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Change at the helm for huge Hull family firm Arco as new CEO welcomed

2025-04-17 14:38:34 By

David Evison, left, has retired as managing director of Arco, with Guy Bruce appointed as chief executive.

One of Hull’s largest and longest standing companies has undergone a change of leadership.

Arco managing director David Evison has retired, with Guy Bruce taking on the role of chief executive of th esafety specialist. He arrives from Equans, the broad technical, facilities management and energy services operator, having previously worked for building materials distributor SIG Plc.

It comes with the award-winning fifth generation family-owned business recently completing its move into a new £16 million headquarters on the Fruit Market. The company was also at the centre of the PPE response to Covid, with its new £30 million Hull-based national distribution centre put to immediate high volume use, despite well-documented clashes with government over procurement.

Read more: Leading Hull businessman Dr Paul Sewell OBE takes the chair at KR

Thomas Martin, chairman of the £390 million turnover business, said: “I am pleased to confirm that we have appointed a new chief executive officer, Guy Bruce, to help lead Arco in the next stage of the company’s growth. Guy joined the company on December 1, and the board and I are looking forward to welcoming him into the business. He brings with him a wealth of experience from the industry, with significant achievements in delivering transformative growth across distribution, retail, service and manufacturing businesses, domestically and internationally, within both private and public companies.

“In this new role, Guy will develop Arco’s strategy, accelerating activities which are already delivering growth and driving additional returns on recent significant investments to further enhance customer relationships and experience.”

Mr Evison, a former Sainsbury’s and William Jackson Food Group executive, arrived at Arco in 2014 as finance director, taking the MD role in 2018. He had advised earlier in the year he was to step down, allowing for succession planning. Huge advancements in infrastructure completed, with Mr Evison welcoming Princess Anne to the opening of the distribution centre when Covid measures allowed.

Mr Martin said: “David Evison, our managing director, retired on November 30, and I would like to say how grateful the board, the business and the family are for everything he has done for the business in his eight years here. We wish him a long, healthy, happy and well-earned retirement.”

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Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

Search on for CEO to head up Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership earning up to £80k

The search is on to find a chief executive to head up the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). The position has been vacant since Mandip Rai left the public/private sector organisation in March, with long-standing LLEP employee Sue Tilley heading up the LEP in the Interim. Her position was created on a temporary basis because of questions over the future of LEPs under County Deal devolution plans. The board has decided the time is now right to find a permanent CEO and Leicester City Council, the LLEP’s accountable body, has started a recruitment process working with LLEP co-chairs Anil Majithia and Andy Reed OBE. Mr Majithia said: "We are grateful to Sue for accepting additional leadership responsibilities earlier this year and her work with directors and officers in recent months as we continue to deliver projects on the priorities of our Economic Growth Strategy. "However, it’s clear that it could be some time yet before a clear picture emerges on local devolution, therefore a more permanent LLEP leadership solution is required.” LLEP directors expect the CEO role will continue even were a devolution agreement to be reached in the near future between the city and county councils and government.

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

Leicestershire MPs urge Transport Secretary to stand in way of plans for huge Rail Freight Hub

Two Tory MPs have asked Transport Secretary Mark Harper to stand in the way of plans for a vast rail freight hub in the Leicestershire countryside. South Leicestershire MP and his Hinckley and Bosworth counterpart Luke Evans fear the 440 acre development will have a huge impact on the local countryside and roads. Tritax Symmetry wants to build the £550 million Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange between the tiny village of Elmesthorpe and Hinckley. The terminal would have a daily capacity to accommodate up to 16 trains measuring almost half a mile long. There would also be a new slip road onto junction 2 of the M69. The developer says the site could contribute an estimated £316 million to the economy each year and generate around £24.65 million of annual business rates. It has said it could eventually create 8,400 jobs. The buildings would go up on fields south of the existing Leicester to Hinckley railway track and to the west of the motorway. There would be new sidings and freight transfer facilities on a 34 acre plot alongside the track – which is part of Network Rail’s ‘F2N’ freight route between Felixstowe and Nuneaton. A development consent order – a kind of planning application for what is considered a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ – will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State next year. Alberto Costa – the MP for South Leicestershire where the site would be located – has previously raised the plans in Parliament, and has been supported by Bosworth MP Dr Luke Evans, whose constituency borders the site. Their letter to the Secretary of State expresses concern over the rail hub’s environmental impact on nearby Burbage Common, a site of Special Scientific Interest, the site’s effect on local roads, and the potential disruption for passenger train services at nearby Narborough station. Both MPs have also surveyed their constituents in South Leicestershire and Bosworth seeking local views on the rail hub’s impact, with Mr Costa planning a further survey in the New Year. Mr Costa said: “As I have mentioned in Parliament previously, the sheer size and scale of the proposed Rail Hub could have a hugely detrimental impact on our local environment and infrastructure in this part of Leicestershire, and therefore the Government needs to be made aware of the considerable concerns my constituents, and those in Bosworth, have over these plans before taking any decisions.” Dr Luke Evans said: “Following news that Tritax have concluded the consultation into the viability of a Rail Freight Interchange in Hinckley I have also written to the developers to request a list of any amendments made to the proposals previously shared with us.

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

easyJet launches Rhodes flight from Belfast International Airport

easyJet is launching a new flight from Belfast International Airport to the Greek island of Rhodes. The airline said the move will create 40 new jobs at the airport where it will base an additional Airbus A320 alongside its seven other aircraft. The route is scheduled to launch on 3 rd June 2023 and will depart twice weekly on Tuesday and Saturdays. It adds to a growing number of routes for easyJet from both Belfast International and Belfast City airports to destinations across the UK and Europe. “I am delighted to be announcing our plans for expansion at Belfast International Airport today,” Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said. “The addition of another aircraft will help us to deliver growth in Belfast and offer customers an even wider range of destinations, like our new route to Rhodes, which will provide our customers in Northern Ireland a direct connection to one of Europe's most popular beach destinations this summer, all with low fares and great service.” easyJet first flew from Northern Ireland more than 27 years ago with an inaugural flight to London Luton. It is now the largest airline in the province, operating around 670 flights a week to 29 destinations. Uel Hoey, Business Development Director at Belfast International Airport, welcomed the announcement.

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

PD Ports hits out at 'regrettable' legal battle with Tees Valley mayor

A dispute between one of Teesside’s largest employers and the area’s mayor has ratcheted up with accusations that the politician is risking public money in a legal battle. PD Ports has been in dispute with Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen over access to the South Gare area, with the battle set to come to court next year. The ports firm said it was “regrettable” that access to South Gare remains disputed. A legal case has been brought by South Tees Development Corporation, headed by Mr Houchen, over the access. The dispute comes after the mayor’s efforts to buy PD Ports last year founded when its Canadian owners Brookfield Asset Management called off plans to sell the company. Read more:Sage revenues reach £1.9bn Now, PD Ports has issued a statement saying that that South Tees Development Corporation had written to it in 2019 to say it would not “interfere with your continued occupation or to materially affect your day-to-day operations”. In the statement, the firm said: “We are confident that we have long established rights of access over the South Gare Road. In addition, historic legal documentation has been presented to STDC which shows our rights of access across the private road to South Gare in any case. Despite this and requests from our solicitors that STDC concede the South Gare issue in order to save both parties the expense of proving the historic use of the road at trial, STDC continues to deny PD Teesport’s rights over the South Gare road at significant cost to the taxpayer. “It is regrettable that in those circumstances access to South Gare remains a matter in dispute in legal proceedings commenced by STDC. However, PD Ports is confident that it will successfully obtain a declaration confirming its rights of access over the South Gare Road, in order to continue to maintain and protect South Gare, facilitating access for its tenants, licencees, agents, workman and all other persons entitled to use the road.” Tees Valley Combined Authority has been approached for comment. READ NEXT:

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

Port company puts the PD in people development with industry win

An industry-leading approach to people development has been celebrated at Humber-investing PD Ports. The operator has been recognised with an International Bulk Journal Award as the prestigious maritime event returned for the first time since 2019 in Rotterdam. The company celebrated its 20th year of supporting young people in 2021 having first launched its dedicated apprenticeship scheme back in 2001. Since then, the company has continued to prioritise attracting, retaining and developing talent through a number of initiatives including a bespoke Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship with 11 employees graduating earlier this year. Read more: £10m port expansion as PD and Barrett agree new steel deal Geoff Lippitt, chief commercial officer at PD Ports, was delighted to receive such an award on an international stage. He said: “PD Ports now proudly employs more people than ever before. Not only do we continue to invest in our award-winning training programmes for early careers, but we also want to see every one of our people given the tools to reach their full potential. We now have 19 members of staff, specifically employed within our bulks operations, who are enrolled in further developmental and educational courses which is just fantastic.” The company is behind a £10 million port investment to handle steel distribution in northern Lincolnshire. It is close to completing a dedicated new 200,000 sq ft site at its Groveport facility on the River Trent, supporting long-term customer Barrett Steel as it grows its market share. It is PD’s largest investment on the Humber in decades, with the 190-acre site between Gunness and Flixborough, on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, its largest location in the region.

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

£5m boost defrosts huge Grimsby cold storage expansion after costs soared on £30m plant

Grimsby’s cold storage capacity is to be increased by 20 per cent after £5 million of government support was netted for a key project. Brexit and Covid have put pressure on a vital element of the wider seafood sector, with it trading at over-capacity for the past six months, as just in time imports have switched to more considered buying by the town’s cluster of processors. The £30 million Europarc proposal from HSH Coldstores is fully consented and will create 60 new jobs, with the potential to unlock hundreds more in Grimsby. It was the lead beneficiary from the first round of the UK Seafood Infrastructure Fund, with £20 million being invested nationwide. Read more: Seafood processor swoops for neighbouring home delivery specialist A further £2.4 million has been awarded to JCS Fish to expand its processing operations in the town, with cash for projects in Fort William, Peterhead and Alness in Scotland, for Mowi, Denholm Seeafoods and Aquascot; Shoreham Port for vessel maintenance and Falfish Ltd in Newlyn ad Mevagissey. Henry Pringle, chief operating officer for Constellation, HSH's parent company, welcomed new Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer to the existing Birchin Way site, taking him on a tour of the huge operation. He said: “We are running at over-capacity, we’re storing in the aisles, it is everywhere, and it is not just us. Everyone in Grimsby is full. We see that as a major impediment to Grimsby industry, processing depends on cold storage and occupancy at the moment creates tonnes of additional cost. We cannot take in additional customers, and we’re having to shuttle to the Midlands and Peterborough. “Grimsby being the centre of fish and seafood processing in the UK, a lot of the supply chains are dependent on imports. This is the main fish and chip shop warehouse for the UK.” Cold storage is required for raw product, ingredients for value-added processing and pre-sale holding, with transportation to and from the cluster adding to the cost, and eroding competitive advantage. Mr Pringle said: “We are looking at building a new facility within Grimsby, supporting 30,000 pallet spaces. There are 150,000 currently, so that will be increasing by 20 per cent.” The 52-year-old second generation business holds a third of the market share in the town, and will employ 200 people when the addition completes, scheduled for early 2024. It is currently being rendered for, and has been hit by inflation in the building materials market. Of the reasoning behind the demand, Mr Pringle said: “We are at peak season going into Christmas, there has been a bounce-back post Covid and Brexit concern means no-one wants just-in-time inventory. The model is now to import and hold greater stock. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without the grant funding. Capital expenditure accelerated, construction costs have gone through the roof and while they have come down, they are not where they started. This really gets us across the line in terms of making it viable.” When first announced in May 2021, with Europarc developer Wykeland, the 171,000 sq ft site had a price tag of £15 million, though 25 new fuel efficient trucks with the latest refrigeration technology are also part of the successful bid. At JCS, a state-of-the-art 2,000 sq m fish processing factory with integrated smokehouse is to be developed, doubling salmon and trout processing capability to 20 tonnes per day. It could bring 32 jobs to the town, while reducing reliance on imports. It came as it was announced in Tromso, Norway, that the next International Coldwater Prawn Forum will be held in Grimsby in 2024, likely to bring more than 200 delegates. The town successfully hosted the World Seafood Congress in 2015. Mr Spencer, appointed to Defra under Liz Truss, and the representative for Sherwood in Nottinghamshire, said: “We are adding value to the processing sector, building extra storage that helps with the supply chains and generates jobs. “This is about investing for the future and making sure we have one of the most robust, sustainable and employable industries in Europe. We are now competing with our colleagues across the water, we want to make sure the UK fisheries sector is robust and fit for the future. “It demonstrates our huge opportunities in this sector, and I think this will assist on that journey, moving forward in the new world post-Brexit, and I think it is great news for the sector, it proves we can do it here in the Uk and do it very successfully.” He rejected the idea it was paying for issues arising from the vote to leave, despite the stated change in business model. “Companies are holding more stock because they are confident in the future and confident they are going to sell it,” he said. Icelandic Seafood International’s decision to exit UK operations, putting 200 jobs at risk in Grimsby, was raised with the Minister. He claimed administrators had been appointed in media interviews, but this was refuted by the business, which is working with specialist MAR Advisors to achieve a sale. The company operates the huge former Five Star Fish plant on Great Grimsby Business Park, having merged two businesses into it as Covid struck UK shores. Mr Spencer said there would be “wrinkles on the way” following Brexit, with the company’s chief executive having pointed to harder trading conditions as part of the reasoning, with losses of £12 million revealed. He said: “It is very sad for these people, losing jobs - potentially - and I hope the administrator can find someone to take it on lock, stock and barrel. With this investment there will be other jobs in fish processing industry and as a nation we have reason to be optimistic about the future.” ISI had announced it was to pull out of the UK in a trading update last week. It is rigorously pursuing a sale, with interest mooted. Following his comments, to several media outlets, Bjarni Ármannsson, Icelandic Seafood International group chief executive, said: "Iceland Seafood is running a sales process on its UK subsidiary, Iceland Seafood UK, after having decided to exit the UK value-added operation. "MAR Advisors have been mandated to run the process. We are currently presenting the company to prospective buyers. As Iceland Seafood is a publicly-listed company we will report the outcome of such a process at an appropriate time to the market. Any suggestions that Iceland Seafood UK is in a liquidation process are false. That is not the case at all." Grimsby MP Lia Nici had earlier in the week taken to social media to air her concerns about finding out about the company’s plight via social media. The Westminster agenda led to her missing Mr Spencer’s visit, but she met with him in London prior to his arrival.

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

Plans submitted to develop 330 acres of land next to the seaside town of Skegness

Plans have been submitted to develop 330 acres of land in the Lincolnshire seaside town of Skegness. Backers said the “sustainable urban extension” could create hundreds of homes and needed jobs in the area. The planned Skegness Gateway development on the western side of the town include 50 acres of retail, business and industrial space along with 1,000 homes, new open space and recreational amenities as well as a college and learning campus. East Lindsey District Council will soon begin a consultation on the scheme giving the public and other stakeholders a chance to comment. The land is mainly owned by the local Croftmarsh family business with additional areas owned by the Scarbrough family. Croftmarsh manager Sue Bowser said it was vital for future-proofing the town as a place of opportunity and ambition and the council’s She said: “We are pleased to support the council in its vision to bring these ambitious plans to reality. “Our family has lived and worked in Skegness for many generations, so it’s a great source of pride that we can support a development that will help secure the town’s future by creating thousands of jobs and homes for both existing local residents and attract a new generation of people to the area. “We are working closely with East Lindsey District Council and other partners to bring forward a scheme that will work alongside the regeneration being enabled by the Towns Fund. “We know that Skegness is a town that needs economic transformation. “The mechanism for that is through urban regeneration and expansion of skills, training and education – all secured by investment and infrastructure and digital connectivity. “Ours is a town in real need. There isn’t enough money in the town to pay for this all year round and the secret to this is to have more people living here. We need to create jobs. “We need to build infrastructure and provide the significant benefits that government is seeking in places such as Skegness. “We want to enable the delivery of hundreds of new homes not just for the people who live in the local area – but for those people we want to attract to come and live and work in Skegness. “This scheme will transform the area, putting it on the map and making the town famous not just for its beaches, but for its enterprise.” Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman said: “This local sustainable development includes a state of the art learning campus funded through the Skegness Town Deal, providing new training opportunities for the coast. “Importantly, training including digital skills, motor vehicle, construction and engineering, will allow people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to get the jobs they want.

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

Re-opened Dartmoor rail line passes 250,000 journeys in its first year

Journey numbers on the Dartmoor Line have passed 250,000 a year after re-opening to regular passenger trains. The line reopened on 20 November 2021, restoring a regular, year-round service for the first time in almost 50 years following more than £40m of Government investment. The previously mothballed rail line, which runs between Okehampton and Exeter, was restored in just nine months and was the the first former line to reopen under the Government’s £500m Restoring Your Railway programme. In the same week as it celebrated its one-year anniversary, the Dartmoor Line also saw its 250,000 journey, more than double the demand originally forecast. Michelle Handforth, Network Rail’s Wales and Western regional managing director, said: “I am so pleased with the positive impact the Dartmoor Line is having on supporting greater connectivity, boosting local businesses, the tourism sector, and providing greater access to education and work for the thousands of people who live locally." READ NEXT: List of 35 new train stations and wish list schemes leading the UK railway upgrade Reinstatement of the Dartmoor Line was made possible by Network Rail’s team of engineers which laid 11 miles of new track and installed 24,000 concrete sleepers and 29,000 tonnes of ballast in a record-breaking 20-day period. Since Great Western Railway (GWR) increased services to hourly in May 2022, passenger use has continued to rise, with over 500 journeys starting at Okehampton every day and a further 300 travelling into the town from across the rail network. Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, unveiled a plaque to mark the official reopening of the Okehampton station building to mark the anniversary. He said: “With over 250,000 journeys made, restoring this vital route has undone 50 years of damage – we’ve reconnected a community and created new opportunities for jobs, tourism, education and leisure. “Our Restoring Your Railway programme is making a real contribution to levelling up the country and breathing new life into previously cut-off areas.” On his visit, Mr Merriman opened the fully refurbished station building, featuring The Bulleid Buffet café, Dartmoor National Park information centre, shop, toilets, heritage-style waiting room and museum. While the work to finish the Dartmoor Line is now complete, efforts are still being made to provide better connections from the Dartmoor Line, to surrounding towns and communities. Hannah Baker, Andrew Arthur and Hannah Finch cover all the latest business news from across the South West on our dedicated page - you can read more here. And to get the latest stories you can: Devon County Council and local bus operators have worked with Great Western Railway to provide better bus links to Tavistock, seven days a week direct from Okehampton station. This now also includes new routes to Launceston and Bude which run direct to the station. Mel Stride, Central Devon MP said the plan now is to secure additional funds for a second station on the eastern edge of town. "[This is] something I am working closely with local councillors and campaigners to achieve. This will maximise the economic benefit and reduce congestion in the town." READ NEXT: Latest appointments and jobs news from the South West

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

Work starts on 1.15m sq ft of warehousing off the M1 in Derbyshire

Work has started on a vast new warehouse development off the M1 in Derbyshire. The Horizon 29 scheme in Bolsover is going up a mile from junction 29a of the motorway and will include eight units being built in three stages. McLaren Construction (Midlands & North) is working on all the external works of the first two, single storey warehouses for Equation Properties and Bentall Green Oak. The same contractor will also work on the next two units, which should be completed next summer. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “Horizon 29 will be a premier distribution centre in a prime location in the Midlands, making it the ideal address for tenants wanting direct and easy access to the M1 north and south. “We are pleased to be appointed by Equation Properties and to be working with them on the first phase of this impressive scheme.” Dick Smallman, construction director at Equation Properties – a London-based property development company for the distribution and industrial sector - said: “We are delighted to have appointed McLaren Construction for the first phase of development at Horizon 29. “Construction is now underway for the scheme.” Sustainable features of Horizon 29 include solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting and electric vehicle charging points.

Ports & Logistics2025-04-17 14:38:34

New low-cost airline to operate transatlantic flights from Northern Ireland

A new low-cost airline is set to offer transatlantic flights from Northern Ireland. The announcement by Fly Atlantic has been described as a "game changer", filling the gap in the market of no direct flights currently operating between Belfast to North America. Fly Atlantic is planning to start operating flights to Europe as well as North America from summer 2024. Once fully operational, the airline said it intends to operate to 35 destinations from Belfast, and will create 21,000 new jobs by 2030. That figure is to include 1,000 jobs created within the airline and up to 21,000 in tourism and support sectors. Flights will start to go on sale from the beginning of 2024. The airline said it will initially operate six aircraft at Belfast International Airport, and plans to grow to a fleet of 18 by 2028. It is in discussion with both Boeing and Airbus over aircraft, with the choice being between the Boeing MAX and the Airbus A321. Fly Atlantic's chief executive Andrew Pyne said they chose Belfast over strong competition across the UK. Mr Pyne added: "Our vision is of Belfast as a strong aviation hub linking Europe and North America. "The lack of direct transatlantic air services has clearly been an impediment to Northern Ireland's economic and tourism development, which we now intend to remove. The project can be a gamechanger. "We will be offering affordable fares with brand new aircraft. We already have offices at the airport and will now be building out the infrastructure to support the airline's launch. We start recruiting for the team early in 2023. "We looked at many options throughout the UK and Ireland. Belfast International and Vinci stood out in terms of the facilities that they offered us and by their enthusiasm for and commitment to making this project a reality. "Northern Ireland has a proud aviation and engineering history, and we are delighted to be able to build on this tradition as we develop the airline and its support functions." Mr Pyne also acknowledged support received from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, adding it had been "right behind the project from the start". Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Stephen Ross described the airline's announcement as "fantastic news not only for the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough but for Northern Ireland as a whole". "This is a key moment for Northern Ireland and is the most significant local aviation announcement in recent history," he said. "Belfast International Airport is the ideal hub for Fly Atlantic to base its operations due to its location, drive, and ability to offer unparalleled experience and routes for passengers."