The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Spennymoor pub creates 45 jobs J D Wetherspoon is opening a new pub in Spennymoor, Durham, creating 45 jobs in a variety of roles including bar staff, cleaners and cooks.  The pub will open on 28 March 2013. Turnover £1bn, 24,000 employees.

Stadium Group recruiting 30 staff at its Hartlepool site Electronics company Stadium Group plans to spend £1.5m on its Hartlepool site and is hiring 30 extra staff.  In its preliminary the company's pre-tax profit in the year to the end of 2012 was £1.77m compared to £3.96m in 2011.  The company is also to close its Rugby facility.  Revenues were also down from £44.94m to £40.99m.

HSBC funding secures 12 new jobs in Pocklington leisure development The KP golf club in Pocklington, York, has secured 1m funding with HSBC to develop 24 new villas at its 180 acre estate, allowing it to expand its weddings, functions and corporate activities.  Turnover is expected to grow 50% to 2m.  12 new members of staff will be recruited, taking employee numbers to 50.

200 potential new jobs in Plymouth office development Millfields Community Economic Development Trust is to build a £5m office development in Plymouth, that could create 200 jobs. The Trust will transform a building near its headquarters into 50 new workspaces.  It will provide £460,000 and apply for £2.56m from the European Regional Development Fund and a £2.1m loan from the Growing Places Fund.

Contract secured with Brakes brings 40 new jobs to Cornwall Greencore Foods has entered into an agreement with foodservice supplier Brakes, to take over production of desserts currently manufactured by Brakes subsidiary division Creative Foods in Cornwall. 40 jobs will be created at Greencores Ministry of Cake company in Taunton, Devon, to meet the additional demand.

40 new jobs in Belfast with animation company Jam Media Dublin-based animation company Jam Media is creating 40 high quality jobs in Belfast.  The investment is supported by Invest Northern Ireland, as it will deliver over £1.4million in salaries into the local economy annually.

150 new jobs in Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Systems Home Energy and Lifestyle Management Systems, formerly PV Solar, are creating 150 new jobs after being awarded Green Deal Provider status by the Government.

Management Moves: New Group CEO named by Alibaba Group China-based Alibaba Group, one of the worlds largest e-commerce companies, has named executive vice president Jonathan Lu Zhaoxi to succeed founder Jack Ma as chief executive. Mr Lu was the founding president of Alibaba online payment service Alipay.

Management Moves: First Central Insurance appoints new CEO West Sussex-based First Central Insurance has appointed Andy James to the role of CEO alongside his current position of group marketing director. He replaces Ken Acott, who will move up to the position of chairman. The management changes will help the company achieve its strategic goals for 2013. Turnover £12.6m, 375 employees.

Management Moves: Group Sales Director appointed by Transline Resource Group Transline Resource Group, an industrial and driving recruitment agency, has appointed Danny Hobbs as Group Sales Director.  Transline is relocating its headquarters from Halifax to Brighouse, West Yorkshire, and Mr Hobbs will be based there and Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The rapidly growing company aims to increase turnover from £70m to £150m within five years.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £13m Investment in Aberdeen Energy service company Scopus Engineering Aberdeen Energy service company Scopus Engineering have received a £13million investment from Growth Capital Partners. The company, which provides laser-survey services to the oil and gas industry worldwide, will use the cash to support growth at home and abroad. www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

www.theukknackgroup.co.ukPenny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk