Colenso marks business growth with new shareholder appointment
Colenso Property, the York-based commercial property and asset management specialist, has welcomed Lucy Glasby as a shareholder and partner in the business following a period of significant growth for the company.
Lucy first joined Colenso in 2018, and is now the business’s head of Facilities Management, overseeing its health and safety compliance, and the management of a range of hard and soft services, including mechanical and electrical maintenance, fire safety systems, cleaning, and security, throughout its extensive portfolio.
Colenso, which manages a wide range of commercial properties across the UK for a variety of private clients, is expecting a 30% growth in net profit this year, following the business having expanded its service offering, recruited additional team members, invested in cloud-based software and streamlined business processes.
In recent years, Colenso has also invested heavily into its sustainability offering, having project managed the installation of a number of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points, along with solar panel installations for a range of private landlords, ahead of the upcoming changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) up to 2030.
Lucy Glasby, head of Facilities Management at Colenso Property, said: “Having been part of the Colenso team for a number of years, the decision to invest within the business was an easy one, particularly given the exciting period of growth we are experiencing and expecting.
“I’m particularly excited to be working to expand our sustainability offering, working with our clients to improve their green credentials and significantly reduce energy bills in the long-term.”
Charles Harrison, head of Estates at Colenso Property, said: “Having taken the time to invest within the business during the pandemic, we have now been rewarded with a significant boost to our profitability. In light of this, we’re delighted to welcome Lucy to the board.
“She has been an integral part of Colenso’s success to date, particularly in allowing us to expand our offering during recent years to provide service charge consultancy and management across our multi-tenanted commercial properties.
“As a dedicated and talented member of the team, we couldn’t think of a better person to join the board, and we’re sure that she will play a crucial role during this next stage of our business journey.”Alexia Swift-Cookson, head of Asset Management at The Helmsley Group, whose portfolio of over 90 properties is managed by Colenso, added: “Having worked closely with Colenso for many years, we want to congratulate them on this latest appointment to the board.
“As a business, Colenso shares our enthusiasm for York and its property sector, and has always provided a fantastic service across our £200m portfolio. We want to congratulate the whole team on its recent, well-deserved success.”
The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology reveals calendar of courses for 2023
The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, University of Greenwich offers a wide range of short courses designed specifically for engineers involved in the handling and/or designing of equipment for bulk solid materials.
Course content, offered as a mixture of online learning and face to face training, is continually developed to reflect the changes occurring in industry and the needs of the engineer.
Many now offer a practical workshop in the on-site laboratories to complement the theoretical presentations and real-life case studies used.
The calendar of courses for 2023 includes:
9 – 10 May: Caking and Lump Formation of Powders and Bulk Solids; Concentration on issues relating to keeping powders and granules in a free-flowing, lump-free condition 16 – 18 May: Pneumatic Conveying of Bulk Materials; Identification of components of pneumatic conveying systems, system selection and design techniques 14 June: Dust Control for Processes; Identification and risk assessment within processing systems; studying dust prevention, capture and extraction methods 28 – 29 June: Pneumatic Conveying System Design; An in-depth exploration of detailed calculations for design of pneumatic pipelines and specifying plant (Advanced course) 11 – 15 September: Powder Handling and Flow for Additive Manufacturing; A guide through the critical aspects of powder management for powder-based AM processing 19 – 20 September: Commissioning and Troubleshooting ‘Hands-on’ Pneumatic Conveying Systems; A look at the practical challenges of starting up systems on site and making sure they work as the designer intended 17 – 19 October: Overview of Particulate Handling Technology; An introduction to the storing and handling of bulk materials, equipment selection and design methodologies for safe and reliable plant 7 – 9 November: Pneumatic Conveying of Bulk Materials; Identification of components of pneumatic conveying systems, system selection and design techniques 29 – 30 November: Pneumatic Conveying System Design; An in-depth exploration of detailed calculations for design of pneumatic pipelines and specifying plant (Advanced course) 5 & 6 December: Electrostatics in Powder Handling; the cause and effect of electrostatic charging in bulk solids handlingIf the course you are interested in is not shown, an In-Company course is possible.
For more information call 020 8331 8646, or contact wolfson-enquiries@gre.ac.ukCard Factory acquires South African firm for £2.5m
Card Factory, the Wakefield-headquartered retailer of greeting cards, gifts and celebration essentials, has acquired SA Greetings Corporation (Pty) Ltd and its subsidiaries, which trade as SA Greetings, for £2.5m.
SA Greetings is a wholesaler of greeting cards and gift packaging in South Africa. It also operates 24 ‘Cardies’ retail stores, with four further stores operated by franchisees, and owns and operates a roll-wrap production facility. Its head office and main warehouse are located in Johannesburg, with sales offices in Durban and Cape Town.
South Africa is one of the target territories for Card Factory’s partnership expansion. The acquisition of SA Greetings, supports this strategic growth pillar by providing access to key wholesale accounts through the company’s printing, merchandising and warehousing capacity.
Darcy Willson-Rymer, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of SA Greetings and look forward to working with our new colleagues. Under the continued leadership of SA Greetings MD, Willie Engelbrecht, we will closely collaborate to further enhance and develop opportunities for the Card Factory and SA Greetings businesses.
“SA Greetings brings with it significant experience operating a wholesale business, which can inform and support development of our retail partnership business, and is entirely aligned with Card Factory’s strategic plan for international expansion.
“As well as giving us a foothold into our target South African market, we will also be using their mature printing, merchandising and warehousing facilities to understand how we can deliver similar local capability in other target markets.”
North Yorkshire businesses boosted by broadband investment
A £29m scheme to dramatically enhance broadband speeds for North Yorkshire homes and businesses is in its fourth phase, connecting premises in some of the most technologically-isolated areas of the county.
The next stage of the Superfast North Yorkshire programme is targeting the most challenging areas of the county where it has previously not been viable to provide the improved internet connections. But with advancements in technology and the use of a new ultrafast ‘full fibre’ network with speeds of up to one gigabit, premises in deeply rural parts of North Yorkshire are being given faster and more reliable internet links.
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said: “The need to provide decent broadband connectivity to rural parts of the county has long been an aspiration of ours.
“The fact that it is now becoming a reality will be of a huge benefit to those communities that have been technologically disadvantaged for so long. We all know how reliable internet connections are so important for everyday life in the 21st century, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone has access to broadband wherever they are based.”
The fourth phase of the Superfast Broadband programme is due for completion next March, with almost 16,000 premises benefitting from vastly improved internet connections.
Executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman, whose portfolio includes broadband, said: “The roll-out of superfast broadband is having a profoundly positive impact for tens of thousands of North Yorkshire homes and businesses.
“The latest phase of the project is helping put in place some of the last remaining pieces of the jigsaw to help provide improved connectivity throughout the whole county, including some of the most rural parts of North Yorkshire.”
The first deeply rural area to benefit is centred on Buckden in the Yorkshire Dales. Among those villagers who have been given improved broadband connections is Gill Huck, who lives at Church Farm in Stubbing Lane in Hubberholme. Mrs Huck runs the 1,800-acre farm, which has 1,000 sheep and 100 cattle, with her husband, John, and their son, James, and his wife, Lucy.
Mrs Huck said: “To have the improved connection to the internet has really changed our lives. Before the connections were a lot slower and had a habit of dropping out, but now we have the peace of mind that we can actually access the internet when we want.
“It has helped so much with the running of the farm when we need to order supplies or fill out forms online – the internet is not something that is simply the preserve of towns and cities, and it is part of modern life wherever you live.”
The latest phase of the project is being managed by NYnet, a company owned by North Yorkshire Council, and run by Quickline Communications, a rural broadband provider based in Willerby near Hull.
NYnet CEO Alastair Taylor said: “So much work has been undertaken to address poor internet connections across the whole county. The fourth phase of the project will be a gamechanger for thousands of rural businesses and residents and highlights our commitment to delivering superfast internet speeds to all of North Yorkshire.”
Research has shown that connecting everyone in the UK to full fibre broadband by 2025 could remove 300 million commuter trips, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 360,000 tonnes each year. A fibre optic cable can send a signal over 120 miles without any significant loss of quality, while traditional copper cables can lose signal at just a mile.
Firms urged to guard against cyber attacks
Cyber crime is on the rise, with perpetrators becoming increasingly devious about the ways in which they infiltrate and disrupt company systems.
UK Global Cyber Crime figures reveal that the UK had the highest number of victims per million internet users with 4,783 last year – a rise of 20 per cent on 2020 figures. Thirty- nine per cent of businesses have reported a cyber threat.
Rising concerns have encouraged Lincolnshire IT specialist LCS IT Solutions (LCSIT) to team-up with website design and digital marketing firm DBS Digital and experienced cyber engagement officers – working under the banner of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (which covers the region’s five police forces) – to help county firms by sharing their expertise.
Together they are staging a high-profile event at The Lawn in Union Road, Lincoln on May 4, to ensure businesses are left in no doubt that cyber crime has the power to disrupt businesses of all sizes. They say it is vital that businesses remain alert to potential problems.
Lincolnshire-based LCSIT Managing Director Anthony Bryant said: “Some businesses simply think that cybercrime won’t happen to them. Others admit they are fearful of the unknown and businesses and organisations with compliance concerns, such as those working in the finance and health sectors, have their own particular worries.
“It is clear that criminals are exploiting gaps within businesses where cyber security managers, who may be burnt-out by always having to be on their guard, may have inadvertently left a business open to attack.”
Lincolnshire Police’s former Community Support Officer Justin Mekkaoui joined its Cyber Protection team a year ago. He is joining the East Midlands Special Ops Unit’s Cyber Engagement lead Sergeant Nick Stenner to speak at the Lawn event, which runs from 8am to 11.30am.
Sgt Stenner said: “We are determined to raise awareness during our presentation, which will explain how participants can protect their online accounts. We will also focus on data breaches, the value of personal data, phishing attacks, ransomware, antivirus and firewalls, the use of public wi-fi and more.”
Justin Mekkaoui said: “This event will also feature a Question-and-Answer session and we will be encouraging participants to speak-up if they have any points they feel unsure about.”
Lincoln-based website and digital marketing firm DBS Digital’s diverse client base includes business owners who often ask questions about cyber space matters.
DBS Digital Managing Director Julie Priestley said: “Cyber crime is one of the biggest threats to our business, at DBS our goal is to guide and support businesses in website design and digital marketing, supporting cyber security awareness goes hand in hand with that goal.”
Business owners and managers can book their FREE place at this event by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cyber-threats-what-you-need-to-know-tickets- 597651731417
Construction starts on 400,000 sq ft smart logistics development in Doncaster
Construction of a state-of-the-art 405,411 sq ft distribution and logistics facility in South Yorkshire has started at Eclipse, Doncaster.
Building contractor Bowmer & Kirkland has been appointed to deliver the smart scheme. CBRE’s Industrial team in Leeds, alongside Colliers, are joint agents for the Grade A industrial space, acting for Blackbrook and Rula Developments.
Doncaster Council granted planning consent in December 2022 for the speculative development unit, a scheme by Blackbrook Capital and Rula Developments, which is scheduled for completion in January 2024 and is expected to achieve a BREEAM Excellent certification and EPC A Rating.
Blackbrook is a specialist investment firm focused on future-proof supply chain infrastructure across Europe. Rula Developments is a commercial developer focused on identifying and developing sites across the UK for immediate development or for medium to longer-term strategic development, delivering high quality buildings and schemes.
Blackbrook has invested in the carbon neutral building which will deliver 381,150 sq ft of much needed high quality, modern warehouse/industrial space to meet demand in the region. The development has capacity for up to 100% coverage of roof solar PV panels and will deliver more than 24,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation with 256 car parking spaces and 26 EV charging points on site.
Mike Baugh, executive director, CBRE Leeds Industrial team, said: “We are delighted to see works starting on site at the brand new Eclipse logistics development which will deliver much needed high quality industrial space to the regional pipeline. Eclipse offers market-leading sustainability credentials, designed specifically to reduce energy use, mitigate climate risk and boost biodiversity. It fulfils a number of ESG criteria sought after by occupiers.”
Alice Vacani, vice president at Blackbrook, said: “We are excited to see ground breaking on this excellent new addition to our portfolio. We prioritise sustainability at the design, construction and operations of our assets which perfectly align with the growing needs and demands of customers. The development is strategically located with prime highway connections, providing a gateway to the region and wider UK logistics network.”
Ben Ward, Managing Director at Rula Developments, said: “With limited speculative development taking place within the industrial and logistics sector, at a time of severe supply shortages, we are proud to be driving forwards with this extensive unit.”
TV antiques star sells Bradford business
TV antiques show dealer Tim Hogarth has sold his Bradford business.
A mainstay of the Dickinson’s Real Deal programme on ITV1 ever since it first aired in 2006, Tim has sold his two shops in Bradford city centre to Harvey and Thompson Ltd (H&T), who operate the UK’s largest pawnbroking chain.
In freeing him up to devote more attention to his Red House Antique Centre in York, as well as his television work, Tim considered it essential that the buyer KBS Corporate identified as the best fit for Hogarth Antiques Ltd would continue to care for the interests of his customers and six employees.
He is convinced they will be in good hands with H&T, who are the industry leader in the UK.
“It was absolutely 100% important to me to make sure the staff, some of whom I had trained up and had worked for me since leaving school, were looked after,” said Tim.
“I have great confidence that the transition will prove to be nice and easy for the staff to move over and I know that will be the priority for H&T as well.”
While he has no specific new plans in the pipeline at present, Tim’s idea is to invest the extra time he now has available on developing his existing business interests.
“I’m looking to continue with Red House Antiques and spend more time there,” he added. “Having the Bradford shops was quite intense and took up a lot of time, which meant I couldn’t spend as much time at Red House.”
And, of course, filming for series 19 of highly popular and successful antiques programme Dickinson’s Real Deal was due to begin on Saturday April 22nd in Stoke-on-Trent.
Regarding his own ‘real deal’ which was overseen by KBS corporate deal executive Kaitlin Warburton, Tim expressed his satisfaction with the sale of his business.
“I was happy, it was an easy process and KBS handled it well,” he said.
Entrepreneurial hub opens at University of Huddersfield
A new space has opened at the University of Huddersfield, with the purpose of supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners develop their creative ideas.
Titled the ‘Maker Space’, it will allow people the opportunity to use specialist tools and equipment they might otherwise not have access to.
The Maker Space is a collaborative project between the University of Huddersfield and Business Kirklees – Kirklees Council’s business, economy and growth service – and Santander Universities, and is housed in the University’s Barbara Hepworth Building.
Maker Space was officially launched at an event in the Barbara Hepworth Building, where students and budding entrepreneurs pitched their ideas at an audience including local business people, members of Kirklees council and University academics. Santander Universities director Matt Hutnell was in attendance to mark the occasion, offering their continued to support for student and graduate entrepreneurship at the University.
The offering will specifically be open to businesses and entrepreneurs who are engaging with Business Kirklees or the University of Huddersfield’s Enterprise Team around developing their business, with the aim of helping them learn new skills and develop ideas.
With access to a wide range of equipment – encompassing everything from 3D printers, Arduino and sewing machines to Apple Macs with Adobe creative software – entrepreneurs will be able to develop in every aspect of the creative process to spur their business along.
As well as offering access to specialist equipment, the Maker Space will provide a physical place for creatives to come together and work alongside like-minded individuals.
The Maker Space is a £71,895 investment, and Kirklees Council have contributed £30,000 of this funding through a revenue grant to help kickstart the project. This funding covers the Maker Space for an initial six-month trial period, running up to 30 September 2023. Whether the project continues beyond September will be based on its success and uptake.
While this Maker Space is open specifically to young businesses, plans are also being developed to open another Maker Space in North Kirklees which will be less business-focused and available for use by the general public.
David Shepherd, Kirklees Council’s Strategic Director for Growth & Regeneration, said: “This is a fantastic initiative which will allow young businesses the opportunity to work with the kind of state-of-the-art resources and learning they might otherwise not have access to.
“The Maker Space has so much to offer, and I hope to see people using it to really develop their creative ideas, products, services and business plans, and to create new connections with like-minded people – something that’s invaluable when you’re building a business. This is a fantastic addition to the support we already provide for small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs in Kirklees.”
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan CBE added: “This is a wonderful collaborative effort and I’m really excited about the possibilities that the Maker Space holds for students and graduates from the University of Huddersfield and for the wider community.
“The resources that we are providing, from Arduino to overlockers will lead to the creation of new opportunities, new businesses and innovation. I urge people to find out more and see what they can do in the space and with the resources.”
New Sheffield premises for specialist prosthetics and orthotics company
STEPS Prosthetics, a specialist prosthetics and orthotics company, has acquired a new site on Little London Road in Sheffield.
STEPS Prosthetics was launched last year by directors Colette Shaw and Peter Durkin, who have over 20 years’ experience in delivering private, bespoke prosthetics and orthotic solutions following serious injury.
They design, manufacture, fit and support amputee clients, and work in partnership with STEPS Rehabilitation to be the only provider of residential amputee rehabilitation services in the UK.
Independent law firm Taylor Emmet LLP supported STEPS Prosthetics on the move. Led by senior associate Richard Whiteley, the firm’s commercial property team acted as legal advisors to STEPS Prosthetics, and helped settle the terms of the lease involved, working with the landlord of the site to complete the legalities less than a month after receiving the draft documents.
“As a young company, we are delighted to be making this move to larger premises so soon after launching,” says director and founder, Colette Shaw. “Having a larger workshop, consultation and rehabilitation space allows us to support more clients who have suffered life-changing injuries following an accident. Last year we also opened our first satellite outpatient clinic based at Neural Pathways in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear. Being able to work out of three different premises allows us to give an enhanced level of service to clients.”
Richard said: “We were delighted to advise STEPS Prosthetics as the company moves into a state-of-the-art new home. The building on Little London Road is part of a development which was built four years ago. We have advised on the acquisition of other retail units in the same location, enabling us to swiftly complete the necessary legalities on behalf of the STEPS Prosthetics team. It is great to see the site now fully occupied.”
New laws introduced today aim to prevent rip-offs in the online economy
New legislation is being introduced today to ensure businesses and consumers are protected from rip-offs and can reap the full benefits of the digital economy with confidence.
Fake reviews that cheat customers, subscription traps that cost more than a billion pounds a year and new powers for the Competition and Markets Authority to tackle businesses that breach consumer rights law are all elements of today’s far-reaching Bill.
In competitive markets, firms strive to give consumers the best products, most choice, and lowest possible prices. The Bill will provide the CMA with stronger tools to investigate competition problems and take faster, more effective action, including where companies collude to bump-up prices at the expense of UK consumers.
The CMA will be able to directly enforce consumer law rather than go through lengthy court processes. The reforms will also heighten the consequences for wrongdoers as the CMA and the courts will have the power to impose penalties of up to 10% of global turnover for breaching consumer law.
Today’s Bill will also enable the Government to ban the practice of facilitating fake reviews or advertising consumer reviews without taking reasonable steps to check they are genuine. New rules will ensure consumers can exit subscriptions in a straightforward, cost-effective, and timely way and require that businesses issue a reminder to consumers when a free trial or introductory offer is coming to an end.
This will help deliver one of the Government’s five priorities to grow the economy by increasing consumer choice and confidence in the products they buy and services they use.
Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “Smartphones and online shopping have profoundly changed the landscape for businesses, consumers and the foundations of a modern thriving economy, which now lie in strong consumer choice, confidence and competition.
“From abuse of power by tech giants, to fake reviews, scams and rip-offs like being caught in a subscription trap – consumers deserve better. The new laws we’re delivering today will empower the CMA to directly enforce consumer law, strengthen competition in digital markets and ensure that people across the country keep hold of their hard-earned cash.”
