CBI calls for firms to support Russian sanctions and get involved in aid for Ukraine
The conflict in the Ukraine conflict shows quite clearly that the UK must start bolstering its future economic resilience, from our supply chains and energy sources to our cyber security, according to CBI Director-General Tony Danker.
He said: “To do that, the Government will need to fast-track progress on some of the big policy issues and help firms invest. Business stands ready to support them in that endeavour.
“Since the start of this crisis, the CBI has been guiding thousands of firms across the country to support economic sanctions on Russia and to get behind humanitarian efforts for people in Ukraine and for refugees. Convening its councils and roundtables across the UK, CBI members are supportive of sanctions, despite the real costs involved in doing so.
“The next phase must be finding our economic resilience, better ensuring our fate remains in our hands on this conflict and for the future.”
“Sanctions have been a successful start to global efforts to isolate the Putin regime. But the next phase will require global economies, including Britain, to be economically resilient to further threats.”
He said the crisis showed the UK had to move far faster towards clean energy solutions. “We need to double down on successful strategies for wind power and nuclear. And we must go further and faster to deliver investible business models for carbon capture and hydrogen. Government is moving too slowly on these solutions.
“We need to stand behind domestic oil and gas in our energy transition. That’s why the government is right to take forward the aims of its North Sea Transition Deal with industry, and we need to recognise immediately the looming crisis in domestic and business energy bills. We need to move immediately towards energy efficiency in homes to dampen down demand. And government will need to think urgently about consumers’ as bills go higher still later in the year.”
His calls came amongst a package of pleas covering minerals, commodities, cyber security and business investment, adding: “Firms fully support sanctions despite their cost. Meanwhile the CBI will continue to advise companies on what’s required and ensure the government understands the implications of its decisions for UK firms domestically and overseas.”
Yorkshire-based FET gears up for Hamburg Show
Yorkshire-based company Fibre Extrusion Technology Limited (FET), is looking forward to exhibiting at the prestigious Techtextil Frankfurt trade show once again. Techtextil attracts international blue-chip companies at the cutting edge of technology, seeking innovative solutions to technical challenges, so this event represents an ideal opportunity to demonstrate how FET can help achieve their goals.
FET is an acknowledged world leader in laboratory and pilot meltspinning equipment for a vast range of applications, such as precursor materials used in high value technical textiles, sportswear, medical devices and specialised novel fibres from exotic and difficult to process polymers. Where melt spinning solutions are not suitable, FET provides a viable alternative with pilot and small scale production wet spinning systems.
However, FET will also showcase at Techtextil its more recent laboratory scale spunbond system, which enables client development of nonwoven fabrics in a number of formats and polymers. FET already has a number of spunbond systems in the field, including composite systems which utilise both spunbond and meltspun functions.
A major theme to be highlighted on the FET stand is Sustainability. The FET range of laboratory and pilot extrusion lines is ideally suited for both process and end product development of sustainable materials.
Going ‘back to basics’ is key to recruitment firm’s outstanding growth
A recruitment company is celebrating substantial growth – expanding from two members of staff to 10 in just a year. Sky Recruitment Solutions opened an office in Huddersfield town centre in early 2021, starting out with an account manager and a coordinator.
Twelve months on, staff numbers have swelled to 10, with five employees taken on in recent weeks.
The new recruits are accounts co-ordinator Raymond Worby, contracts manager Alex Bull, account manager Macey Laverick, trainee account manager Danielle Hyland-Lister and Carl Thomas, who will be mechanical handling equipment (MHE) trainer, starting on March 21.
Sky Recruitment Solutions, which specialises in providing personnel for industrial roles, also has branches in Derby, Ripley, Mansfield and Burton-on-Trent, as well as on-site offices in Castle Donington, Huddersfield and Elland.
And the success of the Sky Recruitment Solutions brand doesn’t stop there – there are plans to open a further office in Bradford in the next year.
Shane Callaghan, regional business manager for Sky Recruitment Solutions, was brought on board to help establish the Huddersfield office.
He said: “I think the key to our success has been ‘going back to basics’. We look at the clients’ needs, rather than just putting bottoms on seats, and it works well. “We listen to candidates as well, to make sure the job is right for them. We have a fantastic retention rate, too. I also think, for our staff, it’s all about the work-life balance we offer – it’s not a corporate, mundane environment. We all work as a team and support each other in and out of work.”
Hull announced as the co-working capital of the UK, with new business initiative
A hive of business and culture growth and innovation in the north, Hull has been declared the best place for co-working in the UK, with an innovative new initiative to support workers to pursue their dream career without compromising on connectivity, culture, or cost of living.
The brand-new and unique Work Hull Work Happy project officially launched yesterday and will connect workers with local businesses offering co-working space, driving investment in the region. As the best-connected city outside of London, Hull offers an ideal base for start-ups, graduates, and experienced professionals alike with a reduced cost of living and excellent quality of life – and retain the best professional talent in the area.
Emma Hardy, MP for West Hull and Hessle, is one of the movement’s key supporters. She said: “Nobody should feel forced to leave the place they love to get the job they want, and the launch of this project will help to put Hull on the map as the co-working capital of the UK.
“Now that businesses can sign up to offer co-working space, we will have the most accessible and diverse spaces throughout the city. This, paired with the best high-speed broadband in the country, together with all of the benefits of living in Hull, I really believe is an opportunity to kickstart a new era for the city and breathe new life into our local economy.
“Co-working also provides a whole host of benefits beyond salaries for workers, including supporting mental wellbeing, making new business connections and developing professionally as well. Being able to work remotely for any company while enjoying the wonderful life that can be enjoyed in Hull will firmly place the city at the forefront of modern working.
The Work Hull Work Happy initiative launched with a special event at the former HSBC bank in central Hull, which recently underwent a refurbishment by local company The 55 Group. The launch saw speeches from the founders and key backers of the initiative, attended by key business VIPs from across the region. The venue is one of many buildings in the city which will host co-working spaces for individuals and businesses.
The initiative will have benefits for workers and businesses alike. Co-working supports mental wellbeing as well as enabling new business connections, networking, and continued professional development, bringing new faces and fresh ideas into the workplace.
Gerard Toplass, group executive chairman of The 55 Group, said: “Some say that Hull is the end of the line, but we know it’s just the start of the journey. The pandemic changed everything when it comes to how, why and where we work – and people can enjoy an excellent quality of life by co-working in Hull.
“Remote working opportunities can bring high-quality jobs to regions of the UK where they weren’t previously available, boosting local economies, retaining the best talent and providing excellent quality of life for people.”
Businesses and organisations that have committed their support to date include HullBID, Prince’s Quay, Moodbeam, C4Di, Garness Jones, Quickline, Hammonds of Hull, Public First, Hull What’s On and Northern Powerhouse.
Speaking at the official launch, Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor of the exchequer and MP for Leeds West, said: “I was delighted to attend the official launch of Work Hull Work Happy, marking the commencement of this exciting initiative. The exciting potential for so much growth in cities like Hull shows how we can build a stronger economy across all parts of the UK.”
SMEs must have a powerful voice, says new FSB Chairman
Entrepreneur and small business champion Martin McTague has called for a more powerful voice for the UK’s 5.5m small firms, which he says are the beating heart of the economy and communities across the country.
The newly-appointed National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses , says: “There has never been a more important time to make sure their interests are represented at the highest levels, as the costs and challenges of running a small business intensify.
“Small firms are absolutely crucial to the economic recovery, bringing innovation and dynamism, creating jobs, growth and opportunities. They account for 60% of private sector employment in the UK and make up 99% of all businesses. But they face significant barriers which I’m determined to pull down – from growth-inhibiting tax hikes to poor treatment by big business clients.
“Big businesses must become better corporate citizens with their supply chains, including when it comes to stamping out poor payment practices, reducing bureaucracy, and gifting through the Apprenticeship Levy. I want to use the opportunity as National Chair to offer advice and assistance to larger firms wanting to do the right thing and back small business.
“FSB has a proud and successful track record of being a powerful voice heard in governments, opposition parties and boardrooms across the UK. As part of a new leadership team alongside Tina McKenzie; as well as Chair, Internal Affairs Melanie Ulyatt; and the rest of the Board; I’m committed to making sure small businesses are fully supported, represented, and their interests are wired into the DNA of decision-makers at all levels.”
Micro Biz Matters Day is back again this month
Micro Biz Matters Day returns on 25th March featuring special guests including Bill Esterson MP, Liz Barclay, the Small Business Commissioner, and The Apprentice finalist Adam Corbally, one of Hull’s Youth Enterprise Patrons.
As in previous years, the event will be sponsored by Hull City Council, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd (HC&L).
Micro Biz Matters Day is a social media celebration, where over one million business owners give a little time to support each other. Messages are shared using the hashtag #MicroBizMatters on social media platforms.
Hull City Council leader Daren Hale said: “As a council, we are committed to our micro business community and were pleased with the support from our micro businesses to establish our own dedicated strategy and action plan. Our commitment continues with supporting micro businesses through our Youth Enterprise and Microbusiness Team and other areas such as the BiPC Centre managed by HC&L.
“We wish Hull lad Tony Robinson OBE and Tina Boden well as they step away from leading on Micro Biz Matters Day and look forward to working with Yorkshire in Business in the future, and we hope, hosting the event again.”
Tony Robinson OBE, the Micro Business Champion and Chair of Yorkshire in Business, said: “It has been my mission in the last 10 years to spread the word, nationally and internationally, about the great city of Hull’s exemplary and innovative support to enterprising young people. It has been a personal highlight of Micro Biz Matters Days for me in Manchester, Hull, Preston and Scarborough to interview so many outstanding young entrepreneurs and to participate in Hull’s Global Entrepreneurship Weeks, which are world-beaters.
“I’m so proud of my home city and a fan of everything you do. We cherish Hull City Council’s, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and HC&L’s support to our eighth annual Micro Biz Matters Day and first Micro Biz Matters Festival and hope to work in partnership with you for many years to come to help all the enterprising people of Hull to start-up, survive and thrive.”
BCN Group expands with Public View acquisition
Managed IT, cloud and digital transformation specialist BCN Group, which has offices in Leeds and Bradford, has continued its expansion strategy into the healthcare sector with the acquisition of application and analytics business Public View.
Public View, is at the forefront of providing performance monitoring and benchmarking services to the NHS underpinned by Microsoft, .Net, and Azure Cloud Platform, automatically collating data from hundreds of public data sources to create a single intuitive portal for NHS leaders. Rob Davies, CEO of BCN Group, said: “The acquisition of Public View allows us to provide existing and new clients with a complete and comprehensive suite of cloud based analytics services delivered by skilled and experienced experts. It not only complements and strengthens our existing market position offering but takes our combined capability to the next level and further establishes BCN as a key service provider across the public sector and healthcare arena. I am delighted to welcome Public View to the BCN family, and to work alongside its incredible team as we seamlessly merge its products, services and processes into the wider BCN Group.” Tom Ridgeway, Founder at Public View, said: “We have achieved great things since launching Public View to the market in 2018 and have established the business as an innovative leader in the benchmarking analytics industry. I’m incredibly excited by about the acquisition and what it will mean to the Public View clients as we bring the combined capability of the two businesses together to continue to deliver exceptional services and outcomes to our clients.”Spencer Group names rail project design Engineering Manager
Multi-disciplinary engineering business Spencer Group has appointed Gary Robson as Engineering Manager, with specific responsibility for rail project design to drive forward the growth of its in-house rail design capabilities.
He brings significant expertise and experience to the role, having held numerous senior civil engineering consultancy positions throughout his 30-year career, which includes 20 years working in the rail sector.
Gary, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE), will oversee the continued development of our rail design capabilities to further enhance the company’s delivery of multi-disciplinary rail projects.
Gary has worked collaboratively with Spencer Group in a consultancy capacity in previous roles for over 20 years. He said: “I’m extremely proud to have joined Spencer Group in such an important role as I know from first-hand experience what a fantastic company it is. I’ve worked as a consultant throughout my career, so I have often been distanced from the final construction of the projects I’ve helped design. I’m therefore really looking forward to having a direct influence on the solution and seeing projects through from brief to completion. This is an excellent opportunity and I’m very excited to be given responsibility to drive forward this growing area of the business.”
NASDAQ-listed Otonomo moves for Sheffield business
A cash and shares deal worth up to $69m (£51m) has been agreed for the acquisition of a Sheffield-based telematics technology specialist which works with prominent insurers across the world.
The Floow, founded in 2012 and a Queen’s Award winner in 2016, is being acquired by NASDAQ-listed Otonomo Technologies, an Israel-headquartered business which is behind a platform and marketplace for vehicle data.
Since its incorporation, The Floow has built a portfolio of connected insurance clients, alongside strategic partnerships with Munich Re and TransUnion.
The company’s data refinery platform enables insurance carriers to introduce “connectivity” to their products and differentiate their offerings through a more precise understanding of risk in the context of personalised products and services, improved road safety through driver coaching and timely, accurate roadside assistance.
The combination of the two is expected to integrate The Floow’s vehicle insurance tools, built in partnership with insurance companies, with Otonomo’s mobility intelligence platform built on OEM vehicle data.
The deal is worth an initial $31.5m (£23.5m) based on a share price of $2.75. Otonomo may issue additional cash and stock of up to $37.5m (£28m) dependent upon achievement of certain business performance objectives.
Peter Crawford, Lisa Wallis and Victoria Price from Freeths’ corporate team advised The Floow and certain of its shareholders on the transaction. They were supported by specialists from Freeths’ tax, competition, employment and real estate teams.
Peter Crawford said: “Having acted for The Floow since start-up in 2012, we are very pleased to have been involved in this transaction, which is sure to be transformative for the company and the incredible team of people behind it. We are looking forward to seeing The Floow continue to thrive and prosper in the years to come.”
The acquisition is subject to approval by UK regulators and is expected to close within the second quarter of 2022.
“Together, we believe Otonomo and The Floow will create the opportunity for both OEMs and insurance companies to accelerate the utilization of their data, create new products, improve customer experiences and accelerate business transformation,” said Ben Volkow, CEO of Otonomo. “We are pleased to be joining forces with The Floow’s CEO Aldo Monteforte, a visionary in his field, and the entire team.”
“I could not be prouder to announce we are joining the Otonomo team. This is a big, bold step that brings us closer to our vision of safer and smarter mobility for all,” said The Floow’s CEO, Aldo Monteforte. “Our clients and partners, some of the leading insurers of the world, will have access to a significant and unique set of data products, tools and resources to help them compete and thrive in a connected new world ahead.”
Belvoir acquires estate agency in £200,000 deal
Belvoir, the property franchise group with its central office in Grantham, has acquired Mr and Mrs Clarke Limited (MMC) for £0.2 million.
MMC was founded in 2015 by Paul and Alex Clarke, offering a specialist concierge-style personal estate agency model through a national network of 10 licensed partners, predominantly in Warwickshire, South Wales, the Midlands and North London.
Executive directors Paul and Alex Clarke, will continue to manage the business as part of Belvoir.
Dorian Gonsalves, CEO of Belvoir, said: “The acquisition of Mr and Mrs Clarke provides the Group with a new service offering, which will recognise the breadth of ways in which our customers want to interact with their estate agent and the different ways in which potential new franchisees or partners want to operate.
“Paul and Alex have created a really positive, vibrant brand that stands out from the crowd. The future success of their business will benefit from the credibility that the Belvoir Group can bring and we extend a warm welcome to the MMC team, and look forward to working alongside their partners to further strengthen the business’s growth potential.”
Paul Clarke, Managing Director, Mr and Mrs Clarke, said: “Dorian understood our vision from the word go, making this acquisition a natural step in the evolution of our business. The brokerage style business model is one which is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, especially in our new flexible working era.
“The opportunities arising from being part of a Group that is so experienced in estate agency, lettings, franchising and financial services, are extremely exciting for our partners, and we will be grabbing the opportunity with both hands to exceed our plans for further national business growth.”
