Corporate and commercial law specialist Luke joins Wilkin Chapman
Corporate and commercial law specialist Luke Rees has joined the 18-strong corporate and commercial law team at Wilkin Chapman.
Luke has more than 15 years’ experience in law working with a wide range of commercial clients on company sales and purchases, private equity investments, corporate restructures, shareholder agreements, and a full range of commercial agreements.
Luke said: “It’s a great time to be working at Wilkin Chapman, joining fellow partner Ed Capes and the team in Lincoln while collaborating with the wider teams across Grimsby and Beverley. One of the things that attracted me to the firm was its excellent reputation for providing advice in the energy and renewables sector and I am keen to work with head of sector, Roly Freeman, to further develop our existing relationships with clients and intermediaries in this area.”
Ed Capes, corporate and commercial partner at Wilkin Chapman, said: “Luke’s appointment is a great boost to our well-established team. He has a strong reputation for offering pragmatic corporate advice which has seen him cultivate close relationships with intermediaries and clients both locally and nationwide. Add to that his extensive experience advising clients on a full range of commercial contracts, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our team.”
Luke joins Wilkin Chapman’s Lincoln office having spent the last five years of his career in Lincoln and his appointment strengthens the firm’s growing corporate and commercial expertise across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.
Luke is married with a young family and he spends most of his time following his children’s various sporting endeavours, including helping out as a cricket coach.
Sir Roger Marsh joins Pexa as ambassador and adviser to the board
Digital property completions platfor Pexa has appointed Sir Roger Marsh as an ambassador and adviser to the board for the UK business as it looks to deepen its business relationships in Yorkshire and help grow the influence of the region’s tech hub across the UK.
He said: “Yorkshire – and the North more broadly – is a hotbed of innovation. It’s a really vibrant ecosystem boasting some big institutions as well as attracting start-ups and scale ups who want to use Leeds as a launch pad for their innovations. It is undoubtedly benefitting from significant international investment from important players like PEXA, not only in terms of it bringing proven technology to the market but also investing more widely in the growth of the tech ecosystem. I’m looking forward to working with PEXA to support its vision for the region, deepen its presence and help bring its benefits to the market.”As Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership between 2013 and 2022, Sir Roger was responsible for creating significant transformation in the area. He has played a substantial role in driving the Government’s vision for the development and levelling up of the North acting as Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund Strategic Oversight Board as well as additional sub committees to raise funding for the region. Sir Roger was also the Chair for the NP11, which brings together the 11 Northern LEPs until 2023.
PEXA is already embedded in Yorkshire following its significant investment in the opening of its UK headquarters in Leeds and acquisition of the remortgage conveyancer Optima Legal, and it is involved in initiatives such as the Leeds Digital Festival, Legaltech Leeds, Fintech North and UKREiiF. It is now looking to deepen its ties to the business ecosystem and help grow the size and influence of the Yorkshire tech hub at a national level.
Glenn King, PEXA Group MD and CEO, added: “The north of England is home to some of the most exciting and innovative companies in the country, and Leeds’ business community is going from strength to strength. As an international property tech company, it has been a natural fit for our UK head office. It’s a pleasure to welcome Sir Roger, given his significant leadership experience and business expertise, and his passion for driving growth in the region through collaboration.”
Joe Pepper, UK CEO of PEXA, said: “Leeds has a really strong tech ecosystem that we are already embedding ourselves in, and we have had a tremendous level of support since we decided to base ourselves there. Now we’re determined to do more to help give these businesses a greater voice at the national level. Yorkshire is a thriving tech hub and the UK economy as a whole could benefit if only we work together to drive growth and further investment. With an extensive network and unrivalled experience, Sir Roger is the perfect person to help on this journey. We’re honoured he is coming on board.”
Build-to-Rent community acquired in Leeds
Starlight Investments, a global real estate investment and asset management firm, has exchanged on an acquisition to purchase 84 Kirkstall Road, a 111-suite Build-to-Rent (BTR) community in Leeds.
The nine-storey newly built residence features a range of suite layouts, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites with many featuring balconies as well as larger terraces on the top floor.
The property contains amenities including a co-working space, media room and a dedicated resident lounge. The building’s design also incorporates renewable energy systems and high-efficiency lighting.
“This new residence is a strategic addition to our UK portfolio and further complements our previously announced BTR acquisitions in Manchester, Liverpool and Ashford and will increase our overall portfolio in the UK to 1,038 suites with an additional 1,200 suites in our active pipeline,” said Daniel Drimmer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Starlight Investments.
“We are pleased to establish Starlight’s presence in Leeds, a dynamic city that is among the fastest growing in the UK, to support the introduction of new rental housing to meet increasing demand.”
Ground broken on new neighbourhood of 99 council homes in Hull
Hull City Council and Caddick Construction have broken ground on-site to create 99 affordable homes at Dane Park Road, with handover due in Spring 2027.
Once complete, this new build neighbourhood will comprise 20 one-bedroom, 49 two-bedroom, 20 three-bedroom and 10 four-bedroom homes, all of which will be available for affordable rent.
The Dane Park scheme will incorporate Air Source Heat Pumps and Photovoltaic roof panels to all homes, as well as EV charging points to some properties. As well as green spaces around the site, there are over 250 trees being planted around the surrounding area.
Caddick was appointed to the project via a Direct Selection under the EN:Procure New Build Framework, to promote early contractor involvement and de-risk the project to bring greater value to Hull City Council.
Sister company Caddick Civil Engineering has also been appointed to deliver the groundworks ahead of the main construction work.
Paul Dodsworth, Construction Group Managing Director, says: “We are proud to be growing our presence on frameworks such as EN:Procure, which help to drive high standards in project delivery.
“Through early engagement between our team, our client and project stakeholders we can ensure that all public sector projects are delivered efficiently and with real value for money.
“With all aspects of the build included in this framework, from site preparation and remediation to civil engineering, we are able to create further efficiencies by working closely with our civils arm, Caddick Civil Engineering.
“We are pleased to have been appointed to the scheme at Dane Park, and we look forward to working closely with Hull City Council to bring these much-needed homes to families across the city.”
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, Hull City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing, said: “We welcome our new partner Caddick Construction and the opportunity to work together at Dane Park, one of the biggest council house new build developments to start in Hull for many years.
“As well as building 99 well designed, energy efficient, family homes, these much needed houses will enable the Council to play its part in tackling climate change and just as importantly, help our tenants save money with lower electricity and heating bills.”
Managed by social housing consortium, Efficiency North, EN:Procure is a specialist procurement body providing services designed to support the need for more investment in affordable new housing.
Emma Mottram, director of operations at EN:Procure, said: “The appointment of Caddick Construction via our New Build framework marks a significant step forward for this development, which will provide essential new build housing for the area.
“Our new build frameworks are developed to ensure efficient, reliable procurement is accessible for Members delivering affordable housing. It’s fantastic to see this achieved for Dane Park Road with added value around sustainability and delivery of apprenticeship through the EN:Able Futures Flexible Apprenticeship Services.”
Planning application submitted to revitalise Tetley building
Vastint UK, the developer behind Aire Park, the 24-acre mixed-use district on Leeds’ South Bank, has submitted its planning application for the future of the iconic Tetley building.
The proposals, which will not only guarantee the future of the 92-year-old building but also increase the building’s accessibility so that it can be used by all, include the retention of the art deco façade and opening up of new areas to the public for the first time.
Plans show that the basement, which previously connected the building with the wider brewery site, will be used as a speakeasy lounge/bar, whilst the ground floor features a market hall space and amenities including Changing Places facilities.
The proposal then looks to continue The Tetley’s long-standing connection with both culture and commerce through the upper floors which include areas earmarked for event space and 13,000 sq ft of office accommodation.
Alongside the application, a selection of new images has been shared, revealing a roof terrace and details of the proposed extension to the eastern façade of the building.
The application highlights how the historic building will be brought up to modern sustainability standards, whilst retaining important historic aspects of both the interior and exterior of the building, including the Tetley Boardroom on the second floor.
Simon Schofield, Head of Development North at Vastint UK, said: “The Tetley is an iconic building within Leeds, and we’re privileged to have it as a cornerstone of the Aire Park development.
“As custodians of this important piece of the city’s history, we have been working hard with our architects Supervene and Enjoy Design, Leeds City Council and others to look at how we preserve this beautiful building, ensuring it remains at the heart of the community for another century.
“Our plans aim to create a variety of spaces within the building including public amenities such as a Changing Places facility, food and drink opportunities and event spaces, which will be accessible to all. We also want to continue the building’s history of being a place of business, by creating new office space.
“Ultimately this project is unique in its scope, as it not only adds to the wider development but also ensures a major landmark continues to play an active role in the future of Leeds. We’d like to think that Joshua Tetley would be impressed by the ambition we have for the site he purchased for £402 in 1822 and grew to be the largest brewery in the North of England.”
Vastint UK acquired the Tetley Building from Carlsberg in 2022 and since then has been working on its plans to make the iconic landmark the crown jewel and focal point for Aire Park, Leeds’ newest mixed-use district, which includes a new 3.5-hectare city centre green park, up to 1,400 new homes and 800,000 sq ft of office space.
As part of this commitment to safeguarding The Tetley, the developer recently partnered with Kirkstall Brewery to reopen the building to the public whilst planning approval is sought from the council.
Wesley Dodds, director at Enjoy Design, said: “The recent partnership between Vastint UK and Kirkstall Brewery has provided a glimpse of what the future holds for The Tetley. The building has evolved constantly over its almost one-hundred-year history and we’re very proud to be a part of the next evolution of Leeds’ beloved Tetley.”
Michael Westlake, director at Supervene Architects, added: “To be given the chance to work on a building which holds such an important place within a city’s cultural history and be able to shape its next chapter is really exciting.
“We believe these plans will not only breathe new life into the building and open aspects which have never been open to the public before, but will also ensure the building can continue to act as a beacon to attract both locals and visitors to the area and the wider Aire Park.”
GRS Electrical Services Ltd named as winner in 2024 JTL Employer Recognition Awards
Louth-based company, GRS Electrical Services Ltd, has been named as the eastern region winner at the 2024 JTL Employer Recognition Awards.
JTL, a leading apprenticeship provider across England and Wales, runs its annual Employer Recognition Awards to celebrate employers that have shown outstanding levels of support and commitment towards their JTL apprentices.
GRS Electrical Services operates nationally across all fields in the electrical industry, from houses to factories, commercial buildings, schools and hospitals, providing apprentices with the opportunity to learn in a range of environments.
Clare Allen, representative for the eastern branch of GRS Electrical Services, was presented with a trophy at the company’s offices at Fairfield Industrial Estate. The employer was nominated by JTL Training Officer, Daniel Clifford, for the remarkable levels of encouragement and consideration provided for its apprentices.
GRS Electrical Services has been recognised at the awards along with four other winners, all of which stood out amongst the 3,800 employers that the training provider partners with to deliver apprenticeship qualifications.
Daniel Clifford, JTL Training Officer, commented: “GRS Electrical Services always gets very positive feedback from apprentices due to the ongoing support it provides, particularly in terms of building confidence levels ahead of apprentices’ end-point assessment.
“The business has also appointed newly completed learner, Charlie Benson, to liaise between the employer and apprentices helping them attain the required training for qualification completion.”
Retirement development on former Terry’s Chocolate Factory site sold
Henry Boot’s property investment and development arm, HBD, has agreed a conditional sale of a two acre development site at The Chocolate Works in York to McCarthy Stone, the developer and manager of retirement communities.
HBD and McCarthy Stone entered a partnership in 2019 and have subsequently promoted the site through the planning process together, achieving consent on appeal in March 2024 for a 72-home Retirement Living PLUS scheme.
HBD will now work with McCarthy Stone to finish preparing the site for development, in line with its remaining contractual obligations, which is anticipated to complete in Q4 2024. McCarthy Stone will solely lead on the development of the purpose-built retirement accommodation.
The new retirement community marks the final phase of HBD’s 27 acre development, which included the transformation of the former 160,000 sq ft Terry’s Chocolate factory into 163 premium apartments, delivering a total GDV of £110 million across seven schemes during the last decade. The wider site is also now home to the Brainkind Neurological Centre, which supports people recovering from complex brain injuries.
Tim Roberts, CEO of Henry Boot, said: “Securing planning permission and agreeing the sale to McCarthy Stone of the last remaining land site at The Chocolate Works will bring much needed retirement living in York, helping address the huge demand for specialist retirement accommodation that exists right across the country.
“By adding retirement accommodation, which will also offer tailored levels of care, alongside the residential and other uses we have developed at the site, helps achieve our goal of creating a deep and multi-generational community at this transformed former factory. In addition, it brings HBD’s award winning work on this significant project to a close while representing a strong outcome for our shareholders.”
Wakefield City Centre set for reimagination
Wakefield’s plan to redefine its city centre and attract inward investment has been set out at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).
Wakefield Council announced that they will be appointing a Strategic Regeneration Partner to realise the vision and accelerate growth in Wakefield City Centre.
This approach will bring forward mixed use developments for the city, ushering in a new era of development and growth.
Attendees at a UKREiiF panel session heard about new commercial, housing and cultural investment opportunities and how the Council is working with public and private sector partners to ramp up the latest phase of urban regeneration in the city.
“Exciting things are happening in Wakefield. We are taking some bold steps to reimagine our city centre and position ourselves for the future of our economy,” said Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth.
“By delivering a ground-breaking partnership, and bringing key influential partners together, we can continue to accelerate the pace of regeneration across our city centre.
“There are countless opportunities for investors, stakeholders and our community to come with us on this journey. We’re on the lookout for strategic partners who can help us innovate to unleash the full potential of our city.”
The UKREiiF panel also featured Clare Elliott, the Council’s Service Director for Economic Growth and Skills, and Paul Sargent, CEO of Queensberry Real Estate.
The Council’s plans include expanding as a centre for the creative industries, regenerating historic buildings in the city, building on award-winning work at Rutland Mills in the city centre, and improving the urban environment with major projects in Cathedral Square, Wakefield Exchange, and a new hotel near Westgate train station.
Complementing that ambition, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Homes England have Wakefield City Centre as an area of focus in the West Yorkshire Strategic Place Partnership. They are working with the Council on plans for a wider Strategic Regeneration Partnership in the city.
New preferred operator appointed for major Scarborough attraction
One of North Yorkshire’s leading leisure companies has been named as the preferred operator of Scarborough’s Alpamare Waterpark.
Officers are now working with managers at Flamingo Land, which is based near Malton, to agree terms to get the attraction reopened to the public in time for this year’s core summer tourism season.
Members of North Yorkshire Council’s executive made the decision to appoint Flamingo Land after a three-week exercise to search for potential operators.
Councillors were told that the business has committed to opening the park this summer until November when operating costs and plans for the winter season will be reviewed.
Deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce that Flamingo Land is our preferred operator.
“As a council, we never intended to run this ourselves but instead to find an operator with the right expertise to take it on and get it reopened for the summer season.
“It is a key visitor attraction on Scarborough’s North Bay and makes a telling contribution as a commercial tourism venture. It is great to be looking to work with a well-established, local and trusted operator.”
Flamingo Land’s chief executive and owner, Gordon Gibb, said: “This is an exciting new venture for us. It’s a big challenge for us but we are always up for a challenge at Flamingo Land. We aim to get Alpamare open to the public again in July.”
North Yorkshire Council took possession of the site in December last year when the waterpark’s tenant, Benchmark Leisure Ltd, went into administration. Now that a short-term operator has been found, work to find a permanent solution on the future operation of the site will begin.
The water park, which is located off Burniston Road, features a wave pool, a splash and play pool, four state-of-the-art slides, two outdoor pools, an alpine themed spa and treatment area, and a café and terrace bar. It was purpose-built in 2016 overlooking the North Bay in the seaside town.
Flamingo Land is based at Kirby Misperton near Malton with its theme park, zoo and holiday homes attracting thousands of visitors every year. The company has previously run Pleasure Island in North East Lincolnshire and is the preferred bidder for a new adventure holiday development at Loch Lomond.
AW Hainsworth hires Paul Dudley as Head of Engineering and Sustainability
AW Hainsworth, a British fabric manufacturer and vertical woollen mill based in Pudsey, has appointed Paul Dudley as its new Head of Engineering and Sustainability. This newly created role will focus on shaping AW Hainsworth’s Engineering and Sustainability strategy and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.
Paul joins AW Hainsworth with an extensive engineering, environmental, and health and safety management background, having spent the last 28 years predominantly working in the furniture industry. He previously worked for a German textile machine manufacturer in Leeds and has a vast knowledge of textile machinery and processes. Paul has successfully led sustainability projects such as IS0 14064 accreditation and implemented energy-saving initiatives in his previous roles.
Paul comments: “Joining AW Hainsworth feels like returning to my roots in textiles. The company’s rich history, manufacturing excellence, dedication to its workforce and environmental impact align perfectly with my passion for sustainability. I’m excited to help embed a sustainable culture in all areas of the business and to be part of a company that heavily invests in the interest of the workforce while putting environmental impact at the heart of everything it does.”
In his new role, Paul will focus on several key sustainability initiatives to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, increase employee well-being, and enhance overall efficiency. His initial efforts will include benchmarking data to guide the company’s sustainability strategy and exploring energy-saving operations for various systems and processes.
Amanda McLaren, Managing Director at AW Hainsworth, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Paul to our team. His expertise and dedication to sustainability will be invaluable as we continue integrating environmentally responsible practices into our operations and making significant investments towards evolving into a more sustainable business while maintaining our heritage of quality textiles.”
