News in brief: Panel confirmed for 100 days event; New network at St Peter’s; Arena to be discussed at forum; Slingsby keeps Harrods rolling

THE man leading plans for a new Yorkshire-wide partnership as part of the shake-up following the abolition of Yorkshire Forward will be part of a panel discussing the first 100 days of the Coalition Government.

Barry Dodd, chairman of GSM Group, will join former Yorkshire Forward and now Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan on the panel that will also include Mike Collier, chairman of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and former chief executive of One North East.

The event on September 9, organised by law firm DLA Piper and Financial Leeds, will be chaired by Financial Leeds chief executive Howard Kew.

Mr Kew said: “”We are delighted to have Barry and Mike join us for what will be a very interesting debate. Mike brings a diverse background of public sector experience to the table that will give a well informed view.

“Barry has been a key player in the region for many years. As chair of GSM, he will highlight the challenges faced by the businesses in our region as well has delivering his unique look on the region post RDAs.”

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ONE of the oldest schools in Europe has been brought into the 21st Century with a new wireless network installed by Express Data.

The system installed at St Peter’s School, founded in 627, allows any numbers of staff and pupils to use their laptops at any time.

Paul Hynard, IT Manager at St Peter’s said:  “To ensure that both the pupils of today and tomorrow get the most from what e-learning has to offer, we needed a wireless network that would allow problem-free access for everyone at the school and would stay at the technological forefront as St Peter’s and its requirements grew and evolved.”
 
Leeds-based Express Data has a turnover of £1.4m and employs 12 members of staff and has been growing its business in the education sector.

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OPPORTUNITIES connected to the development of the Leeds Arena will be discussed at the Leeds Chamber of Commerce property forum later this month.

The event will include presentations from John Philips, construction director at BAM Construction, the contractor behind the new building.

Land Securities will also be represented at the forum talking about the future of the Trinity Leeds shopping development.

Mark Goldstone, head of the chamber property forum, said: “The development of the Leeds Arena and Trinity Leeds is fantastic news for the Leeds City Region. It is a huge boost for the economy and a sign that confidence is returning.

“These developments also present huge opportunities for businesses in Yorkshire and this event will identify exactly how companies can work with the developers, as well as explore the wider economic implications of the two projects.”

The forum will be held from 5pm until 7pm at Trinity Marketing Suite, Albion Exchange, on September 16. It is free to chamber members and £30 +VAT for non-members. Email events@yourchamber.org.uk.

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WORKPLACE equipment provider Slingsby has supplied department store Harrods with a bespoke range of its trolleys.

The Knightsbridge retailer has taken delivery of a range of platform trucks, painted in the retailer’s ‘Harrods Green’ corporate colour, that will be used by its employees to transport storage boxes and stock items throughout the store.

Slingsby, which has a long-standing relationship with Harrods and supplies the company with all types of products, was established in 1893 after Harry Crowther Slingsby designed and created a range of robust trucks and trolleys to move heavy loads horizontally around large buildings.