Lincs firm secures £30m to drive smart home technology growth
Lincolnshire technology manufacturer, myenergi, has secured a £30m funding package from HSBC UK to support the development and production of innovative smart home energy products.
The funding will be used to expand the company’s operations, enhance its production capabilities, and invest in research and development to create new and innovative products that meet the evolving needs of consumers, including electric vehicle chargers and batteries for storing energy.
Lee Sutton, myenergi co-founder and Chief Executive, said: “The new financing facility from HSBC UK will enable us to further accelerate our growth and innovation in smart home technology.
“Over the last four years, HSBC has supported the business with various financial solutions to facilitate our ever-increasing growth. The introduction of the new funding facility will enable us to accelerate our business development strategy and support us in the next chapter of our amazing journey.”
Frances Howell, MD, Head of Corporate Midlands at HSBC UK, added: “myenergi is a great example of a British business that is leading the way in developing smart home technology, helping people make the transition to renewable energy in their homes. This deal will allow the development of new green technologies, optimising renewable energy usage to create eco smart homes while putting British manufacturing back on the world stage.”
Founded in 2016 by Lee Sutton and Jordan Brompton, myenergi has grown to almost 450 employees, and annual sales last year broke the £50m barrier. Myenergi’s headquarters in Stallingborough is currently undergoing a major transformation, with a new 65,000 sq ft production facility under construction to expand capacity to meet demand.
43 Clicks builds support for event showcasing Hull’s talent in digital sector
Hull-based digital marketing company 43 Clicks North is building support across the region for an event which showcases the city’s growing strength in the sector.
The company attracted another full house for Power Hour 6, the latest in a series of sessions which put top tech talent from East Yorkshire alongside some of the key players from bigger cities. The latest event drew an audience of industry colleagues, clients and contacts including business owners and marketing managers as well as students from the University of Hull who seized the chance to bolster their academic work with some real-life experience. Guest speakers from some of the leading agencies in Leeds said the Power Hour programme at Social in Humber Street, Hull, will strengthen digital marketing in the local area and further afield. Pete Lowes, Strategy Director and co-founder at Present Works, said: “The Power Hour is really important. I went to university in Leeds and most of the people there wanted to leave after three years and go back to London, taking their skills with them. “We have always been very passionate about creating opportunities in Leeds and across Yorkshire so people don’t have to move to London and Manchester to work for forward thinking companies. “What 43CN are doing in Hull is brilliant and this was another great turnout. I didn’t know what to expect but it was a really good event and a nice mix of people with students and business owners, marketing managers. It’s a thriving scene here and it’s good to see that.” Ash Liddell, the SEO Content Lead at Reprise who has returned to the University of Hull to study for his Masters, added: “The idea of bringing other agencies in from outside the city is really important in terms of putting Hull on the map in the digital sector. “If we are working with other agencies from the bigger cities it can only have a positive effect. It’s about talent and about showing that Hull can serve the sector’s needs and has the student population to support that. “This was a useful non-academic opportunity for the students. One of the biggest questions when I left university was what comes next, so the opportunity for students to come and speak to people at an event like this is important.” Marisa Crimlis-Brown held a number of senior marketing roles before relocating to Hull with her family during the pandemic. She told how Power Hour helped to pave the way for her move to 43CN as Senior Client Strategist. Marisa said: “I wanted to work in the place where I live. I saw there was a lot going on at 43CN and I attended a Power Hour and found it really interesting and vital. “Also with the other agencies round here as well I saw, there was a lot going on especially for a city of this size. I got to know them a bit better and felt it would be a very nice move. “The brain drain is reversing and pulling people to Hull from other cities. It shows that Hull is on the map. There’s an interest here, drawing people in and getting fresh ideas.”BAE Systems signs new ten-year lease at Brough’s Humber Enterprise Park
Humber Enterprise Park has signed a new ten-year lease agreement with BAE Systems which will maintain its 500,000 sq ft centre for digital engineering excellence on the strategic site.
The global defence and aerospace company leases office, warehouse, and R&D space at HEP. The renewal of the lease coincides with BAE Systems’ recent recruitment announcement for potential 100 new roles, adding to the existing 700 BAE Systems employees already working at the site.
BAE Systems has a long heritage at HEP, stretching back to 1916 when aeroplane pioneer Robert Blackburn chose the Brough site for its manufacturing facility due to its proximity to the Humber. The site has since transformed into the Company’s centre for digital engineering excellence, with activities supporting the delivery of the world’s most advanced defence programmes. These include the Future Combat Air System –Tempest, and the Dreadnought submarine fleet.
James Hardstaff, General Manager of the BAE Systems Brough site said: “There’s a really bright future ahead for BAE Systems in Brough. With activity focusing on engineering some of the most advanced Air and Submarine programmes in the world, our people will be contributing to the development of critical future technologies.
“The renewal of our lease with Humber Enterprise Park and recent investment in the site ensures we will retain our longstanding history with the area, providing high-skilled jobs and supporting the local supply chain.”
Whilst HEP is known as a major heritage site and centre of excellence for BAE Systems, it is also a well-established business location in its own right with other occupiers including Eco Engineering, Wren Kitchens, and Supercraft Ltd.
Following its acquisition of the 79-acre park in 2020, Westcore Europe has invested heavily with a view to repositioning the significant site and its mixed-use proposition.
Victoria Morgan, Director of Asset Management at HEP owner Westcore Europe said: “BAE Systems commitment to remain at Humber Enterprise Park for the longer term, whilst also creating more potential jobs. This is testament to the strategic location and strong connectivity, with the railway station just a few minutes’ walk away, as well as the expanding amenity/wellbeing provisions on site for our working community.
“Thanks to BAE Systems, HEP is well known for enterprise and we have a thriving mix of large corporations through to incubator businesses expanding on site. We have invested significantly in recent years to deliver high quality workspaces and make enhancements to the public realm as part of our ongoing commitment to transform the Humber Enterprise Park into a destination.”
Humber Enterprise Park is located on a 79-acre site to the West of Hull City Centre. The development is within a few minutes’ walk of Brough railway station with daily services to the North of England and Kings Cross,10 minutes’ walk of the vibrant Brough town centre and two miles drive to the M62 and motorway network.
Leeds brewer and bar chain secures invoice discounting package from Bibby
Leeds-based brewer and bar chain North Brewing Co has received a £375,000 Confidential Invoicing Discounting package from Bibby Financial Services – the UK’s largest independent invoice finance provider – to help it strengthen cashflow and fuel national and international expansion.
The new funding line will allow North’s co-founders to manage cashflow, so they can focus on planning ahead and growing the business.
The business was introduced to BFS’s commercial team by Conor Smyth at TFS Finance Ltd, an independent commercial finance brokerage focused on the SME market.
BFS’s Yorkshire-based deal team, led by Ian Hayes, structured a Confidential Invoice Discounting funding facility worth £375,000. BFS was chosen due to its speed, agility and understanding of the business’s needs.
John Gyngell, Director and Co-founder of North Brewing Co, said: “We’re so proud of where our business is today, in large part thanks to our great staff and a lot of love from our customers and community. But, as a business owner, cashflow is a daily concern, especially over the past 12 months. It’s been a really tough year for the brewing industry, due to a combination of challenges, such as the rising cost of grain, energy, shipping, and the impact of Brexit on international business operations.
“In order to grow the business, we need to be able to focus on the future, rather than just respond to the day to day. We really appreciated BFS’s commitment to understanding our business, and quickly coming back to us with a solution. BFS’s funding and support gives us the breathing space to concentrate on what we’re best at, plan ahead for business growth over the next few years and have more time to enjoy the day job.”
North has been growing its business and operations over the past few years. In 2020, the business signed a lease for a larger, 21,000 sq ft former Victorian Tannery in Springwell, Leeds, which they converted into a modern brewery, taproom and workspace during the pandemic – and which now serves as the business’s HQ.
The mid-sized brewery has also been expanding its footprint, with beers now stocked in leading supermarkets and restaurants across the UK, and sold abroad, including in markets such as Japan, China and Australia. Within the past year, North has opened its first two bars outside of Yorkshire, in Birmingham and Manchester, and has launched its own beer festival, Springwell Sessions at its brewery site – with the second iteration due to take place at the end of April 2023.
Conor Smyth, Senior Funding Partner at TFS Finance, said: “North Brewing Co has seen huge success over the past 26 years in its local bars and brewing operations, and is also seeing growing national and international demand. This has made managing cashflow a much bigger task, especially considering the challenging economic landscape. The BFS team were great partners to work with, as they demonstrated their ability to tap into the business’s needs and deliver a suitable funding line in just a couple of weeks.”
Ian Hayes, Business Development Manager at BFS commented: “It’s been a pleasure to work with North Brewing Co and TFS Finance to provide this funding line. North has been incredibly resilient over the past few years, but as the business and external challenges have become more complex, the business’s leaders have seen their time and energy eaten up thinking about cashflow. We quickly worked to understand their needs and pressures and deliver a funding line that would take the weight off John and Christian’s shoulders and minds, so they can focus on the future of the business. BFS is in growth mode, and our partnership with North Brewing Co is a great example of us working hand-in-hand with our valued intermediary base and with our clients to unlock working capital for growth.”
Founded in 2015, North Brewing Co started as North Bar on New Briggate high street in Leeds, and today operates 10 bars across Yorkshire, Birmingham and Manchester and produces around 20 thousand hectolitres of beer every year which is sold into supermarkets, restaurants, and bars all over the world.
ABP stages consultation on onshore wind turbine plans for Grimsby and Immingham
Members of the public are being invited to attend a consultation as part of plans by ABP to install onshore wind turbines at the ports of Grimsby and Immingham.
The two Humber Ports will be the first onshore wind projects for consultation with a generation capacity potentially up to 36MW. Plans are being developed for up to four turbines at Grimsby and at least two at Immingham.
The consultation will take place at Grimsby Town Hall (Crosland Suite), on Wednesday 19 April between 1.30pm and 7.30pm, and at Immingham Civic Centre (Burrton Hall) on Thursday 20 April between 11.30am and 7.30pm.
At these events people can view the proposed plans and talk to members of the project team.
ABP supports government ambitions to achieving net zero and recently launched its own £2 billion plan for Energy Transition growth and Net Zero 2040. Called Ready for Tomorrow it looks to meet the challenges and grasp the opportunities. ABP has already reduced its own CO2 emissions by over 35% since 2014 and invested over £55 million in sustainability measures, which includes the largest commercial rooftop solar array in the UK at the Port of Hull, electric vehicles and cranes across the group and a new fleet of more fuel-efficient pilot boats. The Port of Immingham recently trialled a Terberg hydrogen fuelled tractor in its container terminal.
Plumbers warned of asbestos danger lurking in Britain’s buildings
Plumbers across Great Britain are being warned about the hidden dangers associated with asbestos as part of the Health and Safety Executive’s Asbestos and You campaign targeting tradespeople about the personal risks from asbestos that still exist in properties across the country today.
About five thousand people a year die from asbestos related illnesses, and asbestos can still be found in buildings built or refurbished before the year 2000.
But HSE is warning despite the ban on its use, many buildings still contain asbestos, and it is still a serious risk to anyone exposed to it at any age.
Tim Beaumont, HSE’s acting head of construction policy sector, said: “Asbestos can be found in things like Artex, cement boards under eaves, garage roofs, old bath panels, boiler houses and fires and even mortar between bricks can contain asbestos.
“There is no known safe level of asbestos exposure but that’s not to say it can’t be managed safely.
“All tradespeople should make sure they know the basics about identifying asbestos. Before carrying out any construction work, there’s a legal requirement to identify whether asbestos is present and could be disturbed.
“Younger tradespeople need to know the dangers behind asbestos as it could affect them in later life like it is affecting older tradespeople now.”
Asbestos is only dangerous if not maintained in a safe condition or if physically disturbed without the right measures in place to control exposure to fibres.
Craig Evans, COO of the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association said: “I wholeheartedly support HSE’s campaign to raise asbestos awareness and the importance of training across industry.
“The dangers of asbestos are very real, with over 5,000 people in the UK dying each year from asbestos-related diseases.
“It is crucial that tradespeople are aware of the risks involved in disturbing or damaging asbestos-containing materials, as inhaling these fibres can lead to devastating diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
“UKATA members are committed to providing high-quality asbestos training, delivered by highly experienced and competent professionals with extensive knowledge and expertise in their field, to help prevent unnecessary exposure and protect the health and wellbeing of all those working in the industry.”
From the 1950s until 1999, asbestos containing materials were used extensively in the construction and maintenance of buildings in Great Britain.
When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. If these fibres are inhaled, they can cause serious diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening. These diseases will not affect you immediately as they often take a long time to develop, but once diagnosed, it is often too late to do anything.
It can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear. Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent cough, wheezing, extreme tiredness, pain in your chest or shoulder and in more advanced cases, swollen fingertips.
If asbestos cannot be safely managed, it should be removed by a licensed asbestos contractor. Where present, asbestos should be closely managed by those responsible for the building.
Find out more about the Asbestos and You campaign
Significant deal sealed at iconic Broad Gate in Leeds
The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank has brokered one of the most significant office deals in Leeds this year with the letting of the 8,448 sq ft of space at Broad Gate in the heart of the city.
Kaplan, who run educational courses for financial professionals, are relocating from Albion Street in the city. They have signed a 10-year lease, with a five-year break.
This deal comes hard on the heels of Verrus Recruitment doubling its space in the iconic building, moving into 5,250 sq ft of high-quality offices.
Victoria Harris, office agency specialist at Knight Frank, said: “Taken together, these two deals are resounding endorsement of one of Leeds’ most impressive mixed-use buildings. The excellent location, overlooking The Headrow, creates a business destination with all the benefits of the city centre on its doorstep.”
The 300,000 sq ft flagship development comprises six floors of Grade A office space including an exclusive suite of penthouse offices, together with four prime retail units.
Broad Gate was formerly the home of Lewis’s, the first department store in Leeds, which was built in 1932, and then Allders.
Kaplan were represented by Gerald Eve.
Recruitment consultant joins Nicholas Associates in Leeds
Experienced recruitment consultant Sarah Shaw has joined talent solutions specialists Nicholas Associates Group (NAG) to drive growth in Leeds and North Yorkshire for the NA construction division.
Sarah has 7 years’ experience of helping house builders predominantly across Yorkshire and the Midlands attract talented construction professionals.
In her new role, Sarah will be focusing on the house building sector and will work closely with other team members to ensure quality candidates are sourced and placed in roles that meet the skills requirements of their new employer.
The Yorkshire NA Construction team is led by Michael Alderson who joined NAG in 2022 to establish an entirely new office on Park Row in the city’s business district, specialising in temporary and permanent recruitment solutions for the built environment.
Commenting on her appointment Sarah said: “I have previously worked with Mike and knew this role presented a great opportunity to help him further expand our presence in Yorkshire. This a great opportunity to grow a successful portfolio of new clients.”
In her spare time Sarah is a big foodie and loves cooking up tasty things for friends and family. She also enjoys hiking and has climbed Ben Nevis to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Restrictions on Sheffield waste site will remain in force for three more weeks
A court order prohibiting anyone from entering or depositing waste on the site at M White Skips Limited in Sheffield’s Worthing Road will remain in place for a further three weeks.
It’s the first time such powers have been used in Yorkshire to reduce the impact on the local community and the environment.
The Restriction Order was obtained at Sheffield Magistrates Court after the court heard evidence from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service but had insufficient time to hear from all Environment Agency witnesses.
The current order prevents access to the site, except for the purpose of removing waste, and waste cannot be imported or processed onsite.
Jacqui Tootill, South Yorkshire Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency said: “Our officers have already taken enforcement action to issue a restriction order for this site – preventing any further waste from being dumped or treated there and ensuring that the operator can only access the site in order to remove waste.
“We are inspecting the site regularly and continuing to work with partners to ensure this order is followed and also working to ensure the site is cleared. We will take further enforcement action if necessary and continue to investigate the alleged offending linked to the activities at this site.”
The Court heard from an Environment Agency Environmental Crime Officer and an Officer of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue that the condition of the site was such that it posed a risk of serious pollution to the environment and serious harm to human health, and a restriction order was necessary. The Environment Agency is working alongside South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in the ongoing criminal investigation into activities at the site.Streets Chartered Accountants covers energy bills, capital allowances, National Insurance, changes in VAT penalties, interest rates increases, and more in new news roundup
Streets Chartered Accountants covers the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme, capital allowances, National Insurance, changes in VAT penalties, interest rates increases, and more in its new news roundup.
Energy Bills Discount Scheme
The new Energy Bills Discount Scheme replaces the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which came to an end on 31 March 2023.
Spring Budget 2023 – Capital allowances
Designed in part to help offset the increased Corporation Tax main rate, the Chancellor announced the introduction of a new ground-breaking 100% first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets. This measure is also expected to help boost business investment and growth.
National Insurance if working abroad
If you move abroad, it can often be advantageous to continue paying your UK National Insurance Contributions (NICs) in order to preserve your entitlement to the State Pension and other benefits.
More time to top-up NICs
In some circumstances it can be beneficial to make voluntary National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to increase your entitlement to benefits, including the State or New State Pension.
Changes in VAT penalties
The first monthly returns and payments affected by HMRC’s new VAT penalty regime were due by 7 March 2023. The new VAT penalty rules apply to the late submission and / or late payments of VAT returns for VAT return periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023.
Adding employees to a workplace pension scheme
Automatic enrolment for workplace pensions has helped many employees make a start on providing for their retirement with the advantage that employers and government are also contributing to their pension pot.
Spring Budget 2023 – Pension changes
One of the key measures of the Spring Budget was the announcement that the £40,000 cap on annual pension contributions will be increased by 50% to £60,000 from 6 April 2023.
Get information about a company
There is a significant amount of information about companies that can be obtained from Companies House.
Spring Budget 2023 – Childcare changes
One of the main areas targeted by the Spring Budget was changes to childcare.
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment 2023-24
The Cost of Living support package has been designed to help over 8 million households in receipt of means tested benefits.
Spring Budget 2023 – Energy Price Guarantee
The Chancellor had previously announced that the energy price guarantee cap, which will see the average household have their energy bills capped at £2,500 a year, would remain in place until the 31 March 2023. It was announced as part of the Spring Budget measures that this cap will now be extended for a further 3-months until 30 June 2023.
Bank of England and HMRC increase interest rates
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on 22 March 2023 and voted 7-2 in favour of raising interest rates by 25 basis points to 4.25% in a move to tackle continued, rising inflation. This is the eleventh time the MPC has increased interest rates with rates now the highest they have been since November 2008.
