York Science Park tenant secures UK-first bioscience tech
York Science Park tenant Swift Analytical Ltd has installed the UK’s first CytoStellar spectral flow cytometer at the University of York’s Bioscience Technology Facility. Swift Analytical, which has seen significant growth over the past 12 months, is the exclusive UK distributor for the manufacturer, Challenbio Ltd.

The new system provides advanced analytical capabilities, allowing researchers to study cell characteristics with unprecedented precision. Dr Mebs A Surve, founder of Swift Analytical, praised the "support and flexibility" of the Science Park team in facilitating the milestone. The installation is being viewed as a significant boost for the region's biotech sector, reinforcing York’s reputation as a global hub for life sciences and high-tech research innovation.



Czajka Care Group celebrates qualification milestone
A team of 33 professionals from the West Yorkshire-based Czajka Care Group have successfully achieved their Care Certificates, a nationally recognised standard in the health and social care sector. The cohort included 29 staff members from Staveley Birkleas Nursing Home in Nab Wood and four from Currergate Nursing Home in Steeton.

To earn the qualification, employees completed 16 mandatory standards—including safeguarding, infection control, and dementia awareness—facilitated through the group's dedicated training centre in Saltaire. Managing Director Konrad Czajka noted that the investment in professional development is central to the family-run firm’s strategy, which also supports staff in progressing toward nursing degrees and higher-level diplomas. This focus on internal career pathways aims to tackle broader sector challenges by improving staff retention and ensuring high-quality, safe care for residents across the region.



Grant Thornton opens sustainable Leeds headquarters
Professional services firm Grant Thornton UK has formally opened its new Leeds office at City Square House, relocating to a 9,974 sq ft flagship space on the building’s 7th floor. The move to the prime city-centre site, adjacent to Leeds station, follows the building’s completion by McAleer & Rushe and underscores the firm’s commitment to the regional economy.

The new office is housed within a development noted for its environmental credentials, including a BREEAM "Excellent" rating and a fully electric power system. The relocation coincides with the January 2026 appointment of Douglas Tailby as Partner in the Private Capital Tax practice. Dan Dickinson, Leeds Practice Lead, described the move as a "vote of confidence" in the city, providing a future-focused environment to support a growing portfolio of financial and industrial clients across Yorkshire.



Otley’s Apollo3D reports surge in ‘digital twin’ demand
Yorkshire-based digital capture specialist Apollo3D has reported a 30% year-on-year increase in demand for its "digital twin" technology. The Otley firm, which creates exact virtual replicas of physical sites, is seeing its tools become essential for large-scale estate management and carbon reduction.

Clients including the NHS, Marks & Spencer, and the Environment Agency are using the technology to conduct remote site inspections, reducing the need for carbon-heavy travel and ensuring "first-time fix" maintenance. Mark Shepherd, director of Apollo3D, noted that the technology is no longer a futuristic concept but a "day-to-day necessity" for meeting ESG targets. A partnership with Primark has already saved the retailer hundreds of thousands of pounds by streamlining surveys across its European store network.



Nominations open for second Pride in Diversity Awards
Nominations have opened for the second annual Pride in Diversity Awards, which celebrate individuals and organisations championing inclusion across Yorkshire. Co-founded by LGBTQ+ advocate Matt Jameson, the awards aim to recognise those "selflessly working to build a fairer society" while boosting funding for essential regional services.

The 2026 judging panel features returning judges broadcaster Stephanie Hirst and author Jono Lancaster, alongside last year’s "Public Figure of the Year" winner, Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones Buchanan MBE. Categories cover a broad spectrum, including grassroots charities, corporate CSR teams, and individual diversity champions. The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday 18 June 2026 at the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds. Previous recipients include Leeds Pride and former Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan CBE, highlighting the event's role in connecting the region’s business and community leaders.



Refurbishment elevates flagship Leeds office
The landmark 9 Bond Court office building in central Leeds has completed a £3 million investment programme aimed at modernising its facilities and improving its environmental standing. The Grade A building, which spans over 68,000 sq ft, serves as a hub for major professional firms including Knight Frank, Carter Jonas, and Lambert Smith Hampton.

The most recent phase of works focused on "end-of-journey" amenities, including a refurbished underground car park and upgraded shower and changing facilities. To meet modern ESG requirements, the building has transitioned to a green energy provider and is installing electric heating and cooling systems to achieve an EPC B rating. Elizabeth Ridler, partner at Knight Frank, noted that the investment has already secured lease renewals from occupiers LSH and RSA, with 23,100 sq ft of space currently remaining for new tenants.



Master Cutler’s Challenge launches to fund MRI simulator
The 2026 Master Cutler’s Challenge has launched in Sheffield to support Weston Park Cancer Charity’s ‘see it. treat it.’ appeal. The initiative, led by Master Cutler Professor Keith Jackson, provides businesses and schools with £50 in seed funding to grow through entrepreneurial fundraising by September.

Proceeds will help secure a £1.85m MRI simulator for the Weston Park Cancer Centre, enhancing radiotherapy precision and survival rates. Professor Jackson noted the "ground-breaking" technology is vital for timely diagnosis. Since its inception, the challenge has become a cornerstone of South Yorkshire’s corporate social responsibility calendar.