News: Rotherham Entrepreneur named amongst Yorkshire’s "brightest and best"

The co-founder of a Rotherham-based IT provider has been named as one of Yorkshire’s top entrepreneurs.

Louis Marcus, who runs Balliante, has been named by influential regional business publication Yorkshire Business Insider as one of Yorkshire’s top 42 entrepreneurs aged under 42 and will be presented with his award at a glittering ceremony held in Leeds this week.

Louis secured his place on the list, which celebrates the region’s ‘brightest and best’ young entrepreneurs in the region, in recognition of the growth and success Balliante has enjoyed during the past 12 months and the key role Louis has played in bringing a number of innovative new products to market.

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of Balliante’s technical development, Louis has overseen the development of several key projects, including overseeing the building and development of a purpose-built data centre, as well as developing from scratch a bespoke CRM system, aimed specifically at helping SMEs harness technology to operate more effectively.

Louis began his own business journey when he was just 18 years old, when he launched his first web-hosting business whilst still at college. After successfully selling the business, and pursuing a career in IT, Louis co-founded Balliante with business partner Craig Boddy in 2019, who was named on the prestigious list of top 42 entrepreneurs under 42 last year.

Together, Louis and Craig have overseen a significant period of growth, and today, Balliante supports a diverse range of businesses throughout the UK, Europe and the US. Last November, the company was crowned Small Business of the Year by Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, not only in recognition of the company’s impressive growth journey but also their commitment to helping business owners across South Yorkshire to forge stronger connections, creating new jobs, as well as acting as a mentor to Balliante’s growing team.

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Louis Marcus, co-Managing Director, Balliante, said: “Over the past 12 months, Balliante has been on an incredible growth journey, and being named as one of Yorkshire’s top entrepreneurs is an incredible honour. With many business owners turning to technology to improve efficiency and boost productivity, I think Balliante is well-placed to enjoy future growth and success.

"This year, we set our sights not only on growing our business but also diversifying and expanding the products and services we provide. This has seen us invest in building our own data centre, giving our customers greater flexibility, as well as investing in developing and designing our own products – most notably our bespoke customer relationship management software, which we developed specifically to support SME business owners. Being recognised in this way isn’t just a terrific moment for me personally it’s the result of the efforts of the entire team, and we’re hoping to continue building on the success we’ve enjoyed during the next year.”

Craig Boddy, co-Managing Director, Balliante, added: “When Louis and I sat at a kitchen table back in 2019, never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined that the business we decided to create would be one that is working with businesses across the world, and Louis has played a vital role in the success we’ve enjoyed.

"Over the past 12 months, Louis has immersed himself in developing some incredibly technically challenging pieces of work – from building a data centre from scratch to writing a bespoke CRM system, which I’m sure will help a wide range of business owners. Louis’ place on this year’s 42 under 42 is very well deserved, and together we’re very much looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring.”

Founded in 2019 and now based in Rotherham town centre, Balliante is a specialist IT provider that helps businesses to harness technology to boost productivity and efficiency, by managing IT systems and networks, developing web-based solutions and producing custom-built apps and software.

Balliante website

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News: instantprint celebrates landmark year with 60% growth

Fuelled by investment, innovation and a deep focus on listening to customers, Rotherham-based instantprint continues to scale rapidly, positioning itself as one of the UK’s fastest growing providers for SME print solutions.

The Manvers company has unveiled a milestone year of performance, reporting a 60% year on year increase in large format sales, the successful launch of custom stickers and eco paper bags and significant gains in efficiency thanks to AI-powered upgrades across the customer journey.

At the heart of instantprint’s success is a relentless focus on removing friction from the buying experience. Nowhere is this clearer than in the revamped proofing journey, which has seen a surge in customer satisfaction and conversion rate.

The new interface gives customers a clearer, faster and more confident approval process. And in a major step forward for accessibility, instantprint has now integrated AI-powered upscaling tools that automatically detect and enhance low-resolution artwork offering customers the option to optimise files without needing to start again or delay their order.

These changes have already contributed to measurable improvements in CVR, reduced order abandonment and a continued run of positive feedback, pushing the brand past 20,000 verified reviews on Trustpilot with an 'Excellent' average.

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Jon Constantine-Smith, Head of instantprint, said: “This has been one of the most exciting years in our history. We’ve achieved major category growth, launched products that our customers actually asked for, and used AI not to replace people - but to remove the pain points from the print journey. Everything we’ve done comes back to one focus: make great print more accessible, more efficient and more enjoyable.”

instantprint’s large format category—including banners, posters and exhibition materials — has seen a 60% sales increase, fuelled by upgraded production capabilities and next-day availability.

In 2020, the printing firm increased its total footprint at Brookfields Park by 45% to 147,000 sq ft, paving the way for their dedicated large format printing facility.

A £250,000 investment was recently made in a state-of-the-art RENZ INLINE 500 wire binding machine, responding to the surge in demand for premium products like calendars, books, and diaries.

Meanwhile, two major product launches — custom stickers and recyclable paper bags — reflect the brand’s commitment to expanding with purpose. Both ranges were curated based on direct customer feedback and are already gaining traction across retail, hospitality and events.

Mark Young, Managing Director at instantprint, added: “Every investment we’ve made, from large format hardware to AI integration, is rooted in a simple principle: listen to your customers, then make it easier for them to succeed. We’re not just growing for growth’s sake, we’re scaling smart and the results speak for themselves.”

instantprint website

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News: Rotherham IT provider secures prestigious double accolade

A Rotherham-based IT provider has been named as one of Yorkshire’s most exciting and promising businesses of 2025.

Balliante, which is headquartered in Rotherham town centre, was singled out in recognition of the company’s growth and expansion plans, both in the UK and US markets.

Compiled by influential regional business publication, Yorkshire Business Insider, the most exciting companies list highlights 50 businesses that deliver “something special” and features businesses predicted to make their mark on the regional economy during the next 12 months. Balliante is one of just two Rotherham-based businesses to make the list.

Craig Boddy, Balliante’s managing director, was also named by the publication as one of Yorkshire’s top 42 entrepreneurs aged under 42, in recognition of the growth and success the specialist IT provider has enjoyed during the past year, as well as recognising Craig’s commitment towards breaking down barriers and creating collaborative business opportunities, designed to support businesses operating in Rotherham and South Yorkshire.

The success topped off a remarkable 12 months for Balliante, which saw the business celebrate its fifth anniversary and create two new full-time jobs as well as establishing a presence in the US, through the opening of a new office in New York.

Co-founded by Craig and business partner Louis Marcus in 2020, Balliante delivers 24/7 IT support, network infrastructure management, cybersecurity, custom software development, CRM systems, as well as bespoke web design and app development.

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In November 2023, the company relocated to Rotherham town centre, transforming Furness House, a historic property built during the American War of Independence, into a state-of-the-art IT Hub.

Under Craig’s leadership, Balliante has also actively sought to foster stronger connections with Rotherham’s local business community, where the company has pioneered a number of innovative initiatives designed to break down barriers and encourage greater collaboration between businesses.

With his sights firmly set on future growth in 2025, Craig believes that as more companies adopt emerging technologies, such as AI and automation, Balliante is well-placed to help businesses, not-for-profit and public sector organisations.

Craig Boddy, Managing Director, Balliante, said: “The IT sector is incredibly competitive and to see our work recognised in this way is something I feel incredibly proud to have achieved. It’s a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone who has played a part in our growth journey to date.

"Over the past five years, our business has grown from an idea on the kitchen table to one that is creating new jobs, targeting growth and perhaps most importantly of all, helping our clients to respond to the opportunities offered through cutting edge technology.

"At the same time, we wanted to create opportunities to collaborate with and support like-minded businesses in Rotherham and South Yorkshire. We’re proud to work with organisations of all sizes, from sole traders and SMEs to blue chip companies, not-for-profits and the public sector, and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported our business so far – I’m very much looking forward to seeing what the next 12 months will bring. We’ve got exciting plans to grow our business, not just in South Yorkshire, but also to develop our presence in America."

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News: Brand-new T Level facilities at Rotherham college

A multimillion pound upgrade at RNN Group's college campus in Rotherham town centre has been completed. It has been designed to help create the next generation of skilled employees by overhauling college facilities for T Level students.

The £8m project is bolstered by government-backed capital funding, cutting-edge T Level centres have been created at RNN's Rotherham and North Notts campuses.

The latest renovations have breathed new life into the colleges’ existing spaces. These new-look learning environments have been modernised to the unique demands of the technical qualifications, featuring bespoke classrooms and hands-on learning areas.

Students need a space that gives a seamless transition to working out in the field on placement. Specialist facilities, such as a simulation clinical ward, virtual reality digital suite, high-tech hair and beauty salon, and ground-breaking construction centre, are poised to redefine the T Level learning experience.

Keith Sanderson, director of campus at Rotherham College, said that the T Level projects have been all about improving the student experience. He said: "Whenever we do any work on campus, it’s always with the mindset of ‘will it enhance learning?’ Our vision is to ensure our learners leave college as fully skilled and well-rounded tradespeople.

In return we want our learners to take ownership and responsibility for their new spaces, creating those positive behaviours that make students more employable when they leave college like time management, communication and being proactive.”

T Levels are the new era of post-GCSE learning. The two-year technical qualifications are a popular alternative to A-Levels that combine classroom learning with 45 days of work placements. One T Level is the equivalent of three A-Levels and they are assessed using a mixture of practical tasks, projects and exams.

RNN Group is diversifying its educational landscape by introducing a wide range of T Levels across its three further education colleges. T Levels are now available in areas like construction, digital, education and childcare, engineering, health, and business administration.

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In Rotherham a 12-month renovation project at the town centre campus’s Clifton Building has been the biggest project undertaken here in recent years. The £4m construction centre brings all four sub-specialisms of bricklaying, joinery, plumbing and electrical installation under one roof. Previously, the department had been split over two sites: Rawmarsh Road and the Clifton Building.

An old library has been renovated to create a two-storey multi-purpose workshop that is flexible and future-proof.

Each floor houses practical multi-use bays, with workings for bricklaying, joinery, plumbing and electrics so that our construction students can get a flavour of all areas of construction. A new lift can transport building materials up to the relevant floors.

There are breakout areas with IT resources for planning and theory work along with health, safety and welfare lessons. It has a CAD and VR suite with computer-aided design software and virtual reality technology for students interested in site surveying and construction specific drawing techniques.

In the new digital suite at Rotherham College there is a virtual reality suite, gaming room, animation studio, a green room for podcasting. The new digital suite will be used by our future web developers and software engineers who are studying T Levels in digital and digital design and production. It will also be used by students who are studying games design and development.

It also has new cyber labs for use by our cyber security HTQ students when they’re doing hands-on tasks like pentesting and digital forensics.

In the future, other departments from the Rotherham campus will be able to use the VR facilities for their courses, too.

RNN Group website

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News: AMP move for Insight Direct confirmed

Harworth, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has confirmed the letting of a recently completed, Grade-A Industrial & Logistics building at its Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, to Insight, the solutions and systems integrator.

Rothbiz reported back in 2023 that planning permission had been secured to enable Insight, a Fortune 500 IT firm, to operate from the AMP.

Focused on driving client success through digital transformation, the principal activity of the company is the provision of technology solutions including hardware, software and services to business and public sector clients.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of American firm, Insight Enterprises Inc., Insight Direct UK is a leading provider of brand-name IT to large enterprises, small to medium-sized businesses and public sector institutions, principally in the UK.

Insight has agreed a 15-year lease for the 73,000 sq ft unit, which reached practical completion earlier this month. It will serve as a major European Solutions Integration Centre for Insight, bringing together a number of operational processes under one roof, including distribution, technology lab services and agile office space.

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Insight has operated from a technology campus created in a converted former nightclub next to Sheffield Arena for over 15 years with part of the premises used as a distribution facility for the sale of IT equipment.

The integration centre's main activity is to asset tag and store client equipment during their own IT refresh. Insight's focus is around adding value to the services and solutions to their client base which includes some high profile public sector bodies such as the NHS.

Jonathan Haigh, Chief Investment Officer at Harworth Group, said: “Insight is a global leader in its field and its decision to choose Harworth’s Advanced Manufacturing Park to support its expansion plans is testament to the quality of space on offer, and appeal of the location.

"The AMP has established itself as an international centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing with its designation as part of the UK Government’s first Investment Zone, and we are proud to have played a role in its creation. We continue to focus on delivering high quality Industrial & Logistics schemes across the Midlands and the North of England in undersupplied markets where we are seeing strong demand from a wide range of businesses.”

0.2 million sq. ft. of Industrial & Logistics space has now practically completed so far this year on the AMP, a major hub for manufacturing in the UK, and home to global businesses such as Boeing and Rolls-Royce, as well as the UK Atomic Energy Authority and McLaren Automotive Composites Technology Centre.

Construction of a new 80,000 sq ft headquarters for Technicut, a specialist tool cutting manufacturer, is currently on site, with a further 0.4 million sq ft of consented developable space available at the AMP. This will be ideally suited for a range of businesses seeking to upgrade or expand their existing facilities.

Insight Direct UK website

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News: Balliante transforms historic Furness House into a hub of innovation

Balliante, a proudly Rotherham-based company, is thrilled to announce its recent move from a serviced office in the town to the stunning historic Furness House, where they will continue to specialize in IT Support, high-end bespoke Website Design and Development, Software, Hardware and their mission of "Innovating Businesses with Technology."

This significant move signifies a key milestone in their journey to bring business back to the heart of Rotherham and solidify their commitment to the local community.

Furness House, on The Crofts in Rotherham town centre, was built in 1776, and has a storied history as a solicitors practice in the 1800’s, a grand family home in the early 1900’s, as well as more recently being a bank, and an accountancy practice. Balliante’s decision to make this building their new headquarters aligns with their goal of reinvigorating Rotherham’s economy and preserving its heritage.

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Balliante has been a trusted partner in IT Support, providing cutting-edge solutions and a wide array of services, including bespoke solutions and the latest Technology. Their team of experts is dedicated to harnessing the power of technology to help businesses thrive and innovate.

“We see our move to Furness House as a symbolic step forward,” said Craig Boddy, Managing Director at Balliante. “It allows us to not only expand our company and team, but also support more businesses while embracing the rich history of Rotherham and be part of its economic resurgence. Furness House will become a hub of innovation, where we’ll continue to specialize in IT solutions and technological advancements that drive business growth.”

Balliante is committed to driving business excellence in Rotherham while providing tailored IT solutions that cater to the unique needs of local enterprises. Their new headquarters marks a significant leap forward, symbolizing a future filled with innovative possibilities.

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News: CityFibre gets to work in Wath

Work to upgrade the digital foundations in parts of North Rotherham with fast, reliable and future-proof full fibre network connectivity is now underway after CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, started construction works in the Swinton area.

CityFibre is investing £31.2m in bringing this new technology to local homes and businesses, providing them with access to a network that has been designed to serve their growing data needs for decades to come.

Locally, the rollout is being completed by Heneghan & Sons who will work closely with CityFibre and Rotherham Council to ensure any disruption is managed safely and efficiently. Typically, teams will only remain in each area for a few days at a time, and residents will be contacted ahead of any work starting.

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Charles Kitchin, CityFibre’s Partnership Manager for Wath upon Dearne, said: “I’m immensely excited and proud to see work getting underway in Wath upon Dearne as it gets ready to thrive in the digital age. It’s important to remember that any short-term disruption will pay off tremendously in the long-term - once the network’s built, it will serve the community’s connectivity needs for years to come.”

Full fibre networks use 100% fibre optics to carry data at light speed all the way from the home to the point of connection. This gives users speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps for upload and download, near limitless bandwidth and reliable connectivity.   

A full fibre connection also goes far beyond simply enabling access to the latest entertainment at lightning speed. Full fibre boosts households and businesses, with experts saying it will drive a range of economic benefits, such as making us more productive and innovative. 

Recommended reading: How do UK residents spend their time online?

When the new network goes live in Wath upon Dearne, customers will be able to access full fibre enabled services via a choice of providers, including CityFibre’s UK launch partner, Vodafone, on selected Vodafone Pro Broadband plans, TalkTalk, Zen, and Giganet with other providers expected to join the network soon.  

CityFibre began work in the borough back in 2020 after Rotherham was included in the second phase of rollouts extending CityFibre's Gigabit City programme.

CityFibre website

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News: Fortune 500 company planning to open new operation in Rotherham

Planning permission has been secured to enable Insight, a Fortune 500 IT firm, to operate from a prestigious location in Rotherham.

A solutions integrator focused on driving client success through digital transformation, the principal activity of the company is the provision of technology solutions including hardware, software and services to business and public sector clients.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of American firm, Insight Enterprises Inc., Insight Direct UK is a leading provider of brand-name IT to large enterprises, small to medium-sized businesses and public sector institutions, principally in the UK.

Insight has operated from a technology campus created in a converted former nightclub next to Sheffield Arena for over 15 years with part of the premises used as a distribution facility for the sale of IT equipment.

Harworth Group has recently secured planning permission for a large unit on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham which is proposed to be occupied by Insight Direct UK.

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On Insight's investment, the planning officer's report approving the plans explains: "In recent years, they have expanded their service line to include an ‘integration centre’ whose main activity is to asset tag and store client equipment during their own IT refresh. Their focus is around adding value to the services and solutions to their client base which includes some high profile public sector bodies such as the NHS."

Insight's Sheffield building went up for sale last year and the plans show Unit 12 as part of the R-evolution development off Whittle Way as one single 86,000 sq ft building for commercial use which includes a 70,000 sq ft warehouse on the ground floor.

The building includes B8 storage use, but it is described as "not a "traditional" storage and distribution centre as the storage is directly linked to the research and development use of the building. The hardware which is stored in the warehouse is all processed within the Integration Centre."

Insight employs 11,000+ around the globe, with Insight Direct UK having over 1,000 staff in 2022.

Contractors, Lindum, are making good progress on phase 4 of the R-Evolution development for Harworth who received outline planning permission for 242,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace on 18 acres of land at Waverley.

Rothbiz reported in May on plans for a 51,000 sq ft facility on the AMP fronting the Parkway that would house the UK headquarters and laboratory for Italian firm, Danieli.

The AMP was recently confirmed at the heart of a new South Yorkshire Investment Zone, the first in the UK.

Insight Direct UK website

Images: Harworth / Knight Frank

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News: CityFibre highlights broadband boost for borough

A new report commissioned by CityFibre, the UK’s largest independent full fibre platform, has found that Rotherham will reap major economic benefits from the roll out of a faster and more reliable full fibre network.

The study by the consultancy Hatch estimates that, over a fifteen-year period, the positive impacts of CityFibre’s £29m investment in Rotherham will include £284m in productivity and innovation gains, £62m from a widened workforce, £17m in local authority efficiency savings and £145m in increased housing value.

CityFibre confirmed a £29m investment in Rotherham in 2020. Areas on the rollout map include a large area around central Rotherham plus Aston, Catcliffe, Dinnington, Maltby, Thorpe Hesley, Treeton, Wales and Wath upon Dearne.

Network construction is also predicted to create new jobs within CityFibre’s build partners and supply chain, which will also generate a boost in economic value as most will be recruited locally to support the rollout.

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Hybrid and flexible working, supported by full fibre access at home and in the office, is also unlocking access to a larger pool of talent for employers. In Rotherham this widening of the workforce is expected to unleash £62m in benefits while the productivity boost enabled by flexible working is estimated to exceed £16m.

Technological benefits are also a major focus of the report, which demonstrates that CityFibre’s network in Rotherham will help unlock £675m in growth value from 5G services, £259m from the Internet of Things and £119m from Smart City initiatives, like intelligent traffic management systems and street lighting.

The UK, as a whole, stands to benefit from over £38bn in potential economic benefits. Productivity improvements and innovation are responsible for the largest impact, contributing more than £22bn in economic value nationwide. Faster and more reliable digital connectivity boosts business productivity and innovation, increasing turnover and contributing to the formation of new businesses and business models.

Natalie Ward, Area Manager for Rotherham at CityFibre, said: “We are extremely proud of how our full fibre rollout is progressing in Rotherham. Full fibre has far-reaching benefits, encouraging growth while simultaneously providing the platform needed for innovation and investment. The report demonstrates this, as well as the tangible benefits full fibre can bring, and I look forward to witnessing the positive impact on Rotherham’s residents and businesses in the years to come.”

CityFibre website

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News: Digital Innovation Grant scheme re-opens

Rotherham businesses are being invited to apply for grant funding designed to help companies in the region embrace new forms of digital technology and drive growth.

The Digital Innovation Grant scheme will provide eligible businesses in South Yorkshire with grant funding worth between £1,000 and £5,000 to match fund digital projects worth up to £10,000. Fifty percent of the project costs will be funded by the grant, which can be used to help businesses overcome barriers to growth by embracing digital technology.

Following previous funding calls, which saw over 100 businesses successfully receive a grant towards their digital project. Designed specifically to help businesses exploit new forms of digital technology, the scheme aims to help firms access new markets, promote their products and services more effectively as well as embrace new ways of working.

The closing date for applications is Friday 13th May, and the scheme is open to Small and Medium Sized businesses (SMEs) based in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. Full application guidance and examples of eligible projects can be found on the scheme’s website.

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Since its launch in August 2021, the Digital Innovation Grant funding has helped over 100 SMEs across South Yorkshire to access nearly £370,000 in grant funding. The programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Enterprising Barnsley, part of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Anna Smith, Senior Programme Manager, Enterprising Barnsley, said: “The way businesses embrace new forms of technology can often be transformational, resulting in new ways of working, stimulating growth and acting as a catalyst towards driving positive change.

"We are looking to support businesses in South Yorkshire that are embarking upon new digital projects to harness technology in new and innovative ways. The grant scheme supports a wide range of businesses including sole traders and home-based businesses.

"Examples of projects that have successfully benefitted from the Digital Innovation Grant scheme have included the creation of new client relationship management systems, software development, as well as helping businesses to adapt to remote working. The key to making a good application is providing a strong business case, as well as illustrating how technology will help to overcome the challenges currently being faced.”

The Digital Innovation Grant will operate until the 31st December 2022, with future application rounds set to take place in July, September and November 2022, subject to available funding.

Digital Innovation Grants website

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News: Rotherham-based services provider targets £30m milestone

A Rotherham based specialist business services provider is on track to see its turnover increase from £22m to £30m over the next three years, after securing grant funding from the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme.

Elecomm, which is headquartered at Beighton Link Business Park, delivers electrical, mechanical, data and IT support to businesses across the UK.

It counts over 130 colleges across the UK, major retailers including Asda and Ikea, as well as some of the UK’s best known construction companies amongst its growing client base.

Following the launch of a new dedicated facilities management division earlier this year, the company realised many of the systems and procedures it had relied upon since its inception in 2003 were no longer fit for purpose.

Today, the business employs more than 150 sub-contractors working both across the UK and Europe, as well as managing its own warehouse operations and overseeing a fleet of 40 vehicles.

With an increasingly complex business model, the company reached out to the South Yorkshire Business Productivity Programme to access the support needed to identify more effective ways of working.

Working with key account manager, Claire Green, a match funded grant was secured to help Elecomm invest in business consultancy support to undertake a comprehensive review of its business operation.

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All aspects of the company were placed under the microscope, scrutinised and reviewed, helping it to identify more effective ways of working, as well as highlighting skills shortages within its existing workforce.

Elecomm is now investing in new technology to support more collaborative working across the business.

The company has also embarked upon a significant recruitment campaign, which it hopes will create a number of new roles within the business.

John Hamilton, supply chain director at Elecomm, said: “We’ve enjoyed a significant period of growth in recent years, not only in the UK but also working across a number of international markets.

“It’s been a period that has seen us target new markets and services, as well as investing in the training and development of our staff.

“We knew the changes we wanted to make to the business would not happen overnight, and the support we have been able to access as a result of the Business Productivity Grant is helping us to build on our strengths, identify weaknesses in our business model and implement the changes we knew we needed to make to help us achieve future growth.

“As a direct result of the support we’ve received, we’re on course to achieve our growth target of £30m as well as helping us to develop clear succession plans for the business as we continue to create new skilled jobs within the local economy.”

Recommended reading: Why AI, Blockchain, and Automation Are Reshaping UK Business

Claire Green, Key Account Manager at RiDO said: “In recent years, Elecomm has launched a number of new services; however, the company recognised that as the business grew, it needed to embrace new working methods.

“The support provided through the Business Productivity Grant has enabled Elecomm to consolidate and identify new ways of working.

“It has also helped the company’s management team access the specialist support needed to underpin future growth by improving communications across the business as well as overcoming skills barriers in its workforce.

“It’s great to see the steps they have implemented are already helping the company to reap dividends.”

The Business Productivity Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and provides businesses with 50% grant funding up to a maximum of £12,499, and the other 50% must be provided by the business.

The maximum project application is £24,999 and can include investment in new equipment or machinery and consultancy services to help them overcome barriers to growth.

The scheme is delivered by Enterprising Barnsley, Business Sheffield, Business Doncaster and Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO).

Elecomm website
RiDO website

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News: End of the line for Rotherham broadband firm

Rotherham-based Origin Broadband has become part of TalkTalk following a sale after the telecoms business crashed into administration.

Launching in 2011, Origin developed its own infrastructure and hosted the sixth largest broadband network in the UK. Supplying phone and internet services to businesses and homes across the UK (with around 70,000 customers), it had premises in Rotherham town centre.

Gareth Harris and Jamie Miller of RSM Restructuring Advisory were appointed as joint administrators on September 24 2021.

A deal has been struck for Origin's customers, and around 100 staff, to move over to TalkTalk, the UK's leading value for money consumer and B2B telecoms provider, which is based in Salford.

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Originally based in Doncaster, Origin relocated with much fanfare to Manvers in Rotherham in 2018. Having posted a full year loss to March 31 2018 of £7m, funding of £6.75m was secured from investors during and after the financial year to return the business "to a positive net asset position combined with increased cash funds."

Hit by high costs and bad debts, directors were then forced to secure a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with its creditors in order to keep trading and the firm moved its address to the Old Town Hall in 2019.

Gareth Harris, RSM restructuring advisory partner and joint administrator, said: "In a very competitive market Origin had built a substantial customer base, which resulted in considerable interest in the business. It is therefore pleasing to announce the sale to a larger competitor ensuring continuity for Origin's customers and staff."

Last year, Origin directors established Consumer Choices Ltd at Manvers - a "comparison partner" for broadband and energy deals in the UK.

Origin Broadband website

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News: First Rotherham residents experience Full Fibre benefits as CityFibre project progresses

Rotherham’s Full Fibre network rollout has reached another milestone, with the first residents now connected.

CityFibre is investing £29m to bring the fastest and most reliable digital connectivity to the town. Construction work began in July 2020 and, once complete, the network will be within reach of almost every home and property in Rotherham.

The network is now completed in parts of Kimberworth, Bradgate and Deepdale, with the first customers now live and able to access gigabit-capable internet services. The first ISP to offer services on Rotherham’s CityFibre network is purebroadband.

Adam Roebuck, the first resident to sign-up for purebroadband’s gigabit-speed broadband, said: “I’ve probably got the fastest broadband in Rotherham and I love it. When I first heard CityFibre were building a new broadband network across the city, I couldn’t wait. I registered my interest on the CityFibre website and even sent a few emails just to ask about when it might be coming.

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“I’m over the moon with the speed and reliability of the service as my previous 4Mbps connection struggled to manage multiple devices, especially at peak times. I went with the 200Mbps upload and download service and even with all nine of my devices connected I have never dropped under 190Mbps!”

Natalie Ward, City Manager at CityFibre, added: “I was so pleased for Adam when I heard he was going to be our first customer in Rotherham. He immediately recognised how transformational a Full Fibre connection can be and so it’s fantastic that he is now reaping the benefits.

“People just can’t believe how much faster it is, both for downloading and uploading, and what they are set to gain from the increased reliability.”

As progress continues, CityFibre is committed to keeping local businesses and residents fully up to date on plans for each community, as well as highlighting the benefits that access to full fibre will bring to all.

CityFibre website

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News: Openreach adds Rotherham to Ultrafast Full Fibre Broadband plan

Parts of the Rotherham borough are all set to benefit from Openreach's national upgrade plan, with the majority of premises gaining access to the latest Ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband.

Adding 551 more towns and cities – covering some 5 million homes and businesses – the move is part of the company's £15 billion programme.

Last year Rothbiz reported that Openreach had confirmed that market towns and villages in Rotherham are in for a full fibre boost - with exchanges in Wickersley and Thurcroft set to be upgraded has part of plans to target the UK's hardest to reach "final third."

Openreach has now updated its FTTP plans for Fibre First Towns, Cities and Boroughs and Market Towns and Villages Build Programme.

Openreach’s updated build plan will be fundamental to the UK Government achieving its target of delivering ‘gigabit capable’ broadband to 85% of UK by 2025 and it follows an extended investment commitment by its parent, BT Group – which means the company will now build Full Fibre technology to a total of 25 million premises, including more than six million in the hardest-to-serve parts of the country by the end of 2026.

The maps show that some areas in the south of the borough, such as Waverley, Treeton and Swallownest, are expected to have a full fibre network built by 2024.

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Central areas including Templeborough, the town centre, Eastwood, Moorgate, Herringthorpe, Brinsworth, Catcliffe and Whiston, are expected to have a full fibre network built by 2025.

Over in the east, areas such as Wickersley, Hellaby and Thurcroft, are expected to have a full fibre network built by 2026.

Areas in Rotherham not yet included in Openreach's plans include Swinton, Rawmarsh, Greasbrough, Kimberworth, Dalton, Thrybergh, Maltby, Aston and Dinnington.

Following a competitive tender process, partners Telent Infrastructure Services and MAP Group Ltd, were chosen by Openreach to support the upgrades and will play a crucial role in building the new network to thousands of premises in these locations.

Robert Thorburn, Openreach’s regional director for the North, said: “Nobody in the UK is building full fibre faster, further or at a higher quality than Openreach. We’re reaching more communities than ever and our team of highly-skilled engineers, alongside our build partners, are working hard to deliver some of the fastest and most reliable broadband available anywhere in the world.

“Just last month we announced dozens of rural and hard to reach locations across Yorkshire and the Humber were to benefit, so it’s great that we’re able to reveal another huge broadband boost for the region with these additional locations."

Ric Welsby, Managing Director of Telent Infrastructure Services, said; “We are very pleased to be supporting Openreach in the build of this ultrafast and ultra-reliable full fibre broadband network. The long-term contracts we have been awarded allow us to recruit the people we need to provide an excellent service to Openreach. We have many exciting roles to fill, I would encourage anyone who is interested in working on this important national infrastructure project to visit our website.”

Sarb Singh, Director of Operations, Map Group (UK) Limited, said: "MAP Group (UK) is delighted to be working alongside Openreach. We share a common goal to build the best possible network with the highest quality of service and connectivity to householders and businesses.

"The upgrade will vastly improve download speeds and the quality of video calls and streaming. We are proud to be associated with what is being seen as significant step on the road back to economic recovery after the Covid lockdown."

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News: CityFibre extends reach

CityFibre has identified 216 additional towns and villages that are to benefit from a Full Fibre rollout, completing the list of locations in its £4 billion nationwide investment programme.

CityFibre's Gigabit City programme has already reached Rotherham.

The leading designer, builder, owner, and operator of fibre optic infrastructure in UK towns and cities provides an alternative to BT Openreach.

CityFibre confirmed last year that a £29m investment in the borough would start in the Kimberworth area.

The latest build plans show the majority of Rotherham in CityFibre's phase 1, with Aston, Catcliffe, Dinnington, Kilnhurst, Kiveton Park, Maltby, Swinton, Thorpe Hesley, Treeton, Wales and Wath in phase 2.

The scale of CityFibre’s rollout has been made possible by the favourable regulatory environment established by Ofcom to encourage infrastructure competition, making it quicker and easier to deploy Full Fibre networks. It is expected that Ofcom’s imminent market review will support competition in the sector as the key to investment as industry accelerates to meet Government’s 2025 target.

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The nationwide build programme is expected to be substantially completed by 2025 and will address approximately a third of the UK market including up to 8 million homes, 800,000 businesses, 400,000 public sector sites and 250,000 5G access points. This will make it the largest independent Full Fibre platform in the country.

CityFibre’s strategic partners Vodafone, TalkTalk and Zen are already targeting the rapidly expanding footprint and a growing number of regional and local ISPs are offering affordable, reliable and symmetrical gigabit-speed Full Fibre broadband.

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Greg Mesch, CEO at CityFibre said: "We’re delighted to welcome so many new towns, villages and communities to our Full Fibre rollout programme. By 2025, our world-class digital infrastructure will be within reach of nearly a third of the UK market, connecting homes, businesses, schools and hospitals, and supporting 5G mobile networks. This is clear proof of the benefits of digital infrastructure competition.

“We have seen huge enthusiasm and early success from our ISP partners, both large and small. Together we’re maximising the potential of a new infrastructure build programme to stimulate demand and drive take-up. Building the network is the first step. It’s only through the use of this world-class Full Fibre infrastructure that we can derive the maximum benefit for our economic recovery and future success.”

CityFibre website

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News: Virgin Media launches 5G services in Rotherham

Virgin Media has launched 5G, offering its customers the latest mobile technology, and Rotherham is one of the first places in the UK to get it.

With average speeds of 176.62Mbps, which is around 4.5 times faster than its average 4G speeds, Virgin Media’s 5G service is available to customers on a range of fast and flexible plans, including SIM Only and Pay Monthly, at no extra cost. Virgin Media’s broadband customers will also be able to choose a 5G plan.

Virgin Media has now launched 5G services in 100 towns and cities – with more to follow.

5G is a term used to describe the fifth generation of mobile communications technologies. It is a wireless connectivity solution that will enable thousands of users to get online, all at once, and all benefit from ultrafast speeds. It is the closeness of the transmitters, unlike 4G where they are far apart, that will create an "always on" connectivity.

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Rival operators, EE and O2 switched on 5G in Rotherham last year and Vodafone's 5G service is also available in the borough.

In fact, Virgin Media’s 5G services use the Vodafone network and the recent launch is a major milestone in its partnership with the company which was first announced in 2019.

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Jeff Dodds, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media said: “The launch of 5G is a milestone moment for us. As the world’s first virtual mobile operator, our offering has long been about breaking boundaries and offering our customers a premium service without the price tag. That’s why we’re launching fast, reliable 5G connectivity at no extra cost while keeping the added extras of our existing mobile plans in place.

“By offering 5G and gigabit broadband all under one roof, Virgin Media customers can experience next-generation connectivity both in and out of the home, putting them in a great place to take advantage of the latest technology.”

Virgin Media website

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News: AESSEAL plc donates £400,000 to Laptops for Kids campaign

AESSEAL plc has donated £400,000 to Laptops for Kids - enough funding to supply connectivity to every disadvantaged child in South Yorkshire and kickstart the campaign in its home town of Rotherham.

The charitable organisation will use £300,000 to supply refurbished laptops to 1,500 households across the metropolitan borough, meeting around half of the estimated need in Rotherham.

The remaining £100,000 will be used to buy dongles for connecting 10,000 households to the internet, meeting the estimated total need across South Yorkshire.

AESSEAL is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of mechanical seals and support systems. The company operates from 230 locations across the world and is headquartered at Templeborough.

Chris Rea, managing director, said: “At AESSEAL, we believe in being a good neighbour, partner and useful member of the communities in which we live and work.

“Our donation is an investment in young people across Rotherham and South Yorkshire - we will need their ideas and energy to tackle the global challenges facing our planet.”

Mr Rea added that 3i Group, a leading institutional investor with a significant minority shareholding in AESSEAL, has enthusiastically supported the decision.

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Technology entrepreneur David Richards, co-founder of the Laptops for Kids campaign, said: “Huge thanks to AESSEAL for this powerful expression of support, which will help thousands of children to access remote learning during the pandemic.

“This should be a clarion call to businesses everywhere to support our campaign and make sure every child has safe access to the internet so they can fulfil their potential.”

Cllr Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, added: “This is a tremendous gesture from AESSEAL which befits their commitment to our local community, and expanding opportunities for local people. I want to offer my personal thanks to Chris and his team.

“I’m really pleased that the council is able to work alongside them and our schools to ensure that more IT equipment will get to the children who will most benefit from it.

“In what has been the most awful year, this is another example of how our community comes together to look after each other and overcome the challenges that we face.”

The estimated need for laptops and dongles is based on detailed survey data supplied by Sheffield schools and extrapolated across Rotherham and South Yorkshire.

Laptops for Kids launched in Sheffield in September and has proved its model of sourcing donations, securely erasing devices and distributing them according to need.

The campaign is scaling up across the North of England and has launched in Newcastle and Doncaster with more locations to follow.

Partners include Blancco plc, the global leader in certified data erasure, Twinkl, the online educational publisher, and WANdisco plc, the data software company jointly headquartered in Sheffield and Silicon Valley.

AESSEAL website
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News: Engineering experts launch tech venture to help businesses improve capability

New software dubbed the ‘Fitbit for manufacturing’ has been developed by FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, a new tech start-up that has grown out of the University of Sheffield’s globally recognised Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

This new Manufacturing Execution System, which is now being tested with Yorkshire companies, will help UK manufactures improve shop floor productivity by unlocking Computer Numerical Control (CNC) data and insights that can be turned into actionable information.

FourJaw began as a research project with financial support from the Royal Academy of Engineering and is the brainchild of AMRC Commercialisation Manager Chris Iveson and Machining Project Engineer Robin Hartley.

The team has worked with Sheffield based technology company The Curve who has increased the product usability by developing an app to present the data.

Chris Iveson, Founder and CEO of FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics said: “Many manufacturing companies are struggling to understand what is happening on their shop floors because performance is difficult to measure in any detail.

“This is why we have developed our offering as ‘software-as-a service’ which will mean firms adopt accessible data without a huge upfront cost.”

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Robin Hartley, Founder and CTO of FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics added: “It’s common to find average machine utilisations of around 50% across all machines on a manufacturer’s shop floor, which makes locating a troublesome component on an individual machine a difficult task.

“The system which we have developed is a massive opportunity to augment the technical excellence of UK manufacturers with the world-beating productivity that modern technology enables.”

Paul Ridgway, CEO of The Curve added: “Productivity in the current market is key to the viability of any business, helping free up resource, lower costs and ultimately beat competitors.

“The analytic solutions FourJaw are providing are incredibly important and it’s been fantastic to help make this accessible to the market and to help them in their journey of establishing their business.”

The AMRC’s Deputy Head of Digital, Jon Bray, says: “This is a beautiful example of what can happen when digital meets manufacturing. You can only get this kind of breakthrough when you bring really, really good software guys into close collaboration with really detailed engineering knowledge to interpret what the software is telling you. Sheffield has both these skill sets in spades.”

FourJaw website
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News: £5m investment to boost the growth of South Yorkshire's tech sector

Innovative tech entrepreneurs across South Yorkshire are set to benefit from a £5.9m project to turbocharge the region's business support and investment provision.

The TEAM SY project has been set up to connect with existing business support services in the region and to expand, enhance and extend the collective impact of their work.

Start-up experts Capital Enterprise, in partnership with Barnsley Council, will lead on the project working collaboratively with business support providers, universities, co-working spaces and other partners in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Darren Balcombe of Capital Enterprise said: “We are very excited about working with everyone in South Yorkshire to help expand and improve the existing business support and investment ecosystem – and bring new resources and expertise into the mix.”

TEAM SY, which stands for Tech Ecosystem Acceleration and Market-making in South Yorkshire is backed by £3,543,766 from the ERDF England Programme, designed to support economic growth in the regions.

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The project will run for three years and aims to help digital and tech businesses explore new ideas and markets, set-up or scale-up their tech companies and create up to 200 high-value jobs in the process. A key objective will be to help entrepreneurs gain financial backing for their enterprises, attracting over £20m in private investment to the region.

Darren said: “Our mission is to help new and early stage South Yorkshire businesses take best advantage of what support is already available to them and to identify and invest in the regional strengths such as IOT, Advanced manufacturing, Movement technologies and Digital health for example.

“On top of that we want to shine a light on the region so that it becomes renowned as a great place to set up, grow and invest in a successful tech business. We want that beacon to attract entrepreneurs, start-ups and funders from around the world to South Yorkshire.”

TEAM SY leaders will soon be based at Sheffield Technology Parks, on Arundel Street, Sheffield and the DMC 01 hub, on Barnsley’s The Seam digital campus.

Councillor Tim Cheetham, Barnsley Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture said: “We look forward to welcoming the Capital Enterprise team to South Yorkshire and seeing their energy, enthusiasm and expertise have a significant impact on the region’s digital and tech business community.

“A thriving and innovative tech industry is recognised as a tremendous driver for wider economic growth in an area too as it can help larger employers embrace digital technology, improve productivity and adapt to changing markets and customer demands too.

“The TEAM project is a really fantastic investment in our region’s award-winning tech business support infrastructure at this time.”

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News: Rotherham tech firm in jobs drive

On the back of another record-breaking year, Rotherham-based Gala Technology, the innovative development team behind the card data protection solutions system, SOTpay, has announced exciting expansion plans as they look to expand their team with nationwide opportunities.

Having won a multitude of industry awards, the Manvers firm has enhanced their glowing reputation, as they look to provide businesses of all shapes and sizes, with cost effective, secure card payment technologies.

Cloud based, secure and PCI DSS compliant, SOTpay is a unique payment transfer system which uses a series of rigorous card and customer checks to prevent fraudulent transactions from taking place.

SOTpay is designed to secure mobile payments by directly sending a link to the cardholder via email or text. The software enables merchants to check the payment process step-by-step in real-time.

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Fraud related chargeback is a big issue for online retailers. Losses to payment card fraud have risen to £671m in the UK.

Jason Mace, chairman of Gala Technolog, said: "Gala Technology demonstrated exceptional growth in 2019, as more and more organisations look to protect their customers sensitive card information, whilst protecting themselves from the ever-growing threat of fraud related chargebacks and reducing cost and risk.

"Working in conjunction with industry partners, we are now looking to expand our team and services to include other merchant services across a whole host of channels and create 50 jobs with exciting nationwide opportunities offering uncapped commissions and flexible working options."

Gala Technology website

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