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Newark & Sherwood - a great place to do Business
Newark and Sherwood has much to be proud of: captivating history, beautiful countryside, worldrenowned businesses and an ideal location at the crossroads of the country’s transportation network. Situated at the intersection of the A1, M1, A46 and East Coast Mainline, and within a 1-hour 15-minute train ride from London, the district is a fantastic place to locate your business.
Newark and Sherwood is ambitious, forward thinking and has a growth agenda. The District Council (NSDC) is passionate about providing the best service possible for local businesses and those interested in moving into the area. The dynamic Economic Growth team offers a package of support to help new and established businesses access funding, training, property and data insights. Support includes events from surgeries to workshops and our annual conference. Discretionary rate relief is also available if proposals align with the local community plan.
The district’s town centres boast a strong independent offer and an engaged business community, with Newark Business Club and the local Tourism Action Group championing collaboration and innovation.
The largest town in the area, Newark-on-Trent, is home to 43,000 people. Schemes to the south of Newark, including the Middlebeck development, will add 7,000 new homes and 2 million sq. ft of employment floorspace, along with a southern bypass road and the dualling of the A46 to ease journey times.
Using allocations from the Towns Fund, Levelling Up Funds and UK Shared Prosperity Fund, NSDC has invested in regenerating the district and supporting businesses to grow and thrive. Recent success stories include the Newark Air and Space Institute, a world-class training facility for the air and space industry with curriculums that have been co-designed with industry partners to fill new and developing career pathways.
NSDC work closely with schools, Further and Higher Education providers to ensure that the workforce of the future has the skills required to meet the needs of 21st century businesses. An annual Future First Expo links learners with employers to help them explore employment opportunities.
Other developments include Tritax Park, a logistics park in Phase 2 of its construction. This scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for enterprises to expand and join a growing logistics sector that has doubled in employee numbers in recent years.
Looking forward, regeneration schemes will be taking place in Clipstone and Ollerton to boost local opportunities and aspirations and health, making the district a better place to live, work and visit.
COMPANY NEWS
A look at what’s going on within industry in and around the Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the Humber regions.
Setting a new standard for UK logistics events
Grimsby Businesses enouraged to “Get Ready” for Humber Business Week 2026
Industrial Connections NEL, the highly successful industrial focussed event that debuted in 2025 is back for 2026 with industrial businesses across the region invited to attend.
10. Mind the Spark Gap: Britain Risks Falling Behind in Electric Transition Despite Record Clean Power
11. UK Government Grants Consent to Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm in the Southern North Sea
12. Solar Carports to be installed across East Riding leisure centres
13. Sevadis Case Study: EV Chargers at Stihl HQ
14. CEF RenewablesWe’re all About Renewables
15. Improving Safety in Warehousing and Logistics
16. FastlineYour Partner for Warehouse Safety and Operational Performance
Carbon monoxide advice for East Riding businesses, residents and visitors
Steel signing marks significant progress on Freshney Place development
The Day You Realised You’d Been Deciding Alone
BG Solicitors LLP
Legal Support for Growing Businesses
24. University of Hull and ABP partner to research port safety
25. New London Campus secures capital growth for University
26. An out-of-this-world line-up for ColliderFest 2026
27. University of Hull appoints new Vice-Chancellor
27. Celebrating the local leaders who are strengthening our region
North Lincolnshire charges ahead in race to power Britain’s AI future
Leading lawyer to take the helm of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd
A key organisation at the fore of Grimsby’s defining industries has appointed a new chief executive.
Highly regarded maritime lawyer Andrew Oliver is to take the helm of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd. He will succeed the retiring Martyn Boyers, having served as chairman of the organisation that oversees the fish market and wider dock operations for the past four years.
The group of companies has embraced offshore wind’s emergence over the past two decades, with vital training, vessel maintenance and other quayside facilities now provided through dedicated business units. It sits alongside the traditional fish auction, continuing near-shore landings and direct business-to-business seafood sales and logistics provision that are at the very heart of the town’s famous trade.
Mr Oliver said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge of leading such a diverse organisation, which is etched into the fabric of a great seafaring town.
“Having served as chair for the past four years, it is clear to me how passionate the team are about the role we play in enabling Grimsby to rightly be recognised as Europe’s seafood capital and the pre-eminent UK offshore wind cluster.
“Opportunities abound to maximise the role of
Wilkin
Chapman
Rollits
the first port on the Humber, with our combined expertise across two key sectors.”
The experienced marine, fisheries, environmental and regulatory lawyer will step down as partner with panHumber regional legal firm Andrew Jackson, becoming a consultant to the firm he has been with for the past 37 years.
Managing partner, Mark Pearson-Kendall, said: “Andrew is highly respected and recognised leader in his field and has undoubtedly furthered the expertise and reputation of a firm founded with maritime law at its core, just over 150 years ago.
“This exciting new role clearly fits with his breadth of experience, and he takes it on with our thanks for his unstinting service, which I’m delighted to see will continue with us in a new capacity.”
Mr Boyers’ retirement was announced in late January. His guidance in the transition from pure fishing handling business to a multi-faceted organisation was recognised as he was wished a long, happy and
strengthens
team with ‘highly respected’ new partner
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire’s largest law firm has strengthened its private client division with the appointment of Monika Bone as a partner in its York office.
Monika has joined Wilkin Chapman Rollits as a partner in the wills, estates & tax planning team. She was previously an associate director at SJP Law, also in York.
Originally from the Czech Republic, Monika completed her legal training in Huddersfield before building her career across several Yorkshire firms over the past 15 years, including as a partner at Harrowells.
Monika Bone, partner in the wills, estates & tax planning team at Wilkin Chapman Rollits, said: “This is a significant stage in Wilkin Chapman Rollits’ growth, so it’s a great time to join the firm. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the region, and continuing to provide support and specialist advice to clients to help families and business owners pass on their wealth as they wish, and save on tax where they can.”
Monika brings more than a decade of specialist private client experience, with
particular expertise in agricultural law.
She advises on estate administration, wills and lasting powers of attorney, as well as bespoke succession and tax planning. Her work often involves estates with international elements, digital assets, trust assets, agricultural property and business interests.
healthy retirement by the board and the 40-strong team.
Mr Oliver will remain as chair of regional trade organisation Humber Marine & Renewables, but will step down as chair of GFDE, the umbrella organisation including Grimsby Fish Market (auction and trading arms), Port of Grimsby East, Grimsby Shipyard Services and Offshore Training Centre Grimsby, in the coming weeks, with the board to appoint his successor in due course.
complement to the work we do for clients across the region.”
Monika is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and part of the Law Society’s Private Client Section.
Lucy Butterfint, partner and head of wills, estates & tax planning at Wilkin Chapman Rollits, said: “Monika is a highly respected private client practitioner whose experience will be a real asset to our team. Her depth of knowledge, particularly in complex estates and agricultural succession, is a great
With over 530 partners and staff located across Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth, Hull, York and Beverley, Wilkin Chapman Rollits provides trusted legal and insolvency advice to both private and commercial clients.
As the region’s largest law firm, with national capability, Wilkin Chapman Rollits is uniquely positioned to offer the strength of a big firm with the personal, client-centred approach of a trusted partner.
For more information on Wilkin Chapman Rollits, visit: www.wilkinchapmanrollits.co.uk
Andrew Oliver, chair of Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises Ltd (centre), is to become the new chief executive of the group of companies. He is pictured on the quayside at Port of Grimsby East, with directors, from left, David Flear, Ben Walker, Simon Dwyer, Andrew Allard, Maggie Johnson and Danny Payne.
Humber ports raise £13,000 for local hospices
Associated British Ports’ (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group has donated £13,000 to two hospices in the Humber.
ABP employees chose Dove House Hospice, Hull, and St Andrew’s Hospice, Grimsby as their chosen charities for 2025. Each charity was given £6,500 by the Humber Social Team, which included money raised through food sales and a raffle.
Andrew Dawes, Regional Director for the Humber ports said: “Our colleagues’ generosity never fails to inspire us. The funds raised for our two local hospices reflect the compassion and community spirit that run through our organisation. These charities provide exceptional care to people and families when they need it most, and we’re incredibly proud that our employees have helped support the vital work they do every day.
Both hospices have touched the lives of our employees, hence why they felt it was important to support. Dove House has been caring for people in Hull and East Yorkshire for almost 40 years.
Dove House has been caring for people across Hull and East Yorkshire for almost 40 years — and its impact is felt in thousands of families every year.
Jonny Bottomley, Partnership Development Fundraiser at Dove House Hospice said: “ABP is a powerful example of a responsible company that empowers its staff to raise funds for causes close to their hearts. Dove House would not be able to provide compassionate end-of-life and
life-limiting care to patients, or support their loved ones through the most difficult of times, without the generosity of companies like ABP and the individuals within them who champion our cause and raise the vital funds we need to support our community.”
Like Dove House, St Andrew’s, based in Peaks Lane, in North East Lincolnshire, care and support those affected by life-limiting conditions, or who are coming to end of life.
Natalie Lingard, Charity Fundraising and Events Coordinator, said: “We are so grateful to ABP for this hugely generous donation.
“It costs St Andrew’s Hospice more than £6.5million each year to provide
Major milestone at HELM Immingham for ABP
compassionate care for adults, children and families living with life-limiting illness, which includes respite and end-of-life care, wellbeing groups, bereavement and family support and lymphoedema treatment.
“Of that, we receive just 18% from the NHS. We rely on the generosity of our community to fund the rest, which is why donations like this mean so much.
“Our mission is to make each day count, by enriching the lives of the adults, children and families who use our services. This would not be possible without the support of organisations like ABP, so we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this incredible donation.”
Associated British Ports (ABP), has marked a major milestone at its new HELM at Immingham site, seen as one of the most significant developments of its kind in the region for decades, with a steel signing event.
Over 650 tonnes of structural steel will be installed as part of the ambitious first phase of development at this 227-acre strategic location for 103,000 square feet of modern, purpose-built industrial and logistics space.
ABP, who operate the ports of Grimsby and Immingham as part of the UK’s No.1 gateway for trade on the Humber, are speculatively developing the scheme and retaining it within its property portfolio. The scale and ambition of the full scheme reflect ABP’s confidence in and vision for the Immingham and Grimsby area, which has seen significant government investment coming to the region over the years.
Andrew Dawes, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “This major milestone for the development of these business units is moving at pace, and for Associated British Ports is demonstrating our commitment to UK trade and the regional economy. We are the Humber’s number one gateway for global commerce, and this steel signing ceremony reinforces our position in continually investing and evolving our port facilities.”
The milestone was celebrated on site with representatives from North East Lincolnshire Council and Humber Freeport, who provided the seed funding to bridge the viability gap to enable speculative development to create new industrial space.
Simon Green, Humber Freeport’s CEO, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with ABP and North East Lincolnshire Council to support the Helm Immingham development, which will create high-quality, sustainable industrial space for growing businesses in the energy, ports, manufacturing and engineering sectors.
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council said: “When we created Pioneer Business Park, part of our ambitious South Humber Industrial Investment Plan, several years ago, it was in response to a need for additional space for growing businesses and attract investment and new jobs.
“ABP’s new HELM development will further strengthen the local economy, providing additional quality business units in a much-
desired industrial area close to the Port of Immingham, looking to take advantage of what we have in North East Lincolnshire.”
The location is close to the A180 and the two major Humber estuary ports. The eight units range in size from 4,820 sq. ft. to 26,797 sq. ft. The units will be targeted at small to mediumsized enterprises in energy venture startups, port logistics, engineering, manufacturing and distribution. JLL, Gent Visick and PPH have been selected as agents to market the scheme going forward.
For further information, visit the website https://abports.co.uk/locations/abp-helm/
From L to R St Andrew’s Hospice Natalie Lingard accepts the cheque from Colin Dillon, Francine Horn, and Anna Green. Pictured on the right is Jonny Bottomley, Dove House Hospice receiving the cheque from Donna Storry and Kassy Metcalf.
CBI Deputy Chief Economist to Headline Grimsby Economic Breakfast
As part of the region-wide Humber Business Week celebrations, the Grimsby business community is set to welcome Alpesh Paleja, Deputy Chief Economist from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), as a guest speaker the Grimsby Economic Breakfast Briefing.
Taking place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 at The Grimsby Institute, the free event is hosted by Forrester Boyd, Bridge McFarland, Systematic and The Grimsby Institute. It promises a timely and insightful morning for business owners, leaders and professionals from across the Humber region.
Alpesh Paleja leads the CBI’s Economic Intelligence team, which is responsible for the organisation’s macroeconomic analysis, including its flagship economic forecasts and long-standing business surveys. He regularly advises businesses on economic developments and the outlook for the UK economy, helping leaders interpret data and apply it to real-world decision-making.
The CBI is the UK’s leading business organisation, representing around 170,000 companies across all sectors. It plays a central role in championing British business interests and influencing policy at both national and international levels.
During this year’s Grimsby Economic Breakfast, attendees can expect a deep dive into the UK economic landscape. Alpesh will share the latest intelligence from the CBI, offering practical insight to help business leaders plan, adapt and make informed strategic decisions in a changing economic environment.
The event offers a valuable opportunity to
Yorkshire scoops two national home care awards
hear directly from one of the UK’s leading voices in business economics during one of the most important weeks in the Humber’s business calendar. With places free to attend, early registration is encouraged.
Yorkshire-based care providers have secured two top titles at the Caremark Franchise Awards 2026:
Team Culture Award – Caremark Kirklees
Small Franchise of the Year - Caremark Doncaster
The awards, which recognise offices demonstrating exceptional care standards, strong leadership and a meaningful contribution to the wider Caremark network, were presented at the 2026 Caremark annual conference, where more than 140 offices from the leading home care provider’s network competed across multiple categories.
Team Culture Award: Caremark Kirklees
Caremark Kirklees was crowned winner of the Team Culture Award, taking the national top honour for a home care office that places its people at the heart of everything it does. The office was recognised for its consistent, high-quality support for customers and their families, with Franchise Owners Duncan and Fiona Smith being praised for the strong, positive culture they have built within their service.
Caremark’s Manager of People & Culture, Jon Fuller, said:
“Building on last year’s wins as Franchisee of the Year and Large Franchise of the Year, Caremark Kirklees continues to set the standard for excellence in care and culture. This office exemplifies what can be achieved when a team is nurtured, supported and encouraged to grow. By fostering a positive culture and promoting collaboration and development, they’ve created an environment where individuals can truly thrive. This team embodies
Caremark’s ‘Be the Best – No Compromise’ ethos, delivering initiatives that inspire, motivate and engage their workforce. Their success in staff retention and team engagement reflects the dedication and passion of everyone involved.”
Small Franchise of the Year: Caremark Doncaster
Caremark Doncaster won the Small Franchise of the Year Award, securing the national title for the leading home care business with a turnover of up to £750k per annum. The Doncaster office stood out for its outstanding internal quality ratings and superior performance across care quality, customer service, staff satisfaction and profitability. The award was presented to Franchise Owner, Yomi Eletu.
Commenting on the win, Caremark CEO David Glover said:
“This is a fantastic win for Caremark Doncaster. The office has been trading for nearly four years and has consistently performed exceptionally well, showing incredible year-on-year growth in 2025.
“Yomi and the whole Caremark Doncaster team are committed to constant improvements in quality and are clearly making a real difference to people across South Yorkshire, not only through the quality of care, but through the trust they foster with families.
“With Caremark now delivering around 135,000 hours of care each week across the UK, it’s offices like Caremark Doncaster that set the benchmark for what outstanding care should look like.”
For more information about Caremark and its services, please visit www.caremark.co.uk.
Left-hand picture: (L to R) Caremark CEO David Glover, Caremark Manager of People & Culture Jon Fuller, Caremark Kirklees Franchise Owner Duncan Smith, Caremark Kirklees Franchise Owner Fiona Smith, and Master of Ceremonies at the event Alan Dedicoat. Right-hand picture: (L to R) Caremark CEO David Glover, Caremark Director of Operations Michael Collet, Caremark Director of Training & Compliance Kirsty Jones, Franchise Owner Caremark Doncaster Yomi Eletu, and Master of Ceremonies at the event Alan Dedicoat.
Finbarr Dowling was speaking ahead of the UK’s premier offshore wind gathering, as entries officially open for the Humber Renewables Awards (HRA) and the highly anticipated annual Offshore Wind Connections (OWC) conference.
Dowling, now chair at the Humber Freeport, will be speaking at OWC2026 on Thursday, April 30 in Hull.
He told event organisers Iconic Media Group: “Offshore wind energy is one of the Humber’s modern industrial success stories. The industry has provided thousands of skilled job opportunities to people in our region, with some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms now being operated from and supported by the Humber.
“As Humber Freeport, we’ve seen significant offshore wind investments being made at our tax sites, including the expansion of Siemens Gamesa’s wind turbine blade manufacturing facility at Alexandra Dock in Hull. Able’s plans to establish an offshore wind and renewables hub in Immingham would create a further significant national infrastructure asset not just for the Humber, but for the UK.
“Freeport status provides businesses with the confidence and the incentives to invest in the Humber, contributing to economic growth, job creation and driving new innovation.”
The panels for this year’s OWC at Hull’s Doubletree by Hilton are now starting to take shape.
A particular focus will be resilience, security and innovation themed ‘Why Security, Resilience, Innovation & Digitisation Now Matter to the Offshore Wind supply chain’.
The man behind the construction and growth of Siemens Gamesa’s wind turbine blade manufacturing facility in Hull says the Humber Freeport offers businesses further confidence to invest.
They will assess operational readiness and how businesses act on opportunities. They follow the morning panel discussions and presentations on the national context and policy direction for how offshore wind development is achieved at scale. With a keen appraisal of where the market is heading, this will be set in context for the Humber in particular.
So far, former Siemens Project Director Dowling will be joined by fellow speakers and panellists:
Ajai Ahluwalia, Head of Supply Chain, RenewableUK Vicky Law, Stakeholder Manager, RWE Renewables
Daniel Weil, Managing Director, TICQ Prof Jim Gilbert, Director, Aura & Energy Institute, University of Hull Sheena McGuinness, Partner, RSM UK Tax Didde Bjerglund-Martin, Head of JOSCAR, Hellios Information
Will Apps, Offshore Wind Strategy Director, The Crown Estate
The Humber Renewables Awards dinner is the gala finale held on Thursday, April 30. It celebrates the individuals and companies that are driving the green energy revolution. We are now accepting entries from businesses of all sizes, in the following categories:
● Leader of the Year
● Offshore Wind Company of the Year
● Ports & Logistics Company of the Year
● Renewable Energy Project of the Year
● Small Business of the Year (under 50 employees)
● Large Business of the Year (over 50 employees)
● Innovation of the Year
● Skills and Training Award
● Health & Safety Award
● Apprentice of the Year
● Education Programme of the Year
And this is the link to enter: https://www. humber-renewables.com/categories/
In a strategic move to elevate the profile of the region’s supply chain, Insider Media and its parent company, Iconic Media Group, are delighted to announce a powerful new partnership with member organisation Humber Marine & Renewables to deliver this year’s events.
Andrew Oliver, chair of Humber Marine & Renewables, says: “We are excited to be working with Iconic Media to deliver Offshore Wind Connections and the Humber Renewables Awards. The region’s flagship conference and exhibition has grown with the industry here on the Humber, helping open doors for so many.
We’re proud of the way it has united businesses in the area with international developers, operators and other inward investors, with the awards championing the success stories that have evolved in that time. I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces at the event this year.”
For sponsors and entrants, this collaboration ensures unrivalled exposure. The promotional campaign will include extensive editorial features in print and online, targeted email marketing, and a digital advertising campaign reaching over 500,000 targeted individuals.
Keynote sponsors this year are Orsted and RWE. Support sponsors so far are Associated British Ports (ABP), and DBS Offshore Wind.
Branding partners are RSM UK (drinks reception) and Hull City Council. And sponsors of the Humber Renewables Awards are RWE, Orsted and John Roe Group.
To book tickets and exhibition stands: Visit www.offshorewindconnections.co.uk
To discuss sponsorship opportunities: isobel.reade@iconicmediagroup.co.uk
Setting a new standard for UK logistics events
Multimodal 2026 from 30 June to 2 July at the NEC marks a major step forward for the UK logistics industry. Sitting at the very heart of UK Logistics Week, Multimodal brings together the people, ideas and solutions shaping the future of supply chains, creating a truly joined-up experience that raises the bar for what a logistics event can deliver.
Multimodal will co-locate with Warehouse., Yard. and eDelivery Expo (eDX), spanning adjoining halls. At the same time, The Road Transport Expo (RTX) will run just down the road at NAEC Stoneleigh, and connect to the NEC by free shuttle buses, making UK Logistics Week a national focal point for logistics, transport and infrastructure.
One badge gives you access to all five shows – and it’s free to attend. Registration is available via the Multimodal website or directly at https://bit.ly/4aAhLz7
A bigger, better experience for visitors
For visitors, UK Logistics Week delivers real, tangible value. One registration opens the door to more exhibitors, more innovation and more networking than ever before. From day-to-day operational challenges to high-level strategic decisions, the event offers a broader, more joined-up view of the industry without the
need to attend multiple shows across the year. Make one journey to meet all your logistics needs.
Whether you’re looking to improve efficiency, cut costs, build resilience or future-proof your operations, Multimodal 2026 puts the answers, and the right people, within easy reach.
Why specifically should food and drink businesses attend
For food and drink businesses, supply chain performance is critical. From temperature-controlled transport and just-in-time delivery to customs compliance, sustainability targets and rising cost pressures, logistics is central to protecting margins and maintaining brand reputation.
Multimodal 2026 offers a unique opportunity to meet the logistics providers, ports, carriers, warehouse operators and technology
partners who understand the specific demands of food and drink supply chains. Whether you are importing ingredients, exporting finished goods, managing chilled distribution or navigating new customs frameworks, the event provides direct access to practical solutions and expert advice.
With exhibitors spanning shipping lines, freight forwarders, rail operators, road haulage specialists, warehousing providers and digital platforms, readers can explore smarter routing options, decarbonisation strategies, AI-driven visibility tools and more resilient transport partnerships – all in one place.
For decision-makers in food manufacturing, wholesale, retail and hospitality supply, Multimodal is not just a logistics exhibition – it is a strategic opportunity to strengthen supply chain performance in an increasingly competitive and regulated market.
Conference content that delivers real takeaways
One of Multimodal’s strongest visitor draws is its free-to-attend conference programme. Delivered by industry leaders, major brands, policymakers and the sector’s most influential trade bodies including Logistics UK, UKWA, RFG, CILT, CCF, BIFA and the RHA - the conference pwrogramme is designed to be practical, relevant and actionable.
Topics include Visibility isn’t value: From contracts to continuity: Building legally resilient supply chains in 2026 and Beyond; How AI drives real results in Multimodal Logistics; Delivery Decarbonisation: Turning NetZero ambition into action; Europe’s new customs playbook: compliance, data & decarbonisation in 2026; through to Mental wellbeing in logistics: real voices, real challenges, real change.
Delivered by experts including Chris Ashley, Senior Policy Lead, Road Haulage Association (RHA); Samantha Brocklehurst, Managing Partner, NovaChain; Mark Murray, Founder, Whysup; Nico Collart, Chief Trade Operations & Compliance Officer, Customs Support Group; Nico Urien, Head of Global Trade Advisory (Brussels), Customs Support Group and Caroline Chester, Principal Associate at Shoosmiths.
Visitor registration is open, and free!
Registering early secures access to three packed days of innovation, networking and learning. Registration is available via the Multimodal website or directly at https://bit.ly/4aAhLz7
And the show floor is packed with companies from transport and warehousing solutions to AI, digital platforms and decarbonisation initiatives including MSC, Maersk, Maritime, DP World, Malcolm Logistics, Port of Bristol, Kuehne+Nagel, Norlink, CMA CGM, Davies Turner, DHL, Grimaldi, Forth Ports, VTG Rail, CNS, Ziegler, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, CCL Techlogix, and many more.
Celebrating industry excellence: The Multimodal Awards
The Multimodal Awards 2026 take place on the first evening of the show at the stunning VOX Centre, at the NEC. Recognising excellence across rail, road, air, maritime and freight forwarding, the awards are a highlight of the logistics calendar.
The Modal Awards are open for nominations until 2 April, when finalists will be announced and voting opens. The seven Written Awards are open for entries until 27 April.
The celebration evening kicks off with a pre-drinks reception sponsored by CNS, with the evening host is the inimitable Rory Bremner, bringing his trademark wit and humour to an evening that promises both celebration and connection.
New for 2026: the official after party
The awards night doesn’t end with the presentations! Attendees are invited to the official Multimodal Awards After Party sponsored by ID Logistics, featuring soul sounds from DJ Ian Gill of Vanguard Logistics, plus fun casino tables. The perfect setting to keep conversations flowing and networks growing.
www.multimodal.org.uk
Grimsby Businesses encouraged to “Get Ready” for Humber Business Week 2026
Preparations are gathering pace for Humber Business Week (HBW) 2026, with businesses across the region being encouraged to get involved early as the calendar of events begin filling up.
The Humber Business Week ‘Get Ready’ event took place on Thursday 5 February at the Holiday Inn Express in Grimsby. Around 40 attendees gathered to learn more about the week-long programme, why it matters for the Humber region and how local businesses can take part by hosting and attending events.
Pat Coyle, Chair of Humber Business Week, told delegates that regular hosts have already begun booking their slots for the annual festival of business, which returns in the first week of June.
Other steering group members also addressed attendees, including Mark Webb, Managing Director of E-Factor, who spoke about the value of both hosting and attending events throughout the week.
He highlighted the variety of sessions available and encouraged businesses to take advantage of the opportunity to learn, be inspired and make valuable connections across both sides of the Humber.
Alison Mitchell, Head of Marketing at Forrester Boyd, also spoke at the event, outlining how straightforward it is to host a session during HBW. She shared key deadlines for event submissions to ensure inclusion in the official programme, which will launch towards the end of April.
Humber Business Week 2026 will begin on Monday 1 June, with staple events including the Future Humber Breakfast at the MKM Stadium in Hull.
Closer to home, the Economic Business Breakfast returns following its success last year. Hosted at the Grimsby Institute, the event will welcome Alpesh Paleja, Deputy Chief Economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), who will share expert insights and economic updates.
The week will then conclude with Business Day at Bridlington Spa.
also heard about plans already in place for a number of additional events across the Humber region and were encouraged to submit their sessions early to benefit from the exposure and reach that Humber Business Week provides.
Helen Roberts and Kay Williams, who run sessions on leadership, change and other key business issues, as well as their Talented Women development programme, also spoke at the event about the value of meaningful connections.
Kay Williams said: “Business Week brings people together through its human connections. Sometimes one conversation is all it takes.”
The next major milestone will be the official programme launch towards the end of April. Mirror events will be held on both the North and South Banks of the Humber, giving businesses from across the region the opportunity to attend. Full details will
Pat Coyle added:
“That’s the first events of Humber Business Week 2026 ticked off! Please get involved and register your events as soon as possible so we can champion them and help you reach the right audience. We need to keep the momentum going. Humber Business Week really is an opportunity to showcase our region and when talent meets opportunity, who knows what can happen.”
Businesses interested in hosting an event are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure their place in the official programme.
For more information about Humber Business Week 2026 and how to get involved, visit: www.humberbusinessweek.co.uk
Attendees
be announced on the Humber Business Week website.
Photo (From L-R): Kay Williams, Helen Roberts & Mark Webb.
Industrial Connections NEL 2026
Industrial Connections NEL, the highly successful industrial focussed event that debuted in 2025 is back for 2026 with industrial businesses across the region invited to attend.
Designed to bring industry together, explore ideas, and inspire collaboration, the event will be held once again at the Grimsby Auditorium, Thursday 26 March, 09:30 – 16:00.
Split between exhibition periods and guest speakers, the event aims to be a catalyst in getting conversations started and helping industrial businesses to better understand who their industry neighbours are and explore what opportunities there could be for working together.
Returning as guest host for the event is David Laister, who many people attending will know from his years of contribution to business journalism in the Humber region. Featuring alongside Dave throughout the day will be three presentation sessions.
• Barry Taylor, Managing Director, OLG. Barry will be sharing the tangible impact of the strategic partnership formed this year between OLG, Blackrow Group, Technica, and F.E.S (ATEX), highlighting the importance of collaboration among industry.
• Finance for Growth question-and-answer panel session presented by David Laister. We welcome our guest panel; Lewis Stringer, British Business Bank, Jane Cusse, Business Enterprise Fund, and Manuel Fantin, UK Export Finance.
• Six impossible things before breakfast! Sound like a normal day? Nothing is impossible it is just waiting for the right data, the right system and the right mindset! Join guest presenter Dr Janet Bellamy of the University of Lincoln as we explore how AI, data, automation, circular systems and digital twins are enabling business to turn the unthinkable into operational reality.
Invited to the event are organisations strictly in the sectors of; manufacturing, engineering, chemicals & process, energy & renewables, ports & logistics, and food manufacturing/processing.
Confirmed exhibitors for Industrial Connections NEL 2026 are as follows: Associated British Ports (ABP), Orsted,
RWE, myenergi, AGI Global Logistics, Phillips 66, Technical Absorbents, Tronox, Alan Wood & Partners, M J Wilson Group, OLG, 3Q Industrial Supplies, G-Tech Electrical Contractors, Mariner Industries, RAP Industrials, Technica, University of Lincoln – National Centre for Food Manufacturing and The Bridge Advanced Materials and Engineering R&D, Blackrow Group, Grimsby Community Energy, Made Great in Grimsby, CEF (Grimsby), David Hewitt’s Associates, Humber Freeport, E-Factor, HETA, Maersk Training, Renewable Power Academy, Reynolds Training Services, Roxby Training Solutions, F.E.S. (EX), TEC Partnership, Investment Hub NEL, North East Lincolnshire Council – Skills, Training & Workforce Support, Business Lincolnshire, CATCH, Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises, Offshore Training Centre Grimsby.
To learn more about the event and to register to attend please visit: investnel.co.uk/industrial-connections-nel
Mind the Spark Gap: Britain Risks Falling Behind in Electric Transition Despite Record Clean Power
The UK is at risk of slipping behind other major economies in the shift to electric heating and transport, as new analysis shows Britain has the widest gap between household electricity and gas prices of any large country.
Figures show that electricity now costs around 4.7 times more per unit than gas for UK households, a significantly higher ratio than in France, the United States or Japan, according to a new report from academics at Imperial College London, commissioned by Drax.
In practical terms, that means it can still cost more to run a highly efficient heat pump in Britain than a conventional gas boiler, despite the electric system using far less energy and producing lower emissions.
“The UK has cleaned up how it generates electricity faster than almost any major economy. Renewables are breaking records and meeting rising demand,” said Dr Iain Staffell, lead author of Electric Insights at Imperial College London
“It’s now a critical moment for our power system. After twenty years of decline, the UK’s electricity demand has grown for two consecutive years,” he added.
Figures from the report show that consumption rose by 1.7 per cent in 2025, driven by surging demand from AI and digital services, plus rapid growth in electric vehicles and heat pumps
Data centres themselves now consume 2.5 percent of Britain’s electricity - more than the city of Birmingham - and their demand is forecast to quadruple by 2030.
At the same time, clean power has reached record levels. Renewables and nuclear power supplied more than three fifths of Britain’s electricity demand in 2025, the highest share on record. Solar output rose by 35 per cent following the sunniest year ever recorded in the UK, with a quarter of a million homes installing panels. Low carbon generation met all the growth in demand and pushed average carbon intensity down to a record 121 grams of CO2 per kilowatt hour.
Despite this progress, the UK’s spark gap - the ratio of electricity to gas prices for consumers – is the highest among 25 large economies.
By contrast, in the Netherlands and Sweden, where electricity costs about 1.5 times the price of gas, households can run heat pumps and electric appliances at a significantly lower cost than gas, providing a financial incentive for switching to cleaner and more efficient technology.
“The next step to cleaning up our heating and transport is to make sure the economics of electrification don’t let down the technology advancements. If electricity remains much more expensive than gas, uptake will naturally be slower than in countries where the price gap is smaller,” said Dr Staffell.
The report highlights that even if oversupply in oil and gas markets eases bills later this year, the relative cost of electricity compared with gas is likely to stay high. This highlights the challenge of meeting growing electricity demand efficiently and the rising importance of flexibility in the power system
Ian Kinnaird, FlexGen Assets Director at Drax, said: “Rising electricity demand will continue to increase pressure on how our system is managed.
“Record renewable generation last year came with significant curtailment costs, highlighting the importance of flexibility alongside clean power. As electric vehicles, heat pumps and data centres drive further growth, assets that can store and dispatch electricity quickly will be essential to keeping the system stable and cost effective. Expanding flexible capacity will help us to ensure more renewable power reaches homes and businesses across the country.”
UK GOVERNMENT GRANTS CONSENT TO OUTER DOWSING
OFFSHORE WIND FARM IN THE SOUTHERN NORTH SEA
• Once operational, the project will bolster UK energy security producing 1.5GW of renewable power, equivalent to that used by 1.6million homes, or 80% of all the households in the East Midlands.
• Development Consent granted for up to 100 turbines 33 miles (54km) from the Lincolnshire Coast with associated offshore and onshore infrastructure.
• Potential for £2 billion of investment in the UK with thousands of jobs.
10 Feb 2026: The UK Government has today granted consent for the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind farm, located in the Southern North Sea, 54km (33 miles) from the Lincolnshire Coast.
The consent enables the project to build and operate an offshore wind farm comprising up to 100 turbines and associated infrastructure. Underground onshore cables will carry the power from the landfall site close to Anderby Marsh (north of Skegness) to a new onshore substation at Surfleet Marsh in South Lincolnshire.
The decision follows the recommendation from The Planning Inspectorate after a thorough examination process that incorporated feedback gathered from local communities and stakeholders during consultation.
David Few, Project Director said, “This is great news for the project and for the country, as it means Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind is one
step closer to building enough UKgenerated power to supply 1.6 million homes using the renewable energy of the wind. We would like to thank all those who have contributed to the project so far. Together, our efforts are making a major contribution to the UK Government’s clean power ambitions and our future energy security”
Nicolas Payer, Country Chair for TotalEnergies UK, said, “TotalEnergies is delighted that the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind project has reached this important milestone. TotalEnergies has been a long-term investor in this project, which will make a significant contribution to providing low-carbon power to homes and businesses across the UK.”
Sharn Ward, Head of Europe for Corio Generation, said, “The consent award for Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind comes after four
years of hard work by some of the most talented individuals in the industry and is a testament to the thorough and diligent approach undertaken by the project team”
The project is expected to create £2 billion of UK investment during its lifetime, which could extend past 35 years. Over 1000 UKbased skilled jobs are estimated to be created during the construction period and hundreds of skilled roles will be needed during the operations and maintenance phase.
Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind is being developed by TotalEnergies, Corio Generation and affiliates, and Gulf Development.
The project team will now continue working towards commencement of construction.
Full details on the decision can be viewed at the Planning Inspectorate website: https://national-infrastructureconsenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ projects/EN010130
Solar Carports to be installed across East Riding leisure centres
Leisure centres across the East Riding will have solar canopies installed at its car parks, reducing both costs and carbon emissions.
Solar carports will be installed this spring at council-owned leisure centres in Beverley, Bridlington, Hornsea, Driffield and Pocklington. They will also be installed at Carnaby and Annie Reed Road depots, and Champney Treasure House.
The scheme is expected to deliver 435kWp of solar generation across the sites, colocated with battery storage at a cost of £900,000. £350,000 for the scheme has been awarded from Great British Energy, administrated by the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority.
These canopies are expected to generate 430,650 kilowatts per year of electricity, saving the council around £100,000 per year on electricity bills and reducing carbon
emissions by 426 tons over the next 25 years.
During the installation process, some areas of the car parks will be closed, This will be communicated to leisure centres members and visitors ahead of time. All installations are forecast to be completed by April.
Councillor Paul West East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for environment and transport said: “This is a fantastic scheme to reduce our carbon footprint in an innovative way and use our existing council-owned facilities, that will also bring down our long–term operating costs.”
CASE STUDY
EV CHARGERS AT STIHL HQ
Sthil GB have moved into a new 11,500m2 purpose-designed headquarters and state of the art distribution centre. The expansive site has 100 employees, dedicated dealer training facilities, an on-site restaurant, a technical workshop as well as a 9,000m2 distribution centre.
PROVIDING ESSENTIAL EV CHARGING
21 MaxiCharger AC 7.4kW chargepoints have been installed in parking bays reserved for EV charging only. Monta has been chosen as the backend software provider. The MaxiChargers are used by staff and visitors.
MAXICHARGER CHARGE POINTS TRUSTED EV CHARGING
99% product reliability
Easy installation
Flexible modular solutions
Universal compatibility
Smart controlled app
3 year warranty
Sustainable solutions made easy
The cost of moving electricity through our National Grid isn’t standing still. Transmission charges alone are forecast to rise from £4.6bn in 2024/25 to £13.6bn by 2030 – a 209% increase in a five-year period. Alongside ongoing Distribution Use of System (“DuoS”) rises, businesses are facing sustained pressure on their energy bills.
There’s never been a more pressing time to generate and, most importantly, store your own electricity.
At CEF, we’re here to make that shift straightforward. Not complicated. Not overwhelming. Just practical, commercially focused solutions that work for your site, your team and your long-term plans.
Our renewables offer is built around expertise you can rely on. With 26 dedicated specialists and over 180 years of combined industry experience, we design bespoke solar PV systems tailored to each project – offering free of charge consultancy and with no obligation. Using the latest design technology, we assess your building, usage and energy costs to create systems that deliver measurable savings and meaningful carbon reduction. We only supply Tier 1 solar panels, and we’re proud to be the first and only UK supplier recognised through the Crown Commercial Service tender portal for a fully traceable solar supply chain underpinned by SMETA audits. That’s performance backed by provenance.
2 CO₂ savings. By shifting consumption away from peak-rate periods and avoiding costly transmission and distribution uplifts, businesses can take back control of their energy procurement strategy. For some, battery aggregation also opens the door to additional revenue streams in the emerging grid trading landscape, with potential long-term returns.
Battery storage takes control a step further. Our consultancy service models your energy profile using just four key data points, mapping the next decade of energy use to highlight cost reductions and Scope As well as Solar Panels
As the electrification of heat accelerates, heat pumps are fast becoming the new standard. With efficiencies three to four times that of traditional gas systems, they offer a clear pathway to lower emissions and reduced running costs. We supply leading domestic and commercial heat pump solutions, supported by manufacturer heat loss calculations and all associated components, ensuring complete system confidence from start to finish.
And with over 50,000 EV charge points supplied to the UK market last year alone, we support every aspect of EV infrastructure – from AC and DC chargers to HV and LV switchgear, parking and payment management software and
zero-upfront finance models that can even return revenue to your site.
All technologies can be delivered through flexible funding models, including zero capital expenditure options, and supported by City & Guilds-approved training for your in-house or third party contractors.
The grid is changing. Costs are rising. But with the right partner, so are the opportunities. We’re ready to help you make the most of them.
Central Renewables Team
Email: Renewables@cef.co.uk
Tel: 01763 822 413
Web: www.cef.co.uk/renewables
SOURCE
186x270mm Renewables Advert.indd 1
Improving Safety in Warehousing and Logistics
Safety within the warehousing and logistics sectors is not simply a matter of regulatory compliance. It underpins operational efficiency, workforce wellbeing and long-term commercial performance. With frequent vehicle movements, heavy plant, high racking systems and continuous pedestrian activity, warehouses and distribution centres present a complex risk environment. Clear line marking, robust pedestrian safety measures and effective signage are therefore essential components of a well-managed facility.
Warehousing and logistics operations typically involve forklifts, pallet trucks, delivery vehicles, conveyor systems and loading bays operating simultaneously, often within confined spaces. Without structured traffic management, the risk of collision and injury rises sharply. Clear and durable line marking remains one of the most effective tools for creating order and reducing ambiguity across the warehouse floor.
Defined traffic lanes for forklifts and other vehicles establish predictable movement patterns and support safer vehicle operation. Clearly marked pedestrian walkways separate foot traffic from machinery routes, significantly reducing the risk of vehicle and pedestrian incidents. Colour-coded markings can identify loading areas, storage aisles, emergency exits and hazardous material zones. High-visibility floor markings, particularly in yellow and white, help maintain awareness in busy environments and areas with reduced lighting.
Beyond traffic control, line marking plays an important role in supporting compliance with health and safety legislation and internal risk management frameworks. Clearly marked fire exits, exclusion zones and no parking areas help ensure that critical access points remain unobstructed. However, markings must be maintained. Worn or faded lines can quickly undermine otherwise robust safety procedures, making routine inspection and refurbishment essential.
Pedestrian safety remains a significant concern due to the constant interaction
between people and powered industrial vehicles. Forklift-related incidents continue to account for a substantial proportion of serious warehouse injuries. Effective risk mitigation requires a layered approach.
Physical separation measures, including guardrails, bollards and safety gates, provide a strong first line of defence by creating clear boundaries between pedestrians and vehicle routes. Where full segregation is not feasible, clearly designated crossing points supported by enhanced markings and warning signage help manage shared spaces. Convex safety mirrors positioned at blind corners and junctions further improve visibility, enabling both drivers and pedestrians to anticipate approaching traffic.
Training is equally important. Employees should be fully briefed on designated walkways, safe crossing procedures and the importance of remaining within marked zones. High visibility clothing enhances situational awareness, particularly in facilities with extensive racking that may restrict sightlines. When environmental controls are combined with consistent training, safe behaviours are reinforced and complacency is reduced.
Signage represents another critical element of warehouse risk management. Clear and consistent signage communicates hazards, site rules and emergency procedures. Warning signs highlight risks such as forklift movements, overhead loads or restricted access areas. Mandatory signage reinforces the use of personal protective equipment, including safety footwear and hard hats.
Directional signage assists visitors, contractors and new staff in navigating the facility safely.
Emergency signage must be highly visible and compliant with relevant UK standards. Clearly identified fire exits, assembly points, first aid stations and fire extinguishers support rapid response during incidents. Photoluminescent or illuminated signage can prove invaluable in the event of power loss or reduced visibility caused by smoke.
As warehousing and logistics operations expand and evolve, safety controls must develop in parallel. Regular risk assessments, safety audits and employee consultation help identify emerging hazards and areas for improvement. Investment in high-quality line marking, effective pedestrian protection systems and standardised signage should not be viewed purely as a compliance obligation. It is a strategic decision that reduces downtime, limits liability, prevents costly incidents and demonstrates a tangible commitment to workforce welfare.
Ultimately, a safe warehouse is a productive warehouse. Clear line markings, pedestrian segregation, and effective signage help create an organised environment where employees can work confidently and efficiently. By prioritising these fundamental safety measures, organisations across the warehousing and logistics sector can strengthen both operational resilience and long-term business performance.
Images courtesy of Fastline Services fastlineservices.co.uk
YOUR PARTNER FOR WAREHOUSE SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE
Warehousing, logistics and manufacturing sites are facing increasing pressure to improve throughput, maintain compliance and reduce downtime. With tighter operating footprints, heavier traffic volumes and growing automation requirements, businesses are seeking solutions that enhance safety without compromising productivity.
Fastline Services, based in Doncaster, is a UK-wide specialist supporting warehouses, factories and logistics environments with integrated safety systems and operational improvement services. Fastline works closely with clients to assess risk, improve site organisation and implement practical solutions designed around live operational demands.
Rather than treating safety as a series of isolated installations, Fastline focuses on understanding how each site functions day to day. This includes reviewing pedestrian and vehicle interaction, forklift and MHE traffic routes, racking layouts, loading and staging zones, and high-risk impact areas. The aim is to develop solutions that strengthen segregation, improve visibility and support efficient movement throughout the facility.
Fastline’s core services include internal and external line marking, pedestrian walkways and crossings, designated forklift
zones and routes, and safety signage systems that support compliance and improve communication across the site. The company also supplies and installs a wide range of impact protection solutions, including barriers, guardrails and bollards, helping to protect people, infrastructure and critical assets from preventable damage.
In addition to physical safety systems, Fastline provides specialist floor and surface repair services. Concrete floors and joints are often underestimated in warehousing environments, yet they are one of the most heavily loaded structural components of any facility. Progressive floor wear, joint breakdown and surface deterioration can create safety risks, increase equipment damage and contribute to costly disruption if not addressed early. Fastline’s repair solutions are designed to restore performance while minimising operational downtime.
A key differentiator for Fastline is its ability to deliver a complete end to end service
through an in-house installation team, providing clients with consistency, reduced disruption and a coordinated delivery programme. This allows warehouse safety upgrades to be planned and implemented efficiently, avoiding the challenges that often arise when managing multiple contractors.
Fastline also supports operational teams beyond installation, working directly with clients to assist with process improvement, workflow optimisation and future readiness planning, including preparation for automation led changes. This ensures safety improvements are aligned with long-term operational performance objectives.
With UK-wide coverage and a strong reputation in warehousing and logistics environments, Fastline Services continues to build long-term partnerships with organisations seeking safer sites, streamlined operations and practical solutions delivered with minimal disruption.
ARRANGE A FASTLINE SITE SURVEY
Fastline Services offers free site surveys and professional recommendations nationwide. To discuss warehouse safety improvements, traffic management or operational performance support, visit fastlineservices.co.uk or contact the team on 0333 733 8024 to arrange an assessment.
SAFER SITES. STREAMLINED OPERATIONS.
FASTLINE SERVICES SUPPORTS WAREHOUSES, FACTORIES AND LOGISTICS SITES WITH PROFESSIONAL SAFETY SYSTEMS DESIGNED TO REDUCE RISK, REDUCE DOWNTIME AND KEEP YOUR SITE SAFE & COMPLIANT.
FREE SITE SURVEY & QUOTATION | IN-HOUSE INSTALLATION TEAM | UK-WIDE COVERAGE
LINE MARKING
Clear, durable markings for safety, organisation, and efficiency in any workspace
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Walkways, crossings, and hazard markings to keep your team safe
FLT ZONES & ROUTES
Designated forklift areas to prevent accidents and improve traffic flow
IMPACT PROTECTION
Barriers, bollards, and guardrails to safeguard people and assets
SAFETY SIGNAGE
Clear, visible signs to guide, inform, and protect on-site.
ONE PARTNER ONE TEAM COMPLETE WAREHOUSE SAFETY SOLUTIONS www
Carbon monoxide advice for East Riding businesses, residents and visitors
East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with partners in health and Fire and Rescue, are providing advice about carbon monoxide.
The council is writing to holiday caravan sites to remind them of their requirements in relation to gas appliances.
Councllor Lyn Healing, cabinet member for communities and public protection said: “We know that most companies understand their duty in terms of annual gas safety checks, but we would like to reinforce the importance of businesses ensuring regular servicing and maintenance of gas appliances, alongside installation of carbon monoxide alarms.”
Advice for businesses
Businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure gas appliances, such as boilers and heaters are safe. Gas appliances should be -
• Serviced annually by a Gas Safe–registered engineer
• Tested for safe operation, including flues and ventilation
• Maintained in a safe condition throughout their use
• Supported by working carbon monoxide alarms installed in appropriate locations
Advice for booking holiday accommodation and what to check
• Check for evidence of gas safety measures: listings should mention annual servicing of boilers and gas appliances and look for confirmation that a Gas Safe–registered engineer carries out checks. If you’re unsure, ask the host directly for reassurance - responsible operators will be happy to confirm.
• Look for carbon monoxide (CO) alarm information: Properties with gas boilers, heaters, or solid fuel stoves must have working CO alarms, and listings should state that alarms are installed and tested. When you arrive, check for CO alarms and test them using the button. Consider taking a CO detector with you.
• Review recent guest feedback: check whether other guests mention cleanliness, maintenance, heating systems, or general safety. Be cautious about properties with repeated comments about faulty equipment, damp, smells, or poor upkeep.
• On arrival trust your instincts: If the accommodation feels unsafe, has strong smells, leaking appliances, missing alarms, or anything that concerns you, contact
the site operator immediately. Operators should provide clear instructions on how to contact site staff, how to report concerns and what to do in an emergency.
• Report any safety concerns to the site operator. If you aren’t satisfied with the operator’s response, you can report safety concerns to the Health and Safety team within the local council. In East Riding report at: Health.Safety@eastriding.gov.uk.
Advice about the symptoms of ingesting carbon monoxide and what to do
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can make you seriously ill if you breathe it in. It can be made by fires and appliances that burn gas, wood, oil or coal. It is colourless and does not smell so you cannot tell if it is around you.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a headache, dizziness, feeling sick or being sick, feeling weak, tiredness and confusion, chest and muscle pain, shortness of breath, loss of vision, your face turning hot and red. Symptoms can come and go and may get better when you leave an affected room or go outside.
If you think you may have carbon monoxide poisoning:
• Stop using appliances you think might be making carbon monoxide – such as the boiler, cooker or heater
• Open windows and doors to let fresh air in
• Go outside
• Get medical advice as soon as possible
• Do not go back into the affected building until you’ve received professional advice
If you think a gas appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Find out more about carbon monoxide: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbonmonoxide-poisoning/
Steel signing marks significant progress on Freshney Place development
A construction milestone was achieved last week on the £50 million redevelopment of Freshney Place shopping centre in Grimsby.
Representatives from North-East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), construction partners GMI and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the start of the structural steel frame work. The signing ceremony marked the progress made on site to date, and the collaborative efforts of all the partners involved.
Led by North-East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), and backed by government funding, Freshney Place’s development is part of a broader strategy to regenerate Grimsby town centre. With its central location, the shopping centre is pivotal to this vision and will be transformed into a vibrant, multi-use destination combining retail, leisure, healthcare and community space.
“It’s an exciting time for the town. Grimsby is transforming rapidly and Freshney Place is at the heart of it,” said Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council.
“Along with the other changes we are delivering in Grimsby, this project will help to redefine how people use our
town centre by blending retail with leisure, entertainment and services.”
The project is expected to diversify town centre footfall through a broad mix of uses, appealing to a wide range of ages and demographics. Securing a pre-let for a multiscreen cinema Parkway, alongside additional leisure tenants, will help establish a strong day-to-night economy for the town.
Ed Weston, Regional Director for Yorkshire at GMI Construction Group, said: “This steel
signing is a key milestone and a visible sign of the momentum on site. Seeing the cinema framework take shape brings the ambition of this scheme to life and demonstrates the scale of what’s being delivered.
“We’re proud to be working with North East Lincolnshire Council, Queensberry and Freshney Place on a project that will have a lasting impact on the town centre, creating new opportunities and a destination the community can be proud of.”
Elliot Andrews, Centre Manager at Freshney Place said: “As consumer needs evolve beyond traditional retail, the centre’s blend of shops, essential services and leisure will ensure Freshney Place remains a firm favourite - and one which meets modern-day requirements.”
To find out more about the scheme and other work in the town centre, visit our project pages: www.nelincs.gov.uk/building-our-future.
The Day You Realised You’d Been Deciding Alone
Most
sole traders cannot pinpoint the moment it happens.
There is no crisis, no glaring mistake and no dramatic turning point. The business is trading, clients are paying on time, deadlines are being met and the tax return is submitted each year. On the surface, everything looks steady.
Yet somewhere along the way, every meaningful decision has started taking place in one place only. Your own head.
In the early stages of self-employment, that independence feels powerful. You choose the work you accept, the clients you prioritise and the hours you keep. You decide what to charge and how quickly to grow. There is no committee, no hierarchy and no need to justify your thinking. Progress feels quick because it is.
Over time, however, the nature of those decisions changes. They stop being about tasks and start being about direction. Questions emerge around structure, tax exposure, cashflow resilience and the level of personal risk tied up in the business. Pricing is no longer just about winning
work. It becomes about sustainability. Growth is no longer just about revenue. It becomes about capacity and personal bandwidth. The shift is gradual, which is precisely why it is easy to miss.
Most sole traders do not make poor decisions. They make postponed ones. A conversation about incorporating the business gets deferred because there is a deadline to meet. A review of drawings versus retained profit is put off until after the busy period. A nagging sense that “this could be structured better” is quietened because nothing is technically wrong.
And that is the critical point. Nothing is wrong.
The issue is not failure. It is isolation.
When you work alone, reflection becomes optional. There is no board meeting in the diary and no non-executive asking difficult questions. No one is paid to step back and ask whether the structure that made sense three years ago still reflects where
the business is heading now. No one is challenging whether tax is being planned strategically or simply managed reactively.
Optional thinking is usually the first thing to disappear when time is tight.
Individually, these deferred decisions seem small. Collectively, they shape the trajectory of the business. Tax becomes an annual event rather than an ongoing strategy. Cashflow becomes something to steady rather than strengthen. Pricing becomes habit rather than intent. The business keeps delivering work but may not always deliver clarity or confidence to its owner.
There is also a personal dimension that rarely makes it into financial forecasts. Carrying every decision alone is mentally heavy. Independence is valuable, but unchallenged thinking can quietly harden into fixed assumptions. The longer a structure remains unreviewed, the more permanent it feels, even if circumstances have changed.
The most effective sole traders are not those with the most information. They are the ones who create space to think. They revisit earlier decisions before they calcify. They invite a second perspective not because something has gone wrong, but because they understand that direction deserves scrutiny.
A simple question often reveals more than any spreadsheet - When was the last time you talked through a business decision with someone who was not a client?
Not to seek permission. Not to fix a problem. Simply to test your thinking. For many sole traders, the answer is not obvious. And that is usually the point at which a conversation becomes valuable.
If you recognise yourself in this pattern, it may be time to step back and review where the business stands today. A structured discussion around tax planning, cashflow resilience, business structure and long-term goals can bring clarity that is difficult to achieve alone.
At Forrester Boyd, we work with sole traders across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and beyond to provide that second perspective. If you would value a confidential conversation about whether your current setup still supports where you want to go next, we would be pleased to talk. Sometimes the most important decision is deciding not to make the next one on your own.
Talk to us today: info@forrester-boyd.co.uk
BG Solicitors LLP Legal Support for Growing Businesses
For businesses navigating growth, investment and operational risk, access to clear and commercially focused legal advice is essential. BG Solicitors LLP provides a comprehensive commercial and property law service to support companies at every stage of their development, from start up through to sale or succession.
A key area of expertise lies in buying and selling businesses. Whether acting on acquisitions, disposals or management buyouts, the firm works closely with directors and shareholders to structure transactions efficiently and protect long term interests. The team recognises that corporate transactions are strategic milestones. Careful due diligence and well drafted agreements help ensure deals proceed smoothly and unexpected liabilities are minimised.
Commercial contracts form another cornerstone of the practice. Clear and enforceable terms and conditions are vital in managing supplier, customer and partnership relationships. By drafting and reviewing agreements with a strong understanding of commercial realities, the firm helps businesses reduce exposure
to disputes while strengthening their negotiating position.
Disputes can arise even in well managed organisations. Early legal intervention is often the difference between swift resolution and costly litigation. The commercial team prioritises strategic negotiation and pragmatic solutions wherever possible, helping clients protect business relationships and control legal spend. Where court action becomes unavoidable, experienced litigators provide robust representation and clear guidance.
Commercial property is another area of strength. From acquisitions and disposals to lease negotiations and development agreements, property transactions often involve significant value and regulatory complexity. With decades of experience, the
firm advises on structuring property deals that align with wider business objectives and support sustainable growth.
The practice also advises on company formation and governance, ensuring new ventures adopt appropriate structures and meet statutory obligations. Employment law guidance complements the commercial offering, helping employers manage workforce issues in a legally sound and commercially practical way.
In a complex trading environment, businesses require advisers who understand both legal frameworks and commercial pressures. By combining technical expertise with practical insight, BG Solicitors LLP delivers legal solutions that enable companies to operate with confidence and clarity.
University of Hull and ABP partner to research port safety
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group, has partnered with the University of Hull to delve deeper into the context and drivers impacting safety performance on ABP’s ports.
ABP is working with Centre for Human Factors psychologists based in Lampada Digital Solutions, a University of Hull subsidiary, to deliver a survey across all ABP’s 21 ports and other group locations. The survey will utilise a diagnostic safety climate tool designed to help organisations assess and improve their safety culture.
The tool measures employees’ perceptions of safety in the workplace, focusing on areas such as organisational commitment and usability of procedures. The survey adopts the best practice approach from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Sally Ford, Group Head of Health Safety and Environment for ABP, said “Safety is a core value for ABP. We are committed to doing all we can to make sure each of our colleagues goes home safe every day. We’ve made good progress over recent years but we know our focus must be relentless. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Centre for Human Factors – to bring a new perspective firmly grounded in rigour and evidence.
“We’re also particularly pleased to be working with a university in one of our port locations, Hull. Working with a local university in Hull is about more than research, it’s about investing in our community, developing lasting partnerships and supporting the local innovation ecosystem.”
Professor Fiona Earle, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Director of the Centre for Human Factors, said “Our focus at the Centre is on creating healthier and safer working environments. Over the past two decades, we have developed extensive expertise in translating research into practical, industry-relevant solutions. We understand that effective safety goes far beyond policies and formal processes – it requires a deep understanding of the unique context within each organisation.
“Drawing on our in-depth expertise in human factors, we will work with ABP to develop interventions that drive positive shifts in safety culture.”
Fiona and Dr Léa Fréour will also undertake a series of deep dives into key survey outcomes, designed to give detail on attitudes and behaviour and to develop actionable insights that ABP can adopt to drive safety performance improvements.
The Centre delivers sector leading, evidence-based approaches to workplace health, safety and wellbeing, with long established experience in the field of human factors. This considers how people interact with their working environment and its systems.
ABP operates three other Humber region ports in addition to Hull – Immingham, Grimsby and Goole. Collectively they are the UK’s largest gateway for trade with the world by volume, handling more than 50 million tonnes of freight each year. ABP’s Humber ports also provide a crucial foundation for the region’s contribution to the UK’s energy system today and tomorrow – enabling refining and energy generation activities and hosting major wind turbine manufacturing facilities.
BP employees at the Port of Immingham, the UK’s single largest port by tonnage.
New London Campus secures capital growth for University
Building on exceptional demand for its Londonbased Master’s programmes, the University of Hull is expanding access to career-accelerating postgraduate education and moving to a new purpose-built Stratford campus, set to open in June 2026.
Since its launch with partners Cambridge Education Group (CEG) in June 2024, the University’s London Study Centre has enrolled more than 1700 students. The expansion beyond the original site is fuelled by high demand for Logistics, Digital Marketing, AI and Business Management degrees aligned to the UK’s globally important finance and professional services industries.
The new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park premises will offer enhanced facilities, improved study and social spaces, and a dedicated IT suite, enabling continued growth and strengthening the University’s presence in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Kerrigan said the move reflects the University’s commitment to excellence, growth and opportunity: “Our London campus brings Hull values, teaching and learning to the heart of the nation’s capital. Students from across the world are choosing to study a University of Hull degree in London because of the quality of teaching, the supportive learning experience, and the
proximity to global employers.”
He added that the Stratford location will serve as “a platform in the capital for showcasing what is best about Hull and the Humber region.”
Christopher Macallister, Dean of the Hull London Campus, highlighted the strong foundations on which the expansion is built: “The success of the London campus is underpinned by academic excellence, strong industry links and high-quality student support.”
He noted that the Stratford development marks a major milestone, allowing the University to broaden its offer with indemand courses in AI and data science, leadership, management and technology –programmes designed to meet sector needs and support sustainable economic growth.
Cambridge Education Group’s CEO David Johnston welcomed the opportunity to deepen the partnership: “The growth of the London campus offers Master’s students an
unrivalled opportunity to study indemand programmes in the heart of the capital city, in a campus that offers the best of Hull in London.”
He emphasised that CEG’s collaboration with the University – spanning London, OnCampus Hull, and online Master’s provision – ensures students receive world-class education supported by innovative teaching and comprehensive support services.
The Stratford campus, neighbouring the East Bank cultural quarter’s major institutions, including Sadler’s Wells, the V&A and BBC Music Studios, establishes the University of Hull as a key provider in the capital, while opening new pathways for career-focused education in a globally connected environment.
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An out-of-this-world line-up for ColliderFest 2026
British space scientist and science educator, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Team GB Olympian, Grant Hardie and British Ice Dancing great, Sir Christopher Dean are to bring a stellar presence to Hull this March as part of ColliderFest 2026.
The University of Hull is proud to co-deliver this amazing festival alongside Hull Museums and Gallery and in partnership with Hull Maritime, Hull City Council and The Deep.
From Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 March, Hull will once again become a centre for science, creativity and culture as the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) festival takes over the city.
Professor Mark Lorch, Festival Director and Professor of Science Communication and Public Engagement at the University of Hull, said:
“At the University of Hull, our mission is to challenge, to inspire, and to push the frontiers of knowledge and creativity, to support new generations of future change makers.
“ColliderFest is an incredible celebration of science and the arts, and I’m delighted we are once again at the heart of the team making it happen. This year’s programme invites people of all ages to explore, experiment and be inspired – sparking curiosity and fuelling a passion for learning.”
Building on the huge success of the festival’s 2025 debut, this year’s programme centres on the themes of Innovation and Community, with two dedicated schools’ days followed by a weekend packed with hands-on activities for families, young people and budding scientists.
Free drop-in sessions and events will take place across multiple venues, including the University of Hull, Hull Museums Quarter, Ferens Art Gallery, Princes Quay, Humber Street, the Wilberforce Institute and The Deep. Activities range from e-gaming and arrow making to model wind-turbine building, 3D bee printing, supercomputing demos, singing sessions and storytime.
Alongside the free programme, a number of ticketed events will be on offer. These include An Evening with Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, The Science Behind Curling with Olympian Grant Hardie, A Conversation with Sir Christopher Dean, and the return of the ever-popular Robo Bingo.
Free community-focused sessions will also take place at St Matthew’s Church on Anlaby Road, featuring domino computing and LEGO engineering.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for leisure and culture at Hull City Council, said:
“ColliderFest was a resounding success last year and we’re so excited to see it return for 2026 to amaze, dazzle and educate. With a huge range of activities for all ages, there really is something for the whole family to enjoy.”
Katy Duke, CEO of The Deep said:
“The Deep is thrilled to play its part in Colliderfest, to help spark curiosity and inspire people of all ages and support an event that opens doors to new ideas and possibilities. We’re proud to play a role in bringing world‑class STEAM experiences to Hull and championing the next generation of scientists and innovators.”
The weekend also features a brand-new event, Our City, coordinated by Back to Ours, bringing together community groups for two spectacular parades through Hull city centre, culminating in a finale in Queen Victoria Square.
For information and tickets, visit colliderfest.co.uk
University of Hull appoints new Vice-Chancellor
The University of Hull is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Tom Lawson as its next Vice-Chancellor, marking a significant moment in the institution’s ongoing development.
Professor Lawson, an esteemed historian with more than two decades of sector experience, will join Hull in June 2026 following 13 years in senior leadership roles at Northumbria University. His career has included pivotal contributions to research growth, strategic planning and academic transformation, as well as earlier leadership positions at the University of Winchester.
Reflecting on his appointment, Professor Lawson said: “I am immensely proud and feel incredibly privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead the University of Hull. It is a remarkable institution, which makes an extraordinary contribution both to its region and to the challenges that we face globally.”
His arrival signals a new chapter for the University as it builds on strong recent progress across research, teaching, and community impact.
George Garlick, Chair of University Council, welcomed the appointment, noting: “Professor Lawson has an outstanding record of achievement in successful universities and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.”
Celebrating the local leaders who are strengthening our region
At their January graduation ceremonies, the University of Hull honoured five influential figures whose achievements have made a significant impact on the city and wider region.
The honorary degree recipients – drawn from sport, business, education and innovation – all have deep roots in Hull’s communities and represent the city’s tradition of leadership and resilience.
Local business leadership was represented by Rory Clarke, Managing Director of Hull-based J R Rix & Sons Ltd, recognised for advancing regional economic growth. Innovation was celebrated through Lesley Gracie, the Hull-born master distiller behind Hendrick’s Gin, whose pioneering creativity began in local laboratories. Yiannis Koursis, a champion of skills and further education, was acknowledged for work that has directly benefitted learners across the region.
Lee Radford, former Hull FC head coach, was honoured for his longstanding contribution to Hull’s sporting identity and community development. Hull KR Head Coach Willie Peters was recognised at an earlier event, following an extraordinary year that saw Hull KR secure a historic treble, reinforcing the city’s prominent place in rugby league.
Interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kevin Kerrigan, said: “Each graduation is an opportunity to honour those individuals whose leadership, talent, ingenuity and generosity have transformed their fields of endeavour and their communities and inspired others.
“Our newest graduates begin their professional journeys alongside distinguished leaders who mirror our commitment to progress. Through collaboration and engagement, we are proud to bring together generations of change-makers, ready to shape a fairer, brighter and better future for all.”
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The University looks forward to welcoming Professor Lawson as he leads the next phase of its strategic ambition and long-term vision.
North Lincolnshire charges ahead in race to power Britain’s AI future
North Lincolnshire has taken a significant step forward in its ambition to become a national hub for artificial intelligence and advanced digital infrastructure.
Government ministers have confirmed that the submission to the UK’s AI Growth Zone programme has been identified as a “high-potential opportunity” and will now move into detailed engagement with officials.
The next stage will focus on site readiness, infrastructure, investor interest and delivery planning, as Government and local partners work together to explore the pathway to formal designation.
If successful, AI Growth Zone status could help unlock major private investment, accelerate infrastructure delivery and support high-skilled job creation in the area – strengthening North Lincolnshire’s position at the forefront of nextgeneration industry.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is a very positive step forward and recognition that North Lincolnshire has the land, ambition and industrial capability to support nationally significant AI infrastructure.
“But this is not the finish line – it’s the starting point. Now the focus must be on delivery. We are ready to work with Government and industry partners to remove barriers, strengthen investor confidence and demonstrate that we can move quickly and decisively.
“If we get this right, the prize is significant – it will be felt by residents, businesses and communities across North Lincolnshire.”
Martin Vickers, Member of Parliament for Brigg and Immingham, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for North Lincolnshire. Being recognised as a high-potential AI Growth Zone shows the area has the strengths and infrastructure to compete globally.
“This is only the next stage but the end will bring high-skilled jobs, significant investment and long-term economic growth to communities.”
Melanie Onn, Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, added: “The Government recognising the potential of the Northern Lincolnshire AI Growth Zone is a strong vote of confidence in our region.
“By building on our strengths in energy and infrastructure, the growth zone will attract investment, high-value jobs, and new skills opportunities for people across Grimsby, Cleethorpes, and North Lincolnshire. This is an exciting step forward for our communities and for Britain’s digital infrastructure ambitions.”
Sam Matthew, chief operating officer of Greystoke, said: “Everyone working on the proposed Northern Lincolnshire AI Growth Zone is very pleased that the Government has identified it as a high-potential project.
“It would nearly double the UK’s current compute capacity, anchor more than £20bn of private investment, and create thousands of high-quality jobs and skills opportunities in Northern Lincolnshire and the wider Humber region.
“We look forward to continuing the productive conversations we have been having with the Government.”
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