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03
Feb
Business Breakfast: Harrogate research firm in English Heritage volunteer tie-up
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An ethical company based in Harrogate has become an official volunteer affiliate to English Heritage.
Research firm Harlow Consulting, which was established by Jennifer Brennan and Clare Vokes in 2019, has an official volunteer policy for its full-time staff, who are eligible for two paid days of volunteering each year.
English Heritage has assigned two volunteer maintenance days to the consultancy’s staff to help with path-clearing, hedge-trimming and mowing at one of its unique sites, Thornborough Henges, north of Ripon.
James McNaught, researcher at Harlow Consulting, said:
At Harlow Consulting, we’ve worked with various organisations involved in heritage work, so forging a partnership with English Heritage is a way to show our appreciation of the important work the sector does in safeguarding and conserving iconic buildings and places for future generations.
Harlow Consultancy specialise in construction, heritage, and built environment research and evaluation. The agency works with clients including Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and Historic England.
Thornborough Henges are an important cluster of Neolithic monuments that lie above the River Ure near West Tanfield. Three huge circular henges – sometimes described as the ‘Stonehenge of the North’ – were built here about 4,500 years ago.
English Heritage looks after 400 heritage sites across the UK.
Harlow Consulting focuses its corporate social responsibility on five areas: food poverty, animal welfare, community, hospice support and environmental causes.
Last year, the team dedicated volunteer days to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, helping remove invasive Himalayan balsam from its Staveley Nature Reserve, near Knaresborough.
Chamber meeting
Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce's next meeting will give insights and guidance to businesses looking for funding and investment.
"Funding For Your Business" will be held on Monday, February 10 from 5.30pm at The Crown Hotel.
The meeting will feature expert speakers: Duane Walker from Business Enterprise Fund; Andy Clough from Mercia Asset Management; Michael Reynolds, a North Yorkshire Council business adviser; and Ian Howard from HCH Consulting.
Attendees will learn about some of the different funding options available, including grants, loans, equity finance and crowdfunding. The event will also offer advice on how to make your business "investment ready" and navigate the funding landscape effectively.
The meeting is open to both Chamber members and first-time visitors, including start-ups, SMEs, social enterprises (CICs), and charities, with open networking and refreshments being available between 5.30 and 6.15pm.
All attendees must register their place via the Chamber website.
New non-exec for Vp
Vp plc, the Harrogate headquartered equipment rental specialist, has appointed an experienced FTSE 100 chief executive, as a non-executive director to its board.
Richard Smith led Unite Group plc, the UK’s largest owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation, between 2016 and 2023, driving substantial growth leading to its entry to the FTSE 100 index in 2022.
Mr Smith will succeed Phil White, who will retire at the end of June after 10 years with the group.
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