We spoke with Graham Kingston, Managing Director of Pecan Deluxe Candy Europe, to find out about business, Brexit and winning a business award. What business does Pecan Deluxe do and what is your role in it? My name’s Graham Kingston, I am the Managing Director of Pecan Deluxe Candy Europe. We are a bakery &…

Luisa D’Alessandro, Commercial Partner at Schofield Sweeney works in contract law, covering all types of commercial agreements. Her practice includes the digital sector including IT contracting, e-commerce and data protection.  Data protection has become a hot topic over the last year, with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). What impact has this…

A business that started at a kitchen table is now selling in shops, online and in homes all around the world. We talk to Mark Granger, Director of Operations at Pavers, about the history, successes and challenges of running a global business with over 1,700 staff and over 170 stores in the UK and Ireland.…

We live in an unprecedented era of technological advances and it is easy to take for granted the speed at which change is happening. What seemed impossible just ten, five or even one year ago is now viewed with a mild indifference. Think about it, how we interact, travel, consume and survive is being continuously…

All businesses collect and store data. However despite the impact technology now has on our everyday lives, most of us until very recently have been blissfully unaware of the genuine threats we now face in this everchanging digital landscape. There is an undeniable a growing sophistication coming from within the cyber-crime community that shows a…

Tong garden centre has been on a journey of progression of late, the over 30-year-old retail landmark on the outskirts of Bradford has been undergoing a renaissance with new owner Mark Farnsworth at the helm. Mark took on the site in 2015 and since then has worked tirelessly to build his vision of what service…

David Laws is the man in charge at Leeds Bradford Airport and his lofty ambitions are grounded in 35 years of experience in the aviation industry. We met up with him to hear what he has in store for Yorkshire’s airport. At the time of writing the aviation industry is facing a crisis not seen…

When discussing transport links in the North, historically the conversation has veered towards the gulf between North and South and the perceived after thought the North appears to be. However, we are in the midst of a revolution with over £300 million pounds investment agreed by the Chancellor in Northern Rail links connecting key northern…

How The Rise is adding to York’s splendid hospitality sector York’s newest culinary experience The Rise at the iconic 5-star Grand Hotel & Spa opened its doors in June 2017, and the latest venture from the Grand’s award-winning food and beverage team is a unique offering to the vibrant dining scene in the city. Whether…

Listening to Victoria Hopkins,  Managing Director of Pudsey-based Hopkins Catering, it’s clear to see that ambitions at the long-running family business are as high as they have ever been. With the redevelopment of their dated home into a crisp and contemporary facility as well as improving their online offering, Hopkins are cooking on gas. You…

Gordons’ partner Victoria Davey explains why understanding clients as people sets her law firm apart and sits at the heart of being able to successfully help them achieve their personal and commercial goals. A better kind of different Yorkshire’s legal marketplace is crowded and highly competitive, so how can firms stand out and attract and…

Virgin Trains East Coast is going places, and with West & North Yorkshire as its biggest and, in their words, primary market, the region should expect some exciting developments to an already vastly improved network.  Spearheading the customer experience on the much-improved East Coast Main Line are customer relations managers, Natasha Wilding and Claire Ansley. With both Natasha and Claire…

From fresh coffee to new trains; inter-city train company TransPennine Express is on a mission to transform the customer experience whether you are travelling to a meeting in Leeds, en route to Scarborough for fish and chips or off to see a show in Hull, UK City of Culture 2017.   A year ago, the…

It took just two years for Amplitude’s Vicky Hobson to rise through the ranks from business administrator to managing director. The challenges do not stop here, though, for the innovative AV company as their MD lays out their strategy. One of the first things Vicky wants to get across to us is the transition that…

We met up with Adam Beaumont, founder and chief executive of aql, at their new state-of-the-art data centre. Situated on Leeds South Bank, this digital hub was recently opened by Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy.  The facility represents a significant investment in digital infrastructure and will help to drive growth in the city. Talking to…

Tucked away on the outskirts of Garforth, 10 miles east of Leeds, on an unassuming industrial estate lies Ginetta, one of UK motorsport’s most exciting manufacturers. It was here at their production facility that the members of the Chamber’s Leeds Manufacturing Alliance were allowed to see the inner workings of a world-class race team. The…

Pensions have changed.  Under the Pensions Act 2008, every employer in the UK, no matter how small, is required to help more of their workers save for their retirement.  Naylor Wintersgill Managing Partner, Victoria Wainwright, advises, “If you employ at least one person, it is your responsibility to register with the Pensions Regulator and if…

‘Sourced in Yorkshire, fabricated in Yorkshire, installed in Yorkshire’ Scaling up for success Hangfast in Crossflatts supply traverse climbing walls, bouldering walls, roped climbing walls, artificial caving systems, rope courses (all to EN 12752) and lighting gantries all over the world. Their customers include Centre Parcs, Legoland, and Hilton Hotels, Dubai. In the UK, their…

Halcyon Drives Limited celebrated its 25th anniversary in style by showing Tata Steel in Rotherham, savings of £68,000 following the installation of five ABB ACS800 industrial drives. Return on the investment, after taking all costs into account is expected to be just 13 months. Halcyon currently employs 35 people including a team of six specialist…

In this issue we look at skills and training. Stirling KimKeran is co-founder and CEO of Omnicom Engineering, a business which has utilised training through the University of York as well as funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership to improve business results. Please give a brief description of your business and your role…

Ilkley-based Virtual College was founded in 1995 and has since become an industry leader in e-learning – 24/7, cost-effective, bespoke, online distance learning. More than 300 courses, two million learners, 1000 registrations each day…the college is clearly doing something right, and has ambitious growth plans for the future. Here, VC’s Chief Executive Rod Knox answers…