West & North Yorkshire Business Magazine Spring 2025

usiness Sustainable change

Up to 67% off † Business Breakdown

James Mason Chief Executive West & North Yorkshire Chamber

0113 247 0000 wnychamber.co.uk @WNYChamber

Challenges & opportunities

As we enter the second quarter of 2025, businesses across our region face several challenges following the Spring Budget.

One major concern is the increased cost of borrowing and of course the general costs of running a business with national insurance contributions taking hold alongside the introduction of day one rights for employees. All of which will impact on the ability to invest and hire workers.

Economic uncertainty continues both globally and domestically, which is affecting the UK economy with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) downgrading its 2025 forecasts for all G7 economies, including the UK.

There are opportunities for growth, however, and hopefully, reforms to the planning system will support housebuilding and surrounding trades.

In West and North Yorkshire we continue to support businesses to overcome their own challenges, whilst seizing opportunities and work closely with both Mayoral combined authorities in each region, by sharing our expertise on the help businesses need to survive and then thrive. We look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events throughout Spring and Summer.

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West & North Yorkshire Business is a quarterly business magazine produced by the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. The audience for this publication is comprised of a targeted audience of the major decision makers and senior executives across both the Yorkshire region and the wider UK business community.

© 2025 West & North Yorkshire Business - No Part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form of advertising or promotion without the express permission of the editorial team.

West & North Yorkshire Business has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate on the date of publication.

BRADFORD NEWS

Time to shine

For many years now we have heard commentators, both inside and outside Bradford, talk about the city’s potential. Whether it is our young population, our rich diversity, our fantastic university or the fact that we are one of most entrepreneurial cities in Europe, we have an incredible amount to offer as a city. It was for these, and a whole host of other reasons that Bradford has been named UK City of Culture for 2025.

Since winning the bid an incredible amount of work has been going on behind the scenes to ensure the city capitalises on this historic opportunity. As a Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to have entered a strategic partnership with Bradford 2025 to help businesses participate in a once in a generation event. The Chamber is thrilled to be able to be a part of this significant moment that will have a lifelong impact on the district.

We have seen from other cities in the UK what an impact culture can have. Take for instance the transformative impact that being European Capital of Culture had on the great cities of Glasgow and Liverpool since the turn of the century in terms of attracting investment and regeneration. And, closer to home, we only need to look at our Yorkshire neighbours in Hull to see the benefits they enjoyed from being City of Culture in 2017. Not only did Hull enjoy a surge in tourism and job creation, but millions of pounds were also invested into the city off the back of the year of celebration, as well as significant

improvements in perception of Hull, both amongst its residents and nationwide. BD25 now gives Bradford a similar opportunity.

Projections suggest that as many as ten million visitors will come to Bradford over the next 12 months. Visitors spend in the district is expected to increase, with over £100 million in overall economic activity. This will have a positive impact on the economic outlook for the region and speed up investment opportunities for the district and its businesses, along with showcasing itself as a proactive and business friendly region. Bradford 2025, along with many other exciting projects, is shaping the legacy of Bradford, continuing to make it one of the best places to start a business in the country.

However, the celebrations need not end on December 31, 2025. What we need is a lasting legacy for Bradford. It should provide the impetus for lasting urban regeneration, one that delivers a through railway station for the city and creates a future for that much talked about young population.

More than anything it needs to elevate Bradford’s standing in the eyes of people from not just all over the country but all over the planet.

It’s our chance to shine. Let’s seize it with both hands and make the most of this wonderful opportunity.

Mark Cowgill President Bradford Chamber

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 lab is a full concrete testing facility, in use up to six days a week. It includes two mixing bays, a separate area for wet production, a clean area for new product development (NPD) and space for onsite customer training.

Oscrete’s Technical and Development Manager, Dean Clarke, said: “In addition to evaluating our admixtures, the lab also plays a key role in evaluating cements and additives that help reduce the carbon footprint. The facility is central to our ongoing research and development efforts, driving innovation in new admixtures products.”

He added: “Since the lab completed at the start of 2025, we have already doubled the number of trials completed in the same period last year and we now have capacity to double this again as we continue to meet customer demand for bespoke and specialist projects.”

Bradford start-up off to Houses of Parliament to launch UUK campaign

University of Bradford start-up i-Diagnose, which aims to save the NHS thousands of pounds by using artificial intelligence to slash training costs, has been invited to the House of Lords as part of the Universities UK ‘Unis start up the UK’ campaign.

Sania Bibi and Aaron Walshaw, who started their business through the University’s BREE enterprise ecosystem, will help launch University UK’s national campaign to celebrate the impact of universities and their role in the growth agenda and industrial strategy.

Bradford Garden Centre to host masterclass with TV gardener

A Bradford garden centre is hosting a gardening masterclass with a respected horticulturalist.

Renowned gardening expert and TV presenter, David Domoney will be in The Mezzanine at Tong Garden Centre on Saturday, 26th April to share his expertise for creating vibrant, successful gardens that thrive and reward all year round.

“Whether you’re new to gardening or an experienced gardener, this masterclass is the perfect chance to pick up hints, tips and advice that will help transform your outdoor and indoor spaces,” said RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner, Domoney.

“I will guide the audience through the essentials of gardening and inspire them to create fabulous gardens.”

Sania said: “We are beyond grateful to have been given this incredible opportunity to present ourselves and show how i-Diagnose can save the NHS and universities thousands of pounds in training costs.”

Aaron said: “The support from Bradford University has been instrumental on our journey, and we can’t wait to showcase how universities play a crucial role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.”

MNA Group become main sponsors of Bradford Bulls Women’s team

Bradford Bulls are proud to announce MNA Group as the new main sponsor of the club’s Women’s Team for the 2025 season.

This exciting partnership will see MNA Group’s logo take pride of place on the front of the Women’s playing shirts, reinforcing their commitment to supporting the growth and success of women’s rugby league.

MNA Group has a strong reputation for supporting local initiatives and investing in community-driven projects, having recently been key supporters and contributors towards the opening of our brand-new Community Hub, Harry’s Bar.

Their sponsorship will play a vital role in enhancing opportunities for female athletes at the club and ensuring the continued growth of the women’s game.

Comprendo IT celebrates business accolade from Theo Paphitis

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 selfconfessed Shopkeeper, Theo Paphitis.

At the Small Business Sunday’s 15th anniversary event at the Birmingham ICC, Comprendo’s Sara Haggas accepted the accolade for the business’s winning Instagram post from July 2024 and enjoyed a packed day full of small business support, expert advice and upskilling opportunities.

With main stage events including Theo Paphitis himself and high-profile business guests, there were also break-out presentations and opportunities to network with #SBS’s partners, including Google, NatWest, Ryman, DHL and Hakim Group, who have all helped small businesses to thrive in common.

LEEDS NEWS

Family business, global opportunities

I am the managing director of Sound Leisure, a family business. Every day I go to work alongside my dad, my wife and my eldest son. We employ around 70 people and many of those are related to one another.

We are just one of more than five million family businesses in the country. Family businesses are the beating heart of Britain’s economy, and I am proud to say that, here in Yorkshire, we have some of the highest concentrations of family-owned firms in Britain. And we are a crucial part of the UK economy. Across Britain, family-owned businesses employ 16 million people. Family-owned firms are worth £985bn in GVA to Britain’s economy and contribute some £422bn in tax to the exchequer, the less said on that the better.

But when we talk about family businesses we are not just talking about individual firms. The concept of family business is also about a wider ecosystem of firms of all sizes, all working hard to achieve a collective goal of delivering prosperity for the city we all love and call our home.

And nothing embodies this better than the Chamber of Commerce. For hundreds of years, this Chamber has delivered for its members and delivered for this region.

As a Chamber we have had much to celebrate this past 12 months. We have taken the Chamber mission and spread it around the world. I was fortunate enough to have taken part in two Chamber-led international trade delegations, to New York in May 2024 and to the United Arab Emirates in February 2025.

Both delegations were nothing to do with sightseeing or shopping. This was about forging new trade links, new business connections and new markets for the first-class goods and services that we produce here in Yorkshire.

What struck me on these delegations was just how strong the Chamber brand is around the world. It is a byword for doing business the right way. And it has been that way for hundreds of years.

At our Leeds Chamber annual dinner this year we really celebrated the impact of family businesses on our region and country.

Long may this proud tradition continue.

Chris Black President Leeds Chamber

Managing partner wins Professional Services Leader of the Year

Neil Wilson, managing partner of Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, was awarded Professional Services Leader of the Year at The Business Desk Yorkshire Leadership Awards.

The Yorkshire Leadership Awards, which took place in March at The Royal Armouries in Leeds, was created to celebrate people who are role models within their organisations, raise the bar for their competitors and highlight extraordinary leaders across the county.

Neil took home the win in recognition of his resilience and achievements since becoming Chadwick Lawrence’s managing partner over a decade ago.

Since taking the role, Neil has led 210 employees from eight offices across West Yorkshire, and his leadership has resulted in year-on-year growth since 2014 – with an anticipated turnover of £16.2 million in 2024/25.

The Professional Services Leader highlights an individual who has shown strong leadership and had a positive impact in their firm or further afield.

Specialising in sports and employment law, Neil has established himself as a trusted advisor to many of the region’s top organisations and sports clubs, including Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Town Football Club.

AAB shortlisted for British Business Award

Leading UK and Ireland professional services firm, AAB, has been shortlisted as one of the finalists in this year’s British Business Awards, which celebrates and recognises trailblazing UK businesses.

AAB is the only company which combines both financial and professional services to feature in the shortlist for the Stellar Omada Financial Services

New chapter for historic library

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 in the ever-growing 140,000-strong collection, and a lift that will make the library accessible for the first time in its history.

The library will also expand its offer of room hire and wedding packages.

Company of the Year category.

Team members from AAB will join around 2000 guests from 200 of the UK’s leading companies, representing an expected £200 billion in turnover, at the glittering award ceremony in Edinburgh at the EICC on 24 April. Hosted by Rob Brydon, star guests on the night will include Sting and Sir Bob Geldof.

Driving sustainability in business

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 perfect 100% score across all evaluation criteria, reflecting the company’s dedication to sustainable business practices. This achievement further reinforces the company’s reputation for delivering eco-friendly and energyefficient solutions that help businesses optimise their workplace environments.

Leeds City College success

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.

NEBOSH, a globally recognised accreditation body for health, safety and environmental qualifications developed the Learning Partner Programme to help learners find the right training provider. Silver status is awarded to providers who consistently go above and beyond to deliver best practices in education, ensuring exceptional learner experiences.

YORK & NORTH YORKSHIRE NEWS

We are a region proud of our past

But with that pride come seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Moving forward and keeping with the times can be hard in a heritage city. Sustainability, safety and cost are recurring problems in this context.

But in recent months, city innovators are rising to the challenge.

The opening of the Centre of Excellence at York Minster balances cutting-edge technology and craftsmanship. With operating the Minster coming in at a staggering £33,000 a day, new ideas help to combat this, without compromising on quality.

In the year that marks 200 years of the modern railway, the recommitment of £15 million for the transformation of the National Railway Museum will help cement York’s legacy as the heart of train travel and a pioneer or rail innovation.

York is synonymous with its heritage. But we cannot rest on this alone to drive economic growth in the region.

Inward investment must come from attracting new businesses from emerging sectors. We also must support those who already make York and North Yorkshire their home.

At the Chamber of Commerce in York, we strive to do just that. The Developer Forum and Planning Protocol, led by Steve Secker who is our chair of the Property and Economic Forum, have both been delivered in collaboration with the local council. They bring together voices from planning, heritage, housing and local government, to deliver better for the city.

How can York remain a top tier visitor destination, while creating good jobs in the city and retaining local talent?

How do you make the most of North Yorkshire’s beautiful surroundings while forging a 21st century economy?

These balancing acts will be essential to the region’s longterm growth.

Sarah Czarnecki President

York & North Yorkshire Chamber

Legal firm complaint over probate delays

A leading Yorkshire legal firm has submitted an official complaint over what it describes as “outrageous” and persistent delays in the probate system despite recent government claims of major improvement.

Roche Legal, a specialist private client firm based in York, has made a complaint to HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) after experiencing severe delays with a complex probate case involving cross-border elements.

The move follows new data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by financial services provider Quilter, which shows that the number of probate cases taking over a year to resolve has surged by 134% in the past three years.

Probate is the legal process of dealing with a person’s estate after they die. Without a grant of probate, executors and beneficiaries may be unable to sell property, access bank accounts, or make financial decisions.

Rachel Roche concluded: “Families are often navigating grief and emotional distress. They deserve a system that is timely, transparent and fit for purpose, not one where they are left in the dark for months on end.

York Gin stars on national TV

York Gin has played a starring role on ITV recently. Their Mad Alice Bloody Orange gin appeared on Alan Titchmarsh’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ in 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 it as an “Amazing gin – it’s bright and fruitful and fabulous.”

Videography space for hire

Trimble Studios, a state-of-the-art 3,500 sq. ft. photography and videography facility, is inviting businesses and organisations across Yorkshire and the Northeast to express their interest in hiring its space.

Originally built in 2024 for Trimble Group’s own creative projects, Trimble Studios has since evolved into a highend production environment. Now, recognising the demand for professional-grade studio space, we are exploring opportunities to support local businesses, content creators, and marketing agencies by making our facilities available for external hire.

Located just one hour from Leeds and Newcastle, Trimble Studios is designed for seamless, high-quality content creation.

Guest Alan Davies of QI and Jonathan Creek, said “It’s really delicious.”

Natalie Hall, Director of York Drinks Ltd owner of York Gin, said: ‘The programme’s producers contacted us out of the blue in January and said they specifically wanted York Gin for their drinks slot. It’s always brilliant to get national exposure for our gin. And it’s lovely to see the hosts and guests loving York Gin.’

Regional legal powerhouse to merge

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.

It will operate from six locations: Grimsby, Lincoln, Louth, Hull, York and Beverley. It will be the largest law firm operating out of both Lincolnshire and Yorkshire and has a combined history going back more than 300 years.

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 start and end at Tower Bridge Quay.

Currently under construction at Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall, the 250-capacity vessel will feature an ultra-lightweight aluminium design combined with an industry first allbattery drive train. It will be fully accessible and equipped with innovative features including solar gain reducing glazing and LED lighting.

WEST & NORTH YORKSHIRE NEWS

Attracting investment

In the middle of May more than 16,000 people are going to flood into our region for one of the largest investment conferences in Europe.

UKREIIF attracts a global audience into Yorkshire and allows exhibitors to pitch to investors from all over the planet.

It could not have come at a more important time.

Attracting investment into the region is something we must all look to achieve.

And it should not be a difficult sell. Yorkshire is hugely investable. Thanks to its first-rate business community, worldclass universities and diverse range of industries, it is a superb place to do business.

However, much like the rest of Britain, progress on investment has stalled in recent years as geopolitical events conspired to create conditions less favourable to those looking for new transactions and relations.

However, now is the time for that to change.

Bradford is now in full flow as UK City of Culture. The Rise launch event was magnificent and it will now have months of national and international expansion. Already we are seeing some signs of businesses looking to invest in the city and, with Bradford Live due to open its doors in the Autumn, it really feels like the city’s time has finally come.

York too is enjoying a momentous 2025. It has signed off its Local Plan and is making progress on some impressive regeneration programmes.

And Leeds was not chosen to host UKREIIF by accident. It is a wonderful city, with great plans for its future.

As you would expect, the Chamber has been at the heart of all of this, and is continuing to take Yorkshire to the world, via a series of trade delegations to the likes of New York and Dubai.

So, let’s make 2025 the year where we put recent incumbrances aside and start to move the region forward.

Amanda Beresford Chair of the Board

West & North Yorkshire Chamber

Re-imagine the future of retail

Trinity Leeds and White Rose host Made in Yorkshire initiative, encouraging next generation to re-imagine 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 headto-head and pitching their proposals in the finals. Centred around the theme ‘re-imagining their local retail space’, the project challenged Leeds pupils to present their ideas and vision for retail in the future, while considering the broader impact retail space has on the local area.

The competition began with workshops at Trinity Leeds earlier this year, with the final taking place at White Rose Shopping Centre, where the winning concept has been chosen.

Year 10 students from Bruntcliffe Academy, Leeds East Academy, Dixons Unity Academy, and Oulten Academy took part in three workshops which replicated real-life design processes. This included creative place-making, community and customer insights, and environmental sustainability hosted by professionals at the shopping centres, before the students developed their own ideas for a retail space to best serve their community in Leeds.

From meeting the King to back in Bradford for Vee

Vee Kativhu, who has rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most influential people, including Michelle Obama, Prince Harry and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, gave a guest lecture on digital identity to University of Bradford students for a module titled Digital and Social Media Marketing.

Vee, 26, was named a Doctor of the University of

Advice for growing local economies

Experts at Leeds Beckett University, with leading business support provider Exemplas, have designed a new blueprint for boosting the growth of local economies, through a partnership delivery of business support and academic research.

Earlier this year, they launched a series of four publications – sharing the research evidence and design principles that informed the business support programmes, as well as insights, trends and learning from the programmes and the extensive data they have collected from working with more than 600 SMEs in the region.

Please visit exemplas.com/ category/insights/ to access the report and Insight Papers.

Bradford in July 2024 in recognition of her work to help under-privileged groups enter higher education.

She was back on campus days after meeting King Charles at a water and climate reception inside Buckingham Palace, saying it was an honour to discuss topics including girls’ education and the global water crisis with him.

DWF announces 29 promotions

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 and UK head of adjusting.

The firm, which recently reported that revenue has increased by 8% in the first half of its financial year, made 238 promotions globally. This includes 13 new promotions to partner or partnerequivalent roles. In addition, 13 existing DWF partners have been promoted to a higher career level within the partnership structure.

Council funding for warmer homes

Council leaders have confirmed that City of York Council will receive more than £3.4m of funding thanks to two separate grants.

The funding, announced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will be used to upgrade around 280 homes over the next three years, to reduce carbon emissions and fuel poverty and improve the comfort and health of Council homes.

The measures include loft, flat roof, external wall and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, smart heating controls and solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity.

Streamlining exports by

NaughtOne’s Excellence Academy graduate

A modern, dynamic furniture designer and manufacturer based near Harrogate, with more than £30 million annual turnover, including UK production alone providing 40% export sales – that sounds like the kind of company you should know, right? The figures are eye-catching, and so are their designs, but it’s possible the name is one you haven’t heard of before: NaughtOne.

That’s because NaughtOne is a contract furniture company – it creates to order, for customers that you certainly will have heard of: the global headquarters of LinkedIn, Etsy and Timberland, for instance; universities including Liverpool and Nottingham; breakout spaces in the offices of CapitalOne and Swiss biotech company Shire; co-working areas at the Financial Conduct Authority in London - the list goes on.

In recent years it has become part of a larger international design group - the Herman Miller group of companies, MillerKnoll.

With components being sourced from multiple countries, manufactured in

the UK and an ever-changing roster of export destinations, NaughtOne’s International Logistics Coordinator Rosie Taylor has a lot to keep on top of.

Why the Export Trade Accelerator?

Before joining NaughtOne three years ago, Rosie was much involved more on importing than exporting, but that has all changed since.

“I think I actually prefer exporting now”, she says, “but dealing with different country requirements is challenging. Some people think they can simply export anywhere, but then I tell them: for that specific country we’ll need this document, this certificate, and so on. I’m the only person here who’s 100%

focused on these things.”

In order to take NaughtOne’s international trade capabilities to the next level, Rosie joined Chamber International’s Export Trade Accelerator (formerly known as the Excellence Academy) last year, graduating with Distinction in March 2024. Being part of a small professional peer group with logistics and trade specialists from other companies a was great experience for her. “There was a lady from Ireland; a lady who was shipping out metal components – it was so good to compare notes and learn from each other,” she said.

“The taught sessions were really helpful for me – I thought they might be a bit long and tedious, but the time really went past quickly, because there was so much interaction and the talk was far more insightful than I had expected. The trainers we had each time were amazing. One area I didn’t really know about before was to do with exports that might be used by the

“The

changes I have started to implement have saved Finance and myself a lot of headaches.

I think they can all see the benefit of what I learned through the Export Trade Accelerator.”

Rosie Taylor International Logistics Coordinator

military – dual-use goods. That was certainly eye-opening.”

The Export Trade Accelerator (ETA) has a strong commitment to mentoring, so that conversations continue and develop outside of the online classroom, on non-training days. “I would ring up Kate, the trainer, and ask questions about the course, coursework and how the guidelines affected our company. She would help me take things even further and ensure my knowledge was there”, said Rosie.

“I realised that we didn’t really have a succinct system for keeping records, because we weren’t clear about what HMRC expects, so now we have made changes and it’s working much better. The timing was just right. Because our exports business has grown so much, we have been given an HMRC case-worker to check over our routes to market.

Our finance team were a bit worried about what would be required, but I was able to tell them: It’s OK, we collect the data now. The changes I have started to implement have saved Finance and myself a lot of headaches. I think they can all see the benefit of what I learned through the ETA, and are on board with it too”.

The next Export Trade Accelerator for people working in import and export roles begins on 10 September 2025.

Further information at chamber-international.com

What is the Export Trade Accelerator?

Importing and exporting today is anything but usual. Clogged supply chains, the high cost of containerised transport, Brexit, Covid-19, sanctions and a raft of new trade regulations have created demand for a programme of professional-level training that provides a well-rounded and detailed level of vocational learning in international trade. Chamber International’s ETA gives you all of that, combined with personal mentoring and peer support between classes, to help you upgrade and streamline your import/export procedures, and develop your professional capabilities.

This program has one goal, your success

Our course leaders and guest experts are renowned industry professionals supported by a team of assessors who are qualified by the Training and Development Lead Body (TDLB). Our unrivalled support package includes structured, constructive feedback and ongoing support to help you achieve your full potential. Numbers are limited to 8 delegates to allow a more personal, individual learning experience.

September Cohort Dates

Module 1 Wednesday 10 September

Module 2 Tuesday 16 September

Module 3 Tuesday 23 September

Module 4 Wednesday 8 October

Module 5 Wednesday 15 October

Module 6 Wednesday 22 October

All modules will run from 9:00am to 1:00pm

Fees: Chamber International clients and Chamber members: £1987 excluding VAT

Other: £2587 excluding VAT

Call 0845 034 7200 for more information and to book your place.

SKILLS

Action on skills

Businesses are struggling to recruit a skilled workforce.

That’s why the Chamber, working together with regional partners, is leading on delivery of two Local Skills Improvement Plans for West and North Yorkshire.

Appointed as the Employer Representative Body the Chamber has worked closely with businesses, local skills providers, local authority partners and trade organisations across West and North Yorkshire over the past 2 years to understand the skills needs of businesses. Aswell as co-ordinating with partners to support educators and skills providers to enhance skills delivery.

The Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) has been implemented to support transformational activity responding to Local Skills Improvement Plans. Delivering £6.9 million of support to FE colleges in West Yorkshire and £2.5 million in North Yorkshire.

In 2023 we surveyed hundreds of businesses across the region to understand skills needs. Skills gaps identified included transferrable skills such as leadership and management, communication and digital skills. Aswell as sector skills including Health and Social Care, Construction, Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Technology. Plus, in North Yorkshire Agri-skills and Visitor Economy, and in West Yorkshire Financial and Professional Services, Low Carbon, Creative Industries, Education, Transport and Logistics.

Skills gaps can not be resolved overnight however, and skills requirements change, for example with higher house building targets, and aging population or new infrastructure projects.

We are now calling on employers to help drive forward the skills agenda, acting as skills ambassadors in their sectors, helping to offer pathways to employment and create a talent pipeline in their own businesses, or perhaps to get engaged in delivering some teaching within FE to help bridge skills gaps.

Get in touch about skills by email at skills@wnychamber.co.uk or visit wnychamber.co.uk/local-skills-improvement-plan

LSIF funds have now been deployed in colleges with fantastic results.

Using the investment, many West Yorkshire Colleges have opened specialist hubs and digital spaces to offer high level curriculum using immersive and digital technology and Artificial Intelligence.

In North Yorkshire Askham Bryan College has used LSIF funding to introduce a Farmbot, that automates seeding, weeding and watering crops, providing hands on experience with robotics, automation and machine learning.

Whilst Craven College has delivered additional training in green skills, including Forestry, Arboriculture and Safe Handling and Application of Pesticides.

Scarborough TEC and several other colleges have upgraded their hospital training wards with up-to-date resources, such as interactive mannequins, industry standard beds and simulation equipment for treating patients, enabling wider training provision, including to local care homes.

Selby College has invested heavily in its engineering department to create a decarbonisation laboratory which meets the needs of both the engineering and low-carbon sectors.

£600m construction skills funding

New

commitment by

invest

the Department for Education to

£600m into construction skills.

Construction skills training will train up to 60,000 additional electricians, engineers, bricklayers and carpenters.

The move comes after the Chamber publicly called upon Education Secretary Bridget Philipson to produce a plan to spell out how Government intended to tackle the crisis in the construction sector.

Construction is a major part of the UK’s economy, employing 2.15 million people and worth six per cent of the country’s GDP. However, the sector’s workforce is sharply declining, with more than a third of those working in construction now aged over 50 years old.

According to research from the Construction Industry Training Board, a total of 251,500 additional workers are required to meet UK construction output by 2028. This equates to 50,300 workers per year.

Ken Merry, principal and chief executive at York College, said: “I really welcome the government announcement providing an additional £600m of funding over four years to support the training of high quality, in demand construction workers.

“Regionally, there is great demand for construction skills to meet the highly ambitious new build targets, with exciting projects like York Central and Maltkin requiring significant growth in skilled workers. York College will play a key role in supporting the achievement of local and national government house building targets.”

Judith Jackson, head of apprenticeships at Bradford College, added: “Here at Bradford College we are always delighted to see any support for skills and training, which builds a stronger economy and better futures and jobs for young people and those wishing to grow and develop their careers.

“Overall, Rachel Reeves’ announcements, particularly if they focus on investing in skills, further education, and reducing the cost burden on students, could lead to better funding for colleges, improved access to higher education, and more opportunities for students.

“However, the exact impact would depend on the specific policies she introduces and how they are implemented within the broader economic framework.”

“This investment is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about building futures, strengthening communities, and enabling inclusive economic growth.”

Kevin O’Hare, principal of Keighley College

ECONOMY

Mark Casci Head of Policy and Representation

Half full or half empty?

After the dire results posted in the final Quarterly Economic Report of 2024, I had said to myself that there was no way things could get any worse. As it turned out I was half right.

The first three months of 2025 very much reveal a dividing line between the service and manufacturing sector. While our region’s service sector has rallied, significantly in a number of areas, the situation for manufacturing has worsened with the sector posting some of the gloomiest results since the height of Covid 19 lockdowns five years ago. Whether it is domestic sales, investment plans or confidence over future profitability, service sector firms are enjoying far more favourable trading conditions than their manufacturer colleagues.

Confidence on profits amongst our service sector is significantly better than the rest of the UK, as is its likelihood to invest in both training and capital expenditure. The sector saw its domestic sales grow for the third successive quarter and the level of firms reporting improved UK sales is double that of the national average.

For manufacturers the situation is inverted. Sales performance both at home and abroad worsened, with many firms in the sector resorting to job cuts or recruitment freezes. Cashflow remains a concern as well.

What is arguably worse is that this region is being outperformed by the rest of the North of England and the country at large, where manufacturers are significantly more confident on growing their profits in the weeks and months ahead.

The only area in which both sectors jointly appeared optimistic was on future hiring intent, with increasing numbers of both manufacturers and service sector firms signalling they are looking to take on more staff this year. The other matter which united both sectors was around cost pressure, with tax now the number one issue facing employers.

A great deal of this can likely be ascribed to the Budget and its measures to increase National Insurance Contributions for employers, taking the tax burden for businesses into a generational high. Wage costs are also continuing to pose employers headaches, with the costof-living crisis showing no sign of vanishing any time soon.

Given that our region’s community relies on the manufacturing sector more so than other parts of the region, it is of particular concern that the sector is enduring such challenging times. And while it is, of course, encouraging to see our service sector doing so well and hitting its stride, sustainable economic growth is only achieved when all sectors are given the conditions to thrive.

DOMESTIC SALES

A veritable mixed bag with service sector firms seeing their third consecutive quarter of sales growth, with an uplift of three per cent. However, the pain for manufacturers continues with a drop of seven per centage points. The sectors are split on orders with service sector firms looking healthy while manufacturers continuing to see their domestic order books decline.

EXPORT SALES

International sales were poor for both manufacturers and service sector firms who saw declines of nine and 10 per centage points respectively, the first time both sectors found themselves in negative territory since the end of 2023. Order books for overseas sales in both sectors are also in decline.

EMPLOYMENT

The last quarter of 2024 was a grim period for recruitment among manufacturers with employment down by 20 per centage points. Service sector firms recovered with a return to growth. Prospects going forward however look far healthier with the level of services and manufacturers looking to recruit having grown by four and 18 per cent respectively.

INVESTMENT

Another mixed set of results when it comes to training investment, which saw the service sector soar by an impressive 26 per cent while manufacturers witnessed a decline of two per cent. Capital expenditure however was a different matter, with both firms seeing investment spending increasing by seven per cent, a welcome boost given the dire scenes witnessed at the end of 2024.

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE

The division between the manufacturing and service sectors could not be starker when it comes to expectations on profits. Service sector businesses are feeling strong with the number of firms expecting to grow profits up by nine points, the highest they have been since the start of the summer. However, the level of manufacturers anticipating improved profit levels fell by a disappointing seven per centage points to the lowest level seen since the height of the Covid 19 lockdowns seen five years ago.

COSTS AND CONCERNS

Given the impact the cost-of-living crisis has had on wage bills and the measures outlined in the Budget, both on the minimum wage and on Employer National Insurance Contributions, it should come as no surprise that taxation and labour costs are the two biggest headaches facing Yorkshire businesses.

The Chamber welcomed measures outlined by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to kickstart economic growth.

Expanding our nation’s airport capacity, investing in internal transport infrastructure and streamlining the planning system will all help send the message to business in our network that a brighter future is within our grasp.

However, the Chamber would have also liked to have seen more measures outlined for Yorkshire and the North included in the Chancellor’s vision, most notably around Northern Powerhouse Rail and a new railway station for Bradford which would really send the message that the North of England is at the heart of Britain’s future growth potential.

Mark Casci, head of policy and representation at West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was encouraging to see the Chancellor talking up our economy with a series of welcome proposals to get Britian’s economy moving again.

“After a gloomy few months, it was most welcome to see some positive announcements around investments in Britain’s future.

“However, our members would expect nothing less than for our Chamber to urge the Chancellor to go further and focus on commitment to the entirety of Northern Powerhouse Rail, a project which would be transformational for our region.

“What is now essential is that Government enacts all of its announcements in full and at pace.”

“Our nation’s business community still bears the scars of debacle that was the HS2 cancellation, and we must not see a return to broken promises. And of course we should also not lose sight of the fact that businesses are still struggling with increasing costs.

“Business rates reform, better export support and an employment rights package that works for firms would all ameliorate these problems.”

UAE Trade Visit

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce capped off a hugely successful trade mission to the United Arab Emirates which saw commercial links forged across a range of sectors.

The Chamber led a delegation of businesses to the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in order to strengthen links between our region and the Gulf state.

Among the events organised included a Great Yorkshire Show Garden Party at the British Embassy, where Chamber delegates were hosted by Sarah Mooney, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan at the British Embassy UAE. The commissioner even wore a BD25 scarf for the occasion.

Delegates also received an economic update at HSBC Tower, travelled to Abu Dhabi to visit a number of Abu Dhabi Chamber members and experienced a visit to a Free Zone in central Dubai.

Principal sponsors for the mission were Schofield Sweeney, University of Bradford and Data Stream.

As part of the visit the British

Chamber of Commerce in Dubai welcomed more than 80 UK and UAE-based businesses as part of its Joint Delegation Networking with the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The event, supported the Department for Business and Trade and UK British Chambers of Commerce on in-bound trade missions, is a key part of our efforts towards encouraging international connectivity and timely knowledge transfer between businesses based in Dubai and those exploring the region.

Katy Holmes, chief executive of the British Chamber of Commerce in Dubai, said: “Last night’s reception really highlighted the strength and great potential of the British Chambers of Commerce international network and in person market exploration.”

The Chamber was joined on the trade mission by a number of the region’s leading businesses including Schofield Sweeney Solicitors, RJJ Software, Platinum Partnership Solicitors, LOVE IN CARE, Madison May, Tudor International Freight, University of Bradford, Sound Leisure, F. B Parrish

and Son Ltd, Data Stream UK, Aqua Interpreting Group, ITC and Marske Hall Country Estate.

Dubai was selected for our next mission following consultation with Chamber members.

As the third most visited city on the planet, Dubai has a GDP worth more than $170 billion and is a global epicentre for real estate, trade and financial services.

James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The appetite for forging new business connections globally remains high in Yorkshire and, when we consulted with our network, the UAE was a clear stand out choice for a trade mission following on from highly successful visits to the USA, Pakistan, Kenya and Sri Lanka in 2024.

“It is our pleasure and duty to showcase the cream of Yorkshire businesses to the world.”

We are working on our next trade mission and will release details soon. Keep an eye on our events at wnychamber.eventbrite.com

ENVIRONMENT

Changing the world for the better

At Leeds Beckett University, collaborating with industry, policymakers, and community groups is at the heart of its approach to tackling some of today’s most pressing challenges – through research and knowledge exchange.

With a commitment to co-creation, Leeds Beckett is uniquely positioned to help businesses address complex challenges through collaborative knowledge exchange - ensuring that research aligns with partners’ needs and delivers meaningful, lasting impact.

Knowledge exchange is about taking all the wonderful research, know-how and support that a university houses and bringing this to wider groups such as, but not exclusively, the business community - to exchange ideas, evidence, and expertise.

To further enrich this work, Leeds Beckett has established three strategic themes for Research and Knowledge Exchange. These themes bring together academic experts and stakeholders to foster collaboration and co-creation, emphasising the university’s strengths and contributions in these key areas.

The themes are:

• Greener, Sustainable Communities

• Inclusive, Prosperous Communities

• Sport and Healthy Communities

As these themes are interdependent, it’s crucial that they aren’t pursued in isolation. Crosscutting topics will weave all three themes together to ensure maximum impact.

Greener, Sustainable Communities

Leeds Beckett takes pride in the societal, economic, and environmental benefits its projects generate. The Greener, Sustainable Communities theme unites academic experts, industry partners, policymakers, and projects dedicated to creating a positive environmental impact. Leeds Beckett’s Research and Knowledge Exchange initiatives align strongly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A key contributor to this strategic theme is the Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) - one of the UK’s top research teams conducting scientific field trials to assess real-world building performance. LSI’s work plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable solutions for the built environment. In February this year, the team launched two new test cells at Citu’s Climate Innovation District in Leeds, to gather real-world thermal performance data on British house types, and evaluate the effectiveness of new build homes and innovative retrofit solutions.

One key project within this theme is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Q Medical, led by Dr Ash Ahmed at Leeds Beckett. The project focuses on commercialising lowcarbon aggregate substitutes—made from re-purposed and treated NHS clinical waste—for use in civil engineering. This 30-month KTP, part-funded by the UK Government through Innovate UK, aims to create long-term innovation and product development capabilities for NuGreen, a sister company of Q Medical. The project is a prime example of how KTPs contribute not only to regional research and development (R&D) spending, but also to the university’s broader sustainability efforts.

Another important focus within this theme is addressing the complexities surrounding carbon emissions, particularly Scope 3 emissions. One of the university’s current projects, in collaboration with Quality Bearings Online Ltd. (QBOL), aims to address this issue. Academics at Leeds Beckett and colleagues at QBOL are developing a unique computing system that will help the company move away from a carbon-intensive 'Just in Time' delivery approach. This

project will enable a greener supply chain and explore opportunities for storage hubs in key geographical locations worldwide.

KTPs, like the one with QBOL, are an excellent example of how Leeds Beckett University drives innovation. These projects often require an approach that brings together expertise from diverse fields, across multiple areas of the university: In this case, Leeds Business School and the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing combined their expertise to develop a solution that addresses complex business challenges.

Leeds Beckett’s diverse project portfolio spans a wide range of initiatives that not only deliver practical solutions and commercial impact for stakeholders - but also support key government agendas to boost innovation, advance local economies, and contribute to the Net Zero challenge.

Through its research and knowledge exchange activities, Leeds Beckett leverages its expertise and networks to address global challenges, driving positive change both regionally and internationally. From combating the

climate crisis to promoting gender, racial, and social equality, to pioneering new healthcare and sports technologies, the university is committed to improving lives and helping people stay well and active for longer.

At the heart of Leeds Beckett’s approach is its commitment to four core pillars: Communities, Coproduction, Inclusion, and Impact. These pillars reflect the values that define the university and ensure that its research creates meaningful, lasting change.

By partnering with the communities that its research is meant to serve, Leeds Beckett ensures that its work is informed by diverse perspectives, making tangible contributions to the lives of those it impacts. The university’s commitment to social justice further amplifies this impact, giving voice to under-represented groups in academic research.

From local charities to global movements, businesses to government institutions, Leeds Beckett demonstrates that long-term collaboration with partners is key to addressing real-world issues and making a lasting impact.

Sustainability should be seen as a business resilience concern rather than simply an 'ESG' or compliance issue

Market conditions in the UK remain undeniably challenging, influenced by both macroeconomic factors affecting the entire British economy and microeconomic factors impacting businesses, sectors, and regions. Additionally, the global political climate only exacerbates these challenges.

When faced with trade-offs to ensure short-term business continuity, it's understandable why some businesses might place sustainability lower on their list of priorities.

However, such an approach ignores the possible long-term consequences of inaction, and the potential benefits from taking a proactive approach. In a recent report, Boston Consultancy Group estimated the physical risk from climate change could jeopardise 5% to 25% of corporate profits by 2050 depending on sector and geography, whilst investment in climate change mitigation could see an up to five-fold return on investment*.

In discussion with Scott McFarlane from our Business Sustainable Finance and Strategy team at Virgin Money, he advised: “While global figures may be difficult to relate to on a tangible, local level, Virgin Money research shows that nearly 60% of businesses believe ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations will have a major or moderate impact on their operations in the next five years, and just over 40% have set sustainability-related targets.”

“These statistics point towards a natural inflection point where the cost of inaction surpasses the cost of action. While pinpointing the exact moment is challenging, it's crucial to consider creating a 'sustainability hedge' for your business. In other words, how can you de-risk your business to make strategic decisions that maximise mid- to long-term resilience as the UK economy rapidly decarbonises over the next five years?”

“That's why it's crucial to identify the priority areas where your business needs to de-risk or transform. This could involve the supply chain, the products offered, or considerations in the 'S' of ESG such as the employee base or the broader role and influence in society.

Understanding the likely cost of investment to become 'future-fit' is essential.”

So, how can Virgin Money support businesses across the West and North Yorkshire region?

Firstly, our Sustainable Business Coach app helps any business identify key sustainability actions they can take. It provides guidance on how they can enhance their sustainability performance or resilience, and sets a strategy based on the coach's outcomes. This can deliver tangible results for influencing key stakeholder decisions.

Our Sustainable Business Coach was developed in conjunction with the Future-Fit Foundation, a UK registered not-for-profit who are focussed on collating and curating credible and robust third-party resources into one unified methodology – the Future-Fit Business Benchmark – that any business can use to guide, measure and report on real progress in order to build a better world. This ensures that our Sustainable Business Coach has credible independent foundations with the ability for businesses using it to obtain an externally recognised benchmark accreditation of ‘Future-Fit Engaged’.

In addition, in October 2024 Virgin Money launched our Mobiliser Fund with a driver to pro-actively finance the transition to the ‘next economy’ for future-thinking businesses targeting net zero. Our bold ambition is to have, by 2027, 20% of all our business lending through:

• Sustainability Changemakers, which are businesses whose core goods or services accelerate social or environmental change

• Businesses in energy-intense sectors who are taking demonstrable steps to ready their business for net zero.

To help deliver on this ambition, the Mobiliser Fund provides sustainability-linked loans benefiting from a discounted pricing structure for businesses whose core activities drive social or environmental change. This includes sustainable financing designed to reduce the risks in a changing economic landscape, contribute to broader social and environmental goals and hopefully appeal to eco-conscious customers and investors.

As a lender who has joined the Net Zero Banking Alliance and is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and be net zero by 2050, we proactively support our local relationship directors to work in tandem with businesses and advisors across the community – recognising that the West and North Yorkshire region has its part to play in delivering on the commitments set out by the UK Government.

John Bullock Head of Strategic Finance, Yorkshire & North East

*Source: Act on Climate Risk Today or Face the High Cost of Inaction 11/12/24

Sustainability A business resilience concern

Sustainable strategies Why Lloyds is taking the initiative on efficiency

Creating a cleaner, greener business doesn’t just help protect the planet and its people, there’s a compelling business case too, says Martyn Kendrick, Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds.

Sustainable practices for your business can help cut costs, boost your bottom line, recruit the best staff, enhance your reputation and win new business.

But it’s not always easy to know where to start.

ADVERTORIAL

BY

LLOYDS

Lloyds and Lloyds Bank are trading names of Lloyds Bank plc.

Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN.

Registered in England and Wales no. 2065. Telephone: 0207 626 1500.

Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under Registration Number 119278.

Starting point

Every sustainability journey has to start with a first step which means understanding where you already are.

A detailed audit gives you a baseline from which to assess the impact of your efforts. And it means you can build sustainability goals into your business strategy, then share your successes with customers and colleagues.

Some businesses start with installing LED lighting, insulation and smart meters to help reduce energy consumption and bills.

Lloyds’ free Green Buildings Tool can help you assess your premises to identify and evaluate opportunities to make them more energy efficient, reducing your bills and carbon emissions.

But larger firms should also be reviewing their supply chains to understand how this may impact their greenhouse gas emissions.

So, swapping one supplier for another, whether that be component, packaging, logistics or energy, can make a difference on your own operations.

Taking inspiration

Yorkshire certainly has some innovative sustainable businesses you can take inspiration from.

Like Allium Energy, the York-based family firm which recycles and generates power from organic waste. After the successful exit from Todd Waste Management in 2017, which specialised in skip hire and waste management, Managing Director Richard Todd pivoted the business.

Recognising the opportunity to use organic waste to produce low carbon power, Richard invested in a £6 million project – supported by a £3 million loan from Lloyds – to develop the renewable energy business, building a combined heat and power plant.

Today, Allium generates enough low carbon energy to power 8,000 homes, with organic compost produced as a by-product. Richard said: “It’s critical that we do as much as we can to capitalise on the materials we have at our disposal to create renewable, clean, sustainable sources of power.

“The set-up we are creating here is fully scalable, and we hope it can be used as a blueprint for developers and other big users of energy looking to find more sustainable, localised power and heat solutions.”

It’s never too late to make a start on sustainability, and you can find out more about how Lloyds can support your sustainability objectives by visiting our business sustainability hub at lloydsbank.com/sustainability

Lloyds supports a broad range of investments by providing discounted lending for green purposes, allowing you to achieve your business’ sustainability goals, wherever you are on your journey.

Sustainability on every level

Equans is a national leader in low carbon solutions for repairing, maintaining and improving social-rented homes.

In Yorkshire, Equans works on behalf of landlords including Leeds City Council, Yorkshire Housing, Acis Group and Leeds Federated Housing Association.

Equans’s work stretches much further than bricks and mortar and the business has a proven track record of improving lives in the communities it works in. By harnessing national initiatives – such as the Care Leaver Covenant - and having an ear to the ground, Equans delivers social value with tangible impact.

In Leeds alone in 2024, over 1,400 people directly benefited from Equans’s support through employability and training workshops, funds raised or through volunteering initiatives. Almost a third of these people were part of a hard-to-reach group, including individuals not in education or employment.

Last year in Leeds, Equans delivered social value activity equivalent to over £2.3m – boosting aspirations and opportunities.

Equans employs 42 apprentices and trainees in the region including James Stead, 17, from Wakefield, an apprentice joiner on Equans’s Leeds Federated Housing Association

contract, which delivers responsive repairs and planned maintenance to over 4,500 homes.

James said: “I feel like I’m thriving in an environment where I can continuously learn new skills, with each day bringing fresh challenges and opportunities.”

Equans staff are always eager to support others be that through mentoring the next generation or by getting their hands dirty. Through its commitment to the Government’s Care Leaver Covenant, Equans voluntarily refurbishes properties, helping people leaving the care system put down firm roots.

Equans’s vision is to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, resilient world and to date it has secured over £360million from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (now renamed the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund) to help

clients decarbonise social-rented homes. It employs an in-house team of sustainability experts and recognises the importance of championing green roles.

Equans’s support for a greener future doesn’t end there – its teams help educate communities about energy efficiency and last year spent over 200 hours hosting workshops in schools, colleges and community hubs throughout Yorkshire.

Kerri White, Head of Social Value at Equans, said: “We tailor our approach to meet specific needs of communities so that we can have the biggest impact possible. We see first-hand the positive difference our work has.

“Equans’s all-encompassing approach to supporting communities to be skilled, self-sufficient and environmentally-aware creates a more sustainable future for us all.” Find out more at Equans.co.uk or enquiries.uk@equans.com

The importance of Decarbonisation in removing CO2 from industrial clusters in Humberside and Teesside

The UK's transition to net zero hinges on reducing emissions from industrial clusters – geographic concentrations of interconnected companies in a particular field that offer unique opportunities for decarbonisation due to their shared infrastructure, resources, and collaborative potential.

Six major UK clusters contribute significantly to industrial emissions, with Humberside and Teesside accounting for nearly half.

Humberside is the UK's largest CO2emitting industrial cluster, responsible for 50% more emissions than the next largest. The Humber Industrial Cluster Plan aims to achieve net-zero by 2040 through a combination of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), hydrogen production, and energy efficiency measures. This ambitious plan not only addresses the region's substantial emissions but also sets a precedent for other clusters to follow.

Teesside is home to the UK's first decarbonised industrial cluster, Net Zero Teesside, which integrates carbon capture and storage with hydrogen production. Its compact industrial layout and proximity to offshore CO2 storage sites make it an ideal location for these technologies.

The Northern Endurance Partnership provides the necessary infrastructure to transport and store captured CO2, supporting Teesside's goal of

becoming a global leader in clean energy and low-carbon industries.

Decarbonising industrial clusters presents economic opportunities alongside environmental benefitscreating new jobs, attracting inward investment, and enhancing the competitiveness of parts of the country that have struggled for decades. Moreover, it positions the UK as a leader in green technologies and sustainable industrial practices, equipping the workforce with globally transferable skills.

DWF's global energy team is at the forefront of supporting industrial decarbonisation, providing a tailored service and mission critical advice. We help clients deliver on their ambitions for net zero, decarbonisation and sustainable and secure energy generation, storage and supply. Led by Global Head of Energy, Darren Walsh, the team is currently advising promoters, industrial operators and utility undertakers on carbon capture and low carbon energy solutions, including hydrogen, ammonia and sustainable aviation fuels.

From nuclear power (including small and advanced modular reactor technology), an important net zero generation technology, to the expansion of renewables and emerging CCUS technologies, DWF is proud to be an ESG leader supporting

sustainability projects from end to end. Recent panel appointments including Cadent Gas, coupled with services to operators and promoters in these industrial clusters, is testament to our industry expertise and growing reputation in the sector.

A Sustainable Future

As industrial clusters evolve, collaboration between industry, government, and advisors like DWF is key to achieving net zero. By adopting innovative technologies and strategic partnerships, Humberside and Teesside are laying the foundation for a cleaner, more sustainable industrial landscape.

Download DWF's Renewable Energy Atlas to learn more or reach out to DWF's ESG & sustainability team.

This article was authored by Andrew Batterton, Office Managing Partner of DWF in Leeds and Head of Development and Infrastructure Planning.

Businesses count the cost of carbon and prepare for CBAM

Local businesses have welcomed Chamber International’s initiatives to help importers and exporters deal with Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) requirements.

What is the new CBAM tax?

An environmental tax measure, the purpose of CBAM is to reduce carbon emissions related to the production and transport of goods, regardless of where they are produced in the world. It is based on a system of certificates covering the embedded emissions in imported products, so that importers must pay the same carbon price as domestic producers under the EU emission trade system (ETS).

In its initial phase, from 2023 to 2025, the EU’s CBAM focussed on particularly carbon-intensive products (iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen) and their precursors. During this phase, CBAM did not directly increase import costs for EU importers, but they did have to collect and report carbon data on a quarterly basis, and could be fined for not doing so accurately.

From 2026, however, the EU’s full CBAM regime will begin to be implemented. The UK intends to introduce its own CBAM (for goods imported into the UK) in January 2027.

The challenge for businesses

CBAM brings challenges for exporters and importers, because the carbon emissions inherent in a product are not easy to assess, not least because of today’s complex international supply chains, where components and intermediate products may be produced in different countries, then processed in others, prior to import.

The fact that many businesses will have to deal with both EU and UK requirements only adds to the difficulties they face.

CI’s Trade Procedures Manager, Sam Paley, said: “For businesses who have already had to deal with being outside the EU Customs Union, and new GPSR regulations for product safety, CBAM is coming at a tough time. However, CBAM should level the playing field a bit, so that the UK’s producers are not at a disadvantage because other parts of the parts of the world have less rigorous carbon controls than we do, or because full production carbon costs are being ignored.”

Getting up to speed

CI’s flexible programme of support services includes tailored one-to-one assistance with: understanding CBAM and its impact on the business; supply chain assessment; carbon data extraction and presentation; calculating a product’s carbon footprint; data validation, and more.

Also, because the regulatory environment is changing quickly and CBAM’s roll-out is causing anxiety among businesses, CI has arranged an online workshop: CBAM MasterclassPolicy, Transition and Compliance, to take place on 29 April 2025.

Participants will learn about: the EU Green Deal and its tax implications; CBAM policy and its implementation; how to comply; how to keep records; and how to obtain certificates.

New headaches for consumer goods exporters

In December 2024, the new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) came into force, introducing modernised safety standards for consumer products sold in the European Union.

The regulation applies to all products placed on the market from that date that are expected to be used by consumers, and which are not already covered by specific EU compliance legislation.

GPSR replaces the old General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) – consumer supply chains have changed significantly since that document was introduced in 2001, with people now buying goods from all over the world, often using online marketplaces such as Amazon, Alibaba and Etsy.

The new Regulation introduces obligations for online marketplaces, recognising the important role that they have in these supply chains. It also has a greater scope than GPSD, in that it now also encompasses used and repaired items. It applies directly to EU member states (and Northern Ireland), whereas GPSD was a directive that needed to be transposed into domestic laws.

One of the most challenging aspects of the GPSR for UK exporters is that it only allows products to be placed on the EU or NI markets if the exporter/producer has an economic operator established in the EU who agrees to ensure compliance with certain aspects of the GPSR and Market Surveillance Regulation. When a product bought online is delivered to the customer in the EU or NI, for instance, the product, packaging or accompanying must include the name and specific contact details of the operator – effectively an EU-based agent. This agent could be the importer, distributor, logistics provider, or even an online platform operator, but they must have agreed in writing to take on this role on behalf of the exporter/producer.

This raises the questions – how might a small exporter find and appoint a suitable in-market operator, to take on these responsibilities? In some instances, your existing import partner or distributor might be willing do this – but that’s not always an option. Some EU-based entities are advertising such services, but are charging a premium, understandably.

For instance, Brett Kirchner, director of online bookshop Inkstone Books, told The Book-seller:

“As we don’t produce the books ourselves, the GPSR compliance requirements seem to be a publisher responsibility, but as a retailer hoping to sell books into the EU, we still need an EU responsible person. There are vendors that offer this service, for a number of prices ranging from quite reasonable to exorbitant.”

Micro-businesses, such as crafters that sell on eBay and Etsy, are also likely to struggle with meeting GPSR requirements due to their small scale and inability to absorb extra costs.

GPSR includes requirements regarding, among other things: risk assessments, product recalls, the handling of complaints, waste disposal and dealing with accidents.

As businesses come to terms with all the new requirements, Chamber International is monitoring developments closely. With decades of international trade experience, we’re on hand to assist with all aspects of import and export, and provide training (such as our powerful Excellence Academy package) to bring your staff up to the highest level of professional competence.

Contact Chamber International for assistance today on 0845 034 7200.

International trade training

10 April 2025

An Introduction to Export Licensing

23 April 2025 Workshop for Import Administrators

29 April 2025

CBAM Masterclass: Policy, Transition & Compliance

29 April 2025 German Packaging Regulations

30 April 2025 Export Documentation

8 May 2025 Customs Special Procedures

15 May 2025

HMRC Audits & Customs Record Keeping Requirements

20 May 2025

Importing from the EU

22 May 2025 Export Documentation & Import Procedures

Mass transit is on track to transform Yorkshire

With the first round of consultation finished and the next planned for early 2026, today was a great opportunity to hear from leaders that will be delivering Mass Transit for West Yorkshire and the businesses that will help shape the narrative of the project.

Business support was at the heart of the conversations during this engaging session in Leeds, including other vital benefits such as property values increasing, links to local growth plans and supporting the local work force.

I highlighted to the panel the importance of engaging with education providers to hear firsthand what young people think of this multibillion-pound project and how work needs to start now, in creating curriculums that allow local people to help build this project.

So, it was great to hear that conversations have already begun regarding this, including work with teams that have a successful Tram system. Something I know all our region’s education providers will support.

A project that will put the region on the world map, along with so many other ones, such as the Southern Gateway in Bradford.

Celebrating 10 brilliant years at Bradford Chamber Business Park

JHE & Partners are a specialist Accountancy & Finance recruitment business, placing candidates from transactional level through to FD/ CFO appointments within the Yorkshire region and we have recently celebrated the magnificent milestone of 10 years in business!

JHE & Partners was founded in late 2014 with the mission to support the local region’s best employers and enabling them to grow by providing the highest quality candidates across permanent and temporary positions.

We took the decision to base our head office from Bradford Chamber Business Park, and it has been without a doubt one of the best decisions we made during our start-up journey and one that has enabled us to grow and build on success year after year. One of JHE & Partners’ founding principles was to support local regional organisations and to be very much part of the local Yorkshire business community.

Being part of the WNY Chamber of Commerce and being located on the Business Park has provided tremendous networking opportunities and allowed us to promote JHE & Partners’ services to other like-minded businesses in the region. This has helped us partner with a number of leading organisations and develop long lasting relationships with key business leaders across Yorkshire.

As well as successfully recruiting for several businesses based on the Business Park we have also been able to rely on their assistance and utilised their services in areas such as IT Support and legal advice.

The Business Park has supported our business extremely well over the last 10 years, with excellent care provided by the Chamber staff, such as Fiona Pittam (Business Centre Co-Ordinator) who has helped us on a daily basis throughout our time here. It suits all our needs and as we have organically grown and hired more staff, we have been able to seamlessly move to larger office space within the building to better suit our requirements and had the flexibility to make office alterations to suit our technology and workspace needs thanks to the flexible rental terms and arrangements.

Another major benefit has been the meeting rooms, which we use extensively for both interviewing candidates faceto-face as part of our preselection process, as well as presentations to clients and hosting on-site client interviews when required.

As one milestone is celebrated JHE & Partners is looking forward to many more successful years ahead, with the same passion for truly understanding the local organisations we work with and growing our extensive network of brilliant candidates throughout the region.

Trafalgar Entertainment set to operate Bradford Live

The Chamber welcomed the news that a new operator for Bradford Live has been found.

The Chamber congratulates new operator Trafalgar Entertainment on successfully winning the tender process to operate the iconic city centre venue.

Mark Cowgill, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “The news that a new operator has been announced for Bradford Live is a fantastic development for the city.

“Bradford Live will provide the whole country with a world-class

Recognising female leadership

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s BAME Committee chair Nasreen Karim has been named in the 2025 Northern Power Women Awards Power List.

Nasreen, owner of Bradford-based solicitors firm Platinum Partnership Solutions, was named in the annual list alongside such luminaries as Alison Lowe, deputy mayor of West Yorkshire and Kerry Philips-Bland, managing director for Barclays.

Nasreen said: “It is a great honour to be listed alongside so many fantastic businesswomen who are all distinguishing themselves in their own fields.

“It is great that we women in the North take a step back and recognise just how much we can accomplish as business leaders.”

James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are very lucky to have Nasreen as part of the Chamber network. Her contributions and insights are hugely valued and it is absolutely right she was included in this prestigious list.”

3,000-seater venue that will attract the biggest events in entertainment and pull in an audience of thousands every year.

“As Bradford’s year as City of Culture swings into full force, the news could not have come at a better time.”

Bradford Live is now set to officially open for business in the Autumn when it will become one of the largest theatres in the North of England.

Bradford on the Rise UK City of Culture 2025

The Chamber applauded the inaugural event of Bradford City of Culture which saw thousands of people pack City Park for two consecutive nights.

The RISE event, headlined by Bradford-born magician Steven Frayne, kicked off a year of cultural celebrations in the city.

The event was a huge success, dominating the airwaves of local broadcasters and the pages of newspapers, both regionally and nationally.

The dazzling sell-out shows featured a 200-strong cast, including professional performers and the people of Bradford.

Loading Bay opening

“Three months into the year of culture and the passion is still building. On Wednesday 12th March, Bradford 2025 opened their doors to exclusive partners to showcase their new venue, Loading Bay. Located on Duke Street, the old Marks and Spencer facility is now a selected space for acts and performances for the region’s year of culture.

This brand-new pop-up venue will host a plethora of acts and performances throughout 2025. With multiple floors being used for performances and gallery spaces.

Attendees got the chance to hear about the vision for the space from Executive Director, Dan Bates plus lead producers of the Loading Bay programme, Rosy Armitage and Ben Rothera, who

shared the plans for the space, ranging from comedy, immersive shows and live video games.

Additionally, attendees saw firsthand the amazing work done by artists for the Bill Bailey exhibition on the first floor. Portraits that tell a personal story and will be free to see until April.

This valued space adds another section to engagement and the legacy of the city of culture and something we will be championing to continue to be used for assistance with the economic outlook of the region.

Further information on how businesses can get involved with Bradford 2025, can be found in our business webinar, “All About Bradford 2025”. Detailing the latest news and plans, the next one will take place in April.”

Bradford’s world class manufacturing sector was in the spotlight at the closing dinner for Bradford Manufacturing Weeks.

Sponsored by NatWest, the event celebrated the work that Bradford Manufacturing Weeks does to connect industry with schoolchildren in the city, a highly successful initiative now in its seventh year.

As the ninth largest manufacturing nation in the world employing 2.7 million people, UK manufacturing contributes 11 per cent of Gross Value Added. The event heard from NatWest’s Principal Economist and Strategic Research Director, Stephen Blackman and its relationship director Craig Emmerson.

A spokesperson said: “The Bradford district is a hub of innovation and industry, a melting pot, taking in advanced engineering, chemical innovation, textiles, automotive components, food manufacturing, environmental services and digital technologies.

“Administered by Bradford Chamber of Commerce, working with partners for the past seven years, Bradford Manufacturing Weeks has connected over 16,000 students in the region to the manufacturing sector, helping to launch many a career in the sector.

“A sincere thank you to many of the manufacturers in the room this evening as well, many of whom open your doors each year and welcome pupils in to find out what manufacturing is all about and to explain the wide range of roles available within your businesses, it’s not all oily rags.”

Our manufacturing sector is a formidable force, boasting 1,220 businesses that collectively employ 25,600 people. This sector alone contributed a staggering £1,540m to the Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2021. This proudly places Bradford as the 4th leading city in the UK for manufacturing employment, after London, Birmingham and Leeds.

Supported by Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority the sponsors of BMW for 2024 were NatWest, the University of Bradford, Solenis and Azets, all of whom joined us to celebrate Bradford Manufacturing.

A sincere thank you to you all for your support and time. Many of you have worked with Bradford Manufacturing Weeks from the outset and we are hugely appreciative.

This year’s Bradford Manufacturing Weeks saw a wide range of tours, competitions and speaker panels, with both in and out of school activities taking place, which will continue and develop next year. Students designed their own net zero islands, and thank you to Northern Gas and others for supporting that.

Looking ahead to the 2025 programme, taking place between 6-17 October, we’re calling for all manufacturers and educators from across the district to get involved. Sign up to take part in this fantastic initiative. Help encourage students to pursue a career in such a fascinating and diverse industry.

Email bmw@wnychamber.co.uk for any Bradford Manufacturing Weeks enquiries or visit wnychamber.co.uk/bradford-manufacturing-weeks

LEEDS

Launching Leeds Manufacturing Festival

The Chamber hosted the launch of the Leeds Manufacturing Festival at Leeds City College’s magnificent Printworks building.

The event was totally sold out and heard from top notch speakers such as our Leeds Chamber president Chris Black, AW Hainsworth MD Amanda McLaren, Enginuity’s Poppy Bramford and Cameron Pinder from Kirkstall Precision Engineering.

This was followed by a panel event at the end with all of the above as well as Hannah Wilson and Matt Booth from Leeds City College and E3 Recruitment.

Times are challenging in the sector but manufacturing is very much alive and thriving in Leeds and the more we can promote all it has to offer to our young people and (most importantly) their parents the better off we will all be.

Investing in development

Our Leeds Chamber Property & Economic Forum took place at The Knowledge Exchange (TKE) at Leeds Beckett University.

Themed on the topic of “How Leeds became a magnet for investment” guest speakers included Rob Leech from West Yorkshire Combined Authority who provided further explanation on the West Yorkshire Local Growth Plan, touching on the corridors of opportunity and the development of Mass Transit across the region, with the hope of connecting our cities together.

We also heard from Angela Barnicle, Director of City Development at Leeds City Council, who spoke about future plans for investment into Leeds. This was followed by a Q&A panel session to provide a private sector view, with questions posed by our Vice Chair Gurminder Sanghera and attendees too.

The panel included Stephen Miles (Cushman & Wakefield), Lee Savage (Caddick Construction Limited) and Rebecca Housam MRTPI (Savills).

Leading the way

The Chamber’s leadership groups got off to a flying start for 2025, tackling the major issues facing the region.

Leeds leadership group heard from the local BID’s Andrew Cooper on how the Christmas trading had faired in December, as well as the BID’s plans for the year. It also heard from Luminate Group’s Natalie Wilson on the incoming crisis regarding lack of construction workers in the country.

Meanwhile in North Yorkshire, the fortunes of both Harrogate and York came under the spotlight, with both BIDs updating on how the respective destinations had faired during Christmas.

Bank of England’s briefing

In the same week as the Chancellor addressed the nation in the Spring Statement, it was significant to have the Bank of England visit the Bradford Leadership Group and provide an economic outlook, nationally and regionally.

The group were joined by Paul Mount (Deputy Agent) and Dr Swati Dhingra (External Member of the Monetary Policy Committee) to discuss the banks reasons to keep the interest rate the same, work pressures, inflation and investment opportunities across the region.

Regenerating healthcare services in Bradford

A brand-new health facility and centre of excellence is set to be built on a derelict site in Bradford city centre, in an area earmarked for future regeneration.

Plans have been approved to convert the shell of the old Kingfisher House, which is part of Jinnah Court on Filey Street, into a state-of-theart orthopaedic care centre.

The site, just off Wakefield Road, falls within the Bradford “Southern Gateway” – an area eyed for major regeneration in the coming decades.

Standard Health Group, the organisation behind the plans, has said the work will be a transformative step in addressing the demand for enhanced medical facilities in Bradford.

Mark Cowgill, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “This investment into Bradford is most welcome and a testimony to the faith entrepreneurs have in the city. The fact that Standard Health Group has selected a site within the proposed Southern Gateway zone is a sign of the incredible potential this landmark regeneration project has to deliver for the region.

“This will provide yet another boost to a city economy which is heading very much in the right direction.”

Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning Alex Ross-Shaw said: “It is a real boost for the area to have such a transformative investment and we anticipate further such investment follows in what will be a key area of regeneration for Bradford. This new facility will create a centre of excellence bringing with it new specialist skills, and employment opportunities.”

It was pleasing to see Interest Rates stay the same and there is demand for them to be lowered as soon as possible. Paul and the team will return later this year to see how the economy has changed and what to look out for in 2026.

Additionally, the group got valuable updates from Bradford City of Culture 2025, who continue to drive excitement across the city. The regional plans at UKREiiF 2025 were discussed, with member businesses being invited to the Bradford Showcase Week at the Mumtaz, Leeds.”

Upgrading connectivity

The Chamber welcomed the news that both Dawsons Corner and the Stanningley Bypass are to see a £35m upgrade.

The Government has contributed the money to the scheme as part of its plan to prioritise 'value for money' road schemes while renewing ageing infrastructure.

Road users in Bradford and Leeds have seen high levels of traffic on the road worsen over the years, particularly slowing down buses between the two cities.

In a joint statement, Mark Cowgill, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, and Chris Black, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, said: “Connectivity is cited by businesses in our region time and time again among the chief pressures they face.

“Any measures to improve journey times between the two great cities of Bradford and Leeds is to be welcomed and we congratulate the government on the move. This investment will improve productivity and give businesses in our region greater confidence to invest and grow profits.

“Leeds and Bradford’s success will always hinge on one another’s progress and to see the two cities being pulled closer together is positive.”

Skills drivingfunding economiclocalgrowth

In January, the policy team were joined by Bradford South MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Judith Cummins. Along with James Mason, the team got to ask and engage with Judith about her plans for business for the next 18 months and her objective of job creation.

Judith’s focus was for job creation and to continue to work with as many businesses as possible. This includes the education sector, with trips to Bradford College’s new state of the art facilities. Facilities that have been made possible due to valuable LSIP funding and highlights the work the region is doing to help shape the next generation, within key areas such as construction.

Collaboration is vital and it was great to plan potential key events and actions to take forward, including tours, visits and proposals for 2025. Judith’s role as MP and deputy speaker, means the Bradford region is in a great

position to be put on the national stage. Using valuable contacts that will increase the regions national presence, in sectors that will play a vital role in the development of the country and targets set by national government.

Support that has materialised includes development of our Quarterly Economic Survey which provides businesses of all sizes the chance to have their say on current business confidence and is one of the longest running business surveys in the UK. Judith championed this, in one of her recent MP opinion pieces with the Telegraph & Argus.

“I am working with the Chamber of Commerce to bring local businesses together to understand the challenges they are facing, and the opportunities available to drive local economic growth.”

A beneficial meeting that was valuable for both parties. Further meetings are already being planned with multiple actions being agreed to continue with the focus of job creation for the next 18 months and beyond.”

York’s civic and business leadership have a shared duty to deliver growth for the city’s inhabitants.

To make the city a more prosperous, equal, and attractive city, there is a need to deliver the infrastructure that will enable this process.

As well as the requirement to build thousands of new houses, there is a broader need for increased development to meet the Council’s agenda for economic growth. All of this can be achieved whilst retaining the focus on building strong and vibrant communities with the emphasis on good place making and high-quality homes.

This sustainable growth can only happen if the right development comes forward in the right place at the right time. It will only be successful if there is collaboration between the Council, local communities, and developers to secure that growth.

This planning protocol therefore is the result of a joint venture between City of York Council and the York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and sets a commitment to working together to deliver a smooth and efficient process.

It builds on the existing good practices of engaging with communities and front loading the planning process and aims to provide a more proactive approach in delivering the good growth needed in York, helping to create jobs and attract investment.

“Together we aim to work successfully to deliver inclusive growth within the City of York Council area through the planning process.”

Planning Protocol launched

Collaboration Between City Of York Council and York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce launched a landmark agreement between developers and council officers at an event in York on Tuesday February 25.

Delivered in partnership with City of York Council, the Planning Protocol sets out the expectations of service and communications from both developers and council officials throughout the planning application process.

The Protocol is a code of conduct covering both operational and strategic elements of planning with actions based on three main themes: commitment to service improvement, effective communication and engagement, and certainty and consistency.

The Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a convener of public and private sector voices, to generate conversations focused on improving the places and environment that businesses operate.

Steve Secker, Chair of Property and Economic Forum: “To improve development in York and the surrounding area, all parties must work together to create a proactive environment for development.

“The Planning Protocol, along with continued engagement with planning authorities, will hopefully create that environment, to help create communities that benefit residents and businesses in York alike.”

The value of security

Family-owned businesses are often recognised for offering a personal touch and dedicated service, and Virpio Security is a shining example of this. Established in 2009, this Bradford-based company delivers reliable and trusted security solutions, backed by over 20 years of industry experience, to clients across West Yorkshire and beyond.

Proudly led by a father and daughter team, the company is dedicated to providing innovative, technology-driven security solutions grounded in strong family values. Their comprehensive range of services includes Manned Guarding, Mobile Patrols, Keyholding, Alarm Response, and CCTV.

The SIA-approved security provider caters to clients across multiple sectors, including construction, hospitality, and retail. However, the company’s core expertise lies in delivering specialised Gatehouse security solutions for warehouses within the transportation, haulage, and shipping industries. To serve clients in this space, Virpio Security has a dedicated Gatehouse Team, expertly trained to handle advanced IT systems, access control, perimeter monitoring, and the protection of high-value assets.

In 2023, Virpio Security proved that hard work, commitment, and the strength of family values are the driving forces behind its success, as the company won West Yorkshire’s "Best Family-Owned Security Provider" at the Northern Enterprise Awards.

A cornerstone of safety for its clients, Virpio Security strives to be a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes seeking to protect people, property, and assets. Whether securing a small retail shop, an office building or a large industrial site, Virpio tailors its services to meet the specific needs of each client, offering an extensive suite of security solutions designed for maximum protection and peace of mind.

Operating from its Head Office at the Euroway Trading Estate, just off the M62 in Bradford, Virpio is ideally positioned to serve neighbouring cities like Leeds, Huddersfield, and Wakefield, along with the wider region, ensuring a high level of service wherever it’s needed.

Pictured L-R: Layla Farhat, Head of Finance & Fareeha Faheem, Marketing Director

Find out more about services from Virpio Security Call us on 01274 028811, email info@virpiosecurity.co.uk or visit our website www.virpiosecurity.co.uk

Upcoming events

View and book all Chamber events at wnychamber.eventbrite.com

THURSDAY 24 APRIL – 8:30AM

Futureproofing Workforce: Recruitment & Skills Challenge in Manufacturing UTC Leeds

THURSDAY 24 APRIL – 12PM Executive Lunch at Sandburn Hall Sandburn Hall

WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL – 5PM Meet The Chamber York St John University

WEDNESDAY 7 MAY – 12PM

Executive Lunch at The Coniston Hotel, with Graham Sweeney The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa

WEDNESDAY 14 MAY – 12PM Leeds Business Lunch Location TBC

TUESDAY 20 MAY – 10AM Netwalking at Middlethorpe Hall Middlethorpe Hall and Spa

TUESDAY 20 MAY – 4PM Higher Level Skills for Manufacturing Leeds Beckett Business School

TUESDAY 27 MAY – 4PM Networking in Leeds at Revolución de Cuba Revolución de Cuba, Leeds

WEDNESDAY 28 MAY – 6PM Bradford Chamber Annual Dinner - The Business of Culture Bradford Cedar Court Hotel

TUESDAY 3 JUNE – 5PM

Leeds Property & Economic Forum

Location TBC

THURSDAY 5 JUNE – 6PM York Chamber Annual Dinner - The Business of Heritage York Racecourse

TUESDAY 17 JUNE – 8AM

Bradford Property and Economic Forum

Location TBC

THURSDAY 19 JUNE – 11AM King's Awards for Enterprise Online

THURSDAY 19 JUNE – 12PM

Executive Lunch at Thorpe Park Hotel Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa

Place your brand in front of a large

business audience

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for our Bradford Chamber Annual Dinner and our York & North Yorkshire Chamber Annual Dinner.

Gold Sponsor Package - £1,250

Platinum Sponsor Package - £3,500

For any sponsorship enquiries, please contact events@wnychamber.co.uk for further information.

WEDNESDAY 28 MAY – 6PM Bradford Chamber Annual Dinner - The Business of Culture

THURSDAY 5 JUNE – 6PM

York Chamber Annual Dinner - The Business of Heritage

LEEDS CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER

Celebrating family business

The cream of the Leeds business community was out in force to celebrate everything good about the city at the Leeds Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

Held at the AMT Headingley Stadium and attended by more than 170 people, the dinner was themed around family businesses, from small ventures to large corporations.

Both the Leeds Chamber president Chris Black and its vice president Aqila Choudhry own and operate family businesses, so it felt natural to celebrate the sector, worth £985bn in GVA to the UK economy and employing some 16 million people nationally.

The event heard from new Leeds City Council chief executive Ed Whiting, Alex Carey from event sponsor

Jungle IT and was compèred by presenter Andrew Edwards.

Thanks to the generosity of Leeds businesses over £2,500 was raised for the Howarths Foundation.

Panel discussions heard from Stephanie Parish from Clarion Solicitors, Ben Greenwood from Absolute Warehouse Services, Paul Andrews from Family Business United, Aqila Choudhry and Aneeka

Javaid, both from Love in Care, Jonathan Asquith from Jungle IT and Cath Black from Sound Leisure, as well as Chris Black and Chamber CEO James Mason.

Mr Black said: “We are just one of more than five million family businesses in the country. Family businesses are the beating heart of Britain’s economy, and I am proud to say that, here in Yorkshire, we have

some of the highest concentrations of family-owned firms in Britain.

“But when we talk about family businesses we are not just talking about individual firms. The concept of family business is also about firms of all shapes and sizes, all working hard to achieve a collective goal of delivering prosperity for the city we all love and call our home.

“And nothing embodies this better than the Chamber of Commerce. For hundreds of years, this Chamber has delivered for its members and delivered for this region.”

What you missed online

The Chamber has seen great activity across all social media platforms in the past several months. The selected posts below are examples of some of the valuable information and discussions shared by the Chamber and our members on a daily basis.

We would love to know your thoughts on this quarter’s magazine and your local Chamber. What would you like to know more about or see more of in the future? Did any articles stand out to you?

Get involved with the regional business discussion on X (Formerly Twitter) by tagging us @WNYChamber and mentioning #YorkshireBusiness

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