Award-winning accountants open new office in York City Centre
360 Chartered Accountants is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in York City Centre.
The award-winning firm has a developing portfolio of clients in and around York and says now is the perfect time to have a base in the city.
Andy Steele, Director of 360 Chartered Accountants, said:
“We are really excited about opening our office right in the centre of York. It’s always been in our business plan to expand outside of Hull and East Yorkshire and as our client portfolio here in York has grown, we have seized the opportunity – and can’t wait to welcome both our current clients and future clients to Blake House on Blake Street.
“We chose this location because it is right in the heart of the city. There is a fantastic and continually growing business economy here and we know that our services are a perfect fit for so many business owners who have been hit hard over the last couple of years. We worked throughout the pandemic, offering advice and support to anyone who needed it, clients and non-clients. We guided them through the various government grant systems and helped our clients claim nearly £10 million in furlough payments across all sectors. There’s also been some great innovation and we have helped businesses adapt to the changing climate. We understand what people have been through and are still going through and we can’t wait to start sharing our knowledge and expertise with even more businesses across York.”
360 Chartered Accountants couldn’t be more different to the image of a typical, ‘boring’ accountancy firm. Their success lies in a willingness to remain agile as a practice in an ever-changing financial and business climate. They are 21st century accountants embracing modern technology to give their clients every advantage. Innovative and forward thinking, they have invested in IT and modern technology to simplify and speed up accountancy processes, so that clients can view real-time accounts in a secure cloud environment at any time of the day or night, which in turn allows them to make better, more informed decisions based on up-to-the minute figures. It also means the team is able to work from home if necessary, with no disruption to clients, which has been invaluable over the last 2 years.
Jono Stead, 360’s Corporate Portfolio Manager, will be managing the York operation. He said:
“It’s such an exciting time for 360 right now. Our continued growth is testament to the commitment we show to our clients. I am really looking forward to continuing to work with our current clients in York as well as getting to know many more business owners over the coming months.”
360, which also incorporates its own payroll bureau, 5Four Payroll, provides a full range of accountancy services for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporate clients. These include accounts, tax and bookkeeping services, support and advice on business growth, grant claims and raising finances, advising on exit strategies – and everything else in between.
Innovative horticultural products set to boost UK biodiversity efforts
The UK’s first ever range of self-contained, integrated eco-systems and associated products have launched to help boost biodiversity and conservation across the country.
The range of landmark habitats has been created by BioScapes®, a new business under the Rolawn Group, one of the country’s longest established and leading suppliers of topsoil and turf in a bid to become a leading voice in finding solutions for the challenges facing biodiversity in the UK and around the world.
BioScapes® has launched with two different products within the range, the BioCube® and NatureArk®. The products will help to directly offset the negative impact of biodiversity loss, such as by consequence of the construction of housing developments and commercial property.
With fifty years’ worth of experience in innovation in the field and the help of expert ecologists to call on, BioScapes® has conducted extensive research and made significant investments over the course of four years to produce this range of products that responds to new targets set by Government within the Environment Bill from the 2019 Spring Statement.
The Chancellor indicated it will be mandatory that new English planning developments will be required to demonstrate a 10% increase in biodiversity on or near development sites and deliver a ‘Biodiversity Net Gain’ with the legislation set to officially come into effect in 2023.
Globally, investors have committed £3.6bn to nature restoration and conservation as part of the 30by30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s land and water by 2030.
The BioScapes® products are suitable for installation in both commercial and residential environments such as, private gardens, new housing developments, local authority projects, roof gardens, commercial sites, retail parks, orchards and general landscaping schemes.
The BioCube® provides a combination of wet and dry habitats, supporting process of rewilding through the development of ecosystems which encourage small mammals, amphibians, insects, invertebrate and plants to thrive.
It has been launched alongside the NatureArk®, which delivers a similar suite of benefits, and has been specifically developed for implementation in smaller community environments, such as schools, as well as commercial construction projects. The BioCube® is priced at £2,950 and the NatureArk® at £399.95 and have already been successfully implemented by Believe Housing Association, Durham, major housebuilders Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey, as well as six primary schools in Yorkshire and northeast England.
Terry Smithson, biodiversity manager and expert ecologist at BioScapes®, said: “Biodiversity is vital to our future and is the fundamental contributor to processes such as pollinating our food, providing clean water and filtering the air we breathe. We upset these systems at our peril.
“The loss of woodland cover, and the destruction of peatlands and saltmarshes could render our homes and businesses more vulnerable to flooding.
“But no matter how much space you have, you can always make space for wildlife, and the BioCube® provides the perfect solution in this respect by creating a self-contained area, which can be used in a range of environments, and that will support wildlife.
“We recognise that developers, architects, business owners and other key decision makers acknowledge the importance of biodiversity, but that many struggle to implement a practical solution – and particularly this is what has led to the creation of the BioScapes® products.”
BioScapes® chairman and managing director, Paul Dawson added: “There is no doubt that the natural habitats of the planet are under threat like never before, which makes it more important than ever to educate our stakeholders and the public on the importance of biodiversity and making a positive impact.”
“We believe that this innovation will offer housing developers, property planners, builders’ merchants and others a simple, self-contained solution to make a tangible, positive impact on biodiversity, the likes of which we’ve not seen before.”
A New Initiative to put the Humber at the Heart of the Government’s Net Zero Ambitions
A new private sector led initiative, strongly supported by the public sector, aims to make the Humber at the heart of the Government’s ambitions to tackle climate change by becoming net carbon zero by 2040.
The Humber Energy Board has been launched to act as a single voice for the region, providing co-ordinated promotion of the Humber’s strengths and its assets to a global audience, encouraging investment, as well as ensuring the region is able to communicate directly with Government in the same way as mayoral combined authorities are able to do.
Convened by the two Local Enterprise Partnerships across the region, the board has the backing of the Humber Leadership Board, as well as key organisations including the CBI, the Universities of Hull and Lincoln and a number of major companies, including Equinor, Ørsted, British Steel, Phillips 66, Drax, Youngs, Siemens as well as wider industry members such as CATCH and the Humber Freeports.
The board was launched at a meeting co-chaired by James Newman, Chair of the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP (HEY LEP), and his counterpart south of the estuary, Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP (GLLEP).
In a joint statement both Chairs said: “We were delighted to be able to bring together so many sector leaders to support the drive for the Humber to deliver on this vital agenda for climate change.
“The region may be the biggest emitter in the UK, but we also have the best solutions to the issues created by these emissions, with significant activity already ongoing around offshore wind, clean hydrogen production and carbon capture assets, all on a large scale.
“Our hopes are that the Government will recognise that this region is vital to its climate change and levelling up ambitions and will work through the Humber Energy Board to ensure a coordinated programme of investment and private sector collaboration.”
As a very industrialised region and a key part of UK’s national infrastructure and, as such, a major emitter of carbon, the board will be asking Government to provide a single point of contact at the highest level who can engage with the board on behalf of the many Government departments already involved in this agenda.
The board will also be looking to appoint a high-profile independent Chair from the sector who can provide the single voice and advocacy for the region in relation to this agenda, not just to when speaking to Government but across the UK and internationally.
The board also plans to engage with the many other projects and programmes already ongoing across the Humber and to provide additional cohesion to avoid duplication and unnecessary competition, while encouraging collaboration. There will also be a need to create some priorities for investment by both the Government and private sector.
Darren Cunningham from Phillips 66 said: “We will only progress towards net zero by engaging collaboratively. As an integral part of the Humber Industrial Cluster, the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery is committed to working with others, in all sectors across the Humber region, to drive real progress. We welcome the formation of the Humber Energy Board as an important private-public partnership to further encourage the ‘levelling up’ agenda across this vitally important region.”
Richard Gwilliam, Drax’s Head of Cluster Development, said: “The Humber has been an industrial heartland for centuries and now stands on the precipice of a green industrial revolution. If we are to achieve the ambitious net zero targets set out by Government, it is vital that we work together to develop the technologies that will support this goal.
“At Drax, we are deploying the crucial negative emissions technology bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). In doing so, we can create and protect tens of thousands of jobs across the region, levelling up the UK and help the nation to reach net zero.”
IRISNDT acquires James Fisher NDT Limited, UK
IRISNDT has acquired James Fisher NDT from James Fisher and Sons PLC.
James Fisher NDT has served the Aerospace, Defense, Automotive, Petrochemical, Utilities, and Nuclear markets since 2006, offering a wide array of field and laboratory NDT services.
The component testing division of James Fisher NDT, providing quality control of manufactured parts, will continue to operate from its state-of-the-art 33,000 square foot facility, that includes eight radiographic bays, in Deeside, Wales.
IRISNDT is a privately-owned NDT, Inspection, and Integrity Engineering company with
operations in the U.S.A., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The company serves a blue-chip customer base in the refinery, petrochemical, chemical, agricultural, and power/renewables sectors around ongoing operational activities and maintenance turnaround projects, as well as construction and expansion projects.
The company is owned by IRISNDT employees and First Reserve, a global private equity firm focused on energy and related industrial markets, and has 22 branch locations in the U.S.A., as well as nine in Canada, seven in the United Kingdom, and five in Australia.
Roman Kyrnyckyj, Managing Director of IRISNDT UK, said: “We welcome James Fisher NDT, its employees and customers to the IRISNDT family. I believe James Fisher NDT to be a great fit for us and together we will become an industry leader in the Northwest. We are also excited about adding the component testing division and Nadcap accreditation.”
Marcel Blinde, CEO of IRISNDT, said: “I am convinced that our new employees will have a seamless transition to IRISNDT given our shared views on safety, quality, employee training and development, and customer service. IRISNDT is in growth mode, and we are focused on strengthening our services portfolio in the Renewable, Energy, Aerospace and Defense markets and will continue to evaluate attractive add-on acquisition opportunities.”
How your small business can successfully start growing
If you operate within a small or medium sized business, there is likely to be a range of things you can implement to help it grow. Take a read of the article below to learn some key tips for growing your business sooner rather than later.
Hire The Right Staff
If you wish your business to grow and be successful, you will need to hire the right staff to begin with. When hiring staff, it will be in your best interest to find employees who will not only be suitable for the role but also seem dedicated to staying with you for the long term. You can make this happen by improving overall job satisfaction, as well as focusing on improving your employee retention rate. The longer you have motivated and dedicated staff, the more they will get to know your business and improve it.
Look After Your HR Department
Your HR department is essentially the backbone of your organisation. If you neglect it, you could see it negatively affect other parts of your business. This is why you should aim to work with your HR team to help make them the most efficient they can be. There are a few different ways to do that. It will benefit your HR department if you remove time-consuming tasks that can be automated in some way. Not only will this help them focus on more crucial roles, such as managing the employees and caring for their needs, it will help them make less mistakes.
One of the ways you can help your team save on time is to implement specific software. This HR-focused software can make it easier for your team to manage tasks such as responding to holiday requests and recording sickness absences. It will be crucial for your business to find the right software to work with. This is why you should look to experts such as myhrtoolkit who provide HR software for SMEs to manage holidays and more. For instance, with myhrtoolkit your small to medium sized business will be able to handle holiday requests through a smart holiday planner, which can help both in the short term and long term.
Conduct Unique Marketing Campaigns
To reach more potential customers, you will need to embark on unique marketing campaigns. However, it will also benefit you to engage in traditional marketing campaigns too. These marketing campaigns can be both digital and in print, but you may find more success by exploring digital options depending on the nature of your business. For similar reasons, it will also put you in good stead to conduct market research, so that you can exploit the right gaps in the market at the right time and in the right places.
One effective marketing strategy comes in the form of social media marketing. You could use popular platforms such as Twitter or Instagram to showcase your products or get your brand out there. It will be important for you to keep your brand style consistent on each social media platform, so that your brand is recognisable for anyone to see. However, bear in mind that some social media platforms will have different audiences that could require a different tone. A classic example of this is with TikTok. However you approach it, ensure that you mix it up to reach as many people as possible.
Leeds manufacturer to expand into new markets and create jobs following six-figure investment
Leeds-based manufacturer of printed marketing and communication materials, Alpha Card Compact Media Ltd, has secured a six-figure investment through NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance, managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
An international exporter, Alpha Card has over 15 years’ experience of manufacturing and distributing hundreds of millions of printed marketing materials, such as Z-Fold Cards and Infinity Folding Cards, throughout Europe, North America, Australia and Africa.
The business’s portable, retainable and reusable devices are used in virtually every sector for diverse applications. Its clients range from the creative industry, government, education, sport and charity through to major high street names and multinationals such as Shell and Toyota.
The investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund will provide additional working capital for export growth and will allow the company to expand into new markets. Funding will also lead to the creation of four new roles at the business, as it looks to grow the numbers of staff. The deal was facilitated by FW Capital Investment Executive Andy Castle.
FW Capital Investment Executive Andy Castle said: “We are delighted to support Alpha Card, a highly-regarded company that has the manufacturing expertise to deliver industry-leading products both quickly and efficiently. Alpha Card has created new jobs with this investment and has forecasted continued growth, meaning their important products can now be delivered to even more clients.”
Ian Whitfield, Alpha Card Managing Director, said: “At Alpha Card, we are passionate about creating engagement for our clients with their audiences using clever printed marketing. We pride ourselves on our vast product knowledge and adaptability and work tirelessly to maximise value for all our clients.
“This investment from FW Capital will support us as we create new jobs and expand into new markets.”
Leeds marketing agency commits £2,500 to help the homeless of Yorkshire
Leeds-based marketing agency, The Marketing Optimist, has committed to help Simon on the Streets, a charity for the homeless, for the next 5 years by donating at least £500 every year to support their work.
Richard Michie, Marketing Optimist CEO, said: “I live in a nice house with my family, we are warm, don’t worry about food or a place to sleep. All The Marketing Optimist team are in the same situation.
“We all have our struggles, but not knowing where we’ll sleep or find our next meal from isn’t one of them. That is why the work Simon on the Streets does is so important to me personally. Being in that situation frightens the life out of me, so I’m more than happy to help in any way I can.”
The business has joined the charity’s 5 for 5 partnership, and committed to donate at least £500 per year for 5 years, helping the charity to generate valuable, long term, sustainable income, which is vital to ensure the charity can continue their work with the homeless of Yorkshire.
“We’ve committed to £500 per year, but that will be a minimum from us. From 2022 through to 2027, and beyond, we aim to at least double that through fund raising activity right across the year. So, we’ve guaranteed at least £2,500, but we aim to raise at least £5,000, and hopefully more,” continued Richard.
Leah Charlson, fundraising manager for Simon on the Streets, said: “Since launching in 2016, The Marketing Optimist have been long-time supporters of Simon on the Streets and we’re so excited for them to come on board as one of our 5 for 5 partners. As a fully independent charity, we rely solely on this kind of support, and we can’t wait to work with their team to tackle homelessness in our local community.”
Leeds-based marketing agency, The Marketing Optimist, has committed to help Simon on the Streets, a charity for the homeless, for the next 5 years by donating at least £500 every year to support their work.
Yorkshire vet group’s European expansion continues
One of Spain’s leading veterinary practices has become the first in the country to join VetPartners.
Praxia, a referral practice specialising in various fields, including cardiology and orthopaedics, based in Elche, Alicante, is the York-based veterinary group’s founding Spanish practice.
The acquisition has been swiftly followed by a second practice after Medican Veterinary Center in Madrid also joined VetPartners.
VetPartners’ operations and expansion in Spain is overseen by Managing Director Augusto Macias, a vet, who also 30 years’ experience in business as a brand manager and marketing director for pet food manufacturer Gallina Blanca Purina and director general of Kivet.
Amid VetPartners’ expansion across the UK, Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany, Senor Macias believes there also huge potential for more growth in Spain.
He said: “By focusing on its people and the veterinary profession, VetPartners is making a huge difference. We focus on attracting and growing talent, with good professionals and good people who can continue developing in the profession.
“We aim to make VetPartners clinics and hospitals a great place to work, where all team members, veterinarians, assistants and support staff, are respected as people, so that we can achieve a positive work environment.
“VetPartners understands the DNA of each veterinary clinic and hospital and bring human, financial and resources to these practices, always with respect for the people and the veterinary professional.”
VetPartners has also been joined by four new practices in Italy and six in France as the group’s expansion in both countries continues.
Led by vets, VetPartners was founded by CEO Jo Malone in 2015 and has 188 of the UK’s most respected and trusted small animal, mixed, farm and equine practices, employing more than 7,000 people across nearly 550 sites in the UK and from its headquarters in York.
The group has diversified and now includes pet cremation services, an online retailer, a small animal veterinary nursing school, an equine nursing school, laboratories and a locum agency.
It first expanded into mainland Europe in 2019 with the acquisition of practices in Italy.
Growing haulage group acquires Barnsley business
Logistics and warehousing group OTIF has made an acquisition that pushes its turnover above £40m.
Entrepreneur Graham Darnell, owner of OTIF Group, has acquired Barnsley-based John Truswell & Sons (Garage) Limited, a family-run company which has a fleet of 70 trucks and 180 trailers. John Truswell & Sons (Garage) Limited specialises in distribution across the UK and offers warehousing services, and has an annual turnover of £10m.
OTIF Group, which is named after the group’s commitment to delivering ‘on time in full’, has a comprehensive network of haulage contacts as well as its own dedicated transport fleet, and provides logistics solutions to some of the UK’s leading retailers.
This latest acquisition is OTIF Group’s third in five years, following the acquisition of Kenyon Group in 2016 and Adam Jones Group in 2019. All were led by Watersheds, and Royds Withy King also supported the Adam Jones Group acquisition.
Graham Darnell said he was delighted with the opportunities Watersheds brought him, after he expressed a desire to strengthen OTIF’s coverage in the north of the UK.
“I started this acquisition journey with Watersheds five years ago, and we have built up a great relationship over that time,” said Graham.
“They understand exactly the type of business I am looking for and once again have delivered what they promised. Despite the pandemic, they somehow managed to bring me an impressive variety of opportunities, all of which were interesting. In the end, though, it was John Truswell & Sons that caught my eye. Like the other acquisitions Watersheds have arranged and completed for me, it is an off-market, strongly performing, highly reputable family business.
“It was particularly important to me that I could continue to focus on running OTIF Group, so once again having Watersheds negotiate the deal, raise the funds and project-manage the process throughout was crucial. There were many parties involved, including three sets of lawyers, funders, property valuers, asset valuers and two sets of accountants, so it was complex, yet they still managed to achieve a completion date within three months of agreeing heads of terms.
“I was also grateful to be working with the Royds Withy King’s legal team again, led by Katharine Mortimer. There was a lot of work to be done by the legal team regarding the funding and the team were able to progress this efficiently and effectively as well as advise me through the legal process.”
Funding for the acquisition was provided by Praetura Commercial Finance.
One of the UK’s largest food wholesalers acquired by investment firm
London-based investment firm RDCP Group has acquired SOS Wholesale, one of the largest food wholesalers in the UK for an undisclosed sum.
RDCP has acquired Derby and Barnsey-based SOS Wholesale, a family run business founded in 1996 by Norman Beckett and his two sons Mark and Steven.
The business is one of the UK’s largest wholesalers of foods and beverages, employing 120 staff from its 70,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre in Derby and sales office in Barnsley. Its product range extends across 4,500 lines, selling top brands including Mars Bars, Walkers Crisps, Heinz, Nescafe, Colgate, and Fairy, delivering its products range in the UK, and exporting worldwide.
The existing management team led by Mark Beckett and Vipin Patara will work closely with RDCP founders, Sameer Rizvi and Iryna Dubylovska, on SOS Wholesale’s future growth strategy.
This latest deal is RDCP’s eighth acquisition in the last 18 months, following its most recent takeover of Intelling in October 2021. RDCP now controls $400 million of investments across multiple sectors in the UK.
Sameer Rizvi, founder & CEO of RDCP Group, said: “This is a major milestone for us at RDCP because the four acquisitions we completed last year combined with the organic growth of our existing portfolio companies has increased RDCP Group’s assets under management to $400 million.
“We were extremely impressed by SOS Wholesale and their track record of success and varied customer base which includes major national retailers as well as independents. We look forward to working closely with Mark, Vipin and their team to grow the business further and have plans to expand SOS Wholesale both organically via increased sales channels, but also by bringing bolt-on acquisitions of smaller competitors.”
Iryna Dubylovska, founder & chief strategy officer of RDCP Group, said: “This acquisition reflects our strong appetite to expand our presence across different sectors and I could not be prouder of our team and our advisors.
“We have ambitious plans to grow our assets under management to $1 billion by 2025 and will continue to invest our growing balance sheet capital into promising British businesses that have a consistent and profitable trading history, committed and ambitious management teams and a defendable and dominant market position within their respective sectors.”
Mark Beckett, Managing Director of SOS Wholesale, said: “Steven and I are proud to be a part of one of the UK’s fastest growing private conglomerates, RDCP Group. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Vipin Patara and our management team to grow the business further, whilst retaining the family values that have made us what we are today.
“It is very much business as usual for our staff, customers and suppliers. We have worked hard to build an excellent reputation of delivering exceptional service and this will continue to be a focus for SOS Wholesale moving forward.”
Vipin Patara, trading director of SOS Wholesale, said: “Over the past five years working with Mark and Steven, their passion and drive to grow the business has been contagious. It is a testimony to both Mark, Steven, and the SOS team to where the business has grown to today.
“The future potential is exciting for both organic growth as well as new opportunities. I am really looking forward to working collaboratively with Sameer, Iryna, Mark and the entire SOS team to take SOS Wholesale to the next level.”
Roy Farmer, corporate finance partner at Dains, added: “Having built a very successful business over the past 20 years, Mark and Steven decided approximately two years ago to create a succession plan in order to facilitate their retirement. Their goal was to realise the value that they had created to date and to ensure that the business was left in the hands of a buyer who would continue to further develop the business.
“We worked closely with Mark and Steven to develop their exit plan, and as part of this process spent a considerable amount of time identifying an appropriate purchaser. Having received strong interest in the SOS Wholesale business from both trade and financial investors alike, we were attracted to RDCP as a buyer for a number of reasons.
“RDCP’s model of being longer-term investors in businesses, backing strong incumbent management teams and retaining the stability and culture that is embedded within a business made them stand out from the more traditional private equity model, and we quickly realised the benefits of choosing RDCP as the long-term investor in SOS Wholesale.
“I am delighted with the outcome we have achieved for Mark and Steven, which allows Steven to retire immediately and Mark to work alongside Vipin for a period of time. I am confident that SOS Wholesale, under the leadership of Mark and Vipin and the ownership of RDCP, will go from strength to strength.”
