News in Brief: Minorplanet director departs; Wednesday chairman signed; Emsleys go green and more
YORKSHIRE-BASED vehicle tracking group Minorplanet has announced the resignation of Philip Bennett as a director of the company.
It said that Mr Bennett will remain as chairman of the group’s Australian subsidiary Minorplanet Asia Pacific.
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LEE Strafford, the chairman of Sheffield Wednesday FC, will be the guest speaker at next month’s inaugural Yorkshire Rising Stars of the Year Awards.
The entrepreneur, who founded Sheffield-based internet company PlusNet, will join the region’s business leaders to celebrate the finance stars of the future at a gala dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield on May 13.
The awards, sponsored by Grant Thornton and Cobbetts, have been launched by financial recruitment firm Sharp Consultancy to promote the new breed of finance professionals across Yorkshire.
Finalists include those making their mark in organisations such as Asda, Cartridge World, Firth Rixson, SIG, Sheffield Hallam University, The Big Word and Vasanta Group.
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STAFF at solicitors and estate agents Emsleys have taken to the roads in style after unveiling a fleet of new, fully branded, low carbon emission vehicles to be used by its property division.
After investing £80,000 in the new fleet of Golf Bluemotions, one of the lowest carbon emission vehicles available, Emsleys will reduce its environmental impact by between 25-77 g/km per car, compared with its previous fleet of standard issue VW Golfs and Audis.
As well as a reduced impact on the environment, the cars also make commercial and financial sense saving up to £1,150 per annum; a reduction of 31% against the old diesel vehicles and 54% against the old petrol vehicles.
Partner Alistair McKinlay said: “Our staff spend a great deal of time out on the roads visiting our clients. We therefore felt it was important that our cars not only look the part but also take account of the impact they have on the environment.”
He added: “With average fuel consumption of 68.9 mpg the new fleet is almost twice as efficient as our previous vehicles. We can’t wait to get the cars on to the roads – we have no doubt that they will attract really positive attention.”
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A STUDIO that aims to provide an outlet for the region’s creative talent and to support emerging artists is set to open in York.
Bar Lane Studios off Micklegate has been funded by York St John University, Science City York and York Council and offers students studio space from £1.50 per day.
The studio comprises 22 studio spaces, print workshop, Apple Mac suite, showcase gallery and a community café.
An exhibition from former Stones Roses guitarist and songwriter John Squire, who created their Jackson Pollock influenced album cover art, will be held until May 21.
York St John will also be sponsoring five graduates from York through a graduate scheme, giving the students free space within the studio along with a bursary for a year.
