South Yorkshire Chambers urge tangible actions not just warm words over airport future

Stuart Pearcey
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South Yorkshire Chambers urge tangible actions not just warm words over airport future

South Yorkshire Chambers are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to back up her ‘warm words’ about supporting Doncaster Sheffield Airport with tangible actions.

Reacting to her pledge to support the development of Doncaster Sheffield Airport the three South Yorkshire Chambers have issued a cautiously optimistic statement, whilst also emphasising the need for warm words to translate into tangible action.

The Chancellor has announced that Government will be working closely with South Yorkshire politicians to support the region’s ambitions for its soon-to-be-rebooted international airport.

The Chief Execs for the three South Yorkshire Chambers representing Doncaster, Sheffield and Barnsley & Rotherham jointly commented:
“We, of course, welcome Government’s support for the airport and by extension South Yorkshire. Only a few days ago, our umbrella body, the British Chambers of Commerce, drew up a list of important infrastructure projects to try and get them on the Chancellor’s radar; believing that, if these are properly invested in, they will help get the UK’s economy moving in the right direction again. Many different opportunities for growth were highlighted here, so it’s encouraging to see that, even amidst all of that, the need to support DSA still stood out as a priority.

“The Chancellor may have caused an unnecessary amount of pain and consternation for businesses with her Autumn Budget, but this — along with all of the other announcements from yesterday’s speech — signals that there might be some mid-term gains on the horizon for the economy.

“That being said, many will understandably want to wait and see if Westminster can actually deliver on these warm words, given that we have been here before. Indeed, we heard similar pledges from some of the Chancellor’s predecessors in Government — including from previous Secretaries of State and even a former Prime Minister — only for the promised support to never materialise beyond, of course, the welcome confirmation of Investment Zone status here in South Yorkshire.

“We hope that this time around will be different, and that central Government will be able to match the entrepreneurialism and tenacity that our public sector partners in the local and mayoral combined authorities have demonstrated throughout this hard-fought campaign.”

Finance Yorkshire pumps £500k into Wakefield-based gym music app

Stuart Pearcey
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Finance Yorkshire pumps £500k into Wakefield-based gym music app
A music streaming app developed in Yorkshire by Pure Energy Music has launched to the UK fitness and gym industry with a £500k investment from Finance Yorkshire’s growth fund. The funding will mean up to 10 more staff, most based at Wakefield and some will be global sales roles. The app delivers music specifically designed to optimise exercise performance, and is the brainchild of Andy Pickles who operates Music Factory Recordings based at The Tileyard, Wakefield. Leisure centres, gym operators, and fitness instructors subscribe to the Pure Energy Music app to access expertly curated music designed to enhance workout performance. The tracks are designed and produced in-house by Pure Energy Music’s expert team, ensuring they align with the latest research on exercise performance. Andy said: “We see huge potential for the app both in the UK and globally. As a subscription service model, it is more cost effective for fitness and gym operators who would otherwise have to negotiate over music ownership rights. “Finance Yorkshire is very supportive and we are passionate about our Yorkshire roots and growing our proposition in England.” Alex McWhirter, CEO of Finance Yorkshire, said: “Pure Energy Music exemplifies the vision and innovation within the region’s creative and digital sector. Finance Yorkshire is pleased to support Andy and his team in driving the growth and use of the app through the creation of more jobs in Yorkshire’s regional economy.”

Software firm secures growth funding after winning £1m in new contracts

Tess Egginton
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Software firm secures growth funding after winning £1m in new contracts
A Hull-based software business has raised £100,000 from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to support its growing workload. Think360 has secured over £1m worth of new contracts in the past few weeks and has over £4m of other potential new business in the pipeline. The funding will provide additional working capital to enable it to take on more projects and expand its team with the creation of three new jobs. Think360 was established in 2018 by Martin Lauer, who is also CEO of The One Point, the Hull-based IT and telecoms business, and initially delivered bespoke software projects. In 2021 Ian Crowder and Tony Grimes, who have over 40 years’ software experience between them, joined the business as Directors and shareholders. The company has since launched its own range of AI-powered software products. The company currently employs six permanent staff as well as up to 22 independent contactors including software testers and analysts. Martin Lauer, CEO of Think360, said: “Think360 has made remarkable progress in the past two years since the launch of our proprietary software. Our products have gained traction in all of our key sectors and we have secured some high-profile clients. “Following a spate of new contact wins, we also have a strong pipeline of new business. The funding will enable us to meet growing demand and continue our success story.” Rebecca Pickering of Mercia Debt added: “AI is reshaping the ports and logistics sector by driving automation and transforming the way care is delivered in patients’ homes. Think360 is at the forefront of these exciting developments. “We are pleased to be able to support Martin, Ian, Tony and the team in their plans to achieve further growth and establish the company as a leader in its field.”

Food ingredient specialist lets 25,000 sq ft at Leeds Valley Park

Tess Egginton
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Food ingredient specialist lets 25,000 sq ft at Leeds Valley Park
Catella APAM, acting as Asset Manager on behalf of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), has let 25,000 sq ft at Leeds Valley Park. This 10-year lease agreement, secured at a market-leading rate for industrial space in West Yorkshire, highlights the growing demand for premium-quality warehouse and manufacturing facilities in the region. The occupier, a food ingredient specialist, has chosen Leeds Valley Park to drive future growth. The company will utilise the space to enhance production and logistics capabilities. Adam Handley, Asset Manager at Catella APAM, said: “This letting is a testament to the strong market demand for high-quality, well-located industrial spaces, and it underscores the appeal of Leeds Valley Park as a premier business destination. “The rent achieved reflects the property’s exceptional specification and strategic location, and we are confident that this partnership will drive mutual success.” The transaction was facilitated by joint agents Carter Towler, Avison Young, and CBRE, whilst the tenant was represented by GV&Co. Paul Mack, Director of GV&Co, said: “We were delighted to represent the occupier in the procurement of this best-in-class premises in Leeds, which will no doubt be a platform to facilitate our client’s continued growth.” Josh Holmes, Director at Carter Towler, said: “We are delighted to have concluded the letting of Unit 4, enhancing an already very strong tenant line-up. The modern specification of the units has been very well received in the market; we had several interested parties and selected this occupier as we felt they were a great fit for the estate.”

Trio promoted at property firm

Tess Egginton
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Trio promoted at property firm
Yorkshire property firm, Dacre, Son & Hartley, has promoted three key team members across its residential division. Both Tom Galloway and Daniel Elven have become senior associates, and Jonathan Raynor has become an associate. Tom is the branch manager at Dacres in Settle and he joined the firm in 2013. During the last 12 years Tom has proved himself to be an invaluable part of the team, negotiating hundreds of sales, whilst also manging the Settle team, and also successfully achieving the Level 3 Property Mark Member of the National Association of Estate Agents (MNAEA) qualification. Daniel joined Dacres in 2017 and is the branch manager at the Bingley office. Highley experienced in the Aire Valley and with more than 17 years industry experince, Daniel joined Dacres from a national estate agency and has thrived at the independent firm. Jonathan is the branch manager for Baildon, which also covers the Guiseley area. He previously ran his own estate agency business in Manchester before joining Dacres five years ago. Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacres, said: “Tom, Daniel and Jonathan all live in the areas they operate in, and have great local knowledge and experience when it comes to the property market in Settle, Bingley, Baildon and the surrounding towns and villages. The three branches are several of our top performing offices, with each having a really solid market share, as well as excellent client service ratings. “All three have had an excellent start to 2025, listing dozens of homes for sale during the first few weeks of January and generating a healthy influx of buyer enquiries in recent weeks, and they thoroughly deserve their promotions.”

Huddersfield golf tech firm swings into the UAE following £75,000 finance package

Tess Egginton
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Huddersfield golf tech firm swings into the UAE following £75,000 finance package
A Huddersfield-based company which specialises in indoor golf technology has entered the UAE market after it secured a finance package worth £75,000. MIA Sports specialises in the design, supply and installation of golf simulators and teaching studios. Founded 10 years ago, their products have been adopted as an integral training tool at golf facilities in the UK, Europe, and East Asia. MIA Sports has now begun exporting to the United Arab Emirates with the support of UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government export credit agency. Faced with the opportunity of supplying its technology to Dubai, MIA Sports had to provide financial guarantees which would have restricted its cashflow – a catch-22 situation. They approached UKEF, who worked with HSBC UK to arrange a finance package for the amount of £75k. This was supported by a government guarantee provided through UKEF’s General Export Facility (GEF), a product specifically tailored to enable SMEs to scale up their exports by giving banks the confidence to lend. The finance package, provided by HSBC UK and guaranteed by UKEF, gave MIA Sports the confidence to secure the Dubai contract. This comprised the supply and installation of 5 teaching studio bays for a new academy at the Emirates Golf Club, home to the Dubai Desert Classic tournament. Andrew Keast, Managing Director at MIA Sports, said: “Breaking into the UAE market was a major opportunity for us. Thanks to UKEF and HSBC UK’s support, we were able to access the finance required to bring our technology to a fast-rising capital in the world of golf.” Alissia Deane, Export Finance Manager for West Yorkshire, said: “This deal demonstrates how we’re helping Yorkshire businesses reach their export potential. By working closely with HSBC UK, we’ve enabled MIA Sports to bring their innovative golf technology to Dubai’s growing sports market.” Andy Booth, International Business Manager at HSBC UK, said: “Working alongside UKEF, we’re committed to helping innovative British businesses like MIA Sports expand internationally. This showcases how effective partnership between banking and government support can boost UK exports.”

Government pledges support for re-opening of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport

Tess Egginton
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Government pledges support for re-opening of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has backed Doncaster’s airport, with the government set to work with Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire to support their efforts to reopen Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.

Speaking to an audience of business chiefs at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire yesterday, Reeves said: “The last government stood by as Doncaster Sheffield Airport was closed by its owner, despite the ovewhelming support for it to stay open. It now sits idle, despite the potential to drive jobs and growth across the north. “So I can announce today that we will work with Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard to support their efforts to recreate South Yorkshire Airport City as a thriving regional airport.” South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard responded to the support: “This is a hugely welcome intervention from the Chancellor, committing to work with us on our plans to develop South Yorkshire Airport City. “That support from the government could be vital in helping us to re-open Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, and deliver our 10-year plan to unlock the significant potential of Gateway East. “I have been committed to re-opening DSA since day one. And the best way for us to give DSA the future it deserves is to get our plan right from the start, giving us the best chance to allow our airport to thrive, creating good jobs in the industries of the future, making best use of taxpayer’s money and bringing down the carbon footprint of flying. “The last government didn’t lift a finger to support our airport. That it closed with 800 direct jobs lost in South Yorkshire is in no small part down to their lack of support. By contrast, this government has now committed to working with City of Doncaster Council and with me because we share the same ambition for growth. “And can see the significant opportunity presented by the South Yorkshire Airport City Plan; a plan to reopen DSA, build hundreds of homes and create a world leading sustainable aviation hub in South Yorkshire. “But even with the support of government, none of that is easy. In the next few weeks City of Doncaster Council will deliver the full plan to the Mayoral Combined Authority Board. We will need to carefully review that plan while working with the government to get to a final decision by the summer. “I know people and businesses want to see DSA re-open as quickly as possible. I’m grateful to Rachel Reeves and the government for now committing to work with us on the challenges and opportunities that presents, and help us towards that goal.” Doncaster Council signed a 125-year lease to take over the former Doncaster-Sheffield Airport last year following its closure by Peel Group.

Mayor Ros Jones recently confirmed at City of Doncaster Council’s Full Council meeting that there is an international airport operator ready to run the airport.

Yorkshire ends 2024 with £30m venture capital investment

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire ends 2024 with £30m venture capital investment
Venture capital (VC) investment in Yorkshire reached £30 million in the last quarter of 2024, down 25% from £40 million in Q3 of 2024, according to KPMG’s latest Venture Pulse report. While overall funding fell, the volume of transactions remained robust, increasing quarter-on-quarter to 17 (up from 15 in Q3). Start-ups in Leeds garnered the largest volume of investment (41%) but of the £30 million raised in Q4, £15.9 million came from a VC investment, led by Felix Capital, into Cleckheaton-based pet food producer Pure Pet Food. Elsewhere, the IT sector, and more specifically software businesses, secured the highest number of VC investments (35%), with the majority of firms based in Leeds – a city whose software development sector is growing at an annual rate of 20%, outpacing the national average of 13.8%. Increased volumes of VC investment reflect the optimism among business owners in the region, with recent data from KPMG’s KPE Barometer revealing that more than a quarter of Yorkshire’s private business owners see VC as a means to financing business diversification this year. Phil Murden, Leeds Office Senior Partner at KPMG, said: “Yorkshire boasts a fantastic range of start-ups and companies across different sectors and it’s encouraging to see them continuing to attract significant levels of VC investment. “Despite a mixed picture for the deals landscape at the end of 2024, and challenges within the broader economy, the investor community remains active and we anticipate a positive year ahead as firms look to VC to aid their growth.”

Leeds Beckett University and Exemplas design new approaches for business productivity

Tess Egginton
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Leeds Beckett University and Exemplas design new approaches for business productivity
Experts at Leeds Beckett University, with business support provider Exemplas, have designed a series of new approaches to boosting the productivity and growth of West Yorkshire SMEs, through a partnership delivery of business support and academic research. The team have worked together since 2022, delivering grassroots SME business support programmes on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), including the West Yorkshire Business Boost and Business Productivity Service, to explore new strategies for enhancing SME productivity and growth. They have now launched a series of four publications – sharing the research evidence and design principles that informed the business support programmes, as well as insights, trends and learning from the programmes and the extensive data they have collected from working with more than 600 SMEs in the region. The series describes how this led the team to creating an evidence-based and research-informed blueprint for the successful design and delivery of grassroots business support programmes to SMEs. Dr Ollie Jones, Principal Lecturer in Operations and Business Performance Management at Leeds Beckett University, said: “We believe this blueprint is pertinent at a time when government and commissioners will be looking to invest in interventions that drive productivity and growth for SMEs. Importantly, our work focuses on delivering benefits to local economies. “The triple learning loop, and the data and insights gathered through the partnership delivery with Leeds Beckett, Exemplas and WYCA, have been invaluable in developing a greater understanding of firm-level productivity and successful approaches to its improvement at scale.” Martin Coats, Chief Operations Officer at Exemplas, said: “The partnership with Leeds Beckett has been instrumental in delivering best-in-class business support programmes. By blending academic rigor with real-world business expertise, we can deliver transformative support that addresses the productivity and growth barriers facing SMEs.”
The Insight Papers were launched at an event held at The Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Beckett University ahead of National Productivity Week from 27 to 31 January. The event highlighted the complexity of firm-level productivity and the unique value of Leeds Beckett’s innovative diagnostic tools.

York company acquires property in Henley-on-Thames

Stuart Pearcey
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York company acquires property in Henley-on-Thames
York-based property company the Helmsley Group has acquired a 17th century grade II listed former coach house in Henley-on-Thames. Ed Harrowsmith, investment director at Helmsley Group, said: “Following a competitive bidding process, we’re thrilled to have made our first acquisition on behalf of our private investors in the iconic market town of Henley-on-Thames. The desirability of Henley-on-Thames compliments the prime and affluent locations that offer attractive potential investment returns within our managed portfolio, outside of the major city centre conurbations. “This acquisition presents an exciting opportunity to further expand our reach on behalf of our 800 client investors nationwide and we look forward to further investments nationally over the coming months.” The building at 21-23 Hart Street stands within a private courtyard and is divided into a large restaurant currently leased to Zizzi Restaurants and two self-contained courtyard offices providing over 7,500 sq ft of internal accommodation. There is also land to the rear of the property providing 20 on-site car parking spaces, taking the total site area to one third of an acre. James Bradley at Knights PLC and Tom Heptonstall from FMX Urban Property Advisers acted on the purchase for Helmsley Group.
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