West & North Yorkshire Business Magazine Spring 2026

Powering urban change

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

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We fix 4/5 cars at the roadside, right there and then Track us right to your side if one of your vehicles breaks down

James Mason Chief Executive West & North Yorkshire Chamber

Stability and expansion

Businesses are becoming more and more accustomed to uncertainty this past few years.

The disruption caused by the conflict in the Middle East to the costs of shipping, fuel and energy is already taking its toll on our members, all of whom are already facing ever-increasing overheads in the shape of costs and tax.

Similarly, the closing of the Straits of Hormuz has interfered with supply chains around the world.

It is at times like these when your local Chamber of Commerce becomes invaluable to employers.

As the only official Chamber of Commerce in both West and North Yorkshire, we have the influence, expertise and service levels to help businesses of all sizes with their day-to-day operations.

Whether that is our core offering of HR cover, legal advice and debt recovery, our international trading wing or our ability to lobby and represent on behalf of our members, we have what it takes to make life easier for employers.

We also work to take Yorkshire to the globe. Our successful trade missions to the likes of China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and America have forged new transactions and trading relations across the world. Watch this space for where we head to next.

And locally, our expansion into West Yorkshire continues at pace as we continue to recruit new members and work with local partners in Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale.

08455 240 240 wnychamber.co.uk @WNYChamber

As a membership organisation we are nothing without members and I thank each of you individually for your support in what we do.

My very best wishes to you all.

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

© 2023 West & North Yorkshire Business - No Part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form of advertising or promotion without the express permission of the editorial team.

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

Printed by Hart & Clough www.hartandclough.co.uk

BRADFORD NEWS

Building a better future

Bradford Built Different is a long-term regeneration and growth plan. It sets out how our city will deliver its future through collaborative system partnerships that power collective delivery.

What I find encouraging is that this is not theoretical. It reflects how Bradford is already operating at scale and drives forward game changers I have heard many Chamber members talk about with passion. Most importantly, this is about the power of partnerships, with businesses and civic leaders stepping forward together to make a difference.

My mantra looking ahead is to focus on ‘This Bradford’. Yes, we can anchor to our heritage and the positives of the past, but all too often the negatives and statistics over the last five years drag us down. The focus has to be on the future.

Across the district, there is a growing sense of confidence and momentum. We are seeing increased focus on talent and inward investment, particularly in digital, data and AI, alongside rising footfall in the city and the renewed success of our sports clubs, with Bradford City and Bradford Bulls climbing and bringing pride, energy and belief back into our communities. These signals matter. They build confidence, strengthen engagement, grow our local economy, and change how Bradford sees itself and how others see us.

What feels genuinely different is the way cultures and generations are coming together. The business and civic communities feel more connected than I have seen for a long time. It is truly exciting and I can feel the change. That momentum is a credit to leaders, business owners and organisations across the region who have chosen to believe in Bradford’s capability and to power up together. I have also been impressed by the huge efforts of our charity and volunteer sector, the impact to our communities these organisations make is truly inspiring and again, businesses also showing up to support our most vulnerable.

As the days get lighter, I look forward to spending more time connecting with businesses and communities as we continue to build ‘This Bradford’ future together

Rebecca Fitzgerald President Bradford Chamber

£40,000 helps create comfort for hospice residents

A Keighley chemical company has completed its latest donation to a local hospice bringing its total contribution to £40,000.

Airedale Group’s long running partnership with Sue Ryder’s Manorlands has seen staff at the manufacturer compete in marathons, a dragon boat race, a football match, sweepstakes, cycle rides, a straw race and ‘It’s a Knockout’ contests to help raise money to upgrade facilities at the hospice.

With additional contributions made on behalf of the business, Airedale Group has been able to help modernise a shower room to make it more accessible as well as purchase a ‘cuddle bed’ which allows families to remain comfortably close to their loved ones when they need it most.

Senior community fundraiser at Manorlands, Harriet Wood, explains: “Our cuddle bed has transformed the experience of many of our residents, allowing them to spend real quality time with their family members in their final days. The refurbishment of the shower room facilities has also created a much more welcoming and comfortable space for people to shower with dignity and in safety.

“The support we receive from businesses like Airedale Group makes all this possible and makes a huge difference to those who are nearing the end of their lives and to their families.”

Airedale Group managing director, Richard Ward, adds: “To be able to see the difference our donations have made to the experience of Manorlands’ residents has been truly rewarding, particularly as some of staff have a personal connection to the hospice.

Switalskis invests in inclusive qualification routes

Law firm Switalskis is investing in training programmes that support colleagues to train and qualify through a range of routes, enabling them to choose pathways that suit their circumstances. Switalskis has recently supported solicitor Catherine Cain to qualify through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) while continuing her work in family law. The firm

Yorkshire garden centre group shortlisted for national people and culture award

Yorkshire Garden Centres Group has reached the final in the Large Organisation of the Year category at the British HR Awards, which celebrate organisations delivering a world-class people experience.

The recognition comes after a period of growth for the family-owned business, which has expanded from one site with 45 employees in 2015 to seven garden centres across Yorkshire employing more than 630 people.

People and culture director, Neil Barwise-Carr, said: “Our approach is built around our GREAT values and the belief that we can only succeed by creating an environment where people feel valued, supported and proud to belong.”

The group has introduced initiatives to strengthen employee engagement and recognition across its growing workforce, developing talent and maintaining connection with teams spread across multiple locations.

provided adjusted working patterns and study leave to support her through the qualification process. Catherine specialises in family law, with a particular interest in children’s law cases. Catherine said: “Qualifying via the SQE has been challenging but rewarding. It has allowed me to qualify as a solicitor while working with and learning from leading family solicitors.”

Bulls and Council develop youth engagement partnership

Bradford Bulls and Bradford Council have developed a new partnership to engage young people across the district and introduce a new generation of fans to rugby league.

The Council’s Youth Service has been working with the club following their return to the Super League and have been taking young people to home games. Many of the young people involved have never experienced a live rugby match before.

Philip Sharp, co-owner and director at the club, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Council’s Youth Service to introduce young Bradfordians to the Bulls.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning & Transport said: “I’m so pleased we’ve been able to work with the club on this partnership and get young people watching the Bulls for the first time. It’s a great time to start following rugby league.”

The approach forms part of the firm’s broader investment in developing legal talent, including training contracts, apprenticeships, and an increasing number of SQE candidates. Individuals choose the qualification route that suits their circumstances, whether joining as a graduate, seeking an apprenticeship or period of recognised training, or progressing from existing roles.

Refreshment Systems shortlisted for National Award

Bradford based Refreshment Systems Ltd (RSL), a family-run business based in Bradford, has been shortlisted for the Most Disruptive Retail Technology Award at the Retail Systems Awards.

The shortlist recognises RSL’s Vendsmart technology, a new software platform built to transform how vending machines operate. While Vendsmart looks like a vending machine, the new software turns it into a fully automated point of sale.

The system includes age verification, digital advertising, cashless payments, real-time sales data, and automated stock control. It allows retailers to sell a wide range of products in a secure and compliant way without the need for staff on site.

Steve May at Refreshment Systems, said: “We built Vendsmart because we could see an opportunity to do more with automated retail. This shortlist is a great recognition of the work our team has put into developing the software and bringing it to market.”

LEEDS NEWS

Healthy business community

It was a great honour to host my first Leeds Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner as its president.

Hosted at Elland Road’s magnificent banqueting suite, we welcomed 180 guests to celebrate the best of Leeds’s business community.

The weather outside was stormy and unfavourable but inside the atmosphere was positive and uplifting.

The theme of the evening was a subject close to my heart, healthcare.

The sector is an absolute cornerstone of Leeds’s economy, It employs more than 60,000 people and generates more than £3 billion in turnover from more than 250 companies. More widely, the rapid growth in digital health and life sciences helps contribute to the city’s £13 billion projected economic benefits.

The forthcoming, state-of-the-art new Leeds General Hospital development will further transform healthcare for the region and is forecast to create 4,000 jobs for the city and region.

And a recent CBRE report ranked Leeds third internationally as a healthtech hub.

In short, healthcare and associated industries is a sector in which Leeds is a global leader, something we should all here in this room tonight be very proud of.

As well as hearing from many of our key stakeholders, we also welcomed a wonderful line up of speakers this evening, including Dame Linda Pollard, chair of the Leeds Innovation Partnership, Aldo Roflo UK CEO of Icon and Laura Squire, CEO of St Gemma’s Hospice, my chosen charity for the year.

It set the tone for what we all hope will be a fantastic year for our city.

Aqila Choudhry MBE MBA President Leeds Chamber Leeds Chamber of Commerce

Leeds locals part of 400-Portrait celebration

To mark 400 years since Leeds received its Royal Charter, award-winning creative studio Buttercrumble is embarking on an ambitious creative challenge: to illustrate 400 portraits of the people who make Leeds, Leeds.

During March, Buttercrumble’s twin-founders, Chloe and Abigail Baldwin, captured residents’ faces in a celebratory drawathon designed to reflect the city’s diversity, warmth and creativity.

The activitywas led by Leeds400, the year-long celebration that brings together individuals, organisations and communities to honour Leeds’ rich history while looking boldly to the future. The programme spotlights everything that makes Leeds a fantastic city.

Buttercrumble’s 400 Portraits project forms part of this wider celebration, placing local people firmly at the centre of the story.

Buttercrumble’s co-founders, Chloe and Abigail, both studied at the University of Leeds, where they were awarded an enterprise scholarship that helped them start up. Shortly after graduating, they were invited by Fred Aldous to illustrate live portraits in their Leeds store — a moment that helped shape Buttercrumble’s future.

Since then, the studio has illustrated thousands of portraits for brands including John Lewis & Partners and Seasalt Cornwall. Now, Buttercrumble is returning to its roots, extending the invitation to the people of Leeds themselves.

They are now inviting Leeds residents of all ages and backgrounds to take part and be illustrated as part of the project. The drawathon will take place across multiple locations in Leeds in March, including John Lewis, Leeds, on 14 March from 1pm.

Accessibility is central to the project. Leeds residents will also be able to submit their portraits digitally via Buttercrumble’s website. Submitted images will be illustrated live on Monday, 9 March 2026, with the drawing process streamed online so audiences can watch the artwork come to life in real time.

Sentio strengthens deal team

Leeds-based corporate finance firm Sentio Partners has expanded its team, adding depth to its deal delivery capability and continuing its investment in early-career talent as market activity increases.

On the back of a strong year with multiple high profile deals across Business Services, Healthcare and Industrials, the firm has appointed Ollie Francis as Assistant Manager and welcomed back Raj Mistry, who rejoins part time as an Analyst alongside his studies at the University of Leeds.

Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College named finalist for FE College of the Year

Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, based on the outskirts of Leeds City Centre, has been shortlisted in recognition of its commitment to academic excellence, student support and innovative partnerships that help prepare young people for their future.

The college welcomes students from across Leeds and provides an inclusive learning environment focused on both academic success and personal development. Alongside a broad curriculum, students benefit from leadership opportunities, community engagement projects and partnerships with local organisations that provide valuable real-world experience.

Among the initiatives supporting students is the Stella Maris Leadership Award, which encourages young people to demonstrate leadership through acts of service and community involvement.

The appointments reflect a focus on strengthening the business, building capacity within the deal team while continuing to develop talent at an early stage.

Ollie joins Sentio from EY’s Strategy & Transactions team in Leeds, where he began in restructuring before moving into corporate finance. His experience spans accelerated sales processes, creditor advisory work and companyside support to improve operational performance, giving him strong exposure to live transactions and complex stakeholder environments.

New LCB Assistant Principal to steer partnerships and adult provision

A former director in the education and training sector has joined Leeds College of Building (LCB) as Assistant Principal -Partnerships & Adults.

Carly Sidebottom joins LCB in the new role following her position as Director of Business Strategy & Compliance at regional training provider, Total Training Provision. Prior to that, Carly served as Head of Adult Skills at Ixion Training (part of Shaw Trust). With significant investment in its estates, a rebrand, and expanded curriculum –including higher education, apprenticeship provision, and study programmes – the college is strengthening its profile with employers and attracting learners into construction careers.

Carly said: “I’m thrilled to be joining such a dynamic and respected college at the heart of the construction and built environment sector. LCB’s outstanding reputation, supportive team, and strong legacy across West Yorkshire made it an easy decision.”

Schofield Sweeney strengthens team with new appointments

The firm has recruited three new senior team members and promoted three employees in the business. The new hires include Dorrien Peters, who joins the firm from Knights as a Partner in Dispute Resolution and Clive Lawrence, a Consultant who specialises in intellectual property – a new service which is set to become an integral part of the firm’s offering.

In addition to the legal recruits, the firm has also appointed its first IT Director, Craig Barraclough, who will oversee all aspects of technology across the firm, including infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital innovation, to drive operational excellence and business growth.

Clive Lawrence said: “I’m delighted to join Schofield Sweeney as an intellectual property lawyer. The firm is well-known for combining a modern approach with traditional values. I’m looking forward to establishing intellectual property as a crucial service for the firm and working with clients across a range of industries.”

YORK & NORTH YORKSHIRE

NEWS

Planning to develop

The Bar Walls that surround the City of York were built in the 13th and 14th centuries, while some of the foundations that sit underneath them date back to Roman times.

The walls are part of York’s unique character and I am sure none of us could imagine the city without them.

But York is not all about its glorious history and heritage. It is also a city very much looking to its future, with a number of crucial developments in the offing.

York Central has been talked about for some time but is now very much moving to delivery phase, starting work on the largest regeneration scheme in the north of England and nearly doubling the size of the city centre.

Anyone who has travelled into or out of York railway station of late will know that work to transform its main entrance is well underway, giving the city a beautiful, modern station with improved access.

The Helmsley Group’s Coney Street redevelopment will give the history street a new lease of life and open up the River Ouse to more visitors and shoppers.

And moving out of York into the wider North Yorkshire area, developments such as that seen at Scotch Corner, Catterick and at Scarborough’s North Bay will create new built environments and business opportunities that will enrich our region’s destinations, both economically and culturally.

There is much to be positive about in our region and, as a Chamber of Commerce, we will work collaboratively with our key stakeholders to make these developments shine as brightly as possible.

Scott Jenkins President

York & North Yorkshire Chamber

Photo by David Lindsay

Castle Howard announces Vanbrugh celebration for anniversary year

Castle Howard celebrates its creator and architect Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) throughout 2026, the 300th anniversary of his death.

Hailed as ‘The Rockstar of the English Baroque’ and ‘The original starchitect’, Vanbrugh had concurrent careers as an architect, playwright, adventurer, soldier, spy, diplomat and garden designer. Castle Howard is celebrating his legacy through exhibitions, installations, workshops, talks and performances across the year.

Celebrated architect Roz Barr presents Staging the Baroquewhich opens on 26 March 2026, the 300th anniversary of Vanbrugh’s death. The exhibition explores the moment when an ambitious Vanbrugh encountered the equally ambitious Charles Howard, 3rd Earl of Carlisle, in the confines of the Kit-Cat Club in London. The Earl wanted to build a grand country house and Vanbrugh’s bold, theatrical vision inspired him to take a chance on this would-be architect who had never built anything before. Vanbrugh enlisted the help of Nicholas Hawksmoor and the collaboration gave rise to the masterpiece which is Castle Howard. Staging the Baroque chronicles the story of this exciting creation, combining photography and a large-scale model of the Castle Howard landscape.

In June, internationally-renowned artist and designer Es Devlin will unveil a new installation in Vanbrugh’s Temple of the Four Winds, presenting an innovative response to Vanbrugh’s vision and continuing Castle Howard’s work with contemporary artists. Made famous through the film adaptation of Brideshead Revisited, the Temple of the Four Winds was originally used as a place for refreshment and reading. The installation will honour the National Year of Reading and the space will host a series of events throughout the summer.

York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

From May, young visitors can take part in Playshapes: Castle Constructors, a new interactive play experience for children and families inspired by Vanbrugh’s architectural vision. Play blocks representing architectural elements of Castle Howard have been designed by Yorkshire-based artist Pippa Hale and supplied by Timberplay, giving young visitors the unique chance to make their own creations inspired by Vanbrugh.

Andrew Jackson expands team

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has expanded its commercial litigation and dispute resolution (LDR) practice with a series of senior appointments, reflecting growing client demand. The developments come as long-standing partner Hugh Smith prepares to retire after 37 years with the firm.

Led by Nick Dean, partner, and head of the LDR practice, the team has grown significantly over the past 12

More, better quality affordable homes proposed

As part of the City of York Council’s commitment to increase the quantity and quality of homes in York, it is proposing to develop 93 new affordable homes on the city centre Castle Mills site. Details are outlined in a report to Executive councillors being discussed next week.

Another Executive report outlines plans to provide additional pitches and improve all 61 existing buildings on York’s Gypsy and Traveller sites.

This city-centre Castle Mills site has higher than average build costs are expected because of land contamination, legal costs and flood prevention. The costs are planned to be offset by subsidies to restart this site, plus Right to Buy receipts, newlyannounced Homes England funding and funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. This follows on from the pioneering Passivhaus developments of 34 homes at Duncombe Square and 78 homes due to complete soon at Burnholme Green.

months. Seven lawyers have joined at a range of levels, including three experienced partners, bringing the team to 13 and enabling the firm to support a growing client base and increasing demand for dispute resolution advice.

The recent partner appointments of Rob Ripley, Caroline Hardcastle and Sarah Thomsen add further depth of expertise across commercial, shareholder, and intellectual

Salko UK awarded four-year maintenance contract for Uniper’s Enfield power station

Salko UK, a leading mechanical and electrical solutions provider, has been awarded a major contract encompassing the supply and associated on-site activities for the Once-Through Cooler (OTC) and GT Exhaust works at the Enfield Power Station located in Brimsdown, London.

The M&E specialist will also manage maintenance operations at Uniper’s Grain and Taylors Lane Power Stations over the next four years, solidifying its role as a trusted partner for Uniper.

The OTC contract and GT Exhaust maintenance aim to significantly reduce forced outage risks, improve start reliability, create a safer working environment, whilst also enhancing plant availability across the fleet. To deliver the OTC contract, Salko UK will execute a high-priority (HP) tube bundle replacement to enhance the thermal performance, mechanical integrity and operational reliability of the power station’s high-pressure cooling system.

property disputes; building disputes; professional negligence claims; property litigation; and contentious probate.

Alongside the senior hires, the firm has also strengthened its pipeline of future talent, recruiting a solicitor specialising in contentious probate, and supporting paralegals through training to qualification – ensuring both immediate capacity for clients and continuity of services.

York Hospital Tiny Lives Appeal hits £50,000 – and needs help to reach £100,000

York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity is marking a major milestone in its Tiny Lives Appeal, after the campaign reached £50,000 in just a few weeks –halfway to its overall target of £100,000.

Launched in November 2025, the appeal hit the £50,000 mark in January 2026, thanks to an extraordinary wave of support from local people, organisations and businesses across the region. Funds have been boosted by a number of standout community efforts, including £3,600 donated by York Register Office, £13,479 raised through the York Ghost Merchants raffle, and £6,774 generated through an online auction supported by local businesses and individuals, alongside many generous personal donations.

Every year, around 375 babies begin their lives in the Neonatal Unit at York Hospital. These are babies born prematurely or with serious health complications.

12

YORKSHIRE NEWS

Expanding opportunities

This column is my last as the chair of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

My time with the Chamber, including two years as president of the Leeds Chamber, has seen many changes across our region, not to mention our country and our planet.

One constant has been the role of the Chamber in supporting and representing employers large and small across our region.

Despite the vote for Brexit, a global pandemic, political turmoil and a cost-of-living crisis, the Chamber has been unwavering in taking action to ensure the needs and concerns of our members are met and in championing our region’s economy.

In recent years we have begun taking Yorkshire to the world with our trade missions proving to be enormously successful in forging new trade links around the world.

Our members are constantly featured in the media, with the Chamber being a consistent go-to organisation for the press and broadcasters.

It has been an honor to work with such a talented board, chamber staff and membership these past nine years and a privilege to serve our members.

It is with great pleasure that I hand over to Victoria Wainwright who will succeed me as chair of the board.

I think I speak for everyone reading this that she will do a fantastic job.

But for now, I just want to say thank you for your past and continuing support.

I wish you all the very best.

Amanda Beresford Chair of the Board

West & North Yorkshire Chamber West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

Accu wins Exporter of the Year Award!

Accu, the Huddersfield-based precision engineering component distributor, has won the prestigious ‘Exporter of the Year’ category at the ‘Made in Yorkshire’ awards, held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds last week. The company, alongside the other category winners from the evening, will now go forward to the national Made in the UK Awards.

Accu was praised by the Made in Yorkshire judging panel for its global approach, which has contributed to the rapid growth of the business which supplies 115,000 active customers in more than 125 countries. The company prides itself on stocking one of the widest ranges of precision components (over half a million) which can be purchased via its industry-leading e-commerce platform, providing same-day dispatch and a quick delivery service. The judges applauded Accu’s strong export performance, which has contributed to its averaging 40 per cent annual growth.

The company is expanding its North American presence in 2026 by establishing a new Indiana-based distribution centre from which it will supply the US market. Looking ahead, Accu sees significant opportunities to expand into Europe and Australia, via targeted digital marketing, enhanced logistics and a further expanded component range, for which it is partnering with internationally renowned manufacturing partners.

The Exporter Award was presented by Insider Media’s Tom Austin to the company’s Managing Director, Alastair Morris, who explains: “This award really is a fantastic honour as it recognises our passion for expanding the business across the world. The fact that we do things differently gets noticed and by playing a part in modernising the engineering components industry, we have reached a point now where we supply over 70% of the world’s leading manufacturers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our team in Huddersfield for making our export vision a reality.”

Accu was founded in Huddersfield in 2012 by Martin Ackroyd and Antony Kitson, who recognised the inefficiencies of traditional methods of sourcing components – bulky catalogues, unclear pricing, and long lead times. Their vision was to be a screw supplier which offered a streamlined, online shopping experience where engineers could access components with a few clicks and receive them the next day.

TransPennine Express marks milestone

TransPennine Express (TPE) has marked 20 years of its Class 185 trains with a special celebration at Siemens Mobility’s Ardwick depot.

The event recognised two decades of an award-winning fleet that has become a backbone of rail travel across the North, travelling almost 180 million miles – the equivalent of circling the earth more than 7,200 times.

Institute for Equity, University Centre awards qualifications to 20!

The Institute for Equity, University Centre – Developing Individuals, Changing Organisations & Society (IEUC) is proud to congratulate learners who have successfully completed academic and professional qualifications in EDI.

Vice Principal at the Institute for Equity, University Centre explained that: “These awardees are already driving transformative change across their organisations—from primary and secondary schools to higher education and global consultancy. We are particularly proud of our collaborative work with the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education in supporting so many dedicated school leaders through this process. By grounding their leadership in evidence-led practice, these graduates are moving beyond theory to dismantle structural inequalities in real-time. Their success is a brilliant milestone for both their careers and the communities they serve.”

The event brought together colleagues and industry partners to celebrate the role the Class 185 fleet has played in transforming journeys between major towns and cities across the TransPennine network.

The fleet introduced modern 100mph diesel trains to the network and transformed journeys across the North and has carried millions of customers across the region.

Chadwick Lawrence donates £2,500 to support a number of initiatives during Ramadan

Law firm Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors has donated £2,500 to a number of initiatives over Ramadan, as part of its ongoing charitable work.

The firm held an Iftar at its Leeds office in March, bringing together colleagues from across its eight West Yorkshire offices to break the fast at sunset.

Open to colleagues of all faiths and backgrounds, the annual Iftar provided an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the holy month while supporting those in need. A number of colleagues kept a fast for the day in support and solidarity for their Muslim colleagues, who will be keeping a fast for the whole month.

The Iftar is just one of several charitable initiatives led by Chadwick Lawrence partner Asma Iqbal throughout Ramadan. At the start of Ramadan the firm sponsored Asma’s family on a humanitarian deployment to Jordan in support of Islamic Help Mission.

The event gave guests a behind-thescenes look at the Ardwick depot, including guided tours of engineering facilities and to see the work carried out by the teams who keep the fleet running.

Visitors also had the chance to see some of the specialist equipment used by engineers and explore the driver simulators that support driver training across the network

Bradford broker opens Harrogate base to support expansion plans

Family and employee owned insurance firm, TL Dallas, is expanding its footprint in North Yorkshire with a new presence in Harrogate, as the Bradford-headquartered firm continues to invest in regional growth.

The long-established insurance broking, risk management and financial services group will operate from premises at 36 Victoria Avenue, placing its team in the centre of Harrogate’s professional and commercial district and strengthening its service offering to both private and business clients across the town and surrounding areas.

The move forms part of the firm’s wider strategy to build on sustained organic growth. Caroline Pullich, group head of private clients at TL Dallas, will lead the firm’s high-net-worth client offering from the new Harrogate base, working alongside corporate account executive, James Bright, who will focus on supporting commercial clients across the region.

The Diplomatic Advisory Hub

Businesses across the UK can now benefit from expert geopolitical insights thanks to a new initiative launched in Leeds.

The Diplomatic Advisory Hub, a joint initiative by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and British Chambers of Commerce provides business across the country with access to timely and strategic geopolitical advice.

The hub was launched at the factory of Leeds-based jukebox manufacturer Sound Leisure. Run by former Leeds Chamber of Commerce President, Chris Black, family-run Sound Leisure transacts some 65 percent of its sales overseas.

The Diplomatic Advisory Hub will see diplomats seconded into the British Chambers of Commerce and will be led by Richard Oppenheim, a

former ambassador who brings a wealth of diplomatic experience across some of the world’s most complex and strategically important markets in the Middle East and Japan, as well as multilateral experience at the UN, on EU issues and as Commonwealth Envoy.

The hub will serve the more than five million SMEs operating in the UK, all of whom will have access to the new service, including advice on understanding new regulation, responding to geopolitical shocks, and anticipating trends in global trade.

The Hub was officially launched by FCDO Director of Economic Growth, Tammy Reynolds, at Sound Leisure’s factory. There then followed a panel event featuring Ms Reynolds, Steve Lynch, British Chamber of Commerce Director of International Trade, British Chamber of Commerce Director

General, Shevaun Haviland, Richard Oppenheim, the Diplomatic Advisory Hub Chief and Mr Black himself.

Sound Leisure, recognised as one of the world’s leading makers of highquality, retro-inspired jukeboxes, employs over 100 people locally and exports to more than 40 countries around the world.

Foreign Office Minister, Seema Malhotra, said: “We are stepping up our support to businesses through our newly launched Diplomatic Advisory Hub, which will bring together the British Chambers of Commerce’s extensive business network with expert advice from British diplomats. The hub has hit the ground running, briefing more than 600 businesses this week on the evolving situation in the Middle East and what it means for them.

“In an increasingly contested world, it’s more important than ever for Government and businesses to work together to navigate the intersections between geopolitics and commerce, respond to crises effectively and seize opportunities for growth overseas.”

Chris Black, MD of Sound Leisure, said: “Whether it has been Brexit, geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs or the disruptive military events seen in the last week in the Middle East, British businesses have been in dire need of help and support when it comes to trading internationally.

“This service will give SMEs in Yorkshire and nationally the considered advice and support they need in order to take their goods and services to markets across the globe.”

James Mason, Chief Executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Firms in West and North Yorkshire have been exporting first-class goods and services for hundreds of years.

“In times of uncertainty, the Diplomatic Advisory Hub will give small businesses the support they need so they can carry on this proud tradition.”

Shevaun Haviland said: “Trade is the fastest way of growing the economy. The Diplomatic Advisory hub will help more SMEs navigate the complex world of geopolitics, giving them the knowledge and certainty to expand into new markets.

“This unique partnership with the Foreign Office shows how government and business working together can drive forward growth.

“British firms know business and British diplomats know world politics. Bringing them closer together can only be a recipe for success.”

Richard Oppenheim said: “I’m delighted to be leading this powerful new support network for businesses.

“As a former UK Ambassador, I know how crucial strategic advice is to British SMEs wanting to trade around the world.

“The hub is both a front door and a feedback loop. It’s a front door for businesses to tap into geopolitical advice, and a feedback loop so that what businesses are seeing in supply chains and boardrooms flows back to our diplomats and policy makers.”

Exporting green innovation: Yorkshire’s opportunity in the low-carbon economy

The global transition to net zero is reshaping markets worldwide. For UK exporters, sustainability is not only a compliance issue — it is a commercial opportunity.

A structural shift in global demand

The transition to a low-carbon economy is accelerating across continents. Governments are investing billions in renewable energy infrastructure, hydrogen production, sustainable construction, battery innovation, grid modernisation and circular economy systems.

The European Union’s Green Deal, the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act, and major clean energy strategies across Asia and the Middle East are not isolated environmental programmes — they are industrial growth agendas.

This shift is generating new trade flows — and new demand. Global markets are seeking:

• Components for offshore wind and onshore renewables

• Precision engineering for hydrogen production and storage

• Advanced materials for energy-efficient buildings

• Battery technologies and EV supply chain inputs

• Environmental monitoring and carbon management services

• Circular economy design and waste recovery solutions

For Yorkshire businesses with strengths in advanced manufacturing, engineering, environmental consultancy and specialist services, the opportunity is tangible.

Where Yorkshire can compete

Yorkshire’s industrial base is well aligned to low-carbon growth sectors.

Advanced engineering firms can supply precision components into offshore wind turbine supply chains. Fabricators and metal specialists can support renewable infrastructure projects across Europe. Automation and control system providers can integrate into smart grid development and energy efficiency upgrades.

The green economy is not a niche — it is becoming mainstream.

Engaging in growth: Practical pathways

Exporting into green growth sectors requires structured engagement.

First, businesses should identify which global programmes align with their capabilities. For example:

• Offshore wind expansion in the North Sea and Baltic markets

• Hydrogen infrastructure projects in Germany, Japan and the Gulf

• Sustainable construction standards across Scandinavia and the EU

• Circular economy and waste reduction initiatives in urban Asia

Second, exporters should prioritise supply-chain integration rather than waiting for direct end-market demand. Many green projects operate through tiered networks, where specialist suppliers and technical providers can secure scalable opportunities.

Third, certification and compliance readiness are essential. Buyers increasingly expect evidence of sustainability performance — through ISO standards, lifecycle assessments or carbon reporting — and environmental credibility strengthens competitive positioning.

As Nikki Clow, Head of International at Chamber International, explains:

“Green markets offer significant growth for UK exporters. But success will depend on credibility — demonstrating environmental integrity alongside technical innovation. Businesses that can evidence both will stand out.”

Trade agreements and policy signals

Green growth is also shaped by trade frameworks. Environmental provisions are increasingly embedded in trade agreements, and public procurement rules often prioritise sustainability criteria.

Exporters who understand these dynamics can anticipate opportunity. Infrastructure linked to decarbonisation programmes may require suppliers meeting defined emissions standards, favouring those already aligned.

We are seeing growing interest from exporters seeking clarity on how environmental regulation in target markets influences product positioning and market entry strategy.

Beyond compliance: Growth strategy

The global low-carbon transition is not a temporary policy cycle — it is a structural economic transformation likely to shape investment patterns for decades.

Businesses that embed sustainability into innovation, branding and export strategy will be better placed to:

• Access public-sector procurement frameworks

• Enter regulated markets more smoothly

• Strengthen partnerships with international firms

• Enhance brand credibility in environmentally conscious sectors

FEATURE

The opportunity is not limited to large corporates. SMEs with specialist expertise can integrate into global green supply chains, particularly where flexibility and technical capability are valued.

Identifying where those opportunities sit requires informed market intelligence. Emerging low-carbon sectors often develop quickly and unevenly across regions. Using structured tools — such as our AI Market Scan service, delivered in partnership with Rove — enables exporters to analyse international demand patterns, identify niche green growth markets and prioritise territories where their capabilities align with policy-driven investment.

In a rapidly evolving green economy, data-led market selection can make the difference between reactive exporting and strategically targeted expansion.

Positioning Yorkshire for the future

Yorkshire has the industrial heritage, engineering depth and innovation capacity to engage in the green growth wave. The key is connecting capability with global demand.

We support exporters as they navigate these pathways — interpreting regulatory expectations, analysing sector trends and positioning expertise within emerging international supply chains.

Sustainability is becoming embedded in global trade. For Yorkshire businesses, the question is not whether the green economy will grow, but how strategically we engage with it.

Those who align innovation with environmental credibility and global awareness will be best placed to capture the next phase of international growth.

By Carla Assunção, Chamber International

Bradford College builds on sustainability success with ambitious green agenda

Bradford College is embedding sustainability across its campuses following its achievement of Morgan Sindall Construction’s prestigious platinum certification for outstanding carbon savings. The College’s Junction Mills development was the only project in the whole of the Yorkshire region to achieve this status in 2025.

The £19.3 million new-build project on Thornton Road saved an impressive 473 tonnes of carbon during its design and construction phases — equivalent to heating 175 UK homes for a year. Now, Bradford College is amplifying its environmental commitment through a wide range of other initiatives involving students, staff, and employers:

• On 16th March, Bradford College is set to host a Green Energy & Skills Round Table. The event will bring together local employers to help shape future training aligned to the region’s growing green economy.

• At the College’s Trinity Green Campus, Progression to Learning & Work students are growing food and enhancing biodiversity at allotments, recently planting a mini orchard of fruit trees supplied by Fruitworks.

• Creative students are exploring sustainability through their ‘FUTURE’ brief, experimenting with recycled materials and waste media, while fashion students have partnered with Bradford City FC to repurpose old training kits.

• Another creative project by the Bradford School of Art has seen Level 2 students produce a thought-provoking sustainability-themed mural. The art work on the second floor of the David Hockney Building uses the theme of ‘Our Changing Planet’ as inspiration.

• A new pre-loved shop, led by a Youth Social Action apprentice and staffed by other learners, will soon open on campus — offering free clothing and, in its final phase, repair and upcycling support.

• Construction students are also engaging directly with the sustainability agenda, taking part in masterclasses on Bradford’s heat network, collaborative social value projects with Kier, a sustainability workshop at Old Trafford, and sessions on retrofit to heat-source technologies delivered by the Energy Saving Trust and WRAPT Homes.

• In addition, biodiversity improvements are underway at the David Hockney Building, while three T Level students are working with Morgan Sindall to develop a new biodiversity and wellbeing space behind the College’s Garden Mills building.

Through sustained investment, employer partnerships, and innovative curriculum development, Bradford College is turning its sustainability ambitions into meaningful action — embedding environmental responsibility at the heart of learning and preparing a greener, future-ready workforce.

Lighting new education pathways

Sending the right mesage

Two politicians visited Leeds City College recently to find out how it helps learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) take steps towards employment.

Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel and Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Children and Families, came into the Park Lane campus in December.

They were shown around the Future Pathways department and enjoyed learning about how it is partnering with employers to open up work opportunities for students with ECH (Education, Health and Care) plans and high needs.

Last year the college’s parent organisation, Luminate Education Group, was appointed as a Centre for Excellence in SEND by the Education and Training Foundation.

Engineering to the next level

In November Keighley College celebrated the official opening of its brand new Technical Engineering Centre (TEC).

A purpose-built hub designed to train the next generation of engineers and manufacturers, this facility is part of the £12 million Providence Park industrial site near the college, on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road.

Supported by over £3 million of government funding through Keighley Towns Fund, the TEC's lower floor is fully fitted out with an engineering workshop, while the upper level boasts a future technologies lab, IT rooms and a teaching area.

Michael Parkinson OBE from Airedale Springs - a firm whose links to the college span more than half a century - joined employers, apprentices and alumni for the event and cut the ribbon to declare the facility officially open.

Guests were given a tour and got to see at first hand, thanks to demonstrations by engineering apprentices, the cutting-edge equipment in action.

One Fives Landis apprentice said: "Other workshops don't compare to this. The vast amount of machines is incredible."

FEATURE

Turning decarbonisation into opportunity for businesses

Decarbonisation can seem daunting for small businesses, with uncertainties around net zero, cost concerns, and limited resources. However, sustainability can drive innovation, efficiency, and long-term resilience beyond just environmental responsibility.

At Leeds Beckett University, sustainability is embedded across our research and industry partnerships through our Greener, Sustainable Communities strategic theme. Across our work with businesses, we consistently observe that addressing sustainability challenges not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances productivity, reinforces supply chains, and boosts competitiveness.

Partnerships are vital for change, as small businesses often lack resources to decarbonise independently. Our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), partly funded by UK Government through Innovate UK, connects organisations with a team of Leeds Beckett academic experts and a full-time KTP Associate, embedded in the business, to implement solutions for business challenges, delivering commercial, societal, and environmental benefits.

These projects are making tangible progress towards sustainability, each tackling unique challenges through collaborative innovation.

• Aquatrust Water and Ventilation Ltd is leveraging advanced technology to revolutionise water quality management. Through its KTP, the company not only achieves improved environmental outcomes but also enhances operational efficiency, demonstrating that intelligent approaches to sustainability can deliver an advantage for businesses that are ready to meet future demands.

• NuGreen,part of the QMedical group, is transforming clinical waste from the NHS into low-carbon construction materials. This pioneering initiative significantly reduces emissions, aligns with the Net Zero 2040 ambition, and introduces fresh possibilities within sustainable construction, illustrating the breadth of impact such partnerships can have.

• Control Station Limited is pioneering advanced AI capabilities for their Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform. This development empowers a wide range of users to unlock data in a meaningful way, optimising operations, reducing energy use and encouraging growth through its own business and its end users.

• Quality Bearings Online Ltd is addressing Scope 3 emissions through a KTP focused on devising a computing system to minimise

carbon-intensive deliveries and establish a more sustainable supply chain. Their efforts include setting up global storage hubs, further contributing to a greener future.

These KTPs show how pooling expertise leads to practical, innovative solutions for sustainable businessproving partnership is key to decarbonisation and lasting success.

Decarbonisation does not require perfection from the outset. Businesses can take practical steps towards sustainability, driving innovation and growth while benefiting the environment. With support from LBU, navigating these opportunities becomes less daunting, empowering organisations to make meaningful progress together rather than facing challenges alone.

For more information visit leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ktp

If you would like to understand how Leeds Beckett could support your business to decarbonise, either through KTP or another collaborative partnership, please get in touch at a.gallagher@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Anne-Marie Gallagher, Business Development Manager, Leeds Beckett University

The barrier to a green economy isn’t ambition. It’s capacity

The green skills gap is real: Here’s why universities must bridge the divide

We have set the targets. We have written the strategies. Yet, for many Yorkshire businesses, the transition to a green economy is stalling at the implementation stage. The challenge is no longer ‘why’ we need to act, but ‘how’ to navigate the technical complexity of doing so.

The gap isn't ambition; it is capacity. Organisations are drowning in disclosure frameworks, struggling to quantify Scope 3 data without primary supplier inputs, and hitting walls of organizational resistance. Sustainability is no longer a generalist’s game; it is a complex challenge spanning finance, regulation, and operations.

Universities are uniquely positioned to meet these needs. Often viewed solely as pipelines for graduates - in a rapidly evolving green economy, our role must

expand. Bridging gaps is what we do; translating deep and cross-disciplinary subject-matter expertise - from the biology of soil health to the economics of green fintech - to meet today’s biggest challenges. To truly serve the region, we need a new model of professional development: led by academics, and built for practitioners.

We witnessed the urgency of this demand on 29th January 2026 at our Green Skills Symposium hosted by the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York, where over 40 professionals gathered not for high-level discussion, but for rapid-fire "deep dives" into technical hurdles like carbon accounting and change management. The message was clear: businesses need deep expertise to solve specific problems.

This demands a fundamental shift in how higher education engages with the economy - stripping away the silos between disciplines to help businesses build capacity that is evidence-based and rigorous. The transition to a sustainable economy requires us to work together to solve complex problems. It is time to treat academic rigour not as a theoretical exercise, but as a practical tool for regional growth.

Image: Environment Building, University of York

Sustainable supply chains: How to trace carbon across borders

Tracing carbon across international supply chains is one of the biggest challenges facing exporters today. As sustainability regulations expand, understanding Scope 3 emissions is becoming essential to maintaining market access and resilience.

Sustainability has moved upstream

For many exporters, environmental responsibility once focused primarily on their own operations — energy efficiency, waste reduction and internal carbon reporting. Today, however, the real challenge lies deeper in the supply chain.

Modern sustainability regulations require companies to understand the carbon intensity of raw materials, the emissions generated by upstream suppliers, electricity grid factors and the production pathways across multiple tiers of the supply chain.

That is far easier said than done.

The complexity of Scope 3 emissions

Scope 3 emissions — indirect emissions occurring across the value chain — are now central to climate reporting frameworks. For manufacturers importing components from multiple countries, calculating these emissions involves gathering data from suppliers who may operate under entirely different regulatory environments.

Some suppliers lack robust reporting systems. Others use incompatible methodologies. In certain cases, businesses rely on default emissions factors while working to improve data quality over time.

The complexity increases further when supply chains involve several layers of subcontracting. Tracing emissions beyond first-tier suppliers requires structured

engagement and sustained dialogue — a task that demands both technical understanding and diplomatic skill.

As Nikki Clow, Head of International Trade at Chamber International, explains:

“ The most difficult part of sustainability reporting is often not internal measurement — it’s engaging the supply chain. Businesses need clear processes, realistic expectations and practical support to build transparency over time.”

Transparency builds resilience

Greater supply-chain visibility does more than satisfy regulators. It strengthens risk management.

Companies that understand their sourcing footprint are better equipped to:

• Identify supply vulnerabilities

• Anticipate regulatory changes

• Respond to customer sustainability demands

• Strengthen long-term supplier partnerships

Sustainable supply chains are not just about environmental compliance — they are about strategic resilience.

From burden to strategic strength

While tracing carbon across borders requires effort, businesses that invest in transparency often discover longterm benefits. Improved supplier communication, clearer operational oversight and structured reporting processes can enhance overall efficiency.

We work with exporters to help them interpret regulatory expectations and integrate sustainability considerations

into their trade operations in a structured and manageable way.

As global markets increasingly prioritise environmental performance, the ability to trace carbon across borders will become a defining feature of internationally competitive businesses.

Practical steps: Turning transparency into action

For exporters seeking to move from intention to implementation, several practical steps can help structure the process.

First, map the supply chain clearly. Identify first-tier suppliers, key raw material inputs and geographic concentration risks. Even a high-level emissions heat map can highlight priority areas.

Second, establish consistent data requests. Standardised supplier questionnaires aligned with recognised reporting frameworks reduce confusion and improve comparability over time.

Third, prioritise engagement rather than perfection. Improving data quality is often iterative. Clear communication about expectations, timelines and methodology builds cooperation.

Fourth, integrate sustainability into procurement processes. Embedding environmental considerations into contracts and supplier onboarding reduces future disruption.

Finally, align sustainability reporting with export documentation and compliance systems. Treat carbon data with the same governance discipline as customs or origin data.

Where carbon reporting obligations intersect with trade policy — particularly under mechanisms such as CBAM — accurate emissions calculation and structured reporting become critical. Our CBAM services support exporters in calculating embedded

emissions, managing reporting requirements and preparing for full implementation, while our CBAM Masterclass provides practical guidance on policy, transition and compliance.

Sustainable supply chains are built step by step. With the right structure in place, transparency becomes not just a regulatory response — but a longterm competitive capability.

By Carla Assunção, Chamber International

FEATURE

Sustainable property through architecture and design

Approximately 45% of greenhouse gas emissions in West Yorkshire are generated by buildings, and it is this aspect where those in the industry and even homeowners can make a difference.

The tightening up of UK Legislation requires all new buildings meet set emissions targets, however we have Europe’s oldest building stock and the biggest challenge we face to be sustainable is ensuring that our existing buildings are retrofitted and repurposed.

To meet this challenge the awardwinning Shipley Sustainable Community Hub showcases how RBS Architects led the regeneration of a dilapidated Victorian School Building to create a sustainable vibrant community arts hub. This local heritage asset is now a focal point for the community, offering services to tackle social isolation, promote wellbeing and provide family activities.

Before the works the building was not welcoming, inaccessible, and an uninsulated space with very high running energy costs.

By using a ‘fabric first’ approach to design; bringing the thermal fabric up to current standards, integrating new energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems and offsetting the remaining energy consumption by the installation of photovoltaics and air source heat pumps, we have helped create a building which now provides

thermal comfort combined with lower energy use.

Through whole life carbon assessment, we know that 20% of our total building emissions come from embodied carbon arising from material extraction, manufacture and construction. The solution to sustainable property therefore does not necessarily come from demolition and new build, but from retrofitting our current buildings.

In line with the Cellar Trust’s mission to prioritise sustainability the recently completed transformation of The Cellar Trust’s building into an invaluable facility demonstrates how this can successfully be achieved. This transformation will enable the charity to expand its specialist mental health support.

The building was a C-shaped Victorian School building, with high uninsulated wall area and extensive corridors and poor wayfinding.

The retrofit has brought new life into the existing building with the creation of a new atrium within the central courtyard. This reduces external wall area, reduces corridors, and created a central circulation space/café/ meeting/breakout area. The square compact shape helped reduce energy requirements for the building and made more efficient use of the space. Photovoltaics were also used, low energy and water saving fittings were incorporated in the refurbishment throughout and the creation of a wellbeing garden and vegetable areas were incorporated for the community.

More recently works have just started on site to transform the Salvation Army’s Citadel Building on Foxes Corner, in Shipley.

The Citadel Building is in a very poor state of repair and with its refurbishment the Salvation Army will be one step closer towards its goal of a carbon-neutral future. By completely upgrading the building fabric the building when completed will be constructed to current environmental standards. It will also benefit from completely new modern mechanical and electrical systems including Photovoltaics and air source heat pumps. More importantly the introduction of level floors, lift and new bridge link off Commercial Street create accessibility for all guaranteeing the longevity of this landmark building.

Rance Booth Smith Architects we are very aware of the significant impact we can have at the early stages of a project.

As Architects we pride ourselves on delivering innovative architectural solutions and combined with our inhouse architectural sustainability experts, we deliver an integrated approach to sustainable low carbon design.

Over a number of years, we have achieved recognition at the Chamber’s Raising the Bar Awards for our contribution to the Environment.

For any information or advice on this aspect please contact Caroline Batson at saltaire@rbsarchitects.co.uk

New Leeds Beckett University partnership to simplify solar energy adoption for businesses

Electronic engineering and computer science experts at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) are partnering with Huddersfield-based Zenergy Solar on a research-led project designed to make large-scale solar energy systems easier to install, monitor and manage – particularly for organisations operating across multiple sites.

The collaboration brings together LBU’s expertise in computing, data systems and applied research with Zenergy Solar’s experience in delivering bespoke renewable energy solutions for the commercial, public and third sectors. Together, they will develop a new digital platform to address the complexity that often prevents businesses from adopting solar energy at scale.

The 28-month project is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK, and is led by Dr Akbar Sheikh-Akbari, Reader in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing.

Dr Sheikh-Akbari said: “Zenergy Solar build and supply custom-built solar energy solutions, including solar panels and battery storage. They work mainly with commercial and public and third sector clients, including care homes, social housing associations and schools. The solar energy market can be complex, with a wide range of suppliers, technologies, and considerations around cost and long-term maintenance.

“Our KTP with Zenergy Solar aims to support their ambition to make solar energy solutions easier to implement and manage for organisations, such as social housing landlords and care home providers, who have multiple properties and a complex infrastructure of solar energy to manage.”

At the heart of the project is the development of ZenSmart, a new research-informed digital platform that will allow businesses and organisations to manage solar energy systems across multiple properties from one place. Using advanced computing and data modelling, ZenSmart will enable organisations to:

• Monitor energy generation in real-time, enabling quicker fault detection and resolution

• Manage multiple buildings and sites through a single, user-friendly dashboard

• Create bespoke solutions that optimise different solar panels, battery sizes and manufacturers in one platform

Julian Wiley, Managing Director at Zenergy Solar, said: “The solar energy sector faces significant challenges due to the diverse suppliers available, complicated monitoring systems and ineffective fault detection technologies. ZenSmart will be an innovative product, bringing LBU’s advanced technical expertise and cutting-edge research to simplify the social energy market and encourage broader adoption and ongoing innovation. It will track and operate multiple potential solutions without the added headache of multiple portals and data repositories.

“Using advanced AI, we will be able to enhance fault detection, reduce downtime and improve reliability, whilst performance modelling will support more complex product installations.”

An experienced graduate will be recruited to manage the project as a KTP Associate. The role, Smart Energy Systems Engineer, will be a full-time member of the Zenergy Solar team, with full support of the LBU academics.

Pedalling progress

LNER extends e-bike partnership with Beryl to Bradford

Two hundred LNER Bradford Beryl Bikes can now be found throughout the city. Docking stations have been installed in convenient areas for residents, commuters, and visitors who may wish to visit Bradford Forster Square, Bradford University, Bradford Royal Infirmary and a number of other key transport hubs, workplaces and along the city's cycle superhighways. The partnership is the latest sustainable travel initiative from LNER, with the introduction of the bikes helping make it easier to combine train and bike travel.

Following the successful launch of the scheme in Leeds, the expansion of the e-bike scheme to Bradford provides further opportunities for customers to explore the city. LNER more than tripled its daily direct connections Monday to Saturday to and from London King’s Cross last year. Seven trains per day in each direction now run - up from two per day previously. Sunday services have also doubled,

now with two trains each way, giving customers even more flexibility.

David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: Expanding our e-bike partnership with Beryl into Bradford represents an important milestone for LNER.

The introduction of the LNER Bradford Beryl Bikes further strengthens our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2045, while providing a greener, more convenient way for people to travel across this vibrant and growing city. Following Bradford’s fantastic Year of Culture, we remain committed to supporting the city’s continued growth and helping more people experience all it has to offer.

Phil Ellis, CEO at Beryl, said: We are excited to launch LNER Bradford Beryl Bikes. Sustainable micromobility is a transformative technology, and public schemes like this make it more accessible and affordable.

All-electric journeys using smaller, lighter forms of transport can significantly cut emissions and increase air quality in cities, an area of increased focus. We are proud to work alongside Bradford Council and LNER on this new e-bike scheme and look forward to seeing the Beryl BBE2 powering sustainable journeys throughout the city.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places at Bradford Council, said: I’m delighted to officially launch the LNER Bradford Beryl E-Bikes. These public e-bikes are something new for our city and will encourage residents, visitors, students, and workers to choose a clean, healthy, and accessible way to travel. The scheme draws on Beryl’s extensive experience in delivering successful bike hire projects across the UK.

Strengthening regional ties

Chamber expands its reach at the We Are Wakefield EXPO

The West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce marked an important step in its expanding regional presence by attending the We Are Wakefield EXPO at the WX Exchange on Tuesday 10 March 2026. As the Chamber continues to build relationships in Wakefield—a territory it began developing only last summer— the event offered a valuable platform for the team to connect with a wide range of local businesses, community leaders, and potential new members eager to learn more about the Chamber’s growing role in the district.

Throughout the day, the Chamber team engaged with exhibitors and visitors from across Wakefield’s diverse business community, sharing insights into how membership can support growth, collaboration, and long-term resilience. Conversations centred on the practical benefits available to organisations of all sizes, including access to expert business support, policy representation, and a busy calendar of networking events designed to help companies forge meaningful partnerships across the region.

A highlight of the EXPO was the opportunity for Donna Morris, Marketing & Events Manager at the West & North Yorkshire Chamber, to meet the Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr Maureen Tennant-King. Their brief discussion underscored the Chamber’s commitment to strengthening its ties with the district and contributing to the wider economic ambitions of Wakefield. The meeting also reflected the Chamber’s enthusiasm for working alongside civic leaders to champion local enterprise and encourage greater collaboration between neighbouring business communities.

Huddersfield Town extend partnership with Heineken UK

Huddersfield Town are pleased to announce a renewed multi-year agreement with the long-term partner of the Stadium, HEINEKEN UK, continuing as the Club’s Official Pouring Rights Partner through to 2030.

Having worked with the stadium for the last decade as stadium naming rights partner, this extended collaboration will ensure that supporters can continue to enjoy iconic brands such as Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Heineken, Heineken 0.0%, Inch’s Cider, Beavertown Neck Oil and Murphy’s Irish Stout exclusively available at the Accu Stadium on match days.

As part of the renewal, Heineken will work closely with the Club to further develop an improved external drinking area for Town supporters, expected for the start of the 2026/27 season.

Huddersfield Town’s Chief Revenue Officer, Paul Reeves, commented: "As we continue to look at ways in which we can improve the match day experience for our fans before, during and after the game, this important collaboration with a drinks brand who strive for the same levels of experience will allow us to ensure supporters outside the stadium, in H Town and our concourse and hospitality areas are able to enjoy quality products.

“This announcement represents another high-profile partnership for Huddersfield Town with a global, bestin-class brand.”

Sam Evans, Customer Development Director at HEINEKEN UK, said: “We are incredibly proud to finalise our renewal with Huddersfield Town, a Club with a unique heritage and a passionate fan base.

“To announce this in their “Thrice Anniversary” year makes it even more of a celebration.

“ We look forward to continuing to offer our portfolio of market-leading beers and ciders and zero alcohol products to the Accu Stadium and collaborating with Huddersfield Town as they continue to move forward with their ambitious plans for further hospitality developments and major events.”

Where AI meets reality

As part of UK Tech Week in March, the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce supported the Bradford Digital event, held at Bradford Live.

Bringing together the digital and tech community, Chamber colleagues George, Francis and Will attended the event – on Tech Tuesday - to gain insights into the progressive work taking place across the sector.

Former Chamber President, Mark Cowgill, and current Chamber President, Rebecca Fitzgerald, both shared their thoughts as guest speakers on the day; with the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin also taking to the stage to address the audience.

It was great to support this event and position Bradford within the national picture of UK tech and digital. Further sponsorship / support came from Chamber Members, including Schofield Sweeney Solicitors, University of Bradford, PJM Digital and ITC.

From possibility to practice

The final panel grounded a day of big ideas in everyday reality. AI is no longer theoretical; it is already embedded in workflows, customer interactions and decision making.

• The debate has shifted from whether to adopt AI to how well organisations implement it

• Success depends less on technology choice and more on execution, accountability and clarity

• AI behaves like a highly capable but unsupervised employee—valuable, but risky without direction

Commercial reality still wins

In retail and e commerce, the conversation returned quickly to fundamentals: margins, customers and scale.

• AI is mainly deployed to improve conversion, relevance and customer experience

• Automation is equally important for removing cost from repetitive operational work

• Every initiative must justify itself through measurable return on investment

• AI is adopted because it works—not because it is novel

Human judgement is more important, not less

Rather than replacing people, AI is exposing gaps in decision making, requirements and risk understanding.

• Poor outcomes often stem from unclear goals and misunderstood constraints

• The most effective response is better discovery, not more tools

• Consulting fundamentals—curiosity, challenge and clarity—are regaining importance

• Human oversight remains critical in managing risk, compliance and responsibility

The cost of doing nothing

One of the strongest messages was urgency. Standing still now carries its own risk.

• Platforms and competitors are advancing faster than legacy systems

• Customer expectations around speed, relevance and personalisation are rising

• These features are no longer differentiators—they are baseline requirements

• Falling behind risks losing customers, not just efficiency

The future isn’t coming later, it’s already here.

Data is the differentiator you can’t outsource

As privacy regulations tighten and third party data declines, first party data is becoming a lasting competitive asset.

• Organisations are increasingly reliant on the data they collect directly from customers

• Retail media is gaining traction by proving effectiveness and opening new revenue streams

• AI accelerates value—but only where strong data foundations already exist

• Ownership and quality of data matter more than tool sophistication

Practical advice for SMEs: Start small, start annoying

For smaller businesses, the advice was deliberately unflashy.

• Begin with tasks that are manual, repetitive and time consuming

• Apply AI to remove friction, not reinvent the business

• Focus on productivity gains that free up human time

• The real benefits show up as hours saved, output increased and focus restored

Leadership in an AI enabled organisation

Leadership was reframed around enablement rather than control.

• Leaders don’t need to code—they need to create space to experiment

• Clear guardrails and shared definitions of “good” matter more than rigid oversight

• Psychological safety enables learning and responsible innovation

• The role of leadership is shifting from directing work to unlocking potential

Talent is a mindset challenge

The skills discussion extended beyond technical expertise.

• The shortage is as much about mindset as capability

• Curiosity, adaptability and problem solving were highlighted as critical traits

• Organisations need people who can learn continuously as tools evolve

• Training adaptable thinkers’ future proofs teams more effectively than tool specific skills

Three outcomes that matter most

Accessibility

• Lower barriers to knowledge, skills and innovation

Productivity

• Automation of repetitive work frees people to focus on strategy, creativity and relationships

Time

• The most human benefit—time to think, create and connect

A human conclusion to a technical day

Despite the focus on automation and data, the message that resonated most strongly was human.

• Technology changes processes, but people determine outcomes

• Relationships, judgement and collaboration remain decisive

• AI is moving from hype to habit, and early learners will shape the pace of change

For Bradford, that means stronger collaboration, a clearer identity for investors, better pathways from education into industry—and a growing confidence that the city is not watching the future arrive, but actively shaping it.

Leeds Leadership Group

There was a packed room and packed agenda for the first Leeds Leadership Group meeting of 2026.

Andrew Cooper from LeedsBID kicked us off with an update on how the festive trading period faired for the city, as well as what the BID will be up to in year ahead.

Next up Nathan Spencer from UKREiiF ran through what we can expect for this year and next year’s event which is looking to be bigger and better than ever.

Elland Road

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news that approval to expand Elland Road has been granted.

Leeds City Council gave the green light to increase the capacity at Leeds United’s stadium to 53,000, creating one of the largest club stadiums in the country.

The move means that Elland Road has been elevated to UEFA Category 4 status, meaning the Leeds will be able to bid to host major international tournaments and events.

The new stadium is forecast to generate around £29 million a year for the Leeds City Region economy supporting jobs, local businesses and long-term investment.

Enabling works will commence immediately, with major construction following the end of the current season.

Leeds United are patron members of West & North Yorkshire

Finally Lloyds Banking Group’s James Miller gave a fascinating series of forecasts and insights as to how the economy will fair in 2026.

Thanks to Natalie Boswell at Lloyds for hosting us at their fantastic office and to our Leeds president Aqila Choudhry MBE for chairing

Hospitality leisure and retail

Chamber of Commerce and the chamber lobbied for the expansion plans to be approved.

Aqila Choudhry, president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, said: “Leeds United Football Club is, and has been for decades, one of Britain’s biggest sports organisations.

“It is arguably the city’s bestknown institution and brings attention to the city like no other organisation in the city can. Its scale is international and its present owners not only wish for it to remain a Premier League club, but also one that can compete at European level.

“It is therefore wonderful news that the football club will now have a stadium to match its stature.

“We congratulate both the club and the council on this vision for our city’s future.”

The York and North Yorkshire Leadership meeting at the new business hub at York Minster heard from Andrew Lowson from York BID and Paul Tyler from McArthurGlen Group York Designer Outlet on the current economic outlook for hospitality leisure and retail.

To follow we had Paul Mason from Bank of England to provide the projected economic forecast and methods used to keep this balanced.

Thank you David Colthup CBE for the use of your wonderful boardroom at The Minster Business Hub.

Sustainability Conundrum

The first Leeds Property and Economic Forum event at Leeds Beckett University was all about the Sustainability Conundrum and how net zero targets work alongside viability.

Fascinating insights from Gurminder Sanghera about how the DfE is leading the way and how enabling the Scottish government is of setting stringent net zero targets.

Great also to hear from Polly Cook at Leeds City Council on its own net zero targets.

Thanks as ever to The Knowledge Exchange (TKE) at Leeds Beckett University team for hosting.

Delivery on track

The region received some much-welcomed news at the start of the year with the announcement that Northern Powerhouse Rail is to be delivered for the region.

The infrastructure project will see new and upgraded lines linking up the great cities of the North of England and slash journey times.

It will see a new railway station constructed in Bradford with faster journeys to Leeds, York and Manchester.

The Chamber has been campaigning for the project for years on behalf of its members.

Mark Casci, Head of Policy and Representation at West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Businesses in Yorkshire have long stressed the importance of improve connectivity for the north of England. As a Chamber we have been campaigning for such improvements for many years.

“That Northern Powerhouse Rail is to finally be delivered is superb news for our members and a development that promises to be a gamechanger, not just for the North of England, but for the whole country.

“In particular, the great city of Bradford will see the fruits of this investment. Despite being the sixth largest city in England, Bradford is consistently rated as the worst connected of all the core cities. You could travel between Leeds and Bradford faster during Edwardian times when steam trains operated than in 2026. However, now it will receive a proper, through railway station, speeding up travel and ensuring greater prospects for the city’s businesses and residents, all of whom will enjoy far greater levels of social mobility.

“The Southern Gateway project around the new station will become one of the country’s largest regeneration schemes, creating 23,000 jobs, 5,000 new homes and generate £1.12bn for local economy.

“The announcement constitutes a pivotal moment for the region and we look forward to a swift and positive timetable for delivery as soon as possible.”

Mass transit

The Chamber was part of a delegation of business leaders from the region who met with the Government’s Rail Minister Lord Hendy to try and press the case for Mass Transit to be delivered in West Yorkshire.

Lord Hendy visited Bradford and Leeds, including a stop off at Elland Road where he met with business leaders, all of whom stressed the importance of delivering Mass Transit for the region’s economy and its social mobility.

The Mass Transit scheme was due to begin work before the end of the decade but is now more likely to commence in the 2030s.

The Chamber remains a strong supporter of the scheme and continues to engage with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to make sure the business community’s voice is heard.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

US tariff upheaval: What the Supreme Court ruling and new surcharge mean for UK traders

Recent developments in US trade policy have introduced both relief and renewed uncertainty for UK businesses trading with the United States.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the President does not have authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad global tariffs during peacetime. As a result, certain tariffs previously implemented under IEEPA have been invalidated.

For UK exporters, this may reduce duty exposure on affected product lines — and potentially open the door to refund claims where IEEPA-based tariffs were paid.

However, the relief may be temporary. In response to the ruling, the US administration has invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, introducing a short-term global import surcharge. The current rate is 10% ad valorem, within the statutory maximum of 15%, and may remain in place for up to 150 days.

What this means for UK exporters and importers

UK-origin goods entering the US may now be subject to a temporary 10% surcharge, unless specifically exempted. This has immediate implications for:

• Pricing models and margin exposure

• Landed cost calculations

• US distribution and supply contracts

• Long-term commercial planning

Importantly, other US tariff regimes remain unaffected. Section 232 (national security) and Section 301 (unfair trade practices) tariffs continue in force, as does the separate Section 122 authority.

For UK importers sourcing via the US, there may also be indirect cost increases if US suppliers pass on the impact of the surcharge.

In short, while one layer of tariff authority has been removed, another has been introduced.

Could refunds be available?

Attention is now turning to whether duties already paid under IEEPA can be recovered.

Refund eligibility generally applies to the US Importer of Record (IOR), not the overseas exporter directly. However, UK exporters may benefit where:

• They acted as Importer of Record in the US

• They sold under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms and absorbed tariff costs

• They contractually reimbursed US customers for tariffs

• Pricing structures reflected tariff-inclusive arrangements Refunds are not automatic. Potential recovery routes may include:

• Administrative refund processes through US Customs and Border Protection

• Filing a protest within the 180-day statutory window

• Litigation via the US Court of International Trade where appropriate

The key issue is whether duties were specifically collected under IEEPA authority. Section 232, Section 301 and Section 122 tariffs are not subject to refund under this ruling.

Time limits matter. Documentation — including entry summaries, tariff classifications and payment records — will be critical.

What UK businesses should do now

In the current environment, UK traders should:

• Review product classifications and confirm exposure to the Section 122 surcharge

• Identify whether past US entries were subject to IEEPA-based tariffs

• Reassess Incoterms and contractual duty allocation

• Evaluate whether the 180-day protest window remains open

• Monitor official US publications for extensions, exemptions or rate changes Political and legislative uncertainty remains. Congress could intervene, new authorities could be introduced, or litigation could continue. The US tariff environment remains fluid.

A practical opportunity — if managed correctly

For some UK exporters, this ruling may represent a genuine opportunity to recover previously absorbed tariff costs. However, refund recovery is procedural, time-sensitive and highly fact-specific.

Eligibility depends on how duties were applied, the tariff authority used, contractual terms agreed with US counterparts and whether statutory deadlines remain open. In many cases, documentation — including entry summaries, classification records and proof of payment — will determine whether a claim can proceed.

In response to these developments, Chamber International is supporting businesses in reviewing US entries, assessing potential refund eligibility, interpreting tariff authorities and navigating the administrative process. For exporters who believe they may have absorbed IEEPA-related duties, a structured technical review can help clarify exposure and determine appropriate next steps.

In a shifting tariff environment, informed analysis — rather than assumption — remains the strongest safeguard for both compliance and commercial resilience.

By Carla Assunção, Chamber International

Survey shows decline in optimism

Optimism among Yorkshire’s businesses has declined since the start of the year, new research from West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce shows.

Data published in the Chamber’s first Quarterly Economic Survey of 2026 shows that employers in the region reporting weaker sales performances, declining willingness to invest and anticipating lower levels of profitability.

And, with the bulk of the fieldwork for the QES having been carried out before the emergence of the conflict in the Middle East, expectations around any further uptick in the region’s economy will likely be further weakened by widely anticipated disruption to the cost of both energy and shipping.

And, while taxation and wage bills remain the chief cost pressure on businesses, the new data shows that concerns around inflation were rising even ahead of impact on energy supplies around the gulf, hinting at a wider decline in business leaders anticipating reduced overheads in the months ahead.

Mark Casci, head of policy and research at the Chamber, said: “The fact that business sentiment was tracking downwards even prior to the conflict in the Middle East does not auger well for the state of Yorkshire’s economy during the months ahead.

“Investment plans, hiring intent and profitability expectations were all down in the first quarter of the year, ahead of the first military strikes

unfolding in the Middle East.

“What we may be seeing are the foothills to a broader decline in economic activity domestically, something borne out by the recent downgrade of UK GDP forecast by the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

“We continue to urge the Government to keep all options on the table to make life easier for businesses and look to ways in which the sky-high cost pressures facing employers can be eased.”

The latest QES for West and North Yorkshire was not all doom and gloom however.

Manufacturers reported a second consecutive quarter of growth in overseas sales while there was a marginal uptick in companies looking to invest in training their staff.

However, hiring intent remains poor with both sectors showing an increasing unwillingness to take on new staff. For the service sector, the number of firms looking to increase their headcount is at lows not seen since the height of the pandemic.

Willingness to invest in capital projects and machinery has declined as employers battle sky-high overheads and both sectors saw a decline in projections around their profitability.

Mr Casci continued: “It is a very expensive time to be running a business of any size and this is being manifested in the findings of this report.”

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Even before the latest escalation in the Middle East, business sentiment remained fragile and stuck in a lowgrowth phase.

“Most SMEs continue to report no improvement in key indicators such as investment and cash flow. Sentiment remains largely unchanged since the 2024 Budget, which saw a permanent increase in the labour cost base for firms.

“Businesses face a fresh wave of employer costs and burdens from this month, causing further pressure and uncertainty.

“But the Iran conflict is now the major factor that could derail fragile progress. We are already seeing early impacts, with firms reporting rising energy and shipping costs, echoing the initial stages of previous global shocks.

“De-escalation is the only way to prevent a deeper economic crisis. As energy costs rise the government should keep all options on the table to help businesses. Bringing forward and extending the scope of the BICS (British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme) would be a strong step, alongside reconsidering how renewable levies on business energy bills are paid.

“In the longer term, breaking out of this low-momentum cycle will require delivering the industrial strategy, boosting and diversifying our exports and the broader adoption of AI to drive productivity.”

Foreign Exchange partnership

Chamber International and the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has announced a new strategic partnership with Jackson Swiss Partners Trading Limited to provide businesses who export and import with foreign exchange support.

The deal was launched at the Chamber’s head office in Little Germany, Bradford and will see businesses now be able to take advantage of the new currency, including an online platform for trading and holding up to 150 currencies and fixed-term agreements to protect against fluctuations.

Jackson Swiss receives more demand for support relating to trade with China than with any other country. With the Prime Minister having recently undertaken a high-profile visit to China and seeking to deepen trade ties between the two nations, and with the

Chamber preparing to lead a delegation of Yorkshire business leaders to Guangdong and Hong Kong in April, they expect to see an increase in demand for currency-related services. Jackson Swiss is well-placed to provide face-to-face support from its offices in Halifax.

The Chamber’s Head of International Trade, Nikki Clow, said: “This new partnership with Jackson Swiss comes at just the right time for exporters in our region, helping them protect their sales margins against exchange rate fluctuations.”

LEEDS CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER

Celebrating the Heart of Business at the Leeds Chamber Annual Dinner

The Leeds Chamber Annual Dinner brought together more than 150 guests at Elland Road for an evening dedicated to celebrating the strength and innovation of the city’s healthcare and business community. Hosted in the Hisense UK Leeds Lounge, the night opened with a warm welcome from compère and former BBC radio presenter Andrew Edwards, setting the tone for an event that combined insight, celebration and entertainment.

Leeds Chamber President Aqila Choudhry MBE delivered a compelling keynote speech reflecting on a year of progress for the Chamber, highlighting strengthened partnerships, business growth and the collective achievements of the region. She also paid tribute to former Chamber President Nigel Foster, honouring his contribution to the organisation.

Guests later heard from Fiona Bolam, Chief Officer for Economy & Skills at Leeds City Council, who outlined key healthcare innovations emerging across the district, followed by an update from Katie Bell of St Gemma’s Hospice on the charity’s vital work supporting families and individuals across the community.

A major highlight of the evening was the healthcare panel discussion, chaired by West & North Yorkshire Chamber CEO James Mason. The panel brought together leading voices including Dame Linda Pollard DBE Hon LLD, Aldo Rolfo, Laura Squire OBE and Aqila Choudhry MBE, who collectively explored the challenges, opportunities and future direction of the healthcare sector. Their conversation offered thought-provoking insights into a field that touches every part of the wider community.

The evening also featured live musical performances from Holly Rolfe and Brendan Donegan of Leeds Conservatoire, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. Guests were further greeted on arrival by service robots supplied by Eat IT Drink IT Ltd, offering a playful glimpse into emerging hospitality technologies. Leeds United provided exceptional hospitality throughout, contributing to the smooth running of the event.

Support for St Gemma’s Hospice was woven into the night, with a charity raffle featuring prizes donated by businesses across the region. All contributions will help to support the profound work of our Leeds Chamber Charity. As the evening closed, attendees left with a renewed sense of connection and optimism, marking the event as a memorable celebration of Leeds’s business and healthcare excellence.

A special thanks to all who joined us at Elland Road, and to our partners for ensuring this event could happen. From inspiring conversations to powerful insights about the Healthcare sector, this night truly showcased the strength of our business community. We hope you enjoyed the dinner and look forward to another productive 12 months ahead as we continue to celebrate, connect and champion local business.

Watch the video highlights on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=CgpBXpwuLL4

“Netwalking: I think the combination of a walk then refreshments is perfect - today’s venue was fabulous!”

“Was great, good balance between meeting people & information on Bradford. I netwalkingthink is a good example of how to do it.”

“Fabulous event & great speakers! I made some new valuable connections! Everything about the evening was excellent.”

“Wonderful York & North Yorkshire Business Lunch. Always great to meet some new business contacts amongst some friendly faces.”

“Networking at the Business Lunch at Keighley Golf Club –great food, even better company, and conversations that genuinely spark collaboration.”

Silver for Privilege Executive at Professional Driver QSi Awards

Leeds-based Privilege Executive has won the Silver Award in the Chauffeur Operator (11+ vehicles) category of the prestigious 2026 Professional Driver QSi Awards.

Professional Driver Editor, Mark Bursa, said: “Privilege Executive has become a regional powerhouse, with a number of acqusitions boosting its fleet to 35 cars. With a blue chip client base and a strong focus on training, the company has become the go-to chauffeur in West Yorkshire.”

Professional Driver magazine’s QSi Awards ceremony was a night to remember for the cream of Britain’s chauffeur and private hire operators. The awards, open to every chauffeur and private hire company in the UK, are designed to recognise operators and individuals that demonstrate excellent standards of quality, service and innovation.

Gold, silver and bronze awards were presented in 11 categories at a thrilling event, held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton in January.

The 11 categories mean there’s something for every size and type of operator, from one-man bands to large fleets. Categories also reward innovations in marketing, environmental performance and local community activities, while a special award – Professional Driver of the Year –singles out a chauffeur or private hire driver who is judged to be the best in the UK.

Mark Bursa said:

“ The private hire, taxi and chauffeur industry makes an enormous contribution to keeping Britain moving. This year’s Professional Driver QSi Awards recognise those amazing efforts and bring the industry together for a much-needed night of celebration.”

Mark Bursa continued: “The quality and number of the entries grows every year, and it becomes an ever-more difficult task for our judges to pick our winners. Only very good operators made the short list, so we can be sure our gold, silver and bronze winners are among the very best in Britain.”

Professional Driver magazine is the national publication for the UK’s chauffeur, private hire and taxi industry. The QSi Awards were launched in 2013 as the first and only national awards for the industry.

For more details, visit www.prodrivermags.com

RIASA: The pathway to success, on and off the football field

RIASA is a UK-based international football and education programme providing ambitious student-athletes with the opportunity to combine elite football development with a globally recognised academic pathway. Through a unique partnership with Richmond American University London, RIASA offers the world’s only dual-accredited US/UK degree within a college-soccer model, giving students genuine academic flexibility and international career prospects.

Since launching in Leeds in 2010, RIASA have developed a distinctive model that blends higher education with a full-time football environment. Student-athletes benefit from a nine-month season, more than 150 training sessions per year, and over 25 competitive fixtures, creating a highperformance setting designed to support progression on and off the pitch. Matches and showcase fixtures against professional academies, semi-professional teams and university opposition provide valuable exposure and a realistic pathway for players aiming to reach higher levels of the game.

In addition to undergraduate study, RIASA also offers postgraduate opportunities, enabling students to continue their football journey while pursuing advanced academic qualifications. This includes specialist Master’s provision in Leeds and a broader postgraduate portfolio in London.

The programme supports both men’s and women’s football, with dedicated coaching structures in place for each. RIASA’s women’s programme continues to grow in strength and visibility, reflecting the wider momentum of the women’s game in the UK and creating meaningful opportunities for female student-athletes to develop within a professional, competitive environment.

RIASA now operates across two key locations: Leeds and London. The Leeds programme offers a bespoke degree pathway, centred on International Sports Management, within a traditional campus-based environment. The London programme broadens the academic offering, providing students with a wider range of undergraduate degree options while training in one of the world’s most dynamic sporting capitals. Together, these two pathways allow RIASA to cater for students with differing academic interests while maintaining the same commitment to football excellence.

At its core, RIASA is more than a football programme. They are an international education and development platform that equips student-athletes with the tools, experiences and qualifications to succeed in football, higher education and many of the wider sports industries

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With 25 years of recruitment experience, they support all business sectors through a one-stop-shop model, removing the need for multiple agencies. Their approach is refreshingly transparent, with a single 10% fee for chamber members and a genuine commitment to only recommending candidates they truly believe are the right fit. What really sets them apart is their values-led approach:

• Honesty and integrity at the core

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Creative skills roundtable

Creative Skills roundtable, held at Leeds City College, Luminate Group in March

Creative skills were the focus of this week’s Skills Roundtable at Leeds City College, organised by West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. Attendees included employers, education providers and public sector partners, including Digital Plus Ltd, Ingeus, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council, York St John University, So Contented and colleagues from Leeds City College.

The discussion focused on current and future creative skills needs in West Yorkshire, and how employers, providers and public bodies can work together to strengthen talent pipelines. These roundtables form a core part of employer engagement activity supporting the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

Creative skills were recognised as critical across all sectors, not just the creative industries, underpinning innovation, productivity and adaptability. The creative sector is prioritised nationally and locally through the UK Industrial Strategy, West Yorkshire Growth Plan and Creative Industries Cluster Plan, with particular strengths in screen, games, fashion, music, live events and immersive experiences. Key skills needs include digital production, AI, immersive technologies, technical craft skills, alongside business, IP and commercial skills, reflecting the high proportion of freelancers and SMEs.

Participants highlighted challenges around placements and early careers entry, particularly in subsectors such as theatre and live events, alongside the need for mid-career upskilling and talent retention. Leeds was noted for its strong arts, dance and film networks, with Luminate Group seeking to expand creative provision more widely across West Yorkshire through its provision at Keighley College.

Createch was identified as a major growth opportunity. Createch brings together creative industries and advanced digital technologies, including games and XR, screen and virtual production, digital design and VFX, music tech, creative software and the application of AI and data. Creative industries generate around £2.3bn GVA (3.1%) of the West Yorkshire economy and employ around 112,000 people, supported by a strong digital base of over 3,500 tech businesses in Leeds. West Yorkshire is recognised by DCMS as one of six national priority areas for the creative Industries.

Leeds City College highlighted strong learner demand for creative media and digital courses, which are currently oversubscribed, alongside challenges recruiting specialist tutors. Employers raised concerns about graduate recruitment, citing increased employment costs and risk, and noted that targeted support for apprenticeships could help ease bottlenecks in the talent pipeline and support local retention of skills.

Green energy skills roundtable

Green Energy Skills round table, held at Bradford College in March

Green skills were the topic for today’s Skills Roundtable held at Bradford College, and organised by West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees included Arcadis Consulting, Bradford Council, Ingeus, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, 1 Energy, ACS Group, Bradford Manufacturing Futures, Green Economy West Yorkshire, and Bradford College. The group came together to discuss the green skills needs for West Yorkshire both now and in coming years, and how private sector, public sector and education providers can best collaborate to address these.

This, along with other skills roundtables are an integral part of hearing the employer and stakeholder voices on skills priorities as part of activity for the Local Skills Improvement Plan. Green skills was a key part of the last plan and remains high on the agenda as plans are put together for the next three years.

Green skills are integral to delivery of the UK Green Jobs Plan, which aims to grow clean-energy employment to about 860,000 jobs by 2030, and to delivery of the West Yorkshire Green Jobs Plan, which aims to create 20,000 green jobs by 2030 through investment in clean energy, transport and energy-efficient buildings. This in turn will support West Yorkshire in its target to become a net-zero carbon economy by 2038.

We also discussed support for ex-offenders and how providing them with the right skills prior to release from prison can help to ensure employment on their release. For example, if they wish to work in construction then ensuring they have their Health and Safety Certificates and CSCS cards in place will help to ensure a smoother reintegration to working life.

We heard from Bradford Energy Centre, about their construction workforce, the majority of who are over aged 55. They were keen to support more people into the industry and recognised that mentoring is a really effective way to develop skills in younger employees.

We discussed the merits of embedding skills engagement by businesses into public sector procurement activities, to help ensure that businesses are also bringing online the workforce for the future whilst delivering publicly funded projects.

Rory Langdon of Bradford Energy Limited gave an overview of the implementation of their district heating network in the urban centre of Bradford. This provides an excellent training opportunity, it is entirely localised, students can work on the project and stay in the city centre, thereby keeping jobs local and city based.

They are delivering an exciting project with large heat pumps which can provide from 3-20% of local heat provision, and they are partnering with providers such as Bradford College to create skills linked to the project.

Where new skills are emerging, however it can be a challenge to recruit the right tutors to deliver these for students, particularly when their skills may be in high demand in industry as well.

What you missed online

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

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

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

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