Frontier Software showcases at HR Technologies UK 2025
Frontier Software is proud to be part of HR Technologies UK, taking place at ExCel London on 23rd – 24th April 2025.
As the UK’s only event dedicated solely to workplace technology, HR Technologies UK brings together over 60 leading suppliers under one roof. It’s the perfect opportunity for HR professionals to explore cutting-edge solutions designed to drive efficiency and support strategic business goals.
The event features a packed agenda with panel discussions, keynote presentations, roundtables, and networking sessions. Attendees can also choose from 40+ free seminars held in dedicated theatres, where industry experts and tech innovators share valuable insights and practical advice.
Today’s HR landscape has evolved far beyond its administrative roots. HR professionals now play a critical role in shaping and executing business strategy—driving innovation, fostering culture, and enabling organisations to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
With over 40 years of experience, Frontier Software is a trusted partner to HR teams, delivering flexible and powerful software solutions that keep pace with the ever-changing needs of modern organisations. A fully integrated suite of HR and payroll modules offers highly configurable automation tools, designed to deliver seamless employee interactions and support strategic alignment across the business. Real-time data enables quick, informed decision-making, while a ChatHR feature makes it easy for employees to engage with the HR system using simple, conversational interactions.
Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive cloud-based HR and/or payroll solution or outsourced payroll processing, Frontier Software has the experience and technology to support organisations of all sizes, from all sectors.
Visit stand DD25 at HR Technologies UK to discover how Frontier Software can help power your HR transformation.
New industrial park brings 185-job boost to South Yorkshire
Construction has begun on a £12 million industrial development in Barnsley. The development aims to support growing local businesses and attract new investment to the area.
Named Kestrel Park, the project will deliver over 77,000 sq ft of industrial and trade space across seven units ranging from 3,000 to 21,500 sq ft. It is located near Hoyland, just off Junction 36 of the M1, offering strong regional connectivity.
The site is being delivered by Carnell Management Services (CMS), with support from Barnsley Council’s Property Investment Fund and £3 million from the South Yorkshire Jessica Fund, part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. It also sits within the South Yorkshire Investment Zone.
Contractor BDB Design Build is leading the construction. All units are set to meet BREEAM ‘Very Good’ sustainability standards. Features will include solar panels, EV charging stations, LED lighting, cycle parking, and fully fitted offices.
Once complete, the scheme is expected to create around 185 jobs and provide much-needed industrial space for expanding SMEs and new entrants to the Barnsley market.
Green skills training centre expansion receives approval
Plans to expand a green skills training centre in North East Lincolnshire have been approved. The development will enhance the region’s ability to meet the UK’s net-zero infrastructure needs. Located at the Catch site in Stallingborough, the expansion will introduce an industrial decarbonisation centre alongside a renewable energy training facility.
The two new facilities, expected to open by 2026, are designed to address the increasing demand for skilled workers in the green energy sector. The renewable energy centre will feature classrooms and specialised workshops for practical training, while the decarbonisation centre will provide lecture theatres and office spaces to support educational activities.
The Catch organisation began its apprenticeships programme in 2021 and aims to train 1,000 apprentices annually by 2030. Key partners such as Associated British Ports and Humber Freeport support the initiative. The development is part of a broader push to equip the workforce with the skills needed to support the decarbonisation of the Humber region’s industrial base.
This project aligns with the government’s commitment to invest in green skills training, fostering new jobs in clean energy sectors across key regions, including North East Lincolnshire, Aberdeen, Cheshire, and Pembrokeshire. The new facilities are critical in supporting the transition to a net-zero economy.
HyperFinity secures fresh funding to scale AI retail solutions
Leeds-based data analytics firm HyperFinity has raised a seven-figure investment round to accelerate its expansion in the retail sector. The funding includes contributions from Finance Yorkshire and River Capital’s fund:AI, alongside existing investor Snowflake.
The new capital will strengthen HyperFinity’s sales and marketing operations and further develop its AI-driven product suite. The company focuses on helping retailers use data analytics to make decisions about pricing, loyalty, and customer engagement.
Founded in 2019, HyperFinity has grown its client portfolio to include major retailers such as Asda, Costa Coffee, Card Factory and Toolstation. The latest funding round positions the business to deepen its footprint in the decision intelligence space, as retailers increasingly invest in AI to improve commercial outcomes.
Barnett Group takes majority stake in £325m UK furniture manufacturer
W&R Barnett has acquired a majority shareholding in Symphony Group, one of the UK’s largest producers of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture. The transaction amount was not disclosed.
Symphony, which operates under brands including Laura Ashley Fitted Furniture, Gallery, Linear, Koncept, and Urbano, recorded revenues exceeding £325 million in 2024. It serves B2B clients including private developers, social housing providers, merchants and independent retailers. The company employs over 1,800 staff across four manufacturing sites in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
This move marks a strategic investment by W&R Barnett, a fourth-generation Northern Ireland-based business with a global portfolio in commodity trading and industrial sectors. The investment aligns with Barnett’s focus on acquiring and scaling operationally sound businesses with established workforces.
The Gregory family, previous majority owners of Symphony, will retain a substantial minority stake and remain involved at the board level. Paul Whitehouse, recently appointed managing director and a 23-year veteran of the business, will continue to lead the executive team.
The transaction was supported by a range of legal and financial advisors on both sides. Sentio Partners led the deal for the Gregory family, while firms including Macfarlanes, Walker Morris, KPMG, EY, PwC and McKinsey advised various aspects of the transaction.
Connectus doubles down on Doncaster Airport tech hub with new £500k investment
Connectus has committed another £500,000 to Doncaster Airport Business Park, expanding its digital infrastructure in a move aimed squarely at scaling B2B demand. This builds on a previous £1 million investment and comes as momentum grows around the site’s redevelopment.
The new funding will deliver a second fibre route to improve network resilience and uptime for businesses operating on the 62-acre site. The park, which houses 140 business units and has planning approval for over 186,000 sq m of future commercial space, is being positioned as a regional hub for innovation and high-growth companies.
The investment also supports the rollout of AI-powered diagnostics via Connectus’ partner Kaseya, recruitment of additional engineering staff, and new backup energy solutions to minimise service disruption. Part of the funding is earmarked for local engagement initiatives, including grassroots sports sponsorships.
This development follows the UK government’s recent £30 million pledge to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, adding strategic significance to the business park’s growth trajectory.
Rotherham targets workforce reintegration with £1.7m employment push
Rotherham Council has approved a £1.7 million government-funded programme aimed at tackling one of the UK’s highest rates of economic inactivity. Nearly 46,600 working-age adults in the area — close to one in three — are currently out of work, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The new initiative, Pathways to Work, will support over 1,000 economically inactive residents, including those with long-term health conditions, unpaid carers, early retirees, and individuals with limited skills or confidence. At least 400 participants are expected to move into paid employment during the 2025/26 financial year.
Backed by the South Yorkshire Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, the programme will create a coordinated local employment support system by integrating job placement, health, and training services. This model is designed to streamline access for job seekers and reduce gaps in provision.
Businesses in the region will also be engaged through workplace accessibility initiatives. These include tailored guidance to help employers adapt roles for individuals facing barriers to employment, particularly those related to health or skill limitations.
A dedicated team will lead delivery, supported by outreach and personalised support mechanisms to reach hard-to-engage communities. The council sees this approach as key to reactivating parts of the labour market that traditional employment support has struggled to serve.
Pending final confirmation of funding from the Department for Work and Pensions, the rollout is expected in spring or summer 2025. A successful implementation may lead to extended support through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
Battery storage plans in North Yorkshire face community resistance
Two proposed battery energy storage systems in North Yorkshire have received over 1,000 objections, as developers aim to expand grid flexibility in the region.
Energy firm NatPower has submitted applications for two one-gigawatt battery storage facilities — one at South Kilvington, near Thirsk, and the other at East Rounton, located between Northallerton and Yarm. These installations are designed to store surplus electricity during off-peak periods and release it during high demand, supporting the UK’s transition to a more resilient and balanced energy grid.
The Bellmoor and Mowbray battery storage schemes projects have drawn significant criticism from local communities, parish councils, and environmental groups. Primary concerns include fire risks, visual and environmental impact, increased construction traffic, and the permanent loss of agricultural land.
Public consultation figures show the Bellmoor site attracted more than 800 objections, while the Mowbray scheme saw over 260. Local planning authorities have also received formal objections from countryside advocates, citing the proximity to the North York Moors National Park and the visual disruption such large-scale developments could cause in a rural setting.
Despite public resistance, NatPower maintains the projects as critical to national energy security and cost stability. The company has indicated it continues to consult with local stakeholders and adapt its plans based on community feedback.
North Yorkshire Council is expected to review both applications later this year. For B2B energy stakeholders, the outcome will signal how rural opposition may shape future battery storage infrastructure rollout across the UK.
Lincoln University ranked in UK Top 10 for student start-up businesses
The University of Lincoln has maintained its position in the UK top 10 for student start-up businesses, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
This recognition highlights the institution’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship among its students and graduates. HESA’s analysis, which looked at data spanning 2014 to 2024, revealed that the University has supported the establishment of more than 1,000 student businesses during this period.
Students and graduates have access to an extensive range of business incubation support services, from workshops, digital resources, and working spaces, to funding and networking opportunities – these have been crucial facets to the University’s support success.
Reece Leggett, Business Incubation and Growth Manager at the University of Lincoln, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see the University of Lincoln once again placed in the top 10 for student startups. Working closely with students and graduates, my team and I provide a service which encourages entrepreneurship, helping budding young business owners to shape their vision into something tangible.
“The Student Enterprise team, alongside colleagues across the University, feel fortunate to work with students and graduates across all levels and disciplines who are determined, passionate, and show true entrepreneurial spirit. This not only benefits our university community but also has positive impacts across our region and business ecosystem.
“We’re excited about the planned activities to support these startups thrive and to witness the impact they’re making, not just in Lincolnshire but also nationally and internationally.”
Oliver Whitehead, third-year student at the University of Lincoln and owner of Synx Games Ltd, explained: “I can’t speak highly enough of the support offered through Student Enterprise, and I was pleased to see Lincoln had once again ranked in the UK top 10 universities for graduate start-ups.”
“I’ve personally benefitted from multiple streams of support through Student Enterprise; particularly their 1-2-1 mentoring, networking events and access to grant funding, and would recommend their services to any student or graduate looking to start a business.”
Hull invites B2B interest in Albion Square redevelopment
Hull City Council has opened the floor to developers to submit early-stage proposals for the redevelopment of Albion Square, a key regeneration site in the city centre. The site includes the former BHS building and adjacent brownfield land.
The council is seeking a lead development partner to deliver a high-quality, mixed-use scheme incorporating residential, commercial, and leisure elements. This stage invites Expressions of Interest ahead of a formal procurement process later this year.
Albion Square is part of Hull’s broader regeneration push, which includes East Bank Urban Village by ECF and the Hull City Centre Vision led by Planit.
The strategic location and scale of the project are expected to attract interest from developers focused on urban renewal and mixed-use investments in secondary city markets.
