The Hull Hub Issue 22

Cupboard clear-out inspires young lawyers to launch food drive
A young lawyer’s cupboard clear-out has kickstarted a
campaign to encourage colleagues and clients to support
food banks in the run-up to the festive season.
Emma Horscraft, a trainee solicitor with Rollits LLP in
Hull, revealed she was prompted to act after finding a
can of chicken soup in her kitchen cupboard nearly two
years after becoming vegetarian.
She said: “It made me wonder how long ago I must have
bought it and how many people would have been grateful
for it during that time. Thankfully, it was still in date!”
Emma researched the availability of food banks in Hull,
spoke to bosses at Rollits and was given the go-ahead to
work with fellow trainee solicitor Molly Bloom on organising
a collection of goods which will be delivered to Hull
Food Bank.
The pair, who only joined the firm in September, are
urging colleagues to check their own cupboards for any
unwanted items which can still be used and to pick up
additional products on their shopping trips to help people
who rely on the services of Hull Food Bank.
The hope is that the firm’s clients and contacts will support
the food drive, with Rollits also accepting donations
from passers-by at their offices in High Street, Hull.
Emma said: “We have a lot of clients in the local area and
Rollits has always been a big supporter of community
initiatives throughout its history of more than180 years
so hopefully people will help us by making a food donation
for those less fortunate than themselves this Christmas.
“There will be a box near the Christmas tree in our reception
from Monday 5 December until Thursday 15
December and we will deliver all the donations to Hull
Food Bank in time for Christmas.
“They need non-perishable food and in particular things
like pasta sauces, long life whole milk, tinned fruit and
meat, rice and biscuits but they don’t need pasta, cereals
or beans.”
Pat Coyle, Client Relations Director for Rollits, said:
“Emma came up with the idea and we were more than
happy to support her and Molly in setting things up and
spreading the word within the firm and among our clients
and contacts.
“We contribute to a wide range of charities every year
by organising fundraising events and by providing expertise
and guidance to charity clients and this initiative
demonstrates that we can also act quickly when someone
comes up with a great idea that needs an instant response.”
To find out more about Hull Food Bank please visit
https://hull.foodbank.org.uk/
Beal hires new Construction
Director for next chapter of growth
Leading regional housebuilder Beal Homes has appointed
a new Construction Director as it continues
to drive growth in volumes and set the bar for build
quality.
Andy Devine has joined the family-owned business
from Barratt & David Wilson Homes, where he was
Contracts Manager for the Yorkshire East area.
He succeeds long-serving John Goodfellow, who has
retired. During an 18-year tenure as Construction
Director, Mr Goodfellow played in a key role in Beal
becoming established as the leading independent
housebuilder operating in Hull, East Yorkshire and
Lincolnshire.
Mr Devine, who is 44, brings 26 years of experience
in the construction industry to Beal, having previously
held a series of Yorkshire-based senior positions
with national housebuilders.
His remit is to oversee construction across all
Beal’s developments and to ensure the exceptional
standards of build quality and customer service the
housebuilder is renowned for are maintained as the
volume of homes delivered grows.
For the past six years Mr Devine has been Contracts
Manager for Barratt & David Wilson Homes – Yorkshire
East. Prior to this, he was Production Manager
for Linden Homes North and a Site Manager for
Linden Homes and Barratt & David Wilson Homes.
Mr Devine has twice been a winner of NHBC Pride
in the Job awards and his teams have been multiple
winners of regional and Northern site manager
prizes.
Colleagues launch new business as window film stars
Two colleagues who have spent 30 years between them
in the glazing industry are now looking forward to a
bright future after deciding to become window film stars
themselves.
Steve Oxley and Neil Shearsmith launched Solarfrost Ltd
during 2021 and are now fully operational after initial
delays caused by Covid.
Their work is in demand from businesses ranging from
cafes to care homes which are trying to cut energy costs
and improve safety.
With products offering benefits including solar heat
control, glare reduction and privacy they are also targeting
commercial offices, modular buildings, the education
and health sectors and the domestic market as
well as the tourism sector – notably the huge numbers of
holiday chalets and caravans throughout East Yorkshire.
Steve said: “We’ve been doing the same job for 30 years
between us, but for other people. Now we’re working for
ourselves and focusing on some of the sectors which we
know have potential but which were being overlooked.”
The pair recently took their first premises at the Louis
Pearlman Centre, the managed workspace operated by
Hull City Council at Goulton Street in Hull. From there
they operate nationwide, supplying and installing film
which will cover window panes and provide a range of
benefits.
Local homebuilder reports significant contributions to Yorkshire communities in 2022
Barratt Developments Yorkshire East,
which includes the Barratt Homes
and David Wilson Homes brands, has
reported significant social, economic
and environmental contributions to
the Yorkshire communities in which
it builds over the course of the last
year. This includes within East Riding
of Yorkshire, in line with its developments
within the area.
In 2022, the homebuilder built 762
new homes across the region, supporting
1,742 jobs through its own
business and that of its suppliers and
subcontractors in the process. This
boost to the local housing market and
construction industry was supported
by an £13.3 million investment in
physical infrastructure works, including
environmental and highway
improvements, affordable homes and
improved community facilities.
As well as investing £2.3 million in
community infrastructure, such as
local schools and transport, Barratt
Developments Yorkshire also made
over £64,000 of charitable donations
to support those in need during what
was an especially challenging year for
many.
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