Hessle food firm scales up with Bedfordshire firm acquisition

Stuart Pearcey
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Hessle food firm scales up with Bedfordshire firm acquisition
Hessle-based Tuber Group is continuing to scale up with the acquisition of fresh produce processor MyFresh for an undisclosed sum. MyFresh, based Bedfordshire, has been part of the William Jackson Food Group since 2006 and is one of the UK’s leading processors and suppliers of freshly prepared vegetables to the B2B and food service sector. Its range includes peeled and chopped potatoes, onions, carrots and sweet potatoes plus pureed products. It has a 150-strong team based at its BRC Grade AA awarded vegetable processing facility in Chicksands which includes an anaerobic digestion plant on site, generating electricity from vegetable waste. Tuber Produce was founded in 2017 by MD Steven Humphrey to supply potatoes to food processors and packers in the UK. It procures a wide range of fresh and frozen produce for food processors and food service businesses worldwide.
“This latest acquisition marks another exciting milestone in the development of Tuber Group as we continue to expand the range of food products we offer and optimise our global procurement capabilities,” said Mr Humphrey. “The addition of a well-established vegetable processor like MyFresh is a great fit for us given Tuber Group’s established position on the global vegetable trading stage, alongside our added-value potato manufacturing site, serving both retail and food service. It will give Tuber Group a great opportunity to grow the offering to MyFresh’s current customer base and drive sales in the B2B and food service sectors.” He added: “Our intention is to invest heavily in the MyFresh site, installing cooking and freezing capabilities, alongside a high-care operation in order to become the UK’s biggest ‘one stop shop’, supplying freshly prepared, cooked and frozen, and ready to eat vegetables, along with pureed products, to B2B, food service and retail clients. “There’s a fantastic team at MyFresh and we’re looking forward to working with them as we take this great business on the next step of its journey. By building on MyFresh’s many years of knowledge and expertise of the fresh prep sector, we will drive it into new areas, such as ready to eat products, direct to retail, and aim to add significant value to the food sector as a whole through our innovative ideas.” James Watson, CEO of William Jackson Food Group, said: “This sale represents a great opportunity for MyFresh to join a like-minded business with expertise in fresh produce and plans to invest and expand into new markets. We’ve known some of our MyFresh colleagues for 16 years so it’s hard to say farewell, but I have no doubt that this opportunity is what MyFresh needs to thrive.”

Azets in Yorkshire advises on EOT of A&F Sprinklers

Michael Fisher
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Azets in Yorkshire advises on EOT of A&F Sprinklers
A&F Sprinklers, the Rochdale-based sprinkler company, has become an employee-owned business. A £30m turnover business, it was purchased in October 2005 by Mark and Lesley Stansfield. They are transferring 80% of shares to an Employee-owned Trust (EOT) for the benefit of employees. Mark Stansfield will remain Managing Director. A&F Sprinklers specialises in the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of automatic sprinkler systems. A&F Sprinklers supplies high-profile retailers, commercial and residential sectors, as well as distribution and construction industries. Clients include Dunelm, Hotel Chocolat, Next, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose. Headquartered in Rochdale the team of 82 office and 61 field staff provide a nationwide call-out service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Mark Stansfield, Managing Director at A&F Sprinklers said: “It’s such a proud moment to be able to hand over ownership of A&F Sprinklers. Transferring ownership into our team’s hands ensures our culture and values live on, which was one of the most important factors to us in considering any next chapter for the company.” “We firmly believe this next chapter as an employee-owned business is just a reward for the hard work and talent of our brilliant team. Becoming employee-owned is about maintaining and building on our unique culture. Creating a great place to work is fundamental to our business principles, and we’re excited about the next stage of A&F Sprinklers’ journey.” “We have received terrific support from the teams at Azets and Ramsdens, who helped us navigate and negotiate the transaction.” A&F Sprinklers was advised by Tariq Javaid & Karen Sadler at Azets. Stephen Newman at Ramsdens provided legal advice. Tariq Javaid, Corporate Finance Partner at Azets in Yorkshire said: “A&F Sprinklers is a business exceptionally well-suited for employee ownership, being an organisation with a strong culture, firmly established values, and an emphasis on the quality of its people. It has been a privilege to work with Mark, Lesley, and the team in assisting them with this transition, and I am confident that A&F Sprinklers has a bright future as an employee-owned business.”

The Growth Company recognised with Social Enterprise Gold Mark Accreditation

Michael Fisher
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The Growth Company recognised with Social Enterprise Gold Mark Accreditation
Pioneering social enterprise, The Growth Company, has been accredited with the Social Enterprise Gold Mark, a prestigious accolade recognising that it puts the interests of people and the planet above financial gain. Among many highlights, the accreditation recognises the added social value that The Growth Company brings to Yorkshire through programmes of support such as its delivery of the CFO Yorkshire Activity Hubs to support people on probation with getting back on track. A UK-wide not-for-profit economic development agency, The Growth Company seeks to generate inclusive growth in the country’s economy by creating jobs and improving lives. It provides individuals and businesses with a wide range of services that improve employment, skills, investment, and enterprise for the benefit of all. In August 2021, The Growth Company was accredited as a social enterprise through the Social Enterprise Mark. To achieve the additional Gold Mark, it had to submit a range of evidence outlining how it met criteria, including independently conducted interviews with Board members and responses from a staff survey. The Gold Mark is a recognition that The Growth Company upholds the highest standards of a social enterprise and can show best practice across the areas of: governance, stakeholder engagement, business ethics, financial transparency and social impact. Mark Hughes, CEO of The Growth Company, says: “I’m incredibly proud of the work that The Growth Company does on behalf of the businesses and communities we support, and it’s testament to the people who work with us that we have now been independently accredited with the Social Enterprise Gold Mark. “Achieving this high mark of excellence reinforces the impact we have on supporting people and going further when it comes to helping individuals get into work, grow their small businesses, and develop new skills and expertise. It means a huge amount to receive this prestigious accreditation which shows that we demonstrate best practice across several key business areas that are central to social enterprise excellence. “This award recognises we are driven by our values, and  make a positive difference to the people we work with and the world we live in.” The assessor recognised that The Growth Company was an organisation that “practices what they preach”. The report added, ‘Equality, diversity and inclusion are central objectives that run through service delivery and they represent part of who [The Growth Company] are as an organisation’. Lucy Findlay MBE, Managing Director of the Social Enterprise Mark CIC, says: “We are so pleased that the Growth Company – our first group to apply and be awarded the Social Enterprise Gold Mark, have proved their excellence in social enterprise. “We were particularly impressed at how the central values and ethos of the business are consistent throughout the various businesses at all levels. “There is a real coherence and understanding of how everyone plays their part in achieving a better world.  A real model for how social enterprise can successfully scale without losing its identity and purpose.”

National Highways plans £135m road works for Yorkshire and the north east

Stuart Pearcey
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National Highways plans £135m road works for Yorkshire and the north east
National Highways has revealed a £135m package of 300 improvements to roads, pavements and bridges across Yorkshire and the North East over the next 12 months. Motorways and major A roads including the M1, A1(M), M62, M18, A1, A19, A63 and A69 are all included in the package, which will include road resurfacing, bridge joint replacements, improved signage and drainage, renewal of barriers and traffic lights and the provision of facilities for those on foot, bicycles or horses. Simon Boyle, National Highways Regional Director, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people rely on National Highways motorways and major A-roads daily for work journeys, home deliveries, the movement of goods and services or to travel to meet friends and family, so it’s essential that we keep them in a good condition to ensure safety and reliability. “Here in Yorkshire and the North East our 670-mile network sits at the heart of the region’s infrastructure, from the motorways that span the region, to the city roads of Leeds and Newcastle, and rural single carriageways. “Providing access to international gateways – from ports at Grimsby and Immingham and Tees and Hartlepool, to airports at Teesside and Leeds-Bradford – our road system supports business growth. It also brings tourism to our stunning natural, cultural and historic attractions. “This investment means that we can continue our work to deliver the essential maintenance and vital upgrades that will help keep drivers on the move throughout the region, wherever their journey takes them.” The programme of improvements and maintenance includes:
  • New facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians along the A616 at Underbank in South Yorkshire;
  • Resurfacing on the A63 between North Cave and South Cave in the East Riding of Yorkshire;
  • Renewal of traffic signals on the A64 at Rillington, Staxton and Sherburn in North Yorkshire;
  • Parapet replacement on the M62 between junction 24 and 25 in West Yorkshire.

Entrepreneurs offered more help from Government under new scheme

Stuart Pearcey
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Entrepreneurs offered more help from Government under new scheme
A groundbreaking government scheme to boost the productivity and future growth of the country’s business community will benefit even more entrepreneurs from today. The Help to Grow: Management scheme offers business leaders 50 hours of leadership and management training across 12 weeks, backed by £220 million of government funding, which covers 90% of the costs involved. It means for as little as £750 business leaders can benefit from one-to-one support from a business mentor, access to a network of like-minded business leaders, and a bespoke growth plan to help the business reach its full potential. The scheme offers development opportunities for leaders and their staff, boosting productivity and growing their companies which can lead to more high-skill, high-wage jobs. This is part of the government’s commitment to grow the economy to address the cost of living and level up opportunity across the UK, alongside standing behind businesses by cutting fuel duty and raising the Employment Allowance. Until today, eligible businesses could only have one participant on the scheme. From today, businesses with 10 or more employees will be eligible to have up to two participants join the scheme. Additionally, previous participants on the Small Business Leadership Programme will now be eligible to join the scheme. Today it’s also announced that top names including Santander, Vodafone and award-winning mentor Herman Stewart have signed up as volunteer mentors to support the Help to Grow: Management course. Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “Again and again, business leaders are telling us how much they are benefiting from the Help to Grow: Management scheme both personally, and in the results they see in their companies and from their staff. “By expanding the scheme even further, more and more people will benefit from what Help to Grow: Management has to offer – including within the same business – and more organisations can thrive and grow.” Courses have been running at business schools across the UK since June 2021. Feedback on the training has been excellent, with business leaders reporting they benefit from greater confidence in leading and managing their businesses as a result of their participation. Find out more about the Help to Grow schemes on the dedicated website.

Investment firm swoops for Lincolnshire agricultural equipment specialist

Tess Egginton
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Investment firm swoops for Lincolnshire agricultural equipment specialist
The listed Japanese conglomerate, Marubeni Corporation, has signed an agreement to divest Spaldings to investment firm, Inspirit Capital. Established in 1956, Spaldings has grown to be the UK and Ireland’s largest distributor of tillage aftermarket equipment, as well as an emerging player in professional groundcare, forestry and industrial products. Lincolnshire-based Spaldings employs over 140 people and has a network of over 30,000 customers. The business also benefits from a number of exclusive or preferred distribution agreements with product manufacturers, as well as an in-house design team focused on the Spaldings own brand product range. Inspirit Capital is a London-based investment firm that specialises in acquiring businesses that are no longer core to their parent company’s strategic objectives and require a different ownership structure to achieve their full potential. Will Stamp, founding partner at Inspirit Capital, says: “We are very pleased to be investing in Spaldings, which again reinforces Inspirit’s status as a trusted counterparty for large corporations. We have been impressed by the loyal customer base at Spaldings, as well as the best-in-class service offering. We are excited about the prospect of continuing to grow the business, both organically and through select acquisitions.” Inspirit has assumed ownership with immediate effect and is making the investment from Inspirit Fund I. As part of the transaction, the business will also benefit from a funding line with Leumi ABL in excess of £10million. Inspirit was advised on the transaction by BDB Pitmans (legal), FRP Advisory (debt), European Valuations (collateral review) and LSH (property).

Helmsley Group makes key hire to head up asset management division

Tess Egginton
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Helmsley Group makes key hire to head up asset management division
York-based property investment and development specialist, Helmsley Group, has appointed Alexia Swift-Cookson as its new head of asset management. Originally from Yorkshire, Alexia joins Helmsley from Cushman & Wakefield in London, where she was a partner. Bringing 16 years’ experience to the role, she will assist the group’s growth by managing the performance of its syndicated investment portfolio, ensuring that the properties continue to deliver strong returns for Helmsley’s network of over 800 high-net-worth investors. Commenting on her appointment, Alexia said: “I’m really excited to have joined the Helmsley team. As a small business which packs a huge punch both regionally and nationally, the group’s dynamic and entrepreneurial culture really stood out to me. “The team’s redevelopment plans, particularly around York’s Coney Street, also provide a once-in-a-career opportunity to be involved in placemaking on a large scale, delivering a transformational scheme that will benefit York city centre and beyond.” Richard Peak, Managing Director of Helmsley Group, added: “Alexia joins at an opportune time for Helmsley, as we continue to seize opportunities for investment and development in the region. She brings a wealth of experience to the role and will be a key factor in the continued growth of our asset management division and investor network, as well as positively contributing to the development and diversification of Helmsley as a whole. “As a business which has been developing and investing in Yorkshire for over 40 years, we’re always looking to work with those who are passionate about seeing our region thrive, making Alexia a fantastic addition to the team.”

Forgemasters signs partnership agreement with University of Strathclyde

Stuart Pearcey
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Forgemasters signs partnership agreement with University of Strathclyde
Sheffield Forgemasters has signed up as a Tier One partner with the University of Strathclyde Advanced Forming Research Centre. The move will give Sheffield Forgemasters access to state-of-the-art research and development facilities focusing on emerging advanced manufacturing technologies such as residual stress, advanced furnaces, and forging expertise in Industry 4.0 data analytics and modelling. David Bond, CEO, said: “We have a hugely talented and experienced workforce here in Sheffield tackling some of the biggest engineering challenges we face as the UK makes the transition to a net-zero economy and next-generation defence systems. “As we move into a new phase of our growth and development – both in clean civil nuclear energy and defence technology – it is vital that we harness the best brains and cutting-edge equipment to support us on that journey. “This partnership with the AFRC allows us to do that in a way that may help us to become more innovative and productive while maintaining the most rigorous engineering quality standards. The AFRC now has an outreach office in Sheffield connecting us to the High-Value Manufacturing Catapult team in Scotland; making this a truly national endeavour.” Professor Brad Wynne, who heads the AFRC’s Sheffield outreach operation, said: “South Yorkshire is the crucible of the forging and forming industry and has helped shape the destiny of the British economy since the first industrial revolution. There are huge opportunities for civil nuclear power in the transition to net-zero: but there are also technological and manufacturing challenges. Our mission at the AFRC is to bring industry, government and academia together to overcome these challenges and exploit the opportunities for this region and the wider world as it strives towards the goal of net-zero and improved productivity.” The AFRC’s Sheffield office, supported by Sheffield City Council, helps the country’s leading forming and forging companies in South Yorkshire tap into pioneering metallurgy capabilities, numerical and analytical process modelling tools and advanced industry-scale forging and forming equipment. AFRC Executive Chair, Keith Ridgway, who founded the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing in Rotherham two decades ago said: “Sheffield Forgemasters is an iconic global company with deep roots in the history of Sheffield and engineering innovation.”

Manufacturing Growth Programme delivers business support plea after safeguarding 2,000 jobs in Yorkshire

Tess Egginton
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Manufacturing Growth Programme delivers business support plea after safeguarding 2,000 jobs in Yorkshire
A business support programme that has created and safeguarded over 2,000 manufacturing jobs in Yorkshire is urging local authorities to ensure assistance is still in place under the new funding landscape. Bosses at the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), which provides grants and dedicated consultancy to SME manufacturers across the region, are warning that the potential gap between European Regional Development Funding and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) could see businesses left without the assistance they need. Regional director Dean Barnes believes the fragmented nature of UKSPF – where each local district will receive its own pot of money – means it will be difficult to deliver good quality support to management teams that have guided their firms through Brexit and, more recently, COVID-19. The rallying call comes as MGP reveals its latest performance data, with £1.79m grants delivered to 1,063 Yorkshire companies over the last three years. This has leveraged over £3.2m of private sector investment and helped manufacturers enter new markets, diversify their products/services, improve efficiencies and secure vital quality accreditations. “We’re about to enter one of the most exciting, but challenging times in business support where the focus will fall away from ERDF and into a new landscape where each place (it could be as small as a District Council) will be given control of what they want to invest in and how they want to shape their local investment plan,” explained Dean. “It is key that neighbouring councils work together to pool funding to deliver support at a regional level to ensure they get the most out of their budgets and reduce the amount of ‘business support’ noise in the marketplace.” He went on to add: “The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is intended to help the Government’s desire to ‘level up’, but Yorkshire businesses must have a voice on what they want. “They don’t just need grant funding, they also want advice, best practice implementation and help with long-term improvements.” Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, MGP was launched in 2016 to create a targeted service to support manufacturing SMEs. This focused on creating a team of Manufacturing Growth Managers who work with management teams on initially completing strategic business reviews. From there, they provide grant funding and signposting services to specialists that deliver improvement projects in strategic planning, productivity and process improvement, competitiveness, innovation and leadership and management. Nearly a third of firms so far have chosen to tap into marketing and market knowledge support, followed by a quarter choosing help to improve productivity and 14% wanting assistance with continuous improvement. Jane Galsworthy, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Advice, said: “We are already helping with the ‘levelling up agenda’ by supporting small businesses in less developed areas to grow and have adapted our support model to meet evolving business needs. “These include continuing to boost productivity, helping firms work towards Net Zero, job creation, internationalisation and, increasingly, embracing digitalisation and Industry 4.0.” She concluded: “There has been some massive strides forward in business support and we’ve seen first-hand how the right expertise can unlock the potential of some of our brightest SMEs in Yorkshire. It would be foolish to throw that all away with the launch of UKSPF funding!”

ABP appoints new Head of Marine in the Humber

Stuart Pearcey
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ABP appoints new Head of Marine in the Humber
Paul Bristowe has taken over as ABP’s new Head of Marine in the Humber, replacing Gary Wilson, who is retiring after 50 years in a maritime career. The Marine team comprises of 300 people and includes the Humber Pilots. Paul comes to the Humber from BP plc where he recently ran the Trading Operations team, looking after oil and gas logistics for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He previously spent four years as BP Shipping’s Global Head of Voyage Operations with responsibility for orders, monitoring and optimisation of 50 owned and 200 chartered vessels transporting oil, gas, products, and chemicals. Before joining BP Paul served for 25 years in the Royal Navy where he flew Sea King helicopters before moving into a succession of warfare roles at sea. His military career culminated in Command of HMS Somerset where he led a seven-month maritime security deployment undertaking counter-piracy and escort operations in the Indian Ocean, Somali Basin and Strait of Hormuz. Highlights included the Royal Marine boarding team releasing the crew of a hijacked Pakistani fishing vessel, and a combined operation where Somerset’s crew arrested a gang of Somali pirates who had overthrown an Italian merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden. Simon Bird, Regional Director of ABP Humber said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to ABP. From his international experience with BP to his distinguished 25-year service in the Royal Navy, Paul brings the leadership, commercial acumen and technical knowledge we need for such an important role overseeing the shipping movements for 17% of the nation’s trade.” Mr Bristowe said: “I’ve been impressed by the scale of operations on the Humber which play such an important role in keeping Britain trading. I’ve also been heartened by the high standards of professionalism of the people I’ve met and the all-important safety culture of the organisation. I’m looking forward to spending time with all the various teams, understanding their roles and helping identify improvement opportunities.”
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