Michael Taylor, chairman of the Centre for Food Robotics and Automation (CenFRA) based in Doncaster, has this month given a keynote speech at the 4th annual Food Technology, Innovation & Safety Forum in Chicago. Taylor discussed the impact automation and robotics can have on improving overall factory efficiencies in areas including production, food safety and handling. Principally funded by Yorkshire Forward, CenFRA aims to improve the competitiveness, profitability and sustainability of the UK's food and drink companies through the implementation of robotics.

The Sheffield office of Grant Thornton has called for “clear and decisive” policymaking at the emergency Budget on 22 June. Garry Meakin, office managing partner at the firm’s Sheffield office, said: “The emergency Budget will pose difficult questions for the government as they look to take action to substantially reduce the deficit without compromising the economic recovery.” He added that any decisions made are “likely to have a massive impact on businesses in the region, many of whom are still feeling the effects of the recession”.

Sheffield is to deliver its final bid for the 2013 City of Culture on 21 May to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. On 20 May, bid organisers are expected to announce details of the cultural programme planned for 2013 in the city. The bid is being led by Sheffield City Council and Creative Sheffield alongside a wider steering group including Museums Sheffield, Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, Sheffield Theatres, Showroom Cinema, University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.

The fifth annual Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year award has been launched. Each year, aspiring business brains from across the region are recognised for their talent and potential, with the overall winner being given a cash investment prize of £1,500. The winner of the competition, which is organised by the Rotherham Enterprise Network (REN), will be announced in October.

The number of heath and safety inspections being carried out in workplaces has dropped by more than 50,000 in the last decade, according to Sheffield-based law firm Irwin Mitchell. Figures obtained by the company show that Health and Safety Executive (HSE) assessments dropped from 75,252 in 1999 to just over 23,000 ten years later. David Urpeth, head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell, described the figures as “a great concern”.

Share Jewellers, which has outlets in Barnsley and Leeds, has launched a new website. The company already generates 60 per cent of its revenue online, but hopes the new site will double its online turnover within 12 months. Digital agency Chapter Eight created the site through an e-business outsourcing agreement, under which it will take a revenue share of all orders through the new portal.

Accountancy firm Garbutt & Elliott has advised businesses “not to panic” about Chancellor George Osborne’s imminent emergency Budget. Nick Scull, head of tax at the Yorkshire-based firm, said there was time to prepare for the likely measures in the Budget. In particular, Scull highlighted the opportunities to mitigate the effects of an increase in capital gains tax.

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The £300m YES! Project has been granted planning consent by Rotherham Borough Council. The 327-acres Oak Holdings project received initial planning permission in 2007 and will be located adjacent to Rother Valley Country Park, which is managed by the developer after agreement was reached with the council last year.

The Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield generated a capital return of 8.3 per cent in the year to 31 March 2010 for British Land, which owns a 50 per cent stake in the development. In addition, 28 long-term lettings were secured at Meadowhall in the period, taking total occupancy from 96 per cent to 98 per cent. This is despite a footfall decrease of 0.6 per cent, against an industry benchmark 1 per cent recorded measured by Experian, British Land revealed.

Highlander IT & Telecoms has appointed Steve Brown and Robert Massie as managing director and chief executive respectively. The Sheffield-based company has an annual turnover of £9m and employs 45 staff. Highlander has appointed Daniel Bumby, Chris Muscroft and John Akings to its board, as business development director, commercial director and technical director respectively.