National Highways supports next generation of female engineers at event in Hull
National Highways has supported the next generation of female engineers and manufacturing professionals at a special careers event taking place in Hull.
the Women into Manufacturing and Engineering Public Careers Fair highlighted the world of opportunities for women to join these fast-paced and exciting sectors.
During the day, about 200 girls from schools across the Humber area attended the event, with around 70 women going along in the evening. The event aimed to drive positive change in terms of gender balance in the workplace, challenge stereotypes and inspire girls and women to consider careers in these industries.
Among the inspirational females offering a glimpse into the industries was Frances Oliver. Frances is the National Highways Project Manager for the A63 Castle Street improvement scheme, which is transforming Hull city centre. She oversees this £355m upgrade which will improve access to the port, reduce congestion and enhance safety as well as connections between the city centre and tourist and recreational facilities.
Frances said: “I hope to promote equality so that women and girls don’t feel that, if they do go for those roles, they will be the only female on their team. You can’t be what you can’t see.”
After graduating from the University of York in 2006 with a BA Degree in Linguistics, Frances joined National Highways in 2007. Having initially joined the agency in the HR department, she went on to become involved in financial management for IT projects.
She later became involved in project management, which she said was a great way to be part of something fast-paced and public facing.
She moved into Major Projects in 2012. Supported by the organisation, Frances worked her way up, going on to be assistant project manager for the A63 scheme before becoming project manager. She says: “I’ve been involved in a variety of construction projects, but this is the biggest construction project I’ve seen – and I get to be manager of it!”
Frances says she doesn’t recall seeing a female engineer or project manager growing up: “I think, if you can’t see something, you’re not aware you can do it. I want to promote the fact that there are great roles out there for everyone and there are all kinds of women doing them. I work with fantastic women in our team.
The WiME event was led by Green Port Hull. This is a collaboration between Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Council to promote investment and development of the renewable energy sector in the Humber region. It also aims to support investors and their supply chains to secure long-term economic growth for the area.”
Hull-based IoT and digital infrastructure specialist acquires internet service provider
Hull-based IoT and digital infrastructure specialist, Connexin, has acquired Pure Broadband as it continues its fibre expansion throughout Hull and the wider East Riding of Yorkshire region.
Connexin’s acquisition of Hull internet service provider (ISP) Pure Broadband will welcome over 15,000 new customers and increase its workforce to nearly 150 people – making Connexin one of the largest alternative network providers (Alt-Nets) in the North.
Pure Broadband, who recently won awards for its customer service and marketing, serve customers using wireless and fibre networks in Hull and on a national scale.
The news follows on from the acquisition of Hull ISP Wisper Broadband.
Furqan Alamgir, co-founder and CEO of Connexin, said: “This acquisition brings together two of the best technology companies in the region and I’m very proud to be welcoming Pure Broadband to the Connexin Group.
“I would like to thank the shareholders at Pure Broadband for trusting us to take the business forward, along with Tony and the Pure team for joining us on our mission to create the best digital experience for the people of Hull and surrounding areas. The acquisitions of Wisper and Pure Broadband, along with the roll-out of our own 10Gbps capable full-fibre network, demonstrates our commitment to the region and investment into the local economy.”
The transaction was supported by corporate law firm Orrick, and finance and tax due diligence specialist RSM.
Tony Jopling, Managing Director at Pure Broadband, said: “At Pure Broadband, we’ve been operating in Hull since 2009 to bring the people of the region a greater choice in broadband, as well as helping to create a better online experience for all citizens. We have a fantastic, passionate team at Pure Broadband, and this merger will present more opportunities for both our people and our customers.
“Seeing Connexin develop over the years, it’s become clear that we have a shared ethos. Not only do the people of Hull and East Riding deserve to have a greater choice of broadband services, but also a quality that is next level to enhance the customer experience for all. As we unite with Connexin, I’m confident that the move will make our ambition become a reality.”
Small firms call for action as insurance premiums rise and coverage shrinks, new report finds
Small firms are encountering widespread problems in their dealings with the insurance market, amid rising premium costs, a new report has found.
FSB’s new publication, Paying a premium? Reforming the insurance market to work for small firms, looks into the price of insurance and whether the products on offer are suitable for small business customers.
The findings expose concerns about whether the insurance market is performing adequately for small firms and self-employed people.
With high inflation putting general pressure on small firms’ bottom lines, the report’s finding that a clear majority (60%) have seen their insurance premiums rise in the last year is an illustration of the cost squeeze facing small businesses, who cannot in most cases operate without various forms of cover.
Over half (52%) of those whose premium costs have risen say that the rise is 11 per cent or greater, while some individual businesses have seen cost rises far in excess of that – particularly following a claim.
The pandemic brought many underlying problems with insurance into sharp relief, as small firms had to fight hard for their business interruption insurance to be honoured, leading to significant uncertainty and worry at a time when they were already fighting to survive.
Other types of insurance, particularly professional indemnity insurance (PII) – which is very often a trading requirement for firms in areas such as accounting or architecture, among others – have seen their markets harden, restricting access to cover and the protection afforded to customers in the wake of COVID-19.
The report includes numerous recommendations for regulators, insurers, and the Government on how to resolve or improve many of the difficulties small firms face around insurance, including:
- The Government should work together with insurers and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the regulator to agree specific conditions for forms of Government support that should not be taken into account when calculating business interruption insurance claims.
- The Financial Conduct Authority should be explicitly required to consider intervening in a market if it becomes clear that there is a segment/sector of businesses that are unable to obtain insurance.
- The Government should convene discussion with relevant sector-specific regulators and professional associations, to ensure that PII requirements that are imposed as a condition of being able to practise are assessed so they do not disadvantage small businesses. The FCA should carry out a market study of PII, given recent price increases and market hardening.
- The Government should use the Procurement Bill to remove barriers for SMEs in accessing public procurement opportunities. This should include commitments not to impose unlimited liability for public contracts, to share risk reasonably, and to ensure that both PII and public liability insurance requirements in public contracts are proportionate to the size of the contract.
Supply chain management company combines with freight and logistics provider
Global supply chain technology and solution services provider Ligentia, which has its UK head office in Leeds, has agreed to combine with VGL Solid Group (VGL), a freight and logistics provider in Poland.
The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will cement Ligentia’s intent to build a stronger, better and more diverse business.
Ligentia and VGL have an existing long-standing relationship through a successful joint venture partnership, delivering customers supply chain solutions for over 10 years. The newly combined organisation will provide an enhanced end-to-end service offering, bringing together Ligentia’s international network, proprietary technology and upstream services with VGL’s expertise and leading logistics, European road freight and ocean services.
The deal will greatly enhance Ligentia’s European platform and enables the business to better support customers across a broader and more diverse sector base, including; FMCG, retail, electronics, healthcare and the emerging electric vehicle market. Upon completion, Ligentia and VGL will form a new organisation of more than 1,300 global supply chain experts. This will establish the Ligentia Group as a major international supply chain management company with revenues of over £1bn.
Nick Jones, group CEO, said: “We have enjoyed a fantastic relationship with VGL for many years and this is a very exciting milestone in our journey together. Both businesses thrive because of our aligned values and commitment to centre customers at the heart of our organisations which means we invest, develop and commit resources to make sure we achieve a great experience for our customers.
“The forward-looking business will be even better placed to enhance our combined technology offering, provide new services and connect a diverse team ready to deliver our next phase of growth.”
The deal is being financed with the support of Ligentia’s existing funders, Partners Group and Santander.
In 2021, Ligentia received significant investment from Equistone Partners Europe to deliver its growth plans. Commenting on the proposed deal, Sebastien Leusch and Chris Candfield, Equistone investment directors, said: “We have been hugely impressed by Ligentia’s clear ambition to scale and build a diverse, customer-focused and responsive global supply chain management solutions business. The team have delivered exceptional growth over the last two years, including the launch of its US business.
“We are proud to support the Board in this acquisition which will enable the business to expand into new geographies and sectors, continue to innovate its technology and strengthen its position in a dynamic and buoyant market.”
Ligentia expects to complete the transaction in Q3 after regulatory approvals have been received.
Ligentia has been supported in this transaction by Rothschild, DC Advisory, Squire Patton Boggs, KPMG, Roland Berger and Addleshaw Goddard. VGL Solid Group has been supported by PwC, GKW, Skadden and KPMG.
Investment in Transpennine trains goes up to £9bn
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has more than trebled the investment for TransPennine route upgrades, slashing journey times, setting the foundations for Northern PowerHouse Rail and reducing carbon emissions by up to 87,000 tonnes per year.
The increase in funding, from £2.9 billion to more than £9 billion, is set to strengthen TRU and Northern Powerhouse Rail, transforming an already ambitious project to a ‘gold standard’ and delivering on the government’s priority of Levelling Up the country.
The full route will be fitted with the latest technology, from complete electrification and full digital signalling, to increased capacity along the route for passenger and freight services between Huddersfield and Westtown in Dewsbury, doubling tracks from two to four.
A further £959 million of funding has been released to progress the next phase of TRU between Manchester and York. The almost £1 billion will be spent on the remaining electrification of the railway between Stalybridge and Manchester and unlocking shorter journey times and trans-Pennine rail freight flows, with electric trains between Manchester and Stalybridge expected to hit the tracks around the middle of the decade.
Funding will also facilitate Northern Powerhouse Rail potentially doubling the amount of direct construction jobs from 2,000 to up to 4,000, taking thousands of lorries off our roads and delivering better journeys, sooner for passengers across the north.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to redesign the railways and it’s only right that we deliver this in line with the best quality technology at our disposal. By trebling the overall investment in the TRU, I’m ensuring the north is at the forefront of the government’s Levelling Up agenda and guaranteeing passengers gold standard services set to deliver greener, faster and reliable services through Northern Powerhouse Rail, electrification and additional train tracks.”
Once complete, the TRU is expected to deliver multiple benefits, delivering an extra two passenger trains every hour and additional hourly freight slots. Upgrades are expected to service more reliable journeys and slash journey times by up to 40%. Northern Powerhouse Rail will be fully electrified, improving the local environment and air quality across the north.
Masterplan for Scarborough moves forward with proposal for hotel
Plans for a £15 million investment in Scarborough’s North Bay will be presented to councillors at a meeting of cabinet next week (26 July).
Yorkshire businessman Nick Thomas MBE has put forward plans for a hotel and has offered to buy the site of the former indoor swimming pool in Ryndle Crescent.
At their meeting, councillors will be asked to approve the sale of the land to enable the redevelopment plans to progress to the next stage.
Through his business – Qdos Entertainment – Mr Thomas wants to build a 100-bedroom hotel, including several suites, both with and without sea views.
On the ground floor there would be a bar, restaurant and meeting space.
The hotel would create around 120 new jobs and provide an estimated 70,000 additional overnight bed spaces per year, contributing an extra £3.4 million to the local economy.
Pitched as a four star ‘plus’ hotel, the facility would be promoted as a destination venue which, Mr Thomas says, would not be in direct competition with nearby establishments.
The investment would be funded privately.
A shortage of higher-quality accommodation in Scarborough has been highlighted in several previous studies, not least the recent visitor economy strategy from 2020.
The North Bay masterplan – which was agreed by Scarborough Borough Council’s cabinet at its meeting on 1 July – also includes an ambition to improve facilities for visitors and residents.
A hotel is considered to be complementary to the overall vision for North Bay. It would be the first significant piece of the masterplan to come to fruition.
The pool closed in 2017 when new facilities opened at the sports village and permission to demolish the building was granted in 2021. Work to clear the site started earlier this year.
If approved, the council will benefit from the proceeds of the sale of the land and ongoing income from business rates.
The hotel proposal would mean the loss of some car parking, but this would be mitigated by making greater use of an overspill parking area opposite the proposed hotel.
The North Bay masterplan includes the potential for a multi-storey car park on the former Atlantis site which would provide more space than would be lost at Ryndle Crescent.
The redevelopment of the former pool site is subject to planning permission being granted.
Councillor Liz Colling, cabinet member for inclusive growth, said: “We have an exciting and ambitious vision for Scarborough’s North Bay which is set out in the masterplan that cabinet approved earlier this month. Improving facilities for visitors and residents is central to future development and schemes which could help us achieve this are very welcome.
“We have received an initial offer to buy the former indoor pool site to make way for a new hotel proposition which would be in addition to the existing accommodation offer. If cabinet approves the purchase, we will benefit from the proceeds of the sale which we can reinvest in local services in Scarborough.”
Sustainable aviation fuels to be driven by new Boeing and University of Sheffield partnership
Sustainable aviation fuels which will reduce the carbon emissions associated with flying will be driven by a new partnership between Boeing and the University of Sheffield.
The aerospace company has signed a new research partnership with the University, becoming the founding member of the Energy Innovation Centre, a new Research & Development (R&D) scheme to develop new low carbon technologies.
The Energy Innovation Centre, launched by the University of Sheffield Energy Institute, offers partners from industry access to two of the University’s newest world class research facilities – the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC) a first-of-its-kind facility in the UK that will help test and certify new sustainable aviation fuels and the Translational Energy Research Centre (TERC), which will contain pilot-scale production facilities suitable for investigating different methods of producing SAF.
Boeing is set to use the partnership to test, develop and assess new sustainable aviation fuels, which are vital to reducing carbon emissions and reaching net zero.
SAF offers the most immediate and greatest potential to decarbonise aviation over the next 20 to 30 years. Sustainably produced jet fuel reduces CO2 emissions by as much as 80 per cent over the fuel’s lifecycle with the potential to reach 100 percent in the future. SAF is certified for commercial use and can be blended by up to 50 per cent with traditional jet fuel without modifications to aeroplanes, engines or fueling infrastructure. Boeing has committed to deliver its commercial aeroplanes capable and certified to fly on 100 per cent SAF by 2030.
The partnership builds on Boeing’s longstanding relationship with the University of Sheffield and its presence in South Yorkshire.
Professor Koen Lamberts, president and vice-chancellor of the University Sheffield, said: “At a time when the UK’s commitment to net zero is questioned and debated, R&D into low carbon technologies and products couldn’t be more important. We are delighted to welcome Boeing as a founding partner of the University of Sheffield Energy Innovation Centre. Our partnership with Boeing spans over 20 years, and together we are committed to developing the type of innovation needed to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Sir Martin Donnelly, president of Boeing Europe and Managing Director of Boeing in the UK and Ireland, said: “Boeing has a long history in South Yorkshire, having set up the AMRC to drive innovation in aerospace manufacturing, and subsequently opening our first European manufacturing site there. This opportunity to build upon our existing partnerships with Sheffield and to build new ones, while also working toward a more sustainable future for aviation, is a great privilege for us.”
Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, head of the University of Sheffield Energy Institute, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Boeing as our first member of the Energy Innovation Centre scheme. The EIC has an impact strategy built around delivering societal and economic benefit through rigorous research with industry, and this connection with Boeing takes a step towards making that aim a reality, especially in the exciting and vital realm of sustainable flight.
“Active engagement with industry and commerce is especially critical to ensuring that research is relevant, timely and positive in its practical applications. We look forward to the growth of this scheme, welcoming future partners of any size and any sector, and boosting the UK’s net zero ambitions through innovation R&D.”
Brian Moran, Boeing vice president of Global Sustainability Policy and Partnerships, said: “In order for the aviation industry to meet its net zero carbon emissions commitment by 2050 it will take all of us collaborating and investing in scientific research and testing. We are honored to partner with the University of Sheffield on the UK’s first major SAF hub which highlights our global commitment to developing SAF as a safe, proven, near-term solution to decarbonize aviation.”
Energy Minister Greg Hands said: “This partnership, backed by £7 million government funding, will help accelerate the development of cleaner, fuel efficient flight. This will be vital as we work to end our dependency on volatile fossil fuels, to strengthen our energy security and slash emissions.”
Aviation Minister Robert Courts said: “This new partnership is a great opportunity to boost the use of sustainable aviation fuels. The University of Sheffield has two of the world’s greatest research facilities which Boeing, and hopefully many more, can now use – a crucial step towards a jet zero future.
“Decarbonising the aviation industry remains one of the Government’s top priorities, and earlier this year we set out plans for the first transatlantic flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel to take to the skies in 2023.”
Bradford-developed artificial intelligence system will fight airline industry cyber attacks
A team of Bradford researchers in the Bradford-Renduchintala Centre for Space AI has developed an AI-based system to combat cyber-attacks against aeroplanes and air traffic control.
Cyber attacks, including ransomware, malware and bot attacks, are considered a major threat to aeronautical systems the world over.
Prof Fun Hu, inaugural director of the Bradford Renduchintala Centre for Space AI, is leading a research team at Bradford to develop AI-based solutions to thwart such attacks.
She said: “The project aims to define an intelligent and secured aeronautical data link communications network, based on software defined networking, augmented with AI, to predict and prevent safety services outages, to optimise available network resources and to implement cybersecurity functions to protect the network against digital attacks. The University of Bradford leads the Cyber Security work package in the SINAPSE project.”
Prof Hu recently presented the team’s work, Machine Learning and Cyber Security: Robust Protection Against Digital Attack, to the EU SESAR webinar ‘Innovative Solutions for ATM Resilience’, as a part of the SINAPSE project.
SINAPSE started in May 2020 and is funded under the EU H2020 Single European Sky ATM Research Joint Undertaking (SJU), with a remit to develop solutions to cyber-attacks directed at air traffic control and aeroplanes.
The Professor added: “We developed a framework to tackle potential digital attacks on aeronautical communication networks using federated learning. While the prototype produced encouraging results, a lot still needs to be done to ensure the framework be efficiently and realistically applied to the real aeronautical environment.
“Currently we rely on open datasets to test our framework. The next stage of development will involve testing the algorithm on real traffic and attack patterns of the aeronautic communications applications.”
The Bradford team designed an innovative cyber security framework using collaborative machine learning, considering a hybrid-SDN architecture that maps onto the Future Communication Infrastructure, to provide digital and secure communication capabilities for integrated communication, navigation, and surveillance.
North Yorkshire Innovators team up to secure funding for green hydrogen project
A collaboration between two North Yorkshire companies has secured £297,000 of funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Industrial Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to support the switch from natural gas to hydrogen and help the UK meet its target of becoming net zero by 2050.
Pipeline experts Sustainable Pipeline Systems and end-connection experts Smartflow Couplings will now begin feasibility work at SPS’s site in East Heslerton, near Malton, as part of BEIS’s Industrial Fuel Switching Programme.
North Yorkshire sustainability consultant Andy Rickard will be working with the two companies to identify local industries and sites interested in utilising green hydrogen available at SPS’ North Yorkshire demonstrator base from 2024. This may include farms using offroad vehicles currently fuelled by diesel which could use hydrogen combustion engines. Hydrogen can be made from biomass creating a more sustainable energy cycle.
The project aims to show the feasibility of automated mobile pipeline construction with reduced carbon footprint and advanced digital integrity monitoring. SPS MASiP system has been developed for the hydrogen era for which a new backbone of hydrogen pipelines is needed for the UK, Europe and beyond. This development will support high pressure and larger diameter pipelines needed to connect industrial centres with the hydrogen supply needed for the future
SPS have formed a hydrogen advisory pipeline panel with most of the leading energy companies active in developing hydrogen options to guide the development of a full scale hydrogen pipeline demonstrator in 2023. The demonstrator aims to show end use as well as advanced pipeline construction technology for hydrogen fuel supply in industrial infrastructure.
Andrew Stevenson, CEO of SPS, said: “We are proud to be playing an integral role in the preparation for a new hydrogen pipeline transportation network to support the UK’s fuel switching plans.
“We are already at the forefront of pipe technology innovation, including digital monitoring to reduce environmental impact and monitor networks for leaks and fatigue failures.
“This project will allow us to use the expertise developed in other energy arenas to support decarbonisation.”
Smartflow specialises in designing and manufacturing dry break couplings to improve the efficiency of fluid transfer processes, as well as bespoke design and supply of end connections such as the SPS pipe connections. The manufacturer will aim to develop a high performance 36 inch diameter coupling to use across the SPS hydrogen network.
The two companies have worked together on developing 12” pipe assemblies for the past five years but this will be the first time they have partnered on exploring larger diameter pipelines which will be required for hydrogen roll-out. The feasibility phase of the project is expected to be completed by the autumn with a follow-on demonstrator project going ahead early 2023.
Gary Thompson, Managing Director of Smartflow, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to build on the work we have started in partnership with SPS during the early development, to facilitate the switch to hydrogen fuel.
“Our aim is to increase the Technology Readiness Level of the end connection system, with the intention of having pipe diameters developed up to 36” by 2024.
“Hydrogen gas can cause a lot of problems for standard carbon steel pipes and welded connections, so this project will require a corrosion resistant connection to match SPS’s patented MASIP pipeline product.”
Evergreen hires digital lead following 277% growth
Sheffield-based healthcare communications consultancy, Evergreen PR, has hired former Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games brand manager Charlotte Faulkner as its digital lead.
In her new role, Faulkner is responsible for driving forward Evergreen’s online offering, using her digital and branding expertise as part of Evergreen’s unique MERTO map approach to helping health organisations uncover the Most Effective Route To Outcomes.
She brings almost a decade of experience in content marketing, brand management and impact measurement, having worked in digital and brand roles for the likes of Jaywing, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Brighton Marathon.
Her impact is already being felt, with a new Evergreen campaign for the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Veteran Friendly GP practice programme delivering a 227% uptick in accreditations – the target outcome – and open and click-through rates for newsletters improving across clients.
She joins at an exciting time for the agency, with Evergreen recording a 277% growth in 2021, making it the fifth-fastest growing consultancy in the UK. The agency, which works with healthcare clients including the Personalised Care Institute, OutsideClinic, Ascenti and Quorn, was the big winner at the recent PRCA Dare Awards, taking home six awards including Small Consultancy of the Year 2022.
Evergreen PR managing director, Leigh Greenwood, said:
“After a period of significant growth, we’re really delighted to welcome Charlotte to the core Evergreen team.
“Not only does her skillset and experience add an extra level of expertise to our offering but she is also a great cultural fit and motivated by our purpose of improving people’s health by delivering business outcomes.
“She’s a great hire and we’re excited to see the direction she takes in her career with Evergreen in, as we continue on to work towards our vision of becoming the consultancy of choice for organisations that transform people’s health.”
Commenting on her new role, Faulkner said:
“It’s been great to join Evergreen PR at a time where the agency is growing so quickly. As a team, it’s clear that we’re all aligned in our ambition and purpose, working smartly to deliver communications that improve people’s health and produce impactful results for clients. I look forward to working with the Evergreen PR team and our clients to deliver more award winning work in the future.”
