West Yorkshire garden centre group reaches the final of a regional business award
The team at a Bradford-based garden centre group is celebrating after reaching the final of the Yorkshire Post Business Awards. Yorkshire Garden Centres, owner of Tong, Tingley, Bingley, Otley and Pennine Garden Centres, plus Dean’s York and Scarborough, has been shortlisted in the Large Business of the Year category, and Dean’s York has been shortlisted…
Homegrown hero returns!
Super League’s Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the return of homegrown, try scoring sensation Ethan Ryan on a three-year deal. The 29-year-old made his professional debut for the Bulls against London Broncos in 2016, starting as he meant to go on with his first four-pointer – having graduated through the club’s Elite Academy pathway…
Guy Armitage pens new deal
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce Guy Armitage has signed a one-year contract extension to remain with the club as we return to Super League for the 2026 season. The former Toulouse and London star arrived at Bartercard Odsal Stadium prior to the start of the 2025 campaign, making an instant impression by scoring on…
Manningham Housing Association lauded at national awards ceremony
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has received warm praise from judges at the Housing Executive Awards. In their formal adjudication, the judges said: “Manningham Housing Association stood out among the other strong finalists for its digital innovation and community involvement, earning Highly Commended recognition.” The BME organisation, which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000…
Don’t miss out on new child benefit repayment option, Azets warns
People in Yorkshire earning more than £60,000 a year have a new way to manage their child benefit repayments following a change in HMRC’s process, according to a senior payroll professional. York-based Julie Gunnell, associate director of payroll growth at UK top 10 accountancy Azets, said those who were eligible could now manage their High…
Weather presenter set to shine light on climate inequality
National TV weather presenter Laura Tobin will host a debate on how women are unequally affected by climate change held at the University of Bradford. Laura will also be part of an expert panel of scientists, industry experts, academics and activists at ‘Climate Justice for Women’, on Thursday 6 November. They will discuss why women…
Ideal Extraction Ltd named a finalist in the Yorkshire & Humberside Family Business Awards 2025
Ideal Extraction in Ilkley has been announced as a finalist in the category ‘Builders of Tomorrow – Construction, Property and Engineering’ at the prestigious Yorkshire & Humberside Family Business Awards 2025. Based in Ilkley, Ideal Extraction is a specialist engineering company providing bespoke dust and fume extraction systems, primarily in the woodworking sector. The company…
Bulls sign Ackers
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce we have beaten off competition from a leading Super League club to secure the signing of Andy Ackers on a two-year deal from Leeds Rhinos. The 31-year-old made his professional debut for Swinton in 2014 before spells at London Broncos and Toronto Wolfpack. His impressive performances for the Canadian…
Children in the North are losing up to 10 years of life due to inactivity and inequality
Children across the North are facing a health crisis and experts say physical activity must be at the heart of the solution. As part of the national Child of the North #ChildrenFirst campaign, the University of Bradford has joined with universities across the North to call on the Government to adopt a “whole-of-school” approach to…
Pontefract youngster wins competition to help Santa switch on Britain’s Biggest Lemax Winter Village
A five year old from Ackworth has helped make history by launching the UK’s biggest single display of Lemax collectables. Thomas Kerry won a competition to help Santa switch on the Lemax Winter Village at Tingley Garden Centre following an appeal for someone to help Santa make the village come alive. Thomas was nominated by…
Azets appoints Corporate Finance Partner
International business advisory group Azets has further strengthened its Corporate Finance presence in Yorkshire, welcoming Iffy Hussein as a Corporate Finance Partner in its Leeds office. Iffy joins Azets with over 13 years of experience at EY and PwC, where he spent his time supporting and advising privately owned and private equity backed businesses across…
£400,000 for new gestational diabetes umbilical chord study
The University of Bradford has been awarded more than £400,000 to carry out research into gestational diabetes among women from different ethnicities. Dr Kirsten Riches-Suman, Associate Professor of Biomedical Science at the University of Bradford, is leading the research project into gestational diabetes which commonly affects women during pregnancy. The three-year study, conducted at the…
Crysp founder named as ‘One to Watch’ in LDC/The Times Top 50
The founder of a Bradford success story has been recognised as ‘One to Watch’ in LDC and The Times’ prestigious Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders. Pete Mills, chief executive of Crysp Ltd, was awarded the accolade in the eighth annual listing of Britain’s best and brightest business leaders and entrepreneurs – marking the culmination…
Professor’s vision for future cities inspires international award
The next generation of architects and urban planners will be honoured through an international award created in memory of a University of Bradford academic. ‘The City of My Future – Professor Claudia Trillo Award’ will promote the work of young researchers in the field of sustainable urban regeneration. The award celebrates the work…
Single parent Vicky swaps night-time scrolling for Master’s studies
A single mother of twins is studying for a Master’s at home while bringing up her children and working full-time. Vicky Schreiber, 35, has swapped evenings scrolling on her phone and binge-watching TV documentaries for studying MSc Psychology (Distance Learning) at the University of Bradford. She juggles her daily responsibilities of being a mother…
Yorkshire Garden Centre Group celebrates its 2025 Great by Nature cohort
34 Team members from a Bradford garden centre group are celebrating the successful completion of an internal training programme which identifies and nurtures talent. Yorkshire Garden Centre Group’s ‘Great by Nature’ programme was established to develop individuals identified by their managers as emerging talent with high potential for growth within the multi-site business. During the…
International graffiti artist transforms Bradford College building with striking mural
The Bradford College ATC building had a striking makeover when internationally acclaimed artist Shamsia Hassani paid the campus a special visit. The ‘Progression to Learning and Work’ building was chosen as the canvas for an incredible new mural by Shamsia, the first female graffiti artist of Afghanistan. The inspirational work is the result of the Bradford 2025 UK…
Remember lost loved ones at park lantern parade
People are encouraged to contribute to a commemorative lantern parade held in a park. The Festival of the Dead parade, organised by the University of Bradford in collaboration with Cecil Green Arts, Bradford Death Cafe and Kynd, will be at Northcliffe Park, Shipley, on Sunday 16 November from 17:00 to 19:30. A series of…
£1m AV transformation at University of Bradford in running for second award
A £1m overhaul of audio-visual infrastructure at the University of Bradford is in the running for its second prestigious industry award, recognising its impact on student experience, sustainability and hybrid learning. Delivered by Roche AV Pro, the ambitious upgrade tackled years of underinvestment across the campus estate, replacing outdated systems with cutting-edge technology. The project…
Bradford helps shape the future of 6G
The University of Bradford is playing a key role in shaping the future of mobile technology, as part of a major European research initiative exploring how 6G networks will transform society. The University recently hosted the 6th plenary meeting of the EU-funded 6G-PATH project, which brings together 28 partners from 13 countries to design and…
Don’t leave National Insurance money on the table, Azets warns
Larger businesses across Yorkshire could be missing out on thousands of pounds annually by not claiming their national insurance (NI) allowances, a senior payroll professional has warned. Julie Gunnell, associate director of payroll growth at UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory Azets, working from the York office, said firms could be missing out on…
Grab five muddy minutes for health boost
A University of Bradford academic is calling on people to embrace nature and spend five minutes in the mud, revealing our gut microbes – affectionately dubbed ‘belly bugs’ – thrive when we do. Dr Elizabeth Kiilu, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University, said: “Your belly is full of friendly microbes – and they’re…
Kiril Mischeff Group acquires East Yorkshire Based Primepak Foods Ltd
Leading food and beverage supplier Kiril Mischeff has completed its latest acquisition, adding food manufacturer and processor Primepak Foods to its expanding group. The Nottinghamshire-based, privately-owned business was once again advised on the 100% share acquisition by leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney. Kiril Mischeff, established in 1935, is one of Europe’s leading food and…
Bloomin’ marvellous: Campus strikes gold with award
An edible campus, beehives and wooded areas helped clinch gold for the University of Bradford at this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom. The gardening team secured the prestigious prize in Yorkshire in Bloom 2025’s Universities, Colleges and Further Education (FE) Establishments category, moving up from the Silver Gilt prize in 2024. They were also named joint…
Schofield Sweeney advises Caledonian Leisure on its growing hotel portfolio
Leading travel operator Caledonian Leisure has added the Broadway Park Hotel, an impressive 104-bedroom hotel in the seaside resort of Sandown on the Isle of Wight, to its growing portfolio. The Leeds-based holiday company was advised on the transaction by leading Yorkshire-based commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney. This marks the fourth addition to Caledonian’s portfolio…
Module shortlisted for AMBA CSR and Sustainability Award
A University of Bradford module on sustainability has been shortlisted for a prestigious international award. The Circular Design for the Real World module is a finalist in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability Initiative category at the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Business Graduates Association (BGA) Excellence Awards 2026. Dr Farzaneh Fakhredin, Lecturer…
New Non-Executive Director appointed at Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society has announced Elaine Bucknor joined its Board as Non-Executive Director on 26 September. She brings 30 years’ experience in the technology sector, including the delivery of complex multinational programmes and innovative strategies to support organisational transformation and growth. Elaine has held executive, operational and consultancy roles with leading companies in the telecommunications,…
Azets’ six SME savings suggestions
Small changes could help Yorkshire SMEs lessen the pressure on their finances, staff and management, a senior accounting professional has said. Matthew Grant, partner and head of accounts and business advisory at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets in Yorkshire, is encouraging directors and owners of SMEs to explore their options around technology, tax…
Otley Garden Centre celebrates refreshed catering offering with mayoral visit
The team at Otley Garden Centre celebrated the reopening of its popular restaurant by hosting Otley Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Carter, for afternoon tea recently. Cllr Carter, along with his wife and consort Denise, was invited to Blooms, the refurbished and renamed 200-seater table service restaurant, by Otley Garden Centre’s catering manager, Marina Jannetta. Yorkshire…
Topping out ceremony marks milestone in multi-million-pound Bradford College building project
Bradford College marked a significant milestone as governors and special guests gathered at the £19.3 million Junction Mills development for a commemorative topping-out ceremony. The college event celebrated the highest point of the building’s structure being put in place, signalling the next phase of work to create a cutting-edge training facility for automotive, digital, and…
Manningham Housing Association up for three national awards
Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has been named as a finalist in three categories at the Housing Executive Awards, including Housing Association of the Year. The recently completed £4.3million Odette’s Point development at Shann Lane in Keighley – delivered in partnership with Avant Homes, Homes England and Bradford Council – has also been shortlisted for Best…
Glittering launch for the Schofield Sweeney Bradford Professionals Network
Firm hosts almost 200 professionals at Bradford Live Leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney welcomed almost 200 guests to the launch of their Bradford Professionals Network at Bradford Live. The inaugural event, aimed at bringing together businesses and organisations from across the Bradford district to promote and celebrate the city’s business community, was one of…
Hooley pens permanent deal
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Luke Hooley on a two-year deal. The 27-year-old came through the junior ranks at the Bulls, signing his first professional contract with the club before joining Wakefield in 2017. A permanent stay at Batley Bulldogs followed where three years of impressive performances saw him earn…
Bake-off TV test Slovak style for Lenka
A University of Bradford staff member is gearing up for TV stardom as a contestant on the Slovakian version of The Great British Bake-off. Lenka Kaur is one of 12 contestants on the new series of the Slovak version of the long-running programme, called Pecie cele Slovensko, which translates to ‘The Whole of Slovakia is…
University nursery maintains ‘Outstanding’ status
The University Nursery has maintained its “Outstanding” status following its latest inspection by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The Nursery, situated on Laisteridge Lane, Bradford, was awarded “Outstanding” in all four categories: Quality of education Behaviour and attitudes Personal development Leadership and management. The report stated: “Children at this…
Bradford ranked top for first-generation and ethnic minority students
The University of Bradford has been ranked top in England and Wales for its number of first-generation and black and ethnic minority background students, according to the Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. Bradford moved up 25 places in the guide’s overall rankings to 86 out of 130 institutions. A total of…
Group Head of Private Clients appointed at TL Dallas
Leading independent insurance broking and risk management firm, TL Dallas, which is headquartered in Bradford, has appointed Caroline Pullich as Group Head of Private Clients, further strengthening the family firm’s expertise in delivering bespoke insurance and wealth protection services to high-net-worth individuals and families across the UK and Northern Ireland. Caroline brings more than three…
Kurt Haggerty appointed Bradford Bulls Head Coach
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the appointment of Kurt Haggerty as the club’s new Head Coach on a three-year deal. The 36-year-old played for the Bulls in 2016, having also represented Leigh Centurions, Widnes Vikings and Barrow Raiders during his playing career. Having hung up his boots in 2017, Haggerty has been Assistant Coach…
Bussing Out to hit the road for national tour
An exhibition which spotlights ‘bussing out’ – the social policy of dispersing non-white children in the 1960s and 1970s – is set to go on the road for a national tour thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England funding. Bussing Out, an immersive art installation set in the top deck…
Hallas pens new one year deal
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce Sam Hallas has signed a new one-year deal with the club! The boyhood Bradford fan is in his third spell donning the red, amber and black. Having initially joined on loan in 2017, Hallas remained a Bull until a brief spell with Newcastle in 2022. The 28-year-old returned for…
Ece wins national student prize for academic excellence
A University of Bradford student who was part of a scholarship to encourage women to continue their research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) has received a national prize. Ece Karadal, a MSc Advanced Biomedical Engineering student, has been awarded an Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Student Prize for her academic excellence….
Don’t get caught out by umbrella company changes, Azets warns
Yorkshire business and advisory group Azets is urging businesses to prepare for changes in their legal responsibilities around employment tax following the government’s increased regulation of umbrella companies. From 6 April 2026, the responsibility for accounting for National Insurance contributions (NIC) and pay as you earn (PAYE) will be moved from the umbrella company to…
Bradford’s Oscrete announces further growth with customer integration
Bradford-based concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete has announced its successful integration of customers from Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) specialists, Cemcotec. Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) is a key tool in building design due to its low weight and high strength qualities, making it ideal for architectural facades, panels and decorative construction. The amalgamation of Cemcotec customers into…
National top 10 success and rankings climb in Guardian guide
Subjects taught at the University of Bradford have been ranked in the top 10 nationally in the Guardian University Guide 2026. Bradford’s Paramedic Science programme is third nationally, while its Chemical Engineering is fifth in the prestigious guide. Midwifery (16th), Physiotherapy (16th), Pharmacy and Pharmacology (17th), and Mental Health Nursing (19th) all made the top…
Calbee UK expands team as growth continues
Calbee UK, owner of Seabrook Crisps, has announced the appointment of Hannah Colagiovanni as Brand Manager, expanding the marketing team to support the company’s continued growth. Previously Brand Manager for Zoflora at Thornton & Ross, part of global home and healthcare group STADA, Hannah has first-hand experience of supporting growth brands. During the 5-years working…
Fraud warning: act now or fall foul of ECCT Act changes, says Azets
Larger companies in Yorkshire could be at risk of failure to prevent fraud if they don’t meet new compliance requirements, a senior accounting professional has warned. James Hamilton, a forensic accounting and valuation partner at UK top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm Azets in Yorkshire, commented after the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act…
Car wash concession opens at second site in Yorkshire
An established family car wash business is the latest concession to open at a South Leeds garden centre. Handy Andy Car Wash Limited opened its 12th car wash site, the second in Yorkshire, at Tingley Garden Centre on 8th September. The site offers a range of car wash and valet services to visitors to the…
Students back for university reunion 25 years on
A married couple from Germany were among a group of former students who returned to the University of Bradford 25 years after studying business. The 15 alumni, from Germany and the UK, held a reunion for Master of Business Administration (MBA) students who graduated in summer 2000 after completing 12 months of studying at the…