Bob Maxwell and Julian Pitts of Begbies Traynorhave been appointed as Joint Administrators over Hamsard 3225 Limited, trading as ‘CLC Finance’. The Joint Administrators act as agents of the Company and without personal liability. An Administration is an insolvency process used by companies that are unable to pay their debts as they fall due. An automatic moratorium has been placed over the Company as a result of our appointment. This means that no creditor can take legal action against the Company (to include taking action against its assets) except with leave of the court or the permission of the Administrators. An Administrator’s role is to realise the assets of the Company and distribute them for the benefit of creditors. The Joint Administrators will provide regular updates to creditors. The Company provided lending services to the UK consumer market.

Full-service engineering firm, DeSimone Consulting Engineering, with offices worldwide, has acquired West Yorkshire structural engineering firm, DP Squared Ltd. The acquisition builds upon the company’s UK headquarters in central London. Stephen DeSimone, chairman and CEO of DeSimone Consulting Engineering, said: “As DeSimone continues to grow internationally, we are thrilled to bring on Darren, Deborah, and the entire DP Squared team. “Their extensive experience in structural design, impressive work across major projects, and client-centered approach will enrich DeSimone’s capabilities throughout the UK/European region.” Based in Hebden Bridge, DP Squared launched in 2004 and has maintained a strong presence in the North of England. Darren and Deborah Paine, directors at DP Squared, said: “DP Squared is a family that we have nurtured through its teenage years, and now it is time for it to fly and grow. By joining DeSimone, we will leverage our new partners’ global knowledge and resources to better deliver for the company’s clients worldwide.” With the acquisition, DP Squared will operate as DeSimone Consulting Engineering UK from its current office Hebden Bridge while Darren and Deborah will join the senior management team at DeSimone in the UK.

Clarke Banks (Group) Ltd has been sold to approved building control inspector Assent, based in Wakefield. Clarke Banks offers a variety of compliance solutions to the domestic and commercial construction markets, including building control approval and fire safety engineering. The company benefits from a national network and operates from UK offices in London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Weybridge. Led by directors Adam Melrose and Sam Wright, Clarke Banks has established a young and dynamic management team, appealing to an increasing number of blue-chip clients. As the building control and fire safety industries continue to evolve with new legislation, Adam and Sam were eager to explore the M&A market and find the right buyer for the next phase of development. “Clarke Banks has some of the youngest approved inspectors in the country and the business is well-established at the forefront of a growing industry,” said George Barnes, KBS Corporate associate director, who oversaw the sale to Assent Building Control. “The Building Safety Act 2022 will change operational strategies across the market and Clarke Banks has the services, clients and scope to satisfy new requirements, particularly for large-scale commercial developments.” Assent Building Control was itself acquired by Munich-based Alpina Partners in 2017 with the assistance of KBS Corporate. The firm has acquired Clarke Banks as part of a long-term plan to enhance its building control and fire services portfolio. Iain Thomson, CEO of Assent, said: “We have been actively looking to expand our suite of services, so it was important to us that the business we acquired would offer benefits to both parties, not simply grow the number of surveyors we could offer. “Sam and Adam have built an incredibly successful business that provides complementary services to those offered by our existing businesses. The enthusiasm for the work they do is second to none and we are delighted to be welcoming them into the Assent group.” Adam Melrose said: “We had been investigating several investment partner options, but it became clear to us that Assent aligned with our own values and bought into our future vision for the business. “In the discussions with Iain and his team, it was obvious the acquisition of Clarke Banks was a strategic choice that would benefit both parties and help to deliver a combined service offering to clients at what is a pivotal time in our industry.” Sam Wright added: “The introduction of the independent Building Safety Regulator is making our whole industry look very closely at what will be required to achieve the competency levels needed. “The recent consolidation we have seen in the sector is ultimately positive for the whole industry. Being part of a larger group and network will provide additional strength in the future for Clarke Banks’ team and greater resilience to support the diverse and strong client base we have spent the last decade building.” George Barnes believes further consolidation in the building control and fire safety industries is to be expected over the coming years as regulators continue to realign existing legislation. “While Clarke Banks is a great opportunity for Assent to improve its commercial exposure, it also improves the group’s position in a market with high barriers to entry,” he said. “We are expecting significant consolidation as legislation evolves — regulators will see the benefit of working with a smaller pool of prominent inspectors.”

Cleantech business Green Building Renewables (GBR) has expanded its UK nationwide network into Hampshire and onto the South Coast by acquiring Solar Voltaics – the eighth renewables company to join the York-headquartered business. By joining Green Building Renewables’ fast-growing network, Solar Voltaics helps increase the company’s annual turnover to £35 million. The merger will also help create jobs in the region. Green Building Renewables offers a range of renewable technology solutions through its growing network of local energy experts. It provides Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps, underfloor heating, solar PV, EV charging, and battery storage. The decision to expand onto the South Coast comes as part of Green Building Renewables’ strategic vision to extend the benefits of solar energy to communities across the country. Managing Director of Green Building Renewables, Chris Delaney, said: “The pedigree of Solar Voltaics’ work precedes it. The reputation of the company and the quality and scale of the work it has done in the region is incredible, and I am delighted to have them join the Green Building Renewables family and network of regional offices. “We continue to grow our nationwide network by acquiring respected and reputable businesses like Solar Voltaics. We welcome the Nutbourne team to ours. The South Coast is known for its rich natural beauty and vibrant communities, making it an ideal location for Green Building Renewables to expand. “We want to expand upon the excellent work of Solar Voltaics and help empower businesses and residents alike in the region to switch to clean energy, reducing their carbon footprint and benefiting the environment.” Solar Voltaics was founded by Michael Turner, a successful local entrepreneur and businessman. Michael has ten years of experience in the aerospace materials industry with Rolls Royce plc and British Aerospace. He founded the company in 2010 and has helped grow the company to success over the last twelve years. On joining Green Building Renewables, Michael said: “I am extremely proud of what the team at Solar Voltaics has achieved since I founded the company. “Our mission has always been to ensure customers understand how solar PV technology can work for them, how it is installed and what financial benefits they can expect from an installation designed to their specific requirements and budget. “The vision of Green Building Renewables matched our own, and we’re delighted to become a part of their network when renewable technologies and alternatives to fossil fuels have never been more needed. “We pride ourselves on ensuring that customers are completely satisfied with their decision to adopt Solar PV technology, and we adhere to a strict code of conduct to provide high levels of reassurance that their systems will perform as expected for many years. “Our team provides quality service and work; joining Green Building Renewables and becoming part of something bigger is a fantastic opportunity for them to share our combined skills further. Green Building Renewables allows the team to offer more services and products to our customers in the region.” In due course, Solar Voltaics will rebrand to Green Building Renewables as it becomes a part of the company’s nationwide network of local renewable technology installers and helps recruit new Solar PV installers and heat pump engineers nationwide. Green Building Renewables is an Efficient Building Solutions business. Philip Fellowes-Prynne, Efficient Building Solutions CEO, said: “Efficient Building Solutions’ mission is to lead the UK’s transformation to efficient, sustainable buildings. “Green Building Renewables’ rapid growth and expansion in the last 18 months, from a turnover of £3m to £35m, reflect the demand for low-carbon and renewable technology in the UK. Chris and his team are building a network of renewable experts that we believe will be unrivalled in the UK for their combined experience and knowledge. “We seek suitable businesses to acquire and join the Green Building Renewables network. We aim to be the largest renewable installation business in the UK by 2024, with a turnover of £100m. Solar Voltaics is exactly the type of company we want to become a part of our business.”

The Serious Sweets Company (SSC), a Harrogate-based independent confectionery business, has acquired the share capital and branded interests of Nom Bites Ltd, and with it the Lexi’s range of mallow and protein bars for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2020 by Alexei Khatiwada, who set out to ‘create a range of delicious, healthier, allergy-friendly treats’, Lexi’s is an award winning supplier of mallow crispy rice treats and protein bars, with availability across D2C, Ocado, Amazon and Foodservice channels. SSC manufactures and supplies premium own-label treats to all major retailers in the UK together with a successful international business, and has established SSC Brands to manage its branded interests. In 2022, SSC acquired Mighty Fine, the premium honeycomb brand, and Mr Stanley’s, the quintessentially English gifting confectionery brand to its stable. Earlier this year it also acquired Mallow & Marsh, the UK’s leading marshmallow brand, and the wholesale manufacturing arm of John Bull, now renamed the Real Candy Co. Rob Whitehead, cheerleader and MD at SSC, said: “We’re delighted to bring Lexi’s into our family and continue the journey that Alexei and Shama have brilliantly led. “Gluten, dairy and nut free bars fit perfectly into our stable of current brands, enabling us to offer customers a combination of indulgent treats and more healthy treats, ideal for customers with specific dietary needs, or those looking for a healthier snack. “We will be sharing the range with our customers over the next few months and look forward to developing Lexi’s alongside all our brands over the next few years.” Alexei Khatiwada, founder (‘Captain Crispy’), said: “This acquisition marks an exciting milestone for Lexi’s, as we capitalise on the growing demand for our award-winning treats. “I’m proud that Lexi’s has helped deliver more inclusive treats to a mainstream audience and it’s been a pleasure to see the growth of the brand, which started in my home kitchen and has now sold millions of treats across the UK. I’m delighted to see SSC’s ambition and desire to grow the brand further and continue this exciting journey.” A committed food industry lifer, Rob Whitehead has had a successful career buying, developing and growing several food businesses for the last 25 years. In 2014, Rob realised that the crafted food movement was in full swing, not just at farm shops and independent retailers, but increasingly through major supermarkets in many food categories. At the same time, he felt premium sweets were missing from this growth opportunity. Driven by memories of wonderous childhood treats yet huge frustration with the ‘unacceptably miserable face of boring sweets’ dominating so many shop aisles, Rob set up SSC. His aim was twofold – to retain craft skills and small batch passion which are the hallmarks of quality English confectionery, and bring investment for new thinking & innovation back into the market. Adding Lexi’s to this stable now enables SSC Brands to offer customers a broad range of treats, from the purely indulgent to the more healthy snack, meeting a full range of consumer needs.