Lincoln dog food producer snapped up by Cranswick
Cranswick, a leading UK food producer, has acquired the entire issued share capital of Lincoln-based Grove Pet Foods Limited.
Grove Pet Foods is a producer of dry dog food for several leading brands under private label relationships alongside its own brands including Vitalin (natural) and Alpha Feeds (working dog).
The business operates predominantly from a purpose-built freehold facility in Lincolnshire and employs a total workforce of approximately 100.
John Walgate, Managing Director, will remain with and continue to lead the business.
Adam Couch, Chief Executive Officer, Cranswick, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Grove Pet Foods, a well-invested manufacturer of dry pet food supplying
leading brands focussed on the specialist pet retail market.
“This acquisition represents a platform for future growth in the attractive UK pet food market and diversification into this complementary category for Cranswick. The existing facility has capacity and a footprint for further expansion.
“Grove Pet Foods has built a reputation for high quality products and service that is well aligned with Cranswick. The combined business will benefit from vertical integration opportunities within the group and particularly our fresh poultry and pork businesses. We look forward to building on this and continuing to invest in the product range, facilities and the team over the years ahead.”
York IT services business to be sold in £115m deal
Capita has agreed to sell York-headquartered Trustmarque to One Equity Partners for £111m on a cash free, debt free basis.
Taking into account cash-like and debt-like items, Capita expects to receive net proceeds of c.£115m at completion. An additional c.£3m is receivable by Capita contingent on certain future events.
Trustmarque provides IT services and solutions, including software and hardware re-sale, and is a top-tier partner for global technology vendors.
The net reported revenue and profit before tax for the assets subject to transaction for the year to 31 December 2020 were £122m and £16m respectively. Gross assets were £240m at 30 June 2021.
The sale is subject to certain consents.
The Trustmarque senior management team and employees will remain with the business.
Capita previously announced its intention to sell a number of non-core businesses, including Trustmarque, to strengthen the balance sheet and focus on its two core divisions, Capita Public Service and Capita Experience.
Jon Lewis, Capita’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to have agreed the sale of Trustmarque to One Equity Partners following a competitive sale process. I am delighted that, once this sale is completed, we will have exceeded our disposals target – and achieved this much earlier than originally planned.
“It marks another significant step towards materially reducing our debt, as we continue to simplify and strengthen Capita, and become a more successful business for the long term. We are now focused on selling the remaining businesses in our Portfolio division, with the goal of disposing of the majority by the end of 2022.”
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank, is acting as sole financial advisor to Capita.
Witham Group tops £100,000 for charity in 100th year
Witham Group, with its headquarters on Outer Circle Road in Lincoln, has announced the total raised at its latest fundraising ball as they celebrate their 100th year of business.
The anniversary ball, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln in November, saw prizes auctioned off to the value of £15,000. The brings the total raised during their long history to over £100,000 for a number of worthy causes.
The four charities benefitting from the latest ball’s generous attendees include Myeloma UK, St Barnabas Hospice, the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), all of which will receive a donation of £3,750 each to continue their important work.
From support for patients of a rare blood cancer to compassionate end-of-life care, pastoral and practical support for the farming community to empowering young people, all four causes were suggested by Witham Group’s employees.
Witham Group has a long history of putting something back with their charitable events, from lawnmower races to driving challenges, and coffee mornings to their flagship annual ball. Alongside this, they regularly sponsor customers and projects with their oil and paint products, as well as volunteering on a variety of local committees, charities and societies.
When making the announcement, Nigel R Bottom, Managing Director of the Witham Group said, “This is an incredible amount to raise in such a milestone year for us. We’re so grateful and extend our most sincere thank you to our kind suppliers and friends who donated the auction prizes.
We certainly celebrated our 100th year in style at our Anniversary Ball last year and again must offer thanks to the venue and everyone involved in the evening. Here’s to another 100 years!”
For more information about the Witham Group click here
Further funding from devolution deal sought to help West Yorkshire
Further funding from devolution deal sought to help West Yorkshire prosper and flourish. Approval for a further tranche of funding from the government’s £1.8bn West Yorkshire devolution deal will be discussed at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s first meeting of this year.
The funds will enable it to make further progress on developing the region’s economy, transforming transport networks, and tackling the climate emergency.
The details of its 2022/23 budget and business plan will be discussed at the Combined Authority’s forthcoming meeting on February 3.
The annual £38m ‘Gainshare’ funding provided by government will be used to build on work already done and continue delivering the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s pledges. These include:
- The creation of 1,000 Skilled Jobs and growing the economy.
- Gaining more local control of bus services to radically improve the passenger experience.
- The construction of 5000 new sustainable homes.
- Tackling the climate emergency.
- A creative new deal for cultural industries in the region.
- Improving inclusivity.
- Appointing 750 frontline police officers and staff.
- Improving safety for women and girls.
Commenting on the 2022/23 Budget, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We are already using funding from the devolution deal to improve people’s lives and make West Yorkshire a great place to live.
A tremendous amount of progress has already been made to improve the region’s economy, enhance its transport networks and to tackle the climate emergency.
And I am determined to continue this work, so we create more skilled jobs, make the region cleaner and greener, deliver an integrated transport system that serves everyone’s needs and make West Yorkshire safer for everyone, including women and girls.
But as the Combined Authority presents this 2022/23 budget, my message to government is clear.”
Ambitious flood action plan launched to tackle climate emergency in South Yorkshire
Councils and environmental organisations across South Yorkshire have launched an ambitious plan to reduce flood risk and tackle the climate emergency head on.
The Connected by Water Action Plan was first conceived after floods devastated South Yorkshire in 2019. Communities were evacuated from their homes, precious belongings ruined, businesses devastated, infrastructure disrupted and people unable to return to their homes for months.
As the water subsided, communities, businesses and senior leaders realised they were experiencing the impacts of climate change first-hand and made a commitment to work together to tackle the issue.
Local councils, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and other organisations formed a partnership and work began on the action plan, which combines 144 actions and 100 projects with a total investment of £400 million to better protect over 17,000 homes, businesses and infrastructure across South Yorkshire.
South Yorkshire Mayor, Dan Jarvis officially launched the plan today (Friday 28 Jan 2022) at a virtual event, with guest speakers including Floods Minister Rebecca Pow, Chair of the Environment Agency Emma Howard Boyd, Yorkshire Water Chief Executive Liz Barber and Chief Executive of Barnsley Council, Sarah Norman.
South Yorkshire Mayor, Dan Jarvis MP said: “After the devastating floods across South Yorkshire, I fought for government funding to protect us from a repeat of the scenes we saw in 2019 – securing £80m which has helped towards the launch of today’s flood catchment plan to protect the region.
“This ‘living plan’ will continue to evolve based on what we learn over the coming months and years, but it will always ensure that we protect homes and businesses across South Yorkshire from the devastating impact of flooding.
“A key part of this is using natural solutions to cut flood risk, like tree planting and land management, because it doesn’t just tackle flooding, it helps with nature recovery and gets us closer to our target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040 at the latest. Climate change is leading to increased rainfall and rising sea levels which hugely increase flood risks, but by introducing nature-based solutions to the mix we can break the cycle.”
Since November 2019, a partnership of organisations including the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Environment Agency, Barnsley Council, Doncaster Council, Rotherham Council, Sheffield City Council, and Yorkshire Water, have been working not only to deliver flood risk management schemes on the ground, but also to plan catchment-wide measures for the future to help meet the challenges of climate change.
Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “In the autumn of 2019, I spoke to farmers and communities whose lives had been turned upside down by the South Yorkshire floods. For every £1 spent on flood protection we avoid around £5 in property damages. As climate shocks accelerate, the Connected by Water Action Plan will help secure investment to better protect thousands of properties and key economic and transport infrastructure. Nature based solutions are also an important element of the plan and will help reduce flood risk, enhance water quality and support nature recovery.”
Liz Barber, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water, said: “We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership approach to flood alleviation, with the Connected by Water partnership. The potential of this partnership goes way beyond benefits for one area or organisation, it’s about delivering wider benefits for all of our customers in South Yorkshire.”
Floods Minister Rebecca Pow said: “This plan is a crucial step forward in improving the climate resilience of communities across South Yorkshire, which I hope will avoid a repeat of the devastating impact the November 2019 flooding had on people and businesses across the region.
“Aided through more than £110 million in government funding, this plan is part of our record £5.2 billion investment over the next six years to better protect 336,000 properties across England and build on the 66,000 homes in Yorkshire already better protected since 2015.”
An online public consultation is being launched at the event, as one of the aims of the action plan is to work with communities to deliver it. People will have the opportunity to view the plan in full and give their comments by accessing it on the Environment agency website. The consultation will be open until 11 March.
For more information visit the dedicated page on the Connected by Water Flood Catchment Plan.
Leeds industrial park sold in £25m deal
Law firm Shoosmiths has advised Total Developments on the £25m sale of a 16-acre industrial and warehouse park near Leeds.
The transaction sees Total Developments sell its remaining interest in Total Park to life and pensions company ReAssure Limited. The sale includes four units at the park, which are let to a range of occupiers.
Total Developments acquired and began developing the site in 2018, building a total of six industrial and warehouse units to the east of Leeds city centre in Aire Valley.
Edward Chantler, CEO of Total Developments, said: “The disposal of Total Park Leeds represents an important milestone for us. Pontefract Lane was the first acquisition of our revised urban logistics strategy, where in 2018 we refocused towards sites in close proximity to the top 20 towns and cities by population density, specifically locations with unfettered motorway access.
“As is our specialism, the site had complications. Working with M1 Agency and C4 Projects we overcame the implications from various service media that crossed the site. To achieve this, we successfully designed and implemented a multi-unit development capable of exit on three bases – a standalone unit, pre-let to DHL, and two smaller units targeting the aggressive LLH owner occupier market and an intact prime three-unit mid-box park investment.
“With over 1m sq ft under construction across five schemes and a further five schemes in planning, we continue to strategically acquire sites across the UK to further build the Total Developments brand. With our continued focus on creating best in class space, all our sites are committed to meet the ever-growing ESG agenda.”
The Shoosmiths deal team was led by real estate partner Daniel Monaghan, supported by principal associate Jonathan Smith, trainee solicitor Edward Moffat and Richard Atkinson, an associate in the firm’s construction team.
Daniel Monaghan, real estate partner at Shoosmiths, said: “Shoosmiths has worked with Total Developments from the start of this project. It is a partnership spanning over four years, culminating in the company now successfully selling its remaining interest in Total Park, which is a grade A scheme and already home to major tenants including DHL.”
M1 Agency acted as the commercial real estate consultant on Total Park, Leeds.
Prime vacant High Street site in Driffield up for sale through Christie & Co
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, is delighted to bring to market an exciting High Street opportunity in the heart of Driffield town centre, East Yorkshire.
Extending to approximately 5,736 sq feet and arranged over four floors on Market Place, the property is currently occupied by Barclays Bank, who have decided to exercise their break clause, terminating the lease in June 2022.
The property will be sold on a freehold basis with vacant possession, creating an exciting opportunity for a new owner to acquire a blank canvas with fantastic development potential for alternative use within a variety of sectors.
With its position amongst a busy retail and licensed circuit in Driffield town centre, the site lends itself to a retail or hospitality offering, with potential for conversion into a shop or a large pub-restaurant with guesthouse / letting accommodation. The upper floors could be converted into town centre apartments. This is subject to obtaining appropriate planning permissions.
Sam Ashton, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, said: “Barclays decision to terminate the lease has created a fantastic opportunity for a buyer to snap up a prime vacant building site with great renovation potential, in the lovely town of Driffield – fondly referred to as the Capital of the Wolds. We are currently asking for offers over £415,000 and I look forward to talking to prospective purchasers who will likely be keen to discuss the property’s development options.”
Sheffield and Wolverhampton the first cities to be supported in government regeneration plans
Towns and cities across the country are to be transformed through a regeneration programme with Wolverhampton and Sheffield the first areas selected.
Under plans set out in the Levelling Up White Paper, derelict sites in towns and city centres will be transformed creating new homes, jobs and new communities across England.
Wolverhampton and Sheffield will be the first of 20 places that will be supported by government to deliver ambitious regeneration projects that will boost local communities and create urban areas people will be proud to live and work in.
In Wolverhampton, local leaders are being given the tools that will catalyse the revival of the city and the wider Wolverhampton to Walsall corridor, building on the government’s £20 million Levelling Up Fund investment and the new DLUHC headquarters in the city centre.
In Sheffield, new regeneration opportunities will capitalise on the government’s £37 million Levelling Up Fund and the upcoming Integrated Rail Plan electrification and upgrades which will cut journey times between Sheffield and London to just 87 minutes.
The 20 areas will be prioritised within the new £1.5 billion Brownfield Fund. In addition, to kickstart regeneration efforts in these regions, and as part of a wider package of brownfield funding worth £120 million, £28 million will be allocated to the West Midlands Combined Authority and £13 million for the South Yorkshire Combined Authority, to fund the projects most needed to support local levelling up ambitions.
The regeneration programme will be spearheaded by the government’s housing delivery agency Homes England, which will be refocused and tasked to support the Levelling Up agenda. It will use its extensive powers and expertise to help local leaders deliver the regeneration of large areas of towns and cities, as they adapt to economic trends like the rise of online shopping.
The UK government will also welcome working in continued partnership with the devolved administrations to explore how to best support places across the UK to reach their full potential.
Homes England will partner with local leaders, the private sector and community groups to turbocharge regeneration and deliver new housing, health and education and leisure facilities, roads and railways.
Local authorities will be helped to ensure that the record government investment in infrastructure worth over £96 billion is used to its full potential. This includes £12 billion in affordable housing, the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund and a £2.6 billion Shared Prosperity Fund as well as access to DLHUC’s £1.5 billion Brownfield and Land Fund.
The 20 areas will benefit from developments combining housing, leisure, and business in sustainable, walkable, new neighbourhoods.
Dan Jarvis, the Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “I warmly welcome this support for regeneration in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. It’s a much needed recognition of the potential of our region.
“Giving Homes England a wider focus on regeneration is also a very positive move, as is their commitment to support local and regional leadership. We’ve always argued for a more joined up approach, and lasting progress can only be driven from our communities. The key challenge will be ensuring that this comes with the long-term, transformative investment we need, and that it connects not just housing and buildings but skills, public services and environment.
“We’re looking forward to working with the government to realise the ambition we all share to create a better future for Sheffield and South Yorkshire.”
The government will also launch a £1.5 billion Levelling Up Home Building Fund this week, providing loans to small and medium sized builders and developers to deliver 42,000 homes with the vast majority going outside London and the South East – helping to rebalance the economy and spread prosperity and opportunity more equally. A total of £120 million of funding will also be given to 7 Mayoral Combined Authorities to transform derelict brownfield sites into vibrant places where people want to live and work. Seven MCAs – West Midlands, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Liverpool, South Yorkshire, North of Tyne, and Tees Valley stand to gain 7,800 homes. A further £30 million is being awarded to 3 Mayoral Combined Authorities in Greater Manchester, Tees Valley and West Midlands on disused brownfield land. Meanwhile, £8 million from the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) is being allocated to 13 councils which will release land for a further 898 homes. The BLRF has so far awarded £69 million to support councils to release their brownfield land for 6,856 homes by March 2024.ResQ Appoints New Business Development Director
ResQ, the leading outsourced contact centre specialist, has announced the appointment of Clive Burnham as Business Development Director. Clive will focus on further developing new partnerships within vertical markets including energy, telecoms and financial services, and play an integral role in delivering the growth aspirations of the business.
ResQ’s Chief Commercial Officer, Matt Marshall said: “It’s great to have Clive on board. His expertise and knowledge of the BPO market will undoubtedly bolster our new business efforts as we continue to grow.”
Clive is a seasoned sales leader with over 15 years’ experience in the BPO market. His previous roles have been focused on winning, managing and growing client accounts across a wide range of vertical sectors including manufacturing, technology and financial services.
Clive said: “My passions are service, team spirit, loyalty and exceeding expectations. The more I learnt about ResQ, the more I realised this was a perfect match. The business has a great catalogue of customers – this is down to a first-class operations team that are focused on performance, employee engagement and the best returns for their customers.
Everyone I have had contact with thus far have been friendly, courteous and praiseworthy of ResQ as a great place of work. It’s safe to say I am excited for the journey ahead and I’m looking forward to meeting all of the teams and achieving our goals together.”
New ‘IT man’ at LCF Law
LCF Law, has appointed James Hood as Head of IT. The appointment follows significant investment in digital technology at the firm.
In 2020 LCF Law unveiled a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure across its four offices in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Ilkley allowing staff easy secure and remote access to the firms IT resources and tools, whilst also providing the highest level of security against cyber threat and data protection for both clients and staff. James, who has over 20 years’ experience in the IT industry, has headed up the IT functions at well-known legal and accountancy firms in Yorkshire, as well as spending most of his early career in a managed services environment, which has helped him to drive a customer-centric focus to the services he delivers. James said: “Having worked in the managed IT services sector for many years, predominantly with professional services firms as my bread-and-butter client base, I found that I really enjoyed working in the legal sector. When the role at LCF Law came up, it felt like a great fit for me. The team are a really friendly group of people, and I was keen to join a firm that is forward thinking and open to new ideas, as well as striving for excellence when it comes to finding new and innovative ways to utilise technology to deliver a first-class service to its clients, all while maintaining a secure and resilient environment for all confidential data.” Just over a year ago LCF Law made a significant investment in moving to cloud technology. James added: “The legal sector is inherently cautious and has therefore lagged behind other sectors when it comes to embracing the cloud. LCF Law carefully considered the move and made the substantial investment in late 2020, which enabled the firm to outsource its core hardware infrastructure in its entirety in addition to front-line IT services and focus more on projects and value-added work that will benefit its teams, its clients and the business.” James will lead a team of four who are currently working on a significant pipeline of projects that covers everything from business improvement to managed print and electronic document workflow systems, management information reporting, Microsoft Teams telephony and collaboration, digital client onboarding and much more. James added: “Gone are the days of the IT folk sitting in a corner of the office dealing with people forgetting their passwords! The project team at LCF Law add real value and are at the forefront of business improvement. They are not just keeping the wheels turning, they are helping to make changes that will drive the business forward, and I’m looking forward to heading up this team and making a difference.” Managing Partner, Simon Stell said: “James will help to maximise our return on our recent IT investment, and will maintain our position at the forefront of our industry by spearheading a number of exciting business improvement projects. Our IT team are a major asset that can help us to realise our strategic growth plans and James will be instrumental in this.”