YBS Commercial grows balance sheet to more than £2bn in 2024, lending close to £500 million to commercial investors and landlords
YBS Commercial Mortgages, the commercial lending arm of Yorkshire Building Society, has revealed it had another strong year in 2024, as commitment to broker relationships and personalised service catalysed the growth of its balance sheet to £2.2bn. The commercial lender completed £0.453bn of commercial mortgage loans during the year; £377m of which went into servicing…
Yorkshire & Humber Construction Market poised for growth, driven by private housing boom
The latest Construction Market Intelligence (CMI Q1 2025) report from Yorkshire & Humber-based construction and property management consultant, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) forecasts a positive outlook for the region’s construction sector, with private housing emerging as the fastest-growing sector. Key Regional Developments Regional market sentiment remains generally optimistic, with significant development activity across the region’s larger…
New chapter for historic Leeds Library with opening of £2.3m extension
The Leeds Library turns the page on a new chapter in April with the unveiling of a new extension. In an investment totalling £2.3million, the library has extended its historic home on Commercial Street and created new facilities including an event space for education and community activities, a rooftop reading terrace, more space for books…
New Boots Opticians store with innovative eye scan technology opens in Trinity Leeds
A new stand-alone Boots Opticians store has opened in Trinity Leeds offering optomap® as part of its Ultimate Eye Test, which could help to detect signs of serious health conditions including diabetes and hypertension. The store, which is located on the ground floor of Trinity Leeds, provides an inspiring and inviting shopping experience for customers…
Oscrete’s new testing facility helps reduce carbon footprint
Bradford-based concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete has doubled its customer trials following investment in its expanded and upgraded laboratory. Oscrete’s enhanced, secure laboratory with dedicated office, tests admixtures to evaluate and optimise their effects on concrete’s properties. The new, advanced 100m² lab is a full concrete testing facility, in use up to six days a week….
Leeds Manufacturing Festival launches 2025 programme with need for ‘generational shift’ topping the agenda
The shortage of new talent that continues to hamper growth in the manufacturing and engineering industries is the focus of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival, which returns this month with a packed programme running through to September. The festival, which kicks off this week at a high-profile launch event in the city, is focused on raising…
Chadwick Lawrence invests in local community with sponsorship of five Yorkshire rugby clubs and two Leeds Rhinos players
Leading Yorkshire law firm Chadwick Lawrence has announced the renewal of its longstanding sponsorship of Leeds Rhinos, as it approaches almost 20 years of being the official legal partner to the rugby club. The firm has also committed to supporting five other local rugby clubs for the upcoming season. This season, in addition to sponsoring…
Trinity Leeds and White Rose host Made in Yorkshire initiative, encouraging next generation to reimagine the future of retail
Trinity Leeds and White Rose Shopping Centre have hosted their enterprise challenge, ‘Made in Yorkshire’, with three local schools competing in a ‘Dragons’ Den’-style pitch. Made in Yorkshire is a cross-school competition with students tasked with designing a brand-new community space for the city before going head-to-head and pitching their proposals in the finals. Centred…
Yorkshire garden centre group appoints new board member
The team at a Bradford-headquartered garden centre group with sites in West and North Yorkshire has made a new appointment to its board of directors. Neil Barwise-Carr, former Head of People and Culture at Yorkshire Garden Centres, has been promoted to the position of Director of People and Culture to lead a team of 573…
Brainstorm Club launches fully funded Sales & Marketing alignment programme for West Yorkshire SMEs
New “Align4Growth” initiative offers 4-week transformation programme with 12 months’ support at no cost to qualifying businesses Brainstorm Club, a West Yorkshire-based consultancy specialising in revenue growth strategies, today announced the launch of its fully funded Align4Growth programme. This initiative aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Yorkshire rapidly improve revenue by aligning…
Olympic champion Tessa Sanderson CBE inspires GSAL pupils ahead of International Women’s Day
Pupils at The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) were treated to an inspiring visit from Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson CBE on Wednesday 5 March, as the former javelin thrower shared her journey to sporting success ahead of International Women’s Day. Tessa, who made history as the first black British woman to win an Olympic…
Regional legal powerhouse to launch April 2025
Two of Lincolnshire’s and Yorkshire’s leading law firms have announced they are to merge on 1 April 2025. Wilkin Chapman LLP and Rollits LLP will merge under the trading name of Wilkin Chapman Rollits. The new firm will have more than 500 people including 70 partners and have a combined annual turnover of £40 million….
Bradford vying for two national student nursing awards
The University of Bradford has been shortlisted in two categories at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2025. Bradford is nominated in the Partnership of the Year category, for its work with New Vision Bradford/Waythrough on overdose awareness and response training and for the Student Placement of The Year: Community award. Natalie Finch, Assistant Professor Mental…
TPE launches TransPennine Kitchen: A First Class feast from coast to coast
First Class TransPennine Express (TPE) customers can now tuck into a tasty new menu while travelling between Liverpool and Newcastle. The new service, TransPennine Kitchen: Coast to Coast combines locally sourced, mouthwatering dishes with exceptional hospitality. Building on the success of TPE’s popular West Coast Kitchen service on its routes between the North West of…
Andrew Jackson advises Woods Tours on purchase of UK’s first electric tour boat
Vessel set for launch this year with Tower of London River Tour Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that it has assisted Woods Tours on its commission of the UK’s first zero emissions tourist vessel, which is set to launch later this year with a 40-minute Tower of London River Tour that will…
Cross Hills based IT Firm celebrates business accolade from Theo Paphitis
Last month Comprendo IT Support & Consultancy, based in Cross Hills, was presented with their Small Business Sunday winner’s certificate by the business and retail entrepreneur, and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo Paphitis. At the Small Business Sunday’s15th anniversary event at the Birmingham ICC, Comprendo’s Sara Haggas accepted the accolade for the business’s winning Instagram post from…
Bradford College wins prestigious national education award
Bradford College has won ‘The Bell Foundation Award for Excellence in ESOL’ category at the 2025 Association of College’s Beacon Awards. The College was the only winner from Yorkshire or Northeast England. The national Beacon awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice in further education colleges and demonstrate the far-reaching impact of colleges on…
Drax RNS: Full year results for the twelve months ended 31 December 2024
Strong operational and financial performance, increasing visibility on long-term outlook Twelve months ended 31 December 2024 2023 Key financial performance measures Adjusted EBITDA(1/2/3) (£ million) 1,064 1,009 Net debt(4) (£ million) 992 1,220 Adjusted basic EPS(1) (pence) 128.4 119.6 Dividend per share (pence) 26.0 23.1 Total financial performance measures Operating profit…
Chadwick Lawrence advises on seven-figure sale of occasion wear label Lavish Alice
Yorkshire-based law firm Chadwick Lawrence has advised on the sale of occasion wear label Lavish Alice, known for its A-list clientele including Gigi Hadid and actress Lindsay Lohan, to womenswear brand Club L London. Chadwick Lawrence has provided trusted legal support to Manchester-based Lavish Alice for over a decade and the Corporate team led by…
Leeds City College achieves NEBOSH Silver Learning Partner status
Leeds City College is proud to announce its recent accreditation as a Silver Learning Partner by the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). Following a rigorous inspection audit in November, this prestigious upgrade from Bronze status highlights the college’s dedication to exceeding NEBOSH’s principles of learning excellence. Why Choose NEBOSH? NEBOSH, a globally…
Bradford professor prepares to launch Space Tech Assembly
Businesses from this region and beyond can partake in ‘astronomical opportunities’ outlined at the forthcoming Space Tech Assembly in March, according to the University of Bradford professor who is set to open the event. The conference, organised by Space Hub Yorkshire, the UK Space Agency-funded regional space cluster, will examine how space tech is evolving…
Bulls bringing the hits to West Yorkshire
Bradford Bulls are excited to announce the renewal of their partnership with Hits Radio West Yorkshire, a relationship that continues to strengthen the club’s connection with fans and the wider community. As part of this collaboration, Hits Radio West Yorkshire will remain a key partner, supporting the Bulls to connect with existing and new fans. Hits Radio…
Weidmann support upgrade to local children’s playground
Weidmann UK is thrilled to support its local community by contributing vital funds to the Parish Council. As a major employer in the region, Weidmann was approached to provide financial support to upgrade and improve the local children’s playground that had fallen into disrepair. The donation will contribute towards replacing outdated and worn-out surfaces with…
Bradford seals £1m funding for 6G research projects
The University of Bradford has been awarded £1 million from the European Union’s Horizon Innovation Action programme to lead pioneering research into the socio-economic and sustainability impacts of disruptive technologies, including 6G networks and edge computing. Secured by a team of researchers at the University’s School of Management, the funding supports three ambitious projects—COP-PILOT, 6G-VERSUS,…
Reopened Huddersfield garden centre donates plants to local school
The team at a Huddersfield garden centre celebrated the reopening of its site by donating plants to a local primary school. Yorkshire Garden Centres acquired the former Dobbies Garden Centre Pennine at Shelley and has renamed it Pennine Garden Centre in line with its growing family of centres at Tong, Tingley, Otley, Bingley, York and…
Azets UK announces new director in Yorkshire amid raft of promotions
International business advisory group Azets has announced 11 promotions across its three offices in Yorkshire. Edward Cliff (Audit & Assurance, York) has been promoted to Director while, also in the York office, Bethan Hughes has been appointed Senior Manager, Adam Wingrove Manager and Rutendo Chikukwa Assistant Manager. Also in York, Ashley Greaves and Benjamin Jones…
Broadcaster fondly remembers Bradford student days
A news and sports broadcaster who has retired after more than 40 years says his time as a student at the University of Bradford stood him in good stead throughout his career. Nick Powell, who studied BA Modern Languages, German and Russian at the University of Bradford between 1977 and 1981, has retired following a…
Yorkshire garden centre group is shortlisted for a national people and culture award
The team at a Bradford-headquartered garden centre group is celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national HR award. Yorkshire Garden Centres Group has reached the final in the People Team of the Year (500 – 1,000 employees) at the British HR Awards which celebrate organisations and individuals that are driven by delivering a world-class…
Final days of Doggerland interactive map and animation
AI will help us find ‘goldilocks’ zone for human life Archaeologists from the University of Bradford have created an interactive simulation tool to chart the evolution (and demise) of Doggerland – the Ice Age landmass that once connected the UK to mainland Europe. It is part of a project known as Unpath’d Waters, funded by…
AI-powered eye surgery could mean the end for glasses post cataract surgery
CustomLensAi invited to join prestigious Microsoft for Startups Hub A revolutionary approach that uses AI to help improve cataract surgery outcomes could mean the majority of post-op patients no longer need glasses. A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between visual computing experts at the University’s of Bradford’s School of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Electronics (CSAIE)…
Topps Tiles partners with colleges to tackle national skills shortage
A new education partnership designed to boost the number of qualified tilers in the UK has been launched by Topps Tiles. The UK’s number one tile specialist is teaming up with Leeds College of Building and South & City College Birmingham to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The partnership comes in response to…
Driving sustainability in business: Docuflow receives GreenMark Certification
Docuflow Ltd., a leading provider of workplace solutions and digital transformation services, is delighted to announce its recent accreditation with the prestigious GreenMark Certification. This recognition highlights the company’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to set the standard in corporate social responsibility. Docuflow achieved a…
One year on – Our AA fleet celebrates HVO truck trial progress
As part of our award-winning, innovative “test and scale” approach to fleet decarbonisation, we have expanded our trial of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) from three to 15 vehicles. This allows us to further evaluate the viability of this alternative fuel in dealing with roadside recovery demands in real-world settings. If this trial extension proves successful,…
Bradford College and Metalcraft Group confirm transformative engineering partnership
The opening of an industry-standard engineering suite at Bradford College’s Trinity Green Campus has brought students one step closer to their dream job in the industry. The brand new engineering facility is the result of a collaboration between Bradford-based metal fabrication and engineering company Metalcraft Group and Bradford College. The partnership means T Level Engineering students…
Bradford District and Craven Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Movement
Yorkshire Building Society and TL Dallas are among the first businesses to join the Workplace Wellbeing Movement, a programme for businesses led by Bradford District and Craven Mind. Bradford District and Craven Mind (BDC Mind) are a local mental health charity that support people of all ages with their mental health and wellbeing. They also…
Burns unit visit part of 56for56 appeal
Firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) visited the University of Bradford-based Burns Unit after crews launched a £56,000 fundraising appeal to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire. Proceeds raised for the 56for56 appeal, organised by the firefighters based at Bradford Fire Station, will go towards the Plastic Surgery and…
Property regeneration and development consultancy AspinallVerdi almost doubles the size of head office in Leeds by relocating to 31 The Calls
Independent property regeneration and development consultancy AspinallVerdi has relocated to almost double the size of its head office in Leeds following growth in staff numbers and rising demand for its services from an increasing number of clients. The market-leading consultancy has moved from its 975 sq ft location at Studio 7 46 The Calls in…
Concrete technician nominated in national emerging talent award
A Bradford concrete technician has been shortlisted in a national industry awards scheme after making a positive contribution to the sector. Oscrete employee, Keiron Todd (25), made the top 10 national nominations for the concrete industry’s Emerging Talent Awards which recognise and reward the achievements and efforts of those in the early stage of their…
Bradford City AFC crowned Apprenticeship Games 2025 champions
Bradford City AFC has been crowned winner of the third annual Bradford College Apprenticeship Games, marking National Apprenticeship Week (10th – 16th February). In partnership with CBRE, the action-packed event brings together teams of apprentices and their employers for a day of fun, themed challenges. Each squad competes for the coveted Apprenticeship Games title, while also celebrating the positive…
First Bus and Money First Aid strengthen partnership to support employee financial wellbeing
First Bus expands innovative financial wellbeing training to 300 employees following successful pilot programme with Money First Aid First Bus, one of the UK’s largest bus operators, has announced the introduction of Money First Aid training for 300 key members of staff, including all mental health first aiders, wellbeing champions, and managers. This decision follows…
Bradford Literature Festival’s Syima Aslam announced as member of new creative industries taskforce
A new taskforce, led by Baroness Shriti Vadera and Sir Peter Bazalgette, will help deliver a plan to grow the creative industries. CEO and Artistic Director of the Bradford Literature Festival, Syima Aslam, was announced as one of the members of the taskforce. Leaders of organisations including Creative UK, the British Fashion Council and the…
Bradford Literature Festival receives Culture Award at Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards
Bradford Literature Festival is proud to have been recognised with the Culture Award at the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards. The honour celebrates those who have made a significant impact or contribution to the cultural offer across Yorkshire. During its 10th anniversary year, Bradford Literature Festival delivered an acclaimed international programme with record-breaking footfall. BLF is one…
Community projects to benefit from University-backed fund
Community projects will benefit from a £800,000 fund, part of a project which includes the University of Bradford. The Communities Innovating Yorkshire Fund (CIYF) has launched as part of the Yorkshire and Humber Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP). Under CIYF, chosen community organisation projects from across Yorkshire and Humber will receive individual awards of up to…
DWF announces 29 promotions in Leeds
DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has announced 29 promotions in its Leeds office. Located at Bridgewater Place in the city centre, the global legal business has promoted, professional indemnity partner Matthew Reynolds to a more senior level in the partnership this year, and Ian Cooper has been promoted to partner…
Creative adventures await this half term at White Rose
White Rose Shopping Centre is inviting young artists to join free craft sessions this half term, from Monday 17th until Friday 21st February. Fun for the whole family, the sessions will be held from 11am – 4pm each day in White Rose’s Central Atrium, near the escalators leading to The Balcony and The Village. Guests…
AscellaHealth adopts Virtual Bid Team to unite global teams
AscellaHealth, a global partner delivering customisable solutions to support the specialty pharmaceutical industry, has adopted Virtual Bid Team (VBT) to transform how their teams manage, find, and repurpose bid content. The partnership aligns with AscellaHealth’s integration of operations following their recent acquisition of CHAPPER healthcare in the UK. VBT facilitates seamless collaboration and enables the…
Leeds Beckett and ARC creating ‘digital golden thread’ for building safety
Digital construction experts at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are teaming up with Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions to create an innovative new ‘digital golden thread’ to proactively address key recommendations for the construction sector – following the Grenfell tragedy – to ensure that fire prevention products are correctly installed by sub-contractors and developers on building sites….
York Gin stars on national TV
York Gin has played a starring role on ITV this weekend. Their Mad Alice Bloody Orange gin appeared on Alan Titchmarsh’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ on Sunday morning (9th February). Culinary expert Jonathan Phang used York Gin’s blood orange gin to make a Breakfast Martini cocktail as part of the ‘Best of British’ slot. Jonathan described…