First tri-mode long distance trains for the East Coast main line
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is pleased to confirm that CAF has been named as the successful bidder to deliver a fleet of 10 new tri-mode trains for LNER. Porterbrook has been chosen as the financier of the new fleet. The trains will be able to operate in electric, battery or diesel mode. Benefits of…
New RFID and AI technology set to revolutionise performance of West Yorkshire greetings card company
A team of academic experts from Leeds Beckett University are driving innovation and boosting productivity in the region – by supporting the development of new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with Wakefield-based Riverside Greetings, a leading supplier of greeting card solutions. By embedding the new technology, the team are set to…
Great news for Yorkshire: More services & longer trains
LNER is meeting an increase in demand from leisure travellers by adding more services and thousands more seats on trains between Yorkshire and London every Sunday. Sundays are now one of the most popular days for journeys with 30 per cent more customers travelling across the 956-mile LNER network than in 2019. To support the…
West Yorkshire Colleges secure funding to accelerate digital innovation in education
West Yorkshire Colleges, including Leeds College of Building, have been successful in securing £6.9 million from the Department for Education to digitise teaching and learning in key sectors. The funding is part of the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) and will launch a West Yorkshire digital innovation project led by colleges. The project will support colleges…
Leeds Beckett University lecture to highlight shadowy lawsuit used to silence whistleblowers
A Leeds Beckett University academic is set to shine a light on the shadowy litigation used by the wealthy and powerful to silence journalists and whistleblowers. Visiting Fellow, Professor Ursula Smartt, will outline how strategic lawsuits against public participation, or Slapps, are used to prevent the reporting of matters of public interest in a guest…
Leeds College of Building Construction Taster Promotes Lifelong Learning
Energy and regeneration specialist Equans held an interactive trades taster day at Leeds College of Building to promote exciting and varied construction careers. Hosted at the College’s South Bank Campus, the event aimed to inspire young people and adults currently unemployed, looking to upskill, or considering changing to a career in construction. Four interactive sessions gave the…
TEDx Leeds Beckett University hosts ‘Our Changing World’ on Wednesday 22 November
The questions posed by an ever-evolving world will be answered through a series of talks at the TEDx Leeds Beckett University event. Four speakers from the university are set to deliver impactful talks centred around the theme of ‘Our Changing World’ on Wednesday 22 November from 15.00 at The Theatre, Leeds School of Arts on…
The Harris Partnership strengthens management team with key promotions
The Harris Partnership has announced a series of senior promotions as the leading architectural practice continues its growth. In recognition of their ongoing valuable contribution to the business, Iain Church, Ian Perrell, Russell O’Donoghue and Sarah Charlesworth are now Directors of parent company The Harris Group. Other key figures across the group have also been…
Introducing the Style Hatchery Summit, a Breakthrough for the Children’s Industry
Save the date for the forthcoming Style Hatchery Summit on the 2nd of February 2024, based in Leeds. It will be the first of its kind in the UK, providing a supportive platform, showcasing the best of children’s lifestyle brands, and influential keynote speakers. It will welcome a curated assembly of the best professionals from…
Building College Students Celebrated at Annual BIG Awards
The hard work and achievements of Leeds College of Building students were celebrated at the annual BIG (Building Industry Greats) Awards. Incredible winners from across construction specialisms were selected for their academic achievements, going the “extra mile,” overcoming adversity, and excelling in studies or national competitions.Leeds College of Building CEO & Principal Nikki Davis welcomed guests to…
New Leeds campus opens to support vulnerable young people across West Yorkshire
A multi million pound purpose-built campus has opened in Leeds to support the most vulnerable learners in West Yorkshire. The Vine, in Burmantofts, has been purpose-built – amidst a national shortage of such specialist provision – to meet the needs of young adult students with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). Run by Leeds City…
Leeds Beckett and Coltraco collaborate to develop a novel low-cost building airtightness testing tool
Building performance experts at Leeds Beckett University have teamed up with world-leading technology manufacturers, Coltraco Ultrasonics, to develop their Portascanner® Airtight, a novel rapid low-cost ultrasonic device which can be used to quickly assess and quantify the airtightness performance of a building. The Portascanner® Airtight is a handheld tool which uses ultrasound to detect and…
Barratt Developments – trading environment remains tough
Barratt Developments, one of the UK’s largest housebuilders, has released an AGM trading update for the period from 1 July to 8 October: · Trading environment remains difficult · Forward sales significantly down on last year at 9,221 homes (2022: 13,314 homes) · Barratt continues to target total home completions of 13,250 to 14,250 in FY24 Charlie Huggins, Manager of…
Roofing Apprentices Return from Vocational Trip of a Lifetime
Two Leeds College of Building students have returned from an incredible experience after gaining places on an all-expenses-paid trip to northern Spain for three days. The Roof Slating and Tiling apprentices travelled to the famous CUPA PIZARRAS quarries in Ponferrada to see first-hand where slate is excavated and manufactured for international distribution. The quarries are the largest…
Merrion Centre’s Daytime Security Team Recognised with Coveted BACIL Award
October 11 2023 – The Merrion Centre is proud to announce its remarkable security team has been honoured with the prestigious “Best Daytime Shopping Centre Security” award at the recent Business Against Crime in Leeds (BACIL) awards. The recognition was bestowed upon the Merrion Centre at a glittering ceremony held at the Faversham in Leeds, where…
Leeds Beckett University research shows success of Community Champions programme in tackling health inequalities in Leeds
A volunteer-led programme established in response to Covid-19 is helping to reduce health inequalities in Leeds – and could offer a way to grow inclusive volunteering in the city. New research from Leeds Beckett University has highlighted the strengths of the Leeds Community Champions programme, which uses informal volunteer networks to engage diverse communities. During…
City of Doncaster Mayor visits £525 million development site
Wilton Developments welcomed City of Doncaster Mayor, Ros Jones, to Doncaster North to showcase the site, which includes the UK’s largest consented industrial building adjacent to junction 6 of the M18. With Reserved Matters (detailed) planning consent for the first 2.26million sq. ft. of development, including permission for a 1.15million sq. ft. unit, it places…
Celebrating Bradford event brings local businesses together to highlight city’s economic development
Celebrating Bradford will take place on Wednesday (18th October) at The Madisson bringing together the great and good of West Yorkshire to celebrate the remarkable progress made in the business landscape of Bradford. Named as the City of Culture for 2025, Celebrating Bradford will welcome key business figures, civic dignitaries, senior council officers, Members of Parliament…
Introducing Chris Siegel: New Business Centre Manager at Inigo Leeds.
Introducing Chris Siegel: The New Business Centre Manager at Inigo Leeds Inigo Business Centres, a nationwide provider of serviced office solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Siegel as their new Business Centre Manager. Hailing from the vibrant city of Leeds, Chris brings with him a wealth of experience from the print industry,…
Former Plumbing Apprentice Battles for National Screwfix Title
A plumber who trained as an apprentice at Leeds College of Building has reached the national final of Screwfix’s Top Tradesperson 2023. Michael Goodall, who owns iPlumb Leeds Ltd in Morley, Leeds, is one of the top 10 UK tradespeople in with a chance of being crowned the coveted title and winning a £20,000 trade…
Construction activity Yorkshire and Humber region
The third quarter of built environment consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall’s Tender Price Forecast report explores the local effects of the wider national economic situation on construction activity, by focusing on regional perspectives and regional effects across the country. (The full report is here). Commenting on the regional activity, Matt Summerhill, Managing Partner for RLB Yorkshire,…
SES Renews Leeds College of Building as Apprenticeship Training Provider
A renewed partnership with SES Engineering Services (SES) is bringing 20 new apprentices to Leeds College of Building this September. SES selected the College to deliver a Level 3 Electrical apprenticeship to 11 employees and a Level 3 Building Services apprenticeship to another nine. Part of Wates Group, SES is recognised as one of the…
Huge demand for Accountancy Apprenticeships
APPRENTICESHIP INTAKES ALREADY FULL FOR 2023 AT FIRST INTUITION YORKSHIRE – REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR THE JANUARY 2024 INTAKE NOW TO AVOID DELAY AND DISAPPOINTMENT! September inductions are now taking place and we expect both the Leeds and Sheffield Centres to be bustling with activity and full of new students this week. Due to a…
BUTTERCRUMBLE – LEEDS DIGITAL FESTIVAL 2023
Led by young female entrepreneurs, two Leeds businesses, Audience and Buttercrumble, are hosting an interactive content creation workshop aimed at unleashing your creative genius in an inspiring and engaging session at Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham, on 19 September. Leeds Digital Festival 2023 is welcoming businesses across West Yorkshire to collaborate in celebration of digital culture –…
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR LNER’S CUSTOMER AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND
We’re encouraging charities, organisations and communities across LNER’s 956-mile route to apply for the latest round of funding from our Customer and Community Investment Fund (CCIF). The Fund aims to make a difference to people’s lives, supporting projects that focus on mental health, education and employability skills among marginalised groups, diversity and inclusion and…
Will it be a hattrick for local cyber security consultancy hosting Leeds Digital Festival events again for the third time.
Cyber Security Partners (CSP) are a consultancy that works with any business no matter size or industry to improve their cyber security posture and defences against potential cyber threats. CSP have been hosting numerous events with Leeds Digital Festival across four years but in 2021 they launched their very popular event ‘Who Dun It’…
Leeds Beckett University announces new Chair of the Board of Governors
Leeds Beckett University has appointed experienced financial services leader Iain Cornish as its new Chair. Iain has more than thirty years’ experience of working in senior positions in financial services, including steering Yorkshire Building Society through the global financial crisis. He is currently Chair of Leeds Building Society and is also Treasurer of Macmillan Cancer…
Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 awards – nominations open for businesses in Yorkshire
26th edition of the awards recognises the fastest growing technology companies in the UK Companies from across Yorkshire are invited to enter Deloitte’s 26th annual Technology Fast 50 awards which is open for nominations until Friday 1 September. The awards rank and recognise the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK, based on…
Leeds College of Building Celebrates First University Centre Graduates
The first students to complete a degree-level apprenticeship at Leeds College of Building University Centre (UC) have graduated. The class of seven BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering Site Management degree apprentices employed by BAM attended the graduation ceremony at validating institution, Leeds Beckett University. Working in partnership with the university and the Institution of…
Leeds Beckett University leads new NHS research project to investigate the use of health inequalities funding
Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with the NHS Confederation, Clarity and the Care Quality Commission to understand how Integrated Care Systems (ICS) nationwide have made use of funding targeted to address health inequalities. The new research project – led by Professor Mark Gamsu and Professor Anne-Marie Bagnall at Leeds Beckett University – has been spearheaded by the NHS…
York Station Gateway Project
As part of plans to create a new and improved gateway to York City, there will be some changes to the York Station long-stay car park. From 31 July, sections of the long-stay car park will be closed, resulting in 126 fewer parking spaces. There’s no change to the location of the long-stay car park…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Accountancy Apprenticeships on the rise at First Intuition
First Intuition see an increase in mid-year sign-ups for accountancy apprenticeships Historically June’s apprenticeship intake has always been the quietest. However, at First Intuition we are seeing that trend shift. We believe the reason for the increase in mid-year sign ups is employers are actively becoming more flexible in the way they manage their hiring…
Informing, Including and Inspiring the next digital generation
The city of Leeds has the fastest scaleup growth in the north of England, with its digital sector employing more than 100,000 people and contributing £6.5 billion to the City Region economy. We know that Leeds is a thriving digital hub, and we want to continue to spread the word about digital in Leeds and…
Leeds Beckett University climbs 40 places to be ranked 66th in the Complete University Guide
Leeds Beckett University has climbed 40 places in the 2024 Complete University Guide, showing the biggest increase of any institution in the national table. Based on the new 2024 table, Leeds Beckett is now fifth of the ten Yorkshire universities listed – up from ninth in 2023 This is the fourth consecutive year Leeds Beckett…
New research project to create outdoor events industry career guides
Academics at Leeds Beckett University are developing a set of new career guides for people looking to enter – and progress careers in – the outdoor events industry. The outdoor events industry covers a wide range of events including music festivals, agricultural fairs, recreation and leisure events, and some corporate events. The range of jobs…
Heating homes using infrared systems – new research to inform Government’s Net Zero mission
Energy experts at Leeds Beckett University are leading a new project to investigate the benefits of using infrared heating systems in homes. The research will inform the UK Government in their mission to achieve Net Zero by 2050. The research will gather wider data on the effectiveness of different types of infrared heating, to…
A distinct welcome to Leeds
LeedsBID is providing a distinct welcome for those people coming into Leeds, focusing on the importance of the visitor experience. As Leeds hosts the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) this week, the BID (Business Improvement District) is ensuring that visitors, including the 6,000 delegates in town for the conference, receive a warm…