AUGUST 2025 £3.50 YORKSHIRE & LINCOLNSHIRE’S LEADING BUSINESS MAGAZINE www.blmgroup.co.uk VOLUME 40 ISSUE 8 Strong financial foundations guide regional enterprise Driving forward decarbonisation Technology transforms how goods move EXHIBITOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! WE D NES D A Y 15 TH OCTOBER Call 01522 522900 Visit lincolnshireshowground.co.uk Email events@lincolnshireshowground.co.uk REGISTER YOUR INTEREST www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk/lincolnshire-showcaseThe magazine that cares We care because we want to leave our world a better place than we found it Business Link believes that being socially and environmentally responsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that our customers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of. Community - From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘good neighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, through financial support of local causes and charities. Environment - Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and natural resources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise. Welcome… With the UK’s unemployment rate rising, the number of people on payroll dropping, stronger than expected inflation and flatlining economic growth, figures from the last month have not painted a particularly positive picture for the country’s businesses. Firms are facing increased jobs taxes and employer pension costs, expanding energy bills, new legislation, and a volatile global environment; the cost of doing business crisis is swelling. Companies are stuck trying to manage costs and streamline processes as we continue through the year, instead of focusing on growth and innovation. As we start to approach the Autumn Budget it is therefore vital that the Government works collaboratively with businesses to ease their burdens. With firms across the private sector expecting activity to fall in the next three months, extending a run of negative sentiment that began in late 2024, according to the CBI’s Growth Indicator, confidence must be restored. Steps in the new Small Business Plan are welcome — from tackling late payments and improving access to finance, to simplifying access to advice and support, and a commitment to reducing administrative burdens — but there is much still to be done, and the real-world results of these commitments to be seen. Good reading, as always. Tess Egginton Editor Editor From thecontents August 2025 6 News The latest business news and success stories from around our region. 10 Commercial property A standout office market for the region, Leeds continues to see new plans come forth, lettings made, and acquisitions secured. 14 Humber bank The Humber is set to play a leading role in the country’s decarbonisation, providing clean energy while tackling industrial emissions at a time when the Government has hailed the clean energy transition as the “economic opportunity of the 21st century.” 18 Print and packaging spotlight From recyclable fibres to smart labelling, rapid change in design and production is setting a new competitive standard for manufacturers and retailers alike. 22 Accountants review A tradition of expertise in accountancy and finance is giving businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire the tools to plan, adapt and grow with confidence. 26 Environmental and waste management From chemical recycling plants to advanced vehicle recovery and recycled-material manufacturing, businesses in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are turning waste into long-term value. 30 Supply chain management Data-driven planning, modern equipment and flexible distribution models are reshaping supply chains to keep costs down while meeting rising expectations on timing and quality. 34 Corporate hospitality Technology is transforming events; enhancing decision making, attendee engagement and satisfaction. 36 AutoLink Mock the names all you like - they’re here, and they’re serious. Chinese manufacturers have gone from copycat curiosities to global players in record time. Here is your 2025 guide to who’s who, what they’re selling, and which ones are worth your time (and possibly your driveway). • We put the McLaren 750S Spider through its paces. 44 Events We take a look at business events happening around Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 46 And finally… Yorkshire-Lincolnshire- Business-Link @blmforum blmforum.net connect with us 10 26 40Group Editor Steve Fisher (s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk) Editor Tess Egginton (t.egginton@blmgroup.co.uk) Editorial contact newsdesk@blmgroup.co.uk Tel: (01472) 310305 Fax: (01472) 310317 Sales Director Angela Cooper (a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk) Tel: (01472) 310310 Tel: (01472) 310301 Fax: (01472) 310311 Tel: (01472) 310304 Fax: (01472) 310314 E-Mail: yorks-lincs@blmgroup.co.uk Haychart Ltd, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N.E. Lincs., DN31 2QE. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded copyright holder, for which application should be addressed first to the publisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither the publisher nor its damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives or other material of whatever nature submitted to publication are not necessarily the views of those COVER PHOTOS: LOTUS • STOCK.ADOBE.COM - SOFIKO14 • VESOVIC • MIHA CREATIVE • THARES 2020 www.blmforum.net 306 Business Link www.blmforum.net Work starts on 158- home development in Hornsea Housebuilder Keepmoat is breaking ground on a new site on Rolston Road, Hornsea, which will see the creation of 158 homes. The scheme will be delivered in partnership with social housing provider Together Housing, representing a £25m investment into the town. A total of 84 homes will be built as affordable housing, offering a mix of properties for affordable rent and shared ownership. As part of the development, Keepmoat will also contribute £260,000 to the local authority to support improvements to local schools. A further £195,000 will be provided to enhance outdoor sports provision in the area. Daniel Crew, divisional chair at Keepmoat, said: “It’s a pleasure to be working with Together Housing on our latest development in Hornsea. “With over 50 percent of the homes having already been pre-sold, we’re pleased to be delivering much-needed housing stock to the local community. Alongside this, we’re proud to be investing over £450,000 into the local area to support schools and sports facilities, demonstrating our commitment to building not just homes, but thriving communities.” news Leeds law firm merges with Teesside’s The Endeavour Partnership Law firm Ward Hadaway has merged with The Endeavour Partnership LLP, a Teesside commercial law firm. Now operating under the Ward Hadaway name and identity, all of the existing team from The Endeavour Partnership will continue to operate from offices on Teesdale Business Park near Stockton. Clients will benefit from legal expertise across a broader range of practice areas, including succession planning, matrimonial advice, construction and tax, as well as having access to the extended networks and opportunities of the wider firm. Meanwhile, The Endeavour Partnership team will benefit from the resource and business services support of Ward Hadaway, whose combined headcount will now stand at nearly 600. Lee Bramley, The Endeavour Partnership’s managing partner, will become executive partner of the Teesside office. Steven Petrie, Ward Hadaway’s managing partner, said: “I am delighted that The Endeavour Partnership decided to merge with Ward Hadaway. The move is part of our strategic plans to grow revenue by 100% over the next 10 years.” Yorkshire business confidence sees July dip Business confidence in Yorkshire fell four points during July to 45%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Yorkshire reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down seven points at 54%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down one point to 36%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 45% (vs. 49% in June). However, a net balance of 47% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up eight points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products and services (48%), entering new markets (43%) and introducing new technology, such as AI or automation (43%). Specialist contractor appointed for new West Yorkshire solar energy project Renewable energy developer OnPath Energy has appointed specialist contractor GOLDBECK SOLAR to manage engineering, procurement and construction work at a new West Yorkshire solar energy project. OnPath’s Barnsdale Solar Park, which sits between Kippax and Allerton Bywater to the east of Leeds, will be able to generate enough electricity to meet the average annual requirements of up to 13,000 family homes through solar panels covering a 50-hectare area. GOLDBECK SOLAR will now be responsible for delivering the design, construction and commissioning work required at the Barnsdale Solar Energy Park and will also carry out maintenance and management work for the first two years after it begins to generate green electricity. L-R: Ben Hindley – land & partnerships director, Keepmoat Yorkshire East, Rebecca Pascaud – land & partnerships manager, Keepmoat Yorkshire East, Karen Greggson – project manager, Together Homes, Alexis Wright – sales manager, Keepmoat Yorkshire East, Claire McCourt – group sales manager, Together Homes. Lee Bramley and Steven Petriewww.blmforum.net Business Link 7 news Professional services group expands with Dublin acquisition Professional services group DJH has made its first acquisition in Ireland as part of its international expansion plans. DJH, which has three offices across Yorkshire, has invested in MSD Accountants in Dublin in a deal that will give it a natural bridge to serve clients operating across the EU. The team of 30 at the Santry Business Park-based firm will continue to be led by Richard Daly, managing partner, and Brendan Murtagh, head of assurance. James Beardmore, chief operating officer of DJH, said: “Dublin is one of the most significant financial hubs in Europe, with a strong economy, favourable corporate tax rate and, post-Brexit, it has become an increasingly attractive access point for UK firms looking to trade with the EU. “We’ve aspired to have a presence in the city for a long time and MSD Accountants is the perfect fit with its reputation for fantastic service and specialisms in several aligned sectors for us.” Manufacturer of self- cleaning kiosk secures funding A company that makes self-service kiosks used to place orders in Argos stores and fast-food restaurants has secured funding to help it roll out the “world’s first” self-sanitising kiosk. Lazenby Group’s kiosks are used at coffee chains, cinemas, car parks, and for self check-in at airports. Its latest innovation uses UVC light to kill germs after each use. It is now set to be installed at airports worldwide after the business won a major contract from Collins Aerospace, a global airport services provider. Lazenby has secured £650,000 from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to help it expand production. The funding will be used to build a new 8,000 sq ft facility at its Hull headquarters to house an additional assembly line. It also plans to boost its 28-strong team with the creation of up to 30 new jobs in the next five years. Utilities infrastructure specialist secures new Brighouse office Capital infrastructure and engineering services company Avove has expanded with a new five-year lease for Suite 1A at Towngate PLC’s Parkview House, Brighouse. The 2,200 sq ft office space at Parkview House forms part of the larger, 32,000 sq ft Woodvale Office Park. Featuring exposed brickwork reflective of the building’s early 1800s silk mill heritage, a glazed meeting room, a modern kitchenette, and energy-efficient LED lighting, the space will support Avove’s growing design team. Externally, they will also benefit from EV charging points, parking provisions, bicycle stores, and landscaped surroundings. Julia Ford, marketing manager at Towngate PLC, said: “With the careful restoration and refurbishment of this space, we’ve created an inspiring environment that’s perfectly suited to the needs of a dynamic design team. “Offering purpose-built facilities, well-connected transport links, and a flexible blend of collaborative and independent workspaces, we’re confident the suite will be a valuable addition to Avove’s growing office portfolio, setting the stage for further success.” Alan Kenney (principal engineering manager, Avove) and James Heads (technical director, Avove) Dawn and Neil Sewell of Lazenby Group with Rebecca Pickering of MerciaCivil engineering company doubles space at Leeds office building Civil engineering company JN Bentley has doubled its office space at 1 Whitehall Riverside in Leeds city centre. Part of the Mott MacDonald Group, JN Bentley is taking over the whole of the 17,124 sq ft fifth floor in the office building. The Skipton-based company originally moved its Leeds city centre operations from Bank House to 1 Whitehall Riverside in October 2023. 1 Whitehall Riverside is now home to employees from JN Bentley and colleagues from Mott MacDonald and JBA Consulting working within the company’s design-and-build businesses – Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) and JBA Bentley. With a contemporary open-plan design, the office promotes collaborative working with purpose-built co-working areas, focus rooms and meeting rooms fitted with state-of-the-art technology. Jonny Burton, director, JN Bentley, said: “We are delighted to be doubling our operational space at our city centre Leeds office. “Record levels of investment in the UK water sector, coupled with buoyant frameworks across our other environmental and industrial markets, means our teams are growing. We need this additional space to facilitate even better collaboration that will help deliver the outcomes our clients and their customers need.” 8 Business Link www.blmforum.net Pontefract’s Number 1 Letting acquired by Dwelly Dwelly, the lettings acquisition and success planning experts, is continuing its national expansion with the acquisition of Number 1 Letting in Pontefract. The acquisition adds 850 fully managed properties to Dwelly’s growing portfolio, following a recent string of acquisitions within the UK lettings sector. The acquisition by Dwelly will see managing director of Number 1 Letting, Tracey Brown, remain with the business. Paul Singleton, director of Number 1 Letting, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Number 1 Letting and believe this acquisition by Dwelly offers the best possible future for our clients and team. “Dwelly’s values align perfectly with our own and whilst I’m naturally sad to be stepping back from the business, I know that with Tracey continuing at the helm, the business is set to reach even greater heights.” news Humber Freeport appoints new chair The man who led two of the Humber region’s biggest inward investments has been appointed as the new chair of Humber Freeport. Senior Siemens executive Finbarr Dowling, who has driven forward large-scale investments within the region with a total value of £1bn, is to lead the board of Humber Freeport. He will take up the role in October, following his retirement from Siemens. Humber Freeport acting chair, professor Neal Juster said: “Following completion of the recruitment process, we’re delighted to have appointed a leader with absolutely outstanding credentials as our new chair. “Finbarr will bring exceptional experience, credibility and connections to the role, as well as an unrivalled perspective, as someone who has overseen major investments into the region from vision to delivery.” Swedish company acquires North Yorkshire defence supplier Swedish company Mangohojden AB has acquired Slingsby Advanced Composites Limited, a North Yorkshire-based supplier of complex composite structures to the aerospace and defence sector. The acquisition is part of Mangohojden’s broader strategy to build a group of European aerospace and defence businesses, in response to growing industry demand and the need to strengthen supply chain resilience across the continent. Mackrell LLP advised Mangohojden. The transaction was led by Maung Aye, joint head of corporate and commercial, and Harriet Jones, senior associate in the corporate and commercial team. Commenting on the transaction, Maung said: “We are delighted to have advised Mangohojden on this latest acquisition. This is a strong strategic fit for our client and significantly enhances its presence in the defence and aerospace sector.”www.blmforum.net Business Link 9 news cardfactory to acquire funkypigeon.com from WH Smith Wakefield-based cardfactory has entered into an agreement to acquire funkypigeon.com from WH Smith for cash consideration of £24m. funkypigeon.com operates an online personalised card and attached gifting business, which is supported by its standalone team in Bristol and Guernsey. Over the prior two financial years, Funky Pigeon on average generated £32m revenue per annum and £5m EBITDA. The acquisition of Funky Pigeon accelerates cardfactory’s digital strategy, providing a platform for online growth, particularly in the direct-to-recipient card and attached gifting market. By combining Funky Pigeon’s digital platform with cardfactory’s existing omnichannel offer, the business intends to leverage its 24 million unique store customers to develop “a highly competitive online presence in the celebration occasions market.” JECO secures £960,000 investment to advance automation tools for game developers JECO, an automated software firm based in West Yorkshire, has raised £960,000 to expand its development of tools aimed at video game software developers and digital creatives. This funding is the first investment through the British Business Bank’s new co-investment platform, managed by Haatch, under its Regional Angels Programme. The round is led by Games Angels, with participation from British Business Bank. The platform, which launched with £7 million in funding, aims to address regional imbalances in early-stage investment access, particularly for innovative entrepreneurs in key sectors such as gaming technology. JECO, which focuses on creating automated toolsets to streamline game development and enhance efficiency, is poised to make a significant impact on the sector. The investment is expected to accelerate their efforts in providing cost-effective solutions for developers, while also exploring ways to tackle wider environmental challenges within the industry. The Regional Angels Programme, part of the British Business Bank’s initiative to strengthen regional economies, seeks to support businesses that can contribute to long-term economic growth outside of London and the South East. Future secured for Mighty Drinks brand The administrators of Watkins Drinks Limited have secured the sale of the Yorkshire-based Mighty Drinks brand to alternative protein brand The Mighty Kitchen. James Clark and Howard Smith from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to Watkins Drinks Limited, trading as Mighty Drinks, on 17 June. Mighty Drinks was one of the UK’s fastest growing dairy alternative brands, with its specialist range of pea protein and oat milks. Its products were sold nationwide from supermarkets and health stores, and it had its own subscription-based service. After facing trading headwinds experienced by many companies across the plant-based food sector, including rising costs and fragile consumer confidence, the business had been unable to achieve scale and profitability, which led to the administration. The administrators mothballed the business following their appointment and retained a small number of staff to assist with an asset realisation strategy. After a marketing process, the joint administrators have secured the sale of the Mighty Drinks IP, as well as some stock, to The Mighty Kitchen – an unrelated business that supplies plant-based protein products to the hospitality industry. Next >