Barnsley care group continues expansion with acquisition

Tess Egginton
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Barnsley care group continues expansion with acquisition

Barnsley’s Optimo Care Group has acquired CFT Care Limited.

Based in Clacton, CFT Care is a supported living and specialist care provider, established in 2014 by David Thompson. The company employs approximately 230 skilled staff members who deliver essential services to around 60 younger adults with learning disabilities and autism.

CFT Care operates around 44 purpose-built supported living units across multiple sites in cluster settings, all of which will be included in the acquisition. This acquisition also includes a portfolio of supported living development sites for future expansion.

Optimo Care Group will be retaining all current CFT Care staff members, ensuring continuity of care and stability for the service users. The company also plans to further expand the team to accommodate the anticipated growth in services.

Optimo supports thousands of people across the UK with a variety of complex and specialist support needs. An acquisitive strategy and strong organic growth over the last 18 months has resulted in the Group trebling its post-pandemic revenues. The Group comprises multiple subsidiaries, employing over 1,400 people across the UK.

Optimo is now aiming to double its revenues over the next two years.

The sale was facilitated by Redwoods Dowling Kerr. Optimo was advised by Freeths LLP (Legal), Hazlewoods LLP (Financial and Tax), Knight Frank LLP and Eddisons Commercial (Property). CFT Care was advised by Ellisons LLP (Legal) and TC Group (Tax).

Ben Hales, Group Projects Director and head of M&A at Optimo, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have finalised this deal and to welcome the CFT Care team into the Optimo family. CFT Care has built and maintained an excellent reputation in the Essex area. With significant potential for continued growth through new development sites in the pipeline, we are eager to begin working with the team to drive our shared vision forward.

“I would like to thank all of our teams who have worked tirelessly around the clock to make this deal happen. We couldn’t have accomplished this without their dedication and hard work behind the scenes. Additionally, I would like to extend a personal thank you to David for his cooperation and assistance throughout this process.”

Ryan Brummitt, Managing Director for Supported Living and Specialist services at Optimo Care Group, said: “At Optimo, our focus is always on providing the highest quality of care and support for our service users. The acquisition of CFT Care allows us to extend our reach and enhance our services, ensuring more individuals receive the compassionate and personalised care they deserve.

“We are thrilled to welcome the CFT Care team and look forward to collaborating closely to make a positive impact on the lives of those we support.”

Firms urged to employ more ex-services employees

Stuart Pearcey
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Firms urged to employ more ex-services employees
Companies in south Lincolnshire are being urged to follow a local authority lead by employing more ex-services people. Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren, South Kesteven District Council’s  Armed Forces Champion, said: “Military personnel possess a wealth of transferable skills capable of enhancing any organisation. “As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and holders of the Ministry Defence Employers Recognition Scheme, we are extremely proud to have so many military veterans working for the council. “I would urge any company looking to recruit at any level to take a close look at employing ex-services personnel. There are really helpful employment websites supporting any company or organisation that signs the Armed Forces Covenant as a pledge to support defence.” South Kesteven District Council has sixteen former Armed Forces individuals, mainly from the Army, now play key roles in the council’s waste and recycling and Street Scene teams. They have transferred valuable skills developed from service with the Royal Logistics Corps, Infantry regiments, Royal Anglian Regiment and the Armoured Corps. Others served with the RAF and the RAF Regiment, Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers and even the Household Cavalry. Service has included tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland. Two members of the council’s keen-eyed and effective CCTV team are also ex-Army – the Royal Artillery and the Grenadier Guards – and the council’s head of economic development is from an Armed Forces background. Cameron Greene now applies service skills developed with the Army’s Royal Engineers to managing the council’s Street Scene operation. He said: “We now have nine ex-military on the Street Scene team, all dedicated to getting the job done as they used to do for the Armed Forces. “In many ways the council suits those who have served in the military. There is a clearly defined structure, opportunities to progress and a great team spirit.” Waste team HGV driver Cheryl Miller served with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. She said: “I drove Land Rovers, armoured personnel vehicles and Bedford four-tonners. I have always been a driver and have been able to transfer those skills.” Cheryl, who initially gained her HGV licence to drive her family’s American motor home, joined SKDC during the Covid pandemic. “My husband had an accident and I needed to work,” she said. “The Council needed drivers, I applied and here I am. I love the job!” Another HGV driver, Mick Toms, served with the Royal Engineers. “I was in engineering after coming out of the forces but then went back into driving and this role really suits me.” Employers can also claim National Insurance contributions relief if employing a veteran in their first year post-service.

Lomond acquires North Yorkshire estate and letting agent in milestone deal

Tess Egginton
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Lomond acquires North Yorkshire estate and letting agent in milestone deal
Lomond has acquired a North Yorkshire estate and letting agent marking the firm’s 60th acquisition since LDC’s investment in 2020, as well as the 100th acquisition since the original business was founded in 2010. The acquisition of Joplings, one of North Yorkshire’s oldest independent agencies, will see Lomond’s Linley and Simpson brand take over the business. Whilst it’s one of the smaller deals Lomond has done to date, the deal itself is a significant one for a number of reasons. Joplings is a well established business and Linley and Simpson’s primary competitor in the Ripon area, meaning that with its acquisition, Linley and Simpson is set to become the predominant presence within the local property market. Linley and Simpson will take on all of the properties currently under management with Joplings, pushing Linley and Simpson to in excess of 15,000 properties under management, with the brand also taking the existing Joplings sales pipeline. The deal also marks a very significant milestone for Lomond’s Acquisition Director, Robert Hamilton. As one of the founding partners of the original Lomond business, Lomond Capital, in 2010, Robert Hamilton oversaw 40 acquisitions across the UK, helping to build the business from the ground up across a number of market regions. Since Lomond Capital merged with Linley and Simpson in December 2020 to form the current Lomond business, Robert has managed the acquisition of a further 60 businesses across the UK, with the Joplings deal being Robert’s 100th. Lomond’s Acquisitions Director, Robert Hamilton, said: “We’ve embarked on an incredible journey since the early days of Lomond Capital and I’m immensely proud to have overseen the acquisition of 100 businesses to date, from Scotland to the South coast, all of which have been strategically important in realising our aggressive growth ambitions. “The credit goes to my highly professional team and the market leading acquisitions process that we’ve implemented. We’ve always prided ourselves on being a people first business and this starts with our employees and extends right through to our customers and the sellers of the businesses we acquire. “For a seller, having your business acquired is an incredibly proud, life changing event, that allows them to realise the value they’ve built through sheer hard work and determination. It’s an intensely personal experience and one that needs to be recognised, acknowledged and managed with great care and respect. “As the acquiring business, we’re an integral part of this and it leads to very strong relationships, so much so that I was even invited to the wedding of one of our business sellers.” CEO of Lomond Yorkshire, Martin Elliott, said: “The acquisition of Joplings is one that has been ten years in the making and holds high strategic importance for the Linley and Simpson brand. “We’re acquiring an extremely well-established and respected local business and, in doing so, we are cementing our position as the leading agent in the local area.”

Yorkshire firms more confident in their own business prospects in July

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire firms more confident in their own business prospects in July
Yorkshire firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects strengthened in July, however weaker optimism in the economy meant the region’s overall business confidence fell month-on-month, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies’ confidence in their own business prospects climbed 12 points to 45% in July. However, when taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 35 points to 27%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36% (vs. 48% in June). The Business Barometer also found that a net balance of 45% of businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up eight points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their teams, for example through training (40%), introducing new technology (29%) and evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (24%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. National picture Overall UK business confidence climbed nine points in July to a net balance of 50% – the same as in May when confidence reached an eight-year high. Businesses’ confidence in their own trading prospects rose 12 points to 56% – the highest reading since April 2017. Meanwhile, confidence in the economy climbed six points to 45%. Wales and the East Midlands (both 62%) were the joint-most confident UK regions or nations in July, followed by the East of England (61%). Sector insights  There was an improvement across all sector categories this month – most notably in retail which rose by 25 points to a post-pandemic high of 60%. There were also significant gains in manufacturing trading prospects, with the net balance increasing by 9 points to a two-year high. Services rose 10 points to 56%, while construction saw a more modest increase by 2 points to 44%. Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While overall confidence has fallen since June, it’s hugely encouraging that Yorkshire’s businesses are more optimistic when in it comes to their own prospects – a reflection of their resilience and the work they’ve done to position themselves for growth. “We’ll be by their side as they pursue their ambitious – whether that’s supporting investments in their team, hiring new staff or implementing new technology.”

Management buyout sees change of ownership at Huddersfield firms

Stuart Pearcey
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Management buyout sees change of ownership at Huddersfield firms
A management buyout of Huddersfield-based e-commerce retailer Interior Goods Direct and Green & Brown Ltd has been completed in order to further both company’s continued growth. Led by MD Nigel Blakey, the buyout sees directors Job Brown (Operations), James Toase (Commercial), and Andy Thomson (Finance), taking a controlling interest in both companies. Darren Green who founded IGD in 2003, alongside its retail e-commerce business, BlindsDirect.co.uk, and G&B in 2010 will remain as Non-Executive Chairman for both organisations. The buyout is said to underwrite ambitious plans for growth and provide greater employment and developmental opportunities for the 270 existing colleagues and future team members. The buyout follows substantial multi-million-pound investments in both G&B, and IGD’s futures including the recent move to a new, 130,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Colne Bridge Road, Huddersfield. The business has also recently invested close to a quarter of a million pounds in sustainability initiatives including roof-mounted solar panels and energy efficient LED lighting. Blinds Direct, IGD’s online retail ecommerce business, continues to grow its reputation as one of the UK’s leading blinds and home accessories specialists serving over 15 thousand customers per month. Nigel Blakey said: “It is a very exciting time for the future of our companies. This buyout is a testament to our team’s hard work, dedication, and belief in the potential of our company. We are proud to be one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of made to measure blinds, curtains and shutters, based in Huddersfield, the traditional UK heartland of textiles. Unlike many online retailers we have our own manufacturing facility in the UK, and we are passionate about doing all we can to help our UK textile industries thrive and survive, not losing the deep heritage and skilled people that make our fantastic products. With the buyout now complete, and a strong and ambitious team in place, we can focus on our plans for growth and to continue to implement a range of initiatives that will further strengthen our operations. While developing both companies, we also look forward to providing greater employment opportunities for the region, developing our existing team members, and delivering exceptional value and service for our customers.” Darren Green, founder and non-executive chairman, said: “Founding IGD and G&B, and steering them on paths that have seen both businesses become well established in their respective sectors, has been an incredible experience. With Nigel and the team now in position, it’s an exciting time for both companies and I’m certain of a bright future for not only the businesses, but also the dedicated staff that have been instrumental in building them up to this point.”

Well-known HR professional takes up new role at Yorkshire law firm

Tess Egginton
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Well-known HR professional takes up new role at Yorkshire law firm
Experienced HR professional Brendan Bah, who has spent almost 30 years working in both large-scale public and private sector organisations, has joined Yorkshire-based LCF Law’s specialist employment law division. He joins the firm’s Leeds office as an employment law advisor and will support LCF Law partner and employment law specialist, James Austin. In his new role Brendan will provide guidance on all types of HR related matters including disciplinaries, grievances and redundancies and will also be able to conduct disciplinary, grievance and other hearings on behalf of clients. Brendan will also draft and update contracts of employment and HR policies and procedures, and explain legislative changes. Clients will include businesses of all sizes, in all sectors, including retained clients of LCF Works, which is LCF Law’s expert employment law and HR advice package. He will also be involved with LCF Law’s presentations, including mock employment tribunals, which are free to attend and give employers the chance to see first-hand how an employment tribunal hearing works in practice. Brendan has worked in HR since 1995 and most recently worked as HR business partner at ivolve Care & Support, which is one of the largest adult social care providers in the UK. Prior to that he was a HR advisor at Premier Farnell in Leeds and he’s also worked for the likes of Leeds Arts University, Fox’s Biscuits, Asda and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust. Brendan said: “HR legislation is continually evolving, and employers must be aware of the latest changes so they can be included in policies and procedures. However, generally these are similar across most industries, albeit tailored to specific roles and businesses. “Many businesses don’t have a dedicated HR person and need advice on implementing their policies and procedures or even want someone else to conduct meetings or hearings for them. As an experienced HR adviser this is one of the areas where I can add value to a business. “My ethos is always about doing things the right way and finding the middle ground between employers and employees, so that people are dealt with professionally and sensitively, whilst ensuring it’s fair for both parties. “Ultimately this fosters good employer and employee relations and I’m looking forward to implementing this with LCF Law’s clients, which are all sizes and in all industries. It’s also this variety which makes the role such an interesting and exciting opportunity.” James added: “Brendan is vastly experienced and will be a great asset to our team. He’s handled every day HR issues but has also carried out complex projects like large-scale redundancies, and can act as an in-house HR manager and advisor for businesses as and when they require it. “When this is combined with our legal expertise for more specialist matters, it adds to our already very compelling offering for businesses.”

Bradford Manufacturing Futures names Arup as new business partner for decarbonisation project

Tess Egginton
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Bradford Manufacturing Futures names Arup as new business partner for decarbonisation project
The Bradford Manufacturing Futures partnership, led by Bradford Council, has awarded a contract to global sustainable development and engineering consultancy Arup to help manufacturing companies across the district of Bradford decarbonise and move towards net zero. Arup will work with several project partners to produce a district-wide Decarbonisation Master Plan. This blueprint will offer pathways to energy efficiency and an energy strategy with feasibility assessments identifying where renewable energy sources can be matched with industry requirements. The consultancy’s work with the partnership will also produce a Prospectus for Inward Investment based on Industrial Decarbonisation. The Prospectus for the Bradford District is aimed at realising lowest cost renewable heat and power, to increase inward investment. It is anticipated that investment in renewables would be accelerated by the Industrial Decarbonisation Roadmap set out in the Master Plan, encouraging businesses keen to decarbonise to locate in Bradford. The partners in the project are Solenis UK Industries Ltd, Calbee Group (UK) Ltd, Produmax Limited, Texfelt Ltd, Teconnex Ltd, Denso Marston Ltd, Bradford Council, CR Plus Ltd, University of Bradford with support from the business-led District Sustainable Development Partnership. The project partners are carrying out manufacturer site and cluster specific energy efficiency surveys, identifying opportunities for energy efficiency, fuel switching, and localised alternative energy to support manufacturing energy cost reduction and decarbonisation. Bradford Manufacturing Futures is a local partnership delivering a collaborative, progressive and investible approach to decarbonisation. The £1m+ project has received Local Industrial Decarbonisation funding of £726,729 from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This Council led project identifies opportunities for decarbonisation across the Bradford district in some of the highest emitting sectors such as Chemicals, Food, Basic Metals, Mineral Products and Metal Fabrication, which produce 52% of the district’s CO2 emissions. Manufacturing, core to Bradford’s success over centuries, faces existential energy cost and decarbonisation challenges. The sector is diverse, with 1,220 businesses accounting for 12.6% of jobs in Bradford District, generating 0.7Mtpa CO2 emissions. Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are excited to be leading this groundbreaking project with partners from industry that will provide a district-wide roadmap for decarbonisation, an investment prospectus for the district and shared learning across manufacturers in the district and West Yorkshire region. “Tackling climate change is important to Bradford, reaching the District Net Zero targets by 2038 will only be achieved if all organisations in the district are working together building a sustainable and prosperous economy that works in the interests of everyone to minimise waste and the use of finite natural resources.” Catherine Darby-Roberts, Arup’s Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Leader, said: “It’s exciting to join the Bradford Manufacturing Futures programme and work with the project partners to deliver a decarbonisation roadmap for the district. This project is significant as it is led by manufacturing companies and the public sector, working together and recognising that clustering and a system-led approach will support wider regional decarbonisation. “The roadmap will be impactful for major manufacturers, support individual companies to hit their net zero goals and incubate the growth of smaller businesses to engage and benefit from local investment. We’re pleased to collaborate with Bradford Council, Bradford University and wider partners to consider the district challenges, develop investable propositions and help secure a sustainable future for manufacturing in the city.” The Bradford Manufacturing Futures project will run until the end of December 2024 when the results of the project will be shared with businesses across the district and beyond.

Mayor welcomes nuclear energy company to South Yorkshire as it seeks home for new facility

Tess Egginton
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Mayor welcomes nuclear energy company to South Yorkshire as it seeks home for new facility
Mayor Oliver Coppard welcomed senior representatives of American nuclear energy company, Holtec, to South Yorkshire as the firm looks to select a home for its new Small Modular Reactor (SMR) facility after a shortlisting process of four potential sites around the UK. Earlier this year, Holtec Britain – who have been working at Sizewell B for over 15 years – shortlisted South Yorkshire as a potential location for its new SMR factory in the UK. The factory would present a major £1.3bn investment and job creation opportunity. South Yorkshire is already home to the UK’s largest clean-tech cluster and has unique strengths in SMRs, Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation. South Yorkshire is aiming to become the natural home for these emerging clean energy sectors and engaging with Holtec on its new UK factory is a key part of this effort. In May, Rolls Royce SMR chose South Yorkshire to become the home of its new multi-million pound facility which will manufacture and test prototype modules for SMRs, further strengthening the region’s clean tech credentials. Representatives from Holtec and senior officers from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority visited three potential factory sites in the region. The Mayor and the Holtec delegation also met with senior business representative in the region to gain an insight into the region’s industrial heritage, strengths and potential for future growth. Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, said: “South Yorkshire is already home of the largest clean-tech cluster in the UK and is at the forefront of nuclear tech, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels development. We’re leading the way on SMRs and have the talent, facilities and supply chains to go even further. “I was pleased to welcome Baroness Brown and her colleagues from Holtec to South Yorkshire. We had the opportunity to highlight South Yorkshire’s world-class clean-tech and advanced manufacturing assets, and discuss our plans to maximise investment, jobs and supply chain development in this sector. “Holtec’s plans to build a £1.3bn advanced SMR factory could support hundreds of high-paying jobs and their SMR Learning Academy would help to train the next generation of nuclear experts. “Given our strengths in clean-tech and plans to lead the green energy transition, we believe we are perfectly suited to partner with Holtec and their project partners, Hyundai E&C and Balfour Beatty, to forge a new future together that benefits our communities and the planet.” Holtec’s Senior Adviser, Professor Dame Julia King FRS FREng, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, said: “I’d like to thank the Mayor and his team for their gracious hospitality during our visit. “South Yorkshire has world class higher education institutions, relevant skills base, great leadership, excellent connectivity and a proud history of advanced manufacturing. This really fills us with confidence as we move forward with our assessment of their bid. “Holtec’s new UK SMR factory, wherever it is located, will be transformative – opening new export opportunities of £30bn over the next ten years. We already have agreements in place with Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Our investment will directly support 1,800 high paying UK jobs and approximately 16,000 in the UK supply chain in the decades to come.”

Libertine to engage insolvency practitioner

Tess Egginton
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Libertine to engage insolvency practitioner

Libertine Holdings, a Sheffield-based developer of Linear Generator technology, is set to engage an insolvency practitioner following a failure to secure short-term funding.

The news comes after Libertine launched a strategic review in April, covering options including raising additional capital, sale of the company’s HEXAGEN technology platform and IP, and sale of the company. This was followed by news of a conditional investment offer from investors in India and the UAE of £2m. Should the proposed investment not complete as planned, the Board of the business noted it may seek the cancellation of admission of Libertine’s ordinary shares to trading on AIM and re-registration as a private limited company in order to attempt to undertake a solvent wind down of the business.

This month (July 2024), the company announced that equity investors had concluded their due diligence and were in the process of depositing funds into either the company’s bank account or into a UK escrow account. Due to the timing of the processes required to transfer funds from UAE and India, however, the business was also seeking short-term funding from new or existing investors.

As of 29 July 2024, no funds had been received from the equity investors and Libertine had been unsuccessful in securing short-term funding.

Therefore, after consideration of the company’s current financial situation, the Board has concluded that Libertine should engage an insolvency practitioner to seek advice on next steps.

Trading in the company’s ordinary shares on AIM has been suspended.

Local authorities adopt joint approach to attract rail industry spending

Stuart Pearcey
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Local authorities adopt joint approach to attract rail industry spending
Business Doncaster and Invest Goole, the economic development arms of their local councils, are working together to deliver an investment message for ‘Rail in Yorkshire’. Victoria Poppleton, Sector Growth and Investment Team Leader for City of Doncaster Council, and Bekki Banks, Inward Investment Project Manager for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, recognised that working together collaboratively and developing a more strategic approach would help generate opportunities for private investors and create jobs for the growth of the local economy and the rail sector. Victoria said: “South and East Yorkshire already have a strong rail presence and, by working together, it can provide an even better base for investors to grow and develop.” Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “This new partnership will deliver enhanced local investment messages, support growth and innovation and help to influence further investment across the rail sector. There is great potential by working together, reflecting the geography of the area whilst also acknowledging the commonalities between both locations allowing us to attract new rail companies to invest in the region. “It’s great for neighbouring authorities to be working together in this way. There are naturally strong rail ties between both Doncaster and Goole, and this gives us an opportunity to build on our shared heritage and look ahead to the future,” she added. Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “Goole and Doncaster share a postcode but also a can-do attitude to business and this mutually beneficial partnership will help develop the local economies of both areas. For international rail companies looking to invest in the UK, Goole and Doncaster combine to create a compelling offer that will help grow their business and support the exiting supply chains within the area.”
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