Author: Scott Dylan

Schneider Electric is making a significant investment of £42 million in a new manufacturing facility in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, which is set to create over 200 new jobs. This facility aims to meet the rising demand for electrical equipment essential for the UK’s transition to cleaner energy sources, such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and intelligent, energy-efficient buildings.The forthcoming site, nearly three times the size of Schneider Electric’s existing facility in Scarborough, will serve as a model for sustainable design and operations within the manufacturing sector. It is designed to be a net-zero plant, utilising modern technology to minimise energy…

Manchester United have announced a strategic partnership with local authorities to assess the potential for regenerating Old Trafford, making it Europe’s leading regeneration project.Launched in March, the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, chaired by World Athletics president Lord Coe and including former United full-back Gary Neville, is expected to focus on constructing a new 100,000-capacity stadium rather than redeveloping the current site. However, a definitive decision on the preferred route is not expected until later in the year. Sources linked with the task force have suggested that the ambitions for the project extend beyond building a new stadium, aiming to…

Britain’s businesses are struggling with exporting expertise, as evidenced by a recent survey involving 3,000 companies with revenues over £500,000. The survey found that only 18% of respondents considered themselves experts in exporting last year, a decline from 24% the previous year and the lowest level since the UK’s Trade and Co-operation Agreement with the EU commenced in 2021.The survey revealed that the proportion of businesses reporting low levels of exporting knowledge increased from 23% in 2022 to 28% last year, with the remaining businesses acknowledging the need for improvement in their expertise. This growing knowledge gap, particularly following Brexit,…

Global technology company has successfully closed an £85m fundraising round, setting its valuation at £1.3 billion.This significant investment will enable the company to continue its pioneering work in enhancing workplace operations and productivity.Enhancing Industry InnovationThe recent £85m fundraising round is set to fund industry-leading innovation, specifically targeting larger enterprise customers. This will drive AI adoption and reward long-term employees. The company’s founder and CEO emphasised the importance of this opportunity, stating, “We are excited about the opportunities it creates for us to accelerate our growth and help even more customers.”The funds will also contribute to ongoing platform development, integrating new…

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has reported a pre-tax loss of £3.5m for the year ending 28 September 2023, a stark contrast to the pre-tax profit of £44.5m in the preceding 12 months.The East Kilbride-based group’s previous year’s profits were significantly bolstered by the sale of its Holyrood and Manchester hotels for a total of £45.8m. The last time the company reported a pre-tax loss was in the year to 30 September 2021, when it posted a loss of £5.7m.The latest accounts filed with Companies House reveal a turnover increase from £121.9m to £128.8m over the same period. Macdonald Hotels, which…

Towns and cities in the North East are performing better for jobs and skills than they were a year ago but are still trailing most other parts of the country, a new report suggests.The Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index ranks 51 of the United Kingdom’s largest cities and towns based on economic measures that include jobs, health, income, safety, and skills, as well as work-life balance, housing, travel-to-work times, income equality, high street shops, environment, and business startups. Newcastle, Middlesbrough & Stockton, and Sunderland have all shown improved performance in terms of skills and jobs. However, they remain ranked…

Gateshead-based Aspire Technology Solutions has reported a significant increase in revenues, nearly reaching the £40 million mark, according to newly released accounts for the year ending February 29.Aspire Technology Solutions, a notable technology firm, has reported an impressive rise in revenues by almost a quarter, culminating at £39.6 million. The company, previously recognised as the North East Company of the Year, also saw its operating profit ascend to £3.5 million. Furthermore, the firm expanded its workforce to a total of 250 employees.This robust growth was primarily driven by organic expansion. However, Aspire Technology Solutions also marked its first acquisition last…

A planned office block that would be a key landmark in Newcastle city centre has been renamed as part of efforts to get the project off the ground.Plans for the 100,000 sq ft Pioneer office building were first announced last March as the centrepiece of the Stephenson Quarter development behind Central Station. Now the building has been re-branded as One Founders Place, with hopes that the new name will help attract a tenant that is necessary for the scheme to go ahead. The planned 10-storey block has been designed by RIBA Stirling Prize-winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.It would be…

The gaming giant Betfred has appointed Nick Cockerill, the former Vice President of product at Stats Perform, as its new Chief Product Officer. Cockerill steps into a newly established role to elevate the company’s digital presence, strengthen its retail offerings, and drive its transition towards a technology-first organisation.Nick Cockerill brings over a decade of experience in the sports betting and iGaming industry. His career includes senior positions at Sky Betting and Gaming, Pokerstars International, and Flutter. At Stats Perform, where he has worked since 2021, he played a pivotal role in launching ‘Instant Highlights’, an industry first now employed by…

Global digital marketing leader Incubeta has announced its acquisition of Shout Bravo, a Manchester-based organic content marketing partner.This partnership aims to enhance Incubeta’s total search offering by integrating Shout Bravo’s fresh approach to SEO, driven by its media background and content creation skills.The acquisition of Shout Bravo by Incubeta signifies a strategic move to strengthen its market position in the ever-evolving field of digital marketing. By acquiring Shout Bravo, Incubeta aims to offer a comprehensive organic search experience in line with the latest industry trends.Founded by journalists in 2019, Shout Bravo is known for its unique approach to SEO, leveraging…