New MD appointed to Yorkshire headquartered Caddick Construction
Caddick Construction has appointed Paul Dodsworth as the new Managing Director. Caddick Construction and its subsidiaries form the construction division of Caddick Group and Paul will be head of all construction companies.
Paul, who joins from Wates Group where he was Regional Managing Director North, is tasked with continuing Caddick Construction’s vision for strategic geographical and sustainable growth across its divisions.
Paul brings with him more than 40 years’ experience across the construction sector and was credited with leading and growing Wates’ Northern Division, which is now recognised as one of the strongest in the Wates Group.
Andrew Murray, Executive Chairman of Caddick Construction, said: “We are delighted that that Paul is stepping into this exiting role to lead all of our construction businesses, his hands on approach will strengthen the business and we all look forward to working with him. Paul replaces Adrian Dobson who has retired after almost 23 years on the board. Adrian held the Managing Director Position from 2019, he has been a key member of our board helping to guide the strong growth of the company to become one of the leading and largest independent contractors in the north of England. He will be sadly missed but we wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his massive contribution since joining us in 1999.”
Paul Caddick, Chairman of Caddick Group, comments: “Paul has the passion and character to take on the formidable challenges the market currently presents. His experience and ability will drive our aspiration for continued growth as a sustainable forward-thinking business.”
Caddick Construction is planning to expand its regions of operation and increase its activity in the residential sector. It will also support the growth of Casa by Moda by delivering the construction of Moda Living’s single family home brand, alongside other key projects across Yorkshire, North East and North West.
Paul Dodsworth added: “This is an amazing opportunity and I’m looking forward to being part of the Caddick team that has enjoyed so much success over recent years. I’m particularly excited by the opportunities currently being presented in both the residential and logistic markets. I was immensely proud to be asked to join Caddick Construction. A very well established, respected and financially strong business. The aspirations of the business to expand its geographical footprint, whilst further developing the existing regions, is a challenge I will embrace and drive. I am looking forward to joining on the 1st August 2022.”
Part-time music teacher wins landmark case in the Supreme Court on holiday pay calculations for ‘part-year’ workers
Hopkins Solicitors on 20th of July 2022, saw a landmark judgment in favour of their music teacher client, Mrs Lesley Brazel, by the UK Supreme Court. This decision follows her case being heard before an employment tribunal (in 2017), the Employment Appeal Tribunal (in 2018) and most recently the Court of Appeal (in 2019).
The UK’s highest court confirmed the rights of part-year and zero hours contract workers to the full 5.6 weeks’ statutory paid holiday provided for under the Working Time Regulations 1998. They rejected the argument from the school that the entitlement of such workers, should be reduced on a pro-rata basis.
Thanks to the judgement, it will no longer be possible for employers to argue staff who don’t work all year are only entitled to pro-rata holiday based on the hours they work. Today’s decision is also good news for anyone working irregular hours or on zero-hours contracts. From now on, all workers will be due the same legal minimum of 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-time employees), even if there are months during the year when they don’t work.
Example: The Supreme Court judgment ensures leave must be paid at the rate of an ordinary week’s wages (or if pay varies every week, then an average of all the weeks worked in a year). Annual leave calculations are based on weeks, as a person can work a full week or part of one. The law says that someone working a full year is entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of annual leave (28 days for anyone working full-time hours in a week and this can include the eight bank holidays). The judgment means that an employee working all year, but say, for just two days a week is entitled to 11.2 days a year (2 x 5.6 weeks, so 2.24 weeks or 11.2 days).
Lesley Brazel, the part time music teacher, said: “After an eight year legal process I am pleased to have finally secured a basic employment right in accordance with the law and as stated in my employment contract. I would like to thank the Incorporated Society of Musicians, ARAG Insurance, and the legal teams at Hopkins Solicitors and 3PB Barristers, for their outstanding professional, legal and financial assistance throughout.
“I am an alumna of the Harpur Trust and I have worked for them as a visiting music teacher at Bedford Girls’ School and it’s legacy schools for 20 years, pursuing a career which I am passionate about. Emotionally it has not been an easy journey. I am indebted to my family and friends for giving me the self-confidence to see this through and for their continued encouragement and support throughout this time.”
3PB Barristers were instructed in this appeal by Hopkins Solicitors LLP to act on behalf of clarinet and saxophone teacher Mrs Lesley Brazel, who teaches at the independent Bedford Girls’ School run by the Harpur Trust. She was supported over several years of legal action by the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and ARAG who provide legal expenses insurance to the ISM’s members.
Mathew Gullick QC of 3PB said: “This judgment gives clarity on the method of calculating holiday pay for people in Mrs Brazel’s position working on permanent ‘zero-hours’ contracts and who are not required to work every week of the leave year. The judgment will be of particular interest to term-time workers at schools, colleges and universities, as well as many other types of workers whose working patterns do not fit the traditional ‘full-time’ model.”
Partner Carl Wright at Hopkins Solicitors said: “We are obviously delighted with both the outcome of the appeal and to have been able to clarify the law for the benefit of all of those workers who, like Mrs Brazel, work on term time only contracts. As a consequence of this decision, term time only workers will be entitled to the same minimum annual holiday as those that are contracted to work all year round.”
Six banks found to have broken CMA rules about accuracy of information
Six high street banks have broken rules imposed by the Competition and Markets Authority under the Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017.
The banks found to have broken the rules are Bank of Ireland, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Metro Bank and NatWest.
Under the Order, banks and building societies must follow strict rules about informing customers of their services – from showing correct interest rates for current accounts, using accurate promotional materials online and within branches, to accurately displaying the right locations and opening times.
The breaches are:
- Barclays failing to keep information on interest rates up to date for overdrafts on two of its webpages
- HSBC failing to publish information about the maximum amount it can charge customers for overdrafts in all the places it should have done. It also showed out of date information relating to interest rates for business account overdrafts on one of its webpages
- Lloyds Banking Group publishing incorrect service quality rankings relating to personal and business current accounts in leaflets and branch posters, which gave potential customers a misleading impression of its performance; and failing to keep information in relation to interest rates up to date for one of its overdrafts on one of its webpages
- NatWest not updating records following branch and ATM closures. They also listed incorrect interest rates for small business loans when sharing information with independent price comparison tools
- Bank of Ireland listing incorrect details of branch locations through Open Banking (after some had permanently closed) as well as wrong information about some current account charges. Tablet users were also not provided with a link to information on Bank of Ireland’s service quality via the banking app
- Metro Bank overcharging 92 customers for entering an unarranged overdraft
Covid’s outdoor dining rules for the hospitality industry will become permanent next year
Temporary changes brought in to help pubs, cafes and restaurants take advantage of the warm weather and operate outside will be made permanent next year.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be able take advantage of the warm weather and keep serving customers al fresco, thanks to steps the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has taken.
Temporary changes brought in during COVID-19 which make it quicker, easier and cheaper for business to get a licence to serve food and drink on pavements and pedestrianised roads have been extended. The extension will continue until the changes are made permanent in the spring.
The change was first introduced to help businesses keep operating during the pandemic and was widely welcomed by the public, café owners and pub landlords.
The government will make these changes permanent in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
Today’s announcement will make sure that businesses can keep operating outside by extending the temporary provisions that were due to expire in September, before the permanent changes become law.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Greg Clark said: “We want to see bustling town centres across the country and that’s why the changes we made to licensing rules will become permanent.
“Making al fresco dining a permanent fixture on our high streets is part of our plan to level up communities and create vibrant places people want to live and work.”
Yorkshire kitchen worktop retailer targets further growth following £150,000 funding deal
A Yorkshire-based kitchen worktop retailer is targeting further growth after agreeing an additional £150,000 funding deal with Reward Finance Group.
Gemini Worktops, based near York, is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of quartz and solid surface kitchen worktops and has an existing working capital facility with Reward.
Earlier this year the company opened a new showroom at its Mason’s Yard HQ to complement its online business. This is equipped with innovative workspaces that can be used by professional interior designers, architects, builders and developers as a meeting place with clients.
Key to the next stage of Gemini’s growth is investment in stock to ensure it can meet growing demand, which is where the additional funding from Reward Finance Group, via its Business Finance product, is primarily set to help.
In addition to boosting its work surface stocks, the funding will also support the growth plans for Gemini’s sister company Mindful Memorials. This business provides memorials of all kinds to customers via its network of eight branches across Yorkshire, with all products designed and made at its York masonry yard.
Commenting on the new funding deal, Gemini Worktops’ co-owner Matt Rotherham said: “The funding facility provided by Reward Finance Group is tremendous for our business at this point, enabling us to fulfil our growth ambitions and capitalise on the opportunities we see. Being able to invest in stock is key to this, removing a potential barrier to growth, and helping us navigate the well-publicised global supply chain issues that all manufacturers are facing.
“Reward’s flexible approach is refreshing in our experience of working with finance providers, giving us a facility that means we can tap into funds as and when we require. Chris Ibbetson and the team there took time to understand the seasonality and short-term challenges that a business like ours can face and quickly provided a practical solution that will benefit us in so many ways, including being able to continue creating new skilled job opportunities.”
Chris Ibbetson, relationship manager at Reward Finance Group, added: “Our Business Finance solution is ideal for companies like Gemini whose long-term growth plans can be held back due to short-term issues such as stock availability. Building strong relationships with our clients allows us to get close to their business and their ambitions and we are always delighted when we are able to provide additional funding to support them with their plans. We look forward to seeing the company grow as the Gemini Worktops and Mindful Memorials brands develop.”
Ex-HSBC senior leader appointed chief operating officer at rradar
rradar, the litigation and commercial law firm which specialises in digital and insurance innovation, has appointed ex-HSBC executive Richard Crabb as chief operating officer.
This is the latest in a raft of high-profile hires by the Hull-based firm.
Richard will be in charge of the strategic and operational delivery of the legal teams, together with corporate governance and change management functions for rradar, with a focus on delivering an integrated service model.
Reporting directly to rradar’s CEO Gary Gallen, Richard will be a key member of rradar’s senior leadership team.
Gary Gallen said: “I am delighted to welcome Richard to rradar in another key appointment for the business. Coming from the multinational banking and financial services organisation, HSBC, Richard brings significant legal and commercial leadership experience and expertise to rradar.
“He has a clear understanding of how to drive efficiencies across an integrated service delivery model, having led the implementation of technology, best-practice legal, compliance and risk management processes.
“Once again, rradar’s pioneering and proven history of growth has attracted a top global talent, which will ultimately enable us to maximise our performance, deliver growth and ensure that we achieve our short and long-term objectives.”
During his 10-year tenure at HSBC Bank, Richard held several senior executive posts, including global head of commercial, tech and innovation. In this role, he was responsible for the development and implementation of HSBC Bank’s commercial and innovation strategies for its Global Legal Function – working with 1,200 lawyers and business professionals in over 34 countries.
Richard is known for his transformative approach to cost management and resource allocation, driving efficiency and a high-performing culture. His experience includes directing complex technology implementations, driving legal best practice, and the management of compliance and risk.
Before joining HSBC, he was partner, corporate and commercial at McCormick’s Solicitors in Harrogate, where he was ranked by Legal 500 as a leading legal advisor in both Charities and Sports Law.
Richard commented: “I’m delighted to have joined rradar at such a pivotal juncture. We have an incredible journey ahead of us, expanding and growing our legal services business with a key focus on driving our private legal services capabilities and offering, including our training and consultancy services.
“My priority is optimising efficiency and service quality through collaborative leadership and by implementing first-class processes.
“Driving performance across our insurance legal services business for our clients and partners remains at our core, and you can expect continuous innovation and new developments.”
Richard is the latest in a string of high-profile leadership appointments at rradar, alongside chief technology officer Andy Clarke and commercial director Richard Sheridan, as well as non-executive directors, Kieran Rigby, and Jeremy Cohen, who were recently elected to rradar’s expanding board.
First stage of ambitious Wakefield city centre plan underway
Ambitious plans to enhance the Cathedral Precinct area of Wakefield are getting underway.
The overall plan would see the creation of a premier space for entertainment and festivals, new facades for buildings on Bread Street and opportunities for food and drink businesses to be developed over the next three years, if full funding is agreed.
The first stage of the work has begun with shops and businesses with front or rear-facing façades along Bread Street being offered grants to create new façades that would complement the Wakefield Cathedral conservation area.
The next stages of the plans are awaiting final confirmation of funding from the Towns Fund. If monies are granted, the second phase would see vacant buildings at the end of Bread Street removed in 2024 to recreate the early 19th-century vista of the Cathedral.
The third phase will be hugely transformational with a new flexible multi-use entertainment area with seating, lighting and trees created to become the premier outdoor venue in the city for hosting open-air events, festivals and other family entertainment.
Cllr Darren Byford, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “These plans will completely change the look and feel of Wakefield City Centre, the new building frontages with look amazing and will improve the look of our historic buildings.
“Once Government confirms the funding, we will be able to make a start in transforming the area. Putting the Cathedral Square and surrounding streets at the heart of the City Centre will give us the space to bring entertainment and events to Wakefield, giving residents, visitors and businesses more reasons to be here in our city.”
Chair of Wakefield High Street Task Force, Cormac Hamilton, said: “It is very positive to see this imaginative project is getting underway. It will bring people together and will enhance our city centre and strengthen our offer as a great place for residents, businesses and visitors to experience and to enjoy.”
When completed in 2025, it would link in with the pedestrianised southern section of Wood Street and Cross Square with its wider pavements and new gardens becoming a place that prioritises the environment for people.
In delivering the Wakefield Masterplan, Wakefield Council aims to grow the local economy, make the city more attractive to new businesses, inviting to visitors and create more jobs for local people.
Sheffield-headquartered SIG snaps up construction products provider
SIG, the Sheffield-headquartered supplier of specialist insulation and sustainable building products, has acquired Miers Construction Products Limited (MCP) for an initial cash consideration of £28m.
A further contingent cash payment of up to £6.7m will be payable, subject to the performance of the business during the period ending on 31 December 2023, together with a deferred cash payment of £1.8m, payable in 24 months.
MCP was acquired from two founding shareholders and four members of MCP’s management team. The existing management team are remaining with the business and MCP will continue to trade under its existing brand.
Steve Francis, Chief Executive Officer of SIG, said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of MCP, which demonstrates delivery of SIG’s Group strategy to grow both organically and through carefully targeted value-enhancing acquisitions.
“MCP is a highly attractive specialist business with a strong brand, a great reputation for quality service, and technical sector specialism and expertise. These key elements have created a business that has the ability to grow sustainably ahead of the market.
“MCP illustrates the opportunities to accelerate through acquisition our path to 5% margins in the medium term. We welcome MCP’s knowledgeable and committed management team and employees to SIG and look forward to working with them.”
Established in 2010, MCP is a provider of specialist construction products to specialist sub-contractors, builders and main contractors.
For the year ended 30 September 2021, MCP reported revenue of £46.7m and operating profit of £4.4m. The business has continued to perform strongly in the current year, with (unaudited) revenue of £55.5 million and adjusted EBITDA of £5.1m for the 12 month period to 31 May 2022.
Rules change brings more micro-businesses into into grant eligibility fold
A government scheme that slashes the price of software, boosting productivity and growth of the UK’s small businesses, will benefit at least a million more firms from today.
With Customer Relationship Management software proven to boost firms’ productivity by 18% on average, the Help to Grow: Digital scheme offers businesses discounts worth up to £5,000 on approved software.
Previously, only businesses with more than five employees were eligible for the scheme, but from today, businesses with at least one employee are now eligible to benefit. This boosts the number of eligible businesses by 760,000 so that it now reaches up to 1.24 million.
Today it’s also announced that eCommerce software is available through the scheme to help businesses ramp up sales of products and services online. This includes helping them to manage their inventory, take payments and gather data and insights on customers’ needs. Businesses which adopt eCommerce software see on average a 7.5% increase in employee sales over 3 years.
This means businesses can now get a £5,000 discount on 30 software solutions from 14 leading technology suppliers for eCommerce, Digital Accounting and CRM software.
Additionally, the government has announced that Help to Grow: Digital will support one-to-one advice for SMEs on how best they can adopt digital technology. The government will be launching applications for advice platforms to partner with the scheme from today, and the advice service will go live later this year.
Business Minister Lord Callanan said: “Boosting productivity isn’t some abstract concept to be sniffed at – for individual SMEs it means bigger sales and breaking into new markets. It can add £100 billion to the British economy overall, creating jobs and opportunity across the country.
“Adopting the latest technology is proven to help businesses make the most of their potential, and by making more than one million firms eligible for the scheme, we’re helping to level up the UK economy and bolster the ability of our businesses to compete with the best worldwide.”
Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses said: “We are very pleased to have worked hard with BEIS to adopt our ask to expand the eligibility criteria of the Help to Grow: Digital scheme to support more small businesses getting the software they need.
“Our research shows the smallest firms are least likely to have adopted tech products because of the lack of resources although they would make the most productivity gains through adoption.
“It’s good that Ministers are listening. Together with the addition of e-Commerce software and one-to-one advice for SMEs on technology adoption, this will help small businesses enhance their operations and drive efficiency and growth.”
Engineering firm officials opens new premises in Spilsby
Tong Engineering has officially opened a brand new purpose-built manufacturing facility on the edge of Spilsby following a three-year, two-phase project.
An opening event marked a milestone for the vegetable equipment manufacturer and its new 90,000 square foot factory is now in full operation.
The project benefitted from a £500,000 grant from the LEP’s Greater Lincolnshire Growth Fund which offered match-funded grants of £150,000 to £500,000 to help SMEs to increase productivity and create new jobs.
MD Edward Tong said: “Since we began our first-phase building at the end of 2019, we have been working towards the day where all departments of the business can operate from one site.
“It was a pleasure to finally open our factory doors to showcase our new manufacturing facilities and to demonstrate the part that every employee and each department at Tong Engineering plays in manufacturing our wide range of custom-built handling equipment.
“During the build project we have been fortunate to achieve the sale of and smooth transition from our heritage site in the town, which we occupied for almost 90 years, and we are delighted that we now have the facilities and space to maximise our manufacturing capability.
“We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to visit our new factory during our opening event,” said Edward. “We will of course be very happy to welcome more visitors over the coming months as we continue to demonstrate the manufacturing processes behind Tong equipment.”
Chairman Charles Tong added: “I am very proud that we have been able to complete this landmark achievement during my time in the business. It has been our goal for many years to operate from a purpose-built site, and very importantly in our home town of Spilsby which thrives on the business that local employment brings.
“Our new facility now fully occupies the seven-acre site, and we are very pleased with the efficiencies that have been created with all aspects of the business now under one roof.”
Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “Tong Engineering is a successful and well established Lincolnshire business and we were pleased to be able to support their growth ambitions with this grant. As an agricultural business Tong operates in one of the key sectors which we aim to support through the Greater Lincolnshire Growth Fund.”
