SaaS firm strengthens leadership team with key appointment from KPMG

Tess Egginton
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SaaS firm strengthens leadership team with key appointment from KPMG
Leeds-based company eviFile – an independent SaaS firm redefining field data collection – has appointed Lucy Flaherty as its people and operations director.
With a distinguished career spanning two decades, Lucy brings a wealth of experience in operations, project management, and people operations, making her a valuable addition to eviFile’s executive team.
Prior to joining eviFile, Lucy held instrumental roles in both SMEs and large corporations, amassing extensive operational expertise across diverse sectors. During her tenure at KPMG, Lucy spent a decade working closely with various tech teams in the Connected Technology capability, fine-tuning her skills in people management, performance optimisation, and operational excellence.Lucy’s contributions to eviFile will focus on key areas including governance and operational rigour, performance enhancement, and fostering a high performance culture with a focus on reward and recognition. Her strategic insights and hands-on experience will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s operational efficiency and overall employee experience.Reflecting on her appointment, Lucy said: “I am thrilled to be joining eviFile at such an exciting period. The company’s commitment to innovation and its dynamic growth trajectory are truly inspiring. I look forward to harnessing my passion for operational excellence and people development to drive eviFile’s continued success.”Luke Allen, managing director of eviFile, expressed his enthusiasm for Lucy joining the executive team, saying: “We are delighted to welcome Lucy. Her unique blend of operational and people-focused leadership will be instrumental in refining our operational processes, nurturing our team, and ensuring eviFile remains at the forefront of field-data collection.”Lucy’s extensive career journey positions her as a valuable asset in eviFile’s growth strategy. Her track record of optimising operational workflows and enhancing team dynamics will be invaluable as the company continues to scale its operations and broaden its client base.

Healthcare operations technology provider acquires GP patient engagement solutions firm

Tess Egginton
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Healthcare operations technology provider acquires GP patient engagement solutions firm
Sheffield-headquartered healthcare operations technology provider, Agilio Software, has enhanced its patient engagement software offering with the acquisition of Leeds-based iatro. Since its launch in 2019, iatro has grown into a go-to solution for primary care organisations by providing simple, patient-facing digital solutions for NHS organisations including Integrated Care Boards, Primary Care Networks and GP practices. iatro will benefit from Agilio’s footprint of over 4,000 GP practices, allowing them to rapidly provide their solutions to this extended community, whilst complementing the extensive offering of Agilio Software. Thomas Porteus, founder of iatro, said: “We’re delighted to be joining Agilio to accelerate our ambitions in supporting practices across the country and make a real difference for organisations and professionals delivering primary care. “Patient engagement is an incredibly important part of patient care, and thanks to our technology, practices can benefit from a simple solution enabling them to communicate easily with their patients and provide them with clear, easily accessible information. “The acquisition means that iatro can benefit from Agilio’s leading healthcare operations technology expertise, allowing us to further invest in the rapid expansion of our patient engagement technology.” Neil Laycock, CEO of Agilio Software, said: “I am delighted to be announcing another cutting-edge organisation joining our ever-growing roster of healthcare operations solutions, and iatro will be a great addition to our Agilio family. “As a group, we are focused on expanding our patient engagement offering to provide our clients with a one-stop digital solution for all of their healthcare operational needs.” David Taylor, MD of Agilio Primary Care division, said: “We’re excited to be welcoming Thomas and the iatro team to our Primary Care division. The team brings vast experience in patient-facing and patient-engagement digital solutions that will greatly benefit the existing offering of Agilio Primary Care. “We are dedicated to delivering high-quality solutions that will make the everyday lives of healthcare professionals easier without compromising safety, and one of the challenges primary care faces is how to effectively digitise communication with patients.”

Banks Group to sell renewables division

Tess Egginton
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0
Banks Group to sell renewables division
The Banks Group’s renewable energy division, Banks Renewables, is being acquired by Brookfield, a global asset manager with $850bn of assets under management. The Banks Group, which has offices in Leeds and four wind farms across Yorkshire, established its renewables business in 2006 and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading independent owner/operators of onshore wind. Banks Group’s other businesses, including Banks Property, Banks Homes, Banks Mining, Banks Transport and Banks Plant Solutions, will continue to operate as normal.
Founder and chairman of the Banks Group, Harry Banks OBE DL, says: “I believe that Brookfield’s established position in the renewables industry and the strong cultural fit that exists between both businesses will lead to this acquisition being to the benefit of all parties involved. “The greater resources of Brookfield will enable the fuller development of opportunities which Banks Renewables are introducing. It will be good for Banks Renewables’ employees and their career prospects, and it will be good for Brookfield because they are acquiring a renewables business with a proven track record and a capability to take the business forward. “This is also good news for other Banks Group businesses and their employees, who will continue to develop our existing businesses in land, property, mining and in developing our new regional housebuilding business, Banks Homes.”
Sebastian Perl, Vice President at Brookfield, adds: “The United Kingdom is a high-quality location for renewable energy development and we are delighted to have made a further commitment to this market. “We have a track record of being long-term owners of renewable energy businesses around the world and we see great potential to continue the great work that Banks Renewables has already achieved.” The Banks Group was advised by Rothschild & Co (corporate finance and M&A) and Ashurst (legal) during the transaction.

A marathon to remember: Summit 53

Tess Egginton
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0
A marathon to remember: Summit 53
Lincolnshire business Systematic is a proud cheerleader for Summit 53. This is a mountain-sized, marathon-length challenge that team member Jill Bell embarked on with her friend Kate Brown. It culminated on Sunday 1 October in Caistor, the market town that Systematic is proud to have called home for 48 years. The Systematic team appreciate that struggling with a mental health issue feels like climbing a mountain too. Their Managing Director Chris Robey tragically lost the battle with his own mental health in September 2022. Chris was a respected businessman, a pillar of the Caistor community, and a running buddy for Jill and Kate. Through Summit 53, Jill, Kate and Systematic are supporting the critical work of Andy’s Man Club, a national suicide prevention charity. It helps men to get on top of their feelings through the power of conversation. The aim is to raise at least £5,300 for the charity, to help fund their peer-to-peer support groups and awareness events. The significance of 53? Well, to run a marathon distance to an elevation equivalent to running up and down Snowdon from sea level, Jill and Kate ran 53 ‘Round Robey’ circuits around Caistor. This is a training circuit that Chris devised after establishing Caistor Running Club in 2011, to help people ‘run for fun’ and for free. This half mile, undulating loop around the town, is still a firm fixture in the training plan of this popular club. Also, Chris was only 53 when he tragically passed away. It’s fitting that Summit 53 culminated on 1 October, his birthday and Lincolnshire Day. Jill and Kate are reaching out to those who knew Chris, as well as runners, the Lincolnshire community and the many people who know the devastating impact that mental health challenges have, not just every day, but every minute. Tragically, around every 90 minutes someone dies from suicide in the UK alone, with suicide being the biggest cause of death in men under the age of 50. Clearly the effects of suicide on family members, loved ones and colleagues can be severe and far-reaching. You’re invited to unite around this mental and physical challenge by finding Summit 53 on the Just Giving website. Jill and Kate are keeping their supporters in the loop on a Summit 53 Facebook page too. Most important of all, the call to action is to raise awareness of Andy’s Man Club and remind everyone of their first rule, that ‘it’s okay to talk’.

New visuals offer birds’-eye view of Sheffield’s West Bar

Stuart Pearcey
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New visuals offer birds’-eye view of Sheffield’s West Bar
Exclusive new visuals have been released to showcase a bird’s eye view of the £300 million West Bar development in Sheffield city centre will look when it’s finished. A virtual fly-through has captured the extent of considerable new business and residential accommodation as well as extensive public realm to be delivered for the local community.  It also shows how the award-winning scheme effectively interacts with the surrounding built environment within the ‘heart’ of the West Bar business area which currently employs circa 5,000 people and has around 2,000 residents. The fly-through demonstrates the scheme comprising up to 1 million sq ft of new space on a gateway site into Sheffield City Centre. It also highlights the proposed bustling retail and leisure spaces within West Bar Square which will be set within a high-quality public realm. West Bar is already starting to dominate the skyline on the city’s northern gateway with construction of the first phase of three towers almost at their peak.  No.1 West Bar Square will provide 100,000 sq ft of Grade A office space offering the largest floorplates in the city with significant ESG credentials.  A further two buildings are on track to deliver Soho Yard – a 368 unit build to rent scheme which will be owned and managed by scheme funder Legal & General. West Bar Sheffield is being delivered by Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, a joint venture between Urbo Regeneration and Peveril Securities, in collaboration Sheffield City Council on a seven-acre brownfield site.  After twenty years in planning, the much-anticipated mixed-use scheme is being brought forward following a ground-breaking deal to secure £150 million funding from Legal & General.  This agreement represents the largest single city centre investment deal that Sheffield has ever seen. On the Inner Ring Road between Sheffield’s Kelham Island, Cathedral and Castlegate neighbourhoods, it will include a million sq ft of mixed-use space including over 500,000 sq ft of office accommodation with amenities, public realm and hundreds of apartments and the project expects to create up to 8,000 new jobs when completed. Peter Swallow of Urbo (West Bar) said: “We were delighted to reveal this fantastic new footage at the recent Sheffield Property Association gathering where we were joined by our delivery partners including Sheffield City Council, principal contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, 5plus Architects and Asteer Planning. “West Bar is a leading example of what can be achieved through effective public and private sector collaboration. To achieve what we have, with the difficult economic headwinds, to make the scheme commercially viable and deliverable was especially challenging.  It has involved many years of site assembly work, negotiating with landowners and tenants over 100 separate property titles within the development boundary.  We worked hard to secure alternative and improved premises for these occupiers such that zero jobs were lost through the process. This was backed by a full compulsory purchase process including a full CPO Public Inquiry and ultimately secured 100% freehold ownership with vacant possession, paving the way for our deal with Legal & General. This is a rare and excellent example of best practice approach to area-wide urban regeneration.” Animation studio, Dematerial, led by Will Priest worked closely with Urbo and 5plus architects to produce the CGI film of this new piece of Sheffield city centre.

Hull contractor poised to start work on assisted living centre

Stuart Pearcey
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Hull contractor poised to start work on assisted living centre
Hull-based contractor Geo. Houlton & Sons is poised to start on the creation of an assisted living centre in the city Netherhall on Wawne Road will see the former Hull City Council corporate office converted into the facility by Hull-based care specialist Urban Wave Ltd. Planning consent has been obtained by the developer for 10 apartments in the historic Netherhall and eight supported living bungalows in its grounds to create an assisted living centre for people with disabilities. The project follows the successful scheme which the developer built in 2021 close to Sewell Group Craven Park in east Hull and will be run by the same experienced operator, Eden Futures. It not only creates much-needed provision, but also retains and improves an historic building and will create local jobs. Councillor Linda Chambers, portfolio holder for adult services at Hull City Council, said: “It is pleasing that this project can now get under way. Netherhall is a fantastic location and it will be brilliant to see this historic property given such a worthwhile new purpose. “It will create a much-needed assisted living facility for people with complex needs, allowing them greater independence, as well creating local jobs.” Netherhall was openly marketed by the council, inviting informal tenders, with Urban Wave ultimately being successful. Urban Wave Ltd submitted its plans for the site in September 2022 and features the erection of two new bungalows as well as the conversion of the old hall and stable block.

Yorkshire’s coastal businesses offered advice to boost firms’ digital dimension

Stuart Pearcey
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Yorkshire’s coastal businesses offered advice to boost firms’ digital dimension
Business owners and marketing managers in the Yorkshire Coast region are gearing up to take their digital offer to the next level as the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub prepares to host Digital Transformation Days in collaboration with Google Digital Garage. On October 16th, the event kicks off at Scarborough TEC, followed by a second session on October 17th at Pickering Memorial Hall. Limited spaces are available, so businesses are urged to register promptly to secure their spots. Jessica Waggitt, Director of Scarborough-based provider of emergency accommodation, Homemore, said: “I’m really thrilled to be a part of the event in Scarborough and meet other local businesses to see what they are doing to improve their businesses. A better understanding of Google Analytics and Google Search would be really useful for our business going forward.” These events will provide attendees with invaluable benefits, including expert insights from Google professionals and industry leaders, offering the latest tailored digital marketing trends and tools for businesses in the region. Networking opportunities will abound, allowing participants to connect with local entrepreneurs, fostering idea exchange and fuelling business growth. Additionally, actionable strategies will be unveiled, equipping attendees with practical tips and tricks to bolster online visibility and engage effectively with their target customers. Harriet Stainton, Business Relationship Manager for York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, emphasises the significance of these events: “E-commerce and digital represent tremendous opportunities to take a business to the next level. This event is going to be a gamechanger for Yorkshire coast businesses, helping them attract more customers and make money online.” Further information: 0800 246 5045.

Business leaders’ voice will be heard at York & North Yorkshire Business Summit

Stuart Pearcey
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0
Business leaders’ voice will be heard at York & North Yorkshire Business Summit

Achieving economic growth through the region’s innovative business heroes will top the agenda at the York & North Yorkshire Business Summit this month.

With 2024 set to bring major changes to the way the region is governed, including an elected Mayor for York and North Yorkshire, business leaders with an interest in the region’s prosperity, business leaders have an important role in the second summit organised by York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. LEP Chair Helen Simpson said delegates would be asked to ‘contribute to the business vision for the region’ to hand to the new mayor. “The summit is an excellent chance for anyone with an interest in growth and investment in our region to help shape prosperity under devolution,” she said. “One of our key aims is to bring the business community’s voice to a vision for York and North Yorkshire, which can help guide our elected mayor’s policy on investment and growth. “We have some really exciting and innovative businesses emerging right here in York and North Yorkshire, as well as seeing exciting new ways of doing things in our established sectors such as food and farming. Together they’re not only driving the economies of our city and towns, but also boosting the post-Covid growth of our coastal and rural areas. “It’s exactly those voices we want to hear at the summit, whether they’re a leader in a thriving business or an entrepreneur setting out on the path to growth. We need to hear from a wide range of businesses from across the region at this exciting time for the York and North Yorkshire.” In August last year a £540million devolution deal was agreed, proposing the creation of a combined authority for York and North Yorkshire, later this year, with mayoral elections set for May 2024. As well as providing a chance for the business community to discuss devolution, the summit will also feature sessions on a range of issues at the heart of growth in the region. Keynote speakers will include former BBC Dragons’ Den dragon, and growth expert, Piers Linney, MP and Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake and Lou Cordwell OBE, Chief Creative Officer at Magnetic, and Chair of Manchester Combined Authority Business Committee. The Summit is organised in partnership with The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). It also includes an informal Super Networking session from 5pm, in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors and Ian Walker & Co Chartered Accountants. Sarah Czarnecki, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “York & North Yorkshire is a world-class place to do business. As we grow nearer to becoming a devolved region it is right that we shout about and showcase about our strengths and successes. “We are in one of the most exciting chapters in North Yorkshire’s illustrious history and we need to tell the world about all we can do in this region.”

Plant supplier signs six-figure deal to supply CATCH with welding equipment

Stuart Pearcey
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Plant supplier signs six-figure deal to supply CATCH with welding equipment
Plant equipment supplier SES has recently completed a six-figure deal to supply Stallingborough training facility CATCH with a full suite of welding equipment ahead for use in its Welding and Pipefitting Hub. The new facility is designed to host 28 students, with courses in Pipefitting, Plate Welding and Pipe Welding. As the sole contractor working with CATCH, SES has provided Lincoln Electric welding equipment as well as new cutting machinery, tools and equipment for apprentices and staff for a three-year period. The specialist equipment rental company, with bases in Aberdeen and Grimsby, offer more than 1,000 different types of equipment and an asset register comprising more than 30,000 individual items. Their hire fleet offers a full spectrum of specialist tools for every discipline involved in offshore oil and gas maintenance, renewables, petrochemicals, manufacturing, modifications, hook-up and decommissioning. Andrew Lait, SES Business Development Manager, said: “We are really proud to be working with CATCH on the launch of the new Welding and Pipefitting Hub. We opened our Grimsby base in March last year, and the work that we have done with CATCH has been incredible. “It’s great to play a part in the development of future operations and engineering maintenance workforces. There’s a real gap in the market, and we can’t wait to see the hub evolve over time. “At SES, our key focus is sustainability. We opened our base in Grimsby following a consistent level of business wins so that we could service our customers in a timely and cost-effective way. Having a base in the Humberside area allows for our customers to buy locally whilst cutting down on carbon emissions through moving equipment.” Joel Broddle, Head of Welding and Pipefitting at CATCH, said: “We are thrilled to be opening of The Welding and Pipefitting Hub at our Humber site on September 18. Over a number of months, we have been working to acquire the latest equipment to provide our apprentices with top-quality learning resources. We would like to thank SES and Andy Lait for their invaluable support and guidance in ensuring the timely completion of our orders. “We are looking forward to developing the relationship with SES and Worley over the next 12 months and we are confident that their collaboration will play a vital role in training the next generation of skilled welders, pipefitters, and fabricators. Together, we aim to make a positive impact on the industry and nurture a bright future for aspiring crafts people.”

Yorkshire Water’s £7.8bn investment will increase bills for consumers

Stuart Pearcey
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0
Yorkshire Water’s £7.8bn investment will increase bills for consumers
Yorkshire Water is predicting a rise in water bills to cover the cost of plans to Ofwat as part of the Price Review 24 process,. The firm has outlined plans to invest £7.8bn across the region between 2025 and 2030 as a start on its utility’s largest environmental investment in the region. However, improvements come at a cost. If approved, plans would see average customer bills rise from £36.51 per month next year to £43.23 per month the year after, with small increases each year thereafter. Yorkshire Water is enhancing its support for customers who may be struggling financially and will be increasing its contributions to help those most in need. All low-income households will be able to access financial support from Yorkshire Water and the utility is committed to increasing its support for customers by 25%. Its plan includes:
  • £3.1bn investment will drive efforts to deliver secure, safe clean water supplies with improved resilience of its network of pipes and a focus on future water resource needs.
  • £4.3bn will support plans for a healthy, natural environment, with a focus on protecting and improving river and coastal water quality, to create a cleaner, safer water environment.
  • The plan outlines investment in customer service and an increase in support available to customers with an investment of £446m.
  • This includes financial support for half a million (500,000) customers, direct help with water bills for 280,000 customers and £250m worth of financial support across the five years.
  • The plan will support employment for more than 10,000 people across Yorkshire.
Nicola Shaw, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water, said: “My focus since joining Yorkshire Water has been improving our performance and delivering the best value and service for customers. Stakeholders and customers have made it clear they want more from us, and we’ve listened to what they’ve had to say. We want to play our part in making sure our wonderful county thrives by focusing our investment in the areas that matter most to our customers. “This submission marks our largest ever environmental investment and illustrates our commitment to deliver what our customers expect. The programme will protect and improve the quality of water in rivers and at coasts, leading to cleaner, safer water environments that support recreation and biodiversity across the region. “While this is what we hope to do in the next five years in terms of investment, it does not stand alone. We are working internally to ensure all our colleagues are engaged and pulling in the right direction to deliver this ambitious plan. “The next steps in this process are for Ofwat to provide us with draft determinations in the early summer 2024 and then final determinations before the end of 2024 before we start the new period in April 2025.” Delivering these plans will come at a cost but the company has sought to balance investment in water systems with ensuring bills are affordable for our customers. As well as meeting customer expectations, the submission includes investment to meet the regulatory requirements of the Water Industry National Environment Programme priorities, including delivering the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan, as well as improving and protecting river water quality and the Water Resource Management Plan. The submission outlines £3.1bn investment to deliver secure, safe clean water supplies including:
  • £2.4bn investment to improve supply resilience through increased mains replacement and refurbishment of critical storage and treatment assets
  • £461m to secure future water resources and upgrade water meters to smart meters to give greater and more timely information on usage
  • £95m to maintain safe, clean water supplies
  • £83m to enhance collaboration with landowners and stakeholders to improve land management including sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) for the benefit of the environment and improve raw water quality
Yorkshire Water’s also submitted to Ofwat its largest ever environmental investment plans, with a £4.3bn investment in a healthy, natural environment, including:
  • £1.9bn to reduce the use of storm overflows and to protect the environment
  • £1.8bn to maintain and improve wastewater collection and treatment, including monitoring systems to improve Yorkshire Water’s impact on the natural environment, including reducing Phosphorus, microplastics and unwanted chemicals entering watercourses, and investigating where environmental investments will be required in the future.
  • £347m to ensure Yorkshire Water’s bioresources facilities continue to deliver and have sufficient capacity for the future
  • £155m to reduce air emissions and ensuring Yorkshire Water’s infrastructure meets the need of a growing population and new developments
  • £51m will be invested in measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • £26m allocated to continue work in Hull and the East Riding to tackle flooding issues in the area through Living With Water – a partnership with the Environment Agency, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the University of Hull.
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