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Bridge steps down
The chief executive of Rotherham-based designer and manufacturer of mechanical seals and engineered sealing systems AESSEAL, Gordon Bridge, is stepping down from his role in September. Bridge will remain a director of holding company AES Engineering, working on the strategic development of the business, acquisitions and other projects, as well as being directly responsible for the companys corporate social responsibility. The company has restructured some of Bridges responsibilities while he held the position of Master Cutler this year and the board has seen the appointment of Neil MacDonald as group finance director, Stephen Shaw as technical director and Jonathan Wilkinson, who was promoted to chief operating officer. Martin Howell, formerly construction director at Corus, is expected to succeed Bridge as Master Cutler for 2008 to 2009.
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Martek Marine selected for grant
Martek Marine, the Rotherham-based marine environmental and safety monitoring systems company, has received a five-figure grant from Yorkshire Forward to double its premises and invest in business planning software. Yorkshire Forwards Select Finance for Investment programme will allow the company, which moved to Adwick Park in Rotherham from the Century Business Centre in 2007, to expand its existing manufacturing, shipping and office space to 13,000 sq ft. 
U-xplore goes it alone
Rotherham-based U-xplore, the education division of The Music Factory Entertainment Group, has broken free of its parent group. The five-year-old company, which links schools with businesses through its interactive product, secured investment for chief executive Andy Pickles to take the business forward as a separate company. U-xplore interactive is used in secondary schools in South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Hull and Ayrshire, and now plans to roll out the programme nationwide.
Public Sector Consultants supported towards flotation
Chesterfield-based Public Sector Consultants has secured working capital facilities from NatWest Commercial Banking and RBS Invoice Finance to support its growth as it heads towards flotation. The company, which was established to provide interim management and consultancy services to local government finance departments, expanded its operations to include services to the NHS and other areas of the public sector.
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Synarbor to delist from AIM
Sheffield-based Synarbor, the AIM-listed provider of support to the educational and social services, has told shareholders of its plans to delist from AIM. Daniel Urmson, group finance director, said that, while interim results showed a healthy financial performance, the company has been undertaking a major transformation programme over the past 18 months. This includes a new business model, a new board and an altered and relaunched offering, he said. Having undertaken a review of the benefits we feel it appropriate to cancel the admission of the company from AIM now. This will allow the process to continue away from the quoted markets and enable us to focus on long-term growth, in what are uncertain market conditions. The company reported pre-tax profit of £2.2m in the six months to 29 June 2008, consistent with £2.2m in 2007, although it saw a dip in revenues from £31.7m in 2007 to £29.8m.
Johnston Press advertising revenue hit
Newspaper group Johnston Press has seen a drop in profits as advertising in its titles, which include the Yorkshire Post and Sheffield Star, has been hit by the difficult trading conditions. Turnover has fallen from £312.8m to £293.1m in the first six months of 2008, with pre-tax profits dropping 18.1 per cent from £76.3m to £62.5m. Advertising revenues declined by 9.5 per cent, said chief executive officer Tim Bowdler, and are already down 21 per cent year on year in the first seven weeks of the second half. To minimise the impact on profitability, cost management programmes have been implemented which have benefited the first half of 2008 and will continue to do so throughout the balance of this year and beyond, he said.
Holiday Inn caterers win European golf tour
Championship Hospitality Solutions, the outdoor catering team of Sheffields Holiday Inn Royal Victoria, has won a six-figure contract to cater for the PGA European Tours end of season Volvo Masters golf tournament at the Valderrama golf course in Spain. The 60-strong catering team will serve from numerous restaurants and kiosks, including the fine dining Cork Tree restaurant, for players and celebrities including Colin Montgomery and Sergio Garcia.
Have your say
Insider will be celebrating its tenth birthday in our September issue and we would like your help in the celebrations. We are asking all our readers to take part in a survey of what they think the most significant developments in Yorkshire have been in the past decade. The results will form part of a major overview of the past ten years in the special bumper issue. To make your views known, please click here. All entries will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Netto buys in Barnsley
A £2.4m retail parade at Monk Bretton in Barnsley has been sold to Netto Food Stores. The discount Danish retailer has bought the five-unit shopping parade previously anchored by Kwik Save. Ryden represented sellers Thistle Property Group in the deal.
Rotherham expansion for logistics company
National logistics operator Cert Octavian has acquired a second distribution facility at Adwick Park, Manvers. The 84,000 sq ft facility, previously home to Innovate Logistics, is in addition to the companys existing base at Hellaby Industrial Estate. Paul Mack, associate director at DTZ, who advised Cert Octavian, said the value of the deal, although undisclosed, makes this one of the largest industrial lettings in South Yorkshire this year.
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Priority man joins Sheffield Business Park
Regeneration expert Graham Sadler has been appointed director of Sheffield Business Park. Sadler joins from national regeneration company Priority Sites where, as development director for the south, he controlled its £20m programme of development from South Yorkshire to Cornwall. Sadler is also the Sheffield director of the Sheffield Business Parks co-owner Kilmartin Property Group and is responsible for the development of Kilmartins other interests in the region.
More people on the Front line
Sheffield advertising agency Front has appointed Paul Copley as a senior creative. Copley has held positions at Purple Circle, Linney Design and Ledgard Jepson. The agency also appointed Matt Cockrean as account executive.
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