Clerkenwell Health, a clinical research organisation (CRO) specialising in neurological and mental health disorders, has launched a new research site in Doncaster.
The new site, developed in partnership with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), represents a first-of-its-kind integration of commercial clinical research directly into NHS care pathways. Strategically located to serve approximately 1.4 million people across South Yorkshire, the facility brings world-class research opportunities to an underserved patient population. Clerkenwell Health has invested £750,000 into the refurbishment of unused NHS clinical space, upgrades to pharmacy and laboratory facilities, and workforce staffing and training. This includes the establishment of controlled drug capabilities and revitalisation of infrastructure to support advanced clinical trials. The initiative is expected to generate 35 new local jobs across clinical, research, and administrative roles, while also providing training opportunities and utilising local suppliers and contractors. The partnership will also deliver additional revenue to RDaSH through rent and use of facilities. Ros Jones, mayor of Doncaster, said: “This investment is a fantastic example of how Doncaster is attracting forward-thinking organisations that are committed to improving lives and creating opportunities. “Clerkenwell Health’s new site will not only bring cutting-edge treatments to our residents but also create skilled jobs and strengthen our position as a centre for health innovation. I’m proud to welcome them to our city.” Tom McDonald, CEO of Clerkenwell Health, said: “We are thrilled to have found such collaborative and forward-thinking partners in RDaSH, Business Doncaster and City of Doncaster Council. “After a year of planning, the Clerkenwell team can’t wait to bring some of the world’s most innovative research and treatments to patients in the local area. Going forwards, we believe that this partnership will create a blueprint for how commercial and public groups can collaborate to make the UK a global leader in clinical research again.”Tracy Brabin re-elected as chair of UK Mayors Group
West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin has been re-elected by her fellow metro mayors to chair the UK Mayors Group.
The election took place ahead of a meeting of the Mayoral Council for England yesterday (4 September), chaired by the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner.
Held in the East Midlands, the landmark meeting brought together England’s cross-party mayors to discuss their shared priorities for the country, including how they will work together to grow their regional economies and make life easier for working people.
The vote of confidence means that Tracy Brabin will continue to lead the collective voice of England’s directly-elected mayors – who together represent over half of the population – as they push for stronger powers and fairer funding to drive growth, improve public services, and bring decision-making closer to the people it affects.
East Midlands mayor Claire Ward was also elected as the deputy chair of the UK Mayors Group.
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire and chair of the UK Mayors Group, said: “I am honoured to have been entrusted once again by my fellow mayors to lead the UK Mayors Group.
“At a time when towns and cities across England face urgent challenges – from building affordable homes and clean power to reforming adult skills and public transport – it is vital that mayors of all political parties work together to speak with one voice, on behalf of the thirty million people we collectively represent.
“Together, we will continue to champion devolution, ensuring the decisions that affect our lives are taken closer to home, as we work together to build a brighter Britain that works for all.”
Claire Ward, mayor of the East Midlands and deputy chair of the UK Mayors Group, said: “I am honoured to be elected the Deputy Chair of UK Mayors.
“It is the forum that brings mayors together – across party lines – to bring more power to regions, and making a success of it together has never been more critical.
“I look forward to working closely with my fellow mayors, government, and local partners to ensure that devolution delivers.”
IntelliAM bolsters board with two new non executive directors
IntelliAM, a software company providing intelligent asset management solutions, has appointed Victoria Clarke Brown and Max Deeley as non-executive directors.
The strategic appointments come as the company continues to expand operations both across the UK and internationally.
Victoria Clarke Brown brings extensive experience in finance and corporate governance, having held senior leadership roles at Distinction Group Ltd and SMP Limited. A qualified accountant, Victoria, is currently a director at Sheffield-based Kitlocker. Her expertise will support IntelliAM’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
Max Deeley, also a qualified accountant, has a proven track record of identifying value-add opportunities, deal structuring and raising finance. He is the managing director of DTK Capital, a privately owned investment and development company. Max’s insights will be instrumental as IntelliAM scales its solutions to meet growing demand for AI and machine learning, particularly in the food and drink manufacturing sector.
Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Victoria and Max to the board. They have very strong leadership and corporate governance track records and will bring great value to the Company as we pursue our strategic growth initiatives.”
Evri and DHL eCommerce UK merger cleared by CMA
The UK Competition and Markets Authority has granted unconditional approval for the merger of Evri and DHL eCommerce UK. The transaction is expected to be completed promptly following all remaining regulatory approvals.
The combined entity, Evri Group, will become the UK’s largest parcel and mail delivery business. It will handle over 1 billion parcels and 1 billion letters annually, supported by a workforce of around 42,000 staff and couriers and a fleet of 8,000 vehicles. DHL eCommerce UK will rebrand as Evri Premium in 2026, maintaining a separate network for fast, secure deliveries of high-value and large items.
The merger brings together Evri’s domestic courier network and DHL eCommerce’s UK and international logistics capabilities, including an out-of-home network exceeding 150,000 global access points. The combined operations will extend Evri’s reach into UK mail services and strengthen its cross-border shipping capacity.
The new Evri Group will provide cost-effective solutions for businesses and consumers, offering flexible delivery options across domestic and international parcels, premium secure deliveries, and business mail services. The deal is expected to accelerate growth and consolidate Evri’s position in the UK logistics sector.
Grimsby-based Splash About announces acquisition and turnaround of reusable nappy brand
Grimsby-headquartered Splash About, a leader in the early years swimwear and learn-to-swim market, has announced its acquisition and turnaround of Bambino Mio, which has been at the forefront of the reusable nappy market for over 25 years.
Bambino Mio will operate as a ‘sister’ brand to Splash About, leveraging its operational expertise, innovation and strong multi-channel distribution. With a shared ethos and complementary strengths, the deal strategically positions the brands to accelerate international growth and capture a greater share of the eco-conscious parenting market.
The deal has created more investment in the area with Splash About taking on a lease for a 30,000 sq ft warehouse and office space to accommodate the new acquisition. Bambino Mio’s logistics and distribution have all been moved to Stallingborough, creating new employment and further opportunities in the region.
Splash About acquired Bambino Mio from administration in December 2024 and has spent the past 8 months implementing a focused strategy that has resulted in returning the business to profitability.
Group managing director Lesley Beach explained: “A deep dive financial diagnostic of the business identified the profit and loss drivers, which in turn resulted in a complete overhaul of the product range – returning to what Bambino Mio always did best; beautiful mix and match designs of eco-friendly developmental products.”
Lesley continued: “We have taken this starting point but gone one step further, creating an improved technical spec at reduced cost prices. We are now confident this range of reusable nappies and potty training pants are best in class in their market category – and we will be unveiling our new collection to retailers attending the Kind + Jugend Baby and Toddler International Trade Fair in Cologne this September.”
Global fintech firm’s move sees full occupancy at Leeds office destination
Catella APAM, acting on behalf of Britannia Invest A/S, has secured full occupancy at 1 City Square, Leeds.
It follows the letting of the part 6th floor to Iliad Solutions, a global technology company. The 5,854 sq ft space has been leased on a 10-year term.
Chalwe Silwizya, senior asset manager at Catella APAM, said: “We are delighted to welcome Iliad Solutions and see the building reach full occupancy, and Iliad Solutions choosing 1 City Square.
“This letting underscores the building’s strong appeal to global occupiers and reflects continued tenant demand for high-quality, Grade A office space, as the ‘flight to quality’ trend continues to drive market activity.”
Clair McGowan, director at CBRE, said: “We’re delighted to have acted on behalf of Catella APAM in securing the final letting at 1 City Square, completing the occupation of this prime Grade A office building.
“This deal underscores the enduring demand for top-tier office space in Leeds, and 1 City Square continues to set the standard for quality and location in the city.”
Santander UK backs enevo’s national expansion
enevo has secured a seven-figure revolving credit facility from Santander UK to support its national growth and strengthen client services in the built environment compliance sector. The funding marks Santander UK’s first committed investment in the company and underlines confidence in enevo’s leadership, strategy, and technical expertise.
The capital will enable enevo to invest in staff, systems, and service delivery while accelerating acquisitions of aligned consultancy and service businesses. The company is expanding teams across compliance, safety, and building control, with particular focus on Building Safety. The Building Safety division has more than doubled in size and provides regulatory oversight, technical guidance, and support for high-risk projects under the Building Safety Act. New hires bring expertise in fire safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, Gateway 1–3 submissions, Higher-Risk Building compliance, regulator engagement, documentation, and design coordination.
enevo operates from offices in Leeds, Manchester, and London, with further expansion planned in the South East and Midlands. The investment will enhance infrastructure, internal processes, and the ability to scale services nationally. Clients include Knight Frank, Torsion Projects, Eddisons, Savills, Avison Young, Caddick Construction, Esh, and JRL Group.
The company recently rebranded from C80 Group to enevo, unifying its services under a single platform to simplify client experience. The Santander UK facility supports enevo’s objective of becoming one of the largest privately owned built environment TICC companies in the UK.
Time Out: Lindsay Green, programme director at Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland
It’s Friday, and the weekend is just around the corner. That means it is time to kick up your feet and relax with some quick fire questions. This ‘Time Out’ features Lindsay Green, Yorkshire-based programme director at Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland, whose superpower, it turns out, would be super-advocacy.
What is the first thing you do to get the weekend started?
After a busy week in the day job (as a health visitor) and supporting Soroptimists as programme director, I’m drawn towards a takeaway pizza so I don’t have to cook and can have a well-deserved rest!
What is your hobby?
My role as a Soroptimist originally spanned from a hobby, but now that’s grown into so much more than that. So, instead, I’d say my hobbies include wet felting, card making and sewing.
What is your favourite movie?
“Calamity Jane” with Doris Day and Howard Keel – you can’t beat it for the music and the story, one which, surprisingly for the time it’s set in, also challenges gender norms.
If you hadn’t been successful at what you do, what would you be doing instead as a career?
I’m very lucky that I enjoy my day job as a health visitor AND that I get to volunteer in a dream role doing voluntary work as a Soroptimist – I get to oversee incredible projects our clubs are championing – supporting women and girls, and I get to travel.
I’ve visited India, Bangladesh and Nepal, and more recently some Caribbean countries as programme director. I also have been lucky enough to represent our organisation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York over the last three years. So, if I wasn’t already getting the chance to do that, that’s what I’d want to do – and maybe more charity work involving families too.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
What a fun question, if I could have anything, I’d want a power that allowed me to support the world in being more kind and more peaceful. Can my superpower be super-advocacy?
What is your secret talent?
I’m more creative than perhaps my roles would suggest, and I love being able to come up with new ideas – even if I’m not always the talent that needs to put it together!
What is your favourite genre of music?
Anything with a beat in it that can be danced to. I listen to soul and funk in my car, and I am a 70-80s girl at heart. People always put on Dancing Queen for me as I do love a good bop.
If you could travel to any moment in time, where would you go?
The start of my morning, any morning. Each day I sit with my husband, Andy, as we drink a coffee together. It sets me up well ahead of supporting people, either in the day job and or as programme director for the Soroptimists – so to be able to travel to that whenever I need a bit of a reset would be lovely.
East Riding businesses gain over £500,000 in government support
Businesses in the East Riding have access to more than £500,000 in government funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The grants aim to support growth, innovation, and workforce development across the region.
Businesses can apply for grants of up to £50,000 for projects including capital investment, farm diversification, tourism accommodation development, and carbon reduction initiatives such as solar energy installation. Start-ups can access grants of up to £750, while training grants of up to £1,000 are available to help develop employee skills.
Invest East Yorkshire Business Support Services offers confidential advice to companies of all sizes and sectors. The team assists with identifying funding opportunities, business planning, workforce development, and market expansion, and can connect businesses with specialist support when needed.
Over the past two years, more than 2,000 local businesses have received guidance from Invest East Yorkshire advisers, who operate across the region to support business growth and economic development.
Invicta Holdings acquires Spaldings Group
Invicta Holdings Limited, listed on the JSE, has completed the purchase of UK distributor Spaldings Limited for R282.2 million through its subsidiary, Invicta Global Holdings Limited. The acquisition took effect on 1 September 2025.
Spaldings, established in 1954 and based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, supplies agricultural and ground care replacement parts and machinery. The company reported a net profit of £526,838 for the year ending 31 December 2024. Annual profits for 2025 are projected between £1.4 million and £1.6 million, with a net asset value of £4.5 million at the end of 2024.
The deal aligns with Invicta’s plan to expand internationally in markets where it has sector experience and management capacity. The acquisition is expected to support growth in Invicta’s global replacement parts and engineering business, enhance procurement efficiency, and broaden the product range. Funding will come from Invicta’s existing cash reserves.
The transaction is classified as a category 2 acquisition under JSE Listings Requirements and does not require shareholder approval.
David Fox, non-executive chair at Spaldings, said: “In Invicta Holdings, we have found a like-minded business that has significant expertise in our core markets – individuals who have shown great desire to support Spaldings in the next phase of our growth journey, while backing the existing management team to achieve those ambitions.” Law firm Mills & Reeve advised on the sale of the holding company of the Spaldings Group to Invicta Holdings. The Mills & Reeve team acted for the sellers, Inspirit Capital and the management shareholders of the Lincoln-based company. The team was led by corporate partner and head of international Tom Pickthorn and principal associate Hayley Simonds, with support from Ashley Kerr. Hayley Simonds said: “Spaldings is a company with a rich heritage and strong footprint – not only in the East Midlands, but also in the agricultural sector. This deal is not only a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey, but also demonstrates the ongoing appeal of high performing regional businesses to acquisitive overseas buyers.”