waiting to assess the skills landscape before committing to expanding or creating new apprenticeship vacancies. Our proposed new facility helps to mitigate this risk, with dedicated support from the CATCH team, the industrial supply chain can be confident that together we can ensure that the skills pipeline is sustainable for the low carbon future. “It’s a complex picture, and we realise that we cannot do this alone, we all need to pull together as a region, to solve one of the biggest challenges to deploying the net zero infrastructure. This tabled investment represents a vital piece in the puzzle of the UK’s decarbonisation journey. Central to CATCH’s vision is the cultivation of the next generation of skilled highly paid labour. Through their dedicated schools’ engagement team, CATCH aims to tap into the local communities, shedding light on STEM career paths and fuelling aspirations. “Our mission is clear: to inspire and educate the industry’s future craftspeople. The UK’s path to net zero starts with today’s youth, and we’re here to ensure they have the resources, skills, and opportunities to lead the way.” Paul Fursey, Lead Executive UK and Humber Refinery General Manager said: “To build the infrastructure required to deliver net zero for the UK, we need to invest in creating the skilled workforce of tomorrow. CATCH’s new Net Zero Training Centre will become a hub of excellence, demonstrating how the UK can increase the knowledge and skills needed to deliver the net zero targets. Through support from Phillips 66 Limited and our fellow delivery sponsors, Harbour Energy and VPI, local industry support, and local schools and colleges, we believe we can make a powerful difference to inspire the next generation of welders, pipefitters, mechanical fitters, platers, scaffolders and much more.”Wakefield Trinity to be acquired by Matt Ellis of DIY-Kitchens
An agreement has been reached, subject to legal completion, for rugby club Wakefield Trinity to be acquired by Matt Ellis of DIY-Kitchens.
John Minards, chairman, said: “I am delighted that we have reached agreement with Matt for this deal to go through following months of discussions and working together through what has been a very difficult time on the field. Please join me in welcoming Matt and his family as the next custodians of the institution that is Wakefield Trinity.
“Despite the disappointment of relegation, the club is in a great position for success in the near term. The East Stand is almost open for business and its completion marks the end of a significant phase of our stadium redevelopment, following the new floodlights, screen and playing surface as well as the rebuilding of the North Stand.
“In addition, our recent submission to the RFL in respect of Grading contains very positive metrics, particularly in the areas of financial strength and fandom. Put together with the impact of the new facilities which will be included in 2024, we anticipate a very favourable outcome when Grading comes in for the 2025 season.
“There are so many reasons to be positive and optimistic about the future of our great club – just read what Matt Ellis has to say!”
Matt said: “I have been working with Michael and John over the past few months regarding the takeover of the club and now terms have been agreed and the deal is at the final stage I feel it is appropriate to write a statement to our loyal supporters.
“I am sure just like myself and everyone associated with the club you are feeling deeply saddened by the club ultimately failing to maintain Super League status for the first time since 1999.
“This is not through a lack of effort from Mark Applegarth but ultimately we haven’t been good enough.
“We now need to move on to the next chapter in the club’s history, it is my intention to complete the takeover of the club in the next 14 days.
“I have supported the club since going to watch a game at Oakwell in 1999 where we successfully beat St Helens. I have always been a sports fanatic but since that game Rugby League was the game for me and Trin were the team for me. I am originally from Barnsley but I have lived in the Wakefield area since 2010.
“The journey of owning the club in my mind really started in 2020 when my company DIY Kitchens agreed to become the club’s main kit sponsor. Ultimately ASUS came back in and the deal fell through but ever since then it has been in my mind to takeover the club. 2020 wasn’t the right time due to work commitments but when Micheal expressed a desire to leave the club earlier this year I felt the timing was right this time.
“My company DIY-Kitchens may be known to some of you but for anyone who doesn’t know we are an online kitchen retailer and manufacturer and employ 550 people in the Wakefield/Leeds postcode area.
“Enough of the back story, what you would like to know is what is next for the club and what I hope to achieve as the new owner of the club.
- Invest finances in the club to allow us to have the budget to maintain a full-time playing squad and to bounce back into Super League and then challenge to be a top 6 Super League club in the coming years.
- Create a winning culture at the club where everyone involved with club gives 100% effort.
- Appoint Daryl Powell as the new head coach on an initial 4-year deal.
- Appoint a recruitment and salary cap manager to ensure we have fully researched every new player signing for the club.
- Ensure the youth setup and youth scouting setup delivers the best players coming through the Academy/Scholarship and once they reach first team level keep them at the club.
- Attract and keep top players from both the UK market and overseas.
- Engage with the supporters and people of Wakefield to make the club the most fan oriented professional sports club in the game. A new Wakefield Trinity App is being developed and will be ready for the start of the new season.
- Enhance our work with local businesses to attract new sponsors and hopefully negotiate discounts for Trinity supporters (can’t promise this one!).
- Raise the number of supporters to fill the stadium.
- Finance/introduce monthly season ticket options to make season ticket payments easier for the supporters.
- Fully utilise the new East Stand and facilities and put on events for everyone to enjoy.
- Make the ground facilities better to improve the matchday experience.
- Ensure our youth, women’s, PDRL, LDRL and Wheelchair teams get the support required to succeed.
- Work with the Foundation to help maintain and where possible improve our community work.
Firms urged to capitalise on new electronic trade documents law
The British Chambers of Commerce says firms wanting to boost their exports and reduce costs should quickly embrace a new era of digital trade.
It made the call as the Government’s flagship Electronic Trade Documents Act finally came into force.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “Campaigners, including the BCC, have worked for years to have the Electronic Trade Documents Act passed, and its introduction is a huge milestone.
“This new era is starting in the UK, but we can also act as a beacon, leading towards further digitalisation of trade across the world. We now need to see other governments accelerating their work to digitalise border processes.
“In our Trade Manifesto, we called on the UK Government to work with business to ensure 60% of the UK’s exports are carried out digitally by the end of the decade.
“The whole Chamber Network has already risen to this challenge and has switched to using Digital Certificates of Origin for the UK.
“As more countries make the transition, we will be able to increasingly digitize our trade – making it much less bureaucratic, and leading to big savings in both costs and time.”
The Electronic Trade Documents Act gives legal status to electronic Bills of Exchange and Bills of Lading and other commercial documents.
The new legislation gained Royal Assent on July 20 this year and has just into force. It provides opportunities to digitalise international trade documents and reap efficiency benefits. It also covers trade documents such as promissory notes, warehouse receipts, marine insurance policies, and cargo insurance certificates.
Just days remain before single-use plastics ban, firms are warned
Businesses in England are being reminded by Trading Standards officials that they have until October 1st to get rid of certain single-use plastic items – or run the risk of being fined.
Businesses including takeaways, sandwich shops, and retailers will no longer be able to use a range of items including all single-use plastic cutlery, trays, plates, bowls, and balloon sticks, as well as certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers used to supply ready-to eat food.
The ban on these items will include online and over-the-counter sales and supply, items from new and existing stock, all types of single-use plastic, including biodegradable, compostable and recycled, and items wholly or partly made from plastic, including coating or lining.
It is estimated that England uses 2.7 billion items of single-use cutlery each year, and 721 million single-use plates. Only 10 per cent of these items are recycled.
Plastic pollution takes hundreds of years to break down and inflicts serious damage to our oceans, rivers and land. It is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, from the production and manufacture of the plastic itself to the way it is disposed.
It is expected that banning these items will have a significant impact in reducing plastic waste and littering in England.
New strategy for Leeds economy
Nine ‘big ideas’ to deliver inclusive growth, focusing on people, place, and productivity, have been agreed by senior councillors as part of the next phase of the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy.
The new strategy provides a framework to 2030 to tackle challenges facing Leeds and meet the council’s Best City Ambitions, including tackling poverty and inequality, poor health and meeting zero carbon commitments. This builds on the previous successful strategy that helped drive forward inclusive growth in Leeds between 2018 and 2023.
People are the cornerstone of any city’s economy, and a key theme of the strategy outlines the ambition to tackle issues surrounding poverty and inequality, a rapidly changing labour market and ensuring that education and training meets local needs reflecting the approach set out in the Leeds Future Talent Plan, which was launched last year.
Ensuring that places put people first and work for all is the second theme of the strategy. The strategy outlines how the council will invest in places and transport to deliver a sustainable economy and greener future. This will help to connect and strengthen communities by ensuring that city and local centres thrive, and ensuring jobs and homes are delivered in the right place.
This is reflected in the work surrounding the South Leeds Gateway, connecting hospital, health and life science assets at St James University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary through the city centre to Morley, with a linked pipeline of projects worth over £2billion and commitments for over 15,000 new homes.
The final theme focuses on unlocking productivity, enabling business to innovate and grow in the face of change. Delivering the council’s vision for innovation is crucial to ensuring a greener more inclusive future, and the strategy outlines how this will be achieved by backing diverse innovators and entrepreneurs with the potential to create high growth businesses.
The council will continue to invest in the city’s innovation infrastructure including the Innovation Arc, in order to create a centre of global significance. Unlocking over one million Square feet of innovation space, the arc will draw together entrepreneurs, start-ups and businesses to share ideas and increase access to capital, to accelerate growth.
Businesses will continue to be supported to become more productive and thrive in the face of change, with the strategy also outlining how the council will promote Leeds as a global destination for people to visit, live, work and invest.
Leeds has a thriving digital community, and the strategy outlines how this will be built on, by positioning Leeds as digital city and facilitating growth in the sector, by developing the required infrastructure and talent.
With the power of collaboration as a key principle, the new strategy also builds on the success of the Leeds Anchors Network made up of the city’s largest employers by extending the idea to include Business Anchors.
The Business Anchors network will bring together large business operating in Leeds committed to working together to create growth in our economy that works for everyone.
Despite the challenges of the previous five years, Leeds has already seen success in driving forward inclusive growth. With the previous strategy outlining the council’s ambitions to become the destination of choice for major UK institutions and global companies, which saw the city attracting the new UK Infrastructure Bank, Channel 4, Burberry, and Cognizant all now calling Leeds home.
The strategy is underpinned by the council’s commitment to green the economy and support businesses and the city to be more resilient and continue to thrive, as the city and council works towards zero carbon.
Speaking ahead of the strategy’s launch, Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Developing an economy that works for all is crucial to ensuring we can meet the challenges facing Leeds, from tackling poverty and inequality, to meeting the climate emergency.
“Success will require a collective effort from the public, private and third sectors in Leeds working together. I firmly believe in the power of collaboration as shown by our response to the Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crises, which highlights the impact of our ‘Team Leeds’ approach.
“The Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy and its nine ‘big ideas’ will reduce inequality in our city and help to ensure Leeds is a compassionate city with a strong economy that provides opportunities for all, while also playing our part in meeting the climate emergency.”
Large Leeds firms offered support to develop ‘inclusive growth’
Leeds City Council has launched a new network to support large businesses across Leeds to drive forward positive social outcomes and contribute to the delivery of inclusive growth across the city.
Building on the success of the Leeds Anchor Network, the council is launching Leeds Business Anchors. An initiative to bring together large businesses operating in Leeds, that are committed to working together to create growth in the Leeds economy that works for everyone.
Membership of the network is underpinned by a commitment to complete the Business Anchors Progression Framework – a tool to help businesses shape their contribution to inclusive growth across four key areas: employment, procurement, environment and assets, and corporate and community behaviours.
Developed in partnership with large businesses in Leeds the framework has been adapted from the approach used with public sector anchors and enables firms to take an ‘anchor’ perspective on their relationship with Leeds, providing them with an effective tool to measure their impact on driving forward inclusive growth.
‘Anchor’ working refers to the ways in which organisations can positively contribute to the place where they operate, strengthening the local economy, and contributing to employment, skills and health and wellbeing for local people.
Social impact is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes and the framework will provide an innovative way for business to evidence their local impact and provide a vehicle for reflection on their progress and ambitions.
Having tested the framework businesses are now coming together to form a network to identify ways they can work together to maximise their impact for Leeds.
Leeds Building Society, a key employer in the city with a significant history of delivering positive social outcomes and a founding member of the network, used the framework to sense check their responsible business strategy and ensure the progress aligned with the city’s needs and ambitions.
Wendy Carter, Responsible Business Lead at Leeds Building Society, said: “Being part of a network of organisations committed to responsible business will allow us to work together to have greater social impact in the city.”
Irwin Mitchell to acquire Silk Family Law
Irwin Mitchell is significantly expanding its family law practice in the North East of England with the acquisition of Silk Family Law.
The deal, subject to contract and SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) approval, will add to Irwin Mitchell’s national family law practice which is already one of the largest teams in the country and regularly brings complex financial separation cases to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
The deal to acquire Silk Family Law follows the news of Irwin Mitchell’s investment in Scotland-based law firm Wright, Johnston and Mackenzie earlier this month. Irwin Mitchell has also recently appointed former BBC news presenter Joanna Gosling as a mediator in the family law team.
Silk Family Law is ranked number one in the Legal 500 in the North East and operates out of Newcastle, Leeds and Richmond, North Yorkshire. It represents clients in all aspects of matrimonial and family law cases, including financial and children matters. Its specialist lawyers have expertise in dealing with complex financial issues, including business assets, farming businesses, trusts, and pensions, as well as cases with an international dimension.
Ros Bever, director of legal services, family, said: “This strategic investment will expand our expertise and reach in the North East of England, and I’m excited about our combined future. Our family law specialists work on ground-breaking cases and achieve excellent results for our clients, and we’re delighted to be welcoming the Silk Family Law team to Irwin Mitchell.”
Ian Kennerley, managing partner at Silk Family Law, said: “We’re delighted to be joining Irwin Mitchell and remain committed to providing the same specialist high quality family law advice and representation for all our clients. We share the same values for client service and excellence and look forward to benefiting from the additional resources and support which will be available to our clients on a national and international basis.”
In the past financial year Irwin Mitchell has also agreed deals to acquire asset management firms TWP Wealth and Andrews Gwynne.
Silk Family Law were advised by Armstrong Watson LLP and Harrison Clark Rickerbys Limited. Irwin Mitchell were advised by their in-house corporate partner Dan Bastide and Menzies LLP.
Woodland Group acquire Dewsbury warehouse
Woodland Group has acquired a 35,799 sq ft warehousing and distribution facility in Dewsbury.
The warehouse will add to Woodland’s existing warehouse portfolio in Yorkshire of 335,458 sq ft across its two flagship facilities in Doncaster.
This latest acquisition is a strategic move to support Woodland’s growing UK road fleet and services out of the North of England, which client demand has seen expand to include dedicated customs consultancy, extensive warehousing, sustainable supply chain and a significant surge in European distribution solutions.
Having first set up base in Yorkshire 18 years ago as a foundation to build and grow its road solutions and UK fleet from, Woodland Group started leasing the Dewsbury facility five years ago. Following continued investment into its development and optimisation, it is now a modern space out of which Woodland Group delivers full 360 supply chain management solutions.
Woodland Group’s director of Northern England, Peter Wilkinson, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to acquire our Dewsbury facility to further support our commitment to investing into the local community and opportunity for growth. Our strategic development delivers sustainable supply chain solutions for local businesses to expand, and brings international businesses into the area as a central hub to distribute across the globe.”
