Enjoy Digital appoints head of paid performance

Tess Egginton
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Enjoy Digital appoints head of paid performance

Leeds-based digital experience and performance agency, Enjoy Digital, has appointed David Taylor as head of paid performance, as the company continues to expand and enhance its digital offering.

Having managed his own agency in Manchester for over a decade, David will now head up the agency’s growing paid performance team. His key responsibilities will include overseeing strategy and implementation, exploring new platforms for growth and driving performance across all paid media campaigns for its clients.

Before starting his own agency, David spent many years honing his craft in organic and search marketing before moving into paid digital. After learning the traits of the industry, David was an early adopter of paid performance and quickly saw the huge potential for return on investment.

Speaking of his new role, David said: “I’m excited to take on this new challenge and use my expertise to drive growth and positive ROI for our clients. As the agency continues to expand, I’m also looking forward to building my team and supporting their professional development. Having a talented team of proactive people is truly the key to success.”

Alex Ellis, Managing Director at Enjoy Digital, said: “David’s appointment is another great step for the agency as we grow both client side and internally. David has a lot of expertise and knowledge that our clients and our agency will benefit from, so, along with all of our recent appointments, and those we will be making throughout this year, it’s a very exciting time for everyone at the agency!”

Yorkshire law firm opens new Hull office

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire law firm opens new Hull office
A Yorkshire law firm has started 2023 by opening a new office in Hull. Truth Legal’s new office at K2 Tower, Bond Street is its third regional office since the business launched a decade ago in Harrogate in 2012. A Leeds office was opened in 2021. The firm now employs a total of 27 members of staff across all three locations. Two new team members have also joined the expanding firm. The Hull office will be headed up by specialist immigration lawyer, Frances Ledbury. Frances is joined by experienced paralegal, Olivia Pickering. The prominent new Hull location features offices and private meeting room space. Commenting on the official launch of the new office, Georgina Parkin, Truth Legal’s Managing Director and co-owner, said: “2022 was a great year for the business, our most successful to date during which we celebrated our tenth anniversary. To kick off 2023 with the opening of a new branch gives us the best possible start to the New Year. “We’ve experienced a rapid period of expansion, particularly over the past three years, opening successful immigration law, family law and business services departments in that time. A real upturn in demand for our services prompted the decision to open in Hull, offering the East Riding and Lincolnshire greater access to a dedicated, specialist legal team with a proven track record. “Hull is the perfect place for our third location. City of culture status left a positive legacy with booming tech and hospitality industries, both key sectors we focus on for our business clients. The city also boasts a highly skilled legal sector and a respected university which bodes well for future recruitment. Opening in Hull also presents the firm with the opportunity to become a major player serving Hull and Lincolnshire.” The Hull office of Truth Legal will service both private and wider business community client needs, helping them to access a wide range of legal expertise including all types of immigration law, personal injury, clinical negligence, employment law, family law, general litigation and professional negligence. It will also provide the East Riding with access to an extended range of specialist services provided by experts located at their Leeds and Harrogate head office. Georgina Parkin added: “Our new Hull office underpins Truth Legal’s growing presence in Yorkshire and provides a great foundation for the future as we look to build relationships with clients to provide the best legal advice possible. Building on our existing areas of specialism is also high on the agenda which will lead to further job creation and further new office openings. 2023 is already shaping up to be a very exciting year.”

FIVE RISE Contractors expands with purchase of Bradford-based Bentley Drains

Michael Fisher
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FIVE RISE Contractors expands with purchase of Bradford-based Bentley Drains

Bingley construction firm, FIVE RISE Contractors, is expanding its capabilities and service offering after a deal to acquire Bradford business, Bentley Drains for an undisclosed sum. 

 

Bentley Drains, which provides commercial and domestic drain clearing services, will join the FIVE RISE group and grow its operations as part of the larger business. 

 

Bentley Drains was established in 2003 and has developed a reputation as one of the region’s leading businesses for drain installation and repairs. The business’s owner and founder, Jason Wright, exited the business in December, but the Bentley name and all current employees will be retained. 

 

FIVE RISE said the acquisition will allow it to support its customers across all areas of drainage work and cement its growing reputation for delivering end-to-end commercial builds across West Yorkshire. 

 

MD of FIVE RISE, Michael Gration, plans to scale Bentley Drains rapidly, with the immediate creation of three new operative roles including the appointment of Richard Gration as operations director. Bringing with him 16 years’ experience of electrical engineering, most recently for nuclear site Sellafield, Richard will oversee all of Bentley Drains’ strategic and operational guidance as well as company compliance in health and safety. 

 

Further plans include the expansion of the service offering to include UV drain lining, damp proofing and full excavation of drainage infrastructure.  

 

Michael says: “Bentley Drains is an established company, with significant knowledge of the drainage industry. Indeed, FIVE RISE has used Bentley Drains for many years so we know exactly how excellent their service is. Joining forces will allow us to provide commercial and domestic clients with a complete drainage solution from initial detection and inspection, to cleansing and restoration of the full infrastructure if required. 

 

“There are some excellent synergies between the two businesses and the cultures within the two organisations are also remarkably similar, which will ensure a smooth integration and enable us to quickly get on with scaling Bentley Drains further.” 

 

Jason Wright adds: “I am delighted that the Bentley Drains name will continue under the trusted leadership of Michael and Richard Gration and Five Rise. I believe the shared vision will help drive excellent results for our customers and would like to thank my team for their tremendous work and commitment to date. I look forward to seeing what this next chapter for Bentley Drains brings.” 

2023 Business Predictions: Matthew Hodgson, director, Great Newsome Brewery

Tess Egginton
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2023 Business Predictions: Matthew Hodgson, director, Great Newsome Brewery
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Matthew Hodgson, director at Great Newsome Brewery. On the back of volatility, rising inflation, energy costs and supply issues you can’t help but feel pretty glum about the coming year. I believe that inflationary pressures will not increase in 2023 at the rate they did in late 2022. I do think increased volatility is here to stay, however. Food security and supply, for example, has not been taken seriously by successive governments for many decades. Climate change, increasing population, war and our reliance on a small number of food types mean we have a global reliance on critical harvests in the likes of Brazil, Australia and, of course, Ukraine. But by far the biggest danger I foresee in 2023 is ‘confidence’. A lack of confidence by businesses to invest for growth, by consumers to spend and by those who govern us to lead, could be the greatest threat to the country getting itself back on an even keel. One thing is for certain, 2023 will be challenging. The flexibility, adaptability and tenacity of many small and medium size businesses has seen them survive, and even flourish, over the last couple of years – I think that, no matter how exhausting the process was, we will find ourselves continually pivoting and changing again in 2023. Having started our business in the recession of 2007/08 I was told by a number of people not to worry as “people console themselves with either chocolate or beer during difficult times,” so I am hoping, once again, for the latter.

Revenue significantly ahead of expectations at Team17 following strong year

Tess Egginton
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Revenue significantly ahead of expectations at Team17 following strong year
Revenue is set to be significantly ahead of expectations at Team17 Group for 2022, according to a new trading update for the twelve months ended 31 December. The Yorkshire-based video games label has hailed strong trading in its second half, with multiple new first and third-party games released, extended games distribution to wider platforms and strong support across the portfolios with additional new content updates. As a result, Team17 says revenue and adjusted EBITDA will be significantly ahead of market expectations and show strong growth compared with FY 2021, benefitting from the performance of a stronger, broader portfolio supported by acquisitions and investment in people made over the last two years. Debbie Bestwick MBE, CEO of Team17, said: “2022 was a well-executed year delivering on our highly ambitious plans for the Group, specifically strong lifecycle management across a very diverse portfolio and on time delivery of astragon first party IPs launched in 2022. “There will always be more work to do as a growth business, but last year’s performance is a testament to the significant investment that has been made over the last two years in people, diversifying portfolios and successful M&A, all of which put the Group in a very robust position for the future. “We look forward to 2023 with an exciting pipeline of releases and updates as well as ongoing ROI from the investments we have made in people and products.”

Andrew Jackson advises on creation of York restaurant overlooking medieval cathedral

Stuart Pearcey
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Andrew Jackson advises on creation of York restaurant overlooking medieval cathedral

Advice from Andrew Jackson Solicitors has helped The Star Group of Restaurants with its development of a restaurant on the site of the historic former Minster School in York.

Following extensive restoration works, GEM Construction has begun the sensitive refurbishment of the grade II-listed building into a refectory restaurant, and the creation of a new public space – Minster Park – in the heart of York, which is expected to be finished by June this year. GEM Construction chairman Mike Green, is working alongside business partner Michelin-starred chef Andrew Pern and interior designer Rachel McLane, to create York Minster Refectory, which will be managed by award-winning chef Bex Toppin and Will Pearce of Robinsons Café, York. The Star Group’s legal advice for a flagship lease, reflecting the unique location and nature of the building, along with the collaborative arrangement anticipated between landlord and tenant, was provided by a team including Helen Mellors, property partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors. Mike Green said: “The painstaking interior work will ensure that we take in all of the superb original features whilst the four windows look directly onto York Minster’s famous Rose window, which dates back to 1515. “Helen and the Andrew Jackson team have provided me with trusted, commercially astute advice for many years, including for the opening of The Star in the City in York. I had no doubt that we were in safe legal hands for our latest venture and I am grateful for the advice we have received throughout.” Helen Mellors added: “Mike and the rest of the team have ambitious plans to create a high quality, welcoming restaurant, which respects the site’s historic setting. I’m excited to see that plans are well underway to create what will undoubtedly be a wonderful refectory in the heart of the city.”

Gateley hails strong first half in a challenging market

Tess Egginton
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Gateley hails strong first half in a challenging market
Gateley, the legal and professional services group, has hailed a “strong financial performance” in its first half as the company continues to execute its diversification and growth strategy. According to unaudited results for the six months ended 31 October 2022, revenue grew by 22.2% to £76.1m, up from £62.3m in the same period of the year prior. Profit before tax, meanwhile, was up 9.6% to £8m, from £7.3m. Looking ahead, Gateley said that it is “well-placed to navigate the more challenging economic environment that is beginning to emerge in the second half of the financial year” thanks to a “growing, diversified and resilient business model, combined with a strong H1 23 performance.” Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “We are delighted to report further growth derived from the increasing diversity of services on our Platforms, which now house over 1,000 fee earners. Our Group revenue and profit grew strongly, increasing by 22.2% and 9.6% respectively, within which revenue from our consultancy services grew, including by acquisition, by 104.5%. “I thank our clients for the opportunity to work with them on a broad range of important mandates and our people for their hard work and dedication to deliver results. “I’m proud of the progress that we are making against our Responsible Business strategy.  In particular, supporting our communities is an important part of our purpose as a business and we will further connect our exceptionally talented people with organisations who provide community support in the regions in which we operate, recognising that business is a key engine of change. “During the Period, we saw political and economic instability manifesting in uncertainty and temporary paralysis in a number of sectors. This is an ongoing situation and the economy is approaching a fork in the road where in all likelihood there is a wide range of possible outcomes across different sectors. “In the meantime, we continue to invest in our offering and in our people so that our business remains fully equipped to deliver as positions settle in our target markets. The combined legal and consultancy offering on our Platforms, remains unique and the outlook on each of the Platforms is positive. We look forward to 2023 with a degree of cautious confidence.”

Sills & Betteridge acquires Lincoln firm Acclaimed Family Law

Stuart Pearcey
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Sills & Betteridge acquires Lincoln firm Acclaimed Family Law
Regional law firm Sills & Betteridge LLP has acquired Sheffield city centre practice Acclaimed Family Law. Acclaimed Family Law, which will continue to operate under its own name from Campo Lane in the city, is a multi-award winning niche firm dealing exclusively with private divorce and family law matters. They will now make available to their clients the full range of personal and commercial services provided by Sills & Betteridge. Sills & Betteridge Chief Executive Martyn Hall said: “This move is a strong strategic fit both for our existing operations in Yorkshire and our ongoing investment aspirations. Michelle and her team are dynamic and enterprising and share our service-first culture. We are delighted to have them onboard and look forward to building on the strong foundations both firms already have in the area.” AFL Director Michelle Cooper said: “We will continue to provide the exceptional service we are renowned for as Acclaimed Family law under the Sills & Betteridge umbrella so our clients will benefit from direct access to other departments including commercial, probate and conveyancing to provide them with an enhanced service from beginning to end which other stand alone family teams cannot offer.” The collaboration sees the firm’s Yorkshire network grow to five offices since it first opened a small family practice in Doncaster in 2018. It later acquired South Yorkshire full-service firm Bridge Sanderson Munro and Rawson Family Law also of Sheffield, and in 2022 opened the doors to its first office in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in Howden near Hull.

SGI plans 60-acre industrial site next to Thorpe Park

Stuart Pearcey
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SGI plans 60-acre industrial site next to Thorpe Park
Scarborough Group International is planning an industrial and logistics park on the 60-acre site Brown Moor, next to Thorpe Park at Leeds. The company has put in an outline planning application to develop up to 60,000 sq m of industrial and logistics space with ancillary office space. The buildings will be capable of being brought forward in multiple phases to respond to market interest and occupier demand. The application also includes details of the estate infrastructure, public footpaths and other public rights of way which will as part of the proposals will be enhanced, as well as the site landscaping. ‘Integral’, as the development has been named, is projected as being the home of companies in advanced manufacturing, logistics and industrial sectors, adding to the strong economic mix of east Leeds and providing hundreds of new jobs. Adam Varley, Development Director at SGI, said: “The industrial and logistics sector is undergoing significant change.  Supply chain resilience, rising energy costs, smart infrastructure and the continued growth of e-commerce are forcing businesses to rethink their real estate requirements. Decision making factors such as accessibility, cost and labour pool, while still relevant, are now being overtaken by the need to attract and retain the very best talent. “The design of Integral scheme at Thorpe Park Leeds responds to the shifts in the market by providing industrial spaces that are integrated into a dynamic and established mixed-use community.”

Lean In Leeds launches Women of Excellence Awards

Tess Egginton
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Lean In Leeds launches Women of Excellence Awards
Lean In Leeds, a women’s networking group in Yorkshire, is celebrating the incredible women of the region by launching its inaugural Women of Excellence Awards, which will take place at Sky Bet on Wednesday 22 March, to tie in with International Women’s Day. “We decided it was high time that we celebrated the incredible women in the Yorkshire region with our own awards,” explains Claire Ackers, chair of Lean In Leeds. “Our vision is to do something a little bit different than the other awards ceremonies out there. We want to shine a light on women at all ages and stages, especially those who aren’t typically involved in conventional awards ceremonies.” Categories include The Yorkshire Rose Award for rising stars, The Sending the Lift Back Down Award for women helping other women up the ranks; and The Grit and Graft Award to recognise extraordinary perseverance and resilience; amongst others. Nominations are free and open to all via the Lean In Leeds website, until Friday 27 January. The entries will be judged by an independent panel made up of Anna Sutton, CEO of the Data Shed and the Data Refinery, Eve Roodhouse from Leeds City Council, Juliette Atkinson, IT director of University of Bradford, Karen Landells from Deloitte and Tracy Fletcher, MD of Campbell and Fletcher. Sponsored by a raft of Yorkshire-based businesses including Deloitte, Flutter, Sky Bet, Leeds University Business School, Glean, Panintelligence, XSEM, Bruntwood and Reward Finance Group; the Women of Excellence Awards are fundraising in aid of Smart Works Leeds, which helps women get back into employment. “The support we’ve had from the Yorkshire business community for these awards, and for our free events and our mentoring scheme has been amazing,” continues Claire Ackers. “Thanks to our sponsors, the Women of Excellence Awards are free to attend with charity donations in aid of Smart Works Leeds. To be able to ‘pay it forward’ by supporting a charity which is very close to our hearts, is a real source of pride.”

Lean In Leeds is a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Founded over seven years ago, it has over 1100 members and has run over 60 free events in Leeds and the surrounding areas, supported by local businesses. It also has a thriving mentoring scheme and welcomes anybody who supports their primary focus of gender equality.

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