News: New apprentices take first step on construction career ladder in Rotherham

Four ambitious trainees have taken their first steps towards a career in construction after securing sought-after apprenticeships with energy and regeneration specialist Equans.

The new recruits will work alongside experienced teams and mentors on the housing repairs and maintenance service which Equans provides on behalf of Rotherham Council.

Over the course of the contract so far, Equans has created apprenticeships for 35 local people, providing the chance to build a successful career whilst learning trades and skills to last a lifetime.

On completion of their apprenticeships, the latest new recruits – who will study at local colleges - will be qualified in fields including joinery, electrical engineering, gas and heating engineering and plumbing.

One of the new apprentices is 20-year-old George Scattergood from Wath-upon-Dearne, who said: “When I started my joinery apprenticeship, I thought I would just be shadowing my mentor, but I’ve actually been able to get really stuck in and hands-on and have learnt so many new skills already!

“Everyone at Equans has been really welcoming and I can’t wait to see what opportunities there will be in the future after the completion of my apprenticeship.”

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Neil Wright, Head of Operations at Equans, commented: “I’m incredibly proud of the apprenticeships we have created in Rotherham – leaving a legacy in the communities where we work is really important to us. Apprenticeships not only provide valuable opportunities for individuals to kickstart their careers in the construction industry, but also contribute to the long-term development and growth of the borough.

“I am excited to see our latest recruits progress at Equans and to see the positive impact they will have.”

Rotherham Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Working, Cllr Sarah Allen said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for organisations such as Equans to recruit enthusiastic employees with practical skills and relevant qualifications. For the apprentices, it is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience, learning directly from the experienced professionals at Equans, in a field they feel passionately about.”

Equans employs around 150 staff on its ten-year contract with Rotherham Council, which provides repairs, maintenance and upgrades to approximately 20,000 council-owned homes.

Equans website

Images: Equans

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News: ENGIE signs up to RNN Training's Employer Promise campaign

RNN Training Construction apprentices and students at Rotherham College and Dearne Valley College (part of the RNN Group) are set to gain career building experiences after energy and regeneration specialist, ENGIE, pledged its support to RNN Training’s Employer Promise campaign.

The Employer Promise asks businesses in the RNN Group’s communities of South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire to pledge their support and help boost the prospects of local young people. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen entry to the labour market become a real challenge, particularly for school and college leavers, because of the economic uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus crisis. An Association of Colleges study recently suggested that over half of all new entrants to the labour market will struggle to find meaningful employment.

ENGIE recently became sponsors of the college Group’s Construction Employer Academy, having pledged its support to the programme and to provide opportunities for the Group’s students and apprentices. Among its promises, ENGIE has committed to host virtual employer visits to local sites in Rotherham and Sheffield, deliver virtual talks to the Group’s students, welcome site visits and offer work experience placements to students. ENGIE has also committed to recruit ten apprenticeships in Rotherham in 2021.

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Lee Firth, Head of Learning, Development and Social Value at ENGIE, said: “Training and development play a crucial part in the prosperity of our own people, and to individuals in the communities in which we work in.

“Here at ENGIE, it is our ambition to play a strategic role in the long-term growth of Rotherham and this partnership with RNN Group is a fantastic platform to help us achieve this goal, while at the same time supporting the next generation of construction professionals.”

Recommended reading: From premium plywood to high-density fibreboard: Why strong, quality sheet materials are the foundation of resilient building

RNN Group Director of Employer Partnerships, James Godsell has worked closely with the team at ENGIE to identify opportunities for students and young people in the local community.

James said: “Having ENGIE pledge its support is absolutely fantastic. We have worked with the team at ENGIE for a little while now and they have played a big part in collaborating on our construction curriculum and have been committed to providing opportunities for our students.

“This new promise will provide even more opportunities for our students to gain really valuable insight and experience into what life is really like in the construction industry, which ultimately will help their CVs stand out and boost their career prospects when they complete their studies with us.”

RNN Training website
ENGIE website

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News: Contracts signed on £28m Rotherham housing development

A £28m housing regeneration project is making progress in Rotherham, with the signing of a contract to bring 237 energy efficient homes to the area.

Leading energy, services and regeneration specialist, ENGIE, will lead the transformation of derelict land at Whinney Hill and Chesterhill Avenue which has lain vacant for many years since the former dwellings were demolished. This much anticipated new development has had strong local support from the start and has been granted funding from Homes England, the government's housing agency.

The planning application was approved earlier this year.

ENGIE has brought together three partners to offer a mixed tenure proposition of 84 homes on behalf of Great Places Housing Group, 73 new homes for Sanctuary Homes (62 for rent and 11 shared ownership); as well as 80 homes for market rent through Wise Living.

It was originally envisaged that Sigma would be part of the scheme and be resposible for the open market homes.

The land for the development was provided by Rotherham Council as a strategic regeneration site. The development is comprised of a mix of houses, bungalows and flats – ranging from one to four bedroom – and will all feature energy efficient boilers, high levels of insulation and air tightness, and each plot will have the provision for EV charging points.

ENGIE, which has an office in Manvers, said that it will utilise a local supply chain to invest in the region's economy during the build process, as well as pledging to create apprenticeship opportunities.

David Parkes, managing director for ENGIE's Places & Communities division, said: "This is regeneration and partnership working in its truest form.  The council identified this brownfield land as a priority site to help meet local housing need, so we are delighted to bring together a range of partners to bring this vision to life. This new development will regenerate the area, offering much-needed new energy efficient homes, jobs and opportunities for local people.

"At ENGIE we are committed to helping our partners in the transition to a net zero carbon future and projects such as this help us to make significant moves towards that goal. We have a longstanding relationship with Rotherham Council and are delighted to be bringing together a dedicated team, who will bring this vision to life."

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Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, added: "I'm delighted that the Whinney Hill and Chesterhill Avenue sites will be developed to create much-needed homes in the borough. This development demonstrates what can be achieved through partnership working and I'd like to thank ENGIE for their investment in our community. This project marks a significant milestone in Rotherham's 30-year Housing Strategy – providing high quality and energy-efficient homes for local people."

Rotherham Council had previously signed a development agreement with Keepmoat that commenced in May 2014 but a start on site was not achieved within the agreed period and the legal agreement ended in 2017.

Helen Spencer, director of development at Great Places, said: "We're delighted to be working in partnership to deliver this landmark development. This project will go some way to tackling the housing crisis in the local area, providing much needed homes and transforming this derelict site into a thriving new community."

Rob Harbourne, senior development manager at Sanctuary, said: "We are delighted to be working with ENGIE, Rotherham Council and other partners to deliver this exciting project that will breathe new life into this area of Rotherham."

Mark Gratton, land & partnerships director at Wise Living, said: "We're really excited about getting underway with the proposed scheme in Rotherham which will see 237 new homes built. This is an area we feel will really benefit from quality new housing being delivered and with three partners all taking elements of the site to offer different tenures, this regeneration scheme should really meet the needs of all.

"This is our first scheme working together with ENGIE who we see as a key partner going forward in helping to deliver our ambitious aim of 2,000 decent homes and great places to live per annum, with a number of future sites in the pipeline together."

The project is expected to take approximately two years to complete.

ENGIE website

Images: ENGIE / MHA

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News: Board approval for Rotherham regeneration scheme

A planning application for a long-awaited regeneration scheme that aims to create a new housing development on vacant land at Thrybergh has gained the approval of the planning board at Rotherham Council.

Rothbiz reported in January that ENGIE had developed proposals with partners for a project for over 200 dwellings of various sizes and tenures on Council land at Chesterhill Avenue and Whinney Hill.

Local communities have been "understandably frustrated at the lack of visible progress" as Rotherham Council's development agreement with Keepmoat commenced in May 2014 but a start on site was not achieved within the agreed period and the legal agreement ended in 2017. Indeed, only four letters of objection were received which planners say is unusual for a housing development of this size.

Now plans are progressing for new affordable housing through partners and long term site managers, Sanctuary Homes (73 dwellings) and Great Places Housing (84 dwellings). Sigma, which is leading the delivery of private rented housing in the UK, will deliver 80 houses on the scheme which are set to go on the open market.

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Plans have been updated (from 239 to 237 total dwellings) and now dwellings include two and three bed bungalows, one and two bed flats, and houses ranging from three to four bedrooms in size. Each plot will be provided with an electric charging point adjacent to the driveway.

Due to site levels, there are a large amount of retaining structures proposed as a part of the site layout including retaining walls and gabion walls. A landscape buffer along Doncaster Road is proposed as are small pockets of public open space. Applicants state that 248 new trees are proposed to be planted across the site.

Richard Levin, partnerships manger at ENGIE, explained: "The proposal will bring forward the development of 237 dwellings on the two sites at Whinney Hill and Chesterhill Avenue. Both of which are currently undeveloped, brownfield sites.

"The proposal will bring forward regeneration and investment in the area. It will create a vibrant community in Thrybergh and will deliver much needed affordable housing."

With a number of conditions attached, the plans were approved by the planning board unanimously.

Backed by funding from Homes England, construction is due to start this month.

ENGIE website

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News: Revised Rotherham regeneration plans resubmitted

A planning application has been submitted for a long-awaited regeneration scheme that aims to create a new housing development on vacant land at Thrybergh.

Rotherham Council put the key brownfield sites at Chesterhill Avenue and Whinney Hill back on the market after a previous scheme with its partners, Keepmoat (know part of ENGIE) failed to materialise.

Local communities have been "understandably frustrated at the lack of visible progress" as the development agreement with Keepmoat commenced in May 2014 but a start on site was not achieved within the agreed period and the legal agreement ended in 2017.

Now ENGIE has come back in with proposals and three partners on the project which is for a total of 239 dwellings of various sizes and tenures.

The plans explain: "Great Places will provide a proportion of the affordable units and Sanctuary Homes is a housing developer that provides a range of tenures, and on this site it will provide an element of the affordable housing and all of the proposed shared ownership dwellings. Both of these development partners are registered providers of social housing.

"Sigma is leading the delivery of private rented housing in the UK and will be delivering the Private Rented Sector (PRS) element of this development. Together, these development partners will be the long-term landlords and management arm at the site."

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There are set to be 147 affordable units, 12 shared ownership and 80 private rented sector properties. The northern sections of the site is with Sanctuary, the south western portion is with Sigma and the south eastern portion is with Great Places.

Dwellings include two and three bed bungalows, one and two bed flats, and houses ranging from three to five bedrooms in size.

The development will be accessed from the three existing access points on Oldgate Lane and the levels of the sites has been one of the major constraints to overcome. Pockets of public open spaces are included in the full plans and the green buffer between the site and Doncaster Road is set to be retained.

ENGIE website
Great Places website
Sigma website
Sanctuary website

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News: ENGIE replaces Fortem on £60m Rotherham contract

Energy and services specialist ENGIE has been appointed to provide a £60m repairs and maintenance service on behalf of Rotherham Council.

The contract, which begins on 1st April 2020, will see ENGIE provide responsive repairs, adaptations, void works and estate management services to 9,800 homes across the south of the borough. In addition, ENGIE will also provide gas, mechanical and electrical maintenance work and a number of capital improvement schemes across the wider Rotherham area.

Rothbiz reported in February that the contracts were up for renewal.

Mears will continue as the main contractor delivering services in the north of the borough, as it has for the past nine and half years. ENGIE has been appointed as the new main contractor in the south of the borough, which is currently held by Fortem. Both contractors will provide a repairs service, make empty properties ready to be re-let, a caretaking service and making adaptations to homes when required.

The contract will begin with an initial duration of five years, which would be extended to a further five years dependent on high performance.

It is expected that the work programme will create more than 100 apprenticeships for local people, over the ten-year period, as well as 40 new jobs and more than 90 work experience placements for young people. ENGIE has also committed to a number of engagement opportunities with local schools, colleges and universities.

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Martin Smithurst, Divisional Chief Operating Officer at ENGIE UK, said: "We are very pleased to have been chosen to form this exciting partnership with Rotherham Council. We have a proven track record of providing an excellent repairs and maintenance service, as well as helping our partners address their housing, social value and climate emergency-related priorities, and I'm sure that this programme will be no different.

"ENGIE has a long history of working within the borough, so it's great that we can continue to do that through this partnership. We look forward to working with our partners for many more years to come to create, improve and maintain homes and places across Rotherham."

Councillor Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, added: "The repairs and maintenance delivery providers we appoint are extremely important and I am confident we have recruited an excellent partner in ENGIE with a strong track record.

"We are delighted to award one of the Council's housing repairs and maintenance contracts to a company that has shown they have the highest standards of service delivery which in turn will mean our tenants enjoy high quality accommodation. Another key factor in the tender process was that the successful companies must demonstrate how they will add social value to the community.

"We want to work with companies that give back to the communities that they work in, who promote a borough where people can grow, flourish and prosper, and strengthen the skills of the local workforce and support people into jobs."

Mears staff will continue as they are. Staff working on the current Fortem contract will be transferred under TUPE arrangements to Engie. When the new contract starts it is expected that staff will stay on existing or similar terms.

Mears website
ENGIE website

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News: Record number of guests at chamber awards night

A record number of guests came together at a glittering awards ceremony to celebrate and recognise the important contributions businesses, charities and individuals have made over the past twelve months in helping to shape the local economy.

Regarded by many as being one of the most important events on the local business calendar, the Barnsley and Rotherham Business Awards, sponsored by AAG IT Services, took place at Magna in Rotherham and saw more than 575 members of the local business community support the popular event.

Hosted by Rotherham-based actor Dean Andrews, currently appearing on award-winning TV soap Emmerdale, the event saw ENGIE secure a double award win, after securing the Commitment to People Development award, which lead to them becoming the worthy winner of the highly coveted title of Business of the Year 2019 (pictured), sponsored by Gibson Booth Business Solutions & Insolvency.

The beginning of the event saw FareShare walk away with a £3,000 donation from award sponsor Fortem, after securing the title of Charity of Year, and later in the evening securing another win for the Business Community Impact award.

The ceremony also recognised the longstanding achievements of a number of businesses with a special salute to business, which included two presentations of 100 years in business to Progress Rail Services UK Ltd and Westfield Health. Special recognition was given to Ted Lowe who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award, whilst Jonathan Morley of Secure Power Ltd was awarded the Business Person of the Year.

The awards also recognised young individuals who are taking the first steps in their career and Oliver Wilde of Engie Regeneration Ltd won the Apprentice of the Year Award, with Charles Hauge of Enzygo Ltd and Gracie Smith of Russell Richardson receiving highly commended.

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Andrew Denniff, Chief Executive of the Chamber, said: "This year's awards has seen a record number of entries, culminating in a sell out event which proved to be a memorable evening which celebrated the achievements of businesses of all shapes and sizes based in the region.

"I would like to congratulate the winners on the evening, especially our newly crowned business of the year ENGIE. The success of the event illustrates some of the truly amazing work which is being undertaken in our region, from the new and promising companies who have a bright future ahead of them to established companies who are celebrating milestone anniversaries."

The winners on the night in full:

Launchpad Most Promising New Business Award:
Winner: The Elite Wax Group
Highly Commended: Dawson Radford Solicitors
Highly Commended: Greigallen.design

Jelf Business Community Impact Award:
Winner: FareShare Yorkshire
Highly Commended: Home Instead Senior Care Rotherham
Highly Commended: Rotherham United Community Sports Trust

AAG IT Services Best Use of Technology Award:
Winner: Hogen Systems Ltd
Highly Commended: Hallam FM Cash for Kids
Highly Commended: LNS Turbo UK Ltd

Enzygo Business Growth Award:
Winner: Corrosion Resistant Materials
Highly Commended: Secure Power Ltd
Highly Commended: Wellspring Academy Trust

Masonite Apprentice of the Year Award:
Winner: Oliver Wilde – Engie Regeneration Ltd
Highly Commended: Charles Hauge – Enzygo Ltd
Highly Commended: Gracie Smith – Russell Richardson

Finance For Enterprise Marketing Campaign of the Year Award:
Winner: LensGo Visual Media
Highly Commended: Electrical Safety UK Limited
Highly Commended: No18 Interiors LTD

Brook Corporate Developments Excellence in Customer Service Award:
Winner: Amanda’s Blinds
Highly Commended: DEB Chartered Accountants
Highly Commended: Oxley & Coward Solicitors LLP

RNN Training Commitment to People Development Award:
Winner: ENGIE
Highly Commended: Bob’s Business
Highly Commended: XPO Logistics

National Fluid Power Centre Excellence in Manufacturing Award:
Winner: Charles H Coward Ltd
Highly Commended: Oracle Precision Ltd
Highly Commended: Specialised Laser Products Ltd

Rotherham Together Partnership Workplace Wellbeing Award:
Winner: British Glass
Highly Commended: LNS Turbo UK Ltd
Highly Commended: Russell Richardson

Shorts Business Person of the Year Award:
Winner: Jonathan Morley – Secure Power Ltd
Highly Commended: Mark Scanlan – LNS Turbo UK Ltd
Highly Commended: Rose Dyson – Pura Cosmetics

Charity of the Year Award, in association with Fortem:
Winner: FareShare Yorkshire
Highly Commended: Barnsley Sea Cadets
Highly Commended: YWCA Yorkshire

Salute to Business Award, in association with XPO Logistics:
AAG IT Services Ltd – 10 Years
Howells Solicitors LLP – 40 Years
Wybone Ltd – 50 Years
Metalliform Holdings Ltd – 75 Years
Progress Rail Services UK Ltd – 100 Years
Westfield Health – 100 Years

BR Awards website

Images: BR Chamber

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News: Students leave lasting legacy on new school building

Students from a Rotherham school got out their pens to leave their mark on a new multi-million-pound building which will see their names live on for many years to come.

Pupils at St Pius X Catholic School took part in a steel signing ceremony to mark the development of a £1.8m new 7,000 sq ft teaching block which is replacing an existing building on the site.

The top ten students from Year 7 and 9 were asked to write a message on an exposed section of the building's steel structure and by doing so have cemented their names in time, leaving a lasting memory of those involved. They were also given a brief overview of the project including a presentation of plans and drawings of the future building.

The new build is being carried out by energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE, who were appointed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as part of the Priority School Building Programme 2 to rebuild or refurbish school buildings most in need across the country.

The previous owners of Keepmoat, the Doncaster-based affordable housing and community regeneration specialist, sold its regeneration arm to ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm, for an estimated £330m in 2017. The regeneration team, now known as Places & Communities, is based at offices in Manvers, Rotherham and was previously Bramall Construction.

The new build consists of five new teaching rooms, a staff room and toilets. The existing building will be knocked down with the remaining space being turned into an additional play area with sporting equipment.

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The steel signing event is the first in a series of planned engagement activities which will give students an opportunity to see first-hand how their new school extension is developing.

Sean Corcoran, regional director at ENGIE, said: "Over 30 students have taken part in this historical school event and their names will live on over the generations - this will be something they will remember forever.

"At ENGIE, a development is not just made from bricks and mortar, it's about community involvement and giving those involved a chance to benefit in other ways. The work we are doing provides an exciting future for the school, its students and the local community and this ceremony is a fantastic way to celebrate and to make sure it never gets forgotten."

Sue Smith, headteacher at St Pius X Catholic High School, added: "The old building was no longer suitable and we wanted a quality teaching space for our students. The students care about the school and over the years have really looked after the rooms and equipment, so they deserve the best.

"The new building will offer an exciting learning experience with state-of-the-art equipment including a new art room and a pottery centre complete with kiln. Everyone is really excited to see the finished product."

The new building, located on Wath Wood Road, has been designed by Race Cottam Associates and is due to be completed in July 2020.

ENGIE website

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News: ENGIE appointed to extend Rotherham school

Energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE has been awarded a £1.8m construction contract at a Rotherham school.

The previous owners of Keepmoat, the Doncaster-based affordable housing and community regeneration specialist, sold its regeneration arm to ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm, for an estimated £330m in 2017. The regeneration team, now known as Places & Communities, is based at offices in Manvers, Rotherham and was previously Bramall Construction.

The contract has been awarded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to create a new 7,000 sq ft teaching block at St Pius X Catholic School in Wath.

Work began in with the existing building, which is no longer fit for use, being demolished and replaced with a new single storey block. The new building, located on Wath Wood Road, has been designed by Race Cottam Associates.

The building is the second project that ENGIE is constructing for the Department of Education across South Yorkshire, with the recent build of a £3.9m extension at St Bernard's Catholic High School, also in Rotherham.

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The work forms part of the ESFA's Priority School Building Programme 2 to rebuild or refurbish school buildings most in need across the country.

Sean Corcoran, regional director at ENGIE, said: "We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Department of Education on this scheme. This project will create a state-of-the-art new facility designed to inspire and encourage students to reach their full potential.

"We're also looking forward to working with the school to roll out a series of student engagement activities and giving them the opportunity to see first-hand how their new school extension is developing."

Sue Smith, headteacher at St Pius X Catholic High School, added: "We are delighted that work on our replacement for our SARTO House block has started and excited to see it develop over the coming months.

"We hope many of our students will have the opportunity to see aspects of the work as it progresses both as part of the careers education and as part of their futures at Saint Pius. We thank ENGIE for what has been a very smooth and professional start to the project."

The project is due to be completed in July 2020.

ENGIE website

Images: ENGIE / Race Cottom

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News: ENGIE inspiring next generation of construction talent

60 schoolchildren visited a live construction site to see the work that energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE is carrying out on behalf of Sigma Capital Group plc and Sheffield Housing Company (SHC).

The previous owners of Keepmoat, the Doncaster-based affordable housing and community regeneration specialist, sold its regeneration arm to ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm, for an estimated £330m in 2017. The regeneration team, now known as Places & Communities, is based at offices in Manvers, Rotherham and was previously Bramall Construction.

Reception students, aged four and five, from Prince Edward Primary School, made the short trip to site to see the development of 256 homes, located off Fitzherbert Road in the Manor area of Sheffield.

The event was hosted by ENGIE, with contracts manager Leigh Nurse giving the children a tour around the perimeter of the site.

ENGIE will build new homes in Manor over two phases; with 163 available for private rent through Sigma's Simple Life PRS brand; while the final 93 properties on the scheme will be managed by SHC for open market sale.

Leigh (pictured, left) said: "At ENGIE, we believe it is really important to inspire the next generation of construction talent to visit our developments, to understand the dangers of construction sites and to ask any questions they might have about the work taking place.

"We would like to thank the children, parents and teachers for visiting the development, and look forward to building on our relationship with the school in the future, along with the rest of the local community."

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Lee Catterall, project manager at Sigma, added: "With a heritage in regeneration, supporting the local community is a value held very highly at Sigma.

"Good local schools is a key factor in our location strategy and we are always looking at ways in which we can support the local community on an on-going basis, so we are really pleased that together with our partner ENGIE, we are able to welcome local schools to our sites."

Matt Sieczkarek, headteacher at Prince Edward Primary School, added: "Our youngest children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and brought learning back into the classroom. Their excitement carried on for days. As a school, we are very grateful for the opportunities to make links and forge relationships with ENGIE."

ENGIE is also building 77 new homes off East Bank Road in Sheffield on behalf of Sigma and SHC, comprised of 58 properties for private rent, and 19 for open market sale. All 333 new homes, worth a collective £43m, will complete in March 2020.

John Clephan, project director with SHC (pictured, right), said: "It was great that the schoolchildren came to find out about this significant development in their neighbourhood. Alongside building high quality homes for sale, shared ownership and rent, involving and supporting the communities in which we work is also very important and events like this are a fantastic way of doing this."

ENGIE website

Images: ENGIE

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News: Rotherham school work for ENGIE

Energy and regeneration specialist ENGIE has landed a £3.9m construction contract in Rotherham, at St Bernard's Catholic High School.

Financed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Framework the contract has been awarded to carry out the extension works on behalf of the Department for Education and The Secretary of State for Education.

TDR and Sun Capital, the previous owners of Keepmoat, the Doncaster-based affordable housing and community regeneration specialist, signed an agreement in 2017 to sell its regeneration arm to ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm, for an estimated £330m. The regeneration team, now known as Places & Communities, is based at offices in Manvers, Rotherham and was previously Bramall Construction.

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The project will see the construction of a new three-storey teaching block, creating space for 17 new classrooms to the rear of the school on Herringthorpe Valley Road, as well as the demolition of an existing classroom block. ENGIE will also expand the sports hall to create a studio for the school to offer further sports activities to pupils.

Sean Corcoran, regional director at ENGIE, said: "We are delighted to have been chosen to carry out this vital improvement work at St Bernard's and look forward to getting started on site later this year.

"We've worked extensively with the school during the tender period and we are sure that the students and staff will enjoy their new learning environment."

Siobhan Kent, principal at St Bernard's Catholic High School, said: "We are thrilled to be working with ESFA and ENGIE in order to build outstanding facilities for our students here at St Bernard's.

"It is a hugely exciting time for the school and our staff and students alike are looking forward to learning in a fantastic new environment."

Residents are being invited to a planning consultation ahead of the regeneration work on Tuesday June 12 from 4pm to 6:30pm to find out more about the project and to ask any questions.

Work will commence in November 2018.

ENGIE website

Images: ENGIE

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News: Jobs boost as Sheffield city region attracts foreign investment

Nearly 60% of all new jobs created by foreign investment in Yorkshire and the Humber last year came into the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

New figures from the Department for International Trade show that foreign investment into the SCR leapt by a massive 73% in the financial year to the end of March 2017 compared to previous 12 months.

This makes it the most successful year for international investment in the region since the SCR was created.

The Government figures, produced annually, show that there were 46 investments by foreign businesses, creating 2,308 new jobs and safeguarding another 217. Another five projects were UK-wide investments at multiple sites and the Department could not give the numbers of jobs created by region.

The successes are broken down into expansions which comprise 47% of the investment; mergers and acquisitions make up another 18%; and new investments 36%.

Yorkshire and The Humber recorded 132 investments, creating 3,872 new jobs and safeguarding another 1,079.

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The latest Government figures back up the picture painted by figures released earlier this year, compiled by the SCR, which represented the most successful year for foreign investment into the region since the SCR was established six years ago to drive economic growth and jobs.

In the Sheffield City Region, the key automotive sector attracted six projects; metals, minerals and materials five; and advanced engineering four.

Teams from the regeneration departments of the nine local authorities are supported by the region-wide SCR Trade and Investment team to work together to attract foreign companies from overseas, and others already based in the UK looking to relocate and expand.

Rachel Clark, director of trade and investment for the SCR, said: "These excellent figures are the exciting result of collaborative work with our local authority and business partners and the Department for International Trade. It's rewarding to see a team effort bringing in such fantastic returns in terms of jobs and economic growth."

Headline-grabbing investments include Amazon's fourth warehouse in Doncaster – the largest number it has in any one place in the UK, and the announcement of the creation of high-value jobs by supercar manufacturer, McLaren Automotive, and US aero giant, Boeing.

Recent foreign investments relating to Rotherham include the £330m deal that saw ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm that specialises in electricity generation and renewable energy, acquire Keepmoat's Regeneration division which includes a significant operation in Rotherham.

Earlier in the period, one of Rotherham's manufacturing success stories, Pyronix, was acquired by China's Hikvision, the world's largest supplier of video surveillance products and solutions.

In January, Rotherham manufacturing firm CMD Ltd was acquired by US firm, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, INC. for an undisclosed sum. In November, Rotherham's Envelopemaster was taken over by a rapidly expanding division of a German industrial firm, VP Group.

Last August, the global aerospace and defence company, General Dynamics, took on new office space in Rotherham for its UK-based IT business.

Also during the period, GLASSOLUTIONS, part of French multinational Saint-Gobain announced that it is restructuring its contracting business that is centrally based in Rotherham, confirming an investment of £5m and a restructure of its operating model.

SCR Invest website

Images: General Dynamics / Pyronix

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News: ENGIE completes deal for Keepmoat Regeneration

ENGIE, a leading energy and services provider, has completed the acquisition of Keepmoat's Regeneration division which includes a significant operation in Rotherham.

TDR and Sun Capital, the owners of Keepmoat, the Doncaster-based affordable housing and community regeneration specialist, signed an agreement in March to sell its regeneration arm for an estimated £330m. Completion of the transaction was conditional on anti-trust clearance, which was received from the European Commission in mid-April.

Keepmoat is the UK's leading provider of regeneration services specialising in the design, refurbishment and upgrade of buildings and places, helping to transform communities and strengthen local economies. It has an annual turnover of approximately £800m.

A regeneration team is based at offices in Manvers, Rotherham and was previously known as Bramall Construction.

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ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm that specialises in electricity generation and renewable energy, said that the transaction will enable ENGIE to offer a complementary range of services to local governments, cities and businesses across the UK and strengthen its existing network of local authority partnerships.

Wilfrid Petrie, CEO of ENGIE in the UK & Ireland, said: "With Keepmoat regeneration business we are better positioned to support local government in meeting today’s challenges and addressing the needs of their communities. The joint expertise of both companies will allow us to further expand our services for places, develop our skills in energy efficiency and also progress our delivery of the connected home. These enhanced energy and services capabilities will help us to realise our ambition to be the number one partner for cities and places in the UK."

Effective from May 1 2017, the regeneration division's infrastructure and 2,500 employees is now part of ENGIE. The business will operate as Keepmoat Regeneration.

ENGIE has been operating in the UK for over 30 years and employs 20,000 people across the country. It is one of the UK's top suppliers of electricity and gas to UK businesses, is a major independent power producer and provides a range of outsourced services to the public and private sectors over 14,000 UK sites. Earlier this month it launched its home energy business in the UK.

Keepmoat Regeneration website
ENGIE UK website

Images: ENGIE

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News: Keepmoat sells regeneration division

ENGIE, a leading energy and services provider has snapped up Keepmoat's Regeneration division which includes a significant operation in Rotherham.

Keepmoat, the Doncaster-based affordable housing and community regeneration specialist, has signed an agreement to sell its regeneration arm for an estimated £330m.

Acquired at the end of 2014 by private equity firm Sun Capital and investment funds managed by TDR Capital LLP, Keepmoat operates a regeneration team at offices in Manvers, Rotherham that was previously known as Bramall Construction.

The Keepmoat regeneration business specialises in the design, build and refurbishment of buildings and places. It has an annual turnover of approximately £800m.

With long-term relationships with more than 170 local councils and many of the largest housing associations, the business currently has a £1 billion order book and a £9 billion pipeline of regeneration opportunities across the UK.

Completion of the transaction is conditional on anti-trust clearance and is expected to take place in a few months. All 2,500 employees in the regeneration business will become part of ENGIE, a French headquartered multinational firm that specialises in electricity generation and renewable energy.

In the UK, ENGIE employs 17,000 people and is a major provider of property services and energy management, including district heating, to local authorities and businesses.

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Dave Sheridan, chief executive at Keepmoat, who will also join ENGIE, said: "The regeneration business has exciting prospects as part of ENGIE. It is very clear that ENGIE shares our belief that by working in partnership with local authorities and registered providers we can help cities and communities improve the places where people live."

Alongside the repair and refurbishment of homes and buildings, the Keepmoat regeneration business has extensive capabilities in creating zero carbon new homes, retrofitting high-rise residential accommodation and supporting the cost reduction and energy efficiency targets of community regeneration projects, such as insulation and heating solutions to on-site generation and energy consultation services.

Isabelle Kocher, ENGIE CEO, said: "The acquisition of Keepmoat is closely aligned with ENGIE's strategy and is a major step in our development in the United Kingdom. It will help the Group to accelerate its growth in customers solutions, one of its strategic priorities, and to expand our offers to cities, complementing the energy and facility management solutions that we already provide in the country.

"Today, buildings account for approximately 30% of UK carbon emissions and we are convinced that with the addition of Keepmoat's renovation expertise, we will be better able to support local authorities and cities in their transition to a lower carbon future."

Wilfrid Petrie, CEO of ENGIE in the UK & Ireland, added: "ENGIE aims to be the number one partner for cities and places in the UK and with the Keepmoat regeneration business we are extending and deepening our relationships with local authorities right across the country.

"This transaction will also support our growth ambitions for decentralised energy networks and our home energy business as the regeneration activities will bring us closer to the end customer."

Keepmoat website
Engie UK website

Images: Keepmoat

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