Entrepreneurs have launched 6 new businesses at York Science Park’s startup space, Springboard. 

Springboard’s latest residents include a company working on an new networking site, a specialist Internet Service Provider, a gallery and exhibition design service, a communications training company run by a RADA trained actor/teacher, an events company and a property investment adviser.

Kim Hodgson, business development manager, York Science Park, commented: "The demand for our start-up space continues to grow and it’s great to welcome a new tranche of creative and innovative entrepreneurs to York Science Park. 

"There is a vibrancy and energy in Springboard which I am sure all the business will benefit from as they work to grow and develop their new businesses."

Springboard enables entrepreneurs and businesses to easily access business people, academic departments and world class researchers leading to innovative solutions and business opportunities.

Accommodation is free for the first three months and then is on a sliding scale depending on the size of office taken. 

Innovation Culture Consulting Limited (ICCL), the Manchester and Jordan based management company, has launched a new partnership with Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI).

ICCL-Jordan was founded by Jordanians Dr Abeer Pharaon and Ruba Ahmad in 2014.

Speaking at the event Mr Millett, the British Ambassador to Jordan said: “We support this MOU which will bring knowledge and expertise developed in Manchester institutions to Jordanian businesses working in the private and public sectors.

“It also aims to empower the exchange of services and goods between Jordanian and UK companies working in different sectors.”

Dr Pharaon who lives in Manchester said: “The purpose of the new partnership with ACI… is to encourage bi-lateral trade between the UK and Jordan. There will be a particular focus on the North West of England region where ICCL is based."The region contains the dynamic cities of Liverpool and Manchester and is home to seven million people."It has a large and dynamic economy with specialisms in energy, petrochemicals, engineering, maritime as well as world class education, sport, heritage and quality of life.”

The CEO of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Mr Clive Memmott sent a special message to the reception he said:  “Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the largest Chamber in the UK, welcomes the work that Dr Abeer Pharaon is undertaking in Jordan.

“We want to raise awareness of the opportunities available along with educating UK businesses on the cultural aspects of trading in Jordan and the wider region.”

A University of York startup business is relocating to step up the manufacture of new technology.

Advanced electronic microscopy manufacturer, York Probe Sources Limited, has acquired Unit 1C, Northminster Business Park, to expand its manufacture and range of products which are fitted and used in sophisticated electron microscopes to observe samples in minute detail.

The company, founded in 1997 by managing director, University of York professor of electronics, Mohammed El-Gomati, is moving to unit 1C, which had a £425k asking price, to invest in greater manufacturing capability for its range of emitters and related products which are sold worldwide. 

The 5,550 sq ft Unit 1C, which is divided  between offices, laboratory and workshop space, has been substantially refurbished by YPS Ltd.

YPS Ltd currently employs five full-time members of staff and has plans to take on more staff as the business grows.

Omar El Gomati says: “We’re relocating primarily to progress manufacture. More emitters which can be installed to a wide range of well-known makes of TFE, or schottky, electron microscopes.

"These emitters are consumables that can be installed on site and will allow users to achieve high nano-analytical performance without the considerable expense of a new instrument.

“Electron microscopes are used worldwide across a broad spectrum of applications such as medical research, product development and scientific investigation and we are already experiencing significant interest for what is a whole new market for our business.

“There is a significant shortage of good quality laboratory space in York. We’re moving to Northminster Business Park and investing in more manufacturing technology and taking on about five more staff, including two, or three, engineers.

“I spent a lot of time investigating the various sites and  business parks in the area and chose Northminster Business Park because I found it be the  most attractive and best managed with superior accommodation. We’re pleased to have acquired Unit 1C.“

As the region revs up for Export Week (10 – 14 November), Clive Drinkwater, Regional Director of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) North West is issuing a challenge to businesses to reach out to one more market.

He says, “If every current exporter achieves this, we could increase the GDP in the North West by an estimated £2 billion, significantly aiding economic recovery and giving a boost to our competitiveness as a region.“

UKTI will be hosting a range of free events aimed at helping companies make the most of their overseas potential. 

In the North West, events will cover a wide area from Europe to America and from the Middle East to Asia, concentrating on opportunities and trade tactics in each of these markets, with advice on everything from freight forwarding to finance. 

UKTI North West will also be announcing the new Export Champions for 2015, a group of successful international firms who are passionate enough about exporting to have committed to spreading the message around the region, offering their own expertise and assistance to the range of support offered by UKTI North West. 

The new Export Champions will bring the total to 60 with representatives in every county and covering a wide range of sizes and sectors. 

Clive Drinkwater said: “The Export Champions are companies who have already experienced the challenges and the benefits that exporting brings, and who have become stronger and more resilient as a result.

“I am thrilled that so many of them have agreed to join us, bringing the total of Export Champions in the region to an impressive 60.  With so many companies taking part there will be a wealth of inspiration for new exporters.“

The UK needs to increase its exports to £1 trillion by 2020, and the government aims to get 100,000 more companies exporting by then. 

Export week events next week include:

Finding a New Market – Gulf States – Cartmel Race Course, Cumbria, Monday 10 November

Women in International Business Forum - Burnley FC, East Lancashire, Tuesday 11 November

Finding a New Market – Emerging Europe – Burnley FC, East Lancashire, Tuesday 11 November

Finding a New Market – North America – Chester Racecourse, Cheshire, Wednesday 12 November

Women in International Business Forum - Chester Racecourse, Cheshire, Wednesday 12 November

Finding a New Market – Asia Pacific – Formby Hall, Southport, Merseyside, Thursday 13 November

Women in International Business Forum Formby Hall, Southport, Merseyside, Thursday 13 November

Mazars, Rob Burton and Craig Manson

Accountancy firm Mazars has strengthened its Leeds office with the appointment of two new partners, Rob Burton and Craig Manson.

Rob Burton has been promoted to corporate finance partner and Craig Manson joins the firm as audit and advisory partner from Garbutt and Elliott.

Oliver Hoffman, Leeds managing partner and national head of corporate finance, said: “We are delighted to announce that Rob Burton has been promoted to Partner. 

"He has established himself as a strong force in the Corporate Finance community and has played a large part in the growth of our Leeds Corporate Finance business which has doubled its people numbers in recent years.  

"We are also very pleased to welcome Craig Manson who joins as Audit and Advisory Partner from Garbutt and Elliott. 

"He is a well known figure in the Yorkshire advisory community and brings with him a wealth of experience working with privately owned and family businesses.

"These appointments highlight our continued investment in the firm and our commitment to deliver expertise and support to Yorkshire’s privately owned businesses.”

GVA (Leeds), Chris Jones and Jared Thompson

Property consultancy GVA has recruited and promoted to its Yorkshire valuation and planning, development and regeneration teams following a period of sustained growth.

Chris Jones, who joined GVA in 2013 will now work alongside director Dale Robinson in driving forward the planning, development and regeneration functions across the Yorkshire and Humber region.  Chris Jones will now take a lead role in growing the team’s planning function. 

GVA’s Leeds based valuation team is expanding with the promotion of Jared Thompson to director to head up the team and the recruitment of Jamie Gellert as senior surveyor.  

Paul Manning, regional senior director at GVA in Leeds, said: “Both Chris and Jared are well known and trusted by their many clients in Leeds; they are both leading their teams at an exciting point in the market cycle and have plans to further expand the teams in the short term future and explore new areas of work.“

Opus North, Robb Smillie

Opus North, the leading Yorkshire-based property development and investment company, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Robb Smillie as a retail and leisure specialist.

Smillie, a graduate of Leeds University, joins Opus North from Leeds property consultancy WSB.

Andrew Duncan, the managing director of Ilkley-based Opus North, said: “We are delighted to welcome Robb to Opus North. He joins at an important time for the company as we continue to expand and embark on new developments.

“As a retail and leisure specialist, with valuable asset management experience, Robb will be working across our whole portfolio, including prestigious new projects at Morecambe, Llandudno, Aberystwyth and Darlington, together with existing assets such as The Bourse office complex in Leeds.“

Beaumont Legal

Yorkshire-based Beaumont Legal, has rewarded four existing employees with a coveted training contract, as the firm looks to establish itself as the sector’s leading graduate and solicitor training centre in the region.

Law graduates Hannah Brown, Rebecca Clark, Tom Grice and Ben Webster have begun a two-year programme where they will work across areas such as residential and commercial property as well as litigation, wills and probate.

Each will develop and expand their skills set, learning technical aspects and processes from day one, on their way to becoming a fully-qualified solicitor.

The four new trainee solicitors all joined Beaumont Legal as university graduates; Becky and Ben both received a Law degree and Masters in Law in Practice from Huddersfield University, while Hannah graduated in Law at Sheffield University. Tom, who has been with the firm since completing his Law degree at Bradford University in 2012, started on the separate representation team before applying for a training contract last year.

Irwin Mitchell, Emily Sinclair

The Sheffield office of Irwin Mitchell has boosted its Construction team with the appointment of Solicitor Emily Sinclair.

Commenting on her move to Irwin Mitchell, Emily said: “Irwin Mitchell in Yorkshire has a very strong reputation for construction work and I am very excited to be working for a firm which has an entrepreneurial outlook and where I can continue to develop my specialism in both contentious and non-contentious construction work.”

Julie Morrissy, partner and head of Construction at Irwin Mitchell, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Emily to our growing team.

"She has a broad range of expertise and the right skill set to ensure we continue to provide clients with the first class legal service that they deserve.”

The Floow, Claire Sargeant

Sheffield telematics organisation The Floow have appointed experienced account director Claire Sargeant to manage the firm’s Direct Line Group telematics contract.

Formerly the UK Business Development Manager at Octo Telematics, Claire will deliver a dedicated day to day point of contact for Direct Line, which announced that it had appointed The Floow to deliver its smartphone applications and telematics data for their DrivePlus systems earlier this year.

Aldo Monteforte, CEO of The Floow, said: “We are delighted to welcome Claire as a new member of the team. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the creation and management of telematics programmes, as well as a profound understanding of business management.

“Claire will now continue the delivery and development of our work with Direct Line.”

Feature Media, Julia Barr

Feature Media, the full-service video production company based in Leeds has expanded its team with the appointment of Julia Barr who will take on the role of marketing. 

Julia, a graduate from The University of Leeds, will be responsible for supporting Director Julie Tumilty with marketing and communication activities.

Julia comments: “I’m really excited to be a part of the Feature Media team. I’m a massive film fan and love the creativity involved in the production process so when I saw there was an opening for a new team member I knew I had to put myself forward, it was the perfect fit for me.

“I know I still have a lot to learn but I’m not afraid to sink my teeth in, I’m looking forward to gaining more insight into the business.“

Saracen Interiors, Gemma Lennon

Saracen Interiors has appointed Gemma Lennon as its senior project consultant for the North.

Gemma joins the dedicated workplace consultant’s Yorkshire office, which opened in Wetherby earlier this year, and will be responsible for managing relationships with all Saracen’s clients based in the North of the UK.

Joint managing director of Saracen Interiors, Michael Page explains: “We initially opened the Northern office in order to meet the needs of one of our long-term blue chip clients who was repeatedly giving us projects in the North of England.

“As established partners, with a record of seamless handovers, working to budget, the client was keen to maintain the relationship along with the quality of service to which it had become accustomed and it has given us the opportunity to test the waters in the North and establish Yorkshire as a suitable base.

"We have built an extremely reliable, talented and hard-working team in a matter of months, which speaks volumes regarding the calibre of the Yorkshire workforce, and Gemma is a welcome addition.”

Elevation Recruitment, 

Yorkshire based Elevation has appointed one of the region’s leading recruitment specialist Managing Directors to head up its expanding Leeds office.

Newly appointed Leeds managing director Abigail Simpson, from York, brings fifteen years of business development experience, alongside a demonstrable track record of growing recruitment teams and businesses, to the firm’s Leeds operation.

Group managing director Greg Parkinson explaining: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Abigail as our Managing Director of our Leeds operation and as a new member to our experienced Elevation Recruitment Senior Management Team.

"Abigail’s primary focus is to lead and manage Elevation’s high quality service delivery across the West Yorkshire region and support, mentor and lead the Elevation team across our six specialist brands.

“Yorkshire as a whole has seen some very promising growth recently with staffing levels across all sectors increasing. Our continued expansion in Leeds is prompted by the demand we are seeing from businesses for ambitious, quality candidates.

"Abigail has an excellent technical understanding of the Finance industry and forms solid business networks with clients and candidates across the industry, which has resulted in her being a trusted recruitment partner across the Yorkshire market, adding real value to the Elevation Recruitment team.”

Catherine Leech & Deirdre Healy, Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell has appointed senior brain and spinal injury lawyers, Catherine Leech and Deirdre Healy.

The appointments follow Irwin Mitchell’s acquisition of Manchester-based specialist personal injury firm MPH Solicitors last November, which added five partners and 24 staff to the Irwin Mitchell Group, including Armed Forces specialist Geraldine McCool.

Stuart Henderson, managing partner of Personal Injury at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We are delighted that Cathy and Deirdre are joining our nationally renowned Serious Injury team."They are individuals with the highest reputations, particularly in dealing with clients with brain injury and spinal cord injury.

“Their technical expertise which ensures clients achieve the best outcome is exceptional but, just as importantly, they demonstrate in everything they do real supportive empathy for their clients and the issues that matter to them.

"It is this combination of qualities that is at the centre of Irwin Mitchell’s success and I have no doubt that these two appointments  will further strengthen that client-centred ethos.“

Hamish Munro, Hill Dickinson

Liverpool-based Hill Dickinson has appointed Hamish Munro as business development and marketing director.

Hamish will support business growth across the firm’s offices throughout the UK, mainland Europe and Asia.

The move follows two years at Shakespeares and nearly three decades working in professional services and consulting with the likes of Eversheds, Simmons & Simmons, Davies Arnold Cooper (now DAC Beachcroft) and BDO.  

Hamish’s arrival managing partner Peter Jackson said: “We welcome Hamish who brings with him a great deal of experience in delivering improved client services and business development.

"His appointment supports our ambitions to grow our marine, business services, health and insurance businesses across the firm’s global network.“

Hamish added: “I am delighted to take on this role and will be looking to reinforce what makes Hill Dickinson different and drive forward key initiatives for the firm.

"I will be placing particular focus on our sector and commercial propositions and reinvigorating our approach to working in partnership with clients, while continuing to raise the profile of our firm.“

James Hennigan & Nermin Ali, Galibier

Manchester-based PR agency Galibier has added two new members to its team.

James Hennigan joins as a senior account manager; he was previously head of media for John Leech MP as well as being a Manchester City Councillor himself.

James will work across some of Galibier’s client accounts in sectors including education, finance, technology and law.

Also joining the Galibier team is Nermin Ali who takes up the position of senior account executive.

She was previously at Tree Communications – where she worked for brands including The Printworks, Finnair and the award-winning campaign “Bez’s Bees”.

Galibier managing director Oliver Chesher said: “James and Nermin are both real assets to the team.

"As we continue to grow our company at a great rate, we are able to compete for the very best talent in the region and I know that they will both contribute to our continued success.

"They are here to pioneer new possibilities and we are proud to have them on board.“

Barbara Baker, Nuffield Health

Nuffield Health has appointed a Manchester-based market director to deliver the charity’s new flagship hospital and wellbeing services.

The estimated £60 million hospital build planned for the city, has reached the next phase of its delivery with this newly created role.

Barbara Baker, currently hospital director of Nuffield Health’s Derby hospital, will take up the Market Director role on January 1st, 2015.

Barbara will oversee the physical development of the site, adjacent to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, into a tertiary level hospital and rehabilitation centre.  

Barbara Baker said: “As a charity, we are committed to raising health standards across all communities.

"That is why a major part of my role is dedicated to working with and supporting health – related researchers at the city’s two universities as well as the skilled NHS and private sector clinicians based in the Corridor Manchester area.

“Nuffield Health’s wellbeing model is breaking new ground in the health sector, and attracting attention of national health planners in Whitehall.

"I am excited that the ground breaking work is happening in Manchester and I am looking forward to delivering it to the city.“

Suzi Snell, Certas Energy

Warrington-based fuel and lubricants distributor, Certas Energy, has appointed Suzi Snell as its new sales manager for its heating services division, Team Energy.

Suzi will coach and support the company’s sales staff on how to sell its heating services.

She has worked primarily in the hospitality industry, holding positions at Barracuda and the Bramwell Pub Company.

Paul Vian, managing director of Certas Energy, said: “Suzi’s passion for retail sales and extensive experience of motivating regional sales teams makes her a valuable addition to Team Energy.

“Team Energy has over 60 fully trained OFTEC engineers nationally, and we are committed to ensuring our customers receive the best possible service.

"Having Suzi on board will help our sales team communicate all the benefits of Team Energy to customers, ensuring they get a boiler maintenance package that’s right for them.“

Suzi said: “I am looking forward to motivating the regional sales teams to get them excited about this initiative, so they can pass this enthusiasm on to our customers.“

Russell Hall, Muckle LLP

North East law firm has appointed expert Russell Hall as partner and head of registered providers team.

Russell will lead the firm-wide team as it continues to build upon its already well-established services to the housing sector.

He brings with him 15 years of experience working with both regional and national housing providers including Gentoo, Home Group, Isos, Bernicia Group, Four Housing, Thirteen and Places for People.

After graduating, Russell started his career at Newcastle City Council before moving on to Bond Dickinson, where he became an integral part of the social housing team.

His areas of specialist expertise in the registered providers sector are in non-contentious housing law and practice, governance and regulatory work.

He said: “Muckle LLP has a brilliant reputation for engaging with the North East community and this is something which aligns perfectly with the social housing sector.

"The region’s registered providers place investment into their communities and the people who live in them at the heart of their business. Joining Muckle LLP, which mirrors that community engagement ethos, represents a fantastic opportunity for me."

Rob Storey, Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS)

Advanced Industrial Solutions (AIS) has appointed education expert Rob Storey to grow its links with local schools, colleges, universities and skills bodies.

Rob from Felling takes up the position of group skills and education manager at AIS, where he will be responsible for engaging with the local education sector to develop new training opportunities for young people.

Rob has held senior-level positions in both the public and private sector, most recently as business development manager at Newcastle College. .

Prior to that Rob has worked for several industry bodies including the Engineering Services National Training Organisation (ESTTL), The Building and Engineering Services Association (B&ES) and The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), as well as Gateshead Council.

Rob Storey said: “It’s great to be able to bring my knowledge and extensive network of contacts to such an ambitious and forward-thinking company.

"AIS is keen to work closely with the skills and education sector to develop unique and innovative energy learning programmes that meet future industry needs.

"My priority in spearheading these exciting developments is to ensure that AIS becomes recognised as the trusted and valued industrial partner of choice for the region’s education providers.“

Hugh Lang, CES Group

Hugh Lang has been appointed as chief executive at the CES Group, which operates the Stockton GoWarm scheme.

Mr Lang has spent most of his career running airports, taking over as MD at Teesside Airport in 2001.

His remit was then extended to looking after Liverpool and Doncaster airports, going on to set up his own aviation consultancy.

He was appointed as a non-executive director of South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust in July 2010 and was also Chair of Tees Valley Unlimited between 2007 and 2010.

He joined the Board of CES in 2013, taking over as interim Chief Executive before being appointed to the post full time recently.

“GoWarm has got a superb track record for delivering area based schemes,“ said Mr Lang.

“And that’s despite the fact we are operating in a very volatile market. My plan is to build on our existing strengths and to maximise our flexibility, which means we can take advantage of opportunities when they arise.                                          

“We have a fantastic team in place with really good, experienced people who have an enviable track record in delivering area-based schemes with great results. I look forward to helping the company build on its already successful reputation.“

Chris McCourt, Tait Walker

Chris McCourt (left), the former chief operating officer at the North East Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed as associate partner of Tait Walker’s Corporate Finance team.

Chris brings with him over 10 years’ experience in corporate finance, working with a wide range of businesses in the region on a variety of transactions.

Chris, who is originally from County Durham, said: “Tait Walker is setting the pace for the North East accountancy industry – growth is high on the firm’s agenda whilst maintaining its personable reputation built over the years.

“I’m looking forward to helping regional businesses to explore the opportunities available to them, whilst working with some of the best people in the industry and contributing to the next phase of Tait Walker’s growth.“

Michael Smith, corporate finance partner at Tait Walker, said: “It has been a meeting of minds for us in terms of Chris’ future aspirations and those of the firm – we are on the same page with our objectives to help the region’s businesses."

Lisa Wood, Atom

Atom, the firm applying to be the UK’s first bank designed for digital, has appointed Lisa Wood, formerly head of marketing at first direct.

Lisa will be taking up the position of chief marketing officer, responsible for marketing, PR and product and proposition development.

Lisa joins from first direct where she was responsible for the refresh of the brand by bringing in stronger use of social media channels to engage a younger audience.

Lisa said: “Rarely in your career do you get to combine all the knowledge and experience you’ve gained along the way in creating something you really believe in, a better bank being built from the bottom up around what customers really want and value.  

"Having a clean sheet of paper, building a brand from scratch and with a group of people who are passionate about what they’re doing was too good an opportunity to miss!“

David Morgan, Hargreaves Services

David Morgan has been appointed as deputy chairman at Hargreaves Services with effect from the conclusion of the 2014 AGM, which took place this morning.

Tim Ross has served as Chairman for nearly nine years and has accordingly decided to step down as Chairman and from the Board prior to the 2015 AGM.

It is intended that Mr Morgan will succeed Mr Ross as Chairman with effect from the commencement of the 2015 AGM.

Hargreaves’ chairman Tim Ross said: "I am delighted that the Board has appointed David Morgan as Deputy Chairman with a view to his succeeding me in 2015.  

"He has an impressive track record and I am sure that he is the right person to take over from me as Chairman."

Dean Clark, Eleanor Marley-Lawson, Naylors Building Consultancy

Naylors Chartered Surveyors have expanded their Building Consultancy team with the appointment of two new building surveyors.

Dean Clark, who previously worked for RNJ Construction Consultants and JLL, has joined the team as a chartered building surveyor to assist in dilapidations, contract administration and building & acquisition surveys.

Eleanor Marley-Lawson  joins the team as a graduate building surveyor having recently completed a BSc(Hons) degree in Building Surveying at Northumbria University.

Jason Carr, director of Building Consultancy at Naylors said: ‘We are delighted that Dean & Eleanor have joined our busy and expanding team.  

"Due to a sustained increase in demand for our services we needed to take on an experienced Building Surveyor who could immediately assist us in continuing to provide a high level of service to our expanding portfolio of clients.  

"We are always on the look-out for good people and currently also have another opportunity for a Graduate to support the senior members of the team with professional

The CBI has called on the Government to boost living standards for low income and working families by raising the threshold when employees pay National Insurance and expanding free childcare to one and two year-olds.

The CBI said the slow pace of the UK’s economic recovery had "hit people’s finances hard", and "immediate help" from the government was needed.

The CBI, which represents more than 190,000 businesses, is set to launch a new report, ‘A better off Britain’, at its annual conference in London later today.

According to the CBI, the average couple with two children saw their income fall by £2,132 a year in real terms between 2009/10 and 2012/13. Working families, those on low incomes, and younger workers have found recent years the most difficult.

Families have been hit by rising childcare costs and employees have seen less of the money employers spend on them, with more going into National Insurance contributions and pensions according the the CBI.

The CBI is calling for a reduction in employee NICs by raising the threshold at which it is paid by staff to £10,500 in a series of steps until 2020/21.

This will be worth £363 to a dual-income household and is more effective than raising income tax allowances.

Childcare costs have risen by 27% since 2010, hitting working families and stopping parents from working or increasing their hours. The current system of state support is complex, wasteful and needs changing.

The CBI’s measures include extending free childcare provision of 15 hours to all children aged 1 and 2, with the longer-term aim of increasing the number of hours provided, extending maternity pay from 39 to 52 weeks to close the gap between maternity leave and when free childcare becomes available and encouraging businesses to be more flexible from day one. 

John Cridland, CBI director-general, said: “The financial crisis and the slow recovery have hit people’s finances hard. Living standards will gradually improve as the economy does.

"But growth on its own will not be the miracle cure. Even before the recession, the income of a child’s parents determined too many of their own life chances.

“To ease pressure on families and people on low incomes, we want immediate action, including cutting employee National Insurance and making childcare more affordable.

“Then we have to tackle the long-term issues. Higher productivity leads to better wages, so we must have a laser-like focus on boosting firms’ competitiveness.

"We also need to create better ladders to higher-skilled, higher-paid work and improve our education system for all, to overcome disadvantage. Business leaders need to step up to the plate, as well as politicians.

“Business wants to help build a more prosperous Britain where everyone has the chance to get on in life. This is the right thing to do to build a stronger and fairer society, and it makes good business and economic sense too.“

Image source: AMagill

A South Yorkshire farming family is set to increase milk production on its farm by opening a new £500k dairy to supply milk to the University of Sheffield.

Our Cow Molly at Cliffe House Farm is the only dairy farm left in Sheffield that bottles its own milk according to the Yorkshire Post.

Despite the marketplace volatility seeing a depressed farmgate milk price for many, Our Cow Molly is making a major investment with the help of a grant from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Dairy Fund.

The new processing facility on the farm, run by the Andrews family, is due to be completed by the end of the year and will increase production from 8,000 litres a week to 42,000 litres per week, with the area’s two neighbouring dairy farms having a share in the dairy which they will supply with milk from their own herds for processing.

Owner Eddie Andrews said: “I hope this model, which will see us directly supply milk to the University, will be replicated all around the country rather than this being a one-off.”

At present, the University’s milk is sourced in Yorkshire but is transported to London for processing. Using Our Cow Molly, milk will be delivered ready to drink from just four miles, freshly milked from the herd the same morning.

Gavin Brown, the University’s commercial operations manager, said: “One of our core values is about supporting local suppliers. We have three themes within that - local, ethical and quality - and Our Cow Molly ticks all the boxes.”

The new dairy facility is vital if the business is to process the volume of milk that will be needed by the University for students and staff, and its new machinery will mean one carton of milk is filled every two seconds.

A new business wants to become Manchester’s ‘go-to’ solution for all of the city’s office design and environment needs, has recently launched in the city.

It is aiming for a turnover of £1.2 million in its first year and has a management team of 6.

Spatial Office Environments will be based in Clarence House, just off Albert Square in the city centre.

Spatial plans to take on Manchester’s requirement for new offices, and as part of its growth plans will form synergy partnerships with commercial landlords, designers and architects.

The Clarence House office will act as both a showroom for clients to experience the physical presence of office modules and holds the potential for the team at Spatial to conduct either 1-2-1 consultations or collate specific requirements based on a client’s specific needs.

Managing director Phil Simmonds, comments, “The team at Spatial have, between them, gathered years of industry experience.

"We want Spatial to set the standard as to how the modern office should be delivered. We’re really looking forward to working together to deliver our vision of true excellence to Manchester’s office spaces.”

Multi-disciplinary consulting engineering firm, Patrick Parsons, has acquired Twickenham-based JSA Consulting Engineers as part of its continued and rapid expansion across the UK.

The acquisition was a strategic move by the Newcastle-headquartered firm – which has recently celebrated 50 years in business – to increase its traction in London as well as to add to its expanding office portfolio. In addition to its Newcastle and London bases, Patrick Parsons has offices in Glasgow, Huddersfield, Chester, Birmingham and Dubai.

JSA Consulting Engineers, which was established in 1977, has a 30-strong team and specialises in civil and structural engineering consultancy. The firm has built up a strong client portfolio of blue chip London developers.

Peter Stienlet, managing director of Patrick Parsons, said: “We were looking to extend our reach in London and when the opportunity came to meet the team at JSA, it became immediately apparent that there was a strong synergy between the two companies.

“We’re delighted to welcome JSA Consulting Engineers to Patrick Parsons. We have plans to double the size of the firm within three years, and will be expanding their services to include geoenvironmental and mechanical and electrical engineering.

“The acquisition of JSA means that in just seven years, we have increased our staff headcount from eight people to 140 – an achievement we’re extremely proud of.“

Mark Hughes, managing director of JSA Consulting Engineers, commented: “We are thrilled to be part of a firm that has such an excellent reputation. It’s a great fit for us and Patrick Parsons’ support increases our strength and depth in both resource and services.“

Over 80 North East businesses have built solid international foundations, thanks to the ERDF funded NECC Access Programme, which helps the region’s businesses develop a market presence in Brazil, India and Russia.

Just one year in and the Access Programme’s unique combination of grant support, free events and market visits has provided vital business insight into how these countries operate, hosting upwards of thirteen free events to 100 attendees and provided over £16,000 in grants to support travel expenses to visit these markets.

The Access programme has further grants available for local businesses looking to explore these dynamic emerging economies, alongside another two market visits planned for later on in November this year and February 2015, to Brazil and Russia respectively.

Programme Leader Nynzi Maung said: “There are misconceptions that the markets of Brazil, India and Russia are difficult to penetrate, but success with these countries is very achievable, demonstrated by the committed and determined companies we have helped to date.

“Our varied, free programme of events continues to draw in the North East business audience, whilst thousands of pounds in grants remains up for grabs. These essential Market Development Grants are available to local companies who are already experienced exporters, or are in the early stages of trading but unable to employ the skills of an export professional in their area of expertise.“

John Slider, CEO at Canford Audio, attended a recent Access market visit to Russia. He said: “My first market visit provided me with an invaluable level of business knowledge and background to Russia. Although it will take time and several trips to build solid relationships of trust and understanding, the insight offered via the Access Programme has given me a definite advantage over the competition. As they say, ‘business is not done between companies, but rather people’.“

The Programme is also hosting its thirteenth event on 12 November at Aykley Heads, Durham. Focusing on “de-risking your export finance”, IT will continue the Programme’s trend for providing essential exporting advice for anyone looking to venture into the markets of Brazil, India or Russia.

For further information or to register for an event contact Nynzi Maung on 08450 768391 or email nynzi.maung@necc.co.uk.

Linda Cartwright, has now opened her own beauty salon, Precision based in Irlam

She is a City West housing trust customer and she took part in the landlord’s ‘Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat’ initiative which helps local residents to set up and develop their own businesses.

As part of the programme, City West’s commercial team supported Linda with free self-employment workshops, securing a business premises, and coaching to help boost her confidence, communication and negotiating skills.

The entrepreneur also consulted with City West’s legal team, who negotiated the contract with Linda’s landlord.

Since launching her business, Linda has been able to take on two members of staff including an apprentice, and as a result of her business plan she is now applying for further funding from the Government-backed business start-up loan scheme.

City West will continue to give Linda monthly one-to-one support over the next year.

Head of enterprise at City West, Viv Simon said: “It is important that local people are aware that there is advice and support available to help them to set up their own businesses, and we’re committed to helping local entrepreneurs build new ventures that they can be proud of.

“It’s not always easy to find a job locally, setting up your own business can be a flexible employment option, which in addition to benefiting the individual, can help give the local economy a boost too.

“To date, we’ve been able to help 53 people through our Don’t Keep It Under Your Hat programme – and a further 28 are currently enrolled.“

In October 2013 David Coulter co-founded HR Heroes with Caroline Wood the former HR manager for Late Rooms.com

They aim to provide a better quality service than their market competitors for a lower price and after a rebrand and working on their website, they increased their revenue from £2k a month to a comfortable £8k per month.  

They offer two main products, online documents that you can pay for and download for example employee handbooks or contracts or a month subscribed service where a dedicated HR manager looks after the customers’ HR issues.

A year on their aim, to provide a simple service that helps small businesses deal with the typical HR issues that arise, is still the main priority.

They focus only on companies who have 1 to 100 staff members.  

They are now looking to apply to the business growth fund for a project based around social media engagement and David notes, that the company has developed quicker than they originally planned.

They have also been nominated for a Talk of Manchester award, despite only trading for a year, they are up for the best SME support company, the award ceremony is on the 4th December.

Co-founder David says, “I don’t consider it work, I don’t work long hours, usually 8am until 6pm, at the start I worked from 7am until 9pm but I learnt that the key thing is to make the right decisions at the right time…sometimes you can be a busy fool!

“What I really enjoy is the variations across our clients, one client makes napkins, others are web designers, marketing and communication companies and security firms such variety makes it very interesting”

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High street retailer Sports Direct, founded by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, has unveiled plans for a budget gym chain, with one of its first branches to be opened in Keighley in West Yorkshire.

The sports chain, who has its headquarters in Shirebrook in Derbyshire, plans to open 200 gyms offering membership from £5 a month, with a £10 joining fee.

The decision follows its acquisition of 30 sites from gym chain LA Fitness, which it is in the process of rebranding, and the gym in Aintree will be next to a new Sports Direct superstore.

A spokesman for Sports Direct said: "This will be affordable fitness on an unprecedented scale.

"It will revolutionise the market by making private gym membership a realistic lifestyle choice for millions of people."

This move comes after Pure Gym and the Gym Group ditched plans to merge and create a new low-cost player in the market.

Sports Direct, founded by Mike Ashley in 1982, operates 418 sports stores in the UK. The firm’s shares were down 2.7% on Tuesday. 

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Daresbury’s LWP Technology, founded at the Sci-Tech Daresbury enterprise zone in 2012, has hit £4.5 million turnover this year.

The firm, who employs 40 people, praised Daresbury’s Enterprise Zone for being pivotal to its success.

The zone is home to more than 100 hi-tech companies, including LWP Technology, Perceptive Engineering and Enhanced Hydrocarbon Technologies.

LWP Technology was founded by academic researcher Phil Carroll and the firm now enjoys a 30 per cent market share in its sub-sector and estimates its value to the local economy is around £1.5 million.

Phil said: “The enterprise zone had the vision to take a risk on a start-up working on tomorrow’s technologies, today.

“Bringing our product to market required that we move off the zone and into the manufacturing sector.

“UKTI helped us to break into global markets.“

Sci-Tech Daresbury is providing a platform for modern manufacturing and technology companies to thrive.

This includes, world class science facilities and the UK’s most powerful supercomputer.

In January the Government announced £3.5million of infrastructure funding for the enterprise zone.

The additional investment will support the expansion of Daresbury Science Park.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Enterprise Zones are proving that our long-term economic plan is on track, creating thousands of jobs, attracting billions of pounds of investment and proving Britain is a great place to do business.

Dinnington-based Electro Enterprises Ltd, which supplies electrical components to the aircraft industry, has plans to expand further into Europe.

This comes after a research programme carried out by RiDO’s ERDF-funded Soft Landing Zone.

Electro Enterprises, which already exports its specialist components to Asia, sought assistance from RiDO’s Soft Landing Zone to help it establish new markets in Germany.

Paul Connelly, the company’s managing director, was aware that Germany offered many opportunities, but didn’t have the resources in-house to carry out such in-depth market research.

Paul Connelly said: “RiDO has offered a fresh pair of eyes on how we’ve been marketing the business overseas. We had some ideas, but as a small business with limited resources, we needed to know how and where we should focus our efforts.

"RiDO has really helped me refocus and come up with a strategy that will help us to expand into this potentially lucrative market.”

RiDO’s research found that the worldwide industry trend is for growth, with an estimated 25,000 civilian aircraft required over the next 20 years.

As part of the company’s rejuvenated marketing strategy, it will be attending more international exhibitions, including the Electronica trade fair to be held in Germany in November, following up on potential leads already developed.

Nathan Woodcock, business development co-ordinator for RIDO, said: “It’s great to hear that our research has helped Paul focus his efforts in developing the business overseas.

"Companies often find it hard to find the resources to market themselves effectively and now Paul can ensure that his time is put to good use. 

"The huge potential growth in the German aerospace sector is great news for companies like Electro Enterprises.  We are looking forward to seeing their development in this market in the future.”

RiDO’s Growth and Prosperity in Rotherham (Soft Landing Zone) project is supported financially by the European Union. It has attracted £842k investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme 2007-14.

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Management consultancy ORH has secured contracts in Australia with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) worth more than £100k, thanks to UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) South East.

The Reading-based business, which specialises in operational planning for the health and emergency services, has won contracts to supply planning services for the provision of  ‘flying doctors’ to access remote parts of Australia.

The company will supply modelling reviews of the Royal Flying Doctor Service across all states of Australia except Victoria and Tasmania. 

The order came about after ORH attended two UKTI market visits and took advantage of other UKTI schemes.   Chris Polden, Managing Director of the company, said: “Our current turnover and staffing is about double that of ten years ago, before we started exporting. The overseas orders have been essential to our business and being successful in the Australian market is another big step forward for us.

"Since winning an initial tender in 2009, where we helped one ambulance service in Australia to organise their rural cover, the business has continued to grow and we now work across most Australian states - from ambulance modelling reviews in Tasmania to providing fire service software in New South Wales."

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Blackpool council released their latest plan and said that boosting business is a large priority.

From focussing on the creation of apprenticeships, creating more jobs and encouraging and helping people to set up their own business Blackpool council no longer wants to rely on the tourism industry which brings in £200 million to the local economy.

They recognised the need to nurture businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, energy and environmental, creative digital and other professional and financial services.

Much of Blackpool’s business base is small to medium sized businesses and they highlighted the need to encourage those businesses to grow and create a wider range of job opportunities.

A generation of new businesses have started life with assistance from the Council’s ‘Get Started’ initiative and they hope to continue to offer this support for other budding entrepreneurs.

They say they will offer coaching, mentoring and investment finance to growth oriented businesses and offer targeted commercial loans and capital grants through the Blackpool Investment Fund.

Get Started has helped hundreds of local residents set up their own business in the last 18 months alone over 340 people have accessed the service, 115 new businesses have started trading, and 34 young entrepreneurs (aged 18-30) have secured £198,000 from the national  StartUp Loan fund.

To attract sustained investment and create quality jobs they also plan on completing the development of the central business district so that supply chain, construction, new retail and food lettings will all contribute more to the local economy.

In their forward to the documentation chief executive Neil Jack and leader of the council Simon Blackburn said, "we continue to work hard to help people back into work, to encourage entrepreneurship and attract inward investors who will bring with them money and jobs."

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According to official figures from the Government, a record-breaking 30.8 million people in work, with the employment rate (73.0%) now back to pre-recession levels. 

Compared to 2010 there are over 2 million more people in private sector jobs, showing that the Government’s long-term economic plan to create jobs by backing businesses is working.

Since 2010 two-thirds of the rise in employment has been in managerial, professional or associate professional occupations.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 694,000 more people are in jobs compared to this time last year.

Employment increased by 112,000 over the last three months alone, with the vast majority of the increase coming from people in full-time jobs.

Youth unemployment fell by nearly a quarter of a million over the last year. The number of 18-24 year olds claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has been falling for the last 35 months and is the lowest since the 1970s.

Excluding full-time students, the number of unemployed young people is now 163,000 lower than in 2010.

There are also reportedly record numbers of women in work, and since 2010 three quarters of the rise in female employment has come from managerial, professional and associate professional occupations. .

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “Record numbers of people in work means more people with the security of a regular wage who are better able to support themselves and their families.

“With the vast majority of the rise in employment over the last year being full-time, it’s clear that thanks to the Government’s long-term economic plan, we are helping businesses to create the jobs that people need.