Cargo2Go names Doncaster as latest franchise base
Same-day courier company Cargo2Go is being launched in Doncaster, as it looks to expand its operation, having recruited a record number of drivers in the second half of 2021.
Jim Mosley and Ben Frechette began the first franchise back in 2011, and have since grown that to 10 territories and annual revenue exceeding £3m.
The new Doncaster franchisees are Nuzhat Noreen ul-Haq, Stenly Kupahurasa, and Terrence Mutero. Mutero has previous courier experience. Kupahurasa currently works in the NHS and will come on board full time once the business allows. Haq is leaving her current job and will be running operations full time.
Mutero said: “We’re so excited to be part of the Cargo2Go family. It’s an exciting, fast-growing business. It’s great to be part of that success story.”
Mosley added: “It’s amazing to see the Cargo2Go brand expanding across the UK. Our franchise set-up programme gives the franchisees everything they need to build a successful franchise.
“Ben and I are confident that Cargo2go Doncaster will achieve great things in that territory.”
Government pledges £7.6 million for rail innovation
The government has today (12 April 2022) made £7.6 million available for cutting-edge technology that will help transform rail travel.
Rail Minister Wendy Morton has officially announced this year’s First of Kind competition, which invites bids from companies specialising in innovative ways to modernise the railways.
In partnership with Innovate UK, this year’s competition will award up to £7.6 million to projects creating cutting-edge ideas that are striving towards transforming rail travel for passengers and decarbonising the network.
The competition officially opens to applicants on 20 April 2022 and closes on 8 June 2022, with bids welcome from organisations of all sizes for projects creating a greener, more cost-effective and passenger-focused railway. The year’s competition is focusing on technologies that improve the industry’s cost efficiency and network performance to support a more reliable railway for passengers and improving rail freight.
Rail Minister Wendy Morton said: “I am incredibly excited to launch the sixth round of our First of a Kind competition. In partnership with Innovate UK, we have already invested £35.4 million into over 100 groundbreaking projects. We’ve seen cutting-edge technologies such as HydroFLEX developed, the first ever trial of a hydrogen-powered train on the UK mainline and software improving accessibility such as the Hearing Enhanced Audio Relay app. As part of our Plan for Rail, it’s key we continue breathing life into new ideas and supporting innovation and design to deliver greener rail journeys and transform rail travel for all passengers”.
Last year saw 33 innovators receive grants of up to £400,000 each.
The First of a Kind fund has helped trial and launch over 100 projects which are promoting greener railways, improving passengers’ rail experience and accessibility on the transport network, and helping the railway to be more cost-effective. Some of these projects include:
- HydroFLEX – the first mainline trial of a hydrogen train in the UK with Birmingham University’s HydroFLEX project, as pictured above
- Window seater – an innovative app, connecting rail travellers to the world outside their window with geolocated audio stories along the railway
- Hearing Enhanced Audio Relay (HEAR) – HEAR is an affordable software supporting hearing impaired passengers that automatically broadcasts audio announcements to passengers’ own devices
Agemaspark MD joins AMRC Training Centre board
The managing director of a Doncaster precision engineering company has been appointed to the industry advisory board of the AMRC Training Centre.
The centre, part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, has a mission to nurture and develop the advanced engineers of tomorrow.
Paul Stockhill, managing director at Agemaspark and vice chair of Doncaster University Technical College, has been named the newest member of the centre’s industry advisory board.
He was nominated for one of the 10 places on the board by Marc Rhodes, business development account manager at the training centre. Marc made the nomination based on Agemaspark being an experienced apprenticeship employer that can provide strong representation of an SME in the manufacturing industry.
The training centre’s apprentices are able to draw on the experience of an elite Russell Group university and the resources of a world-leading research and innovation organisation, whose partners include Siemens, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Toyota Motorsport and McLaren as well a number of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), that are the backbone of the UK economy and the lifeblood of national supply chains.
Two current Agemaspark apprentices, Alex Wilcox and Jay Ross, are working with the AMRC Training Centre having started apprenticeships with Agemaspark in September 2020.
Paul said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the board of the AMRC Training Centre, which is a wonderful asset for the region.
“I know the centre’s work well and we have seen some of our own apprentices, including Alex and Jay, really benefit from the expertise and additional training they have received. Both are now in their second years and well on their way to becoming exceptional engineers.
“From a business perspective, being on the board will give Agemaspark a valuable voice in discussions about apprenticeships and the future strategy to nurture the next generation of industry professionals.”
Huddersfield-based Scriba PR marks growth with rebrand and trio of appointments
Technical B2B communications firm Scriba PR has undergone a brand overhaul and appointed three new recruits, as the company celebrates its ninth year of trading and exceeding £750,000 turnover.
Hot on the heels of announcing its office expansion at the beginning of March – seeing the business add an additional 984 sqft of real estate to its existing HQ – Scriba PR has undergone an extensive branding project to reshape its core principles, service set, and visual identity.
In addition to the development of its new aesthetic, the B2B agency has also welcomed three new faces to the team. Kat Plant is joining as customer relations manager, Ellie Byrne as account manager intern, and Louise Thorpe as PR administrator – taking Scriba to a 16-strong headcount.
With almost 20 years’ B2B design and marketing experience – and eight within the technology sector – Kat will be a key point of contact for Scriba’s niche client base, with a specific focus on the business’s larger accounts.
Ellie joins the team coming from a technical PR agency in London – having worked across the cybersecurity, insurtech, e-commerce, and 3D printing arenas – and will be copywriting for some of Scriba’s long-standing tech clients.
And with almost 15 years of administration experience – including within the education and financial industries – Louise Thorpe has also been drafted in to bolster the firm’s operations team.
Commenting on the rationale behind the branding project, Scriba PR’s MD Katie Mallinson said: “The company itself is nine years-old in June. It recently became apparent that what originally started out as the manifestation of one person in 2013 was not that of nearing 20 people in 2022.
“We’ve come a long way since Scriba’s humble beginnings – both in terms of staff and clients – so it is most certainly the right time to reform and redefine the brand in a way that truly represents the evolution and maturity of Scriba in the here and now.”
Specialist branding agency The Engine Room was at the helm of Scriba’s repositioning project, while The Bigger Boat has built the new company website.
“It’s been a rollercoaster couple of years,” Katie continued. “And while we’ve invested a lot of time and money in doubling our office footprint and strengthening the team with more expertise and skillsets, our strategic aim isn’t actually further growth this year.
“Our key focus is about getting even more under the skin of our existing accounts. What we’re seeing is that clients are increasingly asking us to undertake more complex communications work – and the extra space will be extremely beneficial in helping us to deliver these briefs.”
Next round of Digital Innovation Grant funding opens on May 2nd
The next round of applications for Digital Innovation Grants will be open from Monday 2 May until noon on Monday 30 May.
The Digital Innovation Grant scheme supports SMEs, eligible charities, and social enterprises in South Yorkshire to develop their use of digital technology.
By exploiting digital technologies, businesses can access new markets, promote their products and services more effectively and develop new cost-effective ways of working. Examples of typical projects include client relationship management systems, new software developments, development of apps, e-commerce solutions and live high quality video streaming.
It will be delivered through a competitive process, rather than first come first served. Following a call for applications, completed applications will be assessed for eligibility then ranked according to a number of economic and inclusive growth indicators. The grant funding will be available for up to 50% of the value of an investment, with a minimum award of £1,000 up to a maximum of £5,000.
Digital skills and technology have proved a lifeline for many businesses throughout the pandemic, with many having to transform their ways of working to adapt to new ways of living and the fast pace of digital advancement.
Business Doncaster recognises that it can be hard, particularly for smaller businesses, to fully understand and utilise the power of digital technologies, so this funding along with the support available from our Business Doncaster team will be vital in helping businesses grow and fulfil their potential.
Funding and application details
- The funding is available towards projects of no more than £10,000
- Up to 50% of the value of an investment may be awarded
- Successful applicants will receive a minimum award of £1,000, up to a maximum of £5,000
- Applications open Monday 2 May and close on Monday 30 May 2022
Allison Homes appoints new Non-Executive Director
Gordon More, a former interim Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer of Homes England, has joined Allison Homes as Non-Executive Director.
Gordon joins the Lincolnshire-based developer as they seek to deliver against ambitious targets.
Interim Chief Executive of Homes England until September 2021, Gordon also has over 30 years’ experience in banking and finance. Before his appointment as interim CEO, Gordon was Chief Investment Officer at Homes England, playing a key role in the development of the strategic housing plan adopted by the UK government.
Speaking of the appointment, John Anderson, CEO Allison Group told Business Link Magazine: “Gordon’s experience, and passion for, encouraging the proliferation of small and medium enterprise (SME) housebuilders will provide invaluable support to Allison’s board as we pursue our targets. As a well-funded SME, we are in a strong position to make a significant impact on the industry, shaking up the way things are done and exploring new avenues to help deliver the homes that this country needs so urgently. I am looking forward to Gordon’s advice and guidance as we continue this exciting phase.”
Gordon More said: “Allison Homes is already marking themselves out as an ambitious company with innovative approaches to the delivery of new homes. The recent announcement of the Legal & General partnership is an excellent example of this, demonstrating a willingness to explore multi-tenure developments – which I believe play an essential role in the future of housebuilding in the UK.”
Along with developing partnerships to support growth, Allison Homes has also turned attention to customer care and is working hard to build stronger customer relationships that last throughout the buying journey and beyond.
Gordon continues: “If SMEs are to compete with national housebuilders, they must exploit the agility of their size and find new ways of operating – whether that’s through establishing partnerships with other housing providers or by building loyalty and lasting relationships with buyers and residents. Allison Homes is already showing huge potential to achieve this, and I look forward to supporting them as they work towards their goals.”
Gordon took up the new role from 1st April 2022.
Chartered accountancy firm makes South Yorkshire acquisition
Yorkshire-based chartered accountancy and business advisory firm, Hentons, is further strengthening its position in South Yorkshire after acquiring Voice & Co, which has offices in Sheffield and Doncaster, for an undisclosed sum.
The deal follows Hentons’ recent acquisition of London-based Clayton Stark.
Voice & Co was established in 1990 by Hugh Voice, and Mandy Guest became a partner in the business in 2002. Both Hugh and Mandy, along with Voice & Co’s eight employees, will now join Hentons, which employs a team of 125 across offices in Sheffield, Leeds, York, Thirsk and London.
Hentons already has a significant presence in Sheffield with an 11-strong team led by partner, Tim Baum-Dixon and this acquisition is the second major development for the firm in South Yorkshire in recent months.
In September Hentons formed a joint venture and invested in Sheffield-based Mackenzie Spencer to create Hentons Corporate Finance and Hentons Legal. It means Hentons now offers corporate finance lead advisory services and corporate legal services so that any business sale or purchase can be fully completed and managed by one team. Following the two deals, Hentons now has a 25-strong team in South Yorkshire.
Managing Director at Hentons, Peter Watson, said: “Voice & Co is a very reputable and longstanding firm, with an experienced team and approximately 500 established clients of all sizes and across every sector.
“We already have an excellent reputation and a well-established team in Sheffield and this acquisition is a great fit for our existing client base and significantly builds our critical mass in South Yorkshire, as well as giving us a crucial foothold in Doncaster, which is an area that we’re keen to continue expanding our presence in.”
Managing partner at Hentons, Nadeem Ahmed, added: “It also means Voice & Co’s clients now have access to an even wider range of services including our specialist tax, financial planning and corporate finance teams. Smaller clients can take advantage of our market leading digital services and benefit from the cost and time savings, as well as the business insights, that cloud accounting provides. All this makes it a very exciting time for both our new Voice & Co clients and the existing Hentons team in South Yorkshire.”
Partner and founder of Voice & Co, Hugh Voice, said: “Hentons is a leading name in Yorkshire’s accountancy industry and the multi-award-winning firm offers a full range of financial and accountancy services, which will further benefit our client base, located across South Yorkshire and beyond. Hentons has the same approach to providing a local proactive service, and Mandy and I are excited that we shall have the support to enable us to take on the new clients that we are gaining.
“It will also create potential new career opportunities for our team across Hentons’ wide-spanning divisions, as well as giving us access to the company’s in-house teams offering HR, IT and marketing support, which made it the ideal firm to agree this sale with.”
The acquisition of Voice & Co is the fourth that Hentons has made in the last three years. Hentons acquired and successfully integrated York-based Forster Scott and London-based entertainment industry specialist, CC Panayi & Co, in 2018. Last month the firm acquired London-based accountancy firm Clayton Stark for an undisclosed sum. These latest two acquisitions see turnover at Hentons climb to almost £9m.
Generate business at the Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo
With the Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo just around the corner, register now for the highly anticipated event.
The free to attend expo, for which Business Link is a proud partner, will take place on Wednesday 27 April 2022 at The Bentley Hotel, Lincoln, providing everything you require for a great day of networking and business generation.
A well targeted event aimed at the Construction, Property, Business, Investment, Finance, Professional Services and related B2B markets, exhibitors include Aspbury Planning Ltd, Belvoir, Business Lincolnshire, BSP Consulting, Delta Simons, the Federation of Small Businesses, J Tomlinson, NatWest, Willmott Dixon, and YMD Boon, to name a few.
To see the full list of who is exhibiting click here.
Opening at 9am, the expo will also host a workshop from Team Lincolnshire and Business Lincolnshire. Running from 10:15 – 11:45, it will demystify the procurement process and explore the potential which public sector contracts could bring to your business.
Team Lincolnshire ambassador Neal Wheatley, director and general manager of RG Carter Lincoln Limited, and Barry Taylor, regional director at Parker Technical Service, will be sharing insightful first-hand experiences on winning a major Lincolnshire County Council contract for the construction of the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone and how supporting the local economy is a core value within the RG Carter Supply Chain Commitment.
Sign up to the free workshop here.
As the exhibition closes, it will roll directly into an informal, open buffet style network lunch – tickets for the lunch are just £25 plus vat and can be ordered and paid for directly online. Spaces for the lunch are limited, so order as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Tina King, of Business Shows Group, said: “It’s been a long time in the making thanks to the pandemic, but we are finally nearly there, The Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo is gearing up to be one of the best to date!”
To attend the event, register for free here.
To generate opportunities by exhibiting at the event, click here.
Purchase tickets to the networking lunch here.
Meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road.
Proptech firm raises £250k for software improving building safety
A proptech business whose software could help improve building safety has raised £250,000 from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.
The funding will enable Hull-based Bimsense to further enhance its platform before the introduction of new rules to improve the safety of high-rise buildings. The Building Safety Bill, which is expected to become law within the next few months, will oblige building owners to ensure that safety is considered at every stage, from design to construction and occupation.
Operance enables owners and contractors to access up-to-date and accurate digital building information, providing a better understanding of a building to help ensure safety and improve efficiency throughout its entire lifecycle. The software, which incorporates blockchain technology, produces a secure audit trail and aims to comply with the government’s ‘golden thread’ requirements.
Bimsense, a specialist in building information modelling (BIM) which generates digital representations of buildings, was founded in 2016 by Ian Yeo and Scott Pilgrim, who have both advised on major developments throughout the UK and internationally.
They raised an initial £250,000 investment from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance in 2020 to launch Operance.
Along with further enhancements to its software platform, the latest investment will also enable the company to create four new jobs in Hull.
Ian Yeo, CEO at Bimsense, said: “The recent issues regarding cladding have highlighted the need for greater knowledge about individual buildings and a way to track their history. By providing a modern ‘operations and maintenance manual’, Operance will play a key role in helping owners to comply with the rules and improve safety.
“The initial NPIF funding helped us to bring the software to market and the latest round will enable us to take it to the next level. It’s exciting to know we are at the forefront in developing this solution.”
Maurice Disasi, investment associate at Mercia, said: “The construction sector has been slow to adopt digital technology to date. However, there is now growing awareness of the potential it offers to improve efficiency and safety and we expect the new Building Safety Bill will further drive uptake. This latest funding will allow Bimsense to further enhance the product and build its client base.”
Phil Glover, business development manager at Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted to see further investment from the Fund going into this innovative Hull-based business. By using their latest software, the design and construction industry will have access to a wider range of tools to help improve building safety and deliver on our energy efficiency targets as we move towards a Net Zero economy.”
Chemical company fined £480,000 after worker suffers burns
Robert McBride Ltd has been sentenced for safety breaches after a 31-year-old worker suffered 13 per cent superficial burns to his right arm and hand following the ignition of flammable vapours at the company’s site in Hull.
Beverley Magistrates’ Court heard that on 21 August 2017, a batch of hairspray was being mixed in a 10,000 litre stainless steel mixing vessel. Flammable vapours were created within the mixing vessel as a result of heating.
Ethanol was pumped directly into the vessel via pipework from an external storage tank. Other constituents (liquid and powder) were added to the vessel via a manway lid on the top of the vessel. The mixing process then required the addition of heat via an integral steam coil within the vessel.
As the worker was adding powders into the vessel via the lid using a metal scoop, flammable vapours leaving the vessel via the lid ignited, briefly engulfing his upper torso.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there was an extraction system at the lip of the manway lid to remove vapours from this area, but it was not adequate to prevent a build-up of a flammable atmosphere. The ignition source is likely to have been a spark from the metal scoop, or static electricity build up on the workers clothing.
Robert McBride Ltd of Hornscroft Park, Kinswood, Hull pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002. The company was fined £480,000 and ordered to pay costs of £13,441.80.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Stewart said: “Dutyholders should carry out a DSEAR risk assessment in areas where there is a potential for the creation of explosive or flammable atmospheres in order to identify adequate control measures.”
