Lupton Fawcett names new head for Sheffield office

Tess Egginton
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Lupton Fawcett names new head for Sheffield office

Law firm Lupton Fawcett LLP has appointed a new head for its Sheffield office.

Sarah Sargent will lead the South Yorkshire team as Lupton Fawcett continues to make strides in their ambitious plans for growth and culture over the coming months.

As part of a series of decisive actions to drive organisational development and embed change, Sarah will play a pivotal role in supporting people in the Sheffield office to achieve firm-wide goals.

Sarah, who is also Head of Residential Property, joined the firm in 2015 and became a partner in 2019. She has more than 20 years’ legal experience and is also a Law Society Council member.

Sarah said: “We are a close-knit team here at Sheffield who all complement each other well to meet the needs of our clients and we have a real strength in experience and expertise in the fields we are working in.

“I’m looking forward to leading the team to further accomplishments in the coming months and am excited about maximising the opportunities that are available to us.

“We have the people, the teams and the experience and now we’re ready to make further impacts on the Sheffield legal scene and build upon on our reputation for providing client service without compromise.”

James Richardson, Lupton Fawcett’s managing partner, said: “Sarah brings a wealth of experience to this role. She has played a key role in driving our change initiatives firm-wide and her leadership skills have been key to the development of our people in Sheffield.

“Sarah’s practical and engaging approach is an example for all at Lupton Fawcett and we are proud to have her in our leadership team. Our plans for growth in Sheffield are supported and driven by this appointment and we are confident that Sarah is the perfect fit for us moving forwards.”

Renewables company makes eleventh strategic acquisition

Tess Egginton
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Renewables company makes eleventh strategic acquisition
Cleantech business Green Building Renewables has expanded its nationwide network into Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire with its eleventh acquisition.   

Newark-based JL Phillips Renewable Energy Limited increases the company’s turnover to £42 million as it remains on track to reach its £100 million turnover target by the end of 2025.

Since 2021, Green Building Renewables has increased its turnover more than tenfold from £3m to over £40m. Its rapid growth reflects the increasing demand for renewable technology in domestic and commercial settings.

JL Philips’ acquisition allows Green Building Renewables to expand further into Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The company already has an existing office in Nottingham. 

Green Building Renewables’ continued strategic vision is to extend the benefits of solar energy and low carbon heating to as many local communities as possible by investing into existing local reputable renewable installation companies. 

Managing Director of Green Building Renewables, Chris Delaney, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jason and his team to ours. JL Phillips is our eleventh acquisition and it demonstrates our commitment to continually investing in renewables and low carbon technology across the country as we aim to build the largest renewable installation company in the UK.” 

Jason Phillips, Managing Director of JL Phillips, added: “Our team is excited about joining Green Building Renewables’ nationwide network of renewable energy experts. The model that Chris and his team are building to offer local installers across the country is important. It ensures that customers get the best local service they can from installers who know their area and understand their needs.” 

The investment into JL Phillips will increase jobs by 25% in the region and is part of a wider strategy to recruit and train the renewable workforce of the future. There remains a skills shortage in the UK when it comes to qualified solar panel installers and heat pump engineers.

In the last two years, Green Building Renewables has grown from one office in York to 15 regional offices across England. By the end of 2024 the company aims to have full coverage of England. 

Staff numbers have increased sixfold in the last two years and the aim this year is to increase staff numbers by a further 60%. The SME has recruited 19 staff already in 2024 and currently has 20 vacancies across the business.  

Chris Joubert, Merger and Acquisition Director at Green Building renewables, added: “JL Phillips is the second acquisition of the year for the company and it’s only March. We are in active conversations with other companies, and we are confident that by the end of the year we will have complete coverage of England through our nationwide local network. This will ensure everyone in the country will be able to access our trusted and highly rated services.”

Lease agreed to transform Cole Brothers building

Tess Egginton
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Lease agreed to transform Cole Brothers building
Plans to transform Sheffield’s former Cole Brothers building in Barker’s Pool are one step closer with Urban Splash signing a lease for the building with the Council. The ambitious plans will see the space turned into a mixed-use entertainment, leisure and retail venue. In the coming months, the regeneration company will begin consulting with the people of Sheffield on their plans for the building and gathering thoughts and ideas. The proposals would see the building become a mixed-use scheme comprising flexible workspace and cafes/retail/leisure/cultural uses/event space which are all considered to be complementary uses to the rest of the Heart of the City project. Bringing this listed building back into active use will be hugely beneficial both for the wider city centre and the surrounding Heart of the City scheme. Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, said: “It is fantastic to see another significant milestone achieved for this project. The former Cole Brothers building is an important and much loved part of Sheffield city centre and it will be great to breathe new life back into it. “The work complements the schemes already being developed across the city including the Heart of the City, West Bar, and Fargate. We are creating a city centre that will be a destination for people to come and relax, shop, eat, work, and drink.” Nathan Cornish, Group Board Director at Urban Splash, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Sheffield City Council to regenerate this iconic building. “Almost everyone I meet from Sheffield has a story to tell and we’re thrilled to be playing a part in its next chapter. We are still in the early stages and we are looking forward to consulting with the local community and stakeholders as we start to work up our plans.”

Water company workers given access to new whistleblower portal

Stuart Pearcey
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Water company workers given access to new whistleblower portal
A new portal has been launched to make it easier for internal water company whistleblowers to safely report serious environmental wrongdoing by their water companies. In a bid to crack down on sewage pollution and other environmental wrongdoing, workers are being encouraged to alert the Environment Agency to any concerns, which will then be assessed by the regulator’s expert intelligence teams, with the identities of reporters protected and treated as confidential sources. Any findings can be used to support enforcement action against companies, if appropriate, including unlimited financial penalties and criminal prosecution. As well as water companies, people working in the waste, nuclear, fishing, agricultural, and chemical sectors can also use the portal to report concerns and they are urged to use it if they do not feel able to raise issues with their company directly. Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “We share the public’s disgust with sewage pollution and know there’s always more that can be done to protect our waterways. This new whistleblowing portal allows workers to raise their concerns and we encourage people to come forward, knowing any information will be treated in confidence and with sensitivity.

“The more evidence we have to identify potential criminality, then the more actions we can take to make lasting improvements to our environment.”

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “We have been clear we will not tolerate pollution and water companies need to act quickly to improve their environmental performance. This whistleblowing portal is another measure which will help the regulator gather vital intelligence and hold rule-breakers to account.

“It builds on our recent work to ban inappropriate executive bonuses and plans to quadruple the number of water company inspections by the Environment Agency – ensuring we continue to protect our waterways with more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement action.”

The announcement follows a series of improvements the government and the EA has delivered to water regulation in recent months, including plans for a fourfold increase in water company inspections to hold companies to account. Subject to consultation, EA inspections will rise to 4,000 a year by the end of March 2025 and then to more than 10,000 from April 2025. This will include an increase in unannounced inspections – strengthening oversight of water companies and providing greater assurance alongside operator self-monitoring. To find the portal search ‘whistleblowing’ at gov.uk

Acquisitive IT firm secures investment for growth

Tess Egginton
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Acquisitive IT firm secures investment for growth
Managed IT service provider Everything Tech Group has expanded its strategic growth plans following an investment deal with NatWest. The funding will support Everything Tech Group’s growth strategy and the first acquisition following the NatWest investment has been secured. Everything Tech Group has completed the purchase of North West-based outsourced hosted solutions business, Cardium Outsourcing Limited, which has traded as Your Office Anywhere. Mark Allen, CFO & Co Founder of Everything Tech Group, said: “The support from Max Ward at independence Capital alongside NatWest underpins our strategic acquisition approach, enabling us to deliver our growth plans at an accelerated pace. “Armed with this investment, we will continue to grow both organically and through M&A during 2024 and beyond, aligning with our clear business objectives and vision for the future.  The immediate M&A growth this investment will finance allows us to scale up faster and amplify our current growth further.” On the acquisition of Cardium Outsourcing Limited, Mark said: “It’s not just Enterprise customers who need visibility, cost control and security from cloud platforms. We felt this presented an excellent opportunity to extend our products further and was an excellent fit for Everything Tech. It will bolster and enhance our existing portfolio.” Tom Murray, Vice President of UK Financing Solutions at NatWest, said: “We are delighted to have supported Everything Tech Group with our recent investment and look forward to continuing to work with them. “At NatWest, we are proud to champion ambitious businesses by providing smart financing solutions that unlock strategic growth opportunities for our clients. This is a great example of a flexible investment that will support Everything Tech Group, as the business goes from strength-to-strength.” With offices in Sheffield, Derby and Manchester, Everything Tech Group — which started life as MITSG — was founded in 2021 by Mark Allen and Phil Smith. It has grown rapidly following a series of acquisitions through a secured investment from BOOST & Co in February 2022 and went on to complete four acquisitions that year, including IT Farm, the CSS Group, cloud communications specialist Nexbridge Communications and finally Everything Tech.

Derbyshire engineering business acquires Rotherham insulation firm

Tess Egginton
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Derbyshire engineering business acquires Rotherham insulation firm
Derbyshire-headquartered engineering business Cullum Detuners has acquired Jade Insulation, which has premises in Rotherham and Feltham. Jade Insulation specialises in insulation and trace heating solutions for all industrial markets, emphasising water utility and waste to power (biomass). Mark Jansen, Cullum Group Managing Director, said: “This acquisition supports our long- term goal of wider market diversification and business simplification. “Jade complements our Group product offering well, and we believe we are well placed to support the incumbent leadership team’s growth goals and aspirations. “I would like to thank Colin Tarry and Peter White, for their support during what was a smooth and collaborative sale process and wish them both the best for the future.” Jade will remain a dedicated trading entity, with no plans to integrate into the wider Cullum Group.

Scunthorpe-headquartered mobility equipment retailer secures investment

Tess Egginton
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Scunthorpe-headquartered mobility equipment retailer secures investment
Foresight Group, a regional private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has invested into Eden Mobility, the retailers of mobility equipment. Eden was formed in 1998 by long-term business partners of over 25 years, David Hughes and Karl Howe. They started Eden from its first showroom in Bentley, Doncaster, and have established Eden as a leading retailer. It is headquartered in Scunthorpe and has 32 stores nationally employing over 100 people. Investment from Foresight’s North West and Yorkshire & North East focussed funds will enable Eden to further expand its footprint across the UK. Foresight is supporting the company’s growth through elevating members of the existing management team to board level roles. Lee Jagger has been promoted to Sales Director, having previously held multiple senior sales positions prior to joining Eden, where he has been instrumental in delivering the revenue growth. Will Bailey has also been promoted to Operations Director, after rising rapidly through Eden since initially starting in the IT team. The senior team will be further bolstered through the appointment of a new and highly experienced CEO and Chair. Marek Laskowski has been appointed as CEO, bringing with him vital experience from Ann Summers and Mamas and Papas, two retailers whose business model is also built on in-store staff-based sales and where he managed 100 plus stores with over 1,000 employees. Andy Torrance joins as Chair. Starting his career on the shop floor, Andy rose to the board that carved Halfords out of Boots with private equity backing, before subsequently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Dunelm and Holland & Barrett. Andy is now the Chair of Angling Direct, following three years as its CEO. A finance director is also set to be appointed. Richard Ralph, Investment manager, Foresight Group, said: “As Yorkshire and the North East’s leading elderly mobility equipment retailer, we are delighted to support Eden Mobility on its next stage of growth. “We are backing a strong existing and incoming management team to deliver an accelerated growth plan in a substantial, growing and unconsolidated market. We have every confidence the team will establish Eden as the UK’s leading elderly mobility equipment retailer.” Karl Howe, Co-Founder, Eden Mobility, said: “We are delighted to welcome Foresight Group, Marek and Andy into the Eden Family. “With Foresight’s investment we are excited to see the Eden brand continue its growth story, as we strive to create the market leading national mobility equipment retailer, serving people in local communities throughout the UK, who require high quality mobility equipment and a first-class service. “We are incredibly grateful for the hard work and support of our advisors in delivering the transaction, without which the transaction simply would not have happened.”

Yorkshire businesses UK’s most confident in March

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire businesses UK’s most confident in March

Yorkshire and the Humber recorded the strongest business confidence of any UK nation or region in the UK in March, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Companies in Yorkshire and the Humber reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 33 points at 70%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy – up 25 points to 50% – it gives a headline confidence reading of 60% (vs. 31% in February).

A net balance of 48% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up nine points on last month.

Looking ahead to the next six months, the region’s businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example by hiring new staff or investing in training (50%), evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (39%) and introducing new technology, such as AI or automation (39%).

The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

National picture

Overall UK business confidence registered 42% in March, the same as in February, as firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects (49%) held steady, and confidence in the economy strengthened by one point (35%).

The North East (56%) was the second most confident UK region or nation in March after Yorkshire and the Humber, followed by London (52%).

Sector insights

Services confidence fell 5 points to 40%, the first decline since December. That drop, however, was offset by rises in confidence in the manufacturing, retail and construction sectors.

The gains in manufacturing (up 1 point to 41%) and construction (up 2 points to 40%) were relatively modest and confidence remained below levels seen at the start of 2024. Firms in the retail sector reported improved confidence (up 5 points to 45%), which was the strongest result for over two years.

Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Not only are many Yorkshire businesses seeing bright spots in the economy, but most are also confident that their own prospects will improve, even if headwinds persist – a testament to the region’s resilience. We could see optimism climb even higher if positive trends like slowing inflation continue over the coming months.

“As firms look to capitalise on this confidence, we’ll be by their side with our funding and support – whether it’s to back the investments in their team that so many have planned, or to help businesses capitalise on potentially transformative technologies.”

Eddisons helps Bradford City Council to investigate solar farm feasibility

Stuart Pearcey
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Eddisons helps Bradford City Council to investigate solar farm feasibility
Property consultancy Eddisons has been appointed by Bradford City Council to investigate the viability of developing solar farms at two sites. Land close to the Odsal Stadium and another strategic site in Keighley are to be assessed by Eddisons to investigate the costs, funding and potential design of the two sites being developed as solar farms. The Odsal site had been earmarked for a solar farm development as part of the proposed £50m regeneration scheme proposal to transform the Bradford Bulls home into the largest covered stadium in the country along with a new rugby league skills centre, but the plan was turned down by the Government for levelling up funding last year. Eddisons’ head of sustainability and decarbonisation Nazar Soofi said: “Large-scale green energy projects like these could be a really significant development for Bradford City Council in helping to reach its net zero goals.
“Over the coming months we will assess the viability of the project and the funding structure that would ensure it makes best use of public money. “These are both brownfield sites with some contamination of the land. The development of solar farms, which would generate significant levels of renewable energy, would potentially be an innovative use for them and marks out Bradford City Council as being ahead of the curve on green issues. We will have a conclusive answer on completion of the feasibility studies.” If the projects are given the go ahead and obtain planning consent, it is anticipated that work would begin next year and that the solar farms would be operational by 2026. Javid Patel, who heads Eddisons public sector team, said: “Naz’s knowledge and expertise in delivering decarbonisation projects and helping steer clients’ sustainable and environmentally conscious practices is invaluable. “Our new infrastructure team is fully equipped to advise on and manage projects across energy centres, highways and telecoms, through to nuclear power stations. We have seen an immediate demand for our services across both the public sector, with schemes such as Bradford’s potential solar farms, and among private sector clients with infrastructure issues to manage.”

More jobs for Barnsley as slime manufacturer expands into larger premises

Stuart Pearcey
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More jobs for Barnsley as slime manufacturer expands into larger premises
Specialist toy slime manufacturer Slime Party UK has upsized its operations with a move to larger premises in Barnsley, and plans to increase its workforce by two thirds. The novelty sensory putty retailer has taken 14,291 sq ft of industrial and warehousing space at Unit 19 Redbrook Business Park in the town, and will expand its staff with ten new jobs this summer. The expanding business had outgrown its existing unit on Industry Road in Carlton, Barnsley, and is now using its new base to make and distribute its range of 16 collectible sensory putty. Agents Knight Frank, acting for landlord Industrials, secured the new unit for the company, which was started in the town in 2018 by Ruby Sheldon, and has since made more than 800,000 pots of putty to customers worldwide. Ruby said: “I set up Slime Party UK after the craze hit the UK in 2017 and my kids were trying to make it. I then devised a special compound for our products which means there’s the fun of slime, without the mess. Since then our business has grown. In 2022 there were three staff, now it’s 16 and the move will bring 10 new jobs later this summer. “Our former unit in Carlton had become too small and this new base offers racking space, the offices we need, further recruitment plans and allows easy access for distribution.” Slime Party UK supplies toy shops and stores across the world including Fenwicks, British Garden Centres and Toytown with the most distant clients being 13 toy megastores in The Lebanon.
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