Azets responds to September 2024 company insolvency statistics
Richard Oddy, a restructuring and insolvency partner in Yorkshire for Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm, comments on the September 2024 company insolvency statistics for England and Wales: “There were 1,973 registered company insolvencies in England and Wales last month [September], slightly up by 2% on August but down 7% compared to…
College motorsports event inspires next generation of talent
A unique motorsports event for young vehicle enthusiasts celebrated the end of a specialist Bradford College engagement programme this week. Since the start of September, around 35 Motor Vehicle students have benefitted from the ‘Bradford Motorsport Engagement Programme’ (BMEP) programme, funded by Mission 44. The BMEP initiative aims to inspire and educate the next generation…
New Non-Executive Director appointed at Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society has confirmed Janet Pope will join its Board as Non-Executive Director on 29 October. With more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, Janet currently sits on the Board of the debt charity StepChange and is Chair of the Charities Aid Foundation Bank. She recently retired from Lloyds Banking Group, where she…
Corporate team grows with new appointments
Schofield Sweeney, an award-winning legal firm has announced the expansion of its corporate team, reflecting on the Firm’s continued growth and commitment to excellence in legal services. They welcome two accomplished professionals and a recently qualified solicitor to their corporate team, reinforcing their position as a trusted adviser in all corporate aspects of law. Saby…
Housing champion Carolina tops the charts
Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira, Manningham Housing Association’s high-flying Corporate Project Manager, has been named as one of Housing Today’s Top 30 Housing Champions. Originally from Brazil, Carolina joined the BME organisation – which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley – as an Administrative Assistant in 2019, before rising…
Bradford College completes £6.9m mill transformation project
A multimillion-pound renovation project at Bradford College has transformed a derelict mill into a flexible digital, science, and allied health training facility for higher-level students. Garden Mills on Thornton Road opened its doors to staff and students this week after months of construction work on the 1900s five-storey building. The development results from £5.8 million…
Otley pet store to open its first concession at a Bradford Garden Centre
The latest concession to open at a Bradford garden centre is an established family pet and animal supplies business. The Blue Barn opened its first site outside its Pool in Wharfedale headquarters at Tong Garden Centre on 26th September. The 1500 sq ft concession stocks a wide range of pet supplies and animal feed covering…
EPG’s Phil Williams a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators
Having spent his entire career as an engineer with a passion for sustainable water management, dedicating time and energy contributing to industry guidance and best practice, Phil Williams, director at The Environmental Protection Group had his efforts recognised when he was awarded the honour of becoming a ‘Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators’…
Bradford gift card launches new design and collaboration with Bradford 2025
Bradford BID is proud to announce the launch of the new look Bradford City Centre Gift Card, marking an exciting milestone as it celebrates reaching £150,000 in gift card sales. In addition to the new design, the Bradford Gift Card will soon be available for purchase through the Bradford 2025 ticket + info point, following…
Love Handmade Cakes reveal spooktacular foodservice treats
Leeds based bakery, Love Handmade Cakes are rolling out a selection of spooky bakery treats ahead of Halloween celebrations. Featuring classics such as gingerbread, parkin and caramel shortbread, along with spooktacular NPD including a spider themed cookies and cream gateau, the collection promises something new and exciting for customers. The collection of Halloween treats is…
Yorkshire Building Society partnership with Citizens Advice wins gold in Customer Service Awards
An innovative partnership between Yorkshire Building Society and Citizens Advice has been crowned the Gold Winner of the Customer Service Improvement Award at the Collaboration Network Awards 2024. According to the organisers, the award recognised the organisation that has done the most to improve customer service in their operation, whether that be a specific initiative…
The Medicines Management Team wins the Education Award at the Raising The Bar Awards 2024! 🏆 🎉
We are incredibly proud to announce that The Medicines Management Team (TMMT) has been awarded the Education Award at the Raising The Bar Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to our dedication to providing high-quality training and development for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians transitioning into primary care, supporting the NHS Long Term Plan. A heartfelt thank you…
Inspectas recruits six new compliance specialists
Compliance specialist Inspectas has made six new appointments from trainee to board level, bolstering its team’s property expertise. The West Yorkshire-based business, which moved into larger premises and marked its 10th anniversary last year, has brought in fire, equipment, lab, asbestos and business development professionals taking its multi-disciplinary team to 56. Management Board Director Andy…
Improve financial education to boost resilience in young people, Yorkshire experts say
Charity leaders, think-tank representatives and members of parliament came together on Friday (Friday, 13 September) to discuss the financial resilience of young people, as part of an event held by Yorkshire Building Society. The event, to mark UK Savings Week (9-15 September), was hosted by the Society’s director of savings Chris Irwin, and Luke Charters,…
Schofield Sweeney invests in lawyers of the future
Award-winning law firm Schofield Sweeney has welcomed a new cohort of solicitor apprentices and trainees this month. The firm is recognised as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work and saw a record number of applicants this year for its pathways into law. The firm advocates social mobility, ensuring its workforce is diverse and inclusive…
New affordable housing development focused on sustainability opens in Keighley
Local councillors and project partners joined Manningham Housing Association (MHA) Board members and staff for the official opening of a new 20-unit affordable homes scheme at Shann Lane in Keighley. The £4.3 million Odette’s Point project – delivered by MHA in conjunction with Avant Homes, Homes England and Bradford Council – comprises 14 three-bed and…
Oscrete welcomes new laboratory-based apprentice
Bradford-based specialist construction chemical supplier Oscrete is boosting its team with a further apprentice appointment. New Materials and Testing Apprentice Rennison Forrest-Parkinson joins Oscrete’s laboratory team this month in his first full time role since leaving Guiseley High School. Rennison (19) already has a construction background after shadowing a construction site manager and undertaking work…
Bradford College named a prestigious ‘Microsoft Showcase School’
Bradford College is one of an elite group of education institutions recognised as a Microsoft Showcase School for the 2024/2025 academic year. Microsoft Showcase Schools are global pioneers in education. Only a few institutions earn the title each year for their impact on education through digital transformation, representing “the best of teaching and learning in…
Primark unveils new £6m Bradford store in The Broadway
Primark has today unveiled its newly enhanced Bradford store, located at The Broadway shopping centre in the heart of the city. The new store features the same quality fashion at great value prices that Primark is known and loved for, with a fresh new look and feel. The new Bradford store represents an investment of…
Otley garden centre welcomes Bradford balustrade and decking business
A Yorkshire business specialising in glass balustrades has opened a display area at Otley Garden Centre. Headed up by skilled tradesman Mark Ross, the Baildon-based British Balustrade Co. supplies and fits balustrades for decking projects, balconies, and staircases. “As a premium provider of glass balustrades throughout the UK, British Balustrade Co boasts a team of skilled…
Bulls file accounts up to Nov 2023
Bradford Bulls have filed their latest set of accounts covering the 12 months up to 30th November 2023. The accounts show that the club made a small profit of £22k on a turnover of £2,131,000. Commenting on the 2023 out-turn, chairman Nigel Wood said “The club’s board does try to run the club sustainably, because frankly,…
Stephenson presents Durosoft – Natural ingredients, uncompromised performance
Stephenson, an innovation leader and manufacturer of a wide range of soap bases and ingredients for the beauty and personal care market introduces Durosoft, its range of naturally derived polyglyceryl esters for the formulation of sustainable skincare, cosmetic, and hair care products. Durosoft was developed to aid in the demand for natural products and green…
Heading to Chicago – Crysp Limited
Proud Bradfordians and Chamber members, Crysp headed to the windy city, Chicago to attend the Digital Twin Consortium Conference for Q3. The agenda was full of keynote speakers, group sessions, case studies, panels, presentations and plenty of networking. It provided Crysp the chance to expand their network, showcasing their great product and wave the flag…
James Robinson Fibres invests £750,000 in future-proofing operations as it celebrates 150 years of textile innovation
Yorkshire-based textile innovator James Robinson Fibres is investing over £750,000 into its head office and warehousing at Euroway Industrial Estate in Bradford, enhancing operational efficiency as it celebrates 150 years of pioneering spirit in the textile industry. The fifth-generation family business, which includes Texfelt in its portfolio, has been making significant investments across the group. This follows…
TV soap star heading to Bartercard Odsal stadium!
Bradford Bulls Comedy Night returns with five more superb comedians taking to the mic on Friday 13th September at 7:45PM – in partnership with KMC Comedy! Jack Carroll, regularly seen in soaps on BBC having also performed on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, headlines a bill of five fantastic comedians – guaranteeing a night of side-splitting comedy! Other…
Yorkshire Building Society partners with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture
Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture has announced Yorkshire Building Society as a Major Supporter. The partnership will see the 160-year-old mutual work with the programme over three years to help support its aim of increasing employment opportunities and skills across the district. Yorkshire Building Society has a long heritage in the Bradford area. One…
Retirement prompts recruitment at Yorkshire garden centre group
A Bradford headquartered garden centre group has appointed two new managers to lead newly acquired sites in North Yorkshire. Yorkshire Garden Centres acquired Dean’s of York and Scarborough following the retirement of Richard, Helen and Sarah Dean earlier this year. Their retirement, plus that of Jim Cockerton from the Scarborough centre, created vacancies for managers…
Yorkshire Building Society appoints new Chief People Officer
Yorkshire Building Society has announced that Holly Rankin will become its Chief People Officer from December 2024, subject to regulatory approval. Holly brings more than 28 years’ experience in human resources, including 16 years in financial services. She will join from Barclays Bank, where she has been Managing Director HR. She previously held the roles…
South Leeds adventure park hosts Castleford Tigers’ summer party
An adventure park at a South Leeds garden centre hosted a summer party for Castleford Tigers recently. 91 of the rugby league club’s season ticket holders, players and families enjoyed an afternoon of fun with mascot JT at Mission Out at Tingley Garden Centre. Among the people enjoying the fun was first team prop forward…
We wanted to get it right…
On Thursday 12 September in Leeds, we are holding the inaugural Yorkshire Business Fair at the Holiday Inn Conference Centre in Garforth Leeds. Working in the advertising, marketing, networking and business event arena for over 4 decades, if I have learned anything, it’s the value of facilitating the opportunity for people to communicate transparently together…
PNG powerhouse Appo signs new two year deal
Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce fans’ favourite PNG powerhouse Keven Appo has signed a new two-year deal – keeping him at the club until the end of the 2026 season! The 25-year-old arrived at Bartercard Odsal in February last year, making an instant impact – scoring 10 tries as the Bulls reached the play-off…
Azets UK announces new partner and director promotions in Yorkshire
Azets, the international advisory, outsourcing and compliance group, has announced 22 promotions across its Yorkshire business. Richard Oddy (Restructuring, Leeds) has become a partner while Becky Dawson (Technical Accounting, York), James Durham (ABAS, York), Kim Major (Tax, Leeds), Naveen Sahney (Tax, York) have been promoted to director. They are among 12 promotions in Azets’ Leeds…
Yorkshire garden centre group creates new roles to support growth
A Bradford headquartered garden centre group has created three new roles to support growth at its six sites. Yorkshire Garden Centres has sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley and has recently acquired Dean’s of York and Scarborough. The new roles of Group People and Culture Manager, Group Catering Operations Manager and Giftware and Christmas…
The power of premium packaging to enhance your bottom line
Packaging often plays a pivotal role in competitive business-to-business (B2B) commerce. While its primary function is to protect products, premium packaging goes beyond mere protection, serving as a strategic tool that can significantly enhance a company’s customer retention and profitability. This article delves into the benefits of high-quality packaging and how it can drive business…
Bradford mill demolition paves way for £17m cutting-edge future technologies centre
Newly appointed contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has commenced demolition of a derelict mill on Thornton Road, making way for Bradford College’s purpose-built Future Technologies Centre. The demolition of Junction Mills marks the start of construction on the state-of-the-art four-storey building, which will become the home of modern automotive and digital engineering training at Bradford College. Once opened, the…
It’s BRSK at Bartercard Odsal Stadium!
We are delighted to announce an exciting, new partnership with full-fibre broadband specialists BRSK! Founded in 2020, BRSK are now rolling out their full-fibre Broadband, which will provide speeds of up to 1 Gigabyte per second, in West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Calderdale and Birmingham. The partnership will see BRSK branding located in and around…
Family fun day at Bartercard Odsal Stadium!
Tickets are on sale for the Bulls’ return to Bartercard Odsal Stadium on Sunday 11th August, with Whitehaven RLFC the visitors for a 3:00pm kick off. The Bulls are looking to complete the league double over Jonty Gorley’s side following a 36-18 success up in Cumbria in June – where Mitch Souter, Jayden Myers, Kieran…
Bradford College degree approved by Social Work England
Social Work England has approved the full-time BA (Hons) Social Work degree at Bradford College as meeting rigorous industry standards. The result comes after a challenging inspection from 16-19 April by Social Work England – the regulatory body that monitors and approves social work education and training programmes across the country. The result means Bradford College…
Bradford garden centre partners with Science and Media Museum for drop in play sessions
Tong Garden Centre has collaborated with the National Science and Media Museum to offer a series of summer holiday drop in activity sessions this summer. On August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, visitors to Grass Hoppers indoor and outdoor play at Tong Garden will be able to participate in fun activities and science demonstrations led…
Yorkshire IT company gets boost from Theo Paphitis
A Cross Hills based firm has received recognition and a business boost from retail guru Theo Paphitis. Last week, Sara Haggas, Sales and Marketing Manager at Comprendo, posted about the business on the former Dragon’s Den star’s Instagram account during ‘Small Business Sunday’. As a result, Comprendo became one of six weekly winners to receive…
New non-executive director appointed at Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society has confirmed Peter Bole has will join its Board as Non-Executive Director on 1 September. Peter has over 30 years’ experience in financial services and has held the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Tesco Bank and Virgin Money, where he went on to become Group Integration Director. In his current…
Popular fruit and veg stall at a Bradford garden centre extends opening hours
A family run fruit and veg stall at a Bradford garden centre has extended its opening hours due to public demand. Porters Fruit and Vegetable stalls have been a familiar sight outside hospitals in the region since 2016 and they recently trialled a stall at Tong Garden Centre in Bradford. Such was the success of…















































