We love it when businesses send us their good news and here’s our latest good news round-up, kindly sponsored by PALADIN. Awards, expansion, new contracts or new appointments, if you’ve got some good news you want to share please email the editor, Martin Shaw, on martin@huddersfieldhub.co.uk.
An online business that started in 2011 as a project at the University of Huddersfield with an initial investment of just £400 is now one of the UK’s fastest growing founder-led privately-owned companies.
Flair Furniture Group, which owns online furniture retailers Bedkingdom and Cuckooland, has reported £34.3 million revenue for the 25/26 financial year, marking an increase of 22% compared to the same period the previous year.
The business achieved a 461% increase in operating profit, reaching £1.2 million. This progression has led to the group being named among the UK’s fastest-growing private, founder-led companies in the FEBE Growth 100, placing 73rd based on compound annual growth and sales.
Reinvestment into the business has been a key area of focus in 25/26, with the group recovering from the cost of acquiring a new warehouse in Liversedge – which it quickly outgrew – before investing in a third warehouse location earlier this year.
Founder and managing director Ashley Hainsworth said: “I never imagined the business I started from humble beginnings and bootstrapped as an experimental university project over 10 years ago would turn into one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies.
“Myself and the team have worked incredibly hard to get here, continuously improving and investing in our people, product range, customer experience and technology.
“We are incredibly grateful to our customers for shopping with us time and time again, and will make sure we continue to provide great products and customer service as we build towards international expansion. Our first stop in terms of expansion is Ireland.”
The future of a £13m-turnover, 90-strong glass processing business has been secured with its acquisition in a pre-pack deal.
Sean Williams and Phil Deyes from Leonard Curtis were appointed as joint administrators of Dual Seal Glass Ltd on June 29 2026, concluding a pre-pack sale on the same day to Commercial Glass Specialists Ltd, maximising asset value, and preserving business continuity.
Dual Seal Glass Ltd, based in Huddersfield, was incorporated in 1995 and specialises in high-performance insulated glass panels for construction. It employs around 90 staff and had a turnover of around £13m.
The company had faced significant financial challenges, including historic product liability claims, bad debts, rising costs and supply chain issues.
Mr Williams said: “The pre-pack solution facilitates a quick sale of assets, preserves employment, and achieves better creditor outcomes.
“It means the business can continue trading, maintain its customer relationships and retain goodwill.
“The approach also minimises disruption by transferring staff under TUPE regulations.”
Shazad Hussain, managing director of Commercial Glass, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of the Dual Seal Glass business out of administration and secured the future of the business and its staff.
“We shall be investing in the business going forwards and look forward to working with our stakeholders.”
A Huddersfield service which supports adults with learning disabilities has been awarded the Social Care Service of the Year award with judges praising the “warmth, love and happiness” found within the walls of the home.
Langdale House, part of the Cygnet Social Care division, scooped the top prize at the Cygnet Group achievement awards, a day of celebration for caring, dedicated and hard-working health and social care workers.
The residential service on Gledholt Road, recently rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, provides support to adults with learning disabilities.
The awards took place at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham and recognised the individuals and teams who make outstanding contributions to health and social care. They were hosted by TV presenter Alexander Armstrong.
Upon receiving the award, Laura Davy, service manager, said: “Winning the Social Care Service of the Year Award is an incredible honour and something I am immensely proud of.
“This award is a reflection of the passion, dedication and compassion shown every single day by the team at Langdale House.
“Every member of staff goes above and beyond to ensure the people we support live meaningful, fulfilling lives, and it is their commitment that has made this achievement possible.”
Housebuilder Crest Nicholson is sponsoring the shirts for Kirkheaton Cricket & Bowling Club’s Junior and Ladies teams.
The company is building new homes at Dalton Gardens in Dalton and is giving back to the local community.
Andy McLaughlin, of Kirkheaton Cricket & Bowling Club, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Crest Nicholson for their support of our junior and ladies’ sections.
“Their contribution will provide new playing shirts for all players. Partnerships like this make a real difference, helping us continue to grow participation, develop young players, and ensure cricket remains accessible and enjoyable for everyone
“On behalf of everyone at Kirkheaton Cricket & Bowling Club, thank you to the team at Crest Nicholson for investing in the future of our club.”
Clare Hudson, head of sales and marketing for Crest Nicholson Yorkshire, added: “We’re thrilled to sponsor the junior and ladies’ team sections at this fantastic local club which plays such an important role in the community.
“We can’t wait to see them showing off their new shirts and we wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season.”
Mandate Systems, a family-owned business that is a leading provider of independent pressure system examinations, has named Katie Horan as managing director.
Previously commercial and operations director, Katie originally joined Brighouse-based Mandate following a career in a private equity owned business, where she was responsible for supporting rapid growth through organic and acquisition scaling.
Katie said: “When I first joined Mandate Systems, I was looking for a fresh challenge. I had experienced a variety of roles in my previous company, which like Mandate, focused on products with an engineering bias linked to regulation.
“This experience has proved invaluable and helped me to influence the business in a positive way.”
CEO Amy Kent said: “Katie’s impact on the business was immediate and her commitment was beyond her initial operational role.
“Her approach, ways of working and experience has influenced our thinking, supported change and ultimately the direction we have taken our organisation. This is, without doubt, a natural and much-deserved step.”
Amy and Katie are second-generation of this family business, which was subject to a management buyout by Amy in 2018.
Katie added: “Mandate Systems has been built on a strong foundation with a good business model and great core values.
“We are incredibly protective of its heritage and the important part that we are playing in continuing its success.
“When it’s a family business you are emotionally connected and your reputation is everything, the whole team’s approach at every turn is what puts us head and shoulders above many.
“The longevity of customers and feedback we receive lets us know we are doing a great job, which is why I am immensely proud to be at the helm of driving the business forward.”
