Member News Subjects

New initiative launches to give West Yorkshire’s unpaid carers a well-deserved break

The Caring Kind Project. A bold new initiative supporting West Yorkshire’s unpaid carers officially launches this month. The Caring Kind Project offers carers the chance to take a well-deserved break – breaks that have been gifted by businesses from the hospitality, leisure, tourism, and culture sectors across the region. Unpaid carers are family members, friends,…

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The Grammar School at Leeds welcomes new Principal, Michael Hall

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is delighted to welcome Michael Hall as its new Principal, following the retirement of Sue Woodroofe, who led the school with distinction for nearly a decade. Michael officially took up his post in September 2025. Michael joins GSAL with a wealth of experience as a senior leader in the…

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Savills says Yorkshire retail warehouse market shows resilience and opportunity as 2025 lettings activity builds momentum

The Yorkshire and the Humber out-of-town retail warehouse market is showing strong signs of resilience and opportunity in 2025, according to new research from international real estate advisor Savills. Following a robust performance in 2024 – accounting for 9.6% of all new UK lettings – the region is on track to deliver another solid year,…

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Strategic growth journey continues for AAB

AAB has today announced the latest step in their rapid growth journey with the acquisition of Integrity Financial Management in addition to a strategic brand consolidation. Integrity Financial Management is a trusted financial planning firm renowned for its commitment to evidence-based advice and deep client relationships. This acquisition underscores AAB’s ongoing ambition to expand both…

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Home buyers invited to first look at new Copmanthorpe community

Property seekers in North Yorkshire are being invited to an exciting pre-launch event to take a first look at a brand-new housing development. Ahead of the imminent launch of Barratt Homes’ Russet Park development in Copmanthorpe, prospective purchasers are being encouraged to attend a preview event on Thursday 4th September between 4pm and 7pm. Taking…

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Huddersfield station: its heritage and its future

On 6th October 1846, a public bank holiday was declared as the Earl of Fitzwilliam laid Huddersfield station’s foundation stone. Last Saturday (30 August), nearly 180 years on from that momentous day, the station closed for 30 days of intense work, as its grandest transformation in a generation is undertaken as part of the Transpennine Route…

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A new era of dining and hospitality arrives in Leeds: Hotel Indigo Leeds and The Banksia officially open

The heart of Leeds city centre is set to welcome an exciting new destination for business, leisure, and dining as Hotel Indigo Leeds and its flagship bar and restaurant, The Banksia, officially open their doors. Located on 2 Lower Briggate, the boutique hotel blends contemporary comfort with design inspired by the city’s rich industrial heritage,…

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Hygge Café to open first Leeds branch at the Merrion Centre

Scandi-inspired coffee and brunch favourite arrives in time for city’s new student intake HYGGE – the much-loved Sheffield-based coffee and brunch spot – is set to bring its cosy, Scandinavian-inspired charm to Leeds this September, with the opening of its first branch in West Yorkshire at the Merrion Centre. Located on Woodhouse Lane, adjacent to…

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71% of GCSEs at The Grammar School at Leeds awarded top 7/8/9 grades

Students at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) have achieved excellent exam results, with 71% of all GCSEs awarded the top grades of 7, 8 or 9 (A/A*). 49% of entries were awarded grade 8 or above, and 25% awarded grade 9. GSAL’s GCSE Class of 2025 includes a GB swimmer, an international hockey player…

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TRU wraps up seven consecutive weekends of upgrade work

On Sunday (August 17), engineers completed a series of railway upgrades between Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds following seven consecutive weekends of work, as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade. The work included major structural enhancements to bridges across West Yorkshire with progress made on the reconstruction of the A62 Leeds Road bridge in Deighton…

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An Outstanding Results Day 2025

Well done to all of our Upper Sixth cohort who collected their results today – it’s been another exceptional year! We are proud to announce that our class of 2025 Notre Dame students have once again received outstanding results in their Level 3 qualifications, across A-levels, BTECs and CTECs, and T Levels. Some of this year’s…

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62% of A-levels at The Grammar School of Leeds awarded top grades of A/A*

Students at The Grammar School at Leeds have achieved exceptional A-level results, with 62% of A-levels awarded top A/A* grades. Seven pupils secured places at Oxbridge to study subjects including engineering, law, classics and medicine, two of whom, Anna and Claire, each achieved four A*s. Over 80 of the cohort (190 students) achieved top grades…

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Leeds College of Building named one of first ‘technical excellence colleges’ in £100m construction skills drive

Leeds College of Building (LCB) has been named one of the first ever ‘construction technical excellence colleges’ (CTEC) and will receive a share of £100 million in government funding to tackle construction skills shortages. Only 10 colleges across England have been given the status for the 2025 to 2026 academic year, with LCB selected to…

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Chadwick Lawrence shortlisted for four Yorkshire Legal Awards

Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has been shortlisted for four Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025, recognising the firm’s outstanding achievements over the past 12 months.   The firm is a finalist in the Medium Law Firm of the Year, Corporate & Commercial, LawTech Initiative of the Year and Litigation & Dispute Resolution categories. Now in its 26th year,…

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AAB shortlisted for Xero and accounting excellence national awards

Leading professional services firm AAB, has been short-listed as a finalist in several prestigious national awards, reflecting the firm’s continued commitment to delivering exceptional client service, driving digital transformation, and providing market-leading expertise across multiple disciplines. The first of these awards comes from leading online accounting software provider, Xero. AAB has been shortlisted for ‘National…

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Chadwick Lawrence strengthens roster of professional sports club clients with Castleford Tigers partnership

The Yorkshire law firm has been appointed as the club’s official legal partner Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has been appointed as the official legal partner of Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club, strengthening the firm’s roster of professional sports club clients. The partnership will see the firm provide the Tigers with expert legal…

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Trinity Leeds sales up 15.7% on last year

Data from owner Landsec, shows shopping sales at Trinity Leeds rose 15.7% year-on-year during April – June this year, as shoppers flocked to new openings including Zara, Clarks and Søstrene Grene. Footfall at the centre also recorded a healthy increase of 4.7% year-on-year during the three months, signalling a wider return to in-store shopping. The…

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Accu helps student engineers to achieve lift off!

Precision engineering component distributor Accu, based in Huddersfield, has demonstrated its commitment to STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) by sponsoring three successful student teams, in the Race2Space Rocketry competition, a national propulsion competition and education initiative designed to boost the UK space sector. As part of its sponsorship, Accu provided £1,550 worth of high-quality…

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Sky Lounge Leeds shines in new collaboration with local film school

Valor Hospitality joins forces with leading multimedia school to support arts education Film students in Leeds have been given exclusive access to produce a new film showcasing the city’s highest rooftop bar – Sky Lounge at DoubleTree by Hilton – in a brand new partnership between MetFilm School Leeds and Valor Hospitality. The new film,…

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‘Intense competition’ for UK power connections creating uncertainty despite growing infrastructure opportunities

Turner & Townsend is advising clients to focus attention on navigating the impacts of a lengthening ‘connection queue’, as electricity grid reform and investment simultaneously create infrastructure demand and market uncertainty. The global professional services company’s Summer 2025 UK Construction Market Intelligence report (UKMI) predicts infrastructure tender values will rise at a faster pace than…

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Chadwick Lawrence becomes Huddersfield Town Football Club’s official legal partner

Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has been named as Huddersfield Town Football Club’s official legal partner, continuing the firm’s long-standing partnership with the club and its community. As the club’s trusted legal representative on all commercial matters, the firm recently negotiated its biggest-ever sponsorship agreement – a five-year exclusive naming rights deal for the Club’s home ground,…

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AAB appoints former EY Partner as new Head of Tax

Leading professional services firm AAB, has announced the appointment of Mark Lappin as Head of Tax, reinforcing the firm’s ambition to deliver market-leading tax services across the UK and globally. Based in London, Mark brings more than 25 years of experience in tax advisory and commercial leadership, including senior roles at EY, where he led…

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Summer delights arrive at Trinity Kitchen

Trinity Kitchen has turned up the heat this summer with a sizzling new street food lineup. From fragrant Egyptian koshary and Ireland’s popular Spice Bags, to the return of the deep-fried Italian lasagna, a global feast awaits! Guests can tuck into delights from around the world including three exciting newcomers –  Masri, Dirty Bags, I…

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Vanilla joins new retailers at White Rose

Women’s fashion brand Vanilla has today opened its doors at White Rose Shopping Centre, the latest addition to the centre’s impressive mix of brands. Offering both its Pink Vanilla and Blue Vanilla collections with a wide range of options for shoppers of all ages, including clothing, footwear, and accessories, the new store can be found…

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Chadwick Lawrence marks fifth year sponsoring local charity tag rugby event at Headingley Stadium

Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has sponsored its fifth annual tag rugby event for charity Aspire Community Benefit Society at Headingley Stadium in partnership with Leeds Rhinos Foundation. The firm has a longstanding relationship with Aspire, a charity which provides high-quality care and support services for people with learning disabilities in Leeds. The event, which…

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Runaway trains, bumper cars, and free family activities: Family Festival of Fun arrives at White Rose

White Rose Shopping Centre is kicking off a calendar of fun this month with the return of its Kids’ Carnival from 25th July, as well as free family craft and play sessions throughout the summer holidays. Open from 11am – 9pm daily from 25th July to 7th September, the Kids’ Carnival invites guests to enjoy…

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Community leader Dennis Robbins recognised with honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University

Dennis Robbins received his award for his outstanding service to the city. The award celebrates Dennis’ exceptional and inspiring leadership of The Hunslet Club, one of the UK’s largest and longest-standing youth organisations, along with his lifelong commitment to helping young people reach their potential. Dennis first joined The Hunslet Club as a member in…

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Tom Riordan CBE receives honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University

Tom Riordan CBE is being recognised for his service to the city. In his career to date, Tom has spent almost 30 years working in senior public sector roles in Leeds – first at Yorkshire Forward and then as chief executive of Leeds City Council for 14 years to 2024. His most recent role as…

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AAB invests in talent as three rise to partner level

Leading professional services firm, AAB, has made a significant investment in its talent development strategy with the promotion of three employees to partner level and a further 134 promotions across the team of 1,000 people. This move reflects the company’s commitment to recognising and elevating talent from within, fostering a culture of growth and excellence….

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Accu strengthens commitment to STEM with team success in robotics competition

Accu, the precision engineering component distributor, based in Huddersfield, is celebrating the success of two of the student teams it sponsors at the FIRST Tech Challenge UK national championships held recently, as part of its commitment to STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics). Accu’s sponsored team ‘Powercut Robotics’ from Langley Park School in Bromley won…

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Leeds School Uniform Exchange launches first-ever pop-up shop at the Merrion Centre

The Merrion Centre in Leeds will host the first-ever city centre pop-up shop for the Leeds School Uniform Exchange (a campaign run by Wear and Share Leeds) this August – providing free, good-quality school uniforms to families across the city during one of the most financially challenging times of the year. The initiative, which promotes…

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Yorkshire and London creative firms join forces to provide content marketing service

A business partnership between Artus, a Yorkshire copywriting business and Visualise, a London graphic design firm, that began online during Covid, has developed into a formal collaboration designed to serve the needs of small businesses. Artus and Visualise have joined forces to launch a comprehensive, multi-channel approach to content marketing. Bringing together over thirty years’ combined expertise, the Visualise x Artus…

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TPE customers set to be kept on the move during major TRU work thanks to upgraded Huddersfield diversionary route

TransPennine Express (TPE) will increase the number of services on a key diversionary route between Manchester and Leeds to three trains per hour from last weekend, keeping passengers moving while the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) continues to transform the railway. The uplift in services on the Calder Valley route, between Manchester Victoria and Mirfield via…

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Vacant offices at Vicarage Chambers, Leeds

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Fourth consecutive Microsoft MVP Award for Principal Consultant Jamie Taylor

RJJ Software is delighted to announce that Jamie Taylor, Principal Consultant and founder, has been awarded Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) status for Developer Technologies for the fourth consecutive year. This prestigious recognition, held by fewer than 3,000 individuals worldwide, acknowledges Jamie’s exceptional contributions to the global development community and his continued commitment to advancing…

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Why human-led telemarketing still matters in a digital-first world

In the age of AI-generated content, algorithmic outreach, and automated customer journeys, it’s tempting to see the humble phone call as a relic. But what if the very thing modern marketers are contemplating leaving behind is the one thing that helps them stand out and succeed? While digital tools, from PPC ads to automation and email…

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Accu leads fundraising mission for Huddersfield charity The Kirkwood

A group of employees from Accu, an engineering component distributor in Huddersfield, have gone the extra mile in support of The Kirkwood charity by taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Eighteen team members hiked up and down the Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough mountains – a 24-mile round trip, including 1,585m of ascent, raising…

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Accu secures stadium naming rights in landmark partnership

Accu becomes Official Stadium Partner for the next five seasons. Growing local business to take over the naming rights from John Smith’s. Comments from Accu Managing Director, Alastair Morris and Town’s Chief Revenue Officer Paul Reeves. Huddersfield Town is proud to announce a historic and significant partnership with Accu, a Huddersfield-born e-commerce business, named after…

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Leeds College of Building competes at ‘The Big Construction Diversity Challenge’

A team of Leeds College of Building (LCB) staff have competed in ‘The Big Construction Diversity Challenge’ for the first time. The annual event, held at Newark Showground, promotes the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion in the construction industry today. Twenty teams participated, including prominent industry names such as Axis CLC, Worcester Bosch and…

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AAB announces new investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives

Leading professional services firm, AAB, today announced that Goldman Sachs Alternatives has agreed a deal to acquire the firm from August Equity, subject to regulatory approvals. The transition marks a significant milestone for AAB, reinforcing the firm’s trajectory of sustained growth while ensuring continuity for clients and further strengthening its reputation in the professional services…

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Leeds College of Building launches aspirational new branding and website

Leeds College of Building (LCB) has marked its 65th anniversary in education with refreshed branding and a new website. The rebrand launch follows 18 months of work with branding agency Born Communication to help find a way to better reflect a modern and inclusive construction industry workforce. The project involved months of planning and research, as well…

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New research-informed podcast series launched to help boost SME productivity

A new joint podcast series from Leeds Beckett University (LBU) and business support experts Exemplas is bringing research-led insights to business owners and policy makers – offering practical, real-world advice on how to drive productivity and sustainable growth. The six-part series of bite-sized, accessible episodes are focussed on what really makes a difference when it…

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TPE adds more services to support national Armed Forces celebrations in Cleethorpes this weekend

TransPennine Express (TPE) will be running extra services and providing more seats this weekend to support customers travelling to Cleethorpes for Armed Forces Day. The popular three-day event, recently chosen as the national celebration, will take place from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June and is expected to draw large crowds to the coastal town,…

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Leeds College of Building Principal attends Construction Skills Mission Board at Westminster

Senior leaders from across construction and Government Ministers will launch the construction sector skills mission this week, to ensure the sector has the workforce it needs to deliver. The Construction Skills Mission Board will meet today, 26 June, to set a strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 workers a year by the end of the…

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Chadwick Lawrence awards four new training contracts

Leading Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has awarded training contracts to four candidates, as it continues to champion future legal talent from the local area.   Christian Licerdale has been awarded an 18-month training contract at Chadwick Lawrence working across the firm’s corporate and commercial and litigation departments. Christian studied for both his LLB law…

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Turner & Townsend’s charitable fund marks £1m in donations and two new partnerships

Turner & Townsend, the global professional services company, has announced its international Making the Difference Fund is partnering with Railway Children and Build Change. This further expands the global impact of the fund as it celebrates over £1m in donations from the business. Launched in 2023, the Making the Difference Fund complements Turner & Townsend’s…

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GSAL Principal wins national Headteacher of the Year award

The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) is delighted to announce that Principal, Sue Woodroofe, has been named Headteacher of the Year (Independent) at the Tes Schools Awards 2025. The awards ceremony, which took place in London on Friday 20 June, celebrates the very best in education across the UK’s state and independent sectors. Known as…

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Meet the Leeds marketer supporting medical aesthetics clinics with SEO

Leeds-based digital marketing specialist Jane Nriapia has officially launched BoutiqueSEO, a search marketing agency dedicated to helping medical aesthetics clinics grow their online visibility, attract patients, and thrive in a competitive industry. With over 16 years of experience in digital marketing and four years working directly inside aesthetics clinics and training academies, Jane brings a…

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