Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

Bradford-based Dominion Print has launched a new service supplying protective face masks with branding for businesses and organisations in a wide range of sectors.

The company has created the Let’s Face It range of reusable coverings which are designed to specification by Dominion’s creative team and manufactured at its factory.

It has invested in specialist production resources and product development to focus on performance and material quality, including optional single or double one-way air vents, enabling clients to provide their staff and customers with machine washable branded wear which meets PPE regulatory standards.

For every Let’s Face It product sold, Dominion will be donating a percentage of the revenue to a chosen charity.

Verity Clark, director at Dominion Print, said: “Communities and businesses throughout the UK are being encouraged to embrace the use of protective face coverings and wearing them is going to be a way of life for the foreseeable future.

“Branded clothing, items and accessories are a major part of promotion and brand reinforcement in many industries, particularly leisure and hospitality, so it makes sense to utilise face masks in the same way.

“We can tailor the covers to suit requirements, including branding, logos and slogans.”

Dominic Clark, managing director at Dominion Print, said: “We found that many SMEs and larger organisations prefer reusable masks over disposable masks.

“A lot of companies are conscious of the environmental benefits of machine washable versions.

“In the long-term, they are more cost-effective as a staff resource and they have the potential to prolong and expand brand visibility as customers continue to use them in their everyday lives.

“In addition to our design services for businesses, we have launched a Let’s Face It e-commerce website at letsfaceit-store.com to enable individual customers to upload their own designs and order their bespoke masks.”

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Leeds-based translation technology company, thebigword Group, is supporting the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to implement new measures to ensure smooth yet safe continuation of justice in UK court rooms.

thebigword has provided translation and interpreting services to the UK’s MoJ since 2016.

To ensure interpreters and limited English speakers are able to participate in court proceedings safely whilst maintaining appropriate social distancing requirements, thebigword has worked with the MoJ to supply court rooms around the country with headsets which enables an interpreter to communicate with a limited English speaker from a distance.

The MoJ have invested over £120,000 in new hardware including the new headsets to get courts back up and running.

CEO of thebigword Group, Joshua Gould, said: “At thebigword we are constantly working to give our clients the tools they need to communicate effectively and we are working closely with the MoJ to implement safety measure that ensure court rooms can continue hearing evidence from limited English speakers, whilst ensuring the safety of linguists and those giving evidence.”

thebigword is also supporting the Ministry of Justice with all remote booking channels including telephone and video remote interpreting services which enables interpreters to participate in court proceedings remotely.

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Professor Zahir Irani, pro-vice chancellor at the University of Bradford, has been appointed chairman of the Bradford Economic Recovery Board.

He will spearhead the district’s efforts to recover from the downturn and help businesses respond to the ongoing challenges presented by the Covid-19 crisis.

This new board will bring together organisations representing the public, private and cultural sectors and will work with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Prof Irani has enjoyed a long and successful career in academia, combining wide-ranging research interests, consulting work for industry and overseas governments and senior management roles including head of an award-winning business school.

He was seconded to the Cabinet Office and served as a senior policy advisor in the heart of the coalition UK Government.

Prof Irani joined the University of Bradford in 2016 and was founding dean at the faculty of management, law and social sciences before being appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor with responsibility for academic, innovation and quality, last year.

He said: “We want to create positive energy in and around Bradford. Many businesses will regrettably contract and some will even fail as a result of the pandemic, which will be difficult for our district, but others will sense growth potential.

“We need to do everything possible to create the right environment to support economic and social value.

“We have a great entrepreneurial spirit in Bradford and we will find creative ways to help small, medium and large companies and all of our communities take advantage of new opportunities.

“We want everyone in the district to understand how they can support the recovery, whether they are learning skills as students, paying taxes as employees, creating jobs as entrepreneurs or providing vital services as public sector workers.”

The Bradford Economic Recovery Board will re-evaluate the district’s economic strategy in light of the pandemic and develop a plan to help businesses grow, retrain unemployed people and attract investment in infrastructure.

Kersten England, chief executive of Bradford Council, said: “We are delighted to welcome Zahir as chair of the recovery board.

“With his extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of academia, industry and government, we are confident Zahir will make a powerful and lasting contribution to Bradford’s future success.”

Prof Irani was born in Bolton and spent most of his working life in London before returning north to Bradford.