Futureserv becomes employee-owned

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Engineering consultancy Futureserv, which has a presence in Leeds, is set to join a growing number of employee-owned businesses across the UK, as it announced that its team of 60+ employees have taken a stake in the business, transferring ownership to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The trust will hold the shares on behalf of the company’s employees, with its founders, Craig and David Cleary, retaining a minority stake. Founded in 2010, Futureserv is a building services design and consultancy practice providing mechanical, electrical, public health and vertical transportation advice to construction, facilities and property professionals across all sectors of the built environment. Projects it has advised on include New Victoria residential towers, redevelopment of Hanover House and St Johns Towers in Manchester; The Central Village redevelopment and the University of Liverpool’s Yoko Ono Lennon Centre in Liverpool; and over a million square feet at the new Aire Park development in Leeds City Centre. Over the past decade the business has grown considerably. In 2014 it opened a second office in Old Hall Street, Liverpool, where it now has 20 staff, and in 2018 opened its first office in Leeds, where it now has 14 people. Keith Melling and Victoria Bromiley from Napthens solicitors provided legal advice on the transfer in ownership, whilst Azets, led by Jenny Pape and Tim Mills with support from Amy Braithwaite, provided tax and corporate finance. HSBC provided a senior debt facility to support the transaction. Craig Cleary, founder at Futureserv, said: “Today marks a new chapter in Futureserv’s history. Ever since our first hires joined the business, we have retained a real sense of family across Futureserv, so it felt a natural next step in our journey to transfer to employee ownership. “This model gives everyone the opportunity to take a stake in the business’s future and feel a real sense of ownership of Futureserv, from our staff through to our partners and clients. I’d like to share thanks to our senior leadership team and all our staff, as well as Napthens, Azets and HSBC, for their support throughout this process.” Dave Cleary, founder at Futureserv, said:. “As a building services consultancy, our greatest asset will always be our talented team of engineers and support staff. Moving to an employee owned business will ensure that Futureserv’s continued success provides benefits for all and also help attract the brightest, forward thinking candidates in the future. “Over the last 12 years witnessing the company grow to over 60 staff across three office locations has been incredible, the new structure provides both a succession plan and opens up clear opportunities for career progression. “I would like to congratulate all our colleagues at Futureserv on achieving this very significant milestone with special thanks to our advisers for assisting us along the exciting journey to become an employee owned company.” Keith Melling, head of corporate and partner at Napthens, said: “David and Craig have done a remarkable job with Futureserv over the past twelve years and it’s inspiring to see the team they have built over that time take the reins. “Employee ownership is an increasingly popular option for owners looking to pass the business they have built from scratch into trusted hands. As a firm, we are speaking with more owner-managed businesses about the prospect, with the model having considerable cross-sector appeal.” Jenny Pape, tax partner at Azets, said: “Futureserv is a business exceptionally well-suited for employee ownership, being an organisation with a strong culture, firmly established values, and an emphasis on the quality of its people. It has been a privilege to assist Craig and David with this significant transition and I am confident that the company has a bright future as an employee-owned business.”

Survey finds half of SMEs won’t be able to pay energy bills next spring

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A new British Chambers of Commerce survey has found almost half of SMEs say they will find it difficult to pay their energy bills once the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme ends next March. A further 4% say they will not be able to pay their energy bills at all, while 37% predict they will find it difficult to pay even when they are in receipt of Government support. Over four in ten (41%) SMEs disagreed that tariffs available the last time they renewed their contract were affordable. A further 29% said a range of tariff options was not available, while almost a quarter (24%) did not feel it was easy to change providers. A quarter of SMEs surveyed had renewed their electricity tariff since April 2022, while 22% had renewed their gas. These firms were more likely to struggle to pay their energy bills going forward with 60% saying they will face difficulties paying after March 2023, and 7% saying they won’t be able to pay at all. Over half (51%) will find it difficult to pay their bills between now and the end of March, during the period of the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme. SMEs who had renewed their tariffs since April 2022 also faced greater difficulties during the renewal process; 69% disagreed that the tariffs available to them were affordable, while almost half (47%) disagreed that there was a range of tariff options available. Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: Energy costs are the number one business concern, with 55% of firms saying it should be a top priority for the new Prime Minister. It’s clearly worrying that almost half of SMEs say they will face difficulties paying their energy bills once the Government support runs out. But what is, perhaps, even more concerning is that 4% said that they will not be able to pay their bills at all after March 31. “With over 5.5 million SMEs across the UK, if this was replicated on a national level, over 220,000 small and medium-sized businesses would be in danger. While current Government support is welcome, there is a cliff-edge looming, and firms will struggle to see beyond it. They need certainty on what will happen in April so they can plan with increased confidence. Government should not forget those businesses that will not benefit from a new energy package but will continue to require support once the current scheme ends. There are other levers that Government can pull to relieve cost pressures, such as a reform of Business Rates to compensate firms that see energy support reduced or phased out. There is also a lack of competitiveness in the business energy market. Firms are struggling to get quotes from different providers, and they are not guaranteed access to fixed-rate contracts. “Ofgem should be given more power to strengthen regulation of the energy market for businesses, ensuring suppliers offer fixed-rate contracts to business customers, and that competitiveness is increased.  

Volunteer Chairman will lead group pushing to promote Bradford

A new partnership focusing on promoting development and investment in the Bradford District has appointed Pete Mills as its Chair. The Bradford District Place Making and Investment Partnership is due to have its inaugural meeting at Odsal Stadium on 5 December. The event marks a key milestone as relevant organisations in the district work together to take full advantage of Bradford’s City of Culture 2025 status and the opportunities to promote Bradford as a great place to do business, live, study, and visit. Pete Mills brings with him a wealth of experience and an extensive network across the region. Born and bred in Bradford, he studied law and worked as a corporate solicitor before going on to found two businesses and has been involved in several others as an investor and strategic non-executive director. His current venture, a software company called Crysp is based in Salts Mill, Saltaire and provides compliance solutions to businesses and schools. Pete said, “Growing up I always felt a great sense of pride of where I am from which was definitely drilled into me by my parents and grandparents. Walking around the City and surrounding areas, I have always felt a deep connection with its richness of history and culture. I am therefore absolutely delighted to have been appointed as Chair for the Place Making and Investment Board as we seek to establish a legacy of growth and opportunity. I look forward to working with CBMDC and other colleagues to deliver this. It is all to play for!” Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport at Bradford Council said, “I am delighted to welcome Pete as the Chair of the Bradford District Place Making and Investment Partnership. It’s an exciting time for Bradford and this Partnership will allow stakeholders and organisations to work together to promote the district on the world stage and maximise its potential.” The partnership launches on 5 December at Odsal Stadium. The role of Chair is a voluntary, unpaid position.

Hull offsite manufacturer purchases factory

M-AR has completed the purchase of its existing manufacturing facility in Hull to strengthen its position and ensure it can keep pace with current demand as well as prepare for future growth in the offsite construction sector. M-AR is currently embarking on a significant programme of growth underpinned by continuous re-investment into the business, including purchasing new equipment, hiring more staff and undertaking innovative training programmes. The recent purchase of its dedicated 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, which is valued at £3 million and can produce around 400 modules per year, is a key part of this plan. The move from leased to purchased facilities, as well as bolstering its asset book, gives M-AR total control over its premises, enabling its team to make any necessary adjustments to the layout to better suit processes and bring greater production efficiencies. Plans are already underway to increase the factory’s usable production space as demand is forecasted to continue to increase going forward. This move also marks M-AR’s commitment to, and investment in, its home city of Hull, where it has been based since 2007. Ryan Geldard, director at M-AR, said: “This is another major step for us as part of our ambitious five-year growth plan. As well as giving us complete control over our own manufacturing facilities going forward, it gives our staff and clients reassurance that we see further growth opportunities in the offsite construction market. “This is another positive chapter for us which demonstrates both our long-term commitment to the industry as well as to our local community of Hull. This investment puts us in a strong position for project delivery as we look ahead to 2023.”

Arco opens £2m safety centre in Berkshire

Hull-based health and safety company Arco has launched a £2m safety centre in Bracknell, Berkshire, bringing its expert knowledge, high-quality products and training under one roof to the south of the UK.

The new centre will also bring 12 new jobs to the area, and is a strategically significant move for the fifth-generation family business. Arco’s Bracknell will be the company’s largest dedicated safety centre, hosting practical learning environments, including a 20-metre external tower for working at height training and confined space labyrinth training facilities, as well as an on-site safety store where customers can purchase products. Jaime Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: The new Bracknell safety centre is a significant milestone for Arco. As our largest dedicated safety centre, it is ideally placed to bring our industry expertise, expansive product offering and practical training capabilities to more customers, nationally. “The expansion of Arco’s capabilities in Bracknell allows us to provide joined-up health and safety solutions for businesses UK-wide. Bracknell safety centre demonstrates the future of health and safety; end-to-end service, combining risk assessment, training and equipment provision all under one roof.”

HullBID relaunches award scheme for city businesses

Businesses in Hull are again being offered the chance to shine as the countdown to the HullBID Awards 2023 begins.

The awards are open to all HullBID member businesses, who can enter free and challenge for honours across 10 different categories. The general public are also encouraged to send in applications for their city centre favourites too. The HullBID Awards returned to the calendar earlier this year and generated the toughest, but also friendliest, competition across all the categories as city centre business colleagues seized the opportunity to showcase the excellence on offer in all sectors. For 2023 there will be three new categories – Eco-friendly, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Commitment to Health and Wellbeing – and HullBID Executive Director Kathryn Shillito is confident there will be another strong turnout after a year of great achievement. Kathryn said: “The HullBID Awards have grown every year since we first held them in 2014 and we were thrilled this year to see over 330 people celebrating in spectacular fashion with the feelgood factor overflowing. “The current year has been another one of huge challenges, but also of great success as businesses have demonstrated resilience and innovation. We’ve seen lots of changes and many new faces. That tells us there’s a mood of growing confidence, and we hope that’s reflected by a clamour to enter the awards.” The awards can be entered by all HullBID member businesses, their customers and the public. Applicants just need to set out which category they are entering, the name of the individual, business or organisation, and the reasons why they should win. Multiple categories can be entered but a separate form must be completed for each category. Businesses can scan a hard copy entry and email it to catherine@hullbid.co.uk HullBID member businesses can also have their applications collected by ringing 01482 611800. Shortlisted entries will be revealed on Friday 16 December 2022 and all finalists will receive four complimentary tickets to the Grand Awards Ceremony where they can enjoy a three course meal with wine. Extra tickets can be purchased at a discounted price of £40 plus VAT each. Contact francesca@hullbid.co.uk The 10 award categories for the 2023 HullBID Awards, with sponsors in brackets are: Eco-Friendly Award (AA Global Language Services) Welcoming Premises Award (HEY Credit Union) Outstanding Employee or Team Award (Hinks Insurance) Innovative Marketing Award (St Stephen’s) Customer Service Excellence Award (East Yorkshire) Contribution to the Community Award (Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside) Entrepreneurial Spirit Award (Hull City Council) Commitment to Health and Wellbeing Award (DoubleTree by Hilton) The Best in Food and Drink Award (Prospect Centre) Outstanding Contribution Award (The 55 Group) The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 9 December 2022 and the winners will be announced at a gala celebration dinner which will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on Friday 27th January next year.

Leeds-based specialist investor sets out to improve food supply efficiency

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Leeds-based Isara, a new specialist investor in the food sector, has launched its debut £300m fund focused on improving the efficiency, quality and sustainability of food supply systems across the UK, Ireland and Western Europe.

Isara intends to invest in food production and distribution businesses, helping to stabilise and transform the existing food ecosystem which is undergoing structural shifts caused by rising inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, labour supply scarcity, and a growing commitment to sustainability.

Led by Michael Rice, Isara’s team has extensive expertise working with businesses and management teams across the food sector, including Eight Fifty Food Group, Orchard House Foods, Chaucer Foods, West Cornwall Pasty Co, Heron Foods and Seabrooks, bringing hands-on experience and a network of specialist advisors to support portfolio companies.

While focusing on majority shareholding investments, the fund’s flexible investment approach will facilitate investment in opportunities where others cannot invest, as well as enabling Isara to take a longer-term view than traditional private equity investors. Practically, this means Isara can support the capital-intensive projects required to deliver radical improvement in the food industry which most investors are unable to deliver.

The fund is backed by the Sadel Group, a private family office which invests and operates in the Real Estate, Cold Storage and Energy sectors, predominantly in the UK & Western Europe. The Isara team will execute their own separate acquisition and investment thesis, while also being able to leverage the high level of technical skill present in existing Sadel businesses to help implement value creation plans where relevant.

Specific areas of consideration for Isara will include improving the carbon footprint of the businesses they invest in, ensuring industry leading corporate governance, supporting and strengthening leadership teams and workforces, and creating sustainable growth.

Michael Rice said:“We are on the cusp of a potential food crisis in the UK. We believe existing food production and supply chains have become inherently inefficient, and are under unsustainable levels of strain from a number of factors including the coronavirus crisis, increasing energy costs, food inflation and financial market volatility.

“At Isara, our fund will be used to champion increasing the efficiency and sustainability of food systems, seeking to address the challenges of long-term underinvestment, labour supply challenges, supply chain security and sustainability. Not only is this good business, but this will also create seismic benefits for the wider economy and, ultimately, the sector’s impact on the planet.”

Monks Cross business park almost full

MX Park, the 30,000 sq ft industrial/trade counter park in the heart of Monks Cross in York, is almost full. The brand-new park features 11 hi-spec units, ranging from 1,925 sq ft to 3,550 sq ft in size. Following a raft of recent deals, only one 2,825 sq ft unit is still available. The development by Guildford-based Tonsley Investments has created 40 new and sustainable jobs. Significant new occupiers include Howdens, who have taken a double unit, comprising 5,600 sq ft, joining Screwfix, who have also taken two units. The other new companies who have moved onto the popular park are: Yuzu Street Food; Copy Cars dealership; Vinyl Press UK Ltd; York Minster; and UK Windows and Doors. James Dodwell of Tonsley Investments explained: “We are very proud that our MX Park has proved so popular, attracting high-profile occupiers like Screwfix and Howdens, as well as a wide range of thriving local companies and York Minster. “This flurry of lettings is a glowing testament of the pulling power of our park. We believe MX Park will be the first in a pipeline of industrial developments for us, and it represents an exciting and successful addition to our existing portfolio.” A spokesperson for Howdens said: “We have been looking for the right property in York to complement our existing depots at James Street and Clifton Moor and are very pleased to be opening at MX Park as part of our on-going expansion programme.” Richard Flanagan of York property consultancy Flanagan James and Jonathan O’Connor of Leeds-based Ryden, who are advising Tonsley Investments, added: “The outstanding success of MX Park at Monks Cross comes as no surprise. There is a shortage in York of well-located, high-quality, industrial/warehouse units like those being provided at Tonsley’s new business park. “The arrival of so many new companies to MX Park completely justifies Tonsley’s bold decision to develop the park speculatively. “Monks Cross has been one of the most successful out-of-town developments in North Yorkshire over the past 20 years, with a superb mix of office, industrial, retail and leisure facilities, including the brand-new LNER Community Stadium and the prestigious Monks Cross Retail Park. The MX Park is a worthy addition to this list.”

Yorkshire law firm Gordons celebrates double graduation for pioneering law apprenticeship

Law firm Gordons is celebrating the latest two graduates of its pioneering law apprenticeship. Eleanor Tordoff and Lauren Wurzal have both qualified as chartered legal executives within the firm’s property litigation and corporate specialisms respectively. Launched in September 2011, Gordons was the first in the legal sector to offer an apprenticeship taking its chartered legal executive lawyers to an honours degree equivalent. Gordons created its multi-award-winning law apprenticeship to enable social mobility by providing an alternative route into the profession for school leavers without them needing to attend university. Since its inception, the firm has recruited 30 apprentices straight from school. As part of their apprenticeship, Gordons provided Eleanor and Lauren with hands-on experience and academic study, as well as paying their salaries and course fees, for a five-year period. Gordons partner and member of the firm’s executive board, Victoria Davey, said: “Eleanor and Lauren should be very proud of their achievements, and we are enjoying celebrating their success. We’re really pleased for them as they are both talented colleagues and great people to know. “Our clients feel the same way about Eleanor and Lauren and they both now have the opportunity to further grow their careers with Gordons. “We remain fully committed to our law apprenticeship as it has been a big differentiator for the firm. It shows our continued dedication to enabling social mobility within the legal profession and reflects our belief that attitude is more important than background. It is something our clients tell us they admire.” Employing 170 people, Gordons has offices in Leeds and Bradford. The firm’s clients include retailers AO, B&M, Heron Foods, Iceland Foods, Morrisons, Ocado Retail, Whole Foods Market and Wren Kitchens. In addition to retailers, Gordons advises a wide range of clients including construction and high-performance materials manufacturer Saint Gobain and international brewers Molson Coors.

Agricultural Growth Zone created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland

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An Agricultural Growth Zone has been created to support Lincolnshire and Rutland’s agricultural sector.

The Ag Zone was announced at the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s annual conference and will unite the work at Bishop Burton College’s Showground Campus, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, the Lincoln Institute of Agricultural Technology (LIAT), Barclays Eagle Farm Lab and the cluster of agritech companies now being established on the Riseholme Campus. It will create a centre to support agriculture and a skills pipeline to attract the next generation into the industry, from schools engagement through further and higher education and on to postgraduate education and continuing professional development for the farming industry. The Ag Zone will continue the growth of collaborative research which has attracted over £60m of investment to the area since 2016 and supported the establishment of new agritech businesses such as Fruitcast and Agaricus Robots, both created at Riseholme in 2021. The long-term aim is to link the cluster of skills, innovation and business support to a network of commercial demonstration farms across Lincolnshire to trial new technologies. The Ag Zone will also work to secure additional investment to help farmers adopt new technologies, helping to ensure that Lincolnshire farms have the support they need to secure this new investment. “Greater Lincolnshire has the UK’s leading agricultural sector underpinning the food economy in the UK Food Valley where there are over 75,000 people employed in farming, food processing and distribution,” said Sarah Louise Fairburn, deputy chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and chair of its Food Board. “Our farms produce over £2 billion of crops and livestock, 11% of the English total, with particular strengths in fresh vegetables where we have 30% of English production, as well 20% of the sugar beet, 19% of the poultry and 19% of the ornamental crops in England. “But we know the agriculture sector is changing rapidly as the food chain reacts to pressures created by the pandemic, conflict in Europe, the cost of living crisis and policy changes. “It is vital we help the industry adopt new technology and skills, support investment in the industry and address long-term challenges such as climate change. By bringing the key organisations together who work on this in Lincolnshire we will help our farmers and support the continued growth of the agritech sector through the work of the Ag Zone.” Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for economic development, environment and planning at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “‘The Ag Zone is the next big development in the UK Food Valley and comes at a time of great change in our farming industry. We are determined to ensure that farmers across Lincolnshire have the tools needed to succeed, including the tenants on our county farms. I look forward to supporting the Ag Zone in helping our farms to access the support which will enable them to thrive.” Councillor Owen Bierley, leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “West Lindsey is keen to support the growth of agritech and is pleased to be working with partners on the A15 corridor north of Lincoln as they establish the Ag Zone. “We want to create a highly skilled, dynamic economy along the A15 corridor and see agritech and the sustainable growth of farming as being essential to this mission. Building on the developments we have already seen at Bishop Burton and on the University’s Riseholme Campus is a key part of our vision and we will do everything we can to support the momentum of this cluster.” Professor Simon Pearson, director of the Lincoln Institute for Agricultural Technology at the University of Lincoln, said: “The university is delighted to be supporting the Ag Zone. At LIAT we have been pioneering technologies ranging from agricultural robotics and digital systems to soil management and energy systems. “We are also developing a cluster of agritech businesses on our Riseholme Campus and are keen to see this continue to grow with support from organisations such as Barclays Eagle Lab. Working with our partners in the Ag Zone will ensure we can help support the adoption of technology across the farming industry.” Bill Meredith, principal of Bishop Burton College, said: “Bishop Burton is the leading provider of training for the next generation of farmers in the region and at our Showground Campus we focus on precision agriculture and the way in which technology is transforming our industry. “We look forward to working with our partners in the Ag Zone to ensure we provide a complete skills package to meet future industry needs.” Andrew Buckley, chairman of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, said: “The Agricultural Society is keen to support the Ag Zone as it builds on the work we do with schools, farmers and the wider community to promote the agricultural industry as a dynamic and progressive sector of the economy. Through our educational and events programmes we look forward to working with our partners to deliver outreach across the community.” Lisa Bagley, head of the Barclays Eagle Farm Lab, said: “Barclays Eagle Farm Lab is one of a network of Eagle Labs across the UK, but the only one which focuses on agritech. Our partnership with the University of Lincoln ensures that the companies we support have access to farms and workshops to develop their technology, as well as links to business start-up and growth support. “Working with our partners in the Ag Zone we will continue to offer a national service to link agricultural innovators to the farming industry and the support they need to grow and flourish.”