Schofield Sweeney starts the year with six promotions
Law firm Schofield Sweeney has promotedsix colleagues for their outstanding contributions.
Pardeep Khela has been promoted to partner in the real estate team. His expertise include high value landlord and tenant matters, real estate finance, investor purchases, commercial developers and corporate support.
He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey at Schofield Sweeney, from junior lawyer to partner. The firm truly invests time, effort and resource developing excellent lawyers. This in turn allows us to provide the best possible service to our clients and drive the business forward to ever greater heights.”
Pardeep was shortlisted for “Solicitor of the Year” by the recent British Asian Professionals Awards and has been recognised as a “Rising Star” by The Legal 500 for the past few years.
Tina Morris has been promoted to director in the commercial services team. She leads the education team, and project manages the academy conversion process, bringing significant experience with both single and multi-academy trusts.
Seema Gabbi has been promoted to director in the residential conveyancing team. She leads the team offering expertise and guidance throughout the house buying and selling processes.
She said: “‘I am grateful for the opportunity to grow within the firm and excited to take on further responsibilities to contribute to our success. I’m supported by a fantastic team and the guidance and mentorship received by the firm has been invaluable to me.”
James Farrell has been promoted to director within the corporate team. He advises on a wide array of matters, including M&A transactions, share buy-backs, management buyouts, and group re-organisations.
Alex Aitken has been promoted to associate in the corporate team. Having trained with the firm and qualified in September 2020, Alex has quickly established himself as a trusted advisor on a diverse range of corporate transactions.
Rajveer Basra has been promoted to associate in the employment team. She consults with clients on all aspects of day-to-day employee management and issues arising from recruitment through to termination.
Graham Sweeney, managing partner, said “Congratulations to all those who have been promoted. It reflects their hard work in helping the business grow and their dedication to excellent client service.”
Entrepreneurs boost skills at ‘storytelling’ workshops
Unity Enterprise hosts the second in a series of business workshops tomorrow designed to boost entrepreneurial skills in its 25th anniversary year.
Taking place from 10am-12pm at Leeds Media Centre in Chapeltown, renowned public speaking professional Pol Donald Nkana Nkana will lead a masterclass entitled ‘Storytelling for Business: What is Your Story?’ with participants learning how to harness storytelling to create narratives that connect with business audiences.
He will arrive fresh from his appearance at the same venue earlier this month when fronting a workshop titled ‘A Cup of Confidence’ which sought to unlock the public speaking potential of a packed room of attendees – fuelled by Coffenah coffee, which will be formally launched on to the market in the coming weeks.
Founded in 2000, UE is the not-for-profit subsidiary of BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise which manages over 1,386 affordable properties for tenants in Leeds and Kirklees.
Adrian Green, UE Manager, said: “Pol demonstrated his expertise as an outstanding public speaker to an audience of aspiring entrepreneurs with his ‘A Cup Full of Confidence’ workshop.
“‘Storytelling for Business: What is Your Story?’ will be equally compelling and places are rapidly filling up. The two workshops have kicked off our 25th anniversary year in the perfect way, with many more exciting events to be announced.”
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “Pol’s back story is particularly interesting, and it was a pleasure to hear him share this at the first workshop and use the lessons he has learnt to demonstrate the power of effective public speaking.
“We are looking forward to the second event where attendees will be invited to share their own business experiences.
“Unity is hosting these gatherings, both to support new entrepreneurs and help people in hard-to-reach communities to gain new skills and establish their own business.”
£10m market refurb boosts footfall to 33% above post-Covid levels
Footfall at Leeds Kirkgate Market is up 33% from its 2021 post-Civid levels with almost six million visitors after a £10m refurbishment project.
Twenty new businesses have moved in – the most in a single year – and the number of outdoor casual traders also rose 34% in the year.
The first phase of the redevelopment saw 24 units renovated and improved with features such as new canopy fronts, electric roller shutters, extraction ducting, LED lighting and extra storage space.
Another 16 units are now due for completion in March as part of the scheme’s final phase. Five of these units have been pre-let.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor said: “We’re hugely proud of both Leeds Kirkgate Market’s past and the investment we’ve made to ensure it has an equally bright future.
“It’s extremely pleasing, therefore, to see footfall at the market continuing to grow and plenty of new businesses beating a path to its door.
“The transformation of the blockshops area is an important part of the current success story, with a really encouraging level of interest and take-up in the units that have been renovated to date.
“We are now aiming to maintain that momentum as further units are completed and made available for use over the course of 2025.
“The improvements at the market – coupled with its popular programme of events for all the family – mean that, more than ever, this is an asset the whole city can enjoy and take pride in.”
Powerhouse fund pumps £50m into northerner businesses in its first year
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II has made more than 130 investments totalling £50m into businesses in the North of England, following its launch in March last year.
The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II covers the entire North of England, providing loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium-sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
The first Yorkshire business to receive funding from NPIF II was Sheffield-based Finlegal, which raised £2m help accelerate the growth of its client base internationally.
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II aims to build on the success of the first fund, with the purpose of driving sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North.
Ken Cooper, MD at the British Business Bank, said: “From asset management firms contributing to a green economy, to AI-enabled LegalTech companies and underwater marine tech, NPIF II is already having an impact across all parts of the North of England. Our region is home to some truly innovative businesses, and we want to ensure that every ambitious entrepreneur has the right support and finance to help their business to thrive.
“The finance from NPIF II, and the work of our fund managers, is already boosting regional economies and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs. We have supported some great businesses so far, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of NPIF II as it approaches its first year in operation.”
Leeds business makes double acquisition as it seeks to consolidate industrial tooling distribution market
Helix Tool Company, which was recently backed by NVM Private Equity, has completed a double acquisition as it seeks to consolidate the industrial tooling distribution market.
The Leeds-based business has acquired Floyd Automatic Tooling and Nsert.
Floyd Automatic based in Hertfordshire is a highly specialist technical distributor of tools and consumables for the sliding head CNC market with deep technical expertise and several exclusive manufacturing partnerships.
Nsert is a regionally focussed cutting tool and industrial consumables supplier to a number of large customers in the North East of England.
The combination of the two businesses will enable the now enlarged Helix group to broaden its product range and offer enhanced value to clients in the precision engineering, automotive, aerospace and medical sectors. The new additions will also see the Helix team significantly expand both their existing locations and enlarge their geographical footprint.
“We are thrilled to welcome Floyd Automatic and Nsert into the Helix family,” said Matt Cattell, CEO of Helix Tool’s holding company, MRO+ Solutions. “The combined deep technical expertise in both companies complements our existing offer perfectly.
“Today’s announcement signifies a strong start to 2025 for Helix and we are confident that customers will see significant benefit both in terms of product offering and exceptional technical expertise.”
Charlie Pidgeon, Investment Partner of NVM Private Equity, said: “Consolidation of markets is an obvious driver of growth and with such a strong reputation for technical expertise we saw a clear opportunity for Matt to integrate these businesses into an enlarged Group.
“We are delighted to have supported them on their first two acquisitions and look forward to backing the team with more opportunities as they arise.”
University of Lincoln names Director of Barbican Creative Hub
The University of Lincoln has appointed Tamily Cookson as Director of the Barbican Creative Hub, which is due to open this spring as Lincolnshire’s future ‘home’ for the cultural and creative sector.
It’s said her appointment will play a pivotal role in shaping the Hub into a dynamic resource for cultural creativity in the region, supporting more than 3,000 businesses and freelancer
In 2024, Tamily founded COLLECTIVE., a community for creative, digital, and tech innovators across the East Midlands, supported by Nottingham Trent University. She has also worked as a creative industries consultant, collaborating with key organisations to develop regional strategies for creative growth and talent development.
She served as a UK Council member for Creative UK (2021-2023) and continues to support the sector as a trustee for Nonsuch Studios, an organisation dedicated to fostering creativity and cultural engagement.
Her commitment to fostering talent, reimagining urban experiences, and driving collaboration across cultural, educational, and business sectors aligns perfectly with the mission of the Hub.
She said: “I am thrilled to join the Barbican Creative Hub at such an exciting time for Lincolnshire’s creative industries. The Hub has the potential to transform the region’s creative landscape, and I’m looking forward to working with the community to unlock its full potential.”
Croda scoops ‘most admired’ title for eighth year
Snaith-based Croda International has been voted Britain’s Most Admired Chemicals Company for the eighth consecutive year.
Steve Foots, CEO of Croda said: “We are proud to once again have been recognised as Britain’s most admired chemicals company, which demonstrates our clarity of strategy and capacity to innovate. Croda is a company with a rich heritage and a strong Purpose. To receive this award once again, in our centenary year, demonstrates our resilience and ability to adapt in ever changing market conditions which is so critical to future success.”
The Britain’s Most Admired Companies Survey is the longest running peer-review corporate reputation survey in the UK and is based on the analysis of 238 firms spanning 27 sectors. Feedback from 330 C-suite peers, financial analysts, and industry experts is analysed to inform rankings on 13 reputational criteria revealing the nation’s top companies across core reputational dimensions.
2025 Business Predictions: Dr Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive, Town Centre Securities PLC
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Dr Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive at Town Centre Securities PLC.
As we look ahead to 2025, I believe the property sector is entering a transformative phase, shaped by evolving work patterns, shifting consumer habits and the policies of the new government. At Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) we are adapting to these changes with a focus on flexibility, innovation and sustainability.
In the office market, it’s encouraging to see workers gradually returning to office spaces, though hybrid working remains the dominant approach. I think this reflects a growing recognition of the value of in-person collaboration, while maintaining flexibility. To respond to this shift, we’re focusing on creating high-quality, multi-functional spaces that meet modern needs. For older offices that no longer suit the market, we’re exploring creative alternatives, such as repurposing them for new uses, including student accommodation.
The retail sector, long under pressure, is starting to reveal new opportunities. While some locations remain challenging, I believe essential retail, such as food, discount, and convenience stores, will continue to thrive. It’s clear that younger shoppers, with their preference for combining online and in-person experiences, are reshaping how we think about retail spaces. This shift excites me as it fosters innovation and reinvention.
Leisure and food sectors have shown remarkable resilience, even in the face of cost-of-living pressures. I feel this demonstrates the strength and adaptability of these industries and their ability to contribute to economic recovery and growth.
Sustainability is something I feel passionately about, and it’s becoming an ever more critical focus for consumers and businesses alike. At TCS, we are committed to reducing environmental impact through energy-efficient buildings, better waste management, and expanded EV charging infrastructure. I believe these efforts not only meet today’s expectations, but also lay the foundation for a greener, more sustainable future.
Despite the uncertainties that come with political and economic change, I am confident that the property market will continue to adapt and thrive. With a willingness to embrace innovation and change, we are well-positioned to navigate the road ahead.
Here’s to a successful and sustainable 2025.
Walker Sime names new UK Director of Project Management
Walker Sime, which has offices in Leeds, has appointed Peter Jackson as new UK Director of Project Management. With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, he has held senior roles at Atkins Realis and Turner & Townsend.
His extensive experience includes managing large-scale, complex projects. including the Government Hub Programme for HMRC, overseeing the delivery of 13 new commercial office spaces across the UK. He also brings significant expertise in town centre regeneration, having worked on high-profile schemes in Urmston and Chorlton. Additionally, he has worked extensively with large teams of project managers, quantity surveyors, and building surveyors across various sectors and with different local authorities in the North West.
Peter will also work closely with Cathy Palmer, Walker Sime’s Director of Regeneration Delivery, on regeneration-led real estate initiatives. These efforts align with the government’s ambitious plans to build 1.5 million homes, an area where his expertise will be invaluable.
Wood panel specialist takes 65,000 sq ft Leeds warehouse
Towngate PLC, the commercial and industrial property specialist, has welcomed wood panel specialist Lawcris Panel Products Ltd to its Towngate Link Development in Leeds.
Lawcris has signed a new 10-year lease at Unit TL2, a 65,000 sq ft warehouse situated within Cross Green Industrial Estate, to the east of Leeds city centre, as it gears up for its next phase of growth.
With an annual turnover above £100 million, Lawcris operates a fleet of more than 45 vehicles and has over 240 employees across five sites. Totalling more than 250,000 sq ft, this includes the company’s 156,000 sq ft flagship headquarters in Knowsthorpe Gate, just around the corner from its new Towngate Link base.
Iain McPhail, partner in Knight Frank’s Leeds industrial and logistics team, who secured the letting on behalf of the landlord, said: “As well as highlighting Lawcris’ success, the highly anticipated letting reflects the continued growth of Towngate’s portfolio, pairing Lawcris with a high-quality, modern, and strategically located facility to support its expansion nationwide.”
At the newly leased detached warehouse facility, Lawcris will benefit from a further 65,416 sq ft in storage space with 13.2-metre eaves heights, as well as two storeys of modern offices, a secure yard with a depth of 45 metres, multiple ground- and dock-level loading doors, photovoltaic solar panels, EV charging bays, and PIR-sensored LED lighting.
Tom Lamb, property director at Towngate PLC, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lawcris to Towngate Link. The development was built just over five years ago, with sustainability and longevity at the forefront, and has created a lot of potential occupier interest since.
“With its modern design and strategic location, situated just around the corner from Lawcris’ flagship site, this facility is an ideal fit as it looks to expand its capabilities. We very much look forward to continuing our relationship and wish Lawcris all the success.”
Stuart Hall, commercial manager at Lawcris, added: “We’ve earned an enviable reputation in the construction, manufacturing, joinery, and interior design sectors, providing high-quality decorative panel solutions to our customers. And now, with this investment, we’re strengthening our competitive edge with the resources to meet rising demand and maintain a seamless service.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Towngate on this next phase of our growth. This facility is perfectly suited to our needs, providing space for additional brands and exciting new product ranges. The creation of a brand-new showroom and networking area will undoubtedly be a standout feature.”
Knight Frank, GV&Co, and Carter Towler acted as Towngate’s letting agent.
