New Enterprise Allowance scheme has helped launch 2,000 startups in West Yorlshire since its launch three years ago.

The Government scheme partners jobseekers with a mentor to draw up a business plan then gives them financial support to help them through the early months of their company.

The 2,000th startup is a gardening and maintenance firm in Wakefield set up by Martin Wade, a mechanic made redundant after 17 years in the same company.

Martin Hathaway, chief executive of the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency said: “West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency advisers and mentors have worked with hundreds of people since 2011 who have had the ambition, imagination and drive to want to start their own businesses.

“We  provide support and encouragement to all those placed on the New Enterprise Allowance with a business mentor from our MYMentor network, start-up advisers who guide them in the right direction and free membership of the Chamber of Commerce when they start their company providing vital networking opportunities.

“We are proud to have reached the milestone of having 2000 of these individuals turn their dream into reality and look forward to helping support more individuals begin their enterprise journey in the future.“

The number of permanent positions in the North has risen at a faster rate than the rest of the UK according to The Report on Jobs: North.

Permanent staff appointments in the North have witnessed the fastest growth since April,  increasing for a sixteenth consecutive month in August.

Strong expansions in permanent staff appointments were also registered in the other three monitored English regions in August, although the UK average deteriorated slightly from July.

Continuing the trend observed in each of the past 25 months, temporary/contract staff billings in the North rose in August.

Recruitment consultants in the North reported that permanent staff availability declined sharply in August, extending the current sequence of contraction to 19 months.

The pace at which permanent staff supply fell was strong overall, but remained weaker than the UK economy average.

Continuing the trend observed throughout the past two yers, temporary wage inflation was evident in the North in August.

According to the latest recruitment industry survey, permanent salaries in the North rose for the thirtieth consecutive month in August.

Kevin Green, REC CEO, said: “It’s more great news for people looking for work this month, as we see more people being placed into jobs across all regions and sectors including construction, IT and engineering.

“The jobs market is often criticised for being London-centric but our data shows that rates of growth for both permanent starting salaries and temp pay rates are faster in the South, Midlands and North this month. Recruiters tell us that the driver behind this increase is the competition to attract and retain the skilled people outside London.

“While immigration has increased according to government figures, this clearly has had little impact on the jobs market. As skills shortages increase and employers struggle to find the people they need, politicians from all parties should focus on ensuring that we have a visa and immigration regime that supports UK businesses.“

Image Credit: IB Times

Calls for tax breaks for good landlords have been hailed as a “helpful contribution to the debate” by a leading property expert.

The Chartered Institute of Housing this week recommended new tax incentives for landlords willing to sign up to a national accreditation scheme designed to raise rented home standards – with an estimated 1 in every 3 properties now failing to reach the government’s Decent Homes standard.

The report argues this would encourage landlords to improve the condition and management of their properties by offering them the resources and incentive to do so.  

Alongside advocating for the creation of a widely publicised and easily understood set of minimum management and property condition standards for rented homes and sufficient resources to enforce them, the report’s suggestions for encouraging landlords to commit to higher standards include:•    Giving accredited landlords a more generous tax allowance for ‘allowable expenses’, where landlords deduct the cost of repairs from their profits for income tax purposes.•    The ability to treat any improvements needed to bring a property up to standard as an ‘allowable expense’, instead of deducting it from their capital gains tax liability.•    Allowing accredited landlords to benefit from capital gains tax rollover relief if they invest the proceeds from the sale of a rental property in another property.

Ajay Jagota of Letting Agent of the Year KIS offered a cautious welcome to the CIH proposals.

The firm – famous for becoming the first letting agency to abolish deposits – manages properties for 700 landlords from branches in Sunderland, North Shields, South Shields and Welwyn Garden City and this year expanded into residential sales.

Ajay said: “At KIS we do not rent out substandard homes – but sadly some do. My concern with many of the previously proposed remedies like accreditation schemes is they risk placing huge financial and administrative burdens on law-abiding landlords without doing a thing to tackle the villains who give everyone in our industry a bad name.

“A genuine carrot and stick approach, rigorously enforced but potentially rewarding, approach may be just the thing to encourage the disreputable to clean up their act while also empowering the good landlords who want to improve their properties but can’t.

“You can expect to make a third more rent for a furnished property compared to an unfurnished one, for example, but you’ve got to remember that improvements like this aren’t always realistic.

“A significant number of landlords are only covering their costs and don’t actually make a penny out of their properties. I’m sure many of them would love to improve them, either to maximise their income or to give a better service to their tenants, but they simply can’t afford to.  

“Proposals like these ones could give them both the resources and incentive to improve their homes, and may be even give them the capital to invest in new properties, which could have the added benefit of helping to tackle Britain’s housing shortage – and they’re also proposals which might be worth considering to raise standards in the lettings industry.“

Rachel Campbell, Alex Hart, Jessica Wright and Michael Evans, theEword

Digital marketing agency theEword has appointed three new apprentices to its firm. The company has also appointed Rachel Campbell as creative content executive following a work placement with the agency in 2013.

Meanwhile, Alex Hart, Jessica Wright and Michael Evans have joined from The Apprentice Academy for 12-month apprenticeships.

Speaking about the new appointments, Daniel Nolan, managing director of theEword, said: “These four students represent the next generation of the industry. We are proud to be so invested in bringing talent through the ranks, with our new intake representing around 10 per cent of our total headcount. Employers in our sector know there is always demand for new entrants and apprenticeships provide a recruitment solution which benefits not just these young people but also the wider industry."

Colette Brown, Capital Properties

National property management company Capital Properties has appointed Colette Brown as events coordinator to its Manchester office.

The new appointment follows nationwide expansion for Capital Properties, having just established its London base at Marble Arch. Capital Properties is also looking to grow the business further with the recruitment of a Helpdesk Assistant.

Colette Brown said: “I’m looking forward to joining Capital Properties’ events team, as it’s a team with enormous creativity that is at the forefront of property management and sets the bar for what companies can offer their clients.”

Alan Wales, CBRE

CBRE has appointed Alan Wales as graduate surveyor to its North West building consultancy team.  

Senior Director Angela Seddon, said: "Alan made a real impression during his 2013 work placement and it’s great to welcome him back into the North West team.  His appointment further demonstrates the level of market activity in this area and our commitment to delivering the best level of service to our clients"

Nuala Wheeldon, Fluent Money

Lancashire-based loan broker Fluent Money has appointed Nuala Wheeldon as quality & risk director.

Nuala is taking on a more senior role after joining Fluent Money as head of compliance & HR earlier this year.

Kevin Hindley, joint managing director of Fluent Money Ltd, said: “2014 was a landmark year for the business, which exceeded expectations month on month and reached a final result far beyond the original annual target.

“Our goal this year was to invest in our people and services to facilitate further growth from our Bolton base. We have some excellent people here and are now looking forward to the impact that Nuala will have in her capacity as quality and risk director, overseeing the progress of some bright and talented new additions to the team.”

Amanda Noble-Simmons, Barber Harrison & Platt

BHP Chartered Accountants have appointed  Amanda Noble-Simmons as head of marketing and business development. Amanda has over 18 years worth of marketing experience, having worked in Gibraltar, the Cayman Islands and the UK, for a Big4 accountant and international law firms.

Amanda is responsible for marketing and business development across all five of BHP’s offices in Sheffield, Leeds, York, Chesterfield and Harrogate.

Amanda says, “What attracted me to BHP was their forward thinking approach, their commitment to their clients, their staff development and how they are embracing technology to create a more efficient and innovative service to clients.”

Ben Phillips, Chris Wilson MD and Tom Metcalfe

Tom Metcalfe and Ben Phillips, TCM

Tailormade Conference Management have appointed two new recruits to their team. Tom Metcalfe is joining the firm as sales and operations manager for the lead management arm of the business.

Ben Phillips has been appointed as account manager for the conference management side of the firm.

Jon Smith, Atlas Cloud

North East IT services provider Atlas Cloud has appointed Jon Smith as head of its Leeds office.

Now confirmed as one of the most secure providers in the UK after ISO 27001 2013 accreditation, the company has appointed Jon Smith as business manager in the new Yorkshire offices.

Jon, said: “There is a lot of interest around Leeds in what a difference the cloud can make for the city.

“Businesses really seem to be embracing the possibilities and I want to get out to as many as possible and find the right solution to let them prosper while we run their IT operation.

“Having worked in this sector for over 25 years, with many of the elements that make up the Atlas Cloud solution, I couldn’t resist the opportunity of joining such a fantastic team and using that experience to help us grow into one of the region’s main providers, whilst adding real value to our customers.“

 L-R Stephanie Round Geoff Cunningham Chris Allen and Helen Saunders

Helen Saunders, Blacks Solicitors

Leeds-based law firm Blacks Solicitors LLP has appointed Helen Saunders as HR Manager.

Helen joins the team having spent 11 years at Gratterpalm where, amongst other achievements, she secured the agency a place in the Sunday Times’ ‘Top 100 Small Companies to Work for’.

Focusing on culture and employee engagement, Helen will be working with the Partners to grow individual departments, as well as the firm as a whole, through the business’ greatest asset, its staff.

Chris Allen, Managing Partner at Blacks comments, “We’re always focused on investing and supporting our staff, and we’re delighted that Helen has come on board to help us continue to grow and develop our team."

Tracey Booth, PPS

Bradford packaging design and global production specialist PPS has appointed Tracey Booth as account manager.

Tracey spent fifteen years at Multi Packaging Solutions (formally known as Chesapeake Branded Packaging) where she looked after new product development and supply chain management.

Tracey said: “I am delighted to have joined PPS in what is a new chapter for me. The company has undergone some exciting changes and opened up new global markets in the last year following the takeover by InnerWorkings and I can’t wait to work with the team.

“The new role will certainly give me a fresh challenge and I am looking forward to putting my skills, particularly in the development of new packaging and the liaison with the various manufacturing facilities, to good use.”

John Carmody, Xeros

Rotherham washing machine manufacturer Xeros has appointed John Carmody as sales manager at its head office in Advanced Manufacturing Park.

John has joined the organisation, which has developed the innovation in laundering for more than six decades, after spending three years with international chemicals specialist Christeyns and 12 years, in two spells, with Alex Reid, supplier of specialist laundry and dry cleaning products for the fabric care industry.

John said: “I’m really excited at the prospect of helping to introduce this fantastic new technology into many dry cleaning and small commercial laundry businesses, including bringing its advantages to numerous industry contacts I already know well.” 

Martin Hathaway, Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has appointed Martin Hathaway as chief executive, replacing former executive director Andrew Choi, who will be leaving the Chamber in September.

The Chamber operates throughout Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

Chamber Chairman David Horsman comments: “On behalf of the Board, and all Chamber members and staff, I would like to thank Andrew Choi for his commitment to the Chamber and the business communities throughout our region. We welcome our new Chief Executive Martin Hathaway, and look forward to building on our efforts to support the future growth of businesses in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Finally, we all wish Andrew all the best with his future endeavours.”

Lisa McFarlane, Wonder Stuff Studio

Lisa McFarlane has been appointed to Newcastle’s Wonder Stuff Studio as Creative Digital Specialist.

The University of Sunderland graduate has been involved in the development of websites for Newcastle architects ID Partnership and travel specialists Travel Bureau. She is also leading the development of a new app for use within the NHS. 

Lisa said: “It already feels great to be here. The culture of hard work and honesty is one that I identify with and the Studio’s values are ones which are very refreshing in the creative industry.

“Wonder Stuff Studio is determined to offer clients the advice and direction which actually makes a difference to their business. Seeing design affect how businesses see themselves, and their goals. It’s great - and it’s a challenge."

Alex Latham, Karol Marketing

Newcastle-based PR and marketing consultancy, Karol Marketing, has appointed Alex Latham as account manager.

Alex brings four years of public relations experience to the consultancy, having previously gained experience in both global and small PR agencies in Manchester and Newcastle. Most recently she was responsible for launching and expanding a North East office for a Manchester-based agency, and worked with a range of food and drink and hospitality clients in the region.

Commenting on her appointment, Alex said: “I’m pleased to be joining such an established North East agency that has an impressive portfolio of regional, national and international clients across a variety of sectors.

“I look forward to bringing my skills and creativity to Karol’s business PR accounts and to working with the highly experienced and dynamic team.“

Lizzie Tate and Melanie Wilson

Melanie Wilson, Addisons Chartered Surveyors

Addisons Chartered Surveyors have appointed Melanie Wilson as senior sales negotiator to work from its Barnard Castle office.

Following a ten year career in estate agency, including sales roles at Reeds Rains, Bellway Homes and Keepmoat, Melanie, from Bishop Auckland is well practised in front line customer service work and ensuring ongoing support of sales.

Melanie said: “I’m thrilled to join Addisons Chartered Surveyors at a time when it is experiencing such a demand for business and I’m looking forward to operating within a housing market that I know and love so well.“

Addisons have also appointed a Lizzie Tate as a negotiator at its Richmond office.

Chris Milne, North East Local Enterprise Partnership

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership has appointed Chris Milne as chief economist. Chris Milne. Milne will join the enterprise partnership in September from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in London where he worked as an economic adviser.

Chris has worked across a range of Whitehall departments since joining the Government Economic Service as part of the economist fast-stream from university in 2005.

Chris Milne said: “This is a fantastic move for me.  The breadth of the North East LEP remit means that my work will have more of a macro-economic focus than most of my previous governmental roles. I’m excited about starting at the enterprise partnership and looking forward to meeting with its partners, regional businesses and public sector organisations. It also means I’m able to move back home to the North East, which is great for me and my family.“

Vasilis Koutsioubis, Two Fifths

A recently opened bar and restaurant on Newcastle’s Collingwood Street, showcasing world cuisine and cocktails, has appointed an award-winning chef and mixologist.

Two Fifths restaurant on Collingwood street has employed Vasilis Koutsioubis as head chef. He has previously worked at well-respected establishments such as Café 21 and Café Vivvo on the Quayside and spent five years working as sous chef at the award-winning Thallassa restaurant at five-star Elounda Beach Hotel in Crete.

Koutsioubis said: “I love being busy and Two Fifths has certainly been that. This is the first time I have been head chef and it’s great to be so involved. The fact that John is happy to do seasonal menus is brilliant as it means it’s constantly evolving and growing."

John Harvey, The Protector Group

John Harvey has returned to The Protector Group as chief executive 20 years after he launched the business.

The Gateshead firm, which provides security for events, secured a significant contract with three separate venues in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

Harvey, who founded the company in September 1994, was encouraged to return to the company by Lord Stevens and other investors.

Harvey, who served as a Royal Marine for six years, said: “It’s great to be back at the helm, and even more so as it comes at a great time for the business in winning and successfully completing the Commonwealth Games contract.

“The Protector Group provided security for three separate venues and received no performance penalties whatsoever and met strict standards for each of the days at the event.

“It was a superb demonstration of the capabilities we have in the company. The Games’ organisers have been in touch to thanks us for exemplary performance and this follows similar comments we received after the London Olympics.“

Growth Capital Ventures, a North East-based FinTech business that develops and operates online funding and investment marketplaces, used its own platform to raise £150k for its expansion.

The company opened its doors for investment by listing on GrowthFunders, an equity and rewards-based crowdfunding and co-investment marketplace, which connects online angels, angel networks and VCs to businesses with high growth potential.

The company launched the fundraising campaign on Monday 1st September, with a target fund raise of £150,000 seed capital to fuel the next stage of growth.

The support came from Growth Capital Ventures’ existing network of online investors, who had been anticipating the listing, and now the company is leaving the opportunity open to allow more investors to get involved.

Craig Peterson, Chief Operating Officer of Growth Capital Ventures said: “The financial services sector is changing massively and technology is the catalyst. We’re now seeing a new generation of FinTech businesses that are driving exponential growth, including online platforms such as our very own GrowthFunders.”

Norman Peterson, Chief Executive Officer of Growth Capital Ventures added:

“Our pitch went live at 1:50pm and within 10 minutes, we’d reached our target, which is absolutely fantastic. Investments have been coming in from a number of online angels and crowd investors, with the largest single amount so far being £25,000. However, the great thing about the GrowthFunders platform, is that smaller investors can also get involved from as little as £100, investing on the same terms as angel networks and VCs and receive up to 78% tax relief.

We’re thrilled with the speed of the fundraise and due to the high level of interest have decided to let the pitch ‘overfund’, which means that we will release further equity in the business at the same valuation”.

The North East Chamber of Commerce today outlines the priorities that a new Government must address in 2015 if the region is to deliver on its true potential.

NECC has defined the priorities within the British Chambers of Commerce Business Plan for Britain that will help the North East maximise growth and empower businesses to drive forward the economy.

The business group sets out the lobbying priorities to empower business, stimulate growth, create jobs and help the North East become an international gateway for industry.

Among the key priorities are preparing young people for work; guaranteeing a business governor in every school to increase business engagement in education and ensuring everyone leaves school having undertaken a high-level of work experience.

The Chamber also prioritises the driving down of business costs and taxes by freezing business rates for all companies until 2017 and delivery of a full revaluation of premises by the same year.

NECC President, David Laws, said: “These priorities come directly from the businesses we represent, covering one-third of the North East workforce, all localities in the region, all industrial sectors and all sizes of business, following widespread consultation.

“Our businesses are leading the recovery. Our diverse business base that has helped us roll with the punches dealt by the economic downturn are the very ones driving forward growth, creating jobs and making sure that the North East is a key contributor to UK Plc.”

One of the UK’s most successful business management development programmes has been upgraded by Lancaster University.

Following a decade of success in helping owners and managers to grow businesses across the UK, Lancaster University Management School is to enhance its successful LEAD programme.

LEAD, a ten-month leadership and management development intervention for owner-managers has supported more than 3,000 small-and-medium sized enterprise (SME) owners, creating over 10,000 jobs. In an independent evaluation, participants reported post- LEAD turnover growth rates of 13.8 per cent, and employment growth of 16.8 per cent per annum.

The new version of the programme, called ‘LEAD 2 Innovate’, takes advantage of recent conceptual insights and academic research excellence from Lancaster University Management School, such as Ricardo Zozimo’s work on Observational Learning and has a greater focus on developing innovation – a key driver of business growth.

LEAD 2 Innovate, which will be delivered for the first time from this October, will also be more applied than its predecessor. Delegates will participate in five skill-specific workshops and they will be expected to implement the skills they learn on their own business, while receiving critical feedback from their peers.

The enhanced programme also benefits from experience gleaned from the delivery of other leadership development programmes run by Lancaster University Management School’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development.

Ian Gordon, programme director of LEAD 2 Innovate, said: “LEAD has been an excellent programme with a strong record of helping business leaders to deliver growth and employment.

“However, now that the programme is ten years old there is a benefit to upgrading it. We are having a step-change, rather than a piecemeal change, and we are adding value by incorporating many of the things we have learned as one of the UK’s leading business schools over the last decade.

“We want delegates to enact solutions directly within their own organisations. We help this process by creating a supportive network of people with high levels of trust that provide peer to peer analysis, criticism and feedback.

“LEAD 2 Innovate is not just about developing the essential soft skills of you as a leader, like LEAD did, but also looking at the strategy of their business and specifically addressing the general theme of innovation, which is critical to continued business growth.“

The programme’s workshops will also specifically look at selling, finance and people management – key skills for any organisation.

There will also be a series of five inspirational master-classes to provide additional motivation. Previous master-classes have been delivered by people such as Sir Chris Bonington, and Olympic coach Frank Dick.

Lancaster University has established a national reputation for working with UK SMEs. Since 1998, the university has assisted more than 5,000 SMEs to help provide economic growth.

This year Lancaster University received a Small Business Charter Gold Award – one of only three - in recognition of the role it has played in helping to kick-start British enterprise.

Studio West in West Denton opens today as a new school concept allowing students to get a taste of the world of work with year-round opening and longer working day.

The new ‘enterprise and entrepreneurial’ Studio West is one of 13 specialist schools developed by the Studio School’s Trust, Department for Education (DfE).

Studio Schools are closely aligned to the world of work. They aim to feel more like a workplace than a school and focus on developing the key employability and life skills for students aged 14 to 19 years old.

Working in partnership with businesses such as Accenture, Aspire Technology Solutions, the Theatre Royal, Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd and Newcastle City Council, the school has capacity for 310 students who will learn in both classroom and work-based environments.

More than 50% of the curriculum will be practical, work-based projects, created in conjunction with the real partner companies it is working with.

The Education Team at leading commercial law firm, Muckle LLP, advised on all legal aspects of establishing Kenton Schools Academy Trust, which is a multi academy trust.  

Val Wigham, Principal Designate of Studio West, said: “Opening a new school is a massive undertaking, so knowing that Muckle were constantly on hand to deal with all legal aspects gave me the confidence to forge ahead and not to worry about those aspects.  The team at Muckle was a natural choice for us, having worked with them in 2012 on the conversion of Kenton School to an academy."

Tony McPhillips at Muckle said: “This is a very exciting time in education as vocational schools such as Studio West are part of the Government’s long-term economic plan to get young people better prepared for working life after school".

Northern entrepreneurs see bright future, but, according to EY, a shortage in skills poses a threat to growth plans.

Their survey found that 76% of entrepreneurs based in the North of England have increased their headcount in the past year with 36% of these businesses creating more than 50 new jobs.  

However almost three quarters (73%) of Northern entrepreneurs say they struggle to attract the talent needed to grow their businesses, compared to 77% nationally, with 57% saying that this is down to a lack of the right skills.   

Just over a quarter (27%) feel that they are able to attract the right talent, suggesting that the Northern skilled labour market remains challenging for many businesses. 

EY surveyed 51 Northern entrepreneurs to assess how their firms have performed in recent years and whether they expect to grow in the future, as well as to gather their views on the factors that they feel can help or hinder growth. 

Nearly all of the entrepreneurs surveyed in the North, have well-established businesses; 80% of respondents have run their companies for at least a decade. 

EY found that 80% of entrepreneurial businesses in the North have seen growth in their turnover in the last year, compared to 75% nationally, with over half (57%) witnessing a turnover increase of more than 5%. 

Looking ahead, over the next three years, 98% of Northern entrepreneurs surveyed expect their business to grow further, with over half (59%) expecting annual growth of over 10%. 

Other findings included: 

• 31% of Northern entrepreneurs cited cutting red tape as something the Government could do to facilitate growth
• 22% said that the current Government’s priority sector to invest in should be infrastructure (road, rail, airports), higher than the national figure of 17%. 

Stuart Watson, EY’s Yorkshire and Humberside senior partner said: “Over the past 12 months the economy has strengthened, and this is reflected in the confident mood amongst Northern businesses. 

“Entrepreneurs have been recruiting in significant numbers and seeing reasonable growth over the past year. But, more importantly, more than half are planning ahead for double digit growth. 

“The North, like the wider UK, is open for business, and our entrepreneurs are leading the way in terms of increasing their turnover and headcount.” 

“Overall the future looks bright for Northern entrepreneurs, with many delivering strong performance in recent years, and expecting good times ahead. 

“However, our survey highlights that while businesses are increasing headcount at a considerable rate and are expecting to grow even more over the next year, the right people may not be there to fuel that growth. 

“It’s clear that infrastructure remains a priority for Northern businesses. Entrepreneurs will be buoyed by the recent One North infrastructure proposals and the Chancellor’s vision for a ‘Northern powerhouse’, which we are likely to hear more about in the coming weeks and months.” 

Two major planning proposals which will underpin all future development and growth in Leeds are set to be put before the city’s councillors for their final approval.

The Core Strategy, which will provide a 15-year masterplan for all housing growth and development in the city, and the introduction of a new Community Infrastructure Levy on new developments will be discussed by Leeds City Council’s executive board next week at Civic Hall.

If the executive board gives its approval, the proposals will then be referred to November’s meeting of the full council where they will be voted on being officially adopted by the city.

If adopted, the Core Strategy, which has been developed in several stages since 2006, would become the principal planning and development guide for the entire Leeds district.

Its core principles now approved by the Government inspector Mr Anthony Thickett include providing 70k new homes in the Leeds district up to 2028, at an agreed rate of 3,660 a year in the initial years with a commitment to a ‘significant proportion’ of new affordable housing.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Keith Wakefield said: “This is a highly significant step towards making Leeds the best city to live and work in the UK. I am delighted that the Core Strategy can now be taken to executive board and full council for a vote on its adoption.

“The strategy will make a massive difference as it will provide a modern forward-thinking blueprint for all future growth in terms of housing, job creation, development and the economy in a sustainable way.

"It has taken a long time to get to this point involving a lot of people and a lot of hard work, but it needed to be done right and it’s great that we are now almost there.“

Fitting within the Core Strategy framework, the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) would be introduced from April 2015 as a new way of collecting contributions from developers for infrastructure facilities such as transport, education, the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme or greenspace.

It has been driven by changes to the existing Section 106 regulations which come into force in April.

Consultation on the Core Strategy has taken place with the public, councillors, developers and representatives of the constructions industries, community groups, parish councils, Leeds Civic Trust, Leeds Chamber of Commerce, the Environment Agency, the Highways Agency and neighbouring local authorities in the wider Leeds City Region.The Community Infrastructure Levy for Leeds, including a draft charging schedule with rates varying depending on the type of development being proposed and the area of the city it is proposed in, has similarly been developed after consultation with all key stakeholders and the public.

© Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Image source: ToastyKen

Billions of pounds are reportedly being pulled out of the British economy by foreign investors over fears that Scotland could vote “yes” to independence.

According to The Independent, figures from French investment bank Societe Generale show an exodus of investors from the UK.

These figures show that the exodus has increased from its "best position" this year, with £8.6 billion flowing out from the UK to approximately £12 billion leaving the UK.

Japan’s biggest bank, Nomura, has apparently warned of a potential collapse of the poung and is urging its clients to sever their financial exposure to the UK.

Nomura’s advice to clients which include major pension funds was not only to pull money out of British investments, but to take out bets against British Government bonds and UK banks’ share prices.

Jordan Rochester, Nomura’s foreign exchange strategist told The Telegraph that fast-moving hedge funds had started moving out some time ago, but now traditionally longer-term investors like pension funds were also taking flight.

He said: “The risks are suddenly seen as much greater for Japanese pension funds."

Sterling has fallen sharply since the shock poll at the weekend suggesting a narrow “yes” vote was on the cards. It fell again today until the governor of the Bank of England gave a speech to unions which investors took as suggesting he was eyeing an interest rate rise.

The amount invested into the UK is still lower than they it was at their 2007 peak. Societe Generale analysts told clients that this could worsen with the prospect of Scotland seceding.

They also added that concerns about the UK leaving the EU were also triggering a flight from Britain.

Darlington corporate finance specialist Chris Adlam is helping companies across the North East to grow after setting up his own business with help from TEDCO Business Support and its Ready for Business programme.

Chris Adlam gave up a career in commercial banking to set up on his own and is now using his experience to help other businesses to grow.

Chris is now self-employed independent financial consultant working as part of The What Partnership franchise  helping to provide support and advice to businesses as well as opening alternative funding routes.

Frustrated by the current lending constraints of the major banks, Chris decided to set up on his own turning to his former banking colleague James Craft, now a business adviser for TEDCO Business Support.

Chris said: “Having worked with James in corporate finance at a major bank, I knew he was the perfect person to approach when setting up on my own.  Given my background, I had most of my ducks already in a row but needed someone to play devil’s advocate with me and challenge my thinking to ensure my business plan was robust and I had left no stone unturned.

“Knowing someone of James’ calibre recognised the potential in my business model gave me all the encouragement I needed to take the plunge and give up my safe career – even at a time when my wife and I were expecting our first child.“

“Within my first week of trading I had helped one local b2b business in Darlington to secure £100,000 for capital expenditure having been turned down repeatedly from mainstream banks.

“But it is not all about securing loans for businesses, I am helping companies with their succession and business continuity planning as well as commercial mortgages and as a purely independent adviser I am able to offer the best solutions for my clients rather than only those that are available to me."

The Humber LEP and its local authority partner North East Lincolnshire Council have signed an MOU with Halal Penang to explore new market opportunities.

This is the next step in the development of relations between Humber region and Halal Penang, the Penang State Government agency of Malaysia responsible for promotion, facilitation and development of the halal industries.

The agreement formalises how the three parties will support each other in exploring opportunities that could provide economic benefit to both areas.

This will include Humber businesses being supported to do business with Malaysia and South East Asia and collaboration between all three parties to look at the possibilities for developing a halal industries/business park for Halal product and services, including the promotion of innovation and technology transfer.

Dato Abdul Malik, State Minister for Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs and Chairman of Penang International Halal Hub, said: “We look forward to working closely together to share our strengths including Penang’s manufacturing sector and for the halal industries and the Humber’s food and energy sectors, with the potential of a distribution centre sited in the Humber region.”

Kishor Tailor, Chief Executive at Humber LEP, said: “The MOU formalises and builds on the new connections that we have made with Malaysia and allows us to continue to identify new markets and opportunities for Humber companies to export as well as explore the possibilities of inward investment opportunities.

“The region’s strong connections with Malaysia, through the University and through visits between the area of Penang and the Humber, offer the chance to explore opportunities of mutual benefit."

Councillor Chris Shaw, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is further evidence of international interest in coming to the area. 

“Here, we have the space and the appetite to welcome growth that furthers our core aim of creating a stronger economy.

"Through the MOU, we’ll be pushing forward on ways of working with the Malaysian government to develop opportunities to attract business from the Far East and do the best for the people that live and work in North East Lincolnshire.”

An International Halal Expo and Conference will be hosted by the Penang State in January 2015, which is in its sixth year.

Entrepreneurs from the University of Warwick have launched a start-up business Convibo, enabling shopping at multiple supermarkets which is then collected at refigerated lockers. 

The startup idea is the brainchild of Warwick graduates, Gregor Tschurtschenthaler, Takis Malavetas and Christian Lerke.

The inventors have all completed MSc courses in Innovation and Entrepreneurship atWMG and developed the business idea following graduation.

Convibo has been in BETA stage from the beginning of June where the team is constantly testing its processes. The service is currently only available to students in and around the Warwick campus area.

There has been a substantial increase in brand awareness of the business throughout campus and so far it has a weekly customer growth rate of 30%.

CoFounder, Gregor Tschurtschenthaler said: “Growing our model outside of university is definitely our goal. At the moment, we test our processes and refine our product and service with students as our first customers”

CoFounder, Takis Malavetas said: “We use emails and printed advertisement such as flyers and posters, however word of mouth has proven very successful, since customers who like the service recommend it to their friends.“

“Even though online grocery shopping is a growing market in the UK and around the world, we have found that the supply chain complexities are making it very hard to operate efficiently.

"By exploring the industry to a larger degree, we came up with a model that may solve many of these complexities providing customers with a convenience they didn’t have before.“

The team expressed their gratitude towards Warwick Manufacturing Group who provided the company with free office space and support and Warwick Commercial Group which enabled them to administrate their business on campus.

Amanda Steel, Sarah Callaghan, Daniel Haley, Janean Fearon and Julie Taylor, JAK inc.

Darlington and Chester-le-Street print and design company, JAK Inc, has appointed four new staff members and also made a promotion into a newly-created position.

Amanda Steel and Sarah Callaghan have both joined as customer relationship managers while Daniel Haley has been appointed as graphic designer, having recently graduated from college.   Janean Fearon has been taken on as an apprentice in the customer service department.   Finally, Julie Taylor has been promoted to office manager at the Chester-le-Street office.

John Knowles, who co-owns the business with his son Andrew, commented: “Bringing new jobs to the region is vitally important to us so we’re thrilled to have hired several new people, all of whom bring impressive experience and enthusiasm to the team. We’re also pleased to have given Julie a much-deserved promotion.   “It’s an exciting time for JAK – we’re not only expanding but also re-positioning ourselves to offer more digital services such as website design and social media management. We now have a strong team in place that will help us to drive the business forward.“

L-R Tait Walker managing partner Andrew Moorby with Lucy Elliott, Paul Shields, Chris Hird, Matt Higgins, Sam Nichol and Beth Ramsden 

Chris Hird, Beth Ramsden, Samantha Nichol and Matt Higgins, Tait Walker

North East independent accountancy practice Tait Walker has promoted three of its staff and appointed three new members to the team.

The firm’s corporate recovery expert Matt Higgins has been appointed as Associate Partner, which will see him work closely with Gordon Goldie to further develop the Insolvency and Turnaround department.  

Lucy Elliott, who has been with Tait Walker for over 10 years, has been promoted to Associate Director of the Corporate Finance team and Paul Shields, who has worked in Tait Walker’s Business Services department for the last 7 years, has been promoted to Associate.  

New appointments Chris Hird and Beth Ramsden have joined Tait Walker as Corporate Finance Executive and Business Services Executive respectively. Northumbria University graduate Samantha Nichol, who studied Journalism BA (Hons), has been appointed as Marketing Assistant.  

Andrew Moorby, managing partner at Tait Walker, said: Andrew Moorby, managing partner at Tait Walker, said: “2014 has been very positive so far and it’s a great feeling being able to reward our team members who have excelled in their work.   “Matt and Lucy are perfect examples of those striving hard to get to where they want to be and achieving it. Paul has been with the firm for many years and is a real asset to our Business Services department so we’re delighted to have been able to watch him grow through the ranks to associate level.   “We’re always keen to open up these opportunities to our ever-expanding team, while continually looking outwards to bring in new thinking and expertise from different backgrounds, which will prove invaluable to our clients. Samantha has already become a key addition and we’re looking forward to welcoming more graduates to the team in September”.

Gillian Marshall, Entrepreneurs Forum

Entrepreneurs’ Forum has appointed Gillian Marshall as chief executive. With a background in business development, finance and building partnerships, Gillian will lead on the Forum’s plans to put entrepreneurs at the heart of the North East’s growth agenda.

Gillian is taking over from Nicola Short, who led the Forum from being a not-for-profit publicly funded body to a self-sustaining membership organisation of more than 300 entrepreneurs and 14 corporate partners.

Gillian said: “I’m stepping into the CEO role at a really exciting time. The Forum is on a very strong footing, growing every month, hosting sell-out events and playing an ever bigger role in supporting entrepreneurs, helping to make vital connections and widening our networks outside the North East for the benefit of the region.“

Andrea Preston, TTE Technical Training Group

TTE Technical Training Group has appointed Andrea Preston as finance director. Andrea Preston has been promoted to the newly-created role after more than four years at TTE.  She joined as Financial Controller and progressed to the position of Group Finance Manager before taking her current position.   As a member of the board, Andrea will lead TTE’s financial strategic direction with particular emphasis on securing available funding for the training of young people on Teesside and overseeing commercial contracts.   TTE has experienced strong growth in its commercial activities, particularly overseas in markets such as Oman, United Arab Emirates, West Africa and Azerbaijan. 

Andrea Preston said: “I am looking forward to being an Executive Director of TTE and playing a key part in the success TTE is enjoying in delivering skills across industry.   “The reputation TTE has established in both domestic and international markets has really helped with the organisation’s growth and its efforts to support the training of young people on Teesside.  As a charity we reinvest the surpluses from our commercial activities into our training provision that assists the development of the local workforce.“

Dave Johnson, Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS)

Dave Johnson has been appointed as engineering operations manager at Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS). 

Dave Johnson will be responsible for managing the North Shields firm’s recently expanded engineering division. Dave has worked in the industrial sector for the past 24 years. He joins AIS from lifting engineering specialists, Lloyds British Testing where he was engineering services manager for the offshore sector.

Dave Johnson said: “AIS was a supplier to the previous company I worked for so I knew them well. I was always extremely impressed with the company’s significant achievements, as well as its ambition and innovative approach to getting the job done, so when the opportunity arose to join AIS I jumped at it.

“AIS’s engineering division has an enormous range of products and services and deals with some of the world’s biggest brands so it’s a very exciting prospect to now be part of the team going forward.“

Lauren Saul, North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC)

North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) has appointed University of Sunderland graduate Lauren Saul as marketing assistant. 

Lauren joins a number of new recruits recently welcomed to the enterprise agency as new projects begin to take development. Lauren said:

Lauren said: “As soon as I visited the BIC I knew straight away that it was a company I wanted to be a part of. I am looking forward in helping to support the BIC’s Open Space facility as well as identifying networking opportunities.“

DTZ (Leeds) 

DTZ has expanded its Leeds office with the appointment of six new people. Steve Clarke has rejoined the company as a director, together with: Surveyors Heather Smith and Josh Howe in Retail Agency; Rating senior surveyor Richard Gibala; Business rates manager, Catherine Hope; and customer satisfaction analyst Caitlin Davis. 

Building consultancy senior director, Philip Webb has also been appointed as DTZ’s Skill head for Project and Building Consultancy in EMEA, assisting with the business development and growth of DTZ’s services in the wider EMEA region.

Tim Cameron-Jones, senior director and head of DTZ’s Leeds office, comments: “DTZ’s commitment to growth in Leeds allows us to continue to service our very strong client base at a local level, but with the strength of DTZ’s national and international reputation as leaders in the market to support this growth.”

“As the market becomes more favourable we have adopted an ambitious growth agenda and I am delighted to announce the recruitment of these key people to our business across a diverse range of skills.”

Walker Morris, Rupert Bent

Walker Morris has strengthened its Intellectual Property Group by today announcing the appointment of Rupert Bent as a partner and as the Head of Intellectual Property. 

As former head of IP Litigation for the regions at Pinsent Masons, Rupert has advised on the full range of contentious intellectual property disputes, including patent, trade mark, copyright, design right and passing-off disputes, as well as non-contentious issues including licensing and branding. 

Ian Gilbert, managing partner at Walker Morris commented: "We are delighted that Rupert is joining the firm to head up our IP Group.  

"We see Rupert’s recruitment as a key step in adding further to on our recognised expertise in this practice area. 

"His recruitment is also consistent with our strategy of building sector leading teams with enviable reputations for offering specialist expertise to our clients across a wide range of industry sectors, both in the UK and overseas"

Irwin Mitchell, Jenny Arrowsmith

The Leeds office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell has appointed Jenny Arrowsmith to its Employment team. 

Joining the firm as an Associate from Taylor & Emmet in Sheffield where she was a partner, Jenny will be based in Leeds but will initially also spend time in the firm’s Sheffield office supporting the team there.

Glenn Hayes, employment partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Jenny has a wealth of senior-level experience across a broad range of sectors.

"She is a superb addition and I am confident that she will further enhance our service offering and enable Irwin Mitchell to continue building its reputation as a leading commercial firm.“

Earthmill, Andy Mill

Wetherby-based farm-scale renewables specialist Earthmill has appointed Andy Mill to its board as finance director.

Andy, originally from Edinburgh, is a former PwC accountant and has spent the last five years as a finance director and financial consultant to firms including Lexia Solutions and Andrew Page.

He will take over the financial management of £12 million Earthmill from commercial director Mark Woodward.

Mark said: “The business has grown by more than 50 per cent over the past two years, and we needed to strengthen the board with a dedicated finance director to enable us to plan for the fundraising and further growth that is on the horizon."

“Andy has the experience of five years as finance director in a fast moving group, and a background with a big four firm that is ideal for us,“ he added.  

Carter Jonas, Anne Haggas

Property consultancy Carter Jonas has launched a new service for house buyers, house builders and developers in Yorkshire with the launch of a dedicated New Homes division. 

Former Knight Frank partner Anne Haggas has been appointed to manage the new service which offers developers a tailor-made new homes marketing service from conception, planning and design through marketing and sales to final completion.  

Tony Wright, head of residential in Harrogate said. “This is a significant appointment.  Anne is a major player in the residential development property market and her appointment means that Carter Jonas can now offer services right across all aspects of the property market - residential, new homes, commercial, rural, planning and development, valuations and building surveying. 

 “Our planning and development teams have the skills to maximise the value of land or buildings with development potential. This appointment enables us to deliver a truly multi-disciplinary service that is focused on delivering commercially robust advice.“  

Specialised Covers, Gavin Hughes and Oliver Moore

Tailored vehicle cover company Specialised Covers has expanded its commercial operation with two new appointments at its Shipley headquarters.  

Gavin Hughes has been appointed as head of sales and Oliver Moore as marketing manager.

Gavin Hughes has worked in the sales arena for over eighteen years, including the role of sales manager at The Yorkshire Post. He has considerable experience of developing sales processes and building successful sales teams.  

Gavin was sales director at Facilities Management company Servest UK before joining the team at Specialised Covers. 

Elliot Long, managing director of Specialised Covers said: “It gives me great pleasure to appoint both Gavin and Oliver in their new roles here at Specialised Covers.

"Gavin, our new head of sales, is a talented, intelligent, enthusiastic and experienced individual with a keen eye for developing key relationships and improving our entire sales strategy throughout the business. 

Oliver, our new marketing manager, has a wealth of knowledge, ideas, experience and creative flair which we relish here at Specialised Covers. "

Plans to build a new Aldi food store that could create up to 30 permanent jobs as well as further construction and spin-off employment, are being proposed on the site of Armstrong House in Washington.

Proposals put forward by property development and regeneration company, Jomast, would see a multi-million pound investment into the local community to redevelop the former 1970’s office building at Armstrong Industrial Estate and significantly enhance the choice of food retailing to local residents and businesses located on the north side of Washington.

The multimillion pound proposals include demolition of the existing office building in order to create a new, modern and dedicated 18,277 sq ft (gross) food store with customer parking area, landscaping, servicing and access areas. The redevelopment will complement Aldi’s existing store at The Galleries Retail Park and bring the vacant site back into productive use.

Jomast Development Director, Graham Wilson, added, "Armstrong House has been vacant for some time and considerable research carried out clearly demonstrated that there was no interest in either reoccupation of the building or further redevelopment for office use.

“Therefore, the proposals that we have put forward will bring an important site back into use, provide a much enhanced retail provision to local residents and create many new employment opportunities for the local community. We hope that residents will get behind the scheme and put forward any comments or suggestions at the consultation event.“

Subject to the outcome of the planned community consultation, Jomast anticipates that a planning application for Armstrong House will be submitted in October 2014.

ENDS Sept 2014  

Urmston-based Velotrove has launched its first range of bike storage products, all of which are made in the UK

Paula Butterfield of Butterfield Architecture, launched Velotrove after spotting a gap in the market for practical and attractive bike parking solutions through her work with domestic and commercial clients.

Velotrove, which currently employs 5 people, have already created the first three products.

The Velochain is the only ground anchor with integral chain and provides a simple way to secure bikes in a garden, shed, balcony or on the street.

The Veloslot is a space-saving storage solution that uses individual slots to keep cycles apart.

The Veloplanter combines secure cycle parking with stylish street furniture and is ideal for commercial developments.

Velotrove has already signed a number of business clients including Dynamic Parcel Distribution (DPD), which is about to install seven Veloslots at its Irlam depot for staff to use.

Paula said: “Employers and property developers increasingly want to incorporate cycle parking but as an architect working on commercial schemes, I realised there was a gap in the market for practical and durable bike parking solutions which were stylish enough to complement the street scene or landscape.

“As a cyclist myself with a family, I struggled to find any flexible and space-saving bike storage. Velotrove was started in response to my own needs and those of my clients but, having spotted the gap in the market, I recognised that there was an opportunity for it to become a business in its own right.”