Top serious injury lawyer Matthew Clayton joins Middleton Law
Middleton Law has appointed Matthew Clayton as Senior Personal Injury Solicitor and Head of Catastrophic Injury, further strengthening the firm’s expertise in high-value and complex medical negligence and personal injury claims.
Matthew brings with him more than 30 years of legal experience, having built a distinguished career supporting clients with life-changing injuries, including brain and head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. Formerly a Principal Lawyer with Slater and Gordon Lawyers UK, he most recently led the Serious Injury department at Simpson Millar.
Recognised as a leading name in the sector, Matthew has earned praise from Chambers and Partners, and in the Legal 500. Clients and peers alike noted his extensive expertise in highly complex cases, his commitment and the ability to deliver incredible results.
Matthew said of his appointment: “I’m delighted to join Middleton Law Ltd and to work with a team that shares my commitment to achieving life-improving results for seriously injured clients. Helping people rebuild their lives after major trauma has always been at the heart of my work, and I look forward to continuing that here.”
Matthew recently successfully concluded a catastrophic brain injury case involving a 28 year old woman who was struck by a speeding taxi while crossing at a zebra crossing. Following a 10-day trial at the High Court in Manchester, the claimant was awarded 100% of the damages after overcoming extensive arguments on contributory negligence.
She received a £3.75 million lump sum, along with substantial lifelong annual payments to cover her ongoing care and support needs (PHJ v HML before HHJ David Allen KC, 7/12/23).
Other multi-million-pound cases successfully led by Matthew include a recent case involving a teenage cyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car. Initially, the injury was underestimated by medical staff, and the long-term effects were only discovered years later. Eventually the family was awarded £1.5m thanks to Matthew’s skilful representation, making a huge difference to victim and his family.
Neil Fearn, Medical Negligence solicitor and MD of Middleton Law Ltd, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Matthew to the firm. His track record in serious injury litigation speaks for itself, and his expertise will significantly strengthen our ability to support clients facing the most complex and life-changing injuries across the UK.
“Matthew’s arrival reflects our ongoing commitment to growing a first-class team and ensuring every client receives not only exceptional legal advice, but real support when they need it most.”
Matthew’s tactical insight, tireless client advocacy, and experience with complex medical-legal evidence make him a powerful addition to the team which, though based in Leeds, works with clients across England and Wales.
Royal Mail tests British-built electric trucks in fleet decarbonisation push
Royal Mail has launched a new trial of electric trucks as part of its efforts to decarbonise its national distribution fleet. It is working in partnership with Rotherham-based EV specialist Magtec.
Two 19-tonne electric trucks, developed by Magtec, will undergo testing against Royal Mail’s existing diesel fleet under real-world operating conditions. The initiative is backed by an £800,000 grant from Innovate UK.
The first vehicle, assembled in the UK and finished in Royal Mail’s signature red, is based at the Greenford Mail Centre in North West London. It will be used for mail collections and deliveries to nearby depots. The vehicle features modular battery options capable of delivering a range of up to 125 miles per charge.
This trial builds on Magtec’s prior involvement in UK government-backed innovation programmes, including those led by the Advanced Propulsion Centre and the Small Business Research Initiative. The company’s new Gen2 EV drive system, which powers the trucks, is designed to improve efficiency and operational reliability for commercial fleets.
Royal Mail operates one of the UK’s largest delivery fleets and is exploring ways to extend electrification beyond its last-mile van operations into its 4,000-strong heavy goods vehicle fleet. The trial will provide operational data to inform the potential scale-up of EV trucks across its network.
National Wealth Fund backs £1.35bn grid upgrade to boost UK renewable energy supply
A major upgrade to the UK’s energy grid has secured £1.35 billion in financing, positioning the North East as a key player in the country’s clean energy transition.
The funding, led by the National Wealth Fund alongside Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Lloyds, and NatWest, will support ScottishPower’s Eastern Green Link (EGL) project. The project involves building offshore electricity cables to transfer renewable energy from Scottish wind farms to England via the North Sea.
The initial phase will connect Scotland to County Durham, with a second phase planned to reach Lincolnshire. The upgrades aim to relieve bottlenecks in the grid that currently force wind farms to shut down and increase reliance on more expensive gas-fired power stations.
Around £600 million of the funding comes from the publicly owned National Wealth Fund, which was established to drive economic growth through decarbonisation and infrastructure modernisation.
This initiative is particularly relevant for high-energy-demand sectors such as data centres, housing development, and advanced manufacturing. By improving transmission capacity, the project is expected to reduce energy waste, lower electricity costs, and support business expansion across the UK.
ZOO Digital expects revenue growth with cost reductions
ZOO Digital Group PLC, a provider of localisation and digital media services to the entertainment sector, forecasts a 22% increase in revenue to $49.4 million for the year ending March 31, 2025. This follows a turnaround from last year’s loss, with an adjusted EBITDA of at least $0.1 million.
The company has achieved $6.8 million in cost savings through reductions in personnel, property, and legal expenses, and plans to implement an additional $1.7 million in savings next year. ZOO’s strong cash position of $2.6 million, alongside unused invoice discounting facilities, positions it well for future needs.
ZOO is adopting AI and offshore investments to streamline operations, aiming for profitability on a lower revenue base. The company also anticipates larger, unpredictable project revenues as clients continue licensing content, while keeping an eye on potential US tariffs on foreign films.
Yorkshire Water activates drought response amid dry conditions
Yorkshire Water has activated its drought plans in response to the driest spring England has experienced in nearly 70 years. Alongside United Utilities and Severn Trent, the company is ensuring adequate water supplies as the risk of hosepipe bans increases across the country.
Data from the Met Office shows that the period from February to April this year was the driest since 1956, with Sheffield’s forecast indicating no significant rainfall until at least May 14. Yorkshire Water’s reservoir levels are currently at 73.1% of capacity, well below the usual 89.5% for this time of year.
Along with other water providers, the company is focusing on two key actions: accelerating leak repairs and redistributing water across regions to support the driest areas. Yorkshire Water is also investing £16 million in reducing leakage and has installed 20,000 smart meters in Sheffield to detect leaks more efficiently. Additionally, the company is replacing 43km of water mains in the Sheffield area over the next two years.
As the demand for water increases, especially on hotter days, customers are encouraged to reduce consumption and help conserve resources. Water UK, the industry body, has called on householders to make minor adjustments to daily routines, particularly in gardens, to alleviate the pressure on water supplies as summer approaches.
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.25%
The Bank of England has cut interest rates by 0.25% to 4.25%, in line with expectations.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, voted 5 to 4 in favour of the cut.
Two members preferred to reduce rates by 0.5% to 4.0% and two preferred to leave rates unchanged at 4.5%.
Alpesh Paleja, deputy chief economist, CBI, said: “Today’s cut to interest rates was widely anticipated, underscoring the Monetary Policy Committee’s continued preference for a gradual loosening of monetary policy.
“The big question now is whether this gradualism will persist. Disinflationary risks have intensified over the last couple of months: US tariffs pose a fresh headwind to growth, global oil prices have fallen and, at home, the labour market is cooling.
“But heightened uncertainty could keep the MPC from easing off on the brakes too much. Evolving global trade dynamics—and the potential for further restrictions—could affect UK inflation in either direction. And the Committee remain concerned about a decline in domestic supply capacity, which could put further pressure on prices.
“With so many moving parts in the global and domestic outlook, the Committee may maintain a cautious stance. But with inflation risks increasingly tilting to the downside, a faster pace of rate cuts may become more palatable to a growing number of members.”
Leeds United’s promotion expected to drive business and tourism gains
Leeds United’s return to the Premier League is set to deliver immediate economic benefits for the city, with tourism, hospitality, and retail businesses likely to see increased activity.
The promotion ends Leeds’s two-year absence from top-flight football and positions Leeds among the most commercially valuable clubs in the UK once again. Premier League status comes with heightened international media exposure, larger matchday crowds, and more lucrative sponsorship and broadcasting opportunities that extend beyond the club to local enterprise.
The uplift in footfall, particularly on matchdays, is expected to benefit city-centre venues, hotels, restaurants, and travel operators. Leeds Beckett University’s Carnegie School of Sport has noted the potential for sustained growth in local tourism and brand visibility for the city due to the club’s elevated profile.
The development marks a key moment for the regional economy, primarily as stakeholders across the public and private sectors aim to capitalise on the renewed national and global attention.
Finance For Enterprise appoints new senior business lending manager
Finance For Enterprise (FFE) has appointed Sean Thorn as its new senior business lending manager, bringing over 25 years of industry experience to support the organisation’s continued growth and commitment to helping SMEs access vital funding.
Sean’s appointment strengthens FFE’s experienced lending team and reflects its ongoing mission to provide tailored, relationship-driven financial support to ambitious businesses across the region.
Sean joins the South Yorkshire-based outfit after running his own successful finance brokerage. During this time, he built a strong brand and secured funding for a range of clients.
Prior to this, he spent over a decade at Aldermore Bank PLC, where he held several senior roles and played a key part in developing broker networks across the South of England, contributing to the bank’s record-breaking £1 billion new business milestone in 2018.
His earlier career included key business development roles at HBOS and Barclays Asset Finance, where he gained extensive experience in asset-based lending and forged strong relationships across transportation, engineering, and other traditional sectors.
In his new role at Finance For Enterprise, Sean will draw on his vast industry knowledge and introducer network to support businesses looking to access finance for growth. He will work closely with brokers, intermediaries, and business owners to deliver tailored lending solutions that help unlock potential and create lasting impact.
Commenting on his appointment, Sean said: “On learning about FFE and meeting the team, I was eager to be part of the journey. Having worked across the finance sector and then stepping out on my own, I became disillusioned with the growing focus on automation and profit over people.
“FFE prioritises service, understanding and community impact – all values I strongly believe in. I’m looking forward to using my experience to help businesses not just survive but thrive.”
Andrew Austwick, managing director at Finance For Enterprise, added: “We are delighted to welcome Sean to the team. His breadth of experience, particularly in the broker market, is a tremendous asset to our organisation.
“Sean understands the value of personal relationships and the importance of working closely with businesses to find the right funding solutions. His values align perfectly with our mission to support enterprise and promote economic growth in our communities.”
IntelliAM appoints new chairman
Yorkshire-based AI company, IntelliAM, has appointed Dr Keith Harris as its non-executive director and chairman-elect, as the firm continues to scale its AI-powered solutions across global industrial sectors.
The appointment marks a key milestone in the company’s growth strategy and comes at a time of increasing momentum. Dr Harris will formally take on the role of non-executive chairman from 1 July 2025.
Dr Harris is a highly regarded investment banker and corporate strategist with over 35 years of experience advising on complex cross-border M&A, equity and debt capital markets transactions, and corporate leadership.
He has held senior roles at Morgan Grenfell, Drexel Burnham, and served as chief executive of HSBC Investment Bank. Dr Harris was also the principal owner and chairman of Seymour Pierce Holdings and has held a number of high-profile board positions, including chairman of Wembley National Stadium, and the Football League.
He currently serves as chairman of NASDAQ-listed gene therapy company MeiraGTx and executive chairman of Global Connectivity Plc, quoted on AQSE.
Dr Harris’s deep expertise in capital markets will be instrumental as IntelliAM accelerates its growth and explores strategic opportunities in the UK and internationally.
Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM, said: “We are delighted to welcome Keith to the board. His extraordinary track record in capital markets and board leadership will bring enormous value to IntelliAM as we deepen our relationships with institutional investors and pursue our strategic growth initiatives.”
Dr Harris, chairman-elect, added: “IntelliAM is delivering real transformation in a vital sector through the intelligent application of AI. I look forward to working with Tom and the board to support the company’s ambitions and help realise its significant market potential.”
The news follows a trio of appointments to the AI firm’s leadership team – seeing Jane Robinson join as VP of business development, Ian Wild as VP of product, and Owain Lewis as VP of data engineering.
Investment platform moves to new Leeds base
Investment platform interactive investor (ii) has chosen Leeds’ new 24-acre mixed-use district for its new office space in the city.
interactive investor will be taking the entire 4th floor of 3 South Brook Street, one of Aire Park’s first buildings. Spanning 23,261 sq ft, the floor will include meeting rooms, collaboration spaces and workspace for its 300-strong Leeds-based team.
The business, which has over £70 billion of assets under administration and over 450,000 customers, is the latest addition to 3 South Brook Street. The newly established South Brook Street has already attracted retirement solutions provider TPT and law firm Devonshires as occupiers.
Michael Cronin, head of portfolio at Vastint UK, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Interactive Investor to Aire Park to join our growing community of innovative and award-winning tenants.
“We are delivering an ambitious and thriving commercial hub at South Brook Street, which will sit alongside and support the wider mixed-use offer in this once in a generation project.
“Once complete, Aire Park will feature over 800,000 sq ft of Grade-A offices, creating space for over 10,000 workers and it is fantastic to be able to welcome occupiers, such as interactive investor, who share our vision for the opportunity being created at Aire Park.”
Christopher Crooks, chief technology officer at interactive investor, added: “We are delighted to be moving our Leeds operations to Aire Park where we will be able to give our staff a superb working environment with the best-in-class facilities on offer.
“We are particularly pleased to be moving to a brownfield redevelopment site and one with such history as the Tetley’s brewery. The move will give us the additional space we need as our business grows and demonstrates ii’s long term commitment to the city of Leeds.”
The Aire Park development as a whole will span 24 acres of the city’s South Bank, delivering an expansive eight-acre public park, over 1 million sq ft of commercial space and over 1,350 homes.
Savills and Colliers worked jointly on this deal on behalf of Vastint UK, with JLL acting for interactive investor.
