The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Darlington-based Total Recycling Services creating new jobs  Darlington-based Total Recycling Services is undergoing a £1.5m expansion, which will create new jobs and services, after securing £800,000 funding from Yorkshire Bank.  It has also invested £700,000 of its own funds in the expansion, which has created a new recycling centre, hazardous waste transfer station and testing laboratory. It plans to create 5 jobs and increase turnover to £8m in 2013.

Proper Cornish international expansion strategy means potential new jobs  Biscuit manufacturer Proper Cornish is expanding into international markets with the launch of a range of ginger biscuits. The product has attracted interest from Scandinavia, Asia and the US.  The company employs 30 staff at its manufacturing site in Cornwall and plans to create more jobs subject to achieving expected growth.

Management Moves: Senior manager appointed by Bristol insurance business Brightside   Bristol insurance business Brightside increased pre-tax profit by more than a quarter to £17.5m in 2012, while turnover grew from £80.4m to £91.2m, in a tenth successive record year. The company has expanded its eCar online offering and initiated affiliate programs for major brands.  Andrew Jackson has been appointed as Head of Direct broking.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Cambridge-based Future Materials Group secures investment for German manufacturer  Cambridge-based Future Materials Group, which advises business on their growth strategy, has successfully worked with Germany-based manufacturer SLM Solutions, to secure a growth capital investment by DPE Deutsche Private Equity. The investment will allow SLM to exploit its metal-based additive manufacturing technologies.

New staff recruited at Real Fusion Creative marketing and communications agency Real Fusion, based in Plymouth, has appointed two new staff members to support new services. The appointments follow a successful year for the agency, which has expanded its portfolio to include PR.

376 new jobs at East of England Ambulance Service East of England Ambulance Service is to employ an additional 376 new frontline staff to turnaround the performance of the regions ambulance service.  The NHS Trust was letting down patients and staff so Andrew Morgan, Interim Chief Executive of East of England Ambulance Service has committed an extra 5m to improve the emergency operations.

ASDA announces 2500 new jobs Leeds based ASDA has announced it will open 12 UK stores and create up to 2,500 new jobs in 2013.  The supermarket has defied the downturn in the market with an increase in sales of 4% to 22.8b for 2012.  The expansion plan will cost £700m and will include 10 stores.  Turnover £22.8b employing 177,144 staff.

15 new jobs at Newtownards based Menarys  Newtownards based Menarys is investing in 15 new jobs for its Dungannon and Cookstown stores.  The company is also investing £1m in stock and refurbishing its stores.  Turnover £17.7m employing 455 staff.

2000 new jobs - 3 New Locations - £28m Funding  Universities Glasgow & Edinburgh are leading a £28m funding project given by the Scottish Funding Council for 3 new centres focusing on stratified medicine, sensors and imaging systems.  In the first 5 years the 3 centres will employ about 2000 staff. Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk