Cleantech business Green Building Renewables (GBR) has expanded its UK nationwide network into Hampshire and onto the South Coast by acquiring Solar Voltaics – the eighth renewables company to join the York-headquartered business. By joining Green Building Renewables’ fast-growing network, Solar Voltaics helps increase the company’s annual turnover to £35 million. The merger will also help create jobs in the region. Green Building Renewables offers a range of renewable technology solutions through its growing network of local energy experts. It provides Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps, underfloor heating, solar PV, EV charging, and battery storage. The decision to expand onto the South Coast comes as part of Green Building Renewables’ strategic vision to extend the benefits of solar energy to communities across the country. Managing Director of Green Building Renewables, Chris Delaney, said: “The pedigree of Solar Voltaics’ work precedes it. The reputation of the company and the quality and scale of the work it has done in the region is incredible, and I am delighted to have them join the Green Building Renewables family and network of regional offices. “We continue to grow our nationwide network by acquiring respected and reputable businesses like Solar Voltaics. We welcome the Nutbourne team to ours. The South Coast is known for its rich natural beauty and vibrant communities, making it an ideal location for Green Building Renewables to expand. “We want to expand upon the excellent work of Solar Voltaics and help empower businesses and residents alike in the region to switch to clean energy, reducing their carbon footprint and benefiting the environment.” Solar Voltaics was founded by Michael Turner, a successful local entrepreneur and businessman. Michael has ten years of experience in the aerospace materials industry with Rolls Royce plc and British Aerospace. He founded the company in 2010 and has helped grow the company to success over the last twelve years. On joining Green Building Renewables, Michael said: “I am extremely proud of what the team at Solar Voltaics has achieved since I founded the company. “Our mission has always been to ensure customers understand how solar PV technology can work for them, how it is installed and what financial benefits they can expect from an installation designed to their specific requirements and budget. “The vision of Green Building Renewables matched our own, and we’re delighted to become a part of their network when renewable technologies and alternatives to fossil fuels have never been more needed. “We pride ourselves on ensuring that customers are completely satisfied with their decision to adopt Solar PV technology, and we adhere to a strict code of conduct to provide high levels of reassurance that their systems will perform as expected for many years. “Our team provides quality service and work; joining Green Building Renewables and becoming part of something bigger is a fantastic opportunity for them to share our combined skills further. Green Building Renewables allows the team to offer more services and products to our customers in the region.” In due course, Solar Voltaics will rebrand to Green Building Renewables as it becomes a part of the company’s nationwide network of local renewable technology installers and helps recruit new Solar PV installers and heat pump engineers nationwide. Green Building Renewables is an Efficient Building Solutions business. Philip Fellowes-Prynne, Efficient Building Solutions CEO, said: “Efficient Building Solutions’ mission is to lead the UK’s transformation to efficient, sustainable buildings. “Green Building Renewables’ rapid growth and expansion in the last 18 months, from a turnover of £3m to £35m, reflect the demand for low-carbon and renewable technology in the UK. Chris and his team are building a network of renewable experts that we believe will be unrivalled in the UK for their combined experience and knowledge. “We seek suitable businesses to acquire and join the Green Building Renewables network. We aim to be the largest renewable installation business in the UK by 2024, with a turnover of £100m. Solar Voltaics is exactly the type of company we want to become a part of our business.”

The Serious Sweets Company (SSC), a Harrogate-based independent confectionery business, has acquired the share capital and branded interests of Nom Bites Ltd, and with it the Lexi’s range of mallow and protein bars for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2020 by Alexei Khatiwada, who set out to ‘create a range of delicious, healthier, allergy-friendly treats’, Lexi’s is an award winning supplier of mallow crispy rice treats and protein bars, with availability across D2C, Ocado, Amazon and Foodservice channels. SSC manufactures and supplies premium own-label treats to all major retailers in the UK together with a successful international business, and has established SSC Brands to manage its branded interests. In 2022, SSC acquired Mighty Fine, the premium honeycomb brand, and Mr Stanley’s, the quintessentially English gifting confectionery brand to its stable. Earlier this year it also acquired Mallow & Marsh, the UK’s leading marshmallow brand, and the wholesale manufacturing arm of John Bull, now renamed the Real Candy Co. Rob Whitehead, cheerleader and MD at SSC, said: “We’re delighted to bring Lexi’s into our family and continue the journey that Alexei and Shama have brilliantly led. “Gluten, dairy and nut free bars fit perfectly into our stable of current brands, enabling us to offer customers a combination of indulgent treats and more healthy treats, ideal for customers with specific dietary needs, or those looking for a healthier snack. “We will be sharing the range with our customers over the next few months and look forward to developing Lexi’s alongside all our brands over the next few years.” Alexei Khatiwada, founder (‘Captain Crispy’), said: “This acquisition marks an exciting milestone for Lexi’s, as we capitalise on the growing demand for our award-winning treats. “I’m proud that Lexi’s has helped deliver more inclusive treats to a mainstream audience and it’s been a pleasure to see the growth of the brand, which started in my home kitchen and has now sold millions of treats across the UK. I’m delighted to see SSC’s ambition and desire to grow the brand further and continue this exciting journey.” A committed food industry lifer, Rob Whitehead has had a successful career buying, developing and growing several food businesses for the last 25 years. In 2014, Rob realised that the crafted food movement was in full swing, not just at farm shops and independent retailers, but increasingly through major supermarkets in many food categories. At the same time, he felt premium sweets were missing from this growth opportunity. Driven by memories of wonderous childhood treats yet huge frustration with the ‘unacceptably miserable face of boring sweets’ dominating so many shop aisles, Rob set up SSC. His aim was twofold – to retain craft skills and small batch passion which are the hallmarks of quality English confectionery, and bring investment for new thinking & innovation back into the market. Adding Lexi’s to this stable now enables SSC Brands to offer customers a broad range of treats, from the purely indulgent to the more healthy snack, meeting a full range of consumer needs.

Heron Foods has signed up Sewell Facilities Management to keep its stores open for business, with the FM company providing reactive maintenance for the retailer’s stores across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The FM company will be on hand to respond to requests for maintenance assistance for 86 of Heron Food’s 323 stores, covering stores within the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. As well as reacting to urgent issues, such as problems with doors, plumbing and lights, the company will also be completing small maintenance projects, including retiling and small shop repairs. A quick response time is essential for the retail sector, as even minor problems mean that a shop can’t open to customers, meaning lost revenue. Anthony Coulam, Senior Facilities Manager at Heron Foods said: “From the team who manage the calls, to the teams delivering the reactive repairs, everyone at Sewell FM understands our needs and delivers the service with professionalism, courtesy and pride. Working with Sewell Group for our reactive maintenance is easy.”

Anna Leach, Deputy Chief Economist at the CBI, says interest rates are likely to rise again in the coming months. She said: “With inflation having come down quicker than expected in June, the pressure was eased on the MPC to deliver another bumper rate rise. But with inflation close to 8% – quadruple the Bank’s target – and wage growth around 7%, interest rates are likely to head higher in coming months. “Economic conditions remain challenging for households and businesses alike. For firms, the cost of inputs is a third higher than pre-pandemic, the labour market remains very tight driving up wage and recruitment costs, and demand is sluggish. “Meanwhile, real incomes are still falling for households and higher interest rates are squeezing spending power further. To drive up growth and living standards in the UK without generating inflation, we need investment to increase the productive capacity of the economy. ” “Improvements in the tax and regulatory system – as recommended in our recently published tax roadmap and green growth reports – can provide a platform for transforming the UK economy.”