Sheffield-headquartered training provider secures funding to deliver expansion strategy
Realise, the Sheffield-headquartered training provider, has reinforced its strategy for future expansion through acquisition by entering a partnership with a digital bank which specialises in helping organisations grow.
Supporting more than 16,500 learners a year across the UK through apprenticeships and adult education programmes, Realise has enjoyed a period of major growth since being the subject of a management buy-out in 2020.
It has now utilised its strong financial position to finalise a multi-million pound loan agreement with OakNorth, a digital bank designed to empower SMEs to support growth and innovation.
Realise employs more than 500 people across England and focuses its apprenticeship offering around early years and education, health and social care, business skills and transport.
In addition, it provides adult education training programmes in numerous locations, including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands, to support local authorities in their quest to upskill residents.
Gregg Scott, CEO of Realise, said: “We have an ambitious business growth strategy which we will be delivering in 2025 and beyond and partnering with OakNorth has given us the opportunity to continue seeking the acquisitions which we believe are crucial to our future progression.
“We have a long history in the apprenticeship and adult education training market and we are now actively seeking future acquisition opportunities, helping more people fulfil their potential while at the same time playing our part in addressing skills shortages in the UK economy.
“Of course, acquisition opportunities in the sectors we currently operate in would be of major interest but we would be fully open to conversations with any providers whose owners are looking to exit their business.”
Realise secured investment from private equity firm Endless (Enact Fund) to support a management buyout in 2020 and made two acquisitions to its early years portfolio two years later by securing FW Solutions and Training Plus Merseyside.
Gregg added: “We are thrilled to be partnering with OakNorth to help deliver our future growth plans and are extremely grateful for the support we have received from Endless – who are fully supportive of this move and have been involved in all discussions – and Deloitte’s Debt & Capital Advisory team who have been fantastic in guiding us through the process.”
Stewart Haworth, Debt Finance Director at OakNorth, said: “Realise has been supporting people to fulfil their potential and helping businesses to grow by upskilling their workforce for decades.
“It has established a market leading position across several sectors, received industry-wide recognition and developed a strong EBITDA profile organically and without debt.
“Led by a highly capable management team and backed by very strong sponsors in Endless, Realise has consistently delivered impressive growth and performance. We’re delighted to be supporting a business that is not only highly successful and growing quickly, but one that is also making a positive contribution to people and communities across the UK.”
The transaction was advised by Deloitte (debt advisory), Womble Bond Dickinson and Pinsent Masons (Legal), KPMG (tax DD), GK Strategy (political DD), CIL (commercial DD) and Grant Thornton (financial DD).
Lupton Fawcett makes commercial property and employment team promotions
Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett has promoted two of its long-standing partners to head up its commercial property and employment departments and help bolster the firm’s growth ambitions.
Julian Rowden has been appointed head of commercial property at the firm, while Angela Gorton has taken on the role of head of employment.
Julian joined Lupton Fawcett in 2013 and has over 30 years’ legal experience. He acts for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants of commercial and agricultural property, with a particular specialism in the acquisition and disposal of rural land holdings.
With more than 25 years’ experience – including 15 as a partner at Lupton Fawcett – Angela is an employment law specialist who advises employers and senior executives on a range of human resources issues across the housebuilding, education, manufacturing and real estate sectors.
Lupton Fawcett’s managing partner, James Richardson, said: “I’m delighted to congratulate Julian and Angela on their new leadership roles within the firm.
“As well as having excellent – and well-deserved – reputations in their fields of expertise, their commitment to providing outstanding service aligns perfectly with our approach to client care and will support our future success.”
Julian said: “I’m looking forward to leading and strengthening our commercial property team as we continue to offer high-quality legal advice to existing clients, and welcome new ones.”
Angela said: “I’m excited at the prospect of managing a team of incredibly talented, commercially-minded and friendly experts in providing a first class, cost-effective service across all aspects of employment law.”
Forge New Homes appoints Head of Land to drive site acquisitions in Yorkshire and East Midlands
Forge New Homes has appointed Lindsay Salvin as its new Head of Land and Development, furthering its ambitions to secure key sites across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
Salvin joins the Sheffield-based company from Hallam Land Management, where she spent two years overseeing nationwide land acquisitions. With decades of experience in the built environment, her career includes senior roles at companies such as Vistry Partnerships and Strategic Team Group.
Commenting on her new role, Lindsay said: “Forge New Homes is on the cusp of an exciting new era.
“The team has ambitious plans for growth, and I’m eager to leverage my experience in land acquisition to help secure the right sites that will deliver much-needed homes across the region.
“I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to shape thriving and accessible new communities across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.”
Her appointment follows a period of significant activity for Forge, which recently broke ground on two new residential developments – one at Waverley in Sheffield and another in Bolsover in the East Midlands.
Additionally, the company has announced the purchase of a seven-acre greenfield site in Beckingham, an attractive commuter village on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border from Wilgoose Homes.
Andy Beattie, Managing Director at Forge New Homes, said: “Lindsay is an incredible addition to our team. Her depth of knowledge and experience in land acquisition will be invaluable as we continue to grow our portfolio.
“Forge New Homes is committed to delivering high-quality homes, and with Lindsay on board, we are well-positioned to secure the best sites and deliver our pipeline of developments.”
Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing and Chair of Forge New Homes, added: “Lindsay’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Forge as we continue to expand our footprint. Her expertise in land acquisition will play a critical role in helping us identify strategic opportunities and drive forward our mission of creating sustainable communities.”
Lincolnshire-headquartered Jointline makes £300,000 investment in hydroblasting
Lincolnshire-headquartered specialist civil engineering firm Jointline has fuelled its continued expansion with a £300,000 investment in hydroblasting technology. Established in 1987, the privately-owned company – which works across highways, airport runways and internal lining projects – is on track to achieve a record annual turnover approaching £18m.
The hydroblasting equipment delivers rapid line and rubber removal and retexturing across concrete, asphalt and composite surfaces. The new investment has enabled the company to add a service that had been wholly outsourced to its raft of in-house capabilities.
Two members of staff have been recruited to operate Jointline’s new hydroblaster unit, which benefits from a bespoke fit-out, eight-hour operation and low noise emission. Two high-performance jet driers have also been purchased to enable quick drying across external surfaces.
Gary Massey, Managing Director of Jointline, said: “The demand for hydroblasting from airfields, National Highways, tier one contractors, and local authorities led to our strategic decision to invest in bespoke machinery and boost our in-house capabilities. While we will continue to work with preferred supply partners on some major projects, by self-delivering this service we can be more flexible and reactive to client needs.
“We are proud that one of the new members of staff we have taken on to operate the hydroblaster is ex-army and applied for the role because he saw that we were members of the Armed Forces Covenant.
“It is encouraging to see the new wave of infrastructure projects being tendered across the UK and overseas in recent months, which will help to our expansion plans. We are also eager to see the detail of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, which is anticipated to be published in late spring. The early success of this investment may even lead to us commissioning additional hydroblasting units next year.”
Jointline’s recent hydroblasting projects include the removal of thermoplastic lining at Immingham Docks for Dyer & Butler, to make way for the installation of new walkways. The firm has also removed epoxy road markings and parking areas airside at Heathrow Airport for Ferrovial to allow for temporary roadway linings to be applied.
In Norfolk, Jointline was commissioned by Tarmac to remove old road markings and install a new cycle path and thermoplastic road marking configuration.
Jointline has four main divisions; airfields; highways; off-highways and civils; and maintenance. Earlier this year, it deployed £1m of company funds in the investment of specialist grooving plant and machinery and took the headcount of skilled professionals to a record high of 120 employees.
The Witham St Hughs-headquartered firm has recently completed extensive rehabilitation works and grooving on the Southern Runway at Heathrow Airport, along with the significant Aircraft Servicing Platform (ASP) replacement works at a military airbase in Lincolnshire.
The team has also successfully completed a comprehensive National Highways project to upgrade M1 North and Southbound carriageways from Junctions 39 to 42.
The firm has undertaken renovation and improvement works at the majority of major civilian airports in the UK, as well as runways across continental Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.
Adam quits role as chairman of Shipley Towns Fund board
Adam Clerkin is to step down from the role of chairman of the Shipley Towns Fund board, which he’s held since the board’s inception in 2020.
Head of Operations for Carnaud Metalbox Engineering, Adam’s role was initially to lead the board in identifying and agreeing the regeneration vision through the creation of an investment plan.
During his tenure, the role of the board shifted into one of monitoring the delivery of multi-million-pound projects such as the new Shipley Sustainability Hub, alongside the Community Grants programme, and the Capital Assistance to Business Growth grants.
He said: “It has been a privilege to hold the position of chair of the Shipley Towns Fund. I feel very proud of what we have achieved for the town and surrounding area.
“It was a particular pleasure to be part of the launch of the new Shipley Sustainable Hub recently. To see it go from spades in the ground to the incredible facility we now have, for years to come was very special. Now is the right time to give someone else the opportunity to deliver some of these incredible projects.
“I’d like to thank everyone who I have worked with over the years. I have had the pleasure of working with some brilliant people from the teams at Shipley Town Council and Bradford Council through to our sponsors, and I have been fully supported by the hard-working members of the board.
“I am confident that their incredible work will continue and that these excellent projects will be delivered for Shipley, making a real difference to people’s lives.”
An interim replacement will be selected next month.
Sheffield BID intensifies campaign against city centre graffiti
Sheffield Business Improvement District has launched an intensified campaign against graffiti vandalism in the city centre, aimed at creating a cleaner and more welcoming environment for all.
Sheffield BID has long provided a free graffiti removal service to businesses paying the BID levy. However, recognizing the need to address graffiti on all commercial properties, Sheffield BID has partnered with South Yorkshire company NRC to strengthen its response.
This initiative is funded through a combination of the BID levy, a growing base of voluntary memberships, and the BID’s chargeable Just Jobs service for non-levy payers.
This diverse funding approach ensures that the campaign is robust and sustainable. The expanded efforts include comprehensive mapping of all graffiti on city centre businesses, focusing on identifying hotspot locations and larger pieces for initial removal, protection, and ongoing patrols.
NRC will operate in the city centre three days a week, complementing the existing Clean Team operations.
Sheffield BID urges everyone to report any graffiti on commercial premises in the BID area to operations@sheffieldbid.com to help keep Sheffield city centre clean and welcoming.
Diane Jarvis, Head of Business Operations at Sheffield BID, said: “Our commitment to maintaining a clean and welcoming city centre is unwavering. By partnering with NRC, we are taking a significant step forward in our fight against graffiti vandalism. This enhanced approach ensures that all properties, not just those of our BID levy payers, benefit from our efforts.
“We encourage everyone to report any graffiti they see, so together we can keep Sheffield looking its best.”
New Lindum development to be named after fallen soldier
A new housing development on Central Avenue in Ashfield will be called Adrian Sheldon View, commemorating the life and service of a local soldier.
The 16-home project, near the cemetery where Rifleman Adrian Sheldon rests, has been named to honour his memory and his deep roots in the Ashfield community.
Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, affectionately known as “Shelly” by his comrades, served in the British Army’s 2nd Battalion, The Rifles. He lost his life in Afghanistan in 2009.
Lindum is building a mix of two and three-bedroom houses on behalf of Ashfield District Council, with the work likely to be completed by autumn 2026.
The council had been in discussions with Adrian’s mum, Diane Sheldon, for a few years to find the perfect spot for a street named in his memory. Central Avenue is near to where Rifleman Sheldon attended school and grew up. It is also close to the Cenotaph which bears his name and Kingsway Cemetery which is his final resting place.
She said: “It’s a great honour and something for our family to be proud of. It keeps Adrian’s memory alive. I have talked at length with Cllr Jason Zadrozny about plans to build social housing with the street being named after Adrian. I think the name Adrian Sheldon View is perfect because of where it is.
“For me, my husband Mark and daughter Amy, it is a place for us to reflect. All of the family live locally and some of his friends who are away with the forces do come and see us when they are back.
“Adrian was quite shy but a very generous, loving and kind person. He was very close to his family and had some great friends in and out of the Army. He socialised when he could but when he got home he wanted to chill out.
“Losing Adrian was a massive loss to all of his friends and family. It has been 15 years now and we still keep his memory alive.”
Edward Chambers, Co-chair of Lindum Group, said: “Adrian Sheldon View is a tribute to a brave young man who gave everything for his country. Lindum feels privileged to honour Rifleman Sheldon and to give the Ashfield community a lasting reminder of his service and sacrifice. We hope that those who make their homes here will remember Adrian’s story and the values he embodied.”
West Lindsey firms encouraged to apply for training grants
Businesses throughout the West Lindsey area of Lincolnshire are being encouraged to apply for Workforce Development Grants to help upskill employees.
In a scheme due to end on 31st December, eligible organisations can apply for up to 100% towards full cost technical and vocational training courses which improve skills and help boost productivity.
Cllr Trevor Young, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, has urged employers not to miss out on the funding.
He said: “Small and medium sized businesses are the life blood of the district and provide a lot of local employment. Upskilling will help organisations strengthen their existing workforce, fill new positions, and enable them to remain competitive.”
Plum Products Ltd, a family-owned, Queen’s Award-winning business, are among those to have benefitted from the Workforce Development Grant.
Based at Ingham near Lincoln, they are the leading supplier of quality active play equipment that is sold in 60 different countries.
MD Paul Schaffer said: “Our success is a combination of building a strong product brand and investing in the skills of our workforce. The grant has helped us develop staff that are critical to the growth plans for our business.”
Amanda Bouttell, who administers the scheme for the Council, said help and support is available for organisations that wish to apply. “In the first instance, organisations need to check if they’re eligible. There is then a simple application process and the team are on hand, ready to help with advice and guidance on how to complete this. We have several organisations that have successfully received this funding.”
Administration sale saves manufacturing business
A Lincolnshire manufacturing business has been saved and jobs preserved following its fall into administration.
Gareth Harris and Deviesh Raikundalia of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of MTAG Composites Limited, MTAG (Holdings) Limited and Electric Future Group Limited on 12 July 2024.
Based in Coningsby, MTAG Composites is the trading company in the group which manufactures composite parts for the rail, aerospace, automotive, construction and leisure sectors.
Following RSM’s appointment, the Joint Administrators temporarily ceased operations to assess the position, but since 19 July have continued to trade the Composites business with the support of its highly skilled workforce and key customers whilst seeking a sale of the business and assets.
As a result of that process the business and assets of MTAG Composites Limited were sold on 14 November 2024 to a new entity, GRP Alliance Limited which intends to continue to trade from the existing site in Lincolnshire without interruption and who have a first option to purchase the assets of MTAG (Holdings) Limited within the coming months.
RSM was advised by Sarah Foster, Natalie Bromley and Jawad Ilyad from Addleshaw Goddard solicitors, with support from Sanderson Weatherall agents.
Deviesh Raikundalia, Restructuring Advisory Director at RSM and Joint Administrator, said: “We are delighted to have preserved specialist employment in the local economy, and completed the sale of this well-respected business.
“We also welcome the new investment that the purchaser is providing for MTAG, which ought to secure its long-term future and create a platform for growth. We are particularly grateful to the loyal staff, customers and other stakeholders who have supported us during our trading period given the uncertainty of the outcome following our sudden appointment.”
Lincolnshire farming forum elects new chair
Lincolnshire’s new agriculture and horticulture forum has selected Crowland-based farmer and farm consultant Matt Riddington as its chair.
After its first meeting he said: “The forum will be crucial in providing a collective regional voice from local farming and rural stakeholders, feeding into the national Rural and Farming Network. We will be identifying issues, concerns, and good practice we want to promote to government.
“Farming is facing multiple challenges but is also adapting and innovating to address these. The forum is a place to look at what is being done, and what needs to be done, in Greater Lincolnshire. We need to have a sustainable and profitable industry that inspires young people to want to be part of, into the future.”
The Greater Lincolnshire Forum For Agriculture and Horticulture has representatives from farms of all sizes, sector bodies, training organisations and support services.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy, environment and planning at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This forum provides a vital mouthpiece for our agriculture and horticulture industries in raising county issues at a national level and in supporting the sector with recommendations and action.
“The county council is committed to supporting those in the farming sector, who are facing ongoing battles as well as new pressures.”
The priorities for the forum in the short term are to look at issues around:
- skills, workforce and training
- planning and land use – conflicts and demands
- succession in farming businesses
- soils and water management
- environment and carbon credits uncertainty
- regulations and tax
