Business Skipton Business Finance delivers record profit and lending growth in 2025 Skipton Business Finance (SBF) has reported another year of strong performance, achieving record profit before tax of £11.6m, up 7.8% on 2024, as demand for flexible working capital solutions reached new highs. Loans and advances increased 5.5% to £200.6m, the highest in SBF’s history, with By Gill Laidler • 1 min read
Business Reward backs retail regeneration with rapid £1.6M facility Reward Funding stepped in with a £1.6m facility at pace, enabling Pulse Property Services to acquire Cheetham Hill Shopping Centre complex and to support the next phase of the site’s ongoing regeneration. Pulse Property Services is led by experienced entrepreneur Mohammed Baz, a proven operator with a track By Gill Laidler • 2 min read
Business Chartered Accountants celebrates success at Yorkshire Accountancy Awards For the third year Parsons Accountants is celebrating multiple successes at the highly prestigious Yorkshire Accountancy Awards. A team of twelve attended the ceremony at the Royal Armouries, proudly representing the firm across six shortlisted categories: managing partner of the year, partner of the year, team of the year, rising By Gill Laidler • 2 min read
Business Major new £15m sports hub to be given final green light Final go-ahead is expected to be given for work to start on a major new £15million sports hub in Holbeck at Leeds City Council’s executive board meeting on 11 March. Senior councillors are expected to give approval to appoint an agreed contractor to complete the work which will deliver By Gill Laidler • 2 min read
Business Robots that repair pipelines drive growth for UK firm Advanced engineering and robotics firm Synthotech Group reported a record year in 2025 as UK utilities increased spending on technology designed to maintain ageing infrastructure with less disruption and lower cost. The Harrogate-based group, which develops robotic systems that operate inside live pipes and underground ducts, lifted turnover 33 per By Gill Laidler • 2 min read
Business Laurent-Perrier partners with The Treasury Whitby The Treasury Whitby is proud to announce a distinguished new partnership with Laurent-Perrier, one of the world’s most revered Champagne houses. This collaboration unites two family-led brands connected by a shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. The partnership brings together a globally celebrated Champagne house with one of By Gill Laidler • 2 min read
Business AI-up: More hospitality venues sign-up to AI startup Urbanary Urbanary, an AI-driven platform launched to lend a helping hand to the hospitality sector in Leeds earlier this month, has had a host of new venues sign-up as partners, including Leeds Food Tours and Be At One. The mobile-optimised platform allows individuals to plan a perfect night out in the By The Editor • 2 min read
Business JCT600 announces first Chinese vehicle manufacturer partnership Leading independent automotive retailer JCT600 has announced a partnership with Changan Automotive Group, one of China’s largest and most established car manufacturers, which will see the Chinese-made electric vehicles sold at the Yorkshire car retailer’s Doncaster JCT600 Approved dealership. Changan vehicles will be introduced at JCT600’s Wheatley By The Editor • 2 min read
Business Leeds tech consultancy reports landmark year of growth Leeds-based tech innovation consultancy Parallax is reporting its strongest performing year to date, securing 25 new clients, expanding into new markets, and forecasting its biggest ever financial year heading into 2026. A major driver of this performance has been Parallax’s growing international footprint. One third of the company’s By The Editor • 1 min read
Business Sale for York Handmade 4D Capital Partners LLP (“4D”) are pleased to announce the acquisition of York Handmade Brick Co Limited (“York Handmade”), the multiple award-winning manufacturer of bespoke and premium handmade bricks. This deal has prevented the brickmaker going into administration, saved 20 jobs and secured its long-term future. York Handmade is famous By The Editor • 1 min read
Business Yorkshire sees further slowdown in new business start ups as 2025 nears its end New figures show that Yorkshire and the Humber experienced another dip in business start-up activity in November. Data from Creditsafe, analysed by the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body R3, shows 4,009 new businesses were launched in Yorkshire and the Humber in November, down from 4,709 in By The Editor • 1 min read
Business Reward Funding challenges traditional lending Following another record year, Reward Funding has released an overview of its performance and activity across 2025, with a focus on providing funding for all sectors and leading on industry debate to further support introducers and SMEs. The business has also set out its early priorities for 2026. Reward was By The Editor • 2 min read
