Cygnet Law has hit the ground running after expanding into a new office in the heart of Middlesbrough.
The company, which was established in Redcar in 2001 and specialises in Conveyancing, Public Law, Family Law and Wills and Probate, needed a base in the town after winning a significant number of contracts and recruiting 10 members of staff.
“Everything was in place. We just needed a suitable modern office which was big enough for the new team and had space for more people, because we intend to grow,” said Cygnet Law Director Stacey Phoenix.
Plans to move to one town centre location fell through, but the second floor at Victoria House in Albert Road suddenly became vacant.
“It was a bit of a race against time but we got there and we are delighted,” said Stacey. “We all chipped in, even assembling the office furniture. All the new staff were ready so we could hit the ground running.”
Cygnet Law, which employs 70 staff in Redcar, was supported by commercial property agent Dodds Brown which manages Victoria House on behalf of its owner.
“There was quite a lot of work involved: a new ceiling, lighting, carpet and blinds,” said Dodds Brown Senior Associate Richard Wilson. “Side offices were stripped out and new, more suitable ones were created.
“The location – a short walk from the courts and local amenities – is ideal for what Cygnet Law needs and it sits above the popular Baker Street Kitchen on the ground floor so their staff, as well as their clients and visitors, have a great place to go for a coffee and a chat or for their lunch.”
He added: “When there’s been so much bad news about jobs being lost in the town centre, it’s great to welcome an ambitious new business to Middlesbrough.” And Richard hopes more employers will soon be moving to Victoria House. The first floor is under offer and the fourth floor and small office suites in the third floor business centre are still available.
Cygnet Law says its arrival in the town represents a strategic step forward, opening new avenues for growth and client engagement.
As well as expanding the business it will continue to nurture homegrown talent, invest in its employees and provide professional development and advancement within the firm.
Taking on more staff is “certainly on the horizon” as its presence across the Tees Valley grown and demand for its services increases.
Durham Lifting is proud to announce that it has been granted the prestigious ‘Fit For Offshore Renewables’ (F4OR) status. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability, marking not just a milestone for Durham Lifting but also signalling the dawn of a transformative era for the entire offshore renewable energy sector.
The F4OR programme aims to fortify the UK supply chain for active participation in the offshore renewable energy sector, positioning Durham Lifting at the forefront of industry innovation. As the company charts a course towards a sustainable future, the F4OR status brings about a multitude of tangible outcomes, creating ripples of positive change both for Durham Lifting and for the industry as a whole.
The F4OR programme is not merely a certification; it’s a catalyst for growth, fostering an environment for Durham Lifting to thrive, innovate, and contribute to the collective success of the offshore renewable energy sector.
Amanda Gardiner, Managing Director of Durham Lifting, commented on the achievement: “We are profoundly grateful to be recognised with the Fit 4 Offshore Accreditation. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our entire team. We would like to thank our team whose relentless effort made this possible.”
In an additional gesture of recognition and validation, both the National Association for Materials Resources Centres (NAMRC) and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult have acknowledged Durham Lifting’s achievement of the F4OR standard. This recognition signifies that Durham Lifting has successfully demonstrated the key management systems and competence required for thriving in the challenging and dynamic offshore renewable energy sector.
The impact of the F4OR programme extends beyond mere accolades. The tangible outcomes include measurable benefits such as securing new contract wins, experiencing robust company growth, and other benefits like bolstering confidence levels and expanding business networks.
Durham Lifting recognises the softer, yet equally valuable, benefits of enhanced confidence and expanded networks. These elements are integral to making a resilient and dynamic industry, ensuring that each participant is well-equipped to face the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving offshore renewable energy sector.
As Durham Lifting embarks on this transformative journey, the company envisions actively participating in the evolution of the UK offshore renewable energy supply chain. The F4OR status serves as a launchpad for Durham Lifting’s aspirations, enabling them to contribute to a sustainable, competent, and innovative future.
For more information on Durham Lifting, please visit: www.durhamlifting.co.uk
A bakery which has already made global headlines, is on a mission to make great bread and kick-start the careers of Teesside teenagers as it opens its new shop.
There was worldwide interest in Guisborough’s Brickyard Bakery after it invited people to bake their Christmas cakes in its ovens, provide a warm room for members of its community struggling with their fuel bills and make breakfasts for children on their exam day.
Now the not-for-profit Community Interest Company is opening a second bakery – in Middlesbrough’s Dundas Shopping Centre – and owner Ed Hamilton-Trewhitt said there has been nothing like it before.
As well as selling affordable artisan bread, pastries and savouries, Ed will be providing year-long paid internships for six young people who struggled at school.
“It’s for kids who don’t do well sitting behind desks and learning in conventional ways. But they respond fantastically to getting their hands dirty, working and producing something,” said the 55-year-old who was born in Redcar, left school with one qualification in metal work, worked in some of London’s top kitchens, cooked for royalty, opened restaurants, taught at college and studied at Teesside University.
As well as the interns, the new bakery will employ six members of staff including teaching assistants. They will help the teenagers study for their qualifications in food hygiene and retail.
The Brickyard Bakery is moving into the unit vacated by the Cooplands Bakery earlier this year and its arrival completes a circle for Ed who started selling his bread eight years ago in the Dundas Indoor Market.
“Dundas is fantastic and it’s a great site for us. We see it is an important hub in Middlesbrough. I’m really excited about being involved in encouraging more and more people to go there.”
Richard Wilson – Senior Associate with Teesside commercial property agent Dodds Brown, which manages the Dundas Shopping Centre on behalf of its owner – said the arrival of the Brickyard Bakery marks an important step in the reinvention of Middlesbrough town centre.
“More and more people will be attracted to live and work there as the investment planned by the Middlesbrough Development Corporation takes effect.
“These new communities need services, amenities and shops on their doorstep if Middlesbrough follows the concept of the 15-minute city which town planners are already adopting throughout the UK and the rest of the world.”
He added: “With its strong community values, independent retailers like Brickyard Bakery are the very embodiment of this concept. Ed – and the other independents who I’m confident will follow his lead – are essential to build a new and much-needed identity for Middlesbrough.”
The new bakery “helps create the full picture,” said Ed, who opened the Brickyard Bakery and Academy in Guisborough in 2014, selling artisan bread and providing courses for children, novices and bakers looking to improve their skills. “At Guisborough young people can get engaged in baking and creating fantastic things. If they are interested in it as a career, now that we’ve opening in Middlesbrough, they don’t have to go to a big college – which can be quite intimidating for some of them.
“Instead they will have the opportunity of coming somewhere that is specifically designed to be supportive and encouraging and gives them that 12 months of real work experience. That means they will feel a little bit more comfortable and confident when they go out into the wide world.”
Both bakeries, said Ed, will be selling “real bread at realistic prices. We refuse to have improvers, enhancers or additives in our bread. This is not just the preserve of the well-off middle classes. It’s absolutely for everybody.”
Ed already has plans to double the number of internships offered at Middlesbrough and is confident the model developed there will be repeated elsewhere. “I want to prove that this works and then work with people to roll it out,” he said. “Teesside could easily do with another two or three and ultimately we don’t need to stop at Teesside. The whole of the North East is desperate for real work for the kids that are coming through but don’t have much hope or future.”
Andrew Mills takes the reins at Industrial Technology Systems Ltd (ITS), joining the leadership alongside fellow directors and the company’s founder and CEO, Malcolm Knott.
Founded over three decades ago, ITS set out to be the premier “one-stop-shop” for system integration in regulated industries. These include Life Sciences, Chemicals, Manufacturing, Power and Energy, and Food and Beverage. The firm’s commitment was clear from the outset: to infuse transparency, humanity, and a determination to excel into a sector often viewed as distant and challenging.
From its roots, ITS has experienced tremendous growth, establishing a head office in Middlesbrough and a regional office in Warrington. The company’s expansion vision includes the inauguration of additional regional offices, while always maintaining their founding principles.
Coming off its most prosperous sales year to date, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ITS is primed for an exhilarating new phase – one that Andrew Mills is enthusiastic to spearhead.
“For a very long time I’ve had an appreciation and admiration of ITS, and what Malcolm and his team have achieved,” shared Mills. “Over the past thirty-two years the business has embedded and integrated itself amongst many industries, creating significant value for their customers whilst also consistently making a positive impact in the communities in which they work.
ITS has a fantastic heritage and an increasing range of automation, robotic and digital solutions. I am so excited to be joining the business at this stage in their journey, building upon the company’s foundations and deliver the growth and strategic objectives, as the opportunities in front of, and local to ITS are huge.”
Malcolm added “Over the past 32 years, the team here at ITS has solidified its place in numerous industries it has consistently added immense value for clients and the team has proactively sought to involve itself in things like STEM, CCI, and R&D”.
“I am immensely proud of ITS’ people and our history, and the appointment of Andrew is not only the start of a new era for Industrial Technology Systems Ltd, but a renewed commitment to our foundational principles. As we welcome Andrew into his new role, we are reminded of the journey we began three decades ago – one of innovation, resilience, and putting our clients and communities at the forefront. Our future is filled with very significant promise, and under Andrew’s leadership, I am excited and confident that ITS will continue to increase it’s capability to set industry standards, delivering unparalleled value while always staying true to our core.”
For further conversations with Andrew or any member of the ITS team, please contact (01642) 222232 or a-mills@its-ltd.co.uk.
An insurance giant has officially moved into a brand-new office in the heart of Middlesbrough.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony with Middlesbrough Mayor and Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Member Chris Cooke marked AXA UK moving into Six Centre Square on Thursday (17 August).
The firm is taking up more than half the space in the 40,000 sq ft building – hosting more than 500 of its Teesside staff.
Both this scheme and the wider Centre Square vision will play an important role in the future of Middlesbrough town centre.
The keys for the cutting-edge Grade A office space, built by developer Ashall Projects, were handed over to the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Tees Valley Mayor in February.
The TVCA has put £9.7million into the four-storey block while Middlesbrough Council contributed £2million of its £21.9million Towns Fund allocation from Central Government to the project.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Companies with ambition to grow or break new ground are now choosing Teesside as they’re sitting up and seeing the facilities we have to offer. It shows businesses they can do it here and don’t have to go to a city like Newcastle, Leeds or Manchester.
“Given all our success in bringing major Government departments and thousands of civil service jobs to Darlington, our investment in Six Centre Square made perfect sense and ensured a major employer stayed in the heart of Middlesbrough.
“Right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool we’re opening the door to allow our younger people to forge paths to careers on our doorstep. Creating world-class offices like this is key to unlocking that vision and our Development Corporation in the town will play a vital role in fostering an environment where companies can thrive.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, who is also a member of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet, added: “Centre Square has become a focal point for business on Teesside, and I’m delighted that companies like AXA recognise its long-term potential.
“The town centre is Middlesbrough’s engine room, and developments like this are helping to drive prosperity and create high quality skilled jobs for local people.”
Anna Fleming, Chief Operating Officer at AXA UK Retail Insurance, said: “Relocating to Six Centre Square offers a range of benefits for our business and our people. Employees can enjoy an enhanced working environment with greater flexibility and a range of wellbeing solutions while AXA can be proud to occupy a building which leads the way in energy efficiency and sustainability.
“The move shows our continued support and commitment to Middlesbrough and its ongoing regeneration.”
Six Centre Square is the newest phase in the wider Centre Square scheme led by Ashall Projects which has already seen six companies employing more than 1,000 people move into the first two buildings in the development.
Ashall Projects Managing Director Mark Ashall is confident the remaining space in Six Centre Square will soon be taken.
He said: “There is a great deal of interest and that is a reflection on both the standard of the building and the increased business activity taking place at Teesworks and throughout the Tees Valley.
“Employers are looking for high quality office space in central locations where there is good access to transport and amenities. This helps them attract and retain staff and that’s what Centre Square is delivering.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony with Middlesbrough Mayor and Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet Member Chris Cooke marked AXA UK moving into Six Centre Square on Thursday (17 August).
The firm is taking up more than half the space in the 40,000 sq ft building – hosting more than 500 of its Teesside staff.
Both this scheme and the wider Centre Square vision will play an important role in the future of Middlesbrough town centre.
The keys for the cutting-edge Grade A office space, built by developer Ashall Projects, were handed over to the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Tees Valley Mayor in February.
The TVCA has put £9.7million into the four-storey block while Middlesbrough Council contributed £2million of its £21.9million Towns Fund allocation from Central Government to the project.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Companies with ambition to grow or break new ground are now choosing Teesside as they’re sitting up and seeing the facilities we have to offer. It shows businesses they can do it here and don’t have to go to a city like Newcastle, Leeds or Manchester.
“Given all our success in bringing major Government departments and thousands of civil service jobs to Darlington, our investment in Six Centre Square made perfect sense and ensured a major employer stayed in the heart of Middlesbrough.
“Right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool we’re opening the door to allow our younger people to forge paths to careers on our doorstep. Creating world-class offices like this is key to unlocking that vision and our Development Corporation in the town will play a vital role in fostering an environment where companies can thrive.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, who is also a member of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet, added: “Centre Square has become a focal point for business on Teesside, and I’m delighted that companies like AXA recognise its long-term potential.
“The town centre is Middlesbrough’s engine room, and developments like this are helping to drive prosperity and create high quality skilled jobs for local people.”
Anna Fleming, Chief Operating Officer at AXA UK Retail Insurance, said: “Relocating to Six Centre Square offers a range of benefits for our business and our people. Employees can enjoy an enhanced working environment with greater flexibility and a range of wellbeing solutions while AXA can be proud to occupy a building which leads the way in energy efficiency and sustainability.
“The move shows our continued support and commitment to Middlesbrough and its ongoing regeneration.”
Six Centre Square is the newest phase in the wider Centre Square scheme led by Ashall Projects which has already seen six companies employing more than 1,000 people move into the first two buildings in the development.
Ashall Projects Managing Director Mark Ashall is confident the remaining space in Six Centre Square will soon be taken.
He said: “There is a great deal of interest and that is a reflection on both the standard of the building and the increased business activity taking place at Teesworks and throughout the Tees Valley.
“Employers are looking for high quality office space in central locations where there is good access to transport and amenities. This helps them attract and retain staff and that’s what Centre Square is delivering.”
One of Middlesbrough’s latest high-tech arrivals is continuing to expand in its new north east HQ.
Addison Project opened its base on the town’s Riverside Park in October, 2020 and now has a 30-strong team of design, engineering and project management specialists.
And they’re on the look-out for local talent to recruit to design, engineering and project management roles to build on the company’s recent successes.
The Addison team also includes T-level students, and they’re set to be joined by graduates and apprentices in the near future.
The firm’s north east expansion builds on two decades as an engineering service provider in Lancashire and Cheshire.
As one of the UK’s leading independent industrial design and project management companies, Addison takes on projects ranging from £5,000 to £50 million.
The company works closely with the local chemical sector and other related businesses, and is also looking to expand its Teesside presence by recruiting locally for future roles.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke called in to meet the team, and find out about the opportunities and challenges facing businesses relocating to one the region’s fastest growing industrial parks.
Kevin Simmonds, Addison Project’s Group Sales and Marketing Director, said: “When Addison opened the Teesside office during the pandemic, it was a typically brave move for us.
“Interestingly, although it was initially to provide a firm base for our engineers, rather than temporary accommodation on client sites, it’s come full circle.
“Not only is the office full, we’ve also expanded that site presence even further!
“We told the mayor then that we would create local job opportunities, we kept that promise and it’s wonderful to see that the various political and education bodies supporting us in this.
“After cementing our presence in the region, we’re already starting to expand beyond the immediate Teesside area.
“We’re delivering projects across the wider North East, Scotland and the South East from here, the vacancies on our website tell their own story.
“There’s a recognition from the regional manufacturing sector that quality engineering is needed and we’re delighted to provide our own version of that.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “When Addison were looking to establish a north east HQ, Middlesbrough and Riverside Park offered them everything they needed.
“The company’s burgeoning growth is proof that their initial investment in this area is paying off, providing jobs and opportunities for local people and giving a very real boost to the local economy.
“I’m delighted their faith in Middlesbrough has proved well-founded, and we’ll do everything we can to support their continued growth.”
For more information on Addison Project, email enquiries@addisonproject.co.uk or call the Middlesbrough office on 01642 694000.
The Tees Valley is primed to operate at “the heart of the UK’s green industrial revolution” with a multi-million-pound innovation hub, academic bosses have said.
Teesside University has cut the ribbon on the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre.
Based at Teesside Advanced Manufacturing Park, in Middlesbrough, officials say the £13.1 million site will act as a “national centre of excellence for net-zero technologies”, addressing the climate crisis through industry partnerships, skills development and research.
A number of projects are already underway, including a venture to develop new processes to create recycled workwear and alternative uses for food waste.
The centre is also part of an £11 million Research England-funded project to support hydrogen innovation in the Tees Valley, and is working with South African and US experts on hydrogen research and decarbonisation, respectively.
Dr Gari Harris, Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre director, said: “Our mission is to engage with business and industry and support their net-zero ambitions.
“We already have many ground-breaking projects underway, which will help to create hundreds more clean energy jobs through aligning the university’s expertise with industry need and Government priorities.”
Professor Paul Croney, Teesside University vice-chancellor and chief executive, added: “Our Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre is set to play a leading role in the region, shaping and creating a cleaner and greener future.
“We are confident it will place Teesside firmly at the heart of the UK’s green industrial revolution.”
The development was backed by £5.2 million funding from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and the European Regional Development Fund.
Intelect Mechanical have started 2023 on a high, following recent investments which have resulted in the purchase of new technology and a recruitment drive, increasing their workforce by 20% from the previous year.
Entering the year with a strong order book thanks to an expanding customer base and greater demand, the Middlesbrough-based engineering fabrication business identified the need for additional staff, taking on a total of four new employees across various front end production roles, bringing their overall headcount to 25.
Working predominantly for clients operating in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, the company has seen consistent organic growth in recent years, widening its customer portfolio within other process industries too.
Intelect Mechanical Director, Kevan Thomas said, “The last few years have been a challenge for a lot of companies, as well as us, but thankfully we’re starting to see some really positive changes happening. With firm orders and increased enquiries, we’ve not only welcomed new customers, but new full-time employees too.
“It’s always great to see the business expanding, especially given that all of our employees are from the local surrounding area, which is something we’re passionate about. Without the hard work and determination of our team helping to drive the business forward, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
He continued, “Looking forward to the rest of 2023, we’re excited to be working on a number of major projects across the UK with both our new and long-term clients, and we are keen to continue with positive investments in both our employees and infrastructures.”
Thanks to partial funding support via the Tees Valley Combined Authority Made Smarter Adoption North East, Intelect Mechanical have also recently invested in a new handheld 3D scanning device. The state-of-the-art equipment will build on their existing technology, enabling them to provide more detailed information and intricate scans to their customers, further expanding their service offering.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We are at the cutting edge of advanced manufacturing on Teesside with some of the world’s leading minds in engineering. We have supported hundreds of firms – large and small – through financial grants, and I’m proud Intelect Mechanical are investing and growing on the back of this support.
“To see a Middlesbrough firm expanding and creating good well-paid jobs is extremely encouraging. Their growth is testament to how we can provide funds to help engineering firms prosper and push at the boundaries of what is possible.”
Providing every service from design through to fabrication and installation, Intelect Mechanical pride themselves on being a one stop shop for their clients’ engineering and integration solutions.
Mayor Chris Cooke has hailed an internationally acclaimed vinyl record plant as a “true Middlesbrough success story”.
Mayor Cooke took a tour of Press On Vinyl – less than 18 months old, but already producing tens of thousands of vinyl records a month which have been described as the best quality in the world.
Based at Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park (TeesAMP), Press On’s directors originally envisioned a small, DIY operation to press small amounts of vinyl for their record label, Goosed Records, due to a huge bottleneck in global production capacity.
But instead, they scaled up – taking advantage of the world class facilities at TeesAMP to transform the cavernous factory into an efficient and welcoming paradise for music lovers.
It now boasts four specially engineered pressing machines, a lathe, a laboratory and even a sound mastering studio and rehearsal space.
Press On welcomed the mayor and businesses from across the North East as part of an event organised by the Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF) and Middlesbrough Council’s Invest Middlesbrough team.
Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: “Manufacturing is part of Middlesbrough’s heritage, and we’re very proud of it.
“Press On is a real Middlesbrough success story – the vinyl records it produces are now considered to be among the best quality in the world, and it was fascinating to find out more about their story.
“I want to make sure the council provides the right service to our businesses and encourages collaboration and innovation, and events like this one are a valuable part of that offer.”
Press On Director David Todd said: “We were happy to host the Mayor of Middlesbrough and the AMF at Press On and give businesses from across the region an insight into what we do.
“We’ve grown really quickly – less than 18 months ago our site was just a massive empty warehouse. Now we’re employing 31 staff, producing tens of thousands of records a month and most importantly, helping musicians get their music into the hands of fans.
“But we always need to adapt and innovate, and we’re proud we can do that here in Middlesbrough.”
Middlesbrough Council invited the AMF – which provides the region’s engineering and manufacturing industry with networking, supply chain development and collaboration opportunities – to support the sector and help develop the local supply chain.
Alan Metcalfe, Vice Chair of the AMF, said: “Press On was a fantastic host for one of the first collaboration events we’ve held in Middlesbrough for a long time.
“The AMF is about helping the manufacturing and engineering sector in the North East to face challenges and celebrate successes through collaboration.
“We want our whole region to be successful – including Middlesbrough and the rest of Teesside – and we can do that by working with partner and helping local businesses to connect and share ideas and knowledge.”
TeesAMP is a £22.6m, 11-hectare site located on the edge of Riverside Industrial Park, providing high specification units for advanced manufacturing businesses, developed in partnership with the Tees Valley Combined Authority and private investment.
As well as Press On Vinyl, TeesAMP is also home to successful firms such as Paralloy/Firth Vickers, Durata, Sulzer and The Welding Institute (TWI).
Two new electric harbour cranes, representing an £8.6 million investment, are the latest arrivals at Tees Dock as port operator and owner PD Ports continues to demonstrate its commitment to driving sustainability.
The Liebherr cranes, which tower at an impressive 83m with the boom fully raised, and improve handling capacities from 100 to 140 tonnes, are electric-hydraulic powered and offer a more environmentally conscious and efficient solution for loading and discharging a range of bulk commodities.
The state-of-the-art equipment also represents the latest in a string of investments made to support growing demand as global customers continue to recognise Teesport as a hub for bulk commodities following the unveiling of the £12 million Teesport Bulks Terminal in 2020.
Frans Calje, CEO at PD Ports, explained how the mobile harbour cranes are another significant step forward as the port operator aims for carbon neutrality.
“I am delighted to see the new cranes in operation at Tees Dock,” said Frans. “As a business, we are committed to driving positive change and building a more sustainable future; this investment signifies that whilst also ensuring we can uphold the highest operating standards.
“We recognise our responsibility to ourselves, our communities and our customers to reduce environmental impact which is why we have set such ambitious decarbonisation targets – targets that we are well on track to exceed.
“The incorporation of this equipment, coupled with our already attractive facilities at Tees Dock, ensure that PD Ports remains at the forefront of service excellence and delivery.”
Thanks to collective efforts over recent years, and the hard work of our people, coupled with a range of initiatives including the procurement of electric vehicles, conversion of existing equipment and the introduction of low and zero emission energy sources, PD Ports’ CO2 emissions are already back to levels last seen in 2000.
The company is now also on track to be carbon neutral by 2027, supporting its ambitions to become the UK’s most sustainable port operator.
