Sweco UK acquires Ball & Berry
Leeds engineering, environment, design and regulatory consultancy Sweco UK has acquired Ball & Berry.
Established in 2007 and with six offices in England, Ball & Berry provides Approved Inspector services in several sectors including commercial, residential, education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial and leisure. Ball & Berry employs around 40 people and had reported revenues of £3.4m in 2022.
Max Joy, business area president of Sweco UK, says: “This is an exciting new chapter in Sweco’s growth story here in the UK. Sweco and Ball & Berry share the same business and cultural values focused on clients, professional development and creating safe, secure and comfortable spaces for the end user.
“By coming together, we are ensuring that we have the right skills and knowledge to respond to our clients’ future needs as well as to the upcoming changes to the Building Safety Act.”
Paul Eggleton, division manager for Building Standards at Sweco UK, adds: “I am delighted to welcome Ball & Berry into the Building Standards Division of Sweco. Together we will strengthen our reputation and expertise as market leaders in the Building Control sector and continue our class leading regulatory service guiding clients from design through to building completion.”
Paul McNeill, director at Ball & Berry, said: “Since myself, David Hodgson and David Clarke joined Ball & Berry as directors in 2010/11, the business has undergone a journey of exceptional growth and transformation.
“Over recent years, we’ve opened several new offices in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, London and Maidstone, and recruited highly skilled Building Control professionals and administrative support staff to service a growing portfolio of clients who rely on our team for outstanding technical expertise that aids quality, seamless and successful projects.
“Coming together with Sweco – a company with the same passion for excellence – was an easy decision. Our combined expertise, and united values, culture and ethos will deliver incredible strength in our marketplace. Sweco’s strategy is underpinned by integrity, performance and a clear vision to put people at the heart of what they do, which very much mirrors that of Ball & Berry.”
This is the first acquisition for Sweco UK since it acquired MLM Group in May 2019.
Sweco was advised on the transaction by the Leeds offices of Squire Patton Boggs and EY’s transaction and SPA teams, which were led by Paul Mann and Matthew Vernon. Ball & Berry was represented by Forbes solicitors, led by Jenny Burke.
The value of the share purchase agreement (SPA) is undisclosed.
Channel 4 launches permanent news base in Leeds
Channel 4 has launched a permanent news base in Leeds, with the daily bulletin set to be delivered from two national newsrooms as the broadcaster expands its commitment to nations and regions coverage.
The move will also see journalism students able to hone their broadcasting skills on a TV set used by Channel 4 News presenters, thanks to a special collaboration with the University of Leeds, with the programme donating high-performance equipment and technology from its temporary studio in Leeds to the School of Media and Communication.
The old set with its distinctive purple and white colouring will now be disassembled and brought onto campus where it will be given a new lease of life as a TV studio for undergraduates studying for a BA in Journalism.
Kristyn Gorton, head of the School of Media and Communication, said: “We are very grateful for Channel 4 News’ kind donation, and would like to thank Head of Regions, Sunita Bhatti, and the rest of the Channel 4 News team in Leeds for the opportunity to utilise such a well-recognised TV set.
“It will be put to good use by students and staff within the School of Media and Communication and I know they’re already looking forward to using it on the BA Journalism newsdays.”
Channel 4 News has been operating in Leeds since early 2022, with daily programming from its temporary studio.
It says the new studio will serve as a reminder of the programme’s commitment to and investment in regional production, contributing significantly to the rapidly evolving local, cultural economy in the city.
Esme Wren, editor of Channel 4 News, said: “We’re delighted to be forging this partnership with the University of Leeds as we continue to invest heavily in the region with the launch of our permanent studio in Leeds.
“Our industry is only as good as the talent we develop and the opportunities we create, so we hope this donation will support the University in continuing to shape some of the country’s brightest young journalists.”
Streets Chartered Accountants shares expert insight in latest news update
Streets Chartered Accountants has released its latest news update, sharing expert insight.
Tax-free allowance on trading and property income
A reminder that there are two separate annual £1,000 tax allowances for property and trading income. If you have both types of income highlighted below, then you can claim a £1,000 allowance for each. Read more.
Losing your personal income tax allowance
If you earn over £100,000 in any tax year your personal allowance is gradually reduced by £1 for every £2 of adjusted net income over £100,000 irrespective of age. This means that any taxable receipt that boosts your income over £100,000 will result in a reduction in personal tax allowances. Accordingly, your personal Income Tax allowance would be reduced to zero if your adjusted net income is £125,140 or above. Read more.
Rent-a-room relief
The rent-a-room scheme is a set of special rules designed to help homeowners who rent-a-room in their home. If you are using this scheme, you should ensure that rents received from lodgers during the current tax year do no exceed £7,500. The tax exemption is automatic if you earn less than £7,500 and there are no specific tax reporting requirements. If required, homeowners can opt out of the scheme and record property income and expenses as usual. Read more.
Full expensing started 1 April 2023
The new 100% first-year capital allowance for qualifying plant and machinery assets known as full expensing came into effect on 1 April 2023. This measure is expected to help boost business investment and growth. Read more.
Tax when you sell property
The annual exempt amount applicable to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) has been reduced to £6,000 (from £12,300) for the new 2023-24 tax year. Read more.
Letting relief
In general, there is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) due on the disposal of a property which has been used as the main family residence. This relief from CGT is commonly known as ‘private residence relief’. However, where all or part of the home has been rented out the entitlement to relief may be affected. Homeowners that let all or part of their house may not benefit from the full private residence relief, but may benefit from letting relief. Read more.
Stamp Duty on shared ownership property
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is payable whether you buy a freehold property, a new or existing leasehold property or a shared ownership property. Read more.
VAT guidance for overseas sellers
New simplified VAT guidance for overseas sellers has been published by HMRC. Read more.
Take advantage of new pension tax reforms
The new pension tax reforms that were announced in the recent Spring Budget took effect from 6 April 2023. Read more.
Mobile phones and tax
When an employer incurs costs for the provision of mobile phones to employees it is important to understand the correct tax treatment of these expenses. Read more.
Paying tax by credit or debit card
HMRC has not accepted personal credit card payments since January 2018 when credit card surcharges on personal credit cards were banned. However, HMRC continues to accept payments by corporate credit card or corporate debit cards. The use of these cards is subject to a fee. Payment by personal debit cards is currently fee-free. There is also no charge for payment by Direct Debit, bank transfer or cheque. Read more.
Tax Diary May/June 2023
1 May 2023 – Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 30 July 2022.
19 May 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 May 2023 (if you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 May 2023).
19 May 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 May 2023.
19 May 2023 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 May 2023 is payable by today.
31 May 2023 – Ensure all employees have been given their P60s for the 2022/23 tax year.
1 June 2023 – Due date for corporation tax due for the year ended 31 August 2022.
19 June 2023 – PAYE and NIC deductions due for month ended 5 June 2023 (if you pay your tax electronically the due date is 22 June 2023).
19 June 2023 – Filing deadline for the CIS300 monthly return for the month ended 5 June 2023.
19 June 2023 – CIS tax deducted for the month ended 5 June 2023 is payable by today.
Read more
Work hits major milestone on new Leeds tower
Construction of a new landmark 20-storey residential tower in Leeds city centre’s Arena Quarter has hit a major milestone after a topping out ceremony was held to mark it reaching its highest point.
Known as Live Oasis St Albans Place, the scheme on Wade Lane is being developed specifically for the city’s burgeoning student market, by Infinity Construction Enterprise Limited, part of the YPP Group.
The development will consist of 212 furnished apartments, complete with their own kitchens, en-suite bathrooms and living areas, as well as first-class amenities.
Principal contractor, Farrans Construction will complete work on the development this summer and the apartments will be ready to move into in time for the start of the 2023/24 academic year. The scheme will be managed by YPP Lettings, under the company’s Live Oasis brand.
A spokesperson for YPP said: “The topping out of this development is a major milestone. This is YPP’s biggest development to date and from the outset our ambition has been to push the boundaries of what we do both as a developer and in terms of student accommodation in Leeds.
“The result is a landmark building, in a really exciting area, that will genuinely offer the wow factor, complete with spectacular views from the upper floors and an amazing eighth storey roof terrace for residents to enjoy. This is in addition to all the amenities that make our Live Oasis developments so popular including numerous study areas, residents’ lounges, private dining facilities, concierge services and a fully equipped gym with separate workout studios.
“As a result, we’re already receiving enquiries from students who want to live in what promises to be the city’s hottest student address and we’re really looking forward to work completing in the coming months.”
Cathal Montague, regional director for Farrans Construction, said: “The topping out milestone, particularly on a building of this size, is a good moment for the team involved to take a step back and take stock of what has been achieved so far. It has been a challenging year for the construction industry and we are pleased to be on programme with this project. It is a testament to the hard work of the project team and the excellent collaboration that has been taking place between our client, architects, supply chain and YPP.
“The cutting-edge design has relied exclusively on precast construction from the first floor upwards with a façade design and high-quality material palette. We have been able to optimise the speed of construction using innovative technology without compromising on the luxury finish. The precast panels offer a more sustainable approach to construction delivery as well as working well in a tight site footprint by minimising the lorry deliveries. We have a lot of experience of delivering technically challenging projects of this nature, in a central location, with a small site footprint and using Modern Methods of Construction.”
In addition to Live Oasis St Albans Place, this year YPP will also complete work on another 168-apartment scheme in the Arena Quarter, known as Live Oasis Merrion Street Gardens and a 133-apartment scheme, called Q Three Residence, on Westgate.
Get a team together and make a splash for LIVES this summer!
Only a few weeks to go until the 6th Lincoln annual Dragon Boat Race will be taking place on the Brayford Waterfront.
The spectacular event, taking place on Saturday 17th June, has become one of the biggest in the City’s event calendar, attracting hundreds of spectators and competitors on the day.
This year the event is raising money for Lincolnshire’s first responders LIVES and already nearly 20 teams have signed up to take part on the day.
There is still plenty of time to raise a team and join in the fun! So, get your team of up to 10 paddlers, plus a drummer, together and get ready to battle it out in ornate 30-foot Chinese dragon boats.
The event promises to be colourful and great fun, no previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit!
As well as the boat racing there will also be plenty of family activities, food and drink stalls along the Brayford Waterfront for the whole family to enjoy.
Teams will be encouraged to raise money for LIVES through sponsorship and fundraising.
Kirsty Raywood from LIVES said: “We are delighted to have received such an excellent response to our call for crews from local businesses across the region. The Dragon Boat Race promises to be a great day out and will entice some healthy competition between local businesses in order to raise these vital funds to keep our Emergency Responders on the road and continue saving lives in Lincolnshire.”
For further information and details of how to become a participating team contact Alex Bennett alex.bennett@ringroselaw.co.uk or visit https://www.ringroselaw.co.uk/about/lincoln-dragon-boat-race/
New apprenticeship opens route for nuclear industry careers
Aspiring nuclear engineers and scientists have a new route into careers in low-carbon energy, with the launch of a degree apprenticeship delivered by the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre.
The Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship will produce graduate professionals who can work across the UK’s current and future civil nuclear programmes. It has been developed with the support of the Nuclear AMRC and industry partners including UKAEA, Westinghouse, Rolls-Royce, Sellafield and Jacobs.
The course has been designed to provide the engineering and management skills needed to ensure that nuclear systems and equipment can be operated safely and efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way. Specialist modules include the principles of nuclear engineering, advanced manufacturing and materials for nuclear applications, and industry codes and standards.
Depending on previous experience, the course will take up to five years to complete. Graduates will qualify with a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), and be well suited for roles including design, operational management, project management, plant performance enhancements and maintenance of safety standards.
The Nuclear AMRC and the AMRC Training Centre worked together to ensure that the course meets industry needs, coordinating input from employers in the nuclear supply chain and supporting development of the curriculum.
Liz Gregory, Supply Chain and Skills Director at the Nuclear AMRC, says: “We are committed to supporting our supply chain companies to obtain suitably qualified personnel to meet today’s challenges and those of the future. There is a real shortage of staff in the nuclear sector, so we are working hard with our partner organisations to meet their needs for high-quality training and to give young people the best possible start in the industry.”
Apprentices will be employed by a company working in the nuclear supply chain throughout their training. Their employer will pay the course fees plus a basic salary, either with support from the apprenticeship levy or via co-investment with the government if the employer doesn’t pay the levy. As part of their final year of study, the student will carry out an industrial project to tackle a real engineering challenge for their employer.
For people who want to work in nuclear but are not currently employed in the sector, the AMRC Training Centre can match applicants to a suitable employer.
Nikki Jones, Director of the AMRC Training Centre, says: “The nuclear sector is a rapidly-developing high-value sector in the UK with immense growth opportunities. With the new Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer Degree Apprenticeship, we want to feed into the skills bank for industry employers and also provide our apprentices with quality training and knowledge needed to get a head-start in the industry.
“Building on the AMRC Training Centre’s remarkable track record in apprenticeships in other high-value sectors, we’re confident that the new degree apprenticeship will be an excellent first step towards plugging the existing skills gap in the nuclear industry and will open up exciting, new opportunities for young people looking to get into the industry.”
VetPartners continues Netherlands expansion
One of the Netherlands’ best known veterinary groups has joined VetPartners.
Dierenartsen Groep Nederland (DGN) is VetPartners’ second acquisition in the country after welcoming DierenDokters to its expanding European portfolio in February 2023.
The growth of DGN, which has 26 clinics in 33 sites across the Netherlands, has been supported by private equity firm Standard Investment.
Their decision to join VetPartners gives the group a strong base of practices in the Netherlands.
VetPartners owns some of Europe’s most trusted and respected veterinary practices and animal healthcare companies, with 11,000 employees working across more than 700 sites in the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands.
VetPartners was founded in October 2015 by CEO Jo Malone, a small animal vet and director at The Minster Veterinary Practice, in her home city of York, where it has its headquarters.
Mrs Malone said: “DGN is a highly respected group of practices and we share common values of putting people first and ensuring our vets have the autonomy to make their own decisions for their patients.
“Right from the outset, the aim of VetPartners was to bring together like-minded practices who wanted to work together and ensure a bright future for the veterinary profession. Our culture is one of warmth and belonging and we believe DGN are a great fit for our family of practices, and we look forward to working with them.”
DGN Chief Operating Officer Mischa Weijers will lead the group’s expansion in the Netherlands.
Mr Weijers said: “We have joined VetPartners so we can continue our growth and continue to improve veterinary care in our local, well-known clinics that are so familiar to our clients.
“Putting employees, patients and clients at the centre of our business decisions is the basis of our success, and VetPartners lives and breathes that philosophy as well, so that makes them a great fit for us.
“Combining VetPartners’ industry leading experience with our love for working together and having fun promises a bright future. Our vets, nurses and other team members very much welcome being part of VetPartners because they see the group as a great cultural fit.”
Marnix van der Feltz, partner at Standard Investment, said: “When we started building our group of Dutch veterinary practices, we focussed on having entrepreneurial vets/owners who wanted to continue running their own practice and provide the best possible service for clients. Combined with working with Standard Investment to facilitate further growth, this has led to great success.”
DGN was advised by Lincoln International and Stek. VetPartners was advised by VBK, Mills & Reeve and PWC.
Willmott Dixon Interiors to deliver hospital’s new endoscopy suites
Willmott Dixon Interiors have been chosen to deliver two new endoscopy suites at Mexborough’s Montagu Hospital.
As part of the works, the project team will reconfigure and refurbish more than 9,000 sq ft of space within the hospital’s endoscopy ward and rotunda building on behalf of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The £4.3 million project will provide new staff and patient facilities, a discharge lounge and recovery ward, and new consultant and ancillary rooms. There will also be a new reception and waiting area, staff room and toilets.
Willmott Dixon Interiors has begun early on-site activities, with the full 30-week project expected to be completed later this year.
It follows the contractor’s recent completion of a similar project to refurbish the Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at Montagu Hospital.
Phil Crowther, director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to deliver important new facilities for local people.
“The creation of a new endoscopy suite builds on our recent refurbishment of the CDC at Montagu Hospital and will improve patient experience by providing faster diagnosis and treatment.
“We are highly experienced in the delivery of healthcare refurbishment projects and will be working to a fast-paced programme, with minimal disruption to hospital staff and patients.”
Willmott Dixon Interiors is delivering the refurbishment of the endoscopy ward and rotunda building at Mexborough Montagu Hospital alongside a project team that includes P+HS, WT Partnership, CAD 21 and Alan Johnston Partnership.
Leeds-based Brand8 PR appointed by water and energy efficiency company Cenergist
Brand8 PR has been hired by water and energy efficiency company Cenergist to advise on its corporate and business-to-business communications.
The Leeds-based agency is undertaking media relations, social media, content marketing and search activity on behalf the business to help support the delivery of its growth plans.
Cenergist enables its clients to reduce carbon emissions and water consumption to meet sustainability goals and comply with regulation using its energy, district heating and water management services.
The Washington, Tyne & Wear, headquartered business’s clients include water companies, local authorities, social housing providers and property developers.
One of the company’s projects is delivering Leeds City Council’s ‘Clustering for Warmth’ initiative. This involves Cenergist designing and installing low carbon ground and air source heating systems into 26 housing blocks across the city.
Julie Keogh, head of consumer marketing at Cenergist, said: “Brand8 PR won the pitch due to the agency’s clear strategic approach and track record of successfully advising a range of businesses operating within the sustainability and property sectors.
“We have ambitious growth plans both within the UK and internationally and look forward to working with Brand8 PR to help us achieve our objectives.”
Founded in 2010, Brand8 PR’s clients include Norway-based global sustainable technology company TOMRA, housebuilder Avant Homes and urban logistics property developer and asset manager Chancerygate.
Brand8 PR managing director, Rob Smith, commented: “With the requirement for private and public sector organisations to achieve sustainability goals continuing to gather pace, Cenergist is ideally placed to advise within this rapidly expanding market.
“We are working alongside the company’s senior management team on communications activity which will raise awareness and create demand for the company.”
Lincoln-based chartered surveyors snapped up
Begbies Traynor Group, the business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, has acquired BLC No1 Limited, which trades as Banks Long & Co, for a maximum consideration of £3m.
Banks Long & Co is a firm of chartered surveyors employing 38 staff in Lincoln and operating throughout Lincolnshire and Humberside. The business will integrate with Eddisons, the group’s property division.
The Banks Long & Co team provide commercial property agency, property management, building consultancy and valuation services to a wide range of regional clients including public and private sector organisations, which aligns with the group’s current service offering and strengthens its regional presence across Eastern England and South Yorkshire.
In its financial year ended 31 August 2022, Banks Long & Co generated revenue of £2.6m (unaudited) and normalised pre-tax profits of £0.4m (when reported on the same basis as the group). Trading is projected to at least maintain this level in the current financial year to date. It had net assets of £2.1m (including £1.4m cash) as at 31 August 2022.
Anthony Spencer, director at Eddisons, said: “I am very pleased to welcome the Banks Long & Co team to Eddisons, which extends our footprint into Lincolnshire and enhances our existing presence in Eastern England and South Yorkshire.
“The Banks Long & Co team are highly experienced with a proven track record in delivering high quality professional advice to public and private sector clients. We continue to seek further opportunities for expansion across the UK.”
Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor Group plc, said: “The acquisition of Banks Long & Co is in line with our strategy to develop our property advisory and transactional services division, by increasing both its scale and market position, as well as the scope of its service offering and geographical coverage.
“Banks Long & Co has excellent relationships within its local market place offering its clients a broad range of real estate services which they have developed over many years and we are very much looking forward to working with them.”
