Katie Saunders joins Devonshire Group as People Director

Eleonora Gallina
-
0
Katie Saunders joins Devonshire Group as People Director

 Katie Saunders has been appointed as Group People Director at the Devonshire Group, the company that represents the interests, charities and businesses of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

 

Having been operating at board level for the past 15 years in High Street retail and during 20 years in the motor industry, including Volkswagen UK and Audi UK, Katie Saunders joins the Devonshire Group with responsibility for more than 1400 employees spread across 65,000 acres at Chatsworth in Derbyshire, Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire, the Compton estate in Sussex, and Lismore in the Republic of Ireland.

 

Katie Saunders said: “I’m genuinely excited by the challenge. My experience is very broad, which I think will be important given the Devonshire Group includes such a variety of businesses from visitor attractions, shops, restaurants and luxury accommodation to farming and forestry, and property development.

 

“Although there are many different job roles and responsibilities, it’s very clear that there is a strong, shared passion for the organisation and its values, at all levels. Part of my role will be to share my experience and expertise in Learning and Development, and particularly Management Development and Leadership, to enable everybody to make the very best of their skills and reach their full potential.”

 

“Some great work has been done to introduce young people and apprentices to the Devonshire Group through the Kickstart scheme and there’s more to come. To be an employer of choice we need to listen to our team and respond to their concerns so I’ll certainly be looking at issues like wellbeing and diversity to see what more we can do to further develop a modern, motivated and committed workforce.”

 

Brought up in Doncaster and now living in Chesterfield, Katie Saunders and her husband are frequent visitors to the Peak District and keen foodies. “We know Chatsworth well and often take walks across parts of the estate. For many years I’ve experienced first hand the professionalism, commitment and good humour of the people who work here – this really is my dream job,” she said.

Bespoke Centre in Bransholme is a haven for starter businesses after refurb

Eleonora Gallina
-
0
Bespoke Centre in Bransholme is a haven for starter businesses after refurb
The Bespoke Centre located in Bransholme has undergone a major refurbishment to create a dedicated managed workspace centre offering 20 units for small and starter businesses. Daren Hale, Leader of Hull City Council, ward councillors Anita Harrison and Jan Loft went to view the centre on Friday 17 December, along with several other local partners. The centre was originally a community resource centre, developed and operated by the voluntary sector. The building transferred to the council several years ago and, following a review, has been integrated into the council’s portfolio of Managed Workspace Centres. The repurposed Bespoke Centre joins the Louis Pearlman Centre and the Craven Park Training and Enterprise Centre as the council’s third Managed Workspace Centre, aimed at providing workspace and support to small and starter businesses. The building has been refurbished and additional units have been created in areas formerly used as council offices. The council has expended around £325k on the project, around £100k of this covered by grant support from the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (HEY LEP) as part of the government’s Getting Building Fund. The centre now offers 20 business units with a further area continuing to be occupied by BrightStart Day Nursery. Units are available in a range of sizes and are particularly suited to use as offices and professional services. The centre is staffed by the council’s Managed Workspace Team who provide on-site management, reception and meeting room services and business support and advice. Since the refurbishment works were completed, five new businesses have already moved in and several viewings are in progress with other potential occupiers. Daren Hale, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The refurbishment of the Bespoke Centre was part of the Managed Workspace Programme, a package of investment to improve our managed workspace offer with support from our partners at the HEY LEP. “On our visit, I was delighted to see how this investment has made such a huge difference to a very important asset. The Bespoke Centre is the ideal facility for any small or starter business, with the added benefit of support from the council’s on-site business support team.” James Newman, Chair of the HEY LEP said: ‘’It was brilliant to see how the refurbishment of the building could make such a difference to the space available for local small entrepreneurial businesses to take their first step from living room to proper office accommodation. “As a LEP, our Growth Hub will continue to provide all the vital services to support these businesses and individuals and the Bespoke Centre will add to the office space, so much needed in this area of the city.’’ To find out more about the Bespoke Centre, visit the Hull City Council’s Managed Workspace Centres website. Click here to visit the HEY LEP website.

Third new tenant for Leeds waterfront destination

Tess Egginton
-
0
Third new tenant for Leeds waterfront destination
Digital agency Tall is swapping the former Mills of Holbeck for Leeds’ original waterfront destination, as the 13 staff agency moves to Brewery Wharf. The agency will move into 5A Brewery Place, a 2,500 sq ft workspace which was fully repurposed by Brewery Wharf developer Rushbond PLC, transforming a former restaurant into contemporary office space. Tall is currently based in Holbeck Urban Village and will make the move down the River Aire in February 2022. Tall was founded in 2011 by Guy Utley with technical director Behrooz Saeed coming on board in 2017. Originally based in Brighouse, the agency moved to Leeds in 2013 and has worked on campaigns for the likes of SkyBet and the Provident Group, and closer to home Leeds Digital Festival and Express Bi-Folding Doors. Guy Utley said: “The past three years have been record breaking for Tall. We’ve been on the lookout for new premises after outgrowing our current ones, and after visiting many new locations Brewery Wharf stood out head and shoulders above anything else we looked. Walking into the 5A space I immediately turned to Behrooz to say, ‘this is a bit of us’. “It had a modern yet industrial feel with room to allow us to add our own stamp on the place. We are looking forward to moving in to the fully kitted environment with lots of agile work areas designed for maximum flexibility and the odd new luxury of course.” Tall is the third new tenant for Brewery Wharf in the last three months, joining fine dining restaurant HOME and funeral planning company Rest Assured Funeral Plans. Work is currently underway to make additional developments to the public realm, including new landscaping and greenspaces and additional cycle storage facilities. Richard Baker from Rushbond says: “The creative community at Brewery Wharf is growing rapidly thanks to the flexible spaces on offer, closeness to the city centre and waterfront location – which is hard to beat in terms of mindfulness and fresh air. To have secured three new tenants in three months is a huge coup for this unique and thriving part of Leeds, and there are even more exciting announcements coming soon.”

Leeds City Council offers timely assistance to pandemic-hit local businesses

Eleonora Gallina
-
0
Leeds City Council offers timely assistance to pandemic-hit local businesses
Businesses in Leeds are being encouraged to apply for fresh funding support to help them deal with the continuing financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Leeds City Council has already distributed more than £290m worth of assistance to the business and charity sector since the start of the pandemic. Now two grant schemes are set to deliver additional help as the local business community weighs up the impact of recently-imposed restrictions designed to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus. One of the schemes being managed by the council is aimed at Leeds-based businesses in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sector, with one-off grants on offer worth up to £6,000. Applicants must provide in-person services at their premises and have been registered as the current ratepayer on December 30 last year. The application window for this fund is open now and will close on Monday, February 28. The second scheme, which is also open now, is aimed at Leeds-based businesses and charities from any sector, with discretionary grants ranging from £1,000 to £15,000 on offer to help cover fixed overheads such as service charges and commercial vehicle leasing costs. To qualify for support, applicants must fulfil a number of criteria, one of which requires them to demonstrate a drop from their pre-pandemic income of at least 25 per cent or £50,000 between April 1 and December 31 last year when compared to the same period in 2019. The scheme is not open to businesses that have already received a discretionary grant towards their fixed overheads for the period from August 1 last year to March 31 this year. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “We are very much aware of the continuing pressures being placed on businesses in Leeds as a result of COVID-19 and remain determined – as we have been since the start of the crisis – to do everything we can to help them. “Our business community has – like people across the city – shown truly remarkable resolve as it has coped with the unprecedented challenges that have come its way over the last two years. “The spread of the Omicron variant has now presented many Leeds businesses with yet another challenge. Our message today, therefore, is simple: if you think you could benefit from one of these schemes, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.” Other measures taken by the council during the pandemic include the distribution of grants to businesses that were forced to close during the various national lockdowns and payments to help with reopening costs as restrictions began to ease. Eligible taxi and private hire drivers, meanwhile, can still claim free three-year licence renewals as part of a multi-million pound package of assistance for their trade that was announced in March last year. For further information about the council’s COVID-19 business support programme, visit https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/grants-for-businesses.

Renovotec acquires IT solutions firm

Tess Egginton
-
0
Renovotec acquires IT solutions firm
West Yorkshire-based supply chain hardware, software and services company Renovotec has acquired 100% of Jade Solutions Ltd. Jade, based in Newton-le-Willows, has 30 years’ expertise in developing IT solutions. Its specialisms include the development of contactless retail environments; Jade customers in this high-growth market include Pret a Manger, Marks & Spencer, Nando’s and Bet Fred. This latest acquisition will boost Renovotec’s annual turnover to more than £50 million and increase its headcount in the UK and continental Europe to more than 160 employees. Giles Clegg and Danielle Gibbon from Lupton Fawcett’s corporate team advised Renovotec on the acquisition. Renovotec CEO, Richard Gilliard, said: “Renovotec is now the largest consultative company in its industry. Our strategy of meeting our supply chain customers’ business needs with best-in-class technology is paying off.” Giles Clegg who heads the corporate team at Lupton Fawcett said: “We are very pleased to have advised Renovotec on another acquisition. They are a pleasure to work with and are creating an exciting and dynamic group in the IT sector. “It was also good to see a number of announcements of completed transactions from fellow Yorkshire corporate advisers in the first week of 2022 which is good for the whole Yorkshire corporate finance community.” Jacky Buchsbaum of Wilds provided accounting and tax advice to Renovotec.

Sustainable British Library redevelopment granted planning permission by Leeds City Council

Tess Egginton
-
0
Sustainable British Library redevelopment granted planning permission by Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council has granted planning permission for the large-scale redevelopment of the British Library’s site at Boston Spa in West Yorkshire. A major construction project will transform the 44 acre site – originally a World War II armaments factory, and for the past six decades the northern home of the UK national library – into a modern archive capable of storing its growing collection for decades to come. The £95 million Government funded redevelopment will create much-needed storage capacity, with further work dedicated to improving facilities for staff and visitors and making significant improvements to the environmental sustainability of the site. Following significant government investment announced in the March 2020 Budget, the Library is expanding and refurbishing the West Yorkshire facility just outside Boston Spa, near Wetherby. The Library’s team, supported by Carter Jonas, Project Management and Planning Consultancy teams, submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council last year. The plans reflect the importance of sustainability within the development, which will see the creation of a low carbon archive and new green spaces designed to support biodiversity. The Library’s design team will work alongside Wates Construction, architects, Carmody Groarke, building services engineers, Buro Happold, structural engineer, Price and Myers, and landscape architects J&L Gibbons to advance the aspirations for the site. The Library has also secured a Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) grant. An additional £8.5 million in funding means a range of energy-saving initiatives are already being introduced at the Boston Spa site, including installing:
  • Around 730 solar panels providing a minimum of 225 MWh per annum
  • A new ground source heat pump system, which will help reduce the Library’s reliance on fossil fuels and will generate an anticipated 1MW of energy – the equivalent of powering 650 average homes
  • Additional smart meters, better insulation and the replacement of low-energy efficiency fluorescent lamps within existing buildings
As part of the new development, 220km of extra shelf space will be created in a new high-density, automated storage building which will have the highest possible level of air tightness creating a low energy passive archive. Once complete visitors to the Library’s Boston Spa site will be able to see the inner workings of the spectacular storage facility through a new public viewing gallery. The redevelopment of the site at Boston Spa will support and enable the Library’s equally ambitious plans for a major new public centre at Temple Works in Leeds city centre. In July last year, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) released an initial £5 million of funding for urgently needed stabilisation works and detailed investigatory work to assess the viability of transforming Temple Works into a new home for the British Library in Leeds. The unrivalled collections, resources and staff based at Boston Spa would power the public-facing offering that is planned for Temple Works. Phil Spence, Chief Operating Officer of the British Library, said: “We are delighted that Leeds City Council have approved our plans to re-develop our site at Boston Spa to accommodate the UK’s growing national collection and build on our commitment to shaping a brighter climate future. “A national library is, by its very nature, a long-term investment and an expression of hope in the future, so it’s essential that sustainability should be at the heart of this development. It marks a major step forward towards transforming our presence in the north of England and creating a sustainable British Library for everyone.” Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It’s exciting to see plans to redevelop this important site take a huge step forward and for a prestigious organisation like the British Library to be demonstrating a strong commitment to Leeds and a belief that the city is a fitting home for their unrivalled collection. “With the British Library’s plans for Temple Works also progressing, it is clear that a long term, sustainable vision for their presence in Leeds is taking shape, which will play a huge part in cementing the city’s ever-growing reputation as a centre for cultural excellence and innovation and supporting high quality jobs in the city.” Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, said: “I am delighted that the British Library’s planned development of sustainable storage facilities in Boston Spa has been given the green light. With Government investment, this state-of-the-art facility will help the British Library house its growing collection, expand its presence in the north and bring its ambition for a public site in the centre of Leeds a step closer.”

Avacta Group plc has paused sales of the AffiDX® ffiDX® SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test

Eleonora Gallina
-
0
Avacta Group plc has paused sales of the AffiDX® ffiDX® SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test
Avacta Group plc (AIM: AVCT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative cancer therapies and powerful diagnostics based on its proprietary Affimer® and pre|CISION™ platforms, provides an update on the performance of the AffiDX® SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test (LFT) with the Omicron variant. The performance of all rapid antigen tests has come under recent scrutiny in light of the large number of mutations in the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the US Food and Drug Administration, as well as other sources, has indicated that antigen tests generally will detect the Omicron variant but may have reduced sensitivity.[1] As reported on 15 December 2021, the AffiDX® SARS-CoV-2 antigen test has been shown to detect the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in patient samples in a small clinical study. Whilst the AffiDX® antigen test is effective at identifying high viral loads of Omicron, further laboratory analysis carried out by Avacta indicates that the sensitivity of the test is reduced at lower viral loads when compared with the sensitivity of the AffiDX® test with previous SARS-CoV-2 variants. The AffiDX® SARS CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test contains both a proprietary Affimer® reagent and a commercially available antibody. Our data show that the Affimer® reagent in the AffiDX® test detects the Omicron variant with the same sensitivity as the Delta variant, and it is the performance of the antibody, with which the Affimer® is paired in the test, that has been affected by the additional Omicron mutations. The Company has therefore independently taken the decision to pause sales of the AffiDX® antigen test whilst it replaces the antibody in the product to ensure that its performance with the Omicron variant matches the high performance with previous mutations. Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group, said: “The continued high performance of the Affimer® reagent in the AffiDX® antigen test, despite the large number of mutations in the Omicron variant, is testament to the robustness of our platform technology. “As a responsible business, we set very high standards for ourselves and our products and have continually kept the performance of the AffiDX® antigen test under review as new SARS-CoV-2 variants have arisen. Our determination to only provide high quality, high performance diagnostic tests has led us to the correct decision to pause all marketing of the AffiDX® lateral flow antigen test. We have, of course, been unable to market the product in the UK since October 2021, as the product continues to await approval under the new CTDA regulatory process. “We believe COVID-19 testing remains a long-term commercial opportunity. We will therefore use the robustness of the Affimer® platform, and what we have learned about the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to generate the next generation antigen test that will be as resilient as possible to any future mutations. “The performance of other marketed SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow tests may well be adversely affected by the Omicron variant. This mutant is already the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in many countries and may soon be the dominant variant globally. We therefore believe it is essential that similar Omicron sensitivity studies be performed on all SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests and the results communicated to ensure the public can have confidence in the results these tests generate.”

Hull’s maritime charity looking to appoint Trustees

Eleonora Gallina
-
0
Hull’s maritime charity looking to appoint Trustees
Hull Maritime Foundation is looking to appoint five Trustees to join its board. The independent charity was set up 2018 to support the assets, sites and programmes of Hull Maritime Museum. The Foundation is searching for Trustees to strengthen the expertise in fundraising and marketing; charity law and management; events management and investments. Lord Haskins of Skidby, Chair of the Hull Maritime Foundation, said: “The Foundation’s focus for the future is helping to realise the ambitious vision for Hull’s maritime heritage as part of the Hull Maritime project and making good on the growth and promise that took root during UK City of Culture 2017. “Hull Maritime Foundation recognises that its Trustees are essential in delivering our vision and that’s why we are seeking to appoint a number of Trustees in order to achieve our endeavours.” The closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday 31 January 2022. For more information and recruitment pack, visit here.

Leeds firm engineers support for multi-million development

Michael Fisher
-
0
Leeds firm engineers support for multi-million development
Leeds engineers RWO has won undisclosed work to support ambitious plans for a new multi-million pound industrial and warehouse regeneration project in North Yorkshire. Planned for development by the Rotherham-based land and property regeneration company, Harworth Group, the proposed 2 million sq. ft. commercial development on the 185-acre Gascoigne Wood site in Sherburn-in-Elmet will see RWO provide consultancy advice along with civil and structural engineering services. The project is on brownfield land that once formed part of the Selby Coalfield complex and has since been earmarked for redevelopment under the Harworth Group’s plans for the site. If it gets the green light, the whole project will see new rail-linked industrial and logistics space constructed at Gascoigne Woods in a capital investment that could herald upwards of 2,000 new jobs as occupants move in over the next three years. RWO’s proposals form part of revised plans designed by award winning Wakefield architects The Harris Partnership, that will be considered by Selby District Council’s planning committee. The development comes as the engineering firm has more than doubled capacity in the last 12 months following investment in resources and infrastructure to meet strong demand for its services. Currently employing 30 people and targeting revenues in excess of £2.5m in the next six months, clients include Yorkshire-based industrial construction companies Potter Space and ESH, alongside regional house builders Harron Homes and Gleeson Homes. Andrew Fairburn, head of RWO’s Leeds office, said: “We continue to strengthen our partnership with the Group and support its investment plans for ambitious redevelopment projects with technical advice, skills and engineering expertise. “This latest move comes at a time when we are seeing continued growth in 2021 as we look to secure new contracts across the region and the UK.” Robert Cole, project manager at Harworth Group, said: “We are delighted to continue to work with RWO and look forward to them playing a key role in the delivery of a such a significant project for Yorkshire.”

Huddersfield software company celebrates fifth year of growth

Michael Fisher
-
0
Huddersfield software company celebrates fifth year of growth
Huddersfield based Software as a Service (SaaS) provider Adventoris is celebrating after a successful 2021 that saw its revenue increase for a fifth year at a cumulative annual growth rate of 83%. The effects of the pandemic and the demand for digitising sales and ordering processes across many industries, such as manufacturing, wholesale and retail, has accelerated the growth of Adventoris over the last 12 months. Adventoris is the creator of SwiftCloud, a ground-breaking mobile business to business software that revolutionises the way companies make sales and engage with customers. SwiftCloud is a customisable B2B mobile app platform designed specifically for distributors and wholesalers that enables their customers to see products, communicate with the company and make orders 24/7. In 2021, its total revenue was up by 37%, and its recurring SaaS revenue has been increasing 62% year on year. Over half a million orders were also made through SwiftCloud powered apps during the year, with a combined total of £0.3bn and over 50,000 active users. Fifty new clients were onboarded and the business also broke into new markets including baby care, golf, timber and seafood, as more industries adopted digital sales and ordering processes. To date, Adventoris has created 180 ordering apps for companies throughout the UK and beyond, for clients such as Fellowes, STAEDTLER, Sysco Speciality Group and Pipers Crisps. Due to the demand for SwiftCloud’s software, further investment has been made to enhance its servers, as well as upgrading the platform to the latest version of Oracle and Oracle APEX, for release in 2022, to ensure the app software is the best it can be. SwiftCloud is consistently growing and evolving, with new modules and updates being added regularly. It now offers six ordering solutions, including SwiftCloud Web Portal and SwiftCloud Sales Manager app. SwiftCloud is proven to save up to 80% of customer service costs, by removing the expensive cost of manual data entry, as well as costs associated with human error when inputting data. It can also save end customers up to 50% of the time in preparing and submitting an order. Adventoris’ clients have experienced the number of customer orders increasing by 26% when utilising SwiftCloud. James Clarkson, Adventoris’ CEO, said: “The last few years have seen our business go from strength to strength and we’re continuing along that trajectory as we head into 2022. “The team has worked tirelessly over the last year to keep up with the demand in businesses shifting to digital processes, but also responding to constantly evolving technology, software, compliance and legislation to ensure the customer experience is at the highest level. “I’m incredibly proud of the team and look forward to growing even further in 2022, as we look to bring in even more new talent and break into new markets.”

SmartSearch announces appointment of new CEO

Eleonora Gallina
-
0
SmartSearch announces appointment of new CEO
SmartSearch, the leading anti-money laundering specialist, today announces the appointment of Guy Harrison as CEO.  Guy will drive SmartSearch’s strategic plan to build additional growth and will report to the company’s board of directors. Guy is a seasoned business leader with a proven track record of scaling fast-growth data, analytics and technology businesses.  He joins from Dow Jones where he was general manager of Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, a market leading global provider of regulatory compliance and risk management solutions.  Whilst there, he headed the global business, delivering three years of highly successful growth. Prior to that he was managing director for Risk, Regulatory and Compliance Solutions at IHS Markit. Before joining IHS Markit, Guy spent eight years at Goldman Sachs and started his career as a management consultant with Deloitte. He takes over with immediate effect from SmartSearch’s CEO and founder John Dobson, who launched the business in 2011. John will remain an active part of the company as a non-executive director. SmartSearch achieved record results in 2021, with a 22% increase in business. This was driven by demand for its industry-leading online ID verification and due diligence platform. The company has received many industry awards, including a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its innovative work, and currently operates in the UK, the US and Europe. It was recently chosen to provide customer verification by Alto, a part of Zoopla, which provides cloud-based software for estate agents. Guy Harrison, CEO of SmartSearch, said: “SmartSearch has already delivered impressive growth, and I’m very much looking forward to working with the team to lead the business towards even greater success.  Fraud and money laundering attempts have risen considerably since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic increasing the need for regulated businesses to have effective AML technology. SmartSearch’s state-of-the-art technology is perfectly positioned to meet this need by accurately identifying and verifying customers in just two seconds.” John Dobson was one of the founders of credit management giant Callcredit, following which he set up SmartSearch. He said: “There is a clear and growing need for robust electronic verification to help counter money laundering and fraud. The strong growth we have achieved at SmartSearch over the past decade clearly indicates this need as paper documents can no longer be relied upon. It also gives an indication of our huge potential for further expansion. “I feel a lot of pride in having led a worthy and successful business which will continue to grow and prosper with a very competent, energetic and innovative team remaining.  I felt the time had come for my second retirement and I am very happy to handover the leadership to Guy, who I know has the experience and strategic vision to steer the business through the next expansion phase as it continues to become recognized as the default solution for AML verification, both in the UK and globally.” Richard Law, chairman designate of SmartSearch, commented: “On behalf of the board and the team as SmartSearch I’d like to thank and congratulate John on his skill and dedication to building SmartSearch so effectively and on achieving the financial success the business has seen to date. I’m very pleased that the business has been able to attract Guy to join the business. His track record, experience and skills are a great fit for the ambitious next stage of SmartSearch’s development and growth.” SmartSearch is based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, and this year increased its team from 117 to 168 to cope with demand. The SmartSearch system carries out identity checks using a combination of credit reference data and trusted public sources, which makes it virtually impossible for someone to get away with using a fake identity. For more information please visit: www.smartsearch.com

Experienced audit manager joins Hentons

Tess Egginton
-
0
Experienced audit manager joins Hentons
An experienced audit manager has been appointed at Yorkshire-based chartered accountancy and business advisory firm, Hentons. Lee Milligan has over 25 years’ industry experience and will be managing a team of auditing professionals who are based across the firm’s Leeds, London, Sheffield, Thirsk and York offices. After completing a BA Hons degree in Accountancy and Business Studies, Lee started his career in Stoke-on-Trent before moving to a firm in Manchester. He has recently been working as the audit and accounts manager at Paylings Ltd in Wakefield. Lee is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Lee said: “A well-run audit gives management and third parties assurance in the published financial figures and highlights any weaknesses in client systems, errors and potential fraud. It also makes meaningful unbiased recommendations to improve performance in the future. I pride myself on adding value to clients by providing excellent service and ideas that play a vital role in driving businesses forward. “I wanted to join Hentons, as the firm has an excellent reputation for its audit and accountancy services, as well as offering corporate finance and legal services, and there are plenty of opportunities to build on its impressive client base.”

Plans for 310 apartments in Leeds revealed

Tess Egginton
-
0
Plans for 310 apartments in Leeds revealed
Proposals have been revealed for approximately 310 studio, 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments as well as communal, co-working and creative space in Leeds. Mabgate Yard, on Mabgate in Leeds, will bring a landmark development to a brownfield site within an existing creative environment. The proposals are centred around a communal heart, acting as a focal point for residents to meet, relax and collaborate and the development will also benefit from landscaped outdoor areas and extensive planting. Located on a key gateway site, close to St James’s University Hospital and the city centre, each of the apartments will be available solely for rent. The development will be sustainable, and opportunities for on-site energy generation will be explored. The proposals are being brought forward by HBD, a Yorkshire founded developer. It is anticipated that a hybrid planning application, seeking permission for the principle of development, will be submitted by February 2022; further ‘reserved matters’ planning applications will be submitted in the second half of 2022 to agree the details of appearance, access, landscaping, layout and scale. Richard Hinds, development surveyor at HBD, said: “We have developed plans for this site that we are proud of and feel the scheme complements the existing urban community. We’re excited to share the plans with the community and invite their feedback. “As a hybrid planning application, with elements of the design still to decide, public consultation is vital and we are keen to know the thoughts of local residents and businesses. We will then be able to incorporate these ideas and opinions in our final planning applications. “Leeds is one of the most exciting places in the UK to live and work and we are committed to bringing forward a scheme for this neighbourhood that we can all be proud of. We respect the unique character and history of Mabgate and believe these designs will sit well alongside existing buildings, but also help the area develop and grow.”

East Yorkshire manufacturer of furniture for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms snapped up

Tess Egginton
-
0
East Yorkshire manufacturer of furniture for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms snapped up
Kartell UK Limited, the suppliers of heating and bathroom products to the independent merchant and showroom sector, has completed the acquisition of Summerbridge Holdings Limited and its subsidiary Humber Doors Limited, which trade as Summerbridge. Headquartered in Anlaby, East Yorkshire, Summerbridge is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of kitchen and bathroom cabinets and doors to manufacturers, contractors, developers and distributors across the leisure, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (KBB) and commercial and residential development sectors. With predecessor businesses’ history dating back 30 years, Summerbridge today employs more than 120 people, delivering more than £7m in annual sales. Kartell’s acquisition of Summerbridge represents the next chapter in the history of the prominent Hull business, with the Kartell group securing a supply of high-quality British-made bathroom cabinets for its customers and Summerbridge set to benefit from investment by the group. As part of the deal, Summerbridge will continue to operate as a standalone business within the Kartell group under the guidance of the existing management team and will benefit from opportunities to work closely with the group’s other businesses, including Just Trays, a shower tray manufacturer, in Leeds and Vogue, a specialist manufacturer of designer towel warmers, in Willenhall and their customers. Founded in 2008, Kartell supplies radiators, designer towel warmers and bathroom products to the independent and merchant showroom sector in the UK. The group turns over in excess of £125m using brands K-RAD, K-VIT, JT and Vogue, and employs more than 430 people across principal sites in Bedford, Wigan, Willenhall and Leeds. The group management team will work closely with the Summerbridge team to develop the business in the UK and internationally, with the group expecting significant growth across their core markets. Kartell was advised by FRP Corporate Finance’s East Midlands team, led by Harry Walker, with legal advice from a team led by Sophie Burke of Fladgate LLP and financial due diligence provided by Price Bailey LLP. Alex Norford, CEO of Kartell, said: “In common with many in our industry over the last eighteen months we have experienced record levels of demand. We always strive to deliver exactly what our customers require and recognised earlier this year we needed to secure additional bathroom furniture supply to provide the consistent, high quality products our customers expect from us. “It is with great pleasure we are supporting the future of another fantastic British manufacturer and having identified the benefits Hull’s status as a Freeport can bring to the group, we were keen to be invested in a city which is clearly making giant strides in the UK economy. I am really excited to have the opportunity to welcome everyone at Summerbridge into our group and offer our customers their top quality, British-made cabinetry moving forward.” Simon Lunt, director of Summerbridge Holdings, said: “When we received the approach from Kartell’s advisors we immediately saw the potential for the two businesses to join forces. We acquired Summerbridge in 2018 and have worked alongside the wonderful team at the business to put it back on the path to growth and to realise its undoubted potential. It is with great pleasure that I and my fellow directors hand over the reins to Alex and the team at Kartell to take Summerbridge forwards.” The shareholders of Summerbridge received legal advice from a team from Gosschalks LLP, led by Nigel Beckwith. Shawbrook Bank provided Kartell with increased facilities to finance the acquisition of Summerbridge and were advised by a team from Shoosmiths LLP, led by John Bew.

Double promotions at Sheffield-based Race Cottam Associates

Tess Egginton
-
0
Double promotions at Sheffield-based Race Cottam Associates
Healthcare architectural practice, Race Cottam Associates (RCA), has promoted two team members following a farewell to the firm’s longstanding health sector lead. After an 18-year career at RCA spanning the delivery of more than 60 healthcare schemes, Tim Robinson retires. Paul Foster, associate director becomes RCA’s new health sector lead and will oversee the healthcare team, including the newly promoted architect, Jacob Peplow. RCA’s Managing Director, David Speddings, said: “There has obviously been an extensive handover process in the healthcare team since Tim announced his retirement, part of which involved the restructuring of roles for Paul and Jacob. “RCA enjoys a strong reputation in the healthcare sector, and we’re under no illusion that Tim’s expertise has been invaluable in creating this; he’s delivered outstanding facilities in East & South Yorkshire, the East Midlands and North West. It’s now time for the next generation to build on this success and we’re confident that with Paul and Jacob at the forefront, we will continue designing exceptional and essential healthcare provisions for many years to come.” With almost two decades combined experience at RCA, Paul and Jacob are well-known to the practice’s client base, which includes ten NHS Trusts. Paul is a skilled designer, who is equally confident devising refurbishments, retrofits and re-configurations as well as new build projects. Jacob shares this passion for delivering futureproof and energy efficient buildings as BREEAM lead. Paul said: “Healthcare services are always vital, but now more than ever. We’re keen to continue growing our work in this sector; transforming sites that are unfit for purpose, upgrading existing facilities with state-of-the-art treatment and patient services, and designing high quality, sustainable buildings that will serve new communities. I’m excited to take this next step in my career and build this team of talented architects.” RCA’s current health sector schemes include the £10.5m health hub in Bakewell, Derbyshire; £8m health centre in Belper, Derbyshire; £2m medical centre at the new Olive Lane development in Rotherham; and £12m new main entrance and paediatrics reconfiguration at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Northern PE market records highest value year in a decade, driven by ‘mega-deals’

Tess Egginton
-
0
Northern PE market records highest value year in a decade, driven by ‘mega-deals’
Deal making across the North of England has soared throughout 2021, with private equity houses completing almost 60 deals worth £19.1bn in the last 12 months. Data from CMBOR, the Centre for Private Equity and MBO Research and funded by Equistone Partners Europe as an exclusive sponsor, reveals that the total value of deals in the North this year is the highest in the decade since the research began. Year-on-year, 2021 deal values accounts for five times more than the £3.7bn recorded in 2020 and is more than ten times higher than the £1.5bn in 2019. According to CMBOR’s first full-year data announcement since its re-establishment within Nottingham University Business School, deal volume is also on the up in Northern regions, with the highest number of deals completed since 2014. PE houses completed 23 deals in Yorkshire and the Humber during the year, accumulating the highest value of deals across the UK in 2021 with a total of £14.98bn, ahead of London (£10.83bn). The region was fourth on the list of deal volume with 23 completions, following London (64), South East (40) and North West (31). The retail sector skyrocketed to £14bn, almost a third of total UK value for the year in 2021, driven by two Yorkshire & Humber transactions; TDR Capital’s £6.8bn carve-out of Leeds-headquartered supermarket ASDA in February 2021 and the £7.1bn takeover of Bradford-founded Morrisons in October. Andi Tomkinson, partner at Equistone Partners Europe, said: “This year has demonstrated just how resilient private equity is across the UK and in the North of England in particular, highlighted by the record year we’ve had in 2021. “Despite the obvious challenges faced by businesses and investors as a result of the pandemic, the market is stronger than ever. Valuations are on the up and there is a real focus on growth once again; something that we expect to continue well into 2022 and beyond.”

Change of ownership for Bradford’s Expect Distribution

Tess Egginton
-
0
Change of ownership for Bradford’s Expect Distribution
In a move which ensures business continuation, the majority shareholding of Expect Distribution has been sold by Robert and Neil Rushworth who founded the company 34 years ago. The transport and warehousing provider has been acquired by two established board members, Andy Taylor, Operations Director, and Matthew Kilner, Financial Director, who start 2022 at the helm with Neil Rushworth remaining as the Managing Director in the short term, who will also retaining a minority shareholding of the company. New joint owners Andy Taylor and Matt Kilner joined Expect Distribution in 2017 and 2020 respectively, and have been instrumental in the growth and profitability of the business which was established in 1988 by the company chairman Robert Rushworth. The business has since expanded from 2 vehicles to a fleet of 140 vehicles and a turnover of £40m in 2021 with 3 warehousing sites in West Yorkshire, capable of storing 70,000 pallets. Neil Rushworth explained that discussions about a possible MBO only started early in 2021. “The board held a strategy meeting in Q1 and Andy and Matthew expressed some interest in continuing the Expect success story through an MBO and things developed pretty quickly from there. “Over many years we have created a highly-respected business and despite having external suitors who were interested in buying Expect we found it difficult to imagine any parties who would understand and run the company with the same ethics and unique formula that we have created over the time that the family has owned it. “This is a business at the top of its game, and we are widely recognised for high levels of quality service and we are confident that Andy and Matthew will continue to lead Expect in a manner which is familiar to both our employees and our customers.” Some of the company’s clients include FMCG providers – Boost Drinks, Astonish, national retail chain Card Factory as well as customers in various sectors such as Construction, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive and Office Furniture upon which Andy Taylor commented: “From the nationally recognised Card Factory to some of the UK’s well known FMCG companies, Expect Distribution has some exceptional partnerships with our clients with a focus on value added service. “As we approach 35 years in business, achieving a turnover of nearly £40m and employing over 360 employees as well as winning Haulier of the Year three times with the Motor Transport Awards, the only UK haulier to win the award in two consecutive years, we’re as efficient and innovative as any competitor, with the in-depth industry knowledge and expertise that our clients need and appreciate.” Matthew Kilner added: “We would both personally like to thank Neil and Bob and their vision and dedication which has created the business we have today. Regarding the company’s expansion and growth plans, we couldn’t be more excited to be working with our team to achieve and execute the company’s growth plans going forward and we intend to continue that organic growth which will see Expect grow by a projected 15-20% in 2022. “The transport industry and specifically recruitment will remain a challenge in the coming year but the strength of Expect is within its diversity and we have some big plans underway to expand our warehousing facilities which will provide an additional 16,000 pallet spaces in March this year. “We are proud to be taking Expect Distribution into a new era and we are committed to continuing this great success story.” The acquisition process was successfully backed by funders Shawbrook Bank in the deal which was for an undisclosed figure. Legal advice was provided by Leeds-based Clarion.

North West company acquired by Yorkshire’s Premier Technical Services Group

Tess Egginton
-
0
North West company acquired by Yorkshire’s Premier Technical Services Group
Yorkshire-based Premier Technical Services Group Ltd (PTSG), the provider of specialist services to the construction and facilities management sectors, has acquired North West-headquartered NSS, marking a successful exit for investor BGF. NSS is a specialist services provider, covering all aspects of external building maintenance – including window and technical cleaning, testing and platform hire – to the retail, commercial property, events, healthcare and distribution markets. BGF initially backed NSS – which was formed by a merger with another BGF portfolio company – in July 2016 with £3.3 million to support its national roll-out and acquisition strategy. Since then, the company has made four acquisitions to expand its geographical footprint and specialisms, grow its fleet and enter new markets, making NSS one of the largest independent businesses in the sector. EBITDA has grown five-fold during the investment period. NSS has gained a competitive advantage in the industry through the business’s commitment to offering self-delivered services across the UK without using sub-contractors or hiring equipment or machinery. Niel Bethell, CEO at NSS, said: “BGF’s funding allowed us to accelerate our plans to rapidly expand over the past five years. In this time, we’ve really grown up as a business – investing in our people, equipment, and technology. BGF brought the ideal combination of a long-term, investment approach and experience of scaling up businesses like ours. “In PTSG, we’ve found the ideal home for NSS as their values match ours and they have the same uncompromising commitment to customer service. The deal is a statement of intent for the future and provides significant benefits for our team and customers now we’re part of a much bigger yet still entrepreneurial organisation. We look forward to working with our new colleagues to achieve our shared ambitions.” Neil Inskip, head of BGF in the North West, added: “Niel and his team have done an impressive job of growing NSS’ enviable customer base and expanding into new regions and sectors. We’re delighted to announce such a positive outcome for everyone involved, which has delivered great returns for all shareholders.” Paul Teasdale, PTSG’s Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to have acquired Nationwide Specialist Services (NSS) and warmly welcome the team to the PTSG family. This acquisition increases the capacity of PTSG’s experienced Building Access Specialists team, complementing the work of our highly trained specialists who excel in all access methods – cleaning, repairing and maintaining every kind of building and structure. Platform hire expands a niche specialist service offer, and we look forward to growing this area of the business.” The announcement creates a combined business employing 2,300 people across 47 sites.

Plans approved for multi-million pound refurbishment project at the Hydro in Harrogate

Tess Egginton
-
0
Plans approved for multi-million pound refurbishment project at the Hydro in Harrogate
Plans to significantly refurbish the Hydro in Harrogate have been approved by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee.
The project, which will start in April, will see the leisure centre extended and refurbished throughout, along with a new 400sqm fitness suite, improved reception and café, an overhaul and upgrade of the existing spin and dance class facilities and improved disabled access. Outside, the car park will be reconfigured as well as new bicycle storage and six electric vehicle charging points. The diving structure will also be replaced so that the facility can continue to create and nurture future Olympians, such as Jack Laugher and Oliver Dingley. Simultaneously, the existing gas boilers will be replaced with heat pumps, along with the installation of solar panels as well as metering and energy monitoring and control systems. These energy efficiency measures come following a successful £1.8million bid from the borough council through the government’s public sector decarbonisation scheme. It is anticipated that the carbon footprint for the building will be reduced by up to 60 per cent. Councillor Stanley Lumley, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of the board of directors at Brimhams Active, said: “I’m delighted that the planning committee has approved the plans to redevelop the Hydro in Harrogate. This multi-million pound refurbishment project will create exciting new opportunities for local people to move more, live well and feel great. “Our vision is to create a healthier and more active population that are living longer, more independent and happier lives. And by creating first-class facilities like this we’ll be able to deliver the aims and objectives of Brimhams Active.”

APSS to give away a free office design in celebration of its 25th year in business

Tess Egginton
-
0
APSS to give away a free office design in celebration of its 25th year in business
Lincolnshire commercial office design and refurbishment company APSS is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year by giving away a free office design to one East Midlands business. Established in Lincoln in 1997 by Chairman Darren Crookes, the company has naturally evolved from a partitions and storage solution company to provide a full design and fit out service. It includes its own in-house joinery department to speed up delivery time on projects and decrease overall costs for the customer. Stuart Marsland, sales director for APSS, said: “To reach 25 years in business is a huge milestone for any company. To celebrate, we’re giving businesses in the East Midlands the chance to win a free office design. We know many companies have had to shift to a more flexible, hybrid way of working due to the COVID pandemic. However, many have not had the ability to change the office environment to reflect this new way of working. “This has meant many offices have wasted space that could be put to better use. For example, changing banks of desks for alternative collaboration space, creating more group meeting rooms or individual rooms specifically designed to provide a quiet space for virtual meetings. “We want to help companies see the potential its current office space has when designed specifically for the way the business now works.” To enter the competition, businesses need to submit an online form before February 7th, 2022 and answer four questions about what both they and their staff want included in their office environment. The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges and will receive computer-generated images and a video walkthrough of the design to show the potential the office has. In the last 25 years, APSS has completed over 10,000 orders for customers across the country. The company’s first-ever customer was Siemens. Since then, it has designed and refurbished offices and retail spaces for Wren Kitchens, Slimming World, Octopus Energy, Loughborough University, University of Sheffield and Bakkavor to name just a few. For all terms and conditions of the competition, please visit the APSS website.
1...456457458...467Page 457 of 467