Manningham Housing Association awarded top ratings by Regulator
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has retained the highest possible gradings from the Regulator of Social Housing following an In-depth Assessment. These normally take place every three to four years to decide if a housing association meets the Regulator’s governance requirements and has the financial ability to deal with any adverse events. In-depth Assessments…
What’s happening in employment law in 2023?
Whilst there are no imminent major changes in employment legislation for the start of 2023, there have been plenty of talking points for employers and employees alike. Nick Wilson, employment partner with Andrew Jackson Solicitors, considers three of the biggest employment law topics at the moment. Strike Action Update In October 2022, we looked at…
Further investment in York Central
The City of York Council has reached a deal with the government which could generate some £40m additional funding to maximise the impact and benefits of York Central. The deal, which is conditional on the York and North Yorkshire devolution deal being confirmed, will allow further financial support, ensuring key elements of site infrastructure are delivered…
RHS Garden Supported by Leeds Building Students Wins Best in Show
An innovative garden which explores mental health in construction has been awarded Best Show Garden at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. The award-winning garden received the finishing touches of poignant wooden hearts decorated by Leeds College of Building Painting & Decorating apprentices. Garden designer Carolyn Hardern and landscaper Jon Jarvis approached the College…
Schofield Sweeney appoints new corporate partner
Michael Cantwell has joined Yorkshire-based law firm Schofield Sweeney as a partner in their corporate team. Based in Leeds, Michael acts on a wide range of corporate matters. He is regularly involved in early negotiations to structure a transaction and credited with finding solutions to issues early. Michael is a trusted advisor and receives recommendations…
£12 million boost for Leeds economy
In May, UKREiiF was hosted in the Yorkshire city of Leeds for the second year running – bringing over 7,500 people from across the UK and internationally to the city region, and a new report by ARUP has revealed it gave a £12.1m boost to the local Leeds City Region economy. The event, which brings…
Leeds College of Building Ranked 14th Best UK Apprenticeship Training Provider
Leeds College of Building is celebrating after being named in the RateMyApprenticeship Best 50 Training Providers Table 2023-2024. The College ranked 14th place, up from 17th position in 2022. Leeds College of Building is the top-ranking Further Education college in the north of England and the only college in Yorkshire to make the top 50 training providers. Announced…
Have you registered for our introduction to ESG talk?
So, what is ‘ESG’ and why should you care? To start, it has the potential to grow your business whilst benefiting the environment and community… Join us as we invite you to our introductory session talking about all things environment, social and governance at the magnificent Guildhall. Within the session, you’ll hear from a variety…
JLL further commits to Yorkshire market with Wellington Place move
Global real estate adviser JLL has agreed a move to the flagship 12 Wellington Place office development in Leeds. 11 & 12 Wellington Place are amongst the UK’s most sustainable office buildings, having set a new milestone for development in the Yorkshire region, combining low-carbon design with state-of-the-art technology. JLL is taking the…
Empowering multilingual children: high demand drives Community Language School’s expansion plans
Volunteers needed to support Yorkshire as a linguistically rich and diverse region When it opened in 2022, the Community Language School (CLS) at York St John University became the only such school in the region to offer free classes in multiple languages. With a motto of ‘fostering a love for languages’ they support children…
Top award for York Community Woodland
York Community Woodland has won the prestigious John Boddy Award for Forestry, presented at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show. The award celebrates excellence in forestry creation, design and management in Yorkshire, with this year’s award focusing on the best community woodland planted in Yorkshire over the last 15 years. The Award is organised and judged…
Leeds College Celebrates Most Ever SkillBuild National Finalists
A record number of Leeds College of Building students have been selected for the national final of SkillBuild 2023 – the largest multi-trade skills competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices. Delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), SkillBuild showcases some of the brightest talent. Highly skilled learners and apprentices go head-to-head to be crowned…
Forget Storm in a Yellow Teacup – Just Essentials by Asda has taken the Gold!
After a whirlwind launch last year, Just Essentials by Asda snapped up the Own Label Brand of The Year award at last week’s Grocer Gold Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. Designed by OurCreative, Just Essentials broke conventional value cues and shook up the category. Reinventing the visual language for opening price point design…
OVER 80% OF YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER VOTERS SAY LOCAL MPS SHOULD BACK GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO MAKE THE UK NET ZERO
Overwhelming numbers of Yorkshire and the Humber residents, 82% of respondents, believe it is important that their local MP supports the UK Government’s work to make the country Net Zero by 2050. Local residents also want their MP to prioritise protecting and creating jobs in their local area (94%). The polling, run by Focaldata,…
The Biggest Win: Hearts and Minds
What if that big deal you’re working on has little or nothing to do with price? In fact, there might not even be a transaction or trade as such. I originally wrote this piece 12 months or so ago, Novak Djokovic’s highly principled position against taking the Covid vaccine; how was pursuing his own major…
Leeds Beckett University Award Honorary Doctorates to Outstanding Individuals
Leeds Beckett University will award Honorary Doctorates to six distinguished individuals during this summer’s graduation ceremonies, which will take place at the first direct arena in Leeds between 17-21 July. These ceremonies will celebrate the successes of students from the class of 2023 with more than 6000 students graduating this July. Dame Nerys Jefford DBE,…
Bradford business wins two prestigious Garden Centre Association awards
The team at a Bradford garden centre are celebrating after winning two awards at the North East and North West regional Garden Centre Association (GCA) awards that were held at Tingley Garden Centre on 5th July. Tong Garden Centre, part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC) group, won awards in two categories for the…
Housing association CEO challenges Government to deliver more homes in Bradford
The chief executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has written to Michael Gove questioning why the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) failed to spend almost £2 billion of allocated funding to deliver more affordable homes. In his letter, Lee Bloomfield added: “It is a shame that neither you nor your officials chose…
Digital transformation reaps rewards for Manningham Housing Association
New figures show that Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has significantly increased its digital engagement with customers, project partners and the public over the past 12 months. Its annual digital and communications report, produced by MHA Corporate Project Manager Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira, shows that interactions across a broad spectrum of social media channels reached…
Friday night’s Academy Celebration Dinner saw 18 new faces sign onto our Scholarship system for the 2024 season!
The dinner took place to celebrate the return of our Elite Academy Licence following a lengthy probation period, where we also welcomed the new faces to the club. Bradford Bulls’ Head of Youth Ryan Hunkin said:- “We are delighted to welcome all 18 players into our Scholarship system for the 2023/24 season. All have displayed the right attributes we look…
Leeds City College’s 14+ Academies’ plea for funding as it reaches its 10 year anniversary
Leeds City College’s life-changing alternative provision for school-aged children between the ages of 14 and 16, is urging the government for vital funds as it reaches a milestone anniversary. The 14+ Academies, often described as a ‘lifeline’ for young people, is celebrating 10 years of supporting students who do not fit into mainstream school…
South Leeds adventure attraction launches schools’ rewards days packages
Further to a successful series of Teachers’ Days and Drop-Ins, an adventure play attraction in Leeds is launching three packages for school pupils aged 6 – 14. Developed by a qualified primary and outdoor educational instructor, Gemma Simpson, Duty Manager at Mission Out at Tingley Garden Centre, the packages are the Elevate, Aerial and…
YORKSHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY ANNOUNCES CHAIR SUCCESSION
Yorkshire Building Society has announced that, after nine years at the mutual, John Heaps will be succeeded by Annemarie Durbin who will join the Board as Chair Designate by the end of the year. Annemarie is currently Chair at Cater Allen Private Bank and a non-executive director and chair of remuneration committee on the…
West Yorkshire business joins forces with university to revolutionise water monitoring
Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with Aquatrust Water and Ventilation Limited on an innovative new project to create a bespoke remote system to monitor water for Legionella bacteria. Aquatrust are a water hygiene and treatment business employing around 40 staff, based in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. They will work with academic experts in water quality,…
Employer Breakfast Targets Green Skills in Construction
Local employers gathered at a recent Leeds College of Building event to learn more about the growing demand for green skills in construction. The employer breakfast welcomed a range of construction stakeholders and focussed on green skills gaps, the College’s training, and exciting opportunities to collaborate. Around 35 guests attended the JAST (Joseph Aspdin Skills Trust) sponsored…
From Income Officer to Apprentice Plumber of the Year
With the country on the brink of an ‘alarming skills shortage’, according to the UK Trade Skills Index, Bradford-based Incommunities is taking matters into their own hands by training the next generation of skilled tradespeople. After a break in apprentice recruitment following Covid, the social and affordable housing provider is in the process of…
Coney Street Riverside backed by York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce
York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has publicly pledged its support to Helmsley Group’s Coney Street Riverside masterplan. The leading business support organisation, alongside its influential York & North Yorkshire Property Forum lobby group, have urged York City Council to approve the planning applications submitted by the York-based property specialist for the scheme….
MANAGEMENT BUYOUT AT KEIGHLEY LABORATORIES LIMITED
The executive management team at Keighley Laboratories Limited has completed its acquisition of the company from the existing shareholders. Managed by Debbie and Matthew Mellor, the management buyout (MBO) means that the husband and wife team takes ownership of the business outright. Founded in 1920, Keighley Laboratories provides advanced metallurgy testing, consultancy and chemical analytical…
Eddisons makes trio of promotions in Manchester transport planning team
Property group Eddisons has made three promotions within its 15-strong transport planning and highways design team based in Manchester. Mike Coogan, who joined the team in 2012, has become a director, while Jack Cunningham has been promoted from senior highways technician to senior highways engineer. Recent graduate Genna Woods, who joined Eddisons in 2022,…
Free Careers-Coaching Workshop Seeks New Graduates
Bradford College is taking applications for a free graduate workshop in July to help polish CVs, sharpen interview skills, and plot dream career paths. The three-day ‘Graduates First’ programme is designed to guide recent graduates to their dream roles. The course is ideal for individuals who have recently graduated and are looking for support with career planning…
Accountancy firm announces appointment of new Director
Leading independent York-based accountancy firm Hunter Gee Holroyd is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Director as part of its ongoing growth plans. Hunter Gee Holroyd, which has offices in York, Easingwold and Filey, said James Pullein would begin his new role with immediate effect. James has a wealth of experience advising…
Christeyns gets busy working on their brushstrokes
Staff at hygiene specialist Christeyns took a day out from their busy schedules recently to help renovate St Johns Bowling Church, located close to their own HQ in Bradford. Several members of staff, including Operations Director Justin Kerslake, spent a day adding a fresh coat of paint to the church hall which hosts a…
Another Brazilian contract for C-Kore Subsea Testing Tools on a large subsea construction campaign
C-Kore Systems recently delivered their automated subsea testing tools for a large subsea construction campaign in Brazilian waters. The C-Kore tools will be used to perform the subsea electrical verification of new umbilicals after installation. C-Kore’s subsea testing tools are used by operators and installation contractors around the world on both installation campaigns and fault-finding…
CHEMICAL COMPANY FINDS THE RIGHT FORMULA FOR SCHOOL VISIT
Students from a Keighley primary school have had their science lessons brought to life by the experts at a local chemical company. Pupils at Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School enjoyed a morning of experiments at chemical specialist, Airedale Group, based in Cross Hills. Chemists in the company’s product development laboratories helped them understand chemical…
Council support during Alcohol Awareness Week 3-9 July 2023
Many people don’t know how much they’re drinking, what the true cost of alcohol is, or how it might be affecting their health. City of York Council is joining over 5,000 community groups across the UK as part of this year’s Alcohol Awareness Week, which is managed and hosted by UK charity Alcohol Change UK…
Manningham Housing Association tenant is a Housing Hero
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) tenant Salma Khatun has been named Tenant of the Year at the Housing Heroes Awards. The trophy, which “recognises a tenant who has gone the extra mile and demonstrated an innovative approach to helping others,” was handed over at a ceremony in Manchester by BBC News presenter Huw Edwards. Salma, an…
Bradford College Pioneers Virtual NHS Work Experience
Over 80 students at Bradford College have been involved in a unique pilot programme to learn more about the allied health professions that support patients in the NHS. Working with a panel of experts from Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Fast Track to T Level Health students took part in the first virtual ‘Aspiring Allies’ project to…
Bradford graduate celebrates student success with own academy
Azhar Ishfaq says he always knew he wanted to be a teacher. He graduated from the University of Bradford with a 2.1 in biomedical science in 2008 and went on to work for a number of local schools. In 2018, he finally realised his long-held ambition of opening his own academy – Prosper Academy…
Leeds Beckett announces new partnership with Landsec
Leeds Beckett University has partnered with Landsec, one of the UK’s leading real estate companies, to launch two new scholarships for two first-year students this September. These prestigious scholarships will be awarded to two students: one studying BSc Real Estate and Property Management and one studying BA Architecture. The partnership aims to support and empower…
Government urged to put breastfeeding on the agenda for a healthier and fairer UK
York Central MP joins academics, medical professionals, charities and parents in call for better breastfeeding support Despite its numerous health, social justice, and environmental benefits, the current breastfeeding rates in the UK are among the lowest in the world. Currently fewer than 2% of UK infants are exclusively breastfed for six months as recommended by…
University Centre Leeds launches digital innovation hub
University Centre Leeds, a member of Luminate Education Group, has launched a digital innovation hub to bridge the skills gaps in the region. The £50k facility, funded by the Office for Students (OfS), includes a podcast, video and virtual reality equipment to enhance students’ capabilities and staff practices. The innovation hub will allow students…
DRAX FOUNDATION DONATES £90K TO SUPPORT STEM EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES IN YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER
Drax Foundation, which is part of renewable energy company Drax Group, has donated £90,000 to three projects near to Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire. The Foundation supports education and skills development for non-profit organisations and social enterprises in the regions where it operates and runs two grant cycles a year. Today’s announcement is…
New community strategy to improve quality of life and make a difference in Bradford
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has published a new three-year Community Investment Strategy to build on its award-winning work to support neighbourhoods in Bradford district during and since the pandemic. The 22-page document, Improving Quality of Life and Making a Difference, follows the completion of an in-depth community consultation process which sought the views of…
New florists at Bradford Garden Centre
A Bradford garden centre has extended its offer with the launch of a new florist concession. Tong Garden Centre has added Confettii Girls to its range of concessions which include Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Pavers, Julian Charles, Bon Marche and Maidenhead Aquatics. The Confettii Girls are professional florists Leen Khouder and Michelle Hirst, who…
Helmsley Group marks another successful year after £17m regional investment
Property investment specialist Helmsley Group is celebrating another profitable year for the business, having invested £17m in properties across Yorkshire over the last year on behalf of its client investors. The York-based business, which has reported a year-on-year increase in profits of circa 20% across the Helmsley Group of Companies, has also seen further…
Castle Howard’s Lakeside Holiday Park to host first open weekend on the 1st & 2nd July
Located on the Castle Howard Estate in North Yorkshire, near the picturesque village of Coneysthorpe, Castle Howard’s Lakeside Holiday Park is nestled on the shores of The Great Lake overlooking the iconic stately home. Several brand-new holiday homes are available to buy with prices ranging from £58,995 to £99,995, viewable during Castle Howard Lakeside Holiday…
Student triumphs at industry games design competition
Games Design student at York St John University wins first prize for his game “Auntie Gravity” at the Game Republic showcase. James Kilduff, a third-year Games Design student at York St John, scooped the top prize in the Best Level Design category at the Game Republic student showcase for his final year project game. The…
Bradford undergraduates outperform national average in securing highly-skilled jobs, statistics show
New figures show University of Bradford undergraduates are outperforming the national average when it comes to securing employment in highly-skilled jobs. The HESA 2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey core data for the University shows that 94% of the University of Bradford’s ‘known and available’* UK-domiciled undergraduates were in employment or further study within 15 months of…