Hull Business Editions April 2019 by Humber Business

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Marine firm snaps up shipping business

BAE joins the £1bn profit club after a tough year

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‘Green energy a game-changer for the humber region’

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The latest business news at humberbusiness.com

‘Enough is enough’ says Siemens boss on Brexit By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

he UK boss of Siemens has said “enough is enough” as he warned MPs a no-deal Brexit could cause “irreparable damage” to the manufacturing sector. Juergen Maier CBE, CEO at Siemens UK, said Prime Minister Theresa May’s latest deal defeat on Friday had moved the country “dangerously close to permanent damage.” Since then, MPs have once again failed to agree on proposals for the next steps in the Brexit process. He said the UK was becoming “a laughing stock,” and said if a Brexit solution was not found quickly, the damage on manufacturing could be severe. Siemens is currently planning to build a new £200m train factory in Goole, in a move which would create hundreds of new East Yorkshire jobs. Writing an open letter to MPs, Mr Maier said: “This letter is a direct plea at a time of increasing national crisis in the UK. “Brexit is exhausting our business and wrecking the country’s tremendous reputation as an economic powerhouse. The UK’s historic stable political climate has facilitated huge investments from companies like Siemens over the years, and we are at risk of losing that critical pillar of economic stability. I know this view is held by many of my colleagues leading businesses here too. “As time has worn on, and with the Prime Minister’s deal defeated yet again on Friday, this political frenzy has moved us dangerously close to

Juergen Maier says UK is on verge of ‘permanent damage’

permanent damage for the UK. “From the outside, it’s very difficult to follow the political ins and outs and the only certainty that remains is that failure to agree a deal or an alternative way forward before April 12 will lead to a hugely damaging no-deal Brexit. Many of you already know this. “The UK Office for National Statistics on Friday confirmed investment is in its worst slump since the last recession, and we already know

80 per cent of businesses say Brexit has damaged investment decisions. Worse, the damage this is doing to the country’s hard-won reputation as a serious and stable place to do business is now all too real.” Mr Maier said where the UK used to be considered “a beacon for stability,” it was now quickly “becoming a laughing stock.” He said he was now unable to defend the actions of MPs in Westminster, and said he was finding it

difficult to fight for investment that impacts on UK jobs. The Siemens UK boss warned conversations being had across Europe about the country “would not play out well for our economy.” He said: “What makes this worse is that the majority of MPs, and many sensible members of the Government, understand these arguments. They have no desire to see the UK Turn to Page 2

Institute of Directors to merge regions The Institute of Directors (IoD) is to merge its Yorkshire and North East regions to create a powerful lobbying voice for the North of England. Stretching from Northumberland to South Yorkshire, the enlarged IoD North East region will have one regional committee and six branches, which support local business communities. Jon Geldart, IoD chair in Yorkshire and the Humber, has become the chair of the new IoD North East region. Dr Joanna Berry, former North East chair, becomes vice-chair of the enlarged region. Jon Geldart said: “The IoD exists to inspire business with knowledge, guidance and support. We also have a crucial role as an organisation which can ensure that regional business is represented in the corridors of power. “By creating a single region for Yorkshire and the North East and building on the strength and diversity that exists across this area, we will have a much more powerful voice.” Dr Joanna Berry, vice-chair of IoD North East, said: “We are passionate about collaboration between businesses. “By creating new branches for the North and South of the Tyne we will get even closer to members. “At the same time, those businesses will have an enlarged network with which to engage and seek fresh opportunities. “The merger has been received with unanimous positivity by our committee members and we are excited about building on our combined strengths.”

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Business N ews Country is now in danger of being a ‘laughing stock’ says Siemens boss

Making Yorkshire puddings. Below, William Jackson and an early delivery from the group

From Page 1

crash out and they know that we need to maintain a close economic and political relationship with the EU through a “softer” Brexit. “Without compromise and action though, we will leave with no deal. “This will certainly lead to shortterm economic turmoil, but my big worry is that in the long-term it will create irreparable damage, particularly to manufacturing and high-tech sectors. That will cripple our hopes of competing in the fourth industrial revolution. “Business was broadly supportive of the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated by Theresa May’s Government, but it has been repeatedly and comprehensively rejected by parliament. The current approach has failed. “It has been clear for weeks that the only way that this will be resolved is through compromise between the Government and parliament.” Mr Maier said he hoped to see a deal reached for a UK-EU customs union – a move he said would form “an essential part of frictionless trade and saves businesses billions every year in pointless and unproductive customs declarations.” He said Parliament must now come together to find a majority view which would benefit the whole country. “It would be deeply irresponsible to simply let the clock run down and then present parliament with an 11th-hour choice of the government’s deal or no deal. If we get to that point the chances of a no-deal Brexit by accident would be dangerously high,” he said. “So, my message to MPs is simple. Enough is enough. We are all running out of patience. Make a decision and unite around a customs union compromise that delivers economic security and stability. “People’s livelihoods are at stake, and our reputation as a country for stable and sound business investments could be in tatters by the end of the week if you fail. “This is your last chance to come together to build a new consensus for Britain and then allow us to move on from Brexit, to the many other issues that need so desperately sorting in our country like our industrial strategy and skills agenda. Please do not waste this critical week.”

Established as a grocery store in 1851, William Jackson is now a major firm

Years of family dedication has seen Jacksons thrive By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

n 1851, the son of an East Yorkshire farmer opened a small grocer’s shop in the heart of Hull’s Old Town. His name was William Jackson, and little did he know more than 165 years later the very same business would grow to hit sales of more than £11m a year. Still bearing the name of its original founder, William Jackson Food Group is perhaps best-known for its bakery in Derringham Street. Anyone who has wandered or driven down Spring Bank early in the morning will have been able to smell the bread being baked from Jackson’s. Slightly fewer may know, however, that the very same company, founded in a narrow cobbled Hull street, would end up selling its famous Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire pudding business for more than £200m. William Jackson had a very busy day when he launched his business in 1851. In the morning, he married his wife, and in the same afternoon opened his shop in Hull. The business’s first bakery opened in 1891, and the current bakery in Derringham Street opened in 1907.

The company developed a process for commercially producing Yorkshire puddings in 1968, a move which would lead to the development of famous brand Aunt Bessie’s in 1995. Today, William Jackson Food Group is in its sixth-generation of the same family. The business is currently headed up by chairman Nicholas Oughtred, the great, greatgrandson of William Jackson. William Jackson Food Group continued its expansion in 2012 when it acquired household names Abel & Cole and The Food Doctor. It was last summer though, when a deal to sell Yorkshire pudding name Aunt Bessie’s was announced, that the business hit the headlines. Nomad Foods, the owner of frozen

food giant Birdseye, agreed to pay £210m to buy Aunt Bessie’s, which itself is based in Hull. Not content with its business dealings for the year, William Jackson followed up the sale by buying two new companies. First up was Lancashire-based fine ingredients supplier Wellocks, which employs almost 500 people. Just months later, in November 2018, it bought Belazu – a premium ingredients business which specialises in Mediterranean olives, antipasti, pastes and vinegars. Speaking at the time of the purchase of Belazu, William Jackson’s chief executive said the deal had been years in the making. Norman Soutar said: “The Group

has been around for 167 years and has changed significantly during that time, and with each change our family shareholders have taken a long-term view to ensure a robust business remains in place for future generations. “We’re a sixth generation family business with 2,000 colleagues in great businesses nationwide and we’re delighted to be welcoming Belazu to the family.” It’s fair to say William Jackson Food Group has come a long way since the very first grocery shop opened more than 160 years ago. Its founder and namesake could surely scarcely have imaged the business he started in Scale Lane would reach the point it is at now.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Business N ews in brief

Work progresses on the Aura Innovation Centre at Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle. Below, an artist’s impression of how the centre will look

2019 Chamber Expo dates are now released

Innovative green energy hub starts to take shape £12m CENTRE WILL ALLOW BUSINESSES TO COLLABORATE ON DELIVERING LOW-CARBON ENERGY

By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

Ben George

new £12m green energy hub in Hessle is starting to take shape ahead of its expected unveiling later this year. The Aura Innovation Centre, at Bridgehead Business Park, will provide a space for businesses large and small to collaborate to deliver low-carbon energy and clean growth. Work on the building started late last year, led by construction firm Hobson & Porter, and new images have given a glimpse of what is to come. Ben George, director at Aura, said of the project: “It is often small and mediumsized companies who are prepared to innovate, think and operate differently. “The Aura Innovation Centre is all about encouraging that innovative thinking. “It’s about fostering a place where collaboration can happen easily to kick-start the low-carbon energy supply chain here in the Energy Estuary.” Once completed, the £12m renewables hub will be located a stone’s throw away from the ergo centre. The pair will both support the

It is often small companies who are prepared to innovate, think and operate differently

The dates for the 2019 Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce Expo have been released. This year’s event, taking place at the Bonus Arena, will be held on Wednesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 6. Almost 100 exhibition stands are up for grabs at the expo, giving businesses of all shapes and sizes a platform to promote their products and services. The expo is one of the biggest events in the region’s calendar, and comes in the middle of the showcase Humber Business Week. More than 1,000 business people are expected to attend the expo. A series of free networking sessions will also take place at the event. They will run at 3pm on June 5, and 10.30am and 2pm on June 6. Booking is not required. Stands are available in seven different sizes, from 2m x 1m up to 4m x 2m. For more details, visit www.hullhumber-chamber.co.uk

Commercial property

expertise across

the Humber Region Humber’s booming green energy sector. Other notable tenants at Bridgehead include Victoriaplum.com, Beal Homes, Rofin-Sinar and The One Point. Construction of the Aura Innovation Centre appears to be moving quickly. The framework of the building is now in place, giving passers-by a taste of the scale of the project. The Aura Innovation Centre will include a variety of business spaces, and will harness the power of 3D printers, super computers and high-spec testing equipment. As the centre grows, the aim is to provide SMEs with support and advice through each of the stages of product or service development – from ideas generation through to R&D, testing,

analysis and taking the product to market. It has become Hobson & Porter’s eighth onshore building project in the offshore wind sector, taking total revenues for the building contractor past £20m in a fouryear period. The firm first ventured into the offshore renewables sector began in 2014, when the company delivered a new onshore operations base and warehouses for what was then Dong Energy Power (UK) to service its Westermost Rough wind farm. Last October, a host of dignitaries, including Lords Prescott and Haskins, Hull West and Hessle MP Emma Hardy, and East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby, broke ground at the Aura site to mark the start of construction. It is expected to open later this year.

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Business N ews

Marine firm’s acquisition of shipping business is ‘perfect fit’ for expansion

in brief

Lexus dealer wins national retailer award Hull’s Lexus showroom has retained its title as the country’s top dealership for the manufacturer. The business, in Priory Park, Hessle, triumphed for a second year at Lexus’ annual Centre of Excellence Awards. Held at the Renaissance Hotel in St Pancras, the awards celebrate Lexus’ network of dealerships, which go above and beyond to help customers. Hosted by Vernon Kaye, there were 15 awards in total, but the one they all wanted to win was the coveted Retailer of the Year Award. For the second year running, that honour went to Lexus Hull. Steve Kelly, the group operations director at Lexus Hull, said: “This title means we are the number one dealer in the whole of the UK.”

MERGER ‘ENHANCES MCAUSLAND BRAND’ By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

FISH & CHIPS SHOP WITH OUTER SEATING AREA PLUS OWNERS RESIDENCE • Commanding Main Road Trading Position • Only Retirement Forces This Reluctant • Sale After 31 Years • Less Than 20 Hours Frying Time per Week • Has Taken Over £5,000 Weekly in the Past • Lovely, Detached Three to Four Bedroom House • Weekly Turnover Approximately £1,850 • REF 581871. EPC Band D. • Business & Property, Offers Over £399,950

FULLY LICENSED CONVENIENCE STORE • Retirement Sale After Many Years • Densely Populated Residential Area • Vacant Spacious Two Bedroom Family Accommodation • HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND SCOPE FOR MUCH MORE • £12,000 to £13,000 Weekly Turnover • Adjusted Net Profits in Excess £60,000 • REF 557577. EPC Band D. • Business and Property, £340,000

MAINS POST OFFICE, NEWS, SWEETS, TOBACCO, CARDS AND CONVENIENCE STORE • Adjusted Net Profits of Approximately £80,000 • Run Entirely By Staff • Working Owners Could Take So Much More Here • Self-Contained Two Bedroom Accommodation • Weekly Turnover £8,000 • Annual Post Office Remuneration £55,000 • REF 583197. EPC Band D. • Business £159,950

North Yorkshire

East Yorkshire

Scarborough

Beverley

RESTAURANT

COFFEE SHOP, CAFE & TEA ROOMS (33 COVERS)

B&B & TEA ROOMS • Picturesque Village Location • Our Client Chooses to Close October to February • 25 Cover Tea Room plus External Seating • Six Letting Rooms Plus Owners Accommodation • Weekly Turnover £1,000 • REF 583198. EPC Band C. • Business and Property £699,950

• Sensibly Priced

• Tremendous Potential

• Fantastic Location

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• Taking £1600/£1800 weekly

• REF 583044. EPC Band B.

• REF 582953. EPC Band E.

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Scarborough

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CAFÉ, COFFEE SHOP AND SANDWICH BAR

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• Run Mainly by Staff • Retirement Sale After 12 Years • Sensibly Priced Concern with Scope for More • Adjusted Net Profit of £45,000 • Weekly Turnover £2,400 • REF 583149. EPC Band D. • Business £39,950

Hornsea

FISH & CHIP OUTSALES AND 40 COVER CAFÉ • Worked Over Seven Months Plus A Few Weekends • Peak Season Turnover Reaches £25,000 per Week • Oozing Potential for So Very Much More • VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED • Average Weekly Turnover £4,500 • REF 583112. EPC Band E. • Business, Offers Over £150,000

Cleethorpes

• Low Overheads and Easily Run By One Operator • A Superb Trading Position • Excellent Turnover on Good Profit Margins • Potential To Do So Much More • Weekly Turnover £1,000 • REF 583271. EPC Band E. • Business £9,950

istoric Hull marine firm McAusland Turner has announced the acquisition of Sussex-based Robmarine Shipping. McAusland Turner, which has been in Hull since 1888, said the merger would help Robmarine Shipping continue with its growth. The business, based in Victoria Dock, also revealed early plans to expand to a new office in London. Albert Weatherill, managing director at McAusland Turner, said: “This acquisition fits perfectly with our expansion programme and further enhances the McAusland brand. “We see this as a great asset which also fits with our plans to further expand into a dedicated office in the City of London. “I will be making a further announcement regarding that in due course.” McAusland Turner offers a range of services to support the region’s marine industry. It works in sectors including cargo, offshore wind, loss prevention and auditing.

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T: 0113 238 2900 E: info@ernest-wilson.co.uk W: ernest-wilson.co.uk The Business Centre, Deanhurst Park, Gelderd Road, Gildersome, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 7LG TRIED AND TRUSTED SINCE 1956

McAusland Turner won Small Business of the Year at the 2018 Humber Renewables Awards

McAusland Turner is based in Victoria Dock, Hull

The deal to acquire Robmarine Shipping is expected to be completed on April 1. When the merger is concluded, Robmarine Shipping will continue to trade under its own name, but will become part of the McAusland & Turner Group. Michael Robertson, managing director at Robmarine, said “McAusland exceeded our hopes for a firm we can combine with and continue the tradition we have for excellent service, deep expertise, and an environment our clients and associates want to be a part of. “We will be able to provide our clients with many new services and areas of expertise in the future and we look forward to discussing those in more depth with them.” Robmarine began its professional practice in the early 1990s. Its growth over the past 25 years has been largely internal, and has stemmed from the referrals of its existing client base. Robmarine decided to seek a merger with another firm in a bid to offer a wider array of services. It is hoped joining established industry name McAusland Turner will provide it with new opportunities to grow. The deal continues McAusland Turner’s own growth in recent months. The business recently announced it had opened a new office in Newcastle, to better service its growing list of clients. It also opened a new office in Grimsby earlier this month. The business also has a base in the ergo centre in Hessle, as it taps into the renewables market.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019

Business N ews BAE Systems site at Saltgrounds Road, Brough

Survey shows a sharp slowdown in the Humber economy, Brexit blamed A sharp slowdown in activity has been reported in the Humber for the first quarter of 2019. The Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce’s economic survey showed most of the key sectors were in decline and in a less favourable position than in the last quarter of 2018. Domestic sales and orders were both down, the balance figure for the former 24 points, and sales down eight points on the same period. Export sales also took a big hit, dropping a further 11 points this quarter, however, export orders held their own with a balance figure of ten, the same as for the last quarter. Chamber chief executive, Dr Ian Kelly, pictured, said: “We can’t be too surprised to see the Humber economy being affected by the political uncertainty we are seeing nationally. “It is now time for our politicians to deliver on their referendum and manifesto commitments on Brexit so we can put the issue behind us and move on.” The quarterly barometer also showed how the number of firms recruiting staff also dropped markedly, down 30 points compared to the last set of figures, however expected employment for the next three months looked a bit brighter, with ten per cent more firms saying they were planning to look for new staff. Of the 56 per cent of firms which did try to recruit new staff in the last six months, the majority were for full-time permanent jobs, while part-time or temporary roles were in less demand.

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Mixed year for the brough-based firm saw new heights after qatar deal

Lift off for BAE as it hits £1bn profit mark By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

rofits at BAE soared in 2018, boosted by Brough’s Hawk contract to supply nine fighter planes to Qatar. The aerospace firm, which currently employs more than 750 people in East Yorkshire, hit the £1bn landmark last year, up from £857m in 2017. BAE also achieved sales of £18.4bn, as its order backlog grew to a record high. It came amid what the company admitted was “a year of geopolitical turbulence,” as its Typhoon and Hawk production “stepped down.” Charles Woodburn, chief executive at BAE, said in the annual report: “Production on a number of programmes began ramping-up especially in our Electronic Systems, US Combat Vehicles and Submarines businesses, while Typhoon and Hawk production stepped down. BAE Systems is a diverse and resilient company, pursuing the right strategy for long-term performance. “We have a strong order backlog giving multi-year visibility, a broad portfolio with long-term positions on key programmes

with strong customer relationships, and a track record of successful partnerships in international markets to develop local industry, employment and skills.” Mr Woodburn said BAE had secured a number of “key business wins” during 2018. That included an order for nine new Hawk, and 24 new Typhoon aircraft, for the Qatari Air Force. The Hawk order, being carried out at Brough, is expected to be completed later this year. BAE is currently on the hunt for a new Hawk contract at the site, but is also preparing to ramp up its work on Project Tempest – a next-generation fighter jet, which is expected to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in 2035. One hundred new engineering jobs will be created at Brough to meet the demand. In 2018, EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization) reached £1.93bn, down slightly from £1.97bn in 2017. Mr Woodburn said: “In an uncertain global environment with complex threats, our defence and security capabilities remain highly relevant. “2018 was a strong year in widening our international reach

and there are good prospects in existing and new international markets for our products and services in air, maritime, land and cyber. “The contract between BAE Systems and the Government of the State of Qatar for the supply of 24 Typhoon and nine Hawk aircraft to the Qatar Emiri Air Force, along with a bespoke

support and training package, became effective in September, and production has commenced.” BAE recently announced talks are ongoing with staff at Brough who could be affected by manufacturing redundancies later this year, with the aim of moving them into new engineering roles.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Business N ews

New broandband rates for business By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

COM has launched a new range of broadband packages for businesses to make it cheaper and easier for them to connect. The internet provider’s new portfolio offers price drops of almost a third on its two highest speed packages for companies across Hull and East Yorkshire. The packages also come with the option for a same-day fix for any connectivity issues that arise. It comes as KCOM also completes its domestic ultrafast Lightstream rollout across the city. Alan Worthing, director of business at KCOM, said: “We’re delighted to unveil this update of our broadband portfolio which will

be a major boost for businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire. “Not only are we cutting prices to make Lightstream more accessible than ever, we’re introducing a range of bolt-ons so businesses can pick and choose the services they need and don’t have to pay for the ones they don’t. “And, if you’ve not yet made the leap from ADSL to more reliable and faster fibre, now is the perfect time to see how it can transform your business, make you more efficient and bring you closer to your customers.” The new business broadband portfolio offers a range of speeds, from 75Mbps up to 900Mbps. Businesses which sign up will also save 50 per cent on connection fees, and have the option to benefit from a range of other bolt-on services. These include a bolt-on secu-

KCOM has launched new business broadband packages

Pictures: Leo Francis

rity package, and enhanced upload speeds for companies which need to upload large files. Mr Worthing said: “Our lowest speed is the equivalent to most of our national competitors’ highest speeds and, added to that, we’re local. “That means we have a dedicated team of tech and connectivity experts right here ready to give you the personal service you want. “We recognise that every business, from the smallest start-up to the most established multi-national now needs to be online and we’re doing everything we can to give our customers the helping hand they need to thrive.” The new business packages launched today. For more details, visit www.hey business.kcom.com/lightstream

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Sir John Armitt visits the Siemens Gamesa Factory

Green energy a ‘game-changer’ for the Humber says top advisor By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

Green energy has been hailed as a “game-changer” for the Humber by one of the UK’s top industry advisors. Sir John Armitt CBE, chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), visited Hull’s Siemens Gamesa blade factory on Tuesday to see first-hand the beating heart of the region’s renewable energy sector. He said while the offshore wind sector had already brought skilled jobs and a much-needed economic boost to the region, there is still work to be done. The NIC last year published its National Infrastructure Assessment,

a document for the Government, Commission has said that Ministers which listed the biggest challenges should aim for half of the UK’s electricity to come from clean sources by facing industry up to 2050. Sir John said: “Green energy is a 2030. “We encourage local leaders to game-changer for the Humber and continue to seize the opportuit’s already proving its nity for the region to be a potential to boost the key player in the prolocal economy and duction of renewabring high-skilled bles.” jobs to the area. The trip, co“But as the Green energy is a gameordinated by the Government’s changer for the Humber H u m b e r L E P, recent offincluded a highshore wind and is already providing level meeting sector deal its potential to boost the with local busishowed, we local economy ness and council think this leaders to discuss could go furlocal infrastructure ther and in our Sir John Armitt priorities. National InfrastrucSir John urged the group ture Assessment the

to “continue to seize the opportunity for the region to be a key player” in pursuing clean growth and producing renewables. The visit follows the launch earlier this month of the Government’s Offshore Wind Sector Deal, which outlined its ambition for offshore wind to provide a third of all UK electricity by 2030. It also targeted the creation of around 20,000 new jobs in clean energy. The Humber region is already home to several major low carbon and renewables projects, including the Siemens Gamesa site which has already created more than 1,000 jobs. The site provides blades for Orsted’s Hornsea One offshore windfarm, the world’s largest of its

kind, which is located off the East Yorkshire coast and operated from Grimsby. Lord Haskins, chair of the Humber LEP, said: “Clean growth and renewable energy are at the heart of the Humber’s offer and central to our forthcoming Local Industrial Strategy. We have made a name for ourselves as the UK’s Energy Estuary and one of the key destinations in Europe for investors in this sector. “We’re now looking to build on this over coming decades to increase investment, jobs and skills while also lowering emissions.” The Government is expected to publish its formal response to the NIC Assessment later this year, in the form of a National Infrastructure Strategy. Headline sponsor

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How RB’s Centre for Scientific Excellence will look PICTURES: RB

Allie Renison

Brexit expert to speak at business lunch

RB’s research centre on track for opening By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

RB’s new £105m research and development centre in Hull is expected to open before the end of June. The Centre for Scientific Excellence, at RB’s site in Dansom Lane, is the consumer health giant’s single biggest

£105m facility will be ready by june

investment in its history. Plans for the new facility first surfaced back in 2014, when thenChancellor George Osborne said the centre would help the UK become “a world leader in science and innovation”. It was originally earmarked to be

unveiled by the end of 2018, but was pushed back. Dr Bruce Charlesworth, R&D site lead at RB, has now confirmed the new £105m facility is expected to open by the end of the second quarter of the year. Speaking about the development,

he said: “The main thing for us has been getting the quality right. These are health care products which we will be developing in the centre, so it is critical everything is correct. “We are in the final stages, I think Turn to Page 2

One of the UK’s most respected voices on Brexit is heading to the Humber to meet business leaders. Allie Renison, head of Europe and trade policy at the Institute of Directors (IoD), will speak at the IoD East Yorkshire Business Leaders’ Lunch on May 20 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hull. Allie represents IoD members on EU reform and regularly appears in the national media to outline the implications of Brexit. She will analyse the latest negotiations and outline how leaving the European Union could affect local businesses. Pat Coyle, chair of the IoD in East Yorkshire, said: “With so much uncertainty and confusion around the final deal that will be struck with the EU, local businesses crave clarity. “Allie will cut through the noise and help our lunch guests to understand how Brexit could play out – and, crucially, how it could affect their businesses.” The event will start at 12.30pm. Tickets cost £25 for members and £30 for non-members. To book a place, email iod. yorkshire@iod.com or call 0113 2430152.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

Business

Dr Bruce Charlesworth

RB’s Centre for Scientific Excellent to open in June From Page 1

it is fair to say, and it is really just about putting the finishing touches on everything before we move in.” The centre will include a suite of new laboratories, and new facilities to help RB’s scientists provide better data during product development. It will also house one of Europe’s biggest stability testing suites, allowing RB to better evaluate its products up to three years after manufacture. Dr Charlesworth previously said the new centre would also allow the company to conduct testing of products without the risk of stock running short in shops at the same time. He said: “We have got to keep stock of the big products in all the shops, and previously when we have been doing testing there has been the risk of stocking problems. “The centre will also enable us to be more connected to our consumers. They will be able to see, touch and smell products in a way they haven’t been able to before.” RB has a long and proud history in Hull. In 1840, Isaac Reckitt rented a starch mill in the city, in a move which would go on to form business Reckitt & Sons. Decades later, in 1913, Reckitt & Sons merged with J&J Colman to become Reckitt & Colman Ltd. The company continued to grow, until in 1999 it joined forces with German company Benckiser to form Reckitt Benckiser.

The former Bonmarché and Poundworld shops lie empty in Whitefriargate. Below, Toys R Us also closed in Hull

City lost more retailers last year than rivals such as Sheffield and York 52 businesses closed in 2018

By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

More retailers closed their doors in Hull last year than in rival towns and cities such as Sheffield, York and Scunthorpe. The number of retail businesses in the city fell by 21, from 313 to 292, during what was a turbulent year for the high street. Despite 33 new businesses in the sector opening their doors last year, 54 closed during the same period. The figures, released by PwC, puts Hull above the likes of York (14 fewer) and Sheffield (16 fewer) for the number of retail firms lost. Big names including Toys ‘R’ Us, Poundworld and Maplin all disappeared in 2018, as Hull’s retail sector was hit hard by changes to shopping and spending. Joel Smith, PwC’s Yorkshire & North East retail leader, said: “2018 was another turbulent year for the region’s retailers. “Coupled with the growth in online and high occupancy costs

impacted by business rates, these contributory factors collectively led to more store closures across Yorkshire & Humber’s high streets with the highest net fall in the number of stores seen since 2013. “High street banks and discount stores were the hardest hit across the region experiencing the largest number of closures.” When looking at percentages, the number of retail businesses in Hull fell by 6.7 per cent last year. That figure also puts it above Leeds, which despite seeing 40 companies close, only dropped 5.3 per cent. Businesses turned to a variety of different methods last year in a bid to avoid closure. The CVA (company voluntary arrangement) was a common option for several big names, but a PwC partner warned the firm did not believe the method alone was the answer. Zelf Hussain, restructuring partner, said: “Several national chains weathered company voluntary arrangements or administrations as

retailers toiled in the tough climate of 2018. “Retail companies looking to survive let alone flourish in 2019 face an uphill battle. “Additionally, we believe CVAs are not the answer in isolation. Companies need solutions that fully address customer needs, represent sustainable cost savings and, if needed new money investment to

bridge the lag between the cost of a restructuring and long-term performance improvements.” In Hull city centre, plans are already being devised in a bid to save one of its best-known high streets. Ann Summers, Poundworld, Grainger Games and Bonmarché have all closed in Whitefriargate, and will soon be joined by Marks & Spencer and Boots.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Business N ews in brief

Surveyors celebrating a milestone

Peter Nevitt, chief executive at Victory Leisure Homes. Below, Peter with managing director Gary Corlyon

Caravan maker hints at new acquisition plans manufacturer targets further growth By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

East Yorkshire caravan maker Victory Leisure Homes has hinted it could target acquisitions as it looks to secure future growth. The firm, based in Gilberdyke, has announced a major management restructure, which has seen former managing director Peter Nevitt promoted to chief executive. The company’s previous director of operations, Gary Corlyon, will also become the new managing director at Victory. It comes as the holiday home manufacturer – owned by JR Rix & Sons Ltd - looks to build on ten years of organic growth. James Doyle, director and board member at JR Rix & Sons, said: “Peter launched Victory Leisure Homes and has driven it from being a small start-up business employing less than 30 people to a major player employing more than 200. “The success of the company over the past decade is largely a product of his hard work and dedication, and that of the team he picked and led. “There are still opportunities in the market place to grow organically but going forward this will take place along a considered acquisitions strategy that will help us strengthen and extend our portfolio.

“Restructuring the senior team is about making sure we have the right people in the right places to realise that growth as the business matures.” Other senior positions are expected to be announced shortly as part of the far-reaching reshuffle. The restructure comes as Victory Leisure Homes celebrates its ten-year anniversary. The business started out in the former Cosalt Holiday Homes site in Stoneferry, Hull, before moving to its current base in Gilberdyke in 2012. As part of the ten-year celebrations, Victory will launch its new anniversary model, the Coaster, in June. The manufacturer also last month announced it was to launch another new model, called the Rimini, in a throwback to its Cosalt roots. The Rimini is named after a caravan formerly made by Cosalt in Hull, but the new version has been transformed with a thoroughly modern interior. Peter Nevitt welcomed Gary to the job as new managing director, and said there was a lot of potential to take the business forward. He said: “We are entering an exciting new chapter for Victory Leisure Homes; the business has gone from strength to strength over the past ten years and with this restructure and the continued support from our parent company, we can look forward to the next ten years with confidence.”

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A Beverley firm of chartered building surveyors has reached a major milestone after completing its 500th residential property survey. Delaney Marling Partnership (DMP), established in 2007, works on a variety of projects from managing demolitions to full project management, dilapidation reports and residential property surveys. In its early years the firm survived the recession that crippled the construction industry and has now celebrated the impressive survey landmark. Simon Delaney, director at DMP, said:“Five hundred properties seems like quite a lot, especially when this only represents approximately 15 per cent of our business. “We’ve had the privilege of surveying some of the most amazing homes. For us, there is nothing better than being able to inspect a home, looking into all of the nooks and crannies, searching for signs of any problems that have occurred or may potentially cost the owner in the future. “Quite often we are able to put a client’s mind at rest if they’ve been concerned about cracks, smells and condensation, which sometimes appear much worse than they really are. “At the other end of the scale, it is also good to uncover an issue the untrained eye would not find – making a client aware of problems that could create expense in the future.”

4 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

BUSINESS Nigel Arnett, left, promoting the Butler Service range at Cartwright & Butler

Fine food demand soars as profits up 750 per cent

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East Yorkshire speciality food firm Cartwright & Butler has taken on new staff to meet rising demand for its luxury gift products. The business, based in Gilberdyke, supplies prestigious outlet stores, including Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty of London and Harvey Nichols. The brand, founded in 1981, has in recent years grown to become a globally recognised brand. Cartwright & Butler has subsequently seen its staff base rise from four to 35. It also saw its profits soar by a staggering 750 per cent since 2012. Nigel Arnett, butler service concierge manager at Cartwright & Butler, said: “Our success is testament to our long-standing commitment to using only the finest ingredients to create luxury gifts.

“The flexibility we offer from our ‘build your own’ service and our unique ability to personalise logos and messages into corporate gifts means that we become an extension of the brands we work with. “Our extensive range of hampers and products build relationships, engage clients, retain staff and create memorable moments. “This has seen an increased demand for our products across the world, and we look forward to continuing to provide an exceptional service.” The firm’s corporate gifting service, which offers bespoke gifts tailored for individual brands, has grown by 55 per cent in the past 12 months. The brand credited the outstanding performance to partnerships with major industry players, such as Virgin Atlantic and Muller Milk & More. Cartwright & Butler was founded in 1981, with the rights

to the business being acquired by the Arnett family in 2010. Since then, Cartwright & Butler has rapidly risen to become a globally recognised brand, tracing its success in corporate gifts to the significant growth it has seen in luxury retailing. As well as having its products in prestigious outlets in top department stores in London, the brand currently exports to 43 countries worldwide, including to luxury overseas retailers such as David Jones, of Sydney, and Farmers, of New Zealand. Gifting products that have been hitting record sales include the “build your own” hamper service, salted caramel biscuits and the butter shortbread. The unprecedented growth has facilitated significant investments for its Gilberdyke site, including an investment in new hamperpacking facilities, and a team which is set to give the brand a threefold increase in capacity for the upcoming Christmas period.

6 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

Business N ews in brief

East Yorkshire firms reveal gender pay gap Startling gender pay gaps have been revealed at some of Hull and the East Riding’s biggest businesses. Employers across the region have this month published details of how much female workers are paid compared to males – highlighting large gender pay gaps at some firms. The widest gender pay gap in the region was recorded at the Wolds Learning Partnership, where the average male worker was paid 51.3 per cent more than the average female worker. A number of well-known Hull employers, including KCOM, Spencer Group, Hull City and Smith & Nephew, recorded gender pay gaps of more than 20 per cent in the favour of male employees. The largest pay gap in favour of women in the region was recorded at Goole-based glass firm Guardian, where there is a pay gap of 8.9 per cent in favour of women. Businesses are required to submit their data to the Government Equalities Office. Courts can impose an unlimited fine on those who do not comply.

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‘Top 30 under 30’ star promoted to advertising firm’s managing director RISING BUSINESS TALENT TAKES THE REINS AT FORWARD & THINKING By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

Natalie Downie has risen through the ranks at digital advertising firm Forward & Thinking. Below, Natalie with the company’s founder Alison Johnson

One of East Yorkshire’s top young business talents has been promoted to managing director at digital advertising firm Forward & Thinking. Natalie Downie first joined the agency five years ago after impressing the team during a two-week work experience placement. She was offered a job as an account executive, and within two years rose through the ranks to become account director. Natalie has now been announced as Forward & Thinking’s new managing director. The move comes just weeks after Natalie was also named in the region’s Top 30 Under 30 list – celebrating East Yorkshire’s top young employees. Natalie said: “It’s an honour to be promoted to managing director of a company I am so passionate about. “I’m so lucky to have a great team all been such an important part of “I’d like to thank Alison for being ing in 2014 on a two-week work at Forward & Thinking, and they’ve my career so far. such an inspiration and for having experience placement. Within two years, she was prothe faith in me to make me MD.” Forward & Thinking was founded moted to account director and by Alison Johnson in 2009 and has started mentoring other team members while still keeping her since become one of the key accounts happy and region’s most prolific growing. media buying agenOn becoming MD cies. at Forward & ThinkIn the past five ing, Natalie has years, company Natalie’s journey has become one of the revenue has been a rapid, momentous region’s most excitgrown five-fold effort and we’ve no doubt ing business taland the team she’ll drive the ents. has expanded company forward The Top 30 Under accordingly to meet Alison Johnson 30 list she was named demand. in is an awards scheme Alison Johnson, the launched by Simon Jones. agency’s former MD, will Now in its second year, the 2019 remain a key part of the business. She said: “Natalie’s journey with cohort includes employees working Forward & Thinking has been across all sectors, from technology a rapid, momentous effort and and manufacturing to emergency we’ve no doubt that she’ll drive the services and offshore wind. A night of celebration will take company forward. “Her hard work and determina- place at the KCOM Stadium on tion to make a difference simply Friday. For more information, visit www. knows no bounds.” Natalie joined Forward & Think- top30under30.co.uk

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

BUSINESS

‘Sales college’ on hunt for talent TECH FIRM IT@SPECTRUM SET TO LAUNCH TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR FUTURE STARS By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

Hull tech firm IT@Spectrum is to launch a new development programme as it looks to train the next generation of sales stars. The business, based at the Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, is on the hunt for new talent after a period of growth, boosted by a string of key acquisitions. It now hopes its upcoming Spectrum Campus – dubbed a “college for sales” – will provide budding sales professionals with a platform to enter the industry. Ken Sturdy, director at IT@Spectrum, said: “A combination of organic growth, broadening the scope of our offering, and multiple key acquisitions means that we now need to significantly increase our business development capability to maximise this investment and engage with a wider audience across the region. “To do this we need to fast-track quality people into high-performing business-to-business professional sales roles, to work alongside our current experienced team. “Many of our best performing executives have started their careers with us, and we see the in-house development of driven, hard-working, enthusiastic learners as our best route to success.” IT@Spectrum last year celebrated 35 years of business. The company helps other organisations make significant savings in both time and money through a series of automated business management programmes and print processes. The Spectrum Campus will launch this September. A total of six places are up for grabs in the first programme, which aims to provide all of its trainees with the skills they need to succeed in the competitive world of sales.

The team at IT@Spectrum, which is based at Hessle’s Bridgehead Business Park

Aside from arming trainees with the skills they need to succeed in business, IT@Spectrum is offering a remuneration package that not only provides a stable financial grounding on which to build a career, but also introduces the cohort to some of the incentive-based rewards that many sales professionals enjoy. Having opened The View, IT@ Spectrum’s prestigious new premises at Bridgehead Business Park in 2017, the business has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan. It hopes the new Spectrum Campus will act as a platform for growth. The programme has been designed by leading training and sales experts. With only six positions on offer, places on the programme are expected to be highly sought-after, and the recruitment process will be both competitive and challenging. To apply for a place at Spectrum Campus, applicants should visit www.itspectrum.co.uk/campus and complete the online application.

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8 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2019

BUSINESS

Wren is named country’s best retail employer

Wren employs more than 4,400 staff across the country

kitchen giant’s national accolade

By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

SUB POST OFFICE, GREETING CARDS, SWEETS AND STATIONERY • Densely Populated Shopping Centre • Been in the Same Hands for Over 43 Years • Two Bedroom Accommodation • SHOWING OVER £53,000 PURE NET PROFIT • Weekly Retail Turnover £1,000 • Annual Post Office Remuneration £117,000 • REF 581702. EPC Band C. Business and Property £419,950

FULLY LICENSED RESTAURANT, 36 COVERS • Net Profits Adjusted to £45,000

Hull

Bridlington

PETROL STATION, MOTOR SERVICING & REPAIRS AND FULLY LICENSED CONVENIENCE STORE

FULLY LICENSED RESTAURANT (46 COVERS)

• Commanding Main Road Next to a Large Caravan Park • Over 8,000 Vehicles Passing This Site Daily • Oozing Potential for So Much More • Four Bedroom House (Included with Freehold Sale) • Weekly Turnover £20,000 • REF 583035. EPC’s available on request. Business £65,000 Business and Property £995,000

• Densely Populated Area • Run in Easy Hours Over Seven Days • Attractive Bar and Very Well Fitted Commercial Kitchen • Priced to Sell Due to Other Business Interests • Weekly Turnover £4,500 to £5,000 • REF 581853. EPC Band D. Business £39,950

North Yorkshire

Hull

HOT FOOD TAKEAWAY

SANDWICH CENTRE

• Densely Populated Student Area

• Absolute Prime Location • Highly Profitable Concern • Run Mainly By Staff • Well Fitted Unit with an Abundance of Quality Commercial Equipment • Weekly Turnover £4,568 • REF 581743. EPC Band D. Business £19,950 Priced for Quick Sale

• Run Mainly By Staff • Seating for 16 Customers • AN EXCELLENT BUY • Weekly Turnover £3,300 • REF 581536. EPC Band C. Business £39,950

Hull

• Retirement Sale After 30 Years • Scope for So Much More Here • Three Bedroom Accommodation • Annual Turnover £124,800 • REF 583328. Awaiting EPC. Business and Property £350,000

• Densely Populated Area within this Bustling Shopping Centre • Adjusted Net Profits in Excess Of £80,000 • Retirement Sale After 36 Years Here • Self-Contained Apartment on First Floor • Annual Turnover £542,932 • REF 583171. EPC Band C. Business and Property £199,950

FREEHOLD NEWS, OFF LICENCE & LOTTO • Showing Net Profits of £43,923 prior to Depreciation & Finance Costs Year Ended March 2018 • Fantastic Position in a Busy Part of Town • Enjoying an Excellent Reputation • A FABULOUS BUY • Weekly Turnover £11,000 to £12,000 • REF 581382. EPC Band D. Business and Property £149,500

Hull

Scarborough

BUTCHERS

TOURING CARAVAN HIRE • Worked in Very Easy Hours Over Nine Months • Sale Includes 11 Caravans plus Awnings & Accessories • Scope for Even More Here • SHOWING ADJUSTED NET PROFITS OF OVER £35,000 • Annual Turnover £90,610 • REF 583186. EPC Exempt. Business £120,000

Run from the North of England

Hull

To find out more about these fantastic opportunities visit www.ernest-wilson.co.uk

T: 0113 238 2900 E: info@ernest-wilson.co.uk W: ernest-wilson.co.uk The Business Centre, Deanhurst Park, Gelderd Road, Gildersome, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 7LG TRIED AND TRUSTED SINCE 1956

Kitchen giant Wren has beaten big names including John Lewis and Marks & Spencer to be named the number one retail employer in the UK. Wren, which employs more than 4,400 across the country, claimed the top spot in the list, compiled by jobsite Indeed. It comes as the company which owns Wren Kitchens, The West Retail Group, announced its sales hit almost £500m in 2018, with profits before tax up to £37.2m. Wren also recently hit the headlines when it offered jobs to Kingstown Furniture staff after the Hull business closed suddenly. So far, almost 30 staff have been hired at Wren, with more roles expected to be filled. Mark Pullan, managing director at Wren Kitchens, said: “We are delighted to receive this recognition and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete a review. “Wren has grown at an amazing pace since we set it up almost ten years ago and the fact that we are already the UK’s number one kitchen retailer is a testament to the amazing team of people we have. “We are very fortunate to have 4,412 people who are passionate, hardworking and focused on doing their best for our customers, and this culture permeates the entire business.” Wren fended off retail giants including IKEA to clinch the top spot in the list. The rankings are based on millions

of employee ratings and company reviews, and are focused on factors such as career progression, culture and job security, as well as benefits and salaries. Founded just ten years ago, Wren has 78 showrooms across Scotland, England and Wales and manufactures around 2,000 kitchens a week. It has bases in Barton, Scunthorpe and Howden, and is set to move into a new warehouse space in Brough. Mr Pullan said: “Many of our team have been with us from the beginning of the journey and it has been wonderful to watch them develop as the business has grown. Wren Kitchens is moving into a massive new warehouse in Humber Enterprise Park “The business is continuing to expand and we are always looking for ambitious people who share our ethos and who want to build a rewarding career.” When Hull firm Kingstown Furniture announced its sudden closure earlier this month, Wren stepped in to offer jobs to all 280 staff affected. Kingstown Furniture employees arrived at work on Wednesday, March 13, only to be told hours later the company had entered administration and was closing with immediate effect. Wren said it was willing to create new positions for staff affected by the closure. Former Kingstown staff can apply for jobs at Wren by emailing kingstown@ wrenkitchens.com Details of other current vacancies at Wren can be found at www. wrencareers.com or CVs can be sent to recruitment@wrenkitchens.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Glazing firm is has smashing start to year

Armed forces colleagues together again

page 6

Hull a shining example for solar power

page 7

page 8

The latest business news at humberbusiness.com

McAusland Turner won Small Business of the Year at the 2018 Humber Renewables Awards

Strawberry is in the running for tech prize

Dutch firm Van Ameyde Acquires McAusland Turner

Hull marine company bought by Euro giant By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

Century-old Hull marine firm McAusland Turner has been acquired by European insurance giant Van Ameyde. The firm, based in Victoria Dock,

confirmed the deal was completed on April 12, as the Dutch-headquartered claims management company looks to expand its UK presence. McAusland Turner, which has been in Hull since 1888, said the takeover would have no impact on any of its staff or management.

Albert Weatherill, managing director at McAusland Turner, said: “In fact, the company and its clients will benefit from Van Ameyde’s extensive marine surveying network. “Thanks to our mutual vision of providing high-quality services to

the marine insurance market, we uphold employment and growth.” McAusland Turner will provide Van Ameyde with a meaningful presence throughout the UK, and complement its existing loss Turn to Page 2

Digital agency Strawberry has been shortlisted in the prestigious eCommerce Company Of The Year category at the Prolific North Tech Awards. The agency, which is based in Hull, has also received two further nominations in the Best Use Of Tech In Retail and Transformation Through Technology categories. Over the past 12 months, Strawberry has embarked on an ambitious growth strategy, and opened a new office in Manchester. The agency has also celebrated its 25th anniversary and appointed a new account director and head of client development to its team. James Greenwood, joint managing director at Strawberry, said of the nominations: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have received three nominations in the Prolific North Tech Awards. “It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of our team to deliver first rate, innovative eCommerce and digital projects for our clients. “It’s great that we’ve received recognition, not just for us as an agency, but for the success we’ve helped our clients achieve too. “The past year has been an exciting one, as we’ve grown from one of the best Shopify Plus agencies in the North to one of the best in the UK”.

2 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019

Business N ews McAusland Turner joins forces with insurance firm From Page 1

adjusting business of Woodgate and Clark. The company will continue to operate from its offices in Hull, Grimsby, Newcastle, Bristol, Burgess Hill and Ipswich. A London city office is also expected to open in the near future. The deal comes just weeks after McAusland Turner announced it had bought Sussex-based Robmarine Shipping. McAusland Turner offers a range of services to support the region’s marine industry. It works in sectors including cargo, offshore wind, loss prevention and auditing. Bob de Bruijn, board member at Van Ameyde, said of the deal: “The acquisition is part of Van Ameyde’s strategy to expand its loss-adjusting and surveying network. “With the UK being the largest marine insurance market, expansion of our marine surveying network to the UK is vital. “In McAusland Turner, we have found the perfect match in terms of quality and identity.” McAusland Turner will benefit from Van Ameyde’s access to the marine surveying markets across Europe. The network currently covers the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Baltic States, the Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. In addition, Van Ameyde will support sustainable growth and provide IT support to McAusland Turner. The deal continues McAusland Turner’s own growth in recent months. The business recently announced it had opened a new office in Newcastle, to better service its growing list of clients. It also, earlier this month, opened a new office in Grimsby. The business also has a base in the ergo centre in Hessle, as it taps into the Humber’s offshore wind and renewables market.

Siemens UK boss joins line-up for business conference

Juergen Maier

Juergen Maier has been added to speaker list By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

iemens UK boss Juergen Maier has been added to the line-up for the finale of the 2019 Humber Business Week. The chief executive will speak at The Business Day Alan Sugar, right at Bridlington Spa on FriGiles Brandreth day, June 7, joining people including Lord Sugar and Gyles Brandreth. Mr Maier has held the top job at Siemens UK since 2014, having first joined the company more than 30 years ago as an engineering graduate. The outspoken CEO recently said Britain risked becoming “a laughing stock” amid the continued turmoil surrounding Brexit. He said “enough is enough,” and warned MPs a no-deal Brexit could cause “irreparable damage” to the country’s manufacturing sector. Andrew Aldis, general manager at Bridlington Spa, said: “When the name Juergen Maier was put forward as a potential speaker Mr Maier moved to the UK in 1974. at this year’s events I did a bit of He first joined Siemens in 1986 research and was excited to be able with a BSc in production engineerto add such a significant business ing from Nottingham Trent Univerleader to the line-up. sity on a Siemens-sponsored gradu“I wondered, though, whether ate programme. people would know the name. That Having been a member of the evening, I turned on the TV to see Siemens UK executive board since BBC’s Question Time and there he 2008, Mr Maier also previously held was on the panel.” senior roles within Siemens in both Born 1964 in Germany, with Aus- the UK and Germany. trian and dual British nationality, He was appointed chief execu-

tive at Siemens UK at the beginning of July 2014. His other roles have included managing director at Industrial Activities for the UK and manufacturing director at the award-winning Drives factory in Congleton, Cheshire. Stephen Parnaby, deputy chairman at the Humber LEP, said: “Siemens UK’s multi-million pound investment in the region, its commitment to renewable energy and the employment it has created makes him an ideal and exciting addition to the speaker programme.” Siemens is currently building a £200m rail factory in Goole. When completed, the facility will create hundreds of new jobs in the East Yorkshire town, initially tasked with building almost 100 Tube trains for London’s Piccadilly Line. Mr Maier has now been confirmed as a speaker at The Business Day. Held on the final day of Humber Business Week, hundreds of

top business figures will once again descend on Bridlington Spa for a day of conferences, workshops and networking. This year’s announcement that Lord Sugar would be headline speaker prompted a surge in ticket sales, with less than a hundred top tier tickets left. Tickets are £125 each or £1,000 for ten. You can buy tickets online at thebusinessday.com or by calling Bridlington Spa on 01262 678258.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Business N ews

Connexin’s new smart sensors will help tackle worrying pollution in city HIGH-TECH EQUIPMENT WILL MONITOR AIR QUALITY AT PEAK TIMES

By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

New smart sensors that will monitor the air pollution in some of Hull’s busiest places are to be installed. Tech firm Connexin said it hopes the findings of its survey will help improve quality of life and health in the city. It comes after a worrying report found air pollution in Hull is worse than in other major cities, including London. Furqan Alamgir, CEO and founder at Connexin, said: “The World Health Organization estimates that 4.6 million people die each year from causes directly attributable to air pollution. “In our view, that’s 4.6 million too many. “As a company focused on building smarter infrastructure and healthier communities, we’re fortunate to have access to cutting edge sensor and Lorawan technology. “We felt we had a duty to act. “We will be deploying sensors to collect and integrate air quality information with machine learning algorithms and cloudbased data analytics to deliver truly actionable air quality data to transform our understanding of air pollution and how best to tackle it.” Sensors will be fitted across the city, in the areas of most activity. They will collect real-time information on the quality of air at different times of air. Using Connexin’s existing LoRaWAN network, which has the capability to connect A new study has found Hull has worse pollution than London

Furqan Alamgir, right, and Alex Yeung, of Connexin

the internet to objects including rubbish bins, traffic lights and car parks, the sensors will then feed data back to a hub, where it can be displayed on a map. Connexin hopes to use the find-

ings to better understand the current air pollution dilemma, to drive improvements in air quality and to position Hull as a centre of excellence in the field. The company plans to deploy air quality sensors across all areas of the city. The first installations will be near areas of high occupancy, such as schools, hospitals, major road networks and high streets. Connexin also scooped a prestigious smart city award in January, for its futuristic work to transform a street in Newcastle. The technology, trialled in Mosley Street in Newcastle, has a range of features – including helping drivers find parking spaces, monitoring traffic levels, analysing air pollution levels and even showing when rubbish bins are full and need emptying. Connexin fought off stiff competition last week to win Smart City Deployment of the Year at the Internet of Things Breakthrough Awards. In doing so, the Hull firm joined tech giants such as Samsung, Toshiba, Vodafone and Sony in collecting awards.

Amy Jackson, left, and Jessica Mackenzie

Law specialist welcomes new faces to firm Amy Jackson and Jessica Mackenzie have joined Myton Law, the Hull-based specialist shipping, rail and logistics law firm. Solicitor Amy Jackson has extensive property experience and will enhance Myton Law’s real estate capabilities. She worked in the commercial property team of another Hull firm for nearly ten years. Prior to qualifying as a lawyer in 2006, Amy studied at the University of Hull and York College of Law. Paralegal Jessica Mackenzie will support the Myton Law team in general, but with a focus on commercial and property work for logistics and rail clients. Prior to studying for a law degree at the University of Hull and for her LPC qualification and a Masters in Law at Nottingham Trent University, Jessica ran her own business and had worked for East Riding Council’s property team. Welcoming the two to Myton Law, director Chris Thornes said, “We are very pleased to have Amy and Jessica on board. “Their appointments support our expanding business practice and, in particular, our commercial and property work for logistics and rail sector clients.”

LAND PROPERTY BUSINESS ACCOMMODATION www.eastriding.gov.uk/propertysearch

(01482) 393998

TO LET EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INVITED

Former Quarry, Everthorpe, Nr South Cave A rare opportunity to acquire a leasehold in a vacant former quarry site extending to approximately 2.6 Ha (6.42 acres) Closing Date for Submissions: Friday 10 May 2019. For further information or to request an Expression of Interest Form please visit www.eastriding.gov.uk/propertysearch or contact Adam Milner, Valuation & Estates, telephone (01482) 391725.

4 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019

Business N ews

Trident spreads from its roots in Hull to business around the world Three global ambassadors speak out

By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

rom the sunny beaches of Australia to the subtropical climates of South America, Hull graphics and brand specialist Sonoco Trident has grown far beyond its Hull roots. With offices in countries including Brazil, the US, India and Singapore, Trident is a global business. But behind every international firm is a starting point, and for Trident, that place was Hull. As Trident has expanded into new countries and continents, the daunting task of setting up offices across the globe has fallen on the shoulders of people from Hull. The Mail asked three of Trident’s team, with roots in the city, to share their experiences of life abroad.

Dan Bunting – Sydney How did you get involved with Sonoco Trident? I was living with my sister after spending a year backpacking in Australia, and she actually applied for the job for me. I think she wanted me out of her house! I was successful in the interview and my first role was as an administrator on the P&G account in Colonial House in Beverley. Since then I have done numerous roles. I never expected it to develop into the role I am doing 15 years later, but Trident has always encouraged people to work hard. How did the opportunity to set up the team in Sydney come about? Although I am now in Sydney, originally, I moved to Singapore in 2008 to set up our Asia offices. This came about by applying for an internal secondment to fulfil the role for two years. After my year backpacking, I had always wanted to go back and work overseas, and originally applied for a position in Cincinnati when Trident expanded to the US. That didn’t work

Dan Bunting out, but the Singapore position did. I ended up staying in Asia for five years and helped grow the team in Singapore and China from our original three, Hull-born staff, to almost 50 by the time I moved to Australia. The Sydney opportunity came about after working closely with Bob and Sonoco in Australia to research the ANZ market, understand the opportunities in the region and put together a proposal as to why Trident needed to be located there in order to be “Truly Global”. After partnering with a local company for a number of years, we decided to acquire the business and start growing the Trident brand in Australia. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when setting up the new office? Part of the reason we decided to set up in Sydney was that the Australian market is incredibly loyal to its partners and suppliers, and in order to become a credible business in the region, we needed a physical and credible presence. This was a big challenge when comparing to our European clients being willing to work across the entire region with suppliers, rather than demanding local, face-to-face relationships. We decided to tackle this by partnering with a well-respected local business, which eventually led to us acquiring them, and opening Trident Australia.

How does business in Sydney compare to the business scene in Hull? I think the business world in Australia compares closely to Hull, in that it is quite a small market (comparatively) and people appreciate personal relationships, good service and the culture of the business. What would you say to someone considering moving to another country to work? I would suggest that it is always worth considering broadening your horizons. The world is becoming a very small place, and working overseas is a great way to visit new places, test yourself and experience new things. Dan Buckley - Singapore and China How did you get involved with Sonoco Trident? I first got involved with Trident when I was studying Graphic Design at Hull College. I was 17 at the time and I was introduced to several members of Trident who came in to promote their business and hire apprentices. I did not join Trident at first, and instead I worked for a competitor in Leeds. However, I returned back to Trident and Hull because I knew the company was at the forefront of its industry and had big plans to expand globally. How did the opportunity to set up the team in Singapore come about? I was working on secondment in Cincinnati, US, helping support the first few months of our America expansion, when I heard there was an opportunity to head out to Singapore to work with Dan Bunting to expand Trident Asia. At the time I knew nothing about Singapore and I’d never been to Asia, but I knew I already wanted to be a part of growing Trident in the Asia region. I left the US, had six interviews for the position, and was finally

Dan Buckley selected to move to Singapore in 2010. When I arrived in Singapore there were six staff, including myself and one client. Now we have expanded the region with offices in Guangzhou China, Chennai India and Sydney Australia, managing a full portfolio of global clients for the Asia Region. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when setting up the new office? The biggest challenges I faced was the culture shock. Singapore is Asia’s cultural melting pot. We currently have 10 different nationalities and 12 different languages spoken in our Singapore office alone. These cultures span from Singaporean, to Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Korean, English, Myanmar and Filipino, and when I arrived in Singapore, I had never worked with any of these cultures. To help tackle my lack of cultural understanding, I set out to learn as

much as I can professionally and personally so I could respect and manage a team which is so diverse in religion and culture. How does business in Singapore compare to the business scene in Hull? Asia is the growth engine of the world. The economies of countries such as Singapore, China and India have exploded since I moved in 2010. This means things move very rapidly compared to the UK and Hull. What would you say to someone considering moving to another country to work? It’s not for everyone. I probably know more people who have moved back to their home country than stayed, however, I don’t know anyone who regrets moving away, even if it’s for a brief period. For me personally, moving away for almost 10 years so far has been a complete life-changing experience, professionally and personally. I have worked in London, the US, Singapore, China and I’ve had the opportunity to travel to many other countries for business. I would not change it for the world and I hope this is just the beginning. Alex Bekto-Jones - North America and Latin America How did you get involved with Sonoco Trident? I first got involved with Trident back in 2004, May 17 to be precise. I was studying for my BA in Marketing & Advertising at the University of Hull

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

on its four-year programme that included a “year in industry.” I spent the third year full-time at a company in a related field while writing a number of reports connecting the business theories we were learning to day-to-day examples I was living at Trident. I remember being terrified interviewing with Bob Carroll, in an ill-fitting suit, at Colonial House in Beverley, having never formally interviewed before. I subsequently started a week after my second year exams were complete, straight in as CSR on the newly-won Unilever business. I remember our sales target for the account was $2k a week. How did the opportunity to set up the team in your country come about? It started with Unilever Ice Cream in Rome, establishing a small on-site team inside Unilever’s Ice Cream HQ of the time, after which I moved to the US, focused around our Cincinnati studio to support our expansion with P&G. The hard-work of setting up had already been completed, but after a big-win we had to ramp up quickly from seven folks to our current number of more than 40. 2012 saw us expand into our own Mexico City office before we opened up our official regional HQ with full Trident footprint in 2015; driven by both client requirements and a desire to expand. Just January this year saw us open up in São Paulo thanks to our existing client relationships and commitment. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced

Alex Bekto Jones when setting up the new office? I could write an essay on this topic and still omit numerous critical points. Each location has its own challenges as you learn local cultures, laws, rules, expectations and try to balance them against our timelines and budgets. That’s before trying to ensure client demands are seamlessly met. In terms of tackling whatever’s thrown at you… leveraging the fantastic people and colleagues around me was key, there’s a degree of learning from your mistakes but tapping into the resources and experiences of colleagues certainly helps to mitigate. How does business in North/ Latin America compare to the business scene in Hull? Tough question to answer as I’ve been away from Hull for the last 13 years and our current Latin America focus means I have the opportunity to work across numerous cultures at the same time. What I can say is that our Truly Global Trident mantra, although requiring adjustments in implementation, reapplies across the regions.

6 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019

Business N ews in brief

Hull Chamber on the hunt for apprentices The Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce is on the hunt for young people who want to earn and learn. School or college leavers who would like to get paid while they study towards real qualifications are being encouraged to find out more about how apprenticeships work and the benefits they can bring. The Chamber’s training branch will monitor their progress and help them study in their chosen career until they complete their qualifications. Carol Gill, from Chamber Training, said: “We have employers waiting to be matched with suitable candidates looking for a new career, which provides an exciting alternative to going to university or into the sixth form. And they can earn a wage. “We can offer students opportunities in business administration, refrigeration and air conditioning, warehousing, hairdressing and care. The students will be employed by a respected local business and be paid a wage while they learn their chosen job.” For more information about becoming an apprentice, contact Carol Gill at Chamber Training on 01482 611896, or email c.gill@chambertraining.com. Alternatively, visit www.chambertraining.com.

Save money with Carbon Trust energy workshop A free workshop giving small and medium-sized businesses advice on how to reduce energy bills will be held in East Yorkshire next month. East Riding Council and The Carbon Trust will host the event in Brough on Thursday, June 13. The event, which takes place from 9 to 11.30am at the Brough Business Centre, will also provide an introduction to the Carbon Trust’s Green Business Fund for SMEs, covering how to gain access to funding and free one-to-one site energy audits. Paul Bell, head of economic development at East Riding Council, said: “Working with The Carbon Trust, the council is pleased to be hosting this free workshop for SMEs. Providing advice and support on the subject of energy is beneficial to the environment, in terms of reducing carbon emissions, and in ensuring SMEs maximise their business potential.”

Worried about tax and self assessment Self employed, Limited Companies, Payroll, vat CIS and Making Tax Digital. Free Home and weekend visits call Linda on 01482 669110

EYG Commercial enjoys smashing start to year

Panes and gains for city glazing specialist By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

Glazing firm EYG Commercial has enjoyed a booming start to 2019 as it puts the finishing touches on contracts worth more than £4m. The Hull-based business has also managed to secure work from a host of new clients in recent months, as it puts the wheels in motion for future growth. EYG is currently working on projects across the country, and last year received a royal seal of approval from Princess Anne for its £5m work on the redevelopment of a former Cadbury’s factory near Bristol. Steve Swallow, commercial director, said the firm was reaping the rewards of a growing national reputation. He said: “The most pleasing thing, looking at our order book over the past 12 to 18 months, and ahead later in the year, is the number of developers we are working with for the first time, and the new locations we have been working in and are heading to. “We have always enjoyed good relationships with the construction firms and devel-

opers we have worked with previously, and that brings in a lot of repeat work, but any business needs to develop new work streams and find new opportunities, no matter how successful it is. “We have done that over the past 12 to 18 months, working for new clients in new locations, and that has given us the platform to prove why we are the perfect choice for specialist glazing projects in any location.” EYG’s work has ranged from schools to multi-million-pound student accommodation complexes. A £24m refurbishment of the Oldways House building in Swansea, has seen it turned into a 13-storey, 556-bed complex for students, for which EYG has supplied and fitted more than 800 windows. Fitters are currently installing 20 curtain walling screens on the ground floor to complete a £980,000 contract. In Sheffield, EYG was chosen by North Midland Construction to work on a new 17-storey student accommodation development, in a contract worth around £860,000. It has also worked to meet similar demands on a £750,000

Steve Swallow, commercial director at EYG

contract with Torsion Group, on the new 15-storey student accommodation project in Birmingham. Mr Swallow said: “Over the past three years we have been particularly successful in terms of being chosen on developments where hundreds of windows, doors and curtain walling screens are required. “We’ve also become a specialist of choice for projects

needing extra levels of performance with regards to acoustic and energy performance, something increasingly demanded on hotel developments, such as the hotels we worked on at Heathrow airport, and projects in busy cities.” EYG is currently in the final fitting stages of a number of contracts, which have a total value in excess of £4.3m to the business.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Business N ews in brief

Oliver North, MD at O&H, left, and Mark Gresty, head of operations

New chairman at the Beverley Building Society

Army pair join forces at emergency vehicle firm

Stuart Purdy has been appointed as the new chairman at Beverley Building Society. Mr Purdy has had a distinguished financial services career, having worked all over the world and helped some of the UK’s biggest financial services brands. He is currently a non-executive director at financial mutuals British Friendly and Scottish Life, and is also a trustee at Age UK. Mr Purdy said of his new appointment at Beverley Building Society: “Over the years I have seen just how powerful outstanding service can be in businesses, particularly in organisations with a purpose centred on delivering benefits for their members. “It’s great to see businesses move towards the next stage of their evolution and do it in a way which remains beneficial to those they serve.”

Former colleagues back together in new enterprise

Two former Armed Forces colleagues have joined forces again at an East Yorkshire vehicle specialist to help spearhead a period of growth. Mark Gresty has become the new head of operations at O&H Vehicle Technology, which transforms regular vans into ambulances and other emergency service vehicles. Mr Gresty, who has 35 years’ experience as an army major, has joined the Goole-based company at a pivotal point in its three-decade-long history. The appointment will see him once again team up with Oliver North, who became O&H’s new managing director earlier this year. The pair worked together for three years at a regiment in Germany, and have now reunited in business. Mr Gresty said: “After leaving the military following 35 enjoyable years, I’m delighted to have joined Oliver at O&H Vehicle Technology. “We worked together for three years at 21 Engineer Regiment in Osnabruck, Germany, where we redefined standard practice and performance in our discipline. “We were a formidable team then and now we’re even more excited to be part of such an incredible organisation, particularly being that we’re building essential and critical, life-saving vehicles.” A key player in the UK’s emergency services vehicle sector, O&H has recently undergone a transformative three months – inter-

nally referred to as ‘O&H 2.0.’ Its new managing director, Oliver North, has already rebranded the company and created a positive culture-shift. Oliver North, a former Royal Engineer himself, said of Mark’s appointment: “Mark Gresty has an incredible record, pedigree and legacy in the military and has more recently executed some outstanding projects in the private sector. “With the commencement of our O&H 2.0 project, we required an experienced change manager with a particular competence for making our experienced teams work more seamlessly together. “Mark’s skillset will allow us to absorb said changes while increasing performance, without disruption.” With 35 years’ experience as an army major and with leadership experience across multiple disciplines, Mark is set to continue implementing military precision within the organisation’s shop floor. He will also be tasked with helping lead O&H’s 150-strong team, alongside its experienced management team. Mr Gresty said: “My immediate concern is to drive operational efficiency and culture amongst the highly skilled team at O&H Vehicle Technology’s impressive headquarters.” O&H was acquired by Endless in 2016, with a vision to drive the company forward and attract key contracts within the UK and across export markets.

SUB POST OFFICE, GREETING CARDS, GIFTS & STATIONERY • Worked in Very Easy Hours Over a Five and Half Day Week • Bustling Shopping Centre Location • Retirement Sale After Over 20 Years Here • Self-Contained One Bedroom Accommodation • Weekly Retail Turnover £1,500 • Annual Post Office Remuneration £30,005 • REF 581719. EPC Band C. • Business and Property £299,950

TEN BEDROOM RESIDENTIAL HOME • 13 Residents in Ten Bedrooms • Popular and Well Known East Coast Resort Town • Run Largely by a Team of Both Full and Part Time Staff • Has Been in the Same Hands for Many Years • Annual Turnover £187,929 • REF 557613. EPC Band B. • Business and Property, Offers Around £275,000

FULLY LICENSED CONVENIENCE STORE WITH FULL LOTTERY • Showing Net Profits, Prior to Depreciation of Over £70,000 • Densely Populated Residential Area • RUN PREDOMINANTLY BY STAFF DUE TO OTHER BUSINESSES • HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SENSIBLY PRICED TO SELL • Weekly Turnover £25,000 • REF 557695. EPC Band D. • Business £200,000

FREEHOLD NEWS, SWEETS & TOBACCO • Fabulous Trading Position • Retirement Forces Sale After 26 Years Here • Run Mainly by Staff • VIEWING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED HERE • Weekly Turnover £6,000 to £6,500 • REF 559208. EPC Band E. • Business and Property £169,950

LICENSED CAFÉ AND PATISSERIE • Prime Trading Position • Customer Dining Area Seating Approximately 45 Diners • Fitted And Equipped To The Highest Standard • VIEWING HERE IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST • Weekly Turnover £7,000 • REF 582939. EPC Band C. • Business, Offers Around £159,950

Hull

East Yorkshire

Scarborough

Hull

RESTAURANT AND BAR

• Scope for More with Full Time Working Owners • Superb 60 Cover Restaurant & 40 Cover Function Room • Worked in Sensible Hours Over a Six Day Week • Fantastic Location. Genuine Reason for Sale • Weekly Turnover £ 5,000 to £6,000 • REF 557907. EPC Band E. • Business £49,950

CAFE & SANDWICH BAR

• Tremendous Potential • Prime Site • Viewing Recommended • Very Low Overheads • Taking £2800 Weekly • REF 583323. EPC Band D. • Business Offers Around £39,995

Barton Upon Humber

Hull

LICENSED CONVENIENCE STORE AND POST OFFICE

LICENSED CAFÉ / COFFEE SHOP

• Run Entirely By Staff • Adjusted Net Profits of Over £36,000 • VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED • Weekly Turnover £8,000 • Annual Post Office Remuneration £17,000 • REF 583115. EPC Band D. • Business £39,950

• Fantastically Busy Trading Position • Superbly Presented with 30 Covers • Large and Loyal Customer Base • POTENTIAL TO DO EVEN MORE • Weekly Turnover £2,000 • REF 583269. EPC Band C. • Business £39,950

East Yorkshire

Hull

To find out more about these fantastic opportunities visit www.ernest-wilson.co.uk

T: 0113 238 2900 E: info@ernest-wilson.co.uk W: ernest-wilson.co.uk The Business Centre, Deanhurst Park, Gelderd Road, Gildersome, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 7LG TRIED AND TRUSTED SINCE 1956

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Hull named among the best places to use solar panels

Bright future for Hull solar power By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

Hull has been named as one of the best places in the country to have solar panels fitted. A new study has compared how much power is generated from an average panel, the annual saving from each panel, and how long it takes the owner to pay off the installation cost. Hull has fared well in the list, and has ranked ninth overall, putting it ahead of cities including London, Liverpool and Birmingham. The use of solar as a form of electricity generation has hit the headlines on several occasions across the region in recent months. A major new solar farm on the edge of Hull would, once completed, generate enough clean electricity to save millions of pounds in energy bills.

The project, being led by renewables firm Gridserve in Bilton, is set to become the largest solar farm to be built in the country since 2016. Solar power has also transformed a busy East Yorkshire port. The Port of Goole can, at peak times, now run entirely off the power of more than 4,000 panels which have been fitted on the site. ABP Humber director Simon Bird hailed the achievement as “a real green milestone,” which could help “pave the way for a greener future.” The new solar study, conducted by vouchercloud, revealed the average solar panel in Hull will generate 1,070kWh every year. Those who have panels fitted can expect to save around £180 per year for each panel, putting Hull above the likes of Liverpool (£176.82) and Birmingham (£171.77). When solar power first emerged as a real option for clean energy, scep-

Toddington Harper, CEO at Gridserve

tics questioned how long it would take those who invest in panels to reap the rewards. Now, that figure has been revealed. In Hull, it will take the average investor eight years and eight months to pay off the cost of installation. The figure puts it two months ahead of Liverpool (eight years and 10 months), and five months ahead of Birmingham (nine years and one month.” Across the UK, Brighton topped the list for the best place to invest in solar. In Hull, solar power could also be used to power a new electric car forecourt. Gridserve has chosen the city to be one of the first in the country to get one of the new developments, which will be able to charge electric vehicles in just half an hour. Headline sponsor

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Oil and fats firm riding high after record profit news

The deals and news that has kept the docks busy this year

Historic jewel company gets a shiny new headquarters

page 2

pages 6-7

page 8

The latest business news at humberbusiness.com

From left, Nigel Upson, Claire Wright and Ben Lee

Poultry firm restructures its board

State-0f-the-art facility scheme sent to council

Siemens submits its £200m factory plans By philip winter

have been submitted, in a move that would create up to 700 jobs in the town. The state-of-the-art facility, which Plans for Siemens to build a new £200m train factory in Goole would initially build more than 90

philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

new tube trains for London’s Picca- factory, which is hoped to be dilly Line, would take up a 104-acre fully operational by 2025. Will Wilson, managing director of site on the Goole 36 Enterprise Zone. Plans have now been submitted to East Riding Council for the Turn to Page 2

East Yorkshire firm Soanes Poultry has restructured its board of directors as it prepares for future growth. Third generation family board member, Andrew Soanes is joined by wife, Sarah and son John, who is currently completing his studies at Harper Adams Agricultural College and will return to the family farming business later in the year. Soanes Poultry’s general manager, Nigel Upson joins the board as managing director and Claire Wright is promoted from financial controller to finance director in the restructure. Andrew Soanes said: “Nigel has been successful in giving the business direction and a greater sense of purpose, positioning our local, rural business as a producer of great chicken with high ethical values in national markets.” Internally, former sales co-ordinator Ben Lee has been promoted to head of sales and marketing and will lead the company’s new business development and marketing strategy. Soanes Poultry is a familyowned business that has been rearing and preparing chicken for over 70 years.

2 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

Business N ews 700 new jobs on track as Siemens plan is submitted

AAK opened its new Customer Innovation Centre at King George Dock last year Picture: Les Gibbon

From Page 1

rolling stock at Siemens Mobility Limited, said: “This is a major step forward for our plans. “With digitalisation we can help make trains and infrastructure intelligent and reaching this milestone furthers our vision to create a sustainable, long-term and technically advanced facility that is an asset to the UK. “It’s the result of positive dialogue with the local authority, statutory bodies and other stakeholders, including community representatives.” The factory, if approved, would include 80,000sq m of manufacturing, commissioning, warehouse buildings and stabling sidings. It would also feature a four-storey office building. As part of the major investment in East Yorkshire, Siemens Mobility is planning to create up to 700 jobs and a further 250 during the construction period, with an additional 1,700 potential UK supply chain roles. The application is for outline consent to enable the development to be delivered in phases, with the first phase of the manufacturing facilities expected to open in 2023. It is anticipated the development will be fully operational in 2025. Mr Wilson said: “As a company we already have strong links in the local area. In 2016 Siemens opened a £310m turbine blade factory in Hull, creating 1,000 local jobs to service offshore wind farms. “This latest development would further deepen much needed commitment to the region, with a key focus on the local supply chain. “It will establish a lasting legacy of related skills to further the UK’s ability to compete on a global scale.” Siemens also plans to move its rolling stock engineering and commissioning teams to Goole as part of the development. Last November, Siemens signed a £1.5bn contract with Transport for London to build 94 new trains for the Piccadilly Line. The new tube trains will provide additional capacity and an improved passenger experience for millions of travellers. If outline planning for the factory is approved, full planning permission is expected to be submitted in the summer.

AAK ‘optimistic’ for the future after profit boost Operating profits of £42m in Q1 of this year By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

dible oils and fats firm AAK has had a strong start to 2019, with profits up 11 per cent in the first three months of the year. The business, which has a base in Hull’s King George Dock, recorded operating profits of £42m in Q1 – up 11 per cent on the same period in 2018. Last year was a strong one overall for AAK, as the company achieved both record sales and profits, and unveiled its new customer innovation centre in Hull. Speaking about AAK’s start to 2019, CEO Johan Westman said: “The consistent positive trend in organic volume and profit growth continued during the first quarter. “Food ingredients was the main driver for our profit growth, with good contributions from all segments. “Chocolate and Confectionery Fats had a good quarter, with continued profit growth and we continue to see strong demand for high-end

solutions. As expected, volatility in raw material yields continued during the quarter, impacting operating profit negatively. Our investment projects to increase capacity and strengthen our supply chain are progressing according to plan.” AAK last month announced it was investing £24m to expand its new facility in China. The plant, in Zhangjiagang, opened its doors in September 2017, but AAK has now pledged to further increase its capacity and support growth in the Far East. Part of a Swedish-Danish company, AAK is one of the biggest businesses in Hull. In the past five years, profits and sales have grown year-on-year. The company’s CEO said the business remained “optimistic” about the future. Mr Westman said: “We offer plant-based, healthy, high valueadding oils and fats solutions by using our customer co-development approach and we see favourable underlying trends in our markets. “Thus, we continue to remain prudently optimistic about the future.”

AAK has invested £24m into its facility in China

AAK supplies value-adding ingredients, vegetable oils and finished products to all the main retailers and food manufacturers, and many leading pub and restaurant chains. Last year in Hull, the business unveiled its new Customer Innovation Centre at King George Dock.

The new centre comprises a large test bakery, an ultra-modern demonstration kitchen, and conference and office facilities. AAK’s investment in Hull was followed a year later, in September 2018, the company also opened a new facility in Singapore.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Business N ews Dove House to invite local businesses to Get Caked!

Queen’s seal of approval for long-term boiler firm

Shaun Edwards, CEO, Ideal Boilers

Car park firm donates £500 to a city cause

Ideal receives a special award for its innovation By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

ull manufacturer Ideal Boilers has received a Queen’s Award for both International Trade and Innovation. The business, founded in 1906, was one of just over 200 businesses in the country to receive a prestigious accolade, to celebrate Her Majesty’s 93 birthday. Ideal Boilers collected a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation back in 2014, but the awards are only valid for five years. Now, in 2019, the historic Hull firm has collected two Queen’s awards, recognising its outstanding contribution to both innovation and international trade.

Shaun Edwards, CEO at Ideal Boilers, said: “It is an honour and a privilege to receive these awards, which reflect our continued commitment to innovation and international relations. “This high recognition emphasises and reflects the hard work and determination of all our employees whose core values of excellence, integrity and an entrepreneurial spirit will continue to drive our business further towards greater achievements.” The 201 Queen’s Award winners in 2019 include businesses leading the way in a huge range of industries – from construction, agriculture, motoring and software development. This year, three quarters of the

total are SMEs, 30 of which have fewer than ten employees. They will join more than 6,000 British businesses in receiving the prestigious honour and will have the privilege of displaying the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise emblem for five years. The Awards, now in their 53rd year, are among the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, with companies from across the UK recognised for their contribution in the four categories. Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “These prestigious awards help shine a light on all that is great about UK business today. I am extremely impressed to see such a wealth of talent and innovation from across the UK being recognised today by

Businesses in East Yorkshire are being encouraged to take part in the county’s muddiest challenge for charity. Dove House Hospice is looking for people who are prepared to tackle five miles of obstacles on a course in the grounds of Sledmere House, near Driffield, this summer. Get Caked! will take place on Sunday, June 23. There are staggered start times of 10am, 11am and 12pm. It’s the only event of its kind in the area and everyone who takes part will be rewarded for their efforts with a finishing line cake. Anita Brien, events coordinator at Dove House Hospice, said: “‘Get Caked!’ is the perfect challenge for companies to take part in this June. We want teams from businesses large and small to sign-up for the chance to climb over, jump through and crawl under natural and man-made obstacles.” Entry is just £25 per person and those taking part need to try to raise at least £50 in sponsorship for the hospice.

Her Majesty the Queen. “These awards recognise the innovative products and services being provided by British businesses that are in demand across the world, as well as the sheer determination and hard work that comes with starting and running a business. “Many of these winners are small businesses, the backbone of our economy, and we are backing them to grow, increase their productivity and create more jobs and opportunity across the UK through our modern Industrial Strategy.” Ideal Boilers was bought by Groupe Atlantic in 2015. The business employs hundreds of staff in Hull, and last year announced turnover had passed £260m in 2017.

A Hull-based company which launched to offer low-cost city centre parking to visitors has donated £500 to a city charity. Watch this Space Property Development chose KIDS Yorkshire and the Humber as the first recipient of a new scheme it has launched to support the community. The KIDS charity in Hull, which supports children with a range of disabilities from birth to 25 years, received £500 from the car park operator to help support its Early Years groups. Jenny Lee Sach, business development director at Watch This Space Ltd, said: “It’s important to us that we feel we can give something back to those that need it. “KIDS is a charity that rely purely on voluntary donations to continue the fantastic work they do. “We appreciate no one likes paying for parking so maybe this takes away that pain when they know their money is partly contributing to such wonderful good causes.”

4 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

Business N ews

Panel to share the origins of business By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

A panel featuring some of Hull’s biggest names in business will share their journeys from humble beginnings to becoming leaders in their industries. The line-up, which cannot yet be revealed, features a host of the bestknown faces in the city, all of who have overcome unimaginable hurdles to reach the top. Sewell Group will host the event, titled The Kid Done Good, during Humber Business Week in June. It will be hosted by former Hull MP Alan Johnson, and also feature former Education Secretary Justine Greening. It comes as the Hull business, led by Paul Sewell, becomes a Social Mobility Pledge accredited employer, supporting Justine Greening’s fight to ensure people can progress in life, regardless of their background. Paul Sewell said: “Some of Hull’s leading lights will tell their inspirational Kid Done Good stories, taking the audience on a journey from their humble beginnings and tough hurdles, to how they turned it into success and positivity… “I f***ed up when I was younger, and got expelled from school, but

Justine Greening. Left, Paul Sewell

The Kid Done good will have talks from prominent leaders

there is no barrier in Hull to making progress. “If you believe, it is now more important than ever not to lose one bit of human potential or talent, and no young person should see any insurmountable barriers to reach their goals and achieve their dreams, this event and opportunity is for you.” More than 200 employers representing more thanr two million employees across the UK have already signed the Social Mobility Pledge, and Sewell Group is now

calling on other businesses to do the same. The Kid Done Good will take place on Tuesday, June 6 at Sewell Group’s home in Geneva Way. Mr Johnson and Ms Greening will be joined by a string of big names from Hull business, who will tell their inspirational stories and discuss the importance of social mobility. Ms Greening said: “The key is using the Social Mobility Pledge to allow all the experience, innovation and know-how from

great employers to be shared. “Some of those trailblazing companies are right here in this region. One of the most creative businesses I’ve met supporting the Social Mobility Pledge is the Sewell Group. “It’s about where you’re going, not where you’re from. There is a clear link between what we are doing and how forward-thinking businesses see their own role. “I’m grateful to Paul and all the staff at Sewell Group. They have committed to making a real difference to social mobility in Britain. I

hope many more businesses will follow so that together we change Britain for the better.” By signing the pledge, the business promises to work in partnership with schools and colleges to provide coaching to people from disadvantaged backgrounds through careers advice, mentoring and providing work experience and apprenticeship opportunities. Places at The Kid Done Good are limited and booking is essential. To book, e-mail: jo.taylor@ sewell-group.co.uk

Funding for the Future Advertisement feature Nasim Sharf is a Partner within the Corporate and Commercial team at Wilkin Chapman solicitors, based at the firm’s Beverley office

ecently Nasim’s colleagues in the Greater Lincolnshire area used their professional guidance to help an emerging firm to secure a major investment to expand. During the investment process, key advice was offered that Nasim shares with you today. He also identifies opportunity for similar investment for firms across Hull and the East Riding… “From an idea working on his kitchen table seven years ago, businessman Stuart Maclaren now employs more than 50 people in his print and design business YPP Group Ltd, with a £2.6-million turnover last year. Having started as a ‘one-man-band’, it was

clear to Stuart that major outside support was needed to take that next step. He was well placed, as an SME looking to grow, to successfully apply for funding through one of the British Business Bank’s regional funds – the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF). This is one of two funds operating across the Humber and Lincolnshire with funding options, designed to plug a market gap in the provision of commercially available finance. In Hull and the wider region of East Yorkshire, businesses can seek to secure investment from MEIF’s North Bank counterpart, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. As Stuart prepared for his £1m MEIF equity finance investment through appointed fund manager Foresight Group, it was the work of local professional services’ firms – including ourselves – to

help him make the jump from SME into the corporate world. Our Partner and my colleague, Head of the Corporate and Commercial Department Russell Eke, worked on the project with solicitors Adam Ottley and Jonathan Mackinder and continues to support Stuart. This work is complemented by colleagues in our Employment and HR, and commercial and domestic property teams. The opportunity that comes with such investment is vast – but there are challenges that extend beyond the legal paperwork and documentation. The move from being an owner to building relationships with others in a corporate environment can be challenging. Reporting to a Board of Directors, for example, is not something people in Stuart’s position have experienced and it is our role, not only to perform the legal services, but to draw on our experience to offer advice where appropriate.

■■For advice on all elements of business restructure or growth, please call Nasim

Sharf on 01482 398393, email nasim. sharf@wilkinchapman.co.uk or visit wilkinchapman.co.uk ■■For more details on the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund please see www.british-business-bank.co.uk and www. npif.co.uk

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Business N ews in brief

Kirkella sails under Tower Bridge

Ørsted award local grants East Yorkshire projects were among those to be awarded grants in the fifth round of Ørsted’s East Coast Community Fund. The fund is part of the community engagement programme for Ørsted’s Hornsea Project One and Race Bank offshore wind farms. Each year, until 2037, approximately £390,000 will be available from the main fund to support community projects. The latest round of funding included grants to the Withernsea Pier and Promenade Association for its pier viewing platform, and SASH. a charity which helps young people facing homelessness. Imran Nawaz, stakeholder advisor at Ørsted, said: “We’re building the biggest offshore wind farms in the world off the East Coast and it’s our pleasure to be able to offer this fund for communities up and down the coast that have welcomed us.”

Kirkella landed 700 tonnes of fish last september

Trawler sails in to London for official naming ceremony By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

A trawler which became the first in more than a decade to land fish in Hull has sailed to London for its official naming ceremony. Kirkella, a state-of-the-art vessel owned by UK Fisheries, catches 8 per cent of all the cod and haddock used in fish and chip shops across the country. The ship sailed from Hull to London, ahead of its naming ceremony in Greenwich today. Kirkella made for some memorable photos as it passed under Tower Bridge and alongside landmarks including The Shard. As high as three London buses above the waterline, Kirkella spends between four and six weeks at a time out in the North Atlantic. Last September, it landed around 700 tonnes of cod and haddock in Hull, in what was a landmark moment for the fishing industry in the city. UK Fisheries’ chief executive

said at the time the landmark was proof that the industry was “well and truly back” in Hull. Jane Sandell said: “British distant-water fishing has a bright future, which is why we have invested in our new multi-million pound fishing vessel, Kirkella. “The fishing industry was once the largest employer in Hull and this is a real vote of confidence from UK Fisheries that it’s well and truly back. We are proud to have operated from the Port of Hull many years ago, so it’s fantastic that we’re able to come back with such a beautiful vessel.” Kirkella sailed underneath a raised Tower Bridge yesterday, fully decked out in bunting and naval flags. The vessel then returned up the Thames to Greenwich Pier, ahead of today’s naming ceremony. Last year the Mail went aboard Kirkella, to speak to some of the fisherman who are landing fish in the city again. Shaun Wray, who started out as

a deck hand for J.Marr & Son Ltd in 1985 when he was just 16, is now the second mate on the vessel. He said: “The first time I went out on a trawler when I was 16, it sank, and when I got home my mum told me I was never going back again. “I obviously did. Since I left school at Malet Lambert I always wanted to go out to sea. I originally wanted to be on one of the oil tankers, but it is much harder to get into than fishing. “The Kirkella is like a floating hotel. It’s got a cinema, gym, sauna and everything. You go out for six weeks at a time, and then get six weeks on land at home.” The vessel supports 65 crew members, the majority of whom are from the Hull and Grimsby area. The fish is already frozen when it is landed in Hull, thanks to an impressive on-board factory. From there, the millions of fish portions supply around 300 fish and chip shops both regionally and across the country.

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Best Renewable Energy Project or Installation in the Humber area

Friday 10th May awards evening: Thursday 13th June at the Country Park Inn, Hessle closing date for entries:

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6 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

Business N ews

Firms in the dock: Port deals which keep city trading

Major partnerships at humber ports

By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

he Humber’s port links are still at the heart of the region’s economy. The estuary, with ports at Hull, Grimsby, Goole and Immingham, is one of the busiest and fastest-growing trade areas in Europe. Almost a quarter of the UK’s sea trade happens right here in the Humber. Every year, more than 30,000 international shipments come in and out of the region’s ports. The Port of Hull is no exception to the region’s success. A trip down to the docks will show you very quickly just how busy life is at ABP. But where are cargo ships leaving Hull destined for? The Mail has compiled some of the biggest port deals announced by ABP in the city in the 2018-19 year. They span across the entire globe, from the Caribbean to the Far East.

It will establish a crucial trade link between Hull and the Far East. Associated British Port’s agreement with Maersk will see around 12,000 containers come in and out of the Port of Hull every year. It means Hull’s container terminal now has deep-sea connections to the rest of the world for the first time in its history.

ABP and Thor are confident in committing to support the Humber region for a substantial amount of time, so much so, it’s double the length of the previous contract agreed in 2014.”

Helping Drax power 18,000 homes The largest shipment of biomass pellets ever to arrive at the Port of Hull was announced last month. Destined for Drax Power Station, near Goole, it is expected the pellets will generate enough clean energy to power 18,000 homes for a year. The operation to move the pellets from the Isadora vessel to the shore took 77 hours. Some of the pellets were also stored at ABP’s state-of-the-art biomass facility, known as 26 Shed. The Port of Hull is home to a dedicated rail-load-out facility for Drax, and in 40 minutes can load a train with 1,600 tonnes of wood pellets. Up to 17 biomass trains per week can deliver fuel to Drax, near Goole, from the city’s docks.

£6m investment reaps rewards At the start of this year, ABP announced a major ten-year port deal with Thor Shipping on the back of a £6m investment in Hull. The port operator pledged millions of pounds into the terminal used by the shipping company, which has also seen a new £3.5m crane arrive at the docks. Since 2014, Thor has trebled its tonnage through the terminal on King George Dock, and runs regular services connecting Hull with Belgium and Sweden. Chris Green, ABP port manager for Hull and Goole, said: “The key to realising our potential and helpUnlocking the Far East ing our valued customers to grow, with Maersk Connecting Hull to the A major new port service with the is ensuring that we continually work Caribbean world’s biggest container shipping closely with them and support their The Port of Hull forged new links line was announced by ABP last future aspirations. with the Caribbean in February in “This agreement shows that both a deal which will see thousands of December.

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after ABP announced a new container service connecting the city with Antwerp. Global logistics company Samskip has opened up a new route between Hull and Belgium’s biggest port, which will see 15,000 extra containers come into the region. The news came just months after a similar deal involving I-Motion Shipping saw a new connection forged between the ports of Hull and Ghent. ABP Humber director, Simon Bird, said: “It’s fantastic news that Samskip has selected the Port of Hull once again as its premier short-sea departure destination. “ABP has continued to drive substantial investments in its Hull Hull strengthens Belgium Container Terminal, increasing container storage space and links The Port of Hull last year further acquiring state-of-the-art strengthened its ties with Belgium equipment.” tonnes of cargo shipped every year. International shipping service Europe Caribbean Line (ECL) visited ABP’s Hull port for the first time earlier this year, with more than 300 tonnes of heavy vehicles and industrial components exported to Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad. The well-established line has relocated to Hull after more than 15 years of continuous service, to bolster customer accessibility in the Humber, Midlands and Northern regions, while continuing to serve the rest of the UK. Humber-based company Global Shipping has been contracted for the stevedoring of the King George Dock based operation.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

Hull starts fresh chapter with paper deal A new contract announced at the Port of Hull in February will see more than 30,000 tonnes of paper pass through the city’s docks every year. Associated British Ports has signed the deal with Belgium-based manufacturer VPK Packaging Group.

The deal will see 30,000 tonnes of paper shipped through Port of Hull The agreement will see the major port operator handle paper reels shipped from Ghent, as they arrive into the Hull Container Terminal. The Belgian company has also said it expects its volumes of paper to increase in the coming years.

8 HULL-LIVE.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

Business N ews Hugh Rice staff hold a meeting in one of the breakout areas in their new Fruit Market offices

Pictures: Neil Holmes Photography

Shiny new headquarters for Hugh Rice Jewellers

From left, Wykeland’s David Donkin, Hugh Rice’s Mike Rice and James Rice, and Wykeland’s John Gouldthorp

Market is jewel of the Humber By philip winter philip.winter@reachplc.com @PhilWinterBiz

MAINS POST OFFICE, NEWS, SWEETS, TOBACCO, CARDS AND CONVENIENCE STORE

• Set In Approximately 2 ½ Acres of Land • In Excess of 12% Annual Yield • Ranging from Engineering Works to a Storage Yard with 32 Containers • The Investment Returns £109,374.36 plus VAT per Annum • REF 556237. EPC Not Required. • Property £1.1 Million

• Adjusted Net Profits of Approximately £80,000 • Run Entirely By Staff • Working Owners Could Take So Much More Here • Self-Contained Two Bedroom Accommodation • Weekly Turnover £8,000 • Annual Post Office Remuneration £55,000 • REF 583197. EPC Band D. Business £159,950

FULLY LICENSED CAFE BAR AND GIN BAR • Tremendous Potential for Bistro / Restaurant Evenings • Worked in Very Easy Hours Over Seven Days • Superbly Fitted & Equipped Throughout • Very Highly Recommended • Weekly Turnover £6,500 to £7,000 • REF 583381. EPC Band D. Business £129,950

North Yorkshire

Scarborough

Beverley

Whitby

PETROL STATION, MOTOR SERVICING & REPAIRS AND FULLY LICENSED CONVENIENCE STORE

CAFÉ, COFFEE SHOP AND SANDWICH BAR

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Run from the North of England

North Yorkshire

Hornsea

BRIDAL SHOP

HAIR AND BEAUTY SALON

• Accounts Show Net Profits Adjusted to £36,000 • Lots of Business Already Booked in Advance and Deposits Paid • Tremendous Potential for Enthusiastic New Owners • High Visibility Location Attracting Custom from Near and Far • Annual Turnover £146,144 • REF 583382. EPC Band D. Business £29,950

• Run Entirely By Self Employed Staff • Has Taken Much More When Our Client Ran the Business • This Salon Only Needs Seeing • SENSIBLY PRICED TO SELL • Weekly Turnover £900 • REF 583277. EPC Band D. Business £24,950

East Yorkshire

Goole

To find out more about these fantastic opportunities visit www.ernest-wilson.co.uk

T: 0113 238 2900 E: info@ernest-wilson.co.uk W: ernest-wilson.co.uk The Business Centre, Deanhurst Park, Gelderd Road, Gildersome, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS27 7LG TRIED AND TRUSTED SINCE 1956

well-known Hull jewellers has moved to shiny new offices in the city’s Fruit Market as it prepares for the next phase of its growth. Hugh Rice, which was founded in Hull in 1965, outgrew its former home in the city centre and was on the hunt for a new headquarters as part of a fiveyear business plan laid out in 2015. The search for a new home is now over, as Huge Rice became the latest company to set up in the thriving Fruit Market area. Mike Rice, chairman at Huge Rice, said: “We’ve been fortunate enough to have enjoyed successes over the past four years and our plan has been a fantastic guide for us. “We’ve just launched an updated strategy to take us through to 2022, which is more reflective of the current economic climate and will allow every department to head in the same direction and achieve our goals. We’re incredibly proud to invest in our home city of Hull. We’ve always been a city centre business and we were very keen to stay central, as opposed to moving to an out-of-town development.” Founded in 1965 by Hugh Rice, who opened the company’s first store in George Street in 1971, the business has grown strongly, expanding from Hull and Beverley throughout Yorkshire and into the North East. The business now employs 350 people across 16 outlets, with most of its staff based in the stores. Its offices are home to Hugh Rice’s Central Support Unit, which backs up the company’s retail operations.

The business has worked closely with Wykeland Group, one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s leading commercial developers, on its new 6,000sq ft premises. Hugh Rice bought the building from Wykeland and the two companies worked in partnership on its redevelopment. James Rice, sales and marketing director at Hugh Rice, said: “We’re a Hull company and Hull is a maritime city, so a headquarters on the waterfront was the perfect choice for us. “The location is beautiful, with incredible views and a vibrant local cultural scene, full of thriving independent businesses and restaurants. “Our new environment is perfect to encourage effectiveness from our team and it provides a visitor experience, which is much more akin to our stores.” Hugh Rice’s retail operations include luxury Hugh Rice stores in Beverley and Harrogate, with its flagship outlet in Hull’s St Stephen’s Shopping Centre. The business also operates three Luxe stores, in St Stephen’s, Beverley and Wakefield, and ten Pandora outlets in locations from Harrogate to Hartlepool. David Donkin, Wykeland’s property director, said: “We’ve been delighted to work with the Hugh Rice team on their relocation and to welcome another blue chip local business to the Fruit Market. The Hugh Rice management team were attracted to the Fruit Market in part by the appeal of becoming part of a thriving community. “In turn, their presence will support the continuing growth of local, independent and creative businesses that are benefiting from the growing presence of leading employers in the area.”