APSS become proud sponsors of C2C2C 100-mile bike ride
Lincolnshire-based commercial interior design and fit out business APSS has sponsored the 11th annual charity 100-mile bike ride, submitting its largest team of 17 riders to take on the challenge.
The Castle to Coast to Castle (C2C2C) bike ride first started with 79 riders in a bid to get local businesspeople out of the office and onto their bikes. Now in its 11th year, more than 600 riders take part for local charities.
This year the event will raise money for charities including the APSS charity of the year St Barnabas Hospice in addition to EDAN Lincs, Headway Lincolnshire and Just Lincolnshire.
Laurence Barrass, APSS Managing Director, said: “As a company, APSS wants to help support and strengthen its local community. It’s a great bonding opportunity for our staff, clients, and supply chain alike and is always an excellent challenge for all involved. This year we have a team of 17 people, 10 of which are APSS staff.
“Seeing so many people take up the challenge within the office is fantastic and we are looking forward to raising more money for chosen our charity of the year – St Barnabas Hospice.”
Claire Grieves, one of the event organisers, said: “As a committee we are incredibly grateful for local businesses, like APSS, which have supported the ride over several years as sponsors, and often fielding a large team of riders on the day.
“It is down to generous support of our sponsors covering the costs, that allows all rider entry donations go straight to local charities.”
If you would like to support the APSS riders, please donate via the APSS Just Giving Page.
Yorkshire business confidence falls in May but firms eye growth
Business confidence in Yorkshire fell seven points during May to 34%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in the region reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down eight points at 44%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down five points to 24%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 34%.
Yorkshire businesses identified a range of growth opportunities for the next six months, including evolving their offering (53%), entering new markets (31%) and investing in their teams (28%).
The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
A net balance of 30% of Yorkshire businesses expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down 11 points on last month.
Overall UK business confidence increased by five points during May to 38% – its highest level since February. Firms’ outlook on their future trading prospects rose three points to 42%, and their optimism in the economy increased seven points to 33%. The net balance of businesses planning to create new jobs also increased by 11 points to 37%.
Every UK region and nation reported positive confidence readings in May. London (up 23 points to 63%), Scotland (up 14 points to 42%) and the North West (up 12 points to 44%) reported the largest increases month-on-month, with London now the most optimistic region overall. The East of England, which experienced a 20-point dip in confidence in the last month, is now the least optimistic overall, at 14%.
Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The region’s firms aren’t immune to the ongoing challenges many businesses are facing, including rising costs and skills shortages.
“Despite this, it’s encouraging to see business confidence remain in positive territory, with many setting their sights on growth. To ensure they can jump on opportunities as they arise, firms now need to be prioritising their cash flow management, reviewing supplier and customer payment times and optimising inventory levels to ensure that vital funds are ready to invest, as and when they’re needed.
“I have every confidence that our region’s resilient business community will overcome current headwinds and continue to help Yorkshire prosper.”
From a sector perspective, retail confidence fell two points to 27%, remaining lower than the all-sector average of 38% in the last three months. The confidence level is also the lowest since March 2021 as pressure on household real incomes weigh on spending prospects. In contrast, there was a 21-point rise in construction to 54%, while manufacturing sentiment remained resilient, up two points to 45%. Confidence in the services sector reached a three-month high, increasing 4 points to 36%.
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Business confidence improved this month and firms in general seem able to rebuild some of their margins through price increases. However, they also report several challenges ahead, including concerns around higher costs and an economic slowdown. More immediately, consumer-facing industries, such as retail, are not feeling the same confidence uplift amid the widespread reports of a squeeze on household incomes.”
Leeds-based Financial Planning firm acquires southern advisor
Progeny, the Leeds based Financial Planning and professional services firm, has acquired Hampshire-based Financial Planning firm Coll Perkins for an undisclosed sum.
Coll Perkins is a Financial Planning firm, which was founded in 2011, specialising in pension planning, investment planning, estate planning and insurance & protection and is based in Fareham, Hampshire.
It was founded by Chartered Financial Planner Mark Perkins, who says: “Joining a multi-disciplinary professional services firm like Progeny will allow us to grow and develop while staying true to our values and founding principles.
“It will also bring benefits of scale and scope and comes with new opportunities for our team and our clients.
“We can continue to deliver exceptional service and build long-lasting and trusting relationships, while now offering them an even wider range of market-leading services.
“The ethos of Progeny closely matches our own and we’re looking forward to the fresh potential and productive results that joining them will bring.”
Progeny chief executive officer Neil Moles, adds: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Coll Perkins to Progeny. They will bring new skills and expertise into the mix and the way they operate, engage with their clients and conduct business will ensure they fit right in.
“We are looking forward to extending our footprint in Hampshire and the south of England and to the real value that Coll Perkins will add to our proposition.”
Law Firm’s fond farewell to Gainsborough Stalwart Shan Jaehrig
Well-known local solicitor Shan Jaehrig has recently retired from Sills & Betteridge LLP.
Employment Lawyer Shan joined the firm’s Corporate & Commercial department in 2006 becoming a Partner a year later. Prior to joining the firm she had worked in London for Sir David Napley, the eminent criminal lawyer and for Vestron Inc (who produced Dirty Dancing) before returning to Lincoln to work for the Lincolnshire County Council, becoming Head of the Child Protection Department there.
During her time with the firm, Shan not only helped to build up the employment law department, she was also hugely instrumental in starting up and developing the office in Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough in 2010 and its counterpart in Scunthorpe in 2012. She went on to manage the Gainsborough branch for 7 years until her retirement. The existing Employment Law team headed by Stephen Britton will now look after Shan’s clients and the Gainsborough branch will be managed by Family Law Solicitor Samantha Barrett.
Shan developed a reputation for being a pragmatic, determined and unfalteringly supportive lawyer and leader, highly respected and popular among clients and colleagues alike.
Senior Partner Karen Bower-Brown speaking on behalf of the firm says “I have really enjoyed and valued having Shan as a colleague. She has been an invaluable member of the team and will be greatly missed. The partners and I would like to thank Shan for her support, diligence and commitment to the firm and we wish her all the very best for the future.”
Shan was involved in several community initiatives and professional groups, including a position as Vice Chair of Governors of the Queen Elizabeth High School in Gainsborough.
A keen football fan, and supporter of Gainsborough Trinity Football Club, Shan is Vice Chair of the Lincolnshire County Football Association and is Lincolnshire’s representative on the National FA Council. In that capacity, Shan sits on the Judicial Appointments Committee, the Disability Football Committee, the Nominations Committee and the Regional Disciplinary Panel. She has now been asked to sit on the FA’s National Serious Case Panel and its Disciplinary Sub-Committee.
Following involvement with international recruitment firm Perrett Laver on behalf of the FA and Sport England, Shan has been asked by Perrett Laver to sit as an independent Panel member to assist with recruitment in other sports and has recently assisted the Lincolnshire Cricket Board with their Board recruitment.
It is therefore unlikely that Shan will really be “retiring” any time soon!
Competition watchdog probes Morrisons buyout of McColl’s
The CMA is investigating the completed acquisition by Bradford-headquartered supermarket giant Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd of certain assets of Mccoll’s Retail Group Plc, Martin McColl Limited, Clark Retail Limited, Dillons Stores Limited, Smile Stores Limited, Charnwait Management Limited, and Martin Retail Group Limited.
The regulator outlined the details of its probe yesterday, saying it was due to concerns that the deal could result, or may be expected to result in, a substantial lessening of competition.
A CMA spokesperson said: “We’re aware of the circumstances surrounding Morrisons buying McColl’s convenience stores.
“Now that the businesses have told us that they intend to submit the deal for our review, we will conduct our investigation as promptly as possible.
“Imposing an interim enforcement order is standard practice where a deal has already completed – but we’ve worked closely with Morrisons to ensure that it can provide the support that McColl’s needs to continue to operate during our investigation.”
In short, the enforcement order, instructs both parties to continue to compete as they did previously, while the CMA investigation is conducted.
The Bradford-headquartered supermarket invested £182m to snap up the 1,160 storesMcColl’s newsagent chain’s, heading off a rival bid by Asda.
The newsagents equity value was valued at around £3m earlier this month while senior creditors were owed some £170m, according to documents from administrators PwC.
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Inspiring Women event returns to Humber Business Week
Business, politics, and community support will come together when HullBID revives its Inspiring Women dinner as one of the highlights of Humber Business Week.
HSBC – which also stepped in as the main backer of the 2022 HullBID Awards – will be joined by Hull-based interpreting and translation company Language is Everything as sponsors of the event at The Deep on Thursday 8th June.
The dinner has been a sell-out every year and demand is again high for a speaker line-up of MP Emma Hardy, Language is Everything CEO Carolyn Johnson and Sam Barlow, the founder and Chief Officer of Fitmums and Friends.
Language is Everything was established in 1992 and Carolyn said she wanted to mark the 30th anniversary by celebrating the place that inspired her and the people who have made it possible.
Carolyn said: “Sponsoring a business week event seemed fitting, and the Inspiring Women dinner especially so, as Language is Everything has recently been named one of the top three workplaces for women in the UK by Great Place to Work.”
Carolyn added that she wants to share her story in the context of the revival of the Humber region which she believes has been important to the company’s success.
She said: “A thriving regional economy and cultural sector leads to enhanced opportunities, increased business confidence and employees with a positive mindset.”
Fitmums and Friends dates back to 2009 when Sam’s eldest child started school and she suddenly realised she was missing the opportunity to meet and socialise with other parents. She used her love of running to organise sociable jogging sessions and, after starting with four mums, now has more than 1,000 members with 14 groups stretching across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
When Sam’s husband Mike died of cancer in October 2020, the family set up a fund in his name to offer help to anyone who may be struggling to access support. Sam also used her personal experience of bereavement to develop a programme of walking and yoga sessions for adults and an outdoor activity project for children which now support others in Hull who have experienced the death of someone close to them.
In December 2021, Sam was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero, an award which recognises the volunteers in sport whose efforts are making a difference to communities. She has now added public speaking to her hectic schedule.
Sam said: “I am so excited about the opportunity to speak at the HullBID Inspiring Women event as part of Biz Week. After winning the BBC award I have been sharing my story which I’m told is inspiring! It is essentially the story of an ‘ordinary mum’ who despite adversity creates an organisation which supports hundreds of men, women and children to reap the rewards of being active.
“A little venture which started in an East Yorkshire village has now spread across Yorkshire and into North East Lincolnshire and continues to grow. I am honoured to be included in the line-up of inspiring women and I look forward to joining an amazing event”.
Emma Hardy said support for women is one of the key drivers for the Work Hull Work Happy initiative which was launched in Hull earlier this year, promoting the city as the remote and co-working capital of the UK and a place where people can pursue their dream career without compromising on connectivity, culture or the cost of living
Emma said: “The way we use our city centres is changing rapidly and HullBID has a vital role to play in that transformation. When I conceived of the Work Hull, Work Happy project to make Hull the remote and co-working capital of the UK, it was as a part of this need to reimagine what is possible in our city.
“Even as the main breadwinner, women are still too often expected to shoulder a disproportionate share of caring and domestic responsibilities. Expanding the opportunities in remote and co-working to give greater flexibility in where, when and how you work will open the door to more women to pursue their ambitions.”
Kathryn Shillito, HullBID Executive Director, said: “We know from the experience of our previous dinners that this is one of the most popular events in the Biz Week programme. It provides a rare opportunity for fun networking and it is certainly inspirational. We’re extremely grateful to HSBC, our event sponsor, and to reception drinks sponsor Language is Everything for their support.”
Investor support for FTSE 100 CEO pay rebounds despite return to pre-pandemic levels
The median FTSE 100 CEO package for 2021 returned to pre-pandemic levels at £3.62m,1 according to a preview of Deloitte’s 2022 AGM season report. The research found that while total pay rebounded following 2020, it has stayed below the peak level seen in recent years – a high of £4.04m in 2017.
In 2020, median FTSE 100 CEO total pay fell for a fourth consecutive year to £2.78m. This followed voluntary pay-cuts at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly reduced annual bonus pay outs, and companies heeding investor pressure to align executive pensions with rates available to the wider workforce.
The revival of higher CEO pay packages in 2021 can be attributed to a rebound in annual bonus and long-term incentive out-turns. The median annual bonus pay out was 89% of the maximum award in 2021. Median long-term incentive vesting levels – the extent to which performance conditions are achieved under long term incentive plans – was 59% of maximum. During 2021, the FTSE 100 index rallied by over 14%, recovering to levels seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
High levels of investor and proxy support for directors’ remuneration reports
The 2022 AGM season has seen high levels of investor support for directors’ remuneration reports to date. The proportion of FTSE 100 companies receiving ‘low votes’ (less than 80% in favour) on their annual remuneration report, has fallen to 6% from 13% in 2021, with median support of 94% of votes in favour of the annual remuneration report.
Stephen Cahill, vice chairman at Deloitte, said:
“UK listed companies are subject to the highest remuneration governance standards globally, and the UK has not followed countries like the US in terms of executive pay inflation in recent years. In general, we have seen investors and proxy agencies supportive of pay decisions in 2021.
“With rising cost of living and an uncertain geopolitical environment, the year ahead could be more challenging.
“Investors will rightly hold companies to account where performance does not justify pay outs or where executives are seen to be insulated from the wider employee experience. Balancing fairness and competitiveness will play a part in the long-term success of London’s capital markets.”
Remuneration policies
In 2023, the majority of FTSE 100 companies are expected to seek a triannual binding vote on the remuneration policy, 17 FTSE 100 companies have put a new remuneration policy to a shareholder vote in 2022 to date, with four companies receiving less than 80% votes in favour. This included large multinationals increasing incentive opportunities to remain competitive in a global talent market.
Climate and ESG
Of the FTSE 100 companies, 11 have put a voluntary ‘say on climate’ resolution to shareholder vote in 2022 to date. Five companies received under 90% of votes in favour of their climate actions and disclosures.
Over 90% of FTSE 100 companies now incorporate ESG measures into their incentive plans. Following COP26 and mandatory TCFD reporting for premium listed companies, over 50% of companies include carbon emissions reduction metrics under the annual bonus or long-term incentive, typically linked to Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
Stephen Cahill added:
“Investors are increasingly engaging with UK businesses on their climate ambitions, with a focus on alignment with Paris Agreement goals and the quality of their disclosures. Where ESG measures are linked to pay, investors are raising the bar in terms of the transparency and stretch of targets to ensure pay reflects genuine progress in this area.”
Howard Civil Engineering celebrate five framework awards within 14 months
Howard Civil Engineering are celebrating securing positions on a total of five frameworks within 14 months, after recently been awarded a place on North East Lincolnshire Council’s £73m Highways Framework.
The company is one of seven who have been shortlisted to tender for highways capital works to the value of £250,000 to £1.5m on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council. Potential works on this framework include carriageway and footway reconstruction, traffic calming schemes, and civils works in connection with traffic signal and controlled crossing improvements.
Howard Civil Engineering’s place on the new frameworks is in addition to their existing framework awards which include North Yorkshire County Council Civil Engineering, City of York Minor Civils, North East Procurement Organisation Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Works and, most recently, Pagabo’s £1.56b National Framework.
Pre-contracts manager Brian Barton (pictured, left) played a key role in Howard Civil Engineering’s framework applications and is thrilled with the company’s achievements.
“To go from securing our first ever framework place in April 2021 to winning our fourth and fifth a little over a year later is a huge accomplishment,” he said. “We look forward to working in partnership with these organisations, using our award-winning value engineering capability and our highly experienced team of professionals to deliver a quality product and ensure client satisfaction.”
Brian’s sentiments are echoed by pre-construction director Peter Howard (pictured, right).
“This is a fantastic achievement for not only the business development team but the company as a whole,” he said. “I am delighted that our expertise and industry-leading knowledge has been recognised by two more framework organisations and I am confident that our impressive portfolio will support our delivery of these highways works.”
Union Flag to fly high from the top of the Humber Bridge as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations
ORGANISERS of a spectacular Platinum Jubilee flotilla and flypast have revealed plans to apply the finishing touch to the celebrations by flying the Union Flag from two of the highest points in the region.
Hessle Town Council has secured agreement with the Humber Bridge Board to raise the flags on each of the two towers of the Bridge on the evening of Wednesday 1 June, the eve of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Local businesses have rallied round to provide the flags and will take the opportunity to acknowledge the Armed Forces by handing the flag-hoisting duties to Gary “Goose” Cryer, a Parachute Regiment veteran and founding member of the Care After Combat charity.
The flags have been sourced by Hull-based company Hi-Fliers, which was formed around 40 years ago and operates internationally, with a second branch in Florida. The installation costs have been covered by Estates, a property business based on the banks of the Humber at Waterside Business Park, Hessle.
Nigel Cousins, Managing Director of Hi-Fliers, said: “I took over the business 25 years ago because I saw it as a marvellous opportunity to travel the world. We do national flags, corporate flags, regimental flags, special occasion flags… anything.
“I did the 28 flags of Europe which used to fly next to Hull marina. I also put one on top of Beverley Minster, we supply flags to Morrisons for their stores and a few years ago we put the flags round Parliament Square.
“We have never done a flag above 300 feet high and the towers reach 510 feet so it will be a high point for us! I don’t know if anybody will be going higher than that for the Platinum Jubilee but they will certainly be the highest flags in our region and we are very proud to be involved.”
Andrew Miller founded Estates around 30 years ago and works to provide affordable residential; properties on the north and south banks of the Humber.
He said: “We have a team of 12 and we use the Humber Bridge several times every day. It’s a great asset to the region and has helped to develop the economy on both sides of the river.
“As soon as I heard about this idea I decided instantly to do whatever I could to make it happen. It’s very important that we wave the Union Flag and respect the flag, and I have taken that a step further by inviting Gary ‘Goose’ Cryer to take my place and raise the flags.
“As a business we are keen to support Care after Combat, who provide life-changing and life-saving support to some of our most vulnerable Armed Forces veterans. As its President and a founding member, Goose Cryer, gave distinguished service to his country and continues his essential work helping veterans most in need.”
Hessle Town Council is organising the Humber Platinum Jubilee Flotilla of 70 ships and boats on Thursday 2 June as a celebration of Her Majesty’s reign and a re-enactment of the Humber flotilla of 60 boats for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the historic occasion in 1897 when watermen gathered their boats on the Humber in celebration of Queen Victoria’s 60-year reign.
Town Council members are working closely with Phil Withers, a former councillor who organised the 2012 event, Paul Hatley, Project Director of Lagoon Hull, and Captain Phil Cowing, Master Warden of Hull Trinity House and former Harbour Master Humber, who will co-ordinate the fleet arrangements.
The Town Council has liaised with Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, the tourism arm of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council, on a programme of activities during the day which will include music and entertainment at Hessle Foreshore and Hull Marina.
Michael Wood, the East Riding of Yorkshire town crier, will deliver a Royal proclamation at the beacon on Hessle Foreshore at 2pm on Thursday 2 June.
The RAF Battle of Britain flypast by two Spitfires at Victoria Pier in Hull will signal the start of the flotilla at 7pm. The vessels are due to arrive at the Humber Bridge at 8pm and will then turn round west of the bridge and begin their return to Hull at 9pm, with some continuing to Grimsby.
At 9.45pm there will be the ceremonial lighting of Jubilee beacons at Hull, Hessle, North Ferriby, Barton and other locations around the estuary – all part of an initiative to light 2,022 beacons around the UK.
Beacons will also be lit in all 54 Commonwealth capitals and the Principal Beacon lighting will take place in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Mr Withers said: “The Queen holds a special place in the history of the Humber Bridge having performed the official opening ceremony in 1981, and as far as we can establish this is a first.
“Hi-Fliers supply windsocks to the Humber Bridge but we’re not aware of anybody having flown flags from the top of the towers, even at that opening ceremony 41 years ago! It’s a lovely finishing touch to a unique Platinum Jubilee celebration.”
Leeds engineers appointed to Yorkshire housing framework
Leeds engineers RWO has been appointed to a building framework that will see the firm support the development of hundreds of millions of pounds of affordable housing projects.
The move sees the Park Square-based civil and structural engineers secure a place on Yorkshire Housing’s engineering panel following a competitive tender, paving the way to possible work on £500 million worth of building work.
Formed in 1999, Yorkshire Housing is a not-for-profit organisation, which manages more than 18,000 affordable and social rent homes across 20 local authorities. The framework is used to support a development programme that includes the delivery of upwards of 1,000 new homes for rent and sale per year across the region.
The work RWO is set to provide under the agreement, which is structured to make it accessible to smaller local contractors as well as large operators, includes site wide earthworks and infrastructure design along with civil and structural engineering services.
The news is the latest success for RWO, which currently employs 30 people as it continues to recruit additional staff to strengthen its team to meet the strong demand for construction engineering services from regional house builders.
Andrew Fairburn, director of RWO’s Leeds office, said: “This is a major coup for us, strengthening our burgeoning partnership with Yorkshire Housing. Although we work across all sectors, we have built a strong reputation in the affordable housing sector, completing projects alongside housing associations, construction firms and public sector organisations.
“We now very much look forward to working with Yorkshire Housing and supporting its ambitious growth and future residential development plans.”
RWO’s other regional house builder clients include Gleeson Homes, Bellway, Taylor Wimpey, and Countryside Properties.
