From meeting the King to back in Bradford for Vee
A girls’ education activist returned to the University of Bradford just days after meeting King Charles at Buckingham Palace. Vee Kativhu, who has rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most influential people, including Michelle Obama, Prince Harry and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, gave a guest lecture on digital identity to University of…
A new era for GSAL’s business networking group
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is delighted to announce the successful relaunch of its business networking group (BNG), an initiative designed to connect alumni, parents and the wider GSAL community through professional networking opportunities. Originally launched in 2011 as a platform for parents to meet, make contacts and exchange ideas, the inaugural BNG featured…
MNA Group become main sponsors of Women’s Team
Bradford Bulls are proud to announce MNA Group as the new main sponsor of the club’s Women’s Team for the 2025 season. This exciting partnership will see MNA Group’s logo take pride of place on the front of the Women’s playing shirts, reinforcing their commitment to supporting the growth and success of women’s rugby league….
Bradford Garden Centre to host gardening masterclass with TV gardener
A Bradford garden centre is hosting a gardening masterclass with a respected horticulturalist next month. Renowned gardening expert and TV presenter, David Domoney will be in The Mezzanine at Tong Garden Centre on Saturday, 26th April to share his expertise for creating vibrant, successful gardens that thrive and reward all year round. “Whether you’re new…
It’s an incredibly exciting time to be in the Engineering industry…
With the rise of increased automation, net-zero considerations and the introduction of Industry 4.0, the landscape of the engineering sector is rapidly evolving. The advent of the industrial revolution, characterised by the fusion of digital, physical and biological systems, requires engineers who are proficient in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics. These engineers must…
Chadwick Lawrence Managing Partner wins Professional Services Leader of the Year
Neil Wilson, managing partner of Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, was awarded Professional Services Leader of the Year at The Business Desk Yorkshire Leadership Awards last night. The Yorkshire Leadership Awards, which took place on Thursday 20 March at The Royal Armouries in Leeds, was created to celebrate people who are role models within their organisations, and…
West Yorkshire adventure play areas shortlisted in regional award
The play team at two West Yorkshire family attractions is celebrating after reaching the final of the Yorkshire Tots to Teens Awards 2025. Grass Hoppers indoor and outdoor adventure play at Tong and Tingley Garden Centres have been shortlisted in the Best Spot for Little Explorers category of the annual awards that champion family-friendly businesses…
Neurodiversity celebration week: York schools accredited as ‘ADHD friendly’ as part of citywide support for students with neurodiversity
Eight York schools have been accredited as ‘ADHD friendly’ as part of a citywide commitment to support neurodiverse children and young people, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Awarded by the ADHD Foundation*, the schools were accredited as ADHD friendly because they committed to making their schools safe, nurturing, welcoming and exciting places,…
Crysp visit the US: Women in BIM & Digital Twin Event
Bradford based technology business, Crysp have been in the US again, supporting two initiatives and celebrating their recent successes. Initiative 1: Women in BIM in New York “We aim to encourage women in BIM related roles to have a strong voice. By bringing together women in our industry supports the need to bridge digital skills…
Free sporting fun warm up at Community Stadium this weekend before England takes on Italy
York will kick off a summer of rugby with a range of fun, free activities on Sunday (23 March) at the York Community Stadium. Over the summer months, six of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 matches will take place in York. The opening game of the tournament will take place between England and USA…
AI in boxing and Bantams fans’ stories part of Bradford 2025 celebrations
Using artificial intelligence (AI) in boxing, sharing football fans’ stories through virtual reality (VR) and empowering women in climate justice conversations are among the University of Bradford’s events for Bradford 2025. The University has announced its programme of events, held on campus and in the district, over the coming months to mark Bradford’s City of…
New expert report published to share practical advice for growing local economies
Experts at Leeds Beckett University, with leading business support provider Exemplas, have designed a new blueprint for boosting the growth of local economies, through a partnership delivery of business support and academic research. The team have worked together since 2022, delivering grassroots business support programmes to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) on behalf of the…
University takes over Bradford City match
The University of Bradford showed its support for Bradford City in style at one of the club’s home matches. Staff and students bolstered the crowd for the ‘University of Bradford Takeover Day’ at Bradford City’s home clash with Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League Two. The stadium’s TL Dallas Community Stand featured students, staff,…
Shaping the Future of Digital in Leeds
The Leeds Digital Careers Fair is back for its fourth year, set to welcome thousands of visitors exploring opportunities in the digital and tech sector. As part of the renowned Leeds Digital Festival, this award-winning event has grown to become the largest of its kind in the North, attracting over 4,200 attendees last year. Taking…
Businesses face ‘wake up’ call about international indirect tax obligations
VAT specialists at UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm Azets in Yorkshire have warned that international VAT and Customs Duty rules are like an iceberg ready to strike unsuspecting businesses. They state that although importers and exporters may have a general awareness, many do not fully understand the extent and complexity lurking ‘under the…
Anytime Couriers renew partnership with Bulls
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the renewal of their partnership with Anytime Couriers, extending a strong and successful collaboration between the two organisations. Anytime Couriers are a leading logistics company specialising in fast and reliable courier services across the UK. Their dedication to supporting local communities is reflected in their ongoing partnerships with sports…
Major Bradford affordable housing scheme reaches completion
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has announced the completion of a £3.9 million affordable homes development in Eccleshill, Bradford. The One Meadow Victoria Road scheme comprises 19 properties – a mix of two, three and four-bed detached and semi-detached houses for social rent. The newly constructed homes have been delivered through a partnership with Zentra Group…
‘Bug bounty hunter’ happy to give back to Bradford
A man who works as a ‘bug bounty hunter’ returned to the University of Bradford to pass on his knowledge to students. Nikhil Rane, 25, who completed a one-year MSc in Cyber Security at the University last year, now analyses the cyber security for a gaming company in London. He returned to Bradford to give…
Senior promotions at Lichfields’ Leeds office drive continued growth
UK planning and development consultancy Lichfields has announced the promotion of Emma Gomersal and James Cox to Planning Directors in its Leeds office as its Yorkshire team continues to grow. Emma has a strong background in strategic land, specialising in the promotion of residential and employment sites. She has worked extensively with landowner and developer…
Local social workers recognised in national ‘Amazing Social Worker’ awards
City of York Council is proud to announce that 15 of its social workers have each received a nationwide award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the social work profession. ‘Amazing Social Workers’ is a campaign run by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and champions exceptional work across the profession. The awards…
Business move for expanding Ilkley engineering company
Ilkley engineering company Ideal Extraction has announced an office move to the International Development Centre on Valley Road as a result of business expansion. Ideal Extraction, owned by directors Steve and Helen Rhodes, design, install and maintain dust and fume extraction systems for many sectors across the UK. The company had been trading from premises…
Bulls announce new partnership
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce a new partnership with Nuffield Health – which will see the Bulls utilise their impressive facility in Shipley for post-game recovery sessions throughout the 2025 season. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the club’s commitment to player welfare and performance, ensuring that players receive top-tier care to…
Uncovering stories behind Medieval skeletons found at castle
A film featuring Medieval skeletons examined by a University of Bradford expert has been released. Dr Jo Buckberry, from the University’s School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, shared her expertise on History Hits’ ‘Medieval Skeletons Reveal Brutal Final Moments’, which has been released on YouTube. In the film, she examines three skeletons, which date back…
North Yorkshire developer calls out to key workers
Barratt and David Wilson Homes is shining a spotlight on its Harclay Park and Manor Chase developments in Boroughbridge, which have proven popular with key workers across North Yorkshire. The developments, located on Stump Cross, are conveniently positioned with five hospitals less than 18 miles away, including Ripon Community Hospital, Harrogate District Hospital, and York…
Nature-inspired bench art revealed ahead of Front Street celebration event
Art of Protest has installed the first phase of new artwork in Acomb ahead of the mural reveal and celebration event later this month. Each of the 8 wooden benches have been transformed with a unique design to reflect links to nature. Each bench is painted with a leaf design from the local woodland. This…
Bradford’s Online MBA ranked 1st in world (again) for value for money
The University of Bradford’s Distance Learning (online) MBA has been ranked 1st in the world for value for money for the second year running by the Financial Times. It was also ranked 2nd for ESG and Net Zero teaching, 4th for student demographics and 9th for career progression. The University’s Distance Learning MBA has featured in the…
Magistrates charge company guilty of fly posting £5,400
A local company illegally putting up posters in and around York has been found guilty by York Magistrate’s Court and ordered to pay £5,421. Between July and October 2024, a large number of posters appeared in and around York and were reported to City of York Council. The notices were A1 (roughly 60 x 84centimetres),…
Deal completes for supported living and day service provider
Hollybank Trust (‘Hollybank’) has acquired one of Calderdale’s leading providers of support services for people with learning disabilities. The charity, based in West Yorkshire, has signed a deal for Halifax-based Community Support Services (‘CSS’), following the retirement of Dawn and Danny Hartley who founded the business 30 years ago, in 1995. CSS has grown organically…
GSAL student joins prestigious Children’s Commissioner youth ambassador programme
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is proud to celebrate the achievement of sixth form student, Naemi Asmerom, who has been appointed as one of only 17 youth ambassadors nationally for the Children’s Commissioner for England, following a highly competitive selection process. The youth ambassador programme, led by Dame Rachel de Souza DBE, provides young…
Council secures more than £3.4m funding for warmer homes
Council leaders have confirmed that City of York Council will receive more than £3.4m of funding thanks to two separate grants. The funding, announced this week by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will be used to upgrade around 280 homes over the next three years, to reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty…
Bradford start-up off to Houses of Parliament to launch UUK campaign
University of Bradford start-up i-Diagnose, which aims to save the NHS thousands of pounds by using artificial intelligence to slash training costs, has been invited to the House of Lords as part of the Universities UK ‘Unis start up the UK’ campaign. Sania Bibi and Aaron Walshaw, who started their business through the University’s BREE…
YBS Commercial grows balance sheet to more than £2bn in 2024, lending close to £500 million to commercial investors and landlords
YBS Commercial Mortgages, the commercial lending arm of Yorkshire Building Society, has revealed it had another strong year in 2024, as commitment to broker relationships and personalised service catalysed the growth of its balance sheet to £2.2bn. The commercial lender completed £0.453bn of commercial mortgage loans during the year; £377m of which went into servicing…
Old Boys giving back through new sports scholarship
A group of former University of Bradford students have teamed up to launch a new sports scholarship. The Team Bradford Spirit of Sport Scholarship, which starts during the 2025/26 academic year, will give five University of Bradford students £1,500 per year towards their living costs. The scholarship has been funded by the Football Club Old…
Yorkshire & Humber Construction Market poised for growth, driven by private housing boom
The latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI Q1 2025) report from Yorkshire & Humber-based construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) forecasts a positive outlook for the region’s construction sector, with private housing emerging as the fastest-growing sector. Key Regional Developments Regional market sentiment remains generally optimistic, with significant development activity across the region’s larger…
Court of Protection specialist to present masterclass in York
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that Amy Floater, head of the firm’s Court of Protection team, will present an important update masterclass in York, in association with leading training provider, For Legal. Amy, who has specialised in Court of Protection matters for several years, will provide legal practitioners with an overview of…
Work to protect key heritage building uncovers unique history
A renovation scheme to secure the city’s historic Mansion House for years to come has uncovered some unique history. Over £1.3m is being invested in a range of essential repairs and improvements, including re-roofing the building, repairing its windows and ensuring it is health and safety-compliant. As part of the renovation, a new glimpse of…
Striker-turned-Premier League chief back in Bradford
A former footballer-turned Premier League executive returned to the University of Bradford 40 years after first arriving as a student. Iffy Onuora, Head of Race Equality and Inclusion at the FA Premier League, learned about the University’s commitment to social mobility and diversity during his return visit. He studied BSc Social Sciences at the University…
New chapter for historic Leeds Library with opening of £2.3m extension
The Leeds Library turns the page on a new chapter in April with the unveiling of a new extension. In an investment totalling £2.3million, the library has extended its historic home on Commercial Street and created new facilities including an event space for education and community activities, a rooftop reading terrace, more space for books…
Core Telecom Supports The Endometriosis Foundation’s Women’s Run Series
At Core Telecom, we are committed to supporting initiatives that make a tangible difference in society. When we learned about The Endometriosis Foundation’s Women’s Run Series, we knew it was a cause we had to stand behind. Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects millions of women worldwide, yet it remains incurable. Spreading awareness about…
New Boots Opticians store with innovative eye scan technology opens in Trinity Leeds
A new stand-alone Boots Opticians store has opened in Trinity Leeds offering optomap® as part of its Ultimate Eye Test, which could help to detect signs of serious health conditions including diabetes and hypertension. The store, which is located on the ground floor of Trinity Leeds, provides an inspiring and inviting shopping experience for customers…
Cost Matters: ‘Redefining Excellence in Quantity Surveying’ Conference – June 2025
Rob Hubbard, Principal Consultant and Owner of Cantidad Limited, is pleased to announce their inaugural conference, “Cost Matters: Redefining Excellence in Quantity Surveying.” This one-day event is designed for commercial professionals at all levels and will bring together commercial professionals from across the construction industry, from emerging talent to seasoned experts, for insightful presentations, interactive…
Young mum praises stop smoking team as referrals double and new online group support launched
A young mum who started smoking aged 12 has told how City of York Council’s Health Trainers helped her quit smoking for good so she can stay healthier and live longer. Mum-of-two Alex, from York, has told her story on No Smoking Day (Wednesday 12 March) as the Health Trainer service expands its successful Swap2Stop programme further…
Oscrete’s new testing facility helps reduce carbon footprint
Bradford-based concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete has doubled its customer trials following investment in its expanded and upgraded laboratory. Oscrete’s enhanced, secure laboratory with dedicated office, tests admixtures to evaluate and optimise their effects on concrete’s properties. The new, advanced 100m² lab is a full concrete testing facility, in use up to six days a week….
Leeds Manufacturing Festival launches 2025 programme with need for ‘generational shift’ topping the agenda
The shortage of new talent that continues to hamper growth in the manufacturing and engineering industries is the focus of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, which returns this month with a packed programme running through to September. The festival, which kicks off this week at a high-profile launch event in the city, is focused on raising…
Chadwick Lawrence invests in local community with sponsorship of five Yorkshire rugby clubs and two Leeds Rhinos players
Leading Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has announced the renewal of its longstanding sponsorship of Leeds Rhinos, as it approaches almost 20 years of being the official legal partner to the rugby club. The firm has also committed to supporting five other local rugby clubs for the upcoming season. This season, in addition to sponsoring…
Trinity Leeds and White Rose host Made in Yorkshire initiative, encouraging next generation to reimagine the future of retail
Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre have hosted their enterprise challenge, ‘Made in Yorkshire’, with three local schools competing in a ‘Dragons’ Den’-style pitch. Made in Yorkshire is a cross-school competition with students tasked with designing a brand-new community space for the city before going head-to-head and pitching their proposals in the finals. Centred…
Scarborough’s Grand Hotel joins the Disability Confident Scheme
The Disability Confident Scheme aims to create a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and long-term health conditions and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. It was developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives to make it rigorous but easily accessible. Mark Johnston General Manager…
Yorkshire garden centre group appoints new board member
The team at a Bradford-headquartered garden centre group with sites in West and North Yorkshire has made a new appointment to its board of directors. Neil Barwise-Carr, former Head of People and Culture at Yorkshire Garden Centres, has been promoted to the position of Director of People and Culture to lead a team of 573…