Chris Burn

Matthew Parker, CEO of cybersecurity firm Xypher, is overseeing the company’s expansion into Leeds, where it has opened an office to access local talent. Backed by Limerston Capital, Xypher employs around 200 people and aims to grow annual revenue from about £20 million to £250 million through organic growth and acquisitions, while expanding its cybersecurity and digital-forensics services. Parker is also participating in ROW4MND, a four-year rowing challenge that has raised £150,000 for motor neurone disease research and includes future Arctic and New York-to-London legs.

Andy Burnham has pledged to convey York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith’s concerns to the Home Office before any decision is made on plans to house 1,300 asylum seekers at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse base. Skaith, local residents and a cross-party group of Yorkshire MPs oppose the proposal, arguing that the small village is unsuitable and should instead undergo housing-led redevelopment. Campaigners estimate that preparing and operating the site could cost more than £400 million, or over £400 per person per night, while the Home Office disputes those figures and says the plans remain subject to planning permission, feasibility checks and due diligence.

Keith Griffiths, who co-founded Built Environment Networking with his wife Amanda and created Leeds-based real estate conference UKREiiF, is launching The Entrepreneur Festival at the Royal Armouries from June 15 to 17. The event will feature more than 300 experienced business speakers and form part of a year-round online membership club offering entrepreneurs practical support. Griffiths says the idea was shaped by his difficulty finding experienced peer advice when he sold Built Environment Networking to Infopro Digital in 2024. He credits UKREiiF’s lower cost, environmental advantages, emphasis on diversity and Leeds location for its success, and hopes the new festival will eventually achieve similar momentum. His advice to entrepreneurs is to take managed risks, prioritize groundwork and avoid relying excessively on other people’s money.

Bingley-based Caledonian Holdings has raised £612,000 through a placing and subscription for 48.96 million shares after acquiring Aspire Commerce Group for £9.33 million in June. The funds will provide working capital, support the launch of Aspire’s multi-currency business accounts and debit cards, and help convert trade finance opportunities into funded transactions. Caledonian says Aspire is also developing partnerships to expand its foreign exchange reach across Southeast Asia, China and the Middle East.

Keighley-based logistics company Joda Freight has invested more than £250,000 in sustainability measures, including solar panels and electric forklifts across three sites. It plans to install further panels with battery storage and purchase two rigid electric vehicles later in 2026. Operations director Kieron Talbot-Sykes said the company is focusing on practical emissions reductions because diesel trucks remain necessary, while customer demand for greener logistics is driving investment. Joda Freight also uses a transport management system to report customers’ logistics carbon footprints. Pallet-Track CEO Stuart Godman welcomed the investment and said it would benefit the wider pallet network.

Hull Business Angels plans to expand its membership and become a stronger business-led advocate for Hull's arts and cultural sector after supporting the Humber Street Sesh festival for a decade. Phil Withers of RSM UK said the business community's intervention helped the festival overcome challenges this year, while Emma Hardy MP highlighted the importance of cultural events to attracting businesses, skilled workers and investment across Hull and the East Riding.

Entrepreneur Martin Port is aiming to build Leeds-based Build Concierge, an AI platform that manages customer communications and bookings for construction and home-service businesses, into a $1bn unicorn. The company has raised £3.8m in seed funding, was valued at £35m and employs nearly 40 people. Port targets £50m in annual recurring revenue and a 30% EBITDA margin within five years. After suffering a heart attack in late 2023, he lost seven stone through diet and exercise and moved from Leeds to Tel Aviv, citing concerns about hostility toward Jewish people in the UK. His previous ventures include Masternaut and BigChange, which was acquired by Simpro Group for £330m.

Jon Arrowsmith and Cocker Hoop Creative have been charged with four alleged offences relating to the cancelled 2025 Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival. North Yorkshire Council’s trading standards investigation concerns licensing information, ticket sales disclosures, performer contracts and failure to correct Facebook posts advertising an appearance by Si King after it had been cancelled. Arrowsmith is due to appear before York magistrates on September 2 and has not entered a plea. The event was cancelled two weeks before its scheduled July 2025 dates after several headline acts withdrew.

Filtronic reported lower revenue of £55.5 million, adjusted EBITDA of £11.3 million and operating profit of £4 million for the year to May 2026, causing its shares to fall more than 8%. Chief executive Nat Edington said the business remains financially and strategically stronger, citing organic sales growth, customer diversification, expanded manufacturing capacity and a strong order book. The company has expanded its relationship with SpaceX through a $62.5 million deployment of next-generation gallium nitride E-band technology for Starlink, while rising demand for satellite communications, defence systems and secure high-capacity networks is expected to support future growth.

Betfred plans to close 132 UK betting shops from September and cut more than 600 jobs after launching a staff consultation. Chief executive Jo Whittaker blamed higher employer national insurance contributions, wage inflation, increased gambling taxes and economic uncertainty, leaving the company with what it called no alternative. The closures will reduce Betfred’s estate to about 1,100 shops and follow similar reductions by Paddy Power, William Hill and other operators. Tax reforms announced by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves will increase duties on online gaming and sports betting, with the government expecting to raise £1.1 billion by 2029–30. Industry executives, including Entain’s Stella David, argue the measures could reduce tax revenues, restrict growth and encourage unlicensed gambling.

Drax is set to complete its £561 million acquisition of Bluefield Solar Income Fund, adding roughly 1GW of solar capacity and helping reduce biomass from about 65% of its portfolio last year to a projected 35% by 2029. The company plans to expand total generation capacity from 4GW to 7.4GW through solar, wind, batteries, gas, pumped storage and hydropower, while biomass remains central to its operations despite environmental criticism. Drax reported first-half 2026 profit before tax of £222 million, down from £281 million a year earlier, and is reviewing its Canadian pellet-production business. It also expects to submit plans for a data centre at its North Yorkshire power station site.

Thirsk-based structural steel group Severfield has secured significant data-centre contracts in the UK, Germany, Sweden and India, strengthening its order books and supporting confidence in activity through FY27 and beyond. Its UK and Europe order book stands at £534m, with £375m due for delivery over the next 12 months, while the Indian order book has risen to £327m through its joint venture with JSW Steel. The company has maintained its FY27 underlying profit-before-tax guidance of £12m to £15m, although first-half profitability will be constrained by lower-margin work; higher-quality projects are expected to contribute more significantly in FY28.

Entries are open for the fifth Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards, which will be held on November 30 at New Dock Hall. The 2026 event introduces categories including Tourism Trailblazer, Hidden Gem of Yorkshire, Best Wellbeing/Spa Business, Cafe of the Year, Best Pub, Holiday Rental of the Year, Event Venue of the Year and Cultural Event of the Year. Existing categories cover accessibility, accommodation, attractions, fine dining, sustainability, customer service and hotels. Nominations close on September 27, while the Best Yorkshire Experience winner will be chosen through a public vote from six finalists.