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Northern Talent Tracker: This Week's Key Appointments
Mills & Reeve has appointed two senior specialists to its growing construction practice, as Dominic Jones takes over as Head of Construction to lead the team's expansion. Ian Hardman, formerly leading the Manchester construction team at Shoosmiths, joins as a non-contentious partner.
L-R: Jody Kite, Dominic Jones and Ian Hardman
Stocks & Shares:
MSFT
Microsoft
483.47
1.0260%
AAPL
Apple
278.03
-0.2690%
GOOGL
Google
312.43
-2.4297%
AMZN
Amazon
230.28
-0.6472%
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
210.01
1.6801%
JPM
JP Morgan Chase
317.38
2.3443%
Christmas Spotlight: Rob Wilyman, Director At Apollo3D
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions.
1:03 AM 12th December 2025
£5K Startup Tilz Targets £9m Global E-Commerce Boom
L-R: Caroline Kindy, Growth Specialist at West Yorkshire Business Boost, Oladipo Adewale and Tayo Adebisi of Tilz Prosperitas Limited, and Karla Tun, Export Manager at West Yorkshire Business Boost. Image by David Harrison.
A Leeds-based e-commerce firm that began with a £5,000 investment selling toys is on track to achieve a £9 million turnover and create 20 jobs by 2029, driven by significant export growth across Europe and North America. Tilz Prosperitas Limited, founded in 2017 by businesswoman Tayo Adebisi, is a global e-commerce and B2B company focused on scaling brands and driving international trade.
1:00 AM 12th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Samantha Overton, Managing Director Of Zebra Print Group
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Today it is the turn of Samantha Overton, managing director of Zebra Print Group. 1.
1:07 AM 11th December 2025
UK Electroplating At Breaking Point As One In Six Firms Disappear In A Decade, BEP Research Reveals
Copper-coated chill roll Photo: BEP
New research from BEP Surface Technologies has revealed that the UK’s electroplating and surface finishing sector is shrinking at an accelerating rate, with one in six firms lost in ten years and most of the remaining businesses showing no real terms financial growth.
1:00 AM 11th December 2025
Festive Cheer On Tap As Leeds Bar Owner Serves Up Sales Lift
Toast, a sports bar in Leeds city centre, has reported a 20 per cent increase in sales since being acquired by long-time General Manager Jacob Georgallis this summer, with further growth expected during the festive season.
1:00 AM 11th December 2025
CBI And Armstrong Watson Join Forces To Champion Cumbria’s Economy
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has announced the return of the CBI Cumbria Business Dinner, taking place on Thursday 30 April 2026 at the outstanding Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa on Lake Windermere in a new strategic partnership with Armstrong Watson.
4:00 AM 10th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Lauren York, CEO Of UK Locations
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Today it is the turn of Lauren York, CEO of UK Locations. 1.
1:08 AM 10th December 2025
UK Government’s Fair Payment Code Celebrates One Year
The UK Government backed Fair Payment Code celebrates its first year at an event at the House of Lords today with the Accounts Payable Association (APA). The Fair Payment Code is a tiered system of Awards aimed at driving best practice and improving payment performance.
1:00 AM 10th December 2025
NatWest North West Growth Tracker
The headline figure is the Business Activity Index, calculated from a single question that asks for changes in the volume of business activity compared with one month previously. It is a diffusion index, which is the sum of the percentage of ‘higher’ responses and half the percentage of ‘unchanged’ responses. It varies between 0 and 100, with a reading above 50 indicating an overall increase in compared to the previous month, and below 50 an overall decrease. The higher above 50, the faster the rate of growth signalled.
Challenging business conditions were observed across the North West's private sector in November, with uncertainty reported to have weighed on demand and activity, the latest NatWest Growth Tracker shows. Nonetheless, firms in the region continue to forecast an upturn in business activity over the next 12 months.
1:00 AM 10th December 2025
PBH Rail Group Opens Graduate Career Opportunities With Two New Apprentices
(L-R)Nick Gamov & Riley Rowan
York-based rail company PBH Rail Group has taken on two new apprentices within its Surveys division, a move aimed at bridging the skills gap in the rail industry. Riley Rowan and Nicholas Gamov joined the team on a two-year, level three programme and have stepped into the Surveys Delivery Team as Geospatial Survey Technicians.
1:00 AM 10th December 2025
Yorkshire-Based Property Managers Watson Call For An End To The ‘Wild West’ Of Unregulated Managing Agents
Ian Omant, MD of Watson. Photo: Watson
Yorkshire-based property managers Watson have welcomed government reforms aimed at ending the ‘Wild West’ of poor managing agent behaviour.
1:00 AM 10th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Clair Challenor-Chadwick
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Clair Challenor-Chadwick, Managing Director of Cause and Effect Public Relations, is next. 1.
1:02 AM 9th December 2025
Manufacturers Can Now Access Science-Led Guidance On Sustainable Operations
Globally, manufacturers are facing rising expectations from regulators, customers and investors to reduce emissions, address supply chain impacts and demonstrate credible sustainability performance. To help address this, sustainability consultancy Tunley Environmental has released a new free Guide to Sustainable Manufacturing.
1:00 AM 9th December 2025
Sustainable York Gin Bottle Crowned A ‘Glass Champion’
York Gin’s new sustainable bottle has been crowned a ‘Glass Champion’. The 100% recycled bottle has won the Glass Champion award at the Glass Focus Awards in Manchester. The bottles - designed with a nod to the shape of York’s famous city walls - are made near Leeds by Verallia with 100% post-consumer recycled glass.
1:00 AM 9th December 2025
Huddersfield Print Firm Oyster Named UK Reseller Of The Year
Oyster Managed Print Services has been named Reseller of the Year at the 2025 PrintIT Awards, securing a major accolade within the UK’s workplace technology sector. The firm, which coordinates its northern operations from Huddersfield, received the honour at the industry’s dedicated awards programme.
1:00 AM 9th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Mark Lewis, CEO of West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Mark Lewis, CEO of West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services, is next up. 1.
1:14 AM 8th December 2025
ISA Tax Changes Lack Courage, Says Expert
P.ublished is delighted to launch a new regular column dedicated to financial strategy and investment. To help our readers navigate complex market changes and understand the issues facing the North of England's business community, we have invited Shaun Wood to contribute.
1:09 AM 8th December 2025
Yorkshire’s DJH Rebrands MSD As It Embarks On Irish Acquisition Drive
L-R: Brendan Murtagh and Richard Daly (both DJH Ireland)
A fast-growing accountancy group has rebranded its first-ever Irish acquisition to give it an immediate presence in Ireland.
1:00 AM 8th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Rachel Storey, Co-Founder And Director Of Empowr HR
As we draw close to Christmas Rachel Storey, Co-Founder and Director of Empowr HR and Non Executive Director for Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, continues our 2025 popular festive spotlight—featuring regional business people from across the north answeri…
1:00 AM 7th December 2025
Is it time to change from five to four day working weeks?
Ian Garner
Business Writer
Photo by Karola G: Pexels
Henley Business School ran a four-day week trial a couple of years ago and claimed, “The four-day week trial is a success.” However, it went on to say, “The report spent a lot of time reporting how happy employers and employees were with the four-day week; much less attention was given to customers.” So, will it work for everyone?
1:00 AM 6th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Sam Hameed Group Managing Director Of Solution Performance Group
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Sam Hameed group managing director of Solution Performance Group, continues the series. 1.
1:00 AM 6th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Tayler Mitchell, Operations Manager, True North Construction
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions.
1:06 AM 5th December 2025
Northern Talent Tracker: This Week's Key Appointments
RSM UK has appointed Chris Robson as employment tax partner and national Fair Pay lead. A chartered accountant with over 20 years’ experience, Robson joins from senior roles at PwC and Deloitte. He specialises in coordinating employment tax with employment law, focusing on national minimum wage compliance, holiday pay, and gender pay gap reporting.
1:00 AM 5th December 2025
Almost Half Of UK Smaller Business Leaders Feel Isolated Running Their Business
As many employed workers start to slow down for Christmas and meet up with friends and attend work Christmas events, a new YouGov survey has found that nearly half (44%) of smaller business owners in the UK say they have felt lonely or isolated while running their business. The research was carried out by YouGov on behalf of The Start Up Loans Company, part of the British Business Bank.
1:00 AM 5th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Marie Hadfield, Office Manager for EDGE
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Marie Hadfield, Office Manager for EDGE is next up. 1.
1:12 AM 4th December 2025
Autumn Budget: South Yorkshire Locksmith Reflects
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Harry Harrold, Director of H Harrold and Sons
Following his pre-Budget commentary on the hopes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the North of England, Harry Harrold, Director of South Yorkshire-based locksmiths H Harrold and Sons, now offers his post-Budget analysis.
1:04 AM 4th December 2025
BGF Backs Retail Technology Provider With Multi-Million Investment
Image by Andreas from Pixabay
Citrus-Lime, a fast-growing retail software and digital marketing services provider, has secured a multi-million-pound investment from BGF – the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor.
1:00 AM 4th December 2025
Apprentice Wage Rises Squeeze Northern SME Budgets
Helen Kitchen
Deputy Business Editor
Tadweld Apprentice in Training
A dramatic increase in the minimum wage for apprentices is making company training schemes "exceptionally expensive" for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While the official minimum rate is rising by over 40% in two years, firms are reporting effective cost increases far higher due to internal wage structures and training commitments.
1:00 AM 4th December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Angela Carney, Managing Director At Carney Consultancy
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Today it's Angela Carney, managing director at Carney Consultancy 1.
1:15 AM 3rd December 2025
FMB Calls On Construction Industry To Support Workers With Disabilities
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is using World Disability Day to call on the construction industry to create more inclusive workplaces and support tradespeople with disabilities, highlighting the success of award-winning Scottish builder Martin Sneddon who has thrived for 50 years despite losing his hearing.
1:05 AM 3rd December 2025
Eight Northern Start-Ups Receive Investment From PraeSeed
Eight North of England startups have become the latest companies to receive investment from PraeSeed, a six-week cohort-based investment programme for early-stage businesses from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) and PXN Ventures, which has launched following the merger between Praetura Ventures and Par Equity.
1:04 AM 3rd December 2025
UK’s Largest Defence Company Strengthens North Of England’s Skills Base
As BAE Systems announces that applications for its 2026 apprenticeship intake are open, the Company has reached a record achievement with more than 6,800 young people in training across its UK operations. This figure, which includes approximately 5,100 apprentices and 1,700 graduates, underlines the Company’s commitment to developing the next generation of British talent.
1:00 AM 3rd December 2025
Research Reveals Over A Third Of Small Businesses Are Struggling To Promote Themselves To New Customers
Image by Ann San from Pixabay
HSBC UK has teamed up with Double Olympic Champion Dame Kelly Holmes and rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll to boost visibility for Britain’s smallest businesses. Four out of ten (38%) small business owners say they don’t have the time or money to promote their business, as new HSBC UK research reveals visibility remains one of the biggest barriers to growth. HSBC UK launches nationwide competition giving three small businesses the ultimate prize: their own celebrity brand ambassador.
7:17 PM 2nd December 2025
Mad Devs Doubles Support Team As Connect Dealer Network Expands
iStoreDOCS
Automotive technology specialist Mad Devs has doubled the size of its UK-based support team to ensure it continues to deliver industry-leading service as more dealers join its Connect platform.
1:12 AM 2nd December 2025
Innovation Gap Opening Due To Varying AI Adoption – Report Finds
Paul Knight, Mills & Reeve
An innovation and governance gap is opening up between businesses that realise the potential of GenAI and those that see its impact as limited – a new report has found. According to The Critical AI Window, organisations that don’t find ways to capitalise on the potential of AI to drive innovation and growth run the risk of being left behind. As a result, competitive edge is at risk.
1:02 AM 2nd December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Stacey Burrows, Founder And Head Agent At Articulate Agency
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. Second is Stacey Burrows, Founder And Head Agent At Articulate Agency 1.
1:01 AM 2nd December 2025
The Cumberland To Support Self-Employed Borrowers With Residential Mortgage Options
The Cumberland Building Society has committed to supporting self-employed people with their residential mortgage needs to help them navigate financial challenges. With more than 4.4 million people in the UK self-employed, many face barriers when applying for a mortgage due to irregular income patterns.
1:01 AM 2nd December 2025
Pre-Budget Uncertainty Holds Back Private Sector Activity Further
Firms across the private sector once again expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -27%), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. This extends a run of negative predictions that began in late 2024.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2025
Sitehop Wins Spectator Business Award
Sitehop, the Sheffield-based cybersecurity specialist, has been recognised with a national accolade for its pioneering quantum-resistant encryption technology. The deep-tech company was named regional Breakthrough winner at The Spectator magazine's Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2025, in partnership with wealth management firm Rathbones.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2025
North West’s DJH Helps S&S Steelstock Complete Manufacturing Acquisition
A North West professional services group has used its multi-disciplinary expertise to help complete a major Midlands manufacturing deal. DJH, which has eight offices across, Manchester, Altrincham, Bury, Chester, Nantwich, Liverpool and the Wirral, supported full buy-side advisory on S&S Steelstock’s acquisition of Trident Sections in Kingswinford in the West Midlands.
4:00 AM 1st December 2025
Service Sector Conditions Deteriorate In The Quarter To November
Image by Pexels from Pixabay
Business sentiment and activity dropped further across the services sector in the quarter to November, according to the CBI’s latest Service Sector Survey. Business volumes dropped sharply across both sub-sectors, marking over a year of declines. Meanwhile, average selling prices were unchanged despite cost growth remaining elevated.
1:09 AM 1st December 2025
Christmas Spotlight: Sarah Beaumont, Widd Partnerships and Marketing Director
Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions.
1:00 AM 1st December 2025
Culture And Heritage Centre Wins National Award
A County Durham culture, heritage and registration venue, praised for its innovative design and contribution, has scooped a top national planning award.
1:00 AM 1st December 2025
AI: The New Internet Moment For Business
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
For nearly thirty years, the internet has been a force shaping global commerce, communication, and competition. Businesses that embraced websites in the 90s and early 2000s unlocked new markets, efficiencies, and ways of operating. Those that hesitated often found themselves scrambling to catch up or left behind altogether. Today, a similar turning point has arrived.
1:01 AM 29th November 2025
The Cumberland Makes Top 10 Best Large Employers
The Cumberland Building Society is officially one of the best places to work in the UK, having again improved its ranking in Best Companies’ annual survey.
1:00 AM 29th November 2025
UK Business R&D Rebounds In 2024, But Recovery Remains Fragile, Warns NCUB
New figures released today show that business expenditure on research and development (R&D) in the UK is recovering after several years of decline. In real terms, spending increased by 2.3% to £55.6 billion in 2024 compared to 2023. The rebound follows two consecutive years of falling private R&D spending.
11:48 AM 28th November 2025
Accu Fasteners Anchor World’s First Seagrass Harvester
A North of England precision engineering firm, Accu, has provided crucial components for the development of the world’s first underwater seagrass harvester, a groundbreaking marine conservation innovation. Based in Yorkshire, Accu collaborated with Tandem Ventures, a science and conservation technology specialist, and marine organisation Project Seagrass, on the project.
1:34 AM 28th November 2025
Northern Talent Tracker: This Week's Key Appointments
Greener Solutions Group, an expanding national firm specialising in energy efficiency and sustainable solutions for the retrofit sector, has announced eight new appointments across its North of England operations.
1:10 AM 28th November 2025
Vp Shakes Up UK Business As Profit Falls 18%
Vp's TPA Division
Equipment rental group Vp plc has reported an 18% drop in adjusted profit for the first half of the year, falling to £17.3 million (2024: £21.0 million), citing a "challenging" UK market. Revenues for the six months to 30 September 2025 dipped 2% to £188.4 million. The fall in profit has led Vp to announce a major strategic overhaul of its UK division, Brandon Hire Station.
1:01 AM 28th November 2025
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