How industry experts can share tips to help you navigate market challenges
Industry experts can offer invaluable advice to help you tackle market challenges. By sharing their insights, you can gain practical strategies to navigate the competitive landscape effectively.
Trio of new partners at LCF Law
Three new partners have joined an expanding Yorkshire law firm that has recently reported double-digit growth. LCF Law has appointed Rebecca Ridley, Liam O’Neill and Ellie Foster, who have 60 years combined legal experience.
Rebecca has spent the last 14 years working at well-known Leeds firms, and most recently working at KPMG Law. Keen for a fresh challenge, Rebecca joins LCF Law’s corporate team, which works with businesses of all sizes.
Rebecca said: “I’ve always had a real sense of justice and enjoy negotiations, as well as successfully navigating deals for clients. Guiding clients through a transaction process, as well as advising on business restructures, succession planning, employee ownership schemes and much more, is a real privilege.
“I’ve led large-scale business sales for corporates over the years and I also particularly enjoy working for owner managed businesses, helping them to solve problems and achieve their goals.”
Liam joins LCF Law’s personal law team in Ilkley and brings more than 26 years’ experience to the role, most recently working at Harrogate-firm, Berwins. Liam said: “I’ve known Neil Shaw, who heads the department at LCF Law, for years and know what a great team he has built.
“Now was right time for me to make the move, and I look forward to continuing to help clients with wills, probate, trusts. I’m also keen to continue my disputes work, supporting both the personal and disputes teams dealing with errant trustees and mediating will disputes for example, bridging the gap between these two areas of the law.
“I also look forward to building on my relationships with other professional advisors across Yorkshire.”
Ellie joins LCF Law’s family law team from Harrogate-based Raworths and previously worked for two Leeds based firms. Having completed a masters degree in chemistry, Ellie moved into law in 2001, training at a London law firm.
Ellie said: “I wanted to work with people going through a difficult time in their lives, which is why the family side of law appealed to me. Helping clients who are separating or divorcing, arranging pre and post marital agreements and dealing with disputes between people who have previously lived together, to ultimately resolve their issues, is very rewarding.
“I have particular expertise in the financial aspects of divorce, and dealing with very complex high net worth cases, both mediating and taking court action when necessary. Every legal case I work on needs forensic analysis and a logical approach, especially when dealing with complicated financial matters and pensions of divorcing couples.
“I have helped clients to obtain English pension orders, when their divorcing spouse lives abroad, and relish the opportunity to help clients when it comes to pension division, which is often an overlooked and undervalued area.”
Ellie is a member of Resolution, the largest membership organisation for family justice professionals and is a Resolution trained mentor, as well as being a trained collaborative lawyer. She has been recognised by the Chambers Guide and Legal 500, which are both independent guides that rank legal professionals.
LCF Law’s managing partner, Ragan Montgomery, said: “All three new partners are not only highly experienced lawyers, but they really care about their clients and have longstanding relationships that results in plenty of repeat work and recommendations. We look forward to working with Rebecca, Liam and Ellie as we continue to strengthen our 145-strong team.”
Hull solicitors step up to sponsor city’s Freedom Festival
Andrew Jackson Solicitors is to sponsor Hull’s Freedom Festival 2024, bringing world-class performances, installations, music and more to the city between Wednesday 28th August and Sunday 1st September.
Founded in 1874, Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP delivers high-quality legal services across East Yorkshire, nationally and globally. Their sponsorship of Freedom Festival is a perfect complement to their 150th year celebrations.
Mark Pearson-Kendall, Managing Partner of Andrew Jackson Solicitors, said: “We are thrilled to be a major sponsor of the Freedom Festival 2024. This partnership is a perfect way to celebrate our 150th anniversary. For a century and a half, we have been dedicated to serving our community and our clients with integrity and excellence. Supporting Freedom Festival allows us to give back to the city and region that have supported us throughout the years.”
Jo Hawkes, interim CEO of Freedom Festival Arts Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Andrew Jackson Solicitors for their generous support. Their sponsorship will help us elevate the festival experience for everyone involved and allow us to continue bringing world-class art to the streets of Hull for everyone to enjoy.”
Engineering Services Group enters electricity transmission and distribution market with acquisition
Renew, the Leeds-based Engineering Services Group supporting the maintenance and renewal of critical UK infrastructure, has acquired Excalon for a total consideration of up to £26m.
The acquisition allows Renew to expand into the electricity transmission and distribution market.
Excalon, based in Salford, is an infrastructure contractor specialising in the provision of high voltage and extra high voltage infrastructure to the UK electricity sector. Excalon has a number of long-term frameworks with electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) across the UK.
The UK electricity DNO market is regulated by Ofgem and operates in 5-year control period funding cycles. The RIIO ED2 cycle commenced in April 2023 with the latest determination of funding set at £22.2bn.
Entering this market allows Renew to access both the opportunities in ED2 as well as the upgrade of the grid that is required to support the UK’s zero carbon generation and renewables sector.
Paul Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Renew, said: “This acquisition broadens Renew’s exposure to another critical UK infrastructure market, presenting tremendous long-term growth opportunities. It is consistent with our stated strategic objective to expand into new complimentary sectors that have high barriers to entry coupled with resilient attributes.
“This is a highly regarded business with a strong track record in this specialist sector, and I am delighted to welcome the management and staff of Excalon to the Renew family.”
Global Banking School makes Wellington Place move
Global Banking School (GBS), part of Global Education (GEDU), has moved into its new Leeds campus at MEPC’s Wellington Place.
The higher education provider has completed its move from its previous, smaller base at St George House Campus to 1 Wellington Place, where it has taken the entire four-storey building comprising of 26,000 sq ft of space.
GBS delivers vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes across a range of industries including finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism and healthcare. It has ten campuses across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, with its Leeds location opening in 2022. It now has a total of over 30,000 students across the UK, with further campuses in Dubai and Malta.
GBS is relocating to improve its student experience, including through higher-quality learning spaces, better transport links, proximity to food and drink outlets and outdoor spaces. Students will also benefit from being co-located with some of the UK’s leading financial companies relevant to their studies.
Previously office space, 1 Wellington Place received approval for change of use as a training facility in November 2023. The new space includes classrooms, with upgraded technology features including floor box charging, IT suites and student support services, and dining facilities.
James Kenney, Deputy CEO of GBS, said: “Studying in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, located alongside leading businesses within professional services, finance, and more, gives our students unparalleled collaborative opportunities to launch their careers to new heights.
“At GBS, we’re committed to providing the highest quality of education to all our students, regardless of where they choose to study, so ensuring they all have access to the best possible learning locations right across the UK is critical.
“This is a prime location, with links to public transport, car parking, bike storage and is located just off major roads including the A1, M1 and M62, making it easier than ever for our Leeds students to commute each day.
“GEDU is changing lives through education, and GBS is proud to be doing this at all our campuses across London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.”
Paul Pavia, Head of Development at Federated Hermes MEPC, the developer and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “Wellington Place has firmly established itself as an outstanding business hub in Leeds city centre. We’re now excited to expand on this success by being home to such a well-regarded higher education provider.
“GBS is helping to develop the business leaders of the future, many of which could potentially remain at Wellington Place amongst the leading organisations based here.
“Not only does 1 Wellington Place provide top-quality learning spaces, but students will also benefit from strong transport links, brilliant onsite activities and events, and plenty of opportunities to network and socialise at our range of bars, restaurants, and cafes. It’s a fantastic environment to both learn, thrive and have fun, among some of the very best in business.”
The Build Chain raises £1.7m
Doncaster-based The Build Chain has raised £1.7m through a mixture of angel investors, industry investors, and the Finance Yorkshire fund managed by Anticus Partners.
Following a successful pilot scheme and nationwide rollout in 2023, The Build Chain is forecasting strong growth in 2024 and beyond. It will use this latest round of investment to recruit more experienced individuals into the business in key areas such as technology, operations, sales, and finance.
The solution connects sub-contractors and SME housebuilders in need of materials with independent merchants, improving and creating efficiencies throughout the supply chain.
By enabling sub-contractors and SME housebuilders to submit a single enquiry for required materials which is automatically delivered to suitable merchants, The Build Chain removes the need for buyers to spend time finding suppliers, contacting them manually, and chasing quotes.
In the next year, The Build Chain aims to expand the platform to other audiences in the construction industry. A marketplace area of the platform is being developed to allow Tier 1 and Main Contractors to offer works packages via the platform and sub-contractors to bid for work.
Neil Sheldon, CEO at The Build Chain, said: “We’re delighted to have reached this next stage of growth in our journey to transform the procurement process in the construction industry. This investment will allow us to scale up, achieve extended growth, and begin creating efficiencies throughout the entire built environment supply chain.
“Our successful platform launch last year has driven over £7 million in quotes to independent merchants across the UK alongside saving contractors time and money. We can now begin to expand these successes to other user groups with benefits for the whole industry.”
The Build Chain was assisted throughout the investment process by Freeths Solicitors and Cerelo Advisory.
Family-owned Yorkshire insurance brokerage firm acquires Scottish business
Bradford-based insurance broking and risk management company TL Dallas has reached an agreement to acquire Marsh Commercial’s business in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and is expected to complete the deal in August this year.
As part of the agreement, TL Dallas will acquire Marsh Commercial’s teams in Elgin, Inverness and Kirkwall, adding to its existing business in the Highlands and Islands.
Group MD Polly Staveley said: “The acquisition of Marsh Commercial’s business in Elgin, Inverness and Kirkwall represents a significant milestone for TL Dallas, as we continue with our strategy to serve local businesses with local teams, whatever their size. We see this as a major growth region for our business.”
Alistair Fraser, CEO, Commercial and Corporate at Marsh, added: “I am pleased that TL Dallas, with its strong presence in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands where it serves personal customers and SMEs, will be the new custodian of our offices there. As the UK’s leading risk and insurance specialist serving SME clients in over 40 offices, Marsh Commercial will continue to serve SME clients in Scotland through its offices in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oban, and Perth.”
TL Dallas first expanded into Scotland in 1993 when it opened an office in Shetland, drawing on its experience in the shipping and textile industries. In 2000, the company opened a second office in Falkirk, before expanding into both Glasgow and Edinburgh in 2011. Edinburgh is also the city where its founder, Thomas Lessels Dallas (great-grandfather of MD Polly Staveley) started his business career in commercial shipping insurance, before founding TL Dallas in Bradford in 1919.
TL Dallas is a fourth-generation family firm, owned by its management and staff and it has been in business for more than 100 years. It is one of the largest, and last remaining truly independent insurance broking firms in the UK, and has offices spanning the UK from Shetland to London. The company has a team of over 165 and provides a full range of commercial and personal insurance services including corporate, small to medium enterprises (SME), trade credit, demolition, farming and agricultural, health and care, books and collectables and private client.Fewer job vacancies, but no weakening in wage growth, says BCC
There are fewer job vacancies, and employment levels are rising – but that hasn’t yet resulted in any noticeable weakening of growth in real wages, says Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce.
She said: “This would suggest that competition for skills is still strong, and the substantial cost pressures of wages and interest rates will continue for longer. The rise in the number of economically inactive is also a cause for concern.
“The BCC’s election manifesto is clear that better skills planning is needed across the UK to boost productivity and growth. We must improve the training of staff, unlock the talent of people who have stopped looking for work and find ways to support the long-term sick back into employment.
“Getting the strong economic growth we all want to see will only be possible when the skills and workplace challenges are resolved.”
ABP funds new £100,000 D-Class inshore lifeboat
UK port operator ABP has given £100,000 to fund a new D-Class lifeboat to mark the 200th birthday of the RNLI.
The boat, being built at the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, will be named ABP One.
Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP’s CEO said: “Safety is of paramount importance to ABP and this is a value we share with the RNLI. We deeply value to work done by RNLI volunteers to save lives and raise awareness around water safety. I am proud to say that many of our colleagues are part of these lifesaving crews and we are delighted to be able to support their mission with the purchase of this new lifeboat.”
Jamie Chestnutt, Engineering and Supply Director, said: “The RNLI’s relationship with Associated British Ports is long-standing. I am delighted to see this partnership go from strength to strength with a continued focus on providing our crews with best-in-class facilities, as seen at Barry Dock’s new Lifeboat Station, the sharing of crucial water safety messaging, and now with a lifeboat, aptly named ABP ONE. It’s partnerships such as this that allow the RNLI to continue to save lives at sea.”
ABP will also drive awareness around water safety, which has included sharing stories of ABP colleagues who volunteer with the RNLI, running a water safety poster competition for families and distributing floating keyrings to mariners and colleagues.
Frontier Software support Festival of Work
Frontier Software support CIPD Festival of Work at ExCel London on 12th and 13th June 2024.
The Festival of Work, organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), returns for its sixth year bringing together the latest insights, trends, and innovations in HR, L&D, and internal communications. The event includes over 150 inspirational speakers and experts, sharing their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics, from employee experience, learning and development, to personal wellbeing.
The festival floor is a must-visit destination, with over 170 exhibitor stands showcasing the latest innovations, cutting-edge workplace technology, business management tools and services. Visitors can expect to gain valuable insights, network with peers and discover new solutions to drive business success. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, stay up-to-date on industry trends, or find new corporate solutions, this event is not to be missed.
An experienced and trusted provider, Frontier Software has been delivering innovative HR software solutions for over 40 years. Their extensive product range is continually being developed to meet the complex demands of HR professionals. The Frontier Software comprehensive suite of integrated software modules is designed to provide personalised employee interactions, striking the perfect balance between organisational and individual needs. With highly configurable automation tools, you can tailor your HR processes to fit your unique business requirements.
Real-time data is always at your fingertips, empowering users to make informed and accurate decisions. Furthermore, the ChatHR feature enables seamless, conversational interactions between employees and your HR database, streamlining employee engagement and support.
Visit Frontier Software at the Festival of Work to learn more about HR and/or Payroll cloud-based solutions, and outsourced payroll processing services for organisations of every size and sector.
FEO moves into new office and partnership with John Good Group
Hull and East Yorkshire focused Community Interest Company For Entrepreneurs Only has formed a new partnership and an office base with John Good Group at Quarry House, in Hesslewood Office Park, Hessle.
Adam Walsh, John Good Group’s CEO is already a member of FEO and is looking forward to strengthening the relationship. He said: “I’m a huge fan of the FEO and the work they do for the business community in our region. You cannot fail to be impressed by the range of peer-led programmes and initiatives created to help and support those running or starting a business in Hull & East Yorkshire.”
FEO is made up of like-minded entrepreneurs representing successful businesses of all sizes and sectors. Its members employ over 25,000 people and contribute over £4.5bn to the local economy each year. The group is passionate about improving the local economy and run a wide range of peer-led programmes and events throughout the year. In 2021 FEO was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the time and commitment given by members and key partners.
Jan Brumby, FEO’s Chief Executive, looks forward to working with Adam and the John Good Group. He said:“I’m proud to welcome the John Good Group as an FEO key partner. As a sixth-generation family business, their range of companies continues to focus on people, planet and performance. Adam and his team actively support FEO’s mission, vision and values, giving something back to the local economy in which they are based. Their support, along with that of our other valued key partners helps us to continue the great work our members do in helping entrepreneurs to start, develop and grow their businesses. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their continuing active support and involvement.”
Adam added: “There’s so much alignment between FEO, its members and partners, and the John Good Group – all are ambitious and growth-minded organisations who strive to thrive. Being able to support the FEO with a home at our offices and opening our facilities to FEO members is something I’m really excited about and another important milestone for our organisation. Having operated over three different centuries alongside the Humber, we’ve a real sense of place and are always keen to support the local economy and the businesses that operate here.”
The John Good Group has interests in Shipping, Corporate Travel, Warehousing & Haulage, Property, and is a keen supporter of social impact causes, through its foundation, the Matthew Good Foundation. It joins FEO’s 8 local key partners: Connexin, Cranswick plc, Gosschalks, Horncastle Group, MKM Building Supplies, Neill & Brown, Smailes Goldie and The One Point.
Farmers urged to get election candidates ‘down on the farm’
Said NFU Head of External Affairs Scott Pepe: “Getting candidates on farm is a great opportunity to get across specific local issues, as well as informing candidates about the broader problems impacting farmers up and down the country. So far we’ve met almost 250 candidates on farms or in one-on-one meetings.”
Mr Pepe advises farmers:
1. Get in touch with your county adviser
2. Set the agenda
3. Plan an itinerary for the visit
4. Know your candidate
5. Come prepared with solutions
JMG Group cleans up with GLEAMING INSURANCE acquisition
Cleaning industry specialist GLEAMING INSURANCE is the latest broker to have been acquired by Leeds-based JMG Group.
GLEAMING INSURANCE brings cleaning industry expertise to JMG Group, offering bespoke insurance policies for cleaning professionals, underwritten by Hiscox Insurance. Launched by MD Martin Holden in 2011, the business will continue to operate as GLEAMING INSURANCE.
MD Martin Holden began his insurance career in 1989 as an underwriter for a large national
insurance company before a long career in the broking market. He went on to establish GLEAMING INSURANCE which provides direct online services with a strong customer focus as well as giving access to the scheme to other brokers and their clients.
Martin Holden says: “The business is in a very strong position and with the help of JMG Group this will allow us to build the brand further and become the go-to broker for all the cleaning industry’s insurance needs.
“JMG Group will help to open up market opportunities and support me in establishing and fostering even more partnerships. This move will also allow me to focus on its further development and growth.”
As part of JMG Group, GLEAMING INSURANCE will have access to a broader pool of expertise and market advantage from within the group which will support its ambitious plans.
Nick Houghton, JMG Group CEO, says: “The relationship we’ve built with Martin over the years made this acquisition a very easy decision for both of us to make. As a successful niche business Martin would have had his pick of investors and so I’m utterly delighted that he and his team have chosen JMG Group to support the business’s next chapter of growth.”
Renewed rise in Yorkshire & Humber business activity in May
The headline NatWest Yorkshire & Humber PMI® Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – posted back above the 50.0 no-change mark in May, rising to 50.5 from 47.3 in April.
The index therefore signalled a renewed expansion of output in the region’s private sector, ending a three-month sequence of reduction. That said, the rate of growth was only marginal and the slowest of the 12 regions and nations of the UK covered by the report.
The increase in business activity was in line with the picture for new orders, which also returned to growth during May. In turn, a renewed rise in employment was signalled. Meanwhile, input costs continued to rise sharply, albeit at a softer pace. Moreover, the rate of output price inflation was the slowest since September 2020.
May data signalled a renewed expansion in new orders at companies in the Yorkshire & Humber region, thereby ending a one-year sequence of decline. Greater sales volumes were reported by a number of companies, in some cases linked to successful advertising and improved market confidence.
That said, the rate of growth in new business was only fractional and weaker than the UK average.
Business sentiment was unchanged in May, remaining solid but just below the series average. More than half of respondents predicted a rise in output over the coming year, linked to business investment plans, plus expected improvements in new orders and economic conditions.
Manufacturers were more optimistic than their service sector counterparts.
Companies in Yorkshire & Humber responded to the return to growth of new orders by taking on additional staff in May. The slight rise in staffing levels ended a three-month sequence of job cuts.
Firms in the region increased employment to a slightly stronger degree than the UK average.
Although new orders increased in May, the marginal expansion was not strong enough to erase evidence of spare capacity in the region’s private sector. As such, backlogs of work decreased for the fifteenth consecutive month. The latest fall was solid, albeit the least marked for a year.
Outstanding business was down across both monitored sectors.
After hitting a one-year high in April, the rate of input cost inflation slowed sharply during May and was at a seven-month low. That said, input prices continued to rise at a marked pace. Where input costs increased, panellists reported higher wages and rises in prices for raw materials such as aluminium.
Service providers posted a much faster increase than manufacturers.
Although output prices continued to rise in May, the rate of inflation eased for the third consecutive month to the weakest since September 2020. In fact, the increase in charges in the region was the second-slowest of the 12 UK areas covered, faster only than the North West.
Some firms increased selling prices in line with higher input costs, but others indicated that muted demand had reduced their pricing power.
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair of the NatWest North Regional Board, said: “The latest PMI data for the Yorkshire & Humber region make for encouraging reading, with local firms seeing renewed increases in output, new orders and employment during the month.
“The hope will be that the recent soft patch is behind us and that growth can start to solidify and speed up over the coming months. One other development of note was that selling prices increased at the slowest pace in approaching four years, potentially providing a further boost to demand conditions.”
JMG Group motors ahead with latest acquisition
Leeds-based JMG Group has completed its acquisition of Eastbourne-based Executive Insurance Services, bringing additional commercial and motor trade insurance expertise to the business.
Directors Martyn Owen and Martin Davies will continue to lead Executive Insurance’s team of 18.
Martin Davies became a shareholder of Executive Insurance in 2010 and then the sole owner in 2012. His now business partner Martyn Owen joined Executive Insurance 13 years ago and is the director in charge of the broker’s day to day operations.
Director, Martin Davies, says: “We are proud of what we have achieved so far in our journey and have big plans for the future. JMG Group will provide the support to help make those plans a reality. The sale has been such a straight forward process, thanks to our internal processes and the expertise of JMG’s M&A team.
“As well as taking away some of the heavy lifting associated with running a broker, this will help us to further develop our team and continue to expand our client base.”
Tim Johnson, JMG Group chairman, says: “Executive Insurance Services is an ideal partner for JMG. Not only does the business extend our geographic footprint, it brings a specialist capability in the motor trade sector underpinned by an experienced team who share our client first ethos.
“This partnership will bring added value to our joint customers up and down the country and we’re excited to work together to further build on their successes to date.”
TDR Capital to become majority owner of Asda
TDR Capital has agreed to acquire Zuber Issa’s shares in Asda and will become the majority shareholder with 67.5% ownership.
TDR Capital invested in Asda alongside the Issa brothers, and together they took majority ownership of the business in June 2021.
Gary Lindsay and Tom Mitchell, Managing Partners of TDR Capital, said: “We first invested into Asda over three years ago, seeing a huge opportunity to cement its position as one of the UK’s leading retail brands.
“As majority owners, we will continue to work closely with the Asda management team and colleagues across the business to support its growth strategy, which we believe is the right one to continue to move Asda forward.”
GMB Union, however, has raised concerns about TDR Capital taking a bigger stake in Asda.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “TDR Capital has serious questions to answer about their asset-stripping of Asda.
“Their private equity ownership has already been bad for consumers – with Asda now the most expensive retailer for fuel – and bad for staff, with millions of working hours cut from the shop floor.
“Further involvement from TDR can only spell more bad news. Bosses must change course to protect Asda workers and stop this British retailer further losing more market share.”
Yorkshire law firm Gordons advises Warburton’s on 65,850 sq ft distribution centre pre-let
Law firm Gordons has advised Britain’s largest bakery brand on the pre-letting of a new, bespoke 65,847 sq ft distribution centre to be developed in Biggleswade, near Bedford.
Warburtons has agreed to take a 25-year lease of the distribution and office facility at developer Tritax Symmetry’s Phase 3 of the 150-acre Symmetry Park Biggleswade scheme.
The highly sustainable building, with on-site EV charging and solar PV arrays, is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.
A team led by Gordons commercial property partner, Sarah Ratcliffe, advised Warburtons on the deal.
Commenting on the support from the Gordons’ team, Jim Norton, head of distribution network transformation at Warburtons, said: “As the largest bakery brand in the UK, we have a responsibility to lead and constantly innovate. That’s not only true with our products but also with the facilities in which we bake and distribute.
“The practical commercial advice provided by Sarah and the team at Gordons played a pivotal role in enabling us to secure the pre-let of our new depot.”
Bolton-headquartered Warburtons currently produces more than two million products every day at its 11 bakeries, including one in Wakefield. It delivers fresh to 18,500 stores across the UK every morning from the company’s 18 depots.
Gordons’ Sarah Ratcliffe added: “It was a pleasure to advise Warburtons on the pre-let deal.
“The new facility will only serve to further strengthen Warburtons’ business. We look forward to seeing the state-of-the-art highly sustainable building coming to fruition now that the deal has been agreed.”
Wykeland adds Leeds office building to growing property portfolio
Leading Yorkshire property development and investment company Wykeland Group has acquired an office building in a prime location in Leeds city centre.
Elizabeth House is situated just off Wellington Place in the heart of the city centre and is a short walk from Leeds Station.
Wykeland has acquired the building from an institutional investor, which had owned it since 2014. The building comprises 25,000 sq ft across five storeys and includes 15 car parking spaces.
Elizabeth House is let to Clarion Solicitors, which was recently recognised as one of the fastest-growing law firms in Europe.
Wykeland Property Director David Donkin said: “We’re delighted to have acquired this property in a prime location in the centre of Leeds, the commercial capital of Yorkshire.
“It adds to our growing portfolio of buildings in key town and city centre locations in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
“We’re continuing to actively explore opportunities to acquire properties that are in attractive locations and add value to our asset base.”
Sheffield renewable energy installer acquired
Hometree, the residential energy services company, has acquired Sheffield-based renewable energy installer IMS Heat Pumps.
Founded in 2015, Hometree has become a challenger brand in residential energy services. With an initial focus on home emergency breakdown and insurance, Hometree has since expanded into renewable installations and financing.
With demand set to surge for renewable energy installations, Hometree is in a prime position to accelerate the change from gas boilers to heat pumps and other renewable forms of technology across the UK.
With targets set to have 600,000 heat pumps installed by 2028, Hometree is capitalising on this switch to renewables by acquiring IMS Heat Pumps, which has pioneered heat pump installations across England and Scotland since 1997.
IMS Heat Pumps will gain access to Hometree’s customer base, its suite of financing products and insurance services.
Meanwhile, the acquisition will enable Hometree to bolster its engineering force and re-train more of its 5,000 engineers to be able to install, repair and maintain renewables.
Hometree founder & CEO Simon Phelan said: “I’m incredibly excited to be partnering with Emma Bohan and the IMS team and look forward to helping them scale the company significantly.
“If the UK is to achieve its net zero ambition, we will need an army of installers right across the country and we’re committed to bringing together these skills, supported by financing and in-life repair and maintenance services, to make Hometree the first choice for homeowners who want to do the right thing by the planet.”
Emma Bohan, Managing Director of IMS Heat Pumps, said: “We’ve been installing heat pumps for over 25 years and we’ve watched the renewable home energy industry grow and grow in that time.
“By partnering with Hometree, we can bring our specialist expertise to many more homeowners and look forward to working closely with the Hometree team to drive uptake of sustainable heating solutions across the country.”
HACS Group steps up as music festival sponsor
Independent building and construction services contractor the HACS Group has been named as sponsor of the Harrogate Music Festival, which started at the weekend and runs until Thursday.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “We’re delighted to announce that the Harrogate Music Festival has its very first title sponsor in The HACS Group, the leading independent building and construction services contractor.
“Arts sponsorship is vital to our work as a charity and we are thrilled that HACS have come on board with their support, and we look forward to building our Festival together in the future!”
Mark Smith, founder and MD of The HACS Group, said: “We are extremely proud of our association with Harrogate International Festivals which goes back many years.
“The Festivals’ team does an incredible job bringing world class music and culture to Harrogate and that is why we are delighted to become Harrogate Music Festival’s title sponsor.”
With experience ranging from roads and utility infrastructure projects to industrial, commercial and residential development, the reputation and growth of the HACS Group have been underpinned by their ability to provide the skills and services needed to complete, often complex projects, to the very highest standards.
This year’s Music Festival, which runs from June 8 to July 13, features an array of spectacular musical talent with artists from the worlds of classical, jazz, soul and dance music taking to the stage in Harrogate.
