Bradford concrete admixture manufacturer builds new future on strong foundations
A Bradford-based manufacturer of concrete admixtures has heralded a new chapter following its investment in a new standalone company within the Christeyns group this month.
Oscrete UK Ltd is one of the UK’s leading specialist construction chemical suppliers and has operated as a division within Christeyns since 1983 having originally been part of the historic, former Bradford Oils and Soaps company which was founded in 1874.
The business, which continues to share its Rutland Street premises with Christeyns UK in Bradford, is committed to becoming the UK and Ireland’s leading supplier of admixture and additive products which are used in the construction sector.
Director Scott Wilson, who has headed Oscrete since 2018, said the team’s passion for sustainable growth and a commitment to continuously improving customer operations is a core focus under the new Oscrete UK Ltd operation.
“Oscrete has operated successfully as a division of Christeyns UK Ltd for almost 40 years and while we have hugely valued the support and the resources the wider business offers, the time is now right to invest in Oscrete and our construction activities and focus entirely on our core markets and further developing our expertise.”
He added: “The pandemic forced a period of real challenge in our construction customer base, quickly followed by substantial growth. We’ve recognised we need a bespoke business model dedicated entirely to our industry which will facilitate growth, new product development and specialist recruitment.”
Oscrete UK Ltd is a manufacturer of concrete admixtures for precast and ready-mix concrete and the ready-to-use mortar industries. The team manufactures a range of high performance super-plasticising admixtures, waterproofing agents and products to control moisture damage in construction. Its technical team focuses on NPD to add value and meet specific customer needs.
Scott added: “Operating independently will also allow us to develop systems which complement those of our customers and to place even greater focus on customer service, new product development and continuing to develop our supply chain expertise.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the construction sector with a strong emphasis on sustainable growth and continuous improvement We are looking forward to taking our brand, our family values and our expertise into a new chapter for the Oscrete UK business and embracing the new challenges of this thriving building sector.”
Leeds alterations business launches winter clothes drive for the homeless
Chapel Allerton-based clothing alterations business The Zip Yard has launched a winter clothes drive in partnership with Leeds charity Homeless Street Angels.
Customers of The Zip Yard and other local residents are being encouraged to drop off their unwanted warm winter clothing to The Zip Yard store in Chapel Allerton for distribution via the charity to those living on the streets or struggling to make ends meet. As part of the drive, The Zip Yard is offering their seamstresses skill free of charge to repair any donated items.
Neluka Dunning, owner of The Zip Yard Chapel Allerton, said: “We wanted to give something back to the community, and the very nature of our business means people are always bringing in their clothes for repairs and alterations. As part of the Winter Clothes Drive with Homeless Street Angels, we’re offering our services to repair items brought in by the public so that they are all in good condition to go on and keep people warm in the continuing cold weather.
“At this time of the year, lots of people are having wardrobe clear outs and replacing older items with new ones received at Christmas or bought in the sales, so it’s the perfect time to drop off coats, hats, thermals, gloves and thick winter jumpers. Homeless Street Angels do an incredible job of providing food, sleeping bags and clothing to those who need it, and we’re looking forward to helping them distribute donations.”
Shelley Joyce, co-founder and director of Leeds Homeless Street Angels, added: “Winter is a particularly difficult time for those living on the streets – the temperature often dips below freezing and Covid has meant there are less people out and about who might have previously gifted items or provided warm drinks.
“Support from local businesses like The Zip Yard is incredible for us, and the winter clothes drive will give individuals the opportunity to give otherwise unused items that might have gone to landfill or charity shops straight to our clients who need them right now. It’s a brilliant initiative and we hope people will utilise The Zip Yard drop off point when they are clearing out their wardrobes.”
Those wishing to donate items can drop them off at The Zip Yard Chapel Allerton store, Chapel Allerton House, 114a Harrogate Rd, Leeds LS7 4NY.
New plans submitted for major mixed-use development in York
Redesigned plans have been submitted for The Roman Quarter project in York, a major mixed-use development in the City Centre that includes a world class Roman visitor attraction.
Original plans for the project were recommended for approval by Officers but were refused by City of York’s Planning Committee in February 2021 and the development has been fully redesigned, taking on board feedback from the Council and other stakeholders.
It is now a “truly mixed-use development” including the Roman attraction – called EBORACUM – Grade A office space, an aparthotel and new homes. The project is a partnership between joint applicants Rougier Street Developments, owners of the site, and York Archaeological Trust.
Redeveloping Northern House, Rougier House and Society will be a major economic boost for York, delivering over £315m for the local economy over 30 years, as well as 625 new jobs for local people and a vibrant addition to the city’s cultural offer.
Architect Vincent & Brown has remodelled the plans and the vision is now made-up of two distinct buildings, that showcase the Roman attraction and breathe new life into Rougier Street.
The EBORACUM museum attraction will be a major addition to York’s economy, celebrating the city’s early Roman past and providing a major boost in the City’s visitor economy. It will also provide educational benefits and inspire the next generation of archaeologists and historians. The new attraction will be more than twice the size of the JORVIK Viking Centre, which the Trust has run successfully for over 35 years. In that time it has welcomed around 20 million visitors.Integral to the plans are a two-year archaeological dig that will be streamed across the world and will give the opportunity for every school child in York to take part. This landmark dig will help to tell York’s unique story and provide more information on the lives of previous generations.
This mixed-use scheme includes an 88-room aparthotel and 153 new apartments with both being run by ‘Beyond’ an innovative sustainable operator. The sites will be carbon neutral, minimise waste and use zero chemicals to clean to provide healthy spaces for guests, staff and the wider community.
An additional 25,000 sq ft of new Grade A Office space will complete the scheme, providing much-needed quality, modern office space in the heart of York city centre.
The proposed building will sit lower than its neighbours, the new Malmaison hotel, Aviva offices and The Grand Hotel.
The new proposals deliver vastly improved public realm with improved active frontages at ground level on Rougier Street. It will re-open a historic Roman street – Tanner Street – and provide a connection between Tanner’s Moat and Tanner Row, bringing a new vibrancy to this area with public open space and soft landscaping introduced.
A spokesperson for North Star, who are working alongside the applicants, said: “During the past year, we have worked closely with the Council and taken on board feedback to ensure that the new proposals offer as many benefits as possible and address the reasons for refusal.
“We are grateful for the feedback from the Planning Committee and have addressed the comments that the previous design was ‘monolithic’ by making the design more fluid and breaking up the massing of the development. The new plans retain the benefits of the original concept but in much improved design.
“These plans offer a once in a generation opportunity to regenerate this part of the City Centre, as well as creating a globally unique Roman visitor attraction, in a high-quality mixed-use scheme.”
David Jennings, Chief Executive of the York Archaeological Trust, said: “We are still very excited by this project, seeing how much the Roman Quarter can potentially contribute to York’s economy and future. Plans for the Coppergate Centre – including the basement attraction that became JORVIK – were approved at the second submission by members of a planning committee who shared the vision for an attraction that built on York’s heritage as part of a wider, mixed-use development. We would urge their counterparts to do the same.
“What is also important to recognise is that this is an incredibly rare opportunity: the location, quality of archaeological deposits and partnership of developer and archaeological charity is highly unlikely to be offered to the city again. The high cost of undertaking this work means that it needs a special commitment to realise the public value – without recourse to the public purse – that, like JORVIK before it, will give back to the community for decades to come.”
A decision on the plans is expected in the coming months.
RSK Group snaps up specialist transportation planning firm
RSK Group Ltd, an environmental, engineering and sustainability solutions provider, has strengthened its transport planning and infrastructure design capability with the acquisition of SCP (Singleton Clamp & Partners Ltd).
SCP is a specialist transportation planning, highway and drainage infrastructure design consultancy that has been offering multi-disciplinary professional services to the private and public sector since 1991.
Employing 45 people based in offices in Leeds, Manchester, and London – SCP provides an integrated range of services to clients across the country, from advice and support at the earliest master planning stages of development proposals, through detailed assessments for approvals processes and through the implementation stages.
The business also has long established expert witness relationships with planning barristers across the UK.
This acquisition significantly strengthens RSK’s existing transport planning services and introduces a new suite of solutions in infrastructure planning and design – markets which are expected to grow in the years to come.
SCP will retain its brand as existing directors David Roberts, Jim Budd, Steven Carmody and David Young all continue to drive the business forwards.
This is the first acquisition completed by RSK in 2022 and the 26th this financial year as the group continues to deliver on its 2025 Growth Strategy.
RSK is now comprised of over 120 businesses employing over 8,000 people around the world.
Alan Ryder, founder and CEO of RSK, said: “We are thrilled to welcome everyone at SCP into the group. The expertise in SCP greatly advances our position in the UK transport and infrastructure markets, areas where we expect to see growth over the coming years.
“Thanks to many years of consistent, high-quality delivery and a focus on strong relationships, SCP has earned a very good reputation with clients and the wider industry. With the additional support of our many related specialisms, we anticipate this will only be further enhanced.”
David Roberts added: “SCP is a brand that we are proud to have established over some 30 years, and maintaining that brand shows the great faith that RSK have in our team and the successes that have been achieved so far.
“We have a combined desire to grow the business further and the commitment to retain the existing SCP leadership and work together as part of the wider RSK business is a combination that provides a future that we very much look forward to.”
Ron Dearing UTC students given golden chance of success with new gym partnership
Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC) has teamed up with a Hull fitness centre for a unique partnership to further improve its students’ wellbeing and life prospects.
Hull’s employer-led school has partnered with the Fit24 gym, run by businessman Jack Burton and Olympic boxing gold medalist Luke Campbell, to educate students about all aspects of health and fitness.
Every Key Stage 4 student at the Ofsted “Outstanding”-rated school now has free access to the gym for a timetabled one hour a week.
They are able to use all the facilities at the gym on Prospect Street, Hull city centre, just a short walk from the school on Kingston Square, and are learning about nutrition and different forms of exercise.
The new partnership is also educating the students about discipline, dedication and routine to improve their employability.
Jack, who launched the Fit24 gym, and Luke, who became a household name when he won bantamweight gold at the 2012 Olympics in London, launched the partnership with a talk to the Year 10 students at the school.
Following the showing of a brief film about how ‘Cool Hand’ Luke overcame adversity in his glittering boxing career, the school’s Deputy Head of Creative Digital, Kate Blowman, held a Q&A session with the two business partners.
Students also asked questions of their own as Jack and Luke gave them advice on how to follow their dreams and be successful in life.
Luke, who was appointed MBE for services to boxing following his Olympics success and went on to have a highly successful professional career, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have teamed up with Ron Dearing UTC as it’s a partnership that makes perfect sense.
“We love what the school stands for and what it’s doing for its students. All the teachers really care about them and go above and beyond to give them the best possible chance of success, and we want to help with that.
“We’re helping educate them about all aspects of physical and mental health. These will be invaluable lessons to them now and in later life as they pursue their ambitions.”
Jack launched the Fit24 business, which includes a centre on Hessle Road, west Hull, and recently brought Luke on board as his partner at the Prospect Street gym. Both gyms are open 24-hours-a-day.
He said: “It was fantastic to launch this exciting new partnership by going into the school and talking to the students.
“We told them that hard work and dedication are the keys to success, along with working alongside fantastic people, and that’s what they have at Ron Dearing.
“Everyone at the school has the same focus to improve the students’ chances of achieving their dreams, whatever they may be, and we’re proud we’ll now be playing our part too.”
Fit24 has become a Major Partner of the school and Principal Sarah Pashley said it was an important development in Ron Dearing UTC’s drive to improve the prospects of each and every one of its students.
She said: “This new partnership with Fit24 will be a huge benefit to our students.
“Along with the obvious physical and mental health benefits of being able to use all the facilities and resources available at the gym, it will also further reinforce the values we instil in them around working hard to become the best they can be.
“These are important life lessons and will also be crucial when it comes to launching exciting careers in their chosen areas.”
Opened in 2017, Ron Dearing UTC caters for students aged between 14 and 19, offering a unique model of employer-led education with a specialist focus on digital technology, creative digital and digital engineering.
The school’s Founding Partners are the University of Hull and leading local employers KCOM, RB, Siemens Gamesa, Smith+Nephew and Spencer Group.
It is also supported by Hull City Council and many other industry partners, including Arco, C4DI, Fujitsu, Green Port Hull, Ideal Boilers, INEOS Acetyls, Kohler Mira, Luxinar, NEC Software Solutions, Ørsted, Sauce, Sewell Group and Sonoco Trident.
New footbridge in Leeds will commemorate poignant legacy of David Oluwale
Work has begun to create a footbridge across the River Aire which will commemorate the lasting legacy of a man who drowned after being racially harassed.
David Oluwale, who had travelled to the UK from Nigeria, was tragically targeted because of his mental health, homelessness and race.
He died in the river in 1969 in an incident of racial injustice which left a lasting social and cultural legacy as well as inspiring a string of moving books and plays.
Working alongside the David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) and local partners, Leeds City Council will name the new bridge crossing the river from Sovereign Street to Water Lane in his memory, both to commemorate his death and demonstrate a lasting commitment to equality and inclusion in Leeds.
Initial building work on the bridge has started, with the finished project forming one of the newest key elements of the ambitious South Bank regeneration programme.
It will also help fulfil one of the project’s integral and long-standing priorities to ensure better pedestrian and cycling connection between the city centre, the train station, Aire Park and other green spaces around the city centre.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “David Oluwale’s story must never be forgotten and naming this bridge for him will stand as a lasting and poignant memorial to his profoundly tragic death and the legacy which he left behind.
“It will also act as a symbol of the diverse place that Leeds is today and our shared hope that it will always be a better, brighter and more inclusive city which is better connected in every way.”
Dr Emily Zobel Marshall, co-chair of the David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) said: ‘This is another positive decision by Leeds City Council, who have been incredibly supportive of DOMA’s work over the past thirteen years.
“David travelled to the UK in 1949 from Lagos, Nigeria, hoping for a brighter future and spent twenty years in Leeds. He was hounded to his death in the River Aire in 1969 by two Leeds police officers. At DOMA we keep David’s story alive in our educational and campaigning work against racism, mental ill-health and homelessness today.
“Naming this bridge for David Oluwale gives residents and visitors alike a clear message that Leeds is dedicated to confronting the traumas of the past and becoming a place of welcome and sanctuary for all people.”
West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE added: “The case of David Oluwale highlights just how important it is to challenge the disparities that people still experience across our communities.
“This footbridge will be an enduring symbol of David’s life and a continued reminder of our collective responsibilities in calling out racism and promoting diversity.
“As a national policing lead on Equality, Inclusion, Accountability and Transparency, I am doing all I can to place his legacy at the heart of our approach, ensuring that we all learn from the traumas of the past.
“It is crucial that we are truly representative of the people we serve, and this ambition forms the bedrock of the Mayor’s first Police and Crime Plan, which is soon to launch.”
The council is also very grateful to local businesses Asda and Leeds Building Society for their help and support to secure the landing rights for the bridge.
The proposals for the regeneration of the city’s South Bank will provide 8,000 new homes and 35,000 new jobs, new educational establishments and a new city park.
Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant payments to York businesses begin
City of York Council is starting to make the latest round of Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) payments to eligible businesses this week.
On 14 January, the Council opened the process for the latest grants to be distributed and wrote to 1,200 businesses in the city who are likely to be eligible for this support, with grants of up to £6,000 available. Since then hundreds of businesses have applied for the grants and the council is progressing applications as quickly as possible.
The Council is sending out the first payments to around 400 businesses at the end of this week, with a value of £1.5m.
The OHLG grants remain open to application until 18 March. If you have been contacted and completed the application form, a payment will be made directly into your bank account. The payments will be going out over the next few weeks with required checks to be completed before a payment can be made. If you have not been contacted and believe you are eligible for an OHLG grant please visit council’s website to see if you are eligible and to apply.
As well as progressing the Omicron Leisure and Hospitality Grants, the Council is continuing work to finalise the processes for distributing the COVID-19 Additional Restrictions Fund and Additional Restrictions Grant through a local support scheme and will announce more details on this soon.
Updates will be shared through the business e-newsletter, which businesses can sign up to through the council’s website, as well as through social media and local media.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Finance and Performance said: “Thanks to the hard work of our staff to ensure that payments are made quickly, we are now in a position to pay the latest support grants to our businesses. We’re grateful for the patience of those who have applied, and hope the fast payments will help them after a difficult festive period.
“Since the start of this pandemic we have administered over 25,000 grants with a value of more than £114 million, applied all available business rates support and invested £1 million in additional local support. There is more vital support to come soon, as we are set to announce the local support schemes to reach businesses who aren’t eligible for the Omicron Leisure and Hospitality Grants.”
Councillor Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning said: “Thank you to our teams who have worked tirelessly to set up and process the latest business support scheme. We wanted to make this system as quick and easy as possible for businesses and it is great that the Council will now start making payments.
“Our thanks also goes to the many businesses who have come forward. If you haven’t yet applied and are eligible, it’s not too late to receive this support – the scheme remains open for applications until 18 March.
“Whilst we are setting up further local business support schemes, we want to hear from any business who has missed out on coronavirus support and needs help to save jobs. Please email economicgrowth@york.gov.uk so we can continue to lobby the government on your behalf for comprehensive support and longer-term clarity to ensure York’s businesses and livelihoods are saved.”
Harworth provides Year-end Trading Update for 2021
Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, is today providing a trading update in respect of its financial year ended 31 December 2021, ahead of the announcement of its Full Year Results on 22 March 2022.
The Company now anticipates that EPRA NDV as at 31 December 2021 will be ahead of current consensus1 as a result of Harworth’s strong operational performance throughout the year, good progress against the strategic objectives outlined in September 2021, and the impact of the tailwinds of a buoyant land and occupational market, particularly in the industrial & logistics sector, on its year-end portfolio valuation. Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive, Harworth Group plc said: “Harworth continued its strong momentum in the second half, as we stepped into our ambitious strategy to double the size of the business over the next five to seven years, and continued to deliver places where people want to live and work. Our performance, combined with underlying market growth, has translated into a substantial year-on-year increase in EPRA NDV and Total Return. “In addition to the significant progress made during the second half across planning, direct development, lettings and land sales, we agreed terms for the conditional sales of our Ansty strategic land site and Kellingley development site, at significant premiums to book value. The proceeds from these sales once completed, alongside the larger senior debt facility we are currently finalising, should provide us with additional firepower to deploy across our development sites and near-term acquisition pipeline.” Harworth’s industrial & logistics pipeline2 as at 31 December 2021 totalled 28.2 million sq. ft (31 Dec 2020: 27.3 million sq. ft) of which 7.3 million sq. ft was consented. Highlights of the second half included: • exchanging on the conditional sales of a strategic land site in Ansty, Warwickshire for £53.5 million and the Kellingley development site in Selby, North Yorkshire for £54.0 million; • acquiring a strategic land site in Rothwell, Northamptonshire, with the potential to deliver 1.5 million sq. ft of Grade A industrial & logistics space; • signing two final lettings at Logistics North in Bolton, Greater Manchester, completing the development and triggering one-off promote fees; and • an £11.6 million land sale at Gateway 36 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire for the development of a 340,000 sq. ft logistics facility. Harworth’s residential pipeline as at 31 December 2021 totalled 30,804 plots (31 Dec 2020: 30,668 plots), of which 9,978 plots were consented. Residential land sales accelerated during the year, totalling 1,411 plots (FY20: 873 plots), across sites including: Moss Nook, Merseyside; Simpson Park, South Yorkshire; and South East Coalville, Leicestershire. The average sales price per serviced plot ranged from £30k to £73k (FY20: £37k to £70k). The Investment Portfolio continues to deliver robust operational metrics, with 99% of rents relating to FY21 now collected, and, as at 31 December 2021, the portfolio had a vacancy rate of 2.7% (31 Dec 2020: 4.5%) and a WAULT of 11.5 years (31 Dec 2020: 12.5 years). Harworth remains well-capitalised and continues to manage its cashflows sustainably. As at 31 December 2021, net debt was £25.7 million (31 Dec 2020: £71.2 million). The Company has recently agreed in principle a new debt package comprising a five-year £200 million revolving credit facility together with a £40 million accordion, provided by RBS, Santander and HSBC. It has credit approval from all three lenders and negotiation of the facility agreement is at an advanced stage. The Company intends to deploy both proceeds from sales and the funds provided by its new debt facilities to: deliver the 3.2 million sq. ft first phase of direct development that it has identified within its consented industrial & logistics pipeline; broaden the range of residential products across its development sites, including the launch of a 600-unit single-family rental product in 2022; and scale up its land acquisition and promotion activities. In the second half, the Company also made a number of appointments to enhance further its senior leadership team and deliver its growth strategy, including Andrew Blackshaw as Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Haigh as Chief Investment Officer, Haroon Akram as Head of Strategy, Investment & Business Development and James Crow as Head of Mixed Tenure. These appointments bring significant expertise to the business and place Harworth in a strong position to deliver future growth. 1 Current analyst consensus for 31 December 2021 EPRA NDV per share is 189p, comprising four analyst forecasts ranging from 187p to 194p. 2 Includes Ansty strategic land site and Kellingley development site, for which sales had conditionally exchanged at year-endOpera North announces new trustees appointed to Board
Three new Trustees have joined the Board of Opera North, bringing to the Company’s governance significant experience across finance, arts and entertainment, and corporate law at a critical time for the arts industry.
Rachel Elwell is a qualified actuary and is the CEO of the Leeds based asset management company, Border to Coast Pension Partnership Ltd. Rachel is currently a Board member of the Investment Association and has previously worked for PwC and Royal London. Rachel lives in Hebden Bridge and has been a regular attender at Opera North for many years. Sarah Hall qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross (now Deloitte) in Leeds, worked in audit there and subsequently with KPMG in Hong Kong before becoming a financial analyst with HSBC Securities. She had leadership roles in international stockbroking and has CEO experience of the media services industry. She was MD of Dewynters Ltd, the leading live entertainment marketing agency, and in 2018 served as the Interim Executive Director of the Young Vic Theatre. She has significant experience as a Trustee in the Charity/Arts sector and lives in Retford. Dominic Wallis has a background as a corporate lawyer and investment banker and 26 years of advisory work in Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance. Since 2014, he has been MD of Stephens Europe Ltd, Investment Bankers. His charitable activities embrace arts and education – he is a Trustee of the Saffron Hall Trust and of Uppingham School, where he is a Trustee, Chair of the Foundation Board and Chair of the Audit Committee. For a time, he was on the Development Board of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. He lives in Cambridge. Opera North is among the largest arts organisations based outside of London, with a diverse portfolio of artistic activity including full scale touring opera, a year-round programme of gigs, films, talks and family events in the Howard Assembly Room, and an orchestral concert season, in addition to wide ranging education and community partnership programmes. The Company is extremely proud to be the first opera company designated as a Theatre of Sanctuary and is also a leader in sustainability within the arts industry. Following the £18 million capital Music Works redevelopment project to transform the Company’s base in Leeds, which reopened in Autumn 2021, Opera North’s artistic, education and community work continues to develop in scope, ambition and diversity.
The Board of Opera North currently comprises twelve Trustees, of whom five are women, led by Chair Paul Lee OBE supported by Vice Chairs Renee Hunt and Rosie Millard OBE. Trustees may serve for up to ten years and this recent recruitment is part of regular succession planning. The Board is committed to diversifying its membership and is actively seeking new Trustees to reflect the communities served by Opera North, combined with varied expertise and lived experience to support the eclectic work of the Company.
Richard Mantle, General Director/CEO, Opera North, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rachel, Sarah and Dominic to the Board of Trustees at Opera North. Each brings a huge and distinctive degree of lively interest, experience, talent, and professional knowledge to the Board at a crucial moment, as the Company returns to a full programme of activity in our transformed estate, whilst also navigating the continuing operational and financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on us and the wider arts industry.”
Paul Lee, Chair, Opera North, said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Rachel, Sarah and Dominic to the Board of Trustees, which plays a vital part in the Company’s life and governance. I am certain that they will bring new strategic insight and expertise across a wide range of areas to Opera North, and I look forward to working with them over the coming years.”
Nicholas Associates Group to merge with executive search partner
Talent management solutions provider Nicholas Associates Group has announced a merger with Main-Board to further expand its expertise in executive search.
Main-Board is an independent specialist executive search consultancy which provides nationwide expertise to SMEs, privately owned firms, private equity backed companies and PLCs. It specialises in fulfilling senior level roles such as CEOs, MDs, FDs, operations directors, sales directors and non-execs with salaries ranging between £80,000 to £180,000 per year. The consultancy operates across various sectors including manufacturing, logistics, FMCG and professional services.
Established in 1977, Nicholas Associates Group (NAG) is a high growth company offering apprentice to boardroom talent management solutions for SMEs through to international corporates. Headquartered in Rotherham, Group brands operate from a UK wide branch network based in the East Midlands and Yorkshire including Nottingham, Lincoln, Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Hull.
Main-Board founder Julian Woodman will continue to lead the division alongside co-founder Chris Sharp who will take on a consultancy role for the next twelve months.
Commenting on the deal, Julian said: “Securing the most talented individuals who will deliver in senior level roles and be instrumental in managing change and achieving successful strategic growth requires in-depth market insight. By partnering together with connections within the wider group we will be able to pool our resources to the mutual benefit of our clients and candidates.”
Paul Brammer, Managing Director of NAG’s permanent recruitment divisions, added: “By partnering with Main-Board we will benefit from Julian and Chris’s executive search knowledge as well as their expertise in other specialist sectors. This will enhance our existing specialisms in aerospace and manufacturing and create further opportunities for other group brands to work together.”
It is intended that Main-Board will continue to operate under its existing brand name and complement services offered by other brands within the Nicholas Associates Group which include Stafforce, Ashley Kate HR & Finance, Apprentice Employment Agency, Olano and Erango.
