The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

260 new jobs at Doncaster based, insurance provider, Direct Group Doncaster based, insurance provider, Direct Group has invested 2m in a move to new headquarters in Doncaster as they plan to double their 20m turnover and 450 workforce in the next 3 years. Office premises.  Headquarters currently house 120 staff but the new site hold nearer 380.

New Manufacturing Institute in joint venture between Coventry University and Unipart Group A new manufacturing institute to be created by Coventry University in partnership with Unipart Group is set to receive part of a 50m fund from the government.  The Manufacturing Institute aims to create over 600 jobs in the regions high value, low carbon manufacturing sector by developing a unique engineering education and research environment which will stimulate Unipart’s supply chain and train a skilled new manufacturing workforce.  Unipart’s manufacturing site in Coventry will form the base for the institute.

Windfarm opened in Nielston as Scottish villagers Buy 28% Carbon Free Developments have opened the £15.6m Nielston Community Windfarm, built in co-operation with locals of the Scottish village. Villagers raised £950k, in part from the Scottish government, to buy a 28% stake, earning themselves £10m over the lifetime of the farm.

41 new jobs at Clean Slate, Derby Clean Slate, an independent cleaning company based in Derby, are reporting an 18% rise in turnover from £1.36m to £1.6m. The increase comes after 13 new contracts were secured, totalling £340,000. 41 new jobs have also been created.

New Homes and Investment Director at First Choice Homes First Choice Homes Oldham, the housing management specialists, have appointed David Woods as new Homes and Investment Director. Mr Woods will take responsibility for their new builds programme, asset management, as well as repairs and maintenance for the 12,000 homes owned by the company.

North East property deal brings 2500 new jobs Gateshead based UK Land Estates has bought £80m worth of land held by the North East quango.  Most of the money will stop in north creating 2500 new jobs.

6000 new jobs in Oldbury & Anglesey Nuclear Power Station investments Hitachi Horizon Nuclear Project Development is to build a multi billion pound nuclear power station near Oldbury.  The plant will create 6000 construction jobs and when complete the station will employ 1000 staff.  The second plant is to be built on Anglesey.  Hitachi will invest 20b into the 2 reactors.

New Oldham office for Jumar Solutions means new jobs Jumar Solutions, the Solihull-based technology consultancy, has opened a new office in Oldham to cover clients in the north of England. The company, CEO Wendy Merricks, has also taken on new staff and are expanding across Australia, the U.S and the Middle East. Turnover £5.5m.

New jobs at Koso Kent Introl Koso Kent Introl, the West Yorks-based valve manufacturer, have taken on 9 new members of staff, including design engineer Andrew Moffat, as well as sales engineers Andrew Cahill and Matthew Bailey. The jobs are due to the company’s expansion and on-going investment. Turnover £24.6m.

Management Moves: New Head of I.T and E-Commerce at Monsoon Accessorize Monsoon Accessorize, the high street womenswear retailer, has appointed John Bovill, former commercial director for Jacques Vert, as their new head of I.T and e-commerce operations. The company, based in London, has a turnover of £496.3m and employs 3731 people.

New premises for Reflex Marine bring 5 new jobs Reflex Marine, which provides access solutions to companies operating in the offshore marine environments, has moved into new offices in Shortlanesend, Cornwall. The company is expanding and moving into new international markets It employs 12 staff in Shortlanesend and plans to create five new jobs.

Investment Secured - Proposed New Jobs - Product Development Rotherham-based RediRack, a manufacturer of adjustable frame and beam pallet racking, is to create jobs after receiving investment from Finance Yorkshire.  RediRack will use the funds to accelerate the Innovation Centre at its headquarters and to fast track the development of products.

50 new jobs at Ruthin based Jones Bros Ruthin based Jones Bros has secured a waste management contract, which will create 50 new jobs.  The development of the 2nd phase of the Wrexham Recycling Park will see it made capable of processing up to 60,000 tonnes of household and commercial waste each year.

Gateshead development brings 1000 new jobs Tesco, with their development arm Spenhill, are to create more than 1000 jobs at the Trinity Square development in Gateshead with a £150m investment. The project will double retail spend in the town. The company, turnover £42.2bn, employs over 400,000 people.

Glasgow-based lawn bowls supplier expands sales overseas Thomas Taylor, the Glasgow-based lawn bowls supplier and manufacturer, is gearing up to expand sales overseas after securing a new funding package from Bank of Scotland.  The company is looking to recruit it's first staff abroad and open a distribution centre in Australia, after taking the distribution rights for its products back in-house in the Antipodean market.  The plans will allow it to double its workforce in Australia, from four to eight, over the next five years.  Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

20 drivers taken on and 40 more new jobs at private ambulance firm based in County Durham Medical Services Group Northeast, the private ambulance firm based in County Durham, has recruited 20 drivers since September 2012 and will create up to 40 more. The company will double in size as they expand over the next few years.

New Telecoms Centre brings 70 new Somerset jobs Easynet Global Services, the telecommunications company, are relocating from London to a new centre of excellence in Somerset, creating 70 jobs. The new centre comes with assistance from inward investment group Into Somerset, and will bring together all the firms UK customer operations.

12 new jobs at Eyemouth based Burgon Eyemouth based Burgon has been awarded a £121,000 from EFF.  The company is to upgrade the crab processing facility at their Harbour Road premises, which will cost £302,000 and create an extra 12 jobs.

Management Moves: Birmingham investment team strengthened as Investment Director appointed at private equity firm LDC Private equity firm LDC, which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has appointed Richard Whitwell as Investment Director at its Birmingham office.  Mr Whitwell will join a team of 11 investment professionals supporting Midlands-based SMEs.  Martin Draper is LDCs Regional Managing Director.

MoD withdrawal of objection to Whitby mine means 1,000 jobs expected Sirius Minerals has addressed Ministry of Defence concerns that a proposed potash mine near Whitby, North Yorkshire, could damage MoD equipment. The MoD is to withdraw its objection to the mine, which could create 1,000 jobs and add £1bn to the economy.

New Leamington depot brings 30 new jobs Travis Perkins, the Northampton-based builders merchants, has taken on 36,000 sq. ft. in Leamington Spa, creating a new depot and 30 jobs. The company, with properties and facilities manager Chris Sayers, has a turnover of £4.7bn and employs over 21,000 people.

Telecom company Direct Save opens new office in Slough Utilities UK, which trades as Direct Save Telecom, is opening a regional sales office in Slough, Berkshire, headed by Joe Sweeney. Along with a new office in Croydon, the new location aims to expand its customer base.  Thirty sales jobs will be created at each office, with further expansion planned.

Vodafone Graduate Scheme expansion brings 400 new jobs Vodafone PLC are expanding their graduate programme, creating 400 jobs over the next 5 years. The scheme allows graduates to get hands on experience in all parts of the business over 24 months. The company has a turnover of £16.3bn and employs over 86,000 people.

Hess Corporation Contract means 100 Scottish jobs Wood Group PSN, the Aberdeen-based brownfield support services company, has won a 5-year maintenance contract with the Hess Corporation on their projects in the Gulf of Mexico, creating 100 Scottish jobs. The company, Americas President Derek Blackwood, will develop a computerised maintenance management system. Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Retailer Morrison’s secures lease on new Fareham store with potential new jobs Retailer Morrison’s has signed a pre-lease agreement with NewRiver Retail for a 71,000 sq. ft. food store at Locks Heath Shopping Centre in Fareham, Hampshire. Jobs could be created at the new store. Morrison’s has a turnover of £17.66bn and employs 131,200 staff.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: U.S firm purchased by Aberdeen Asset Management Aberdeen Asset Management has continued its expansion with the purchase of U.S firm Artio Global Investors in a £118.3m deal. The company has £7bn assets under management and a turnover of £1.04bn.

Rapid business growth for Yorkshire-based digital agency creates jobs Ascensor, the Yorkshire-based digital agency, recorded 70% growth in annual turnover in 2012, with a similar performance expected in 2013 after strong first quarter results. Staff numbers have grown from 2 to 20 and further recruitment is planned. It has created a new strategic marketing plan and re-branded and relaunched its website.

Management Moves: VIP Computers appoint Business Development Manager Cheshire-based VIP Computers has appointed Graham Herschell a Business Development Manager. The company, an independent distributor of PC components and peripherals, plans to expand its customer base and increase its market share. Turnover £180.1m, 215 employees.

Property team recruitment at Co-operative Food Co-operative Food is recruiting new members of staff, including managers, for their property team after a successful acquisitions strategy and a record-breaking year, having opened 83 stores since 2012. The new staff will enable the company to expand.

Debenhams Lichfield store brings 70 jobs Debenhams has opened a new store in Lichfield, and 70 jobs have been created, and there has also been a boost in trade in the town as a result. The company has a turnover £1.8bn and employs over 30,000 people.

Uniform Communications’ new Liverpool premises move brings new jobs Design agency Uniform Communications has taken 5,600 sq. ft. of space at the Merepark Central Village scheme in Liverpool as part of its long-term expansion strategy.  The new offices provide additional meeting rooms, a prototyping workshop and improved facilities for staff. The expansion of the company could create employment opportunities.

Wind farm development plans near Belford, Northumberland mean potential new jobs Energiekonton, a Leeds-based wind farm developer, is finalising plans for a nine-turbine development near Belford, Northumberland. The development could create employment and business opportunities. Energiekontor is a subsidiary of the Germany-based Energiekontor group.

South Yorkshire glass recycler creating new jobs GB Cullet, a South Yorkshire glass recycler, increased turnover by 50% to £1.5m in 2011-2012, exceeding growth targets. With support from Enterprising Barnsley it has invested £500,000 to move to larger premises and develop an on-site processing plant.  7 new employees have taken headcount to 20, and further recruitment is planned.

Venture Capita: GovToday stake sold to Osprey Capital GovToday, the public-sector social media platform committed to communicating government initiatives and policies to the public, have sold a stake in the company to Osprey Capital. The company is based in Salford.

Management Moves: Digital Sales Manager appointed by Apex Digital Graphics Hertfordshire-based Apex Digital Graphics, which supplies and services printing equipment, has appointed Mike Ryan as digital sales manager following its expansion into the digital equipment market. Turnover £6.9m.

Bluewater expansion means 2,300 new jobs expected in Kent Lend Lease is to expand Bluewater shopping centre in Kent by a fifth and create 2,300 jobs. Outline plans, approved by Gravesham Council, involve demolishing part of the West Village and building 30,500 sq. m of extra floor space.

40 new jobs as Liverpool based retailer Home Bargains opens new store in Ellesmere Port Liverpool based retailer Home Bargains has invested £500,000 in a new store in Ellesmere Port.  The store will create 40 jobs when it opens on Saturday 25 June 2013.  The company now has 300 stores across the UK.

Leeds business park development brings potential new jobs Muse Developments has started work on the Logic Leeds Business Park. It is working with Leeds City Council on the project. Eric Wright Civil Engineering is to carry out the £500,000 first phase of infrastructure works, due to be complete in August 2013.  The project could create business and employment opportunities.

90 new jobs at Nottingham Regeneration Ltd Nottinghamshire based, Nottingham Regeneration Ltd have been given an extra £2.758m to extend the Southgate Food Park.  The extension will create 90 new jobs plus construction jobs.  The whole project will cost approximately £6m.

Potential new jobs for online retailer Capital Stores in Manchester Online retailer Capital Stores has taken a lease on a 25,990 sq. ft. unit at Centenary Park, Trafford Park, Manchester.  The online retailer sells equipment for caravans such as televisions, marine electronics, fishing equipment and products for home and garden, sport and leisure and offices. Jobs could be created at the new premises.

Management Moves: Design Director appointed at Powell Dobson Urbanists Powell Dobson Urbanists, the Cardiff-based planning, regeneration and urban design company, has recruited a new design director. Wendy Richards joins the company from the Design Commission for Wales. She will support the development of the landscape and urban design business.

London site opened Longley Concrete and jobs created Precast concrete supplier Longley Concrete is investing in its West Yorkshire and London sites after securing new finance with Barclays.  The investment is part of long-term growth plans. Longley recently opened the London site to keep pace with its strong order book.  The continued expansion should lead to employment opportunities.

Management Moves: Head of Merchandising appointed by LK Bennett Premium womenswear retailer LK Bennett has appointed Sarah Thornley, a former Burberry director, to lead its merchandising team. Ms Thornley will be based at headquarters in London. LK Bennett is undergoing UK and International expansion in stores and online. Turnover 79.3m, 550 employees.

Opening of Bradford care home creates 20 jobs Yorkshire-based Horizon Healthcare Homes is building a £750,000 specialist care home in Bradford after securing funding from the Royal Bank of Scotland.  20 jobs will be created.  Beckside Lodge is expected to open in October 2013.  It will be the fifth care home owned and run by Horizon. Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

New MD at Arriva Trains Wales Arriva Trains Wales, headquartered in Cardiff, have seen an increase in turnover to £287.2m, although there has also been a decrease in pre-tax profit of 20% to 18.6m. The company, owned by German firm Deutsche Bahn, employs 2,000 people. There is also a new MD, Ian Bullock.

120 new jobs at Bishop Stortford based care agency Bishop Stortford based care agency, Care By Us is looking to create 120 new jobs in Uttlesford, Essex.  The company already has 450 employees and is fast becoming one of the major employers in the area.

15 new jobs at Co Antrim coach company Family-run coach company Logans Executive Travel in Co Antrim is investing £3m on keeping its tour buses on the roads of Ireland and Scotland.  The funding, which is supported by First Trust, will enable them to take on more than 15 new staff and buy 10 high-spec luxury coaches for its fleet.

Technicians and Engineers sought at Jaguar Land Rover Jaguar Land Rover, the global car manufacturer based in Coventry, is seeking maintenance technicians and engineers for its Castle Bromwich operation. The company, HR Director David Williams, has a turnover of £13.5bn and employs over 20,000 people.

8 proposed care homes for Maria Mallaband Care Group Leeds-headquartered Maria Mallaband Care Group has agreed a £50m funding deal with Apache Capital Partners, the London- and Bahrain-based real estate investment management firm.  The funding will enable the development of up to eight five-star care homes.

Chatham Place redevelopment scheme brings potential new jobs Muse Developments has awarded Galliford Try the second phase of the Chatham Place regeneration scheme in Reading.  The scheme is worth £24m and will deliver two apartment blocks containing 184 homes with ground floor retail space. The development could create employment opportunities.

2300 new jobs across the North East North East Local Enterprise Partnership received £30m after a successful application for Government regional growth fund cash, and now has a £55m North East Investment Fund to back projects and create jobs across the region. They are hoping to create 2300 new jobs over the next 10 years.

20 new jobs at Ruislip based car dealer Ruislip based car dealer Citygate Automotive is to create 20 new jobs after joining forces with Volkswagen following an £8m investment to build a new state of the art dealership in Otterspool Way, after outgrowing its current Watford headquarters in Chalk Hill.  Turnover £105m employing 346 staff.

82 skilled jobs at Dorset boat builders Sunseeker, the luxury yacht-builders based in Dorset are looking to recruit 82 skilled marine engineers and boat builders. The company, turnover £288.8m, currently employs over 2,000 people.

127 new homes in Cheshire bring jobs Taylor Wimpey North West has launched their new development in Tarvin, Cheshire. The project, which will create 127 homes under the government's Help to Buy scheme, will bring growth and jobs to the area. The company, regional sales manager David Hnyda, has a turnover of £730.4m

300 new jobs at Altrincham-based vehicle manufacturer The Cartwright Group, the Altrincham-based vehicle manufacturer, is to create 300 jobs over the next three years with support from the Regional Growth Fund.

New Assistant Editor at Thebusinessdesk.com Thebusinessdesk.com, the Leeds-based business news website, have taken on Ellie Newton-Syms as Assistant Editor. The company have also recently taken on their first apprentice, Shaun Snell, as they continue to expand.

Thomasons opens Liverpool office Thomasons, the civil and structural engineering consultant has hired Ian Booth from Fairhurst to head a new office in Liverpool following a substantial increase in workload in the city. Turnover £5.6m, 90 employees. Thomasons has eight UK offices.

10 new jobs at People Experts Worcester based, recruitment company, People Experts has opened a sales office in Manchester, creating 10 new jobs.  The company chose Manchester after receiving support from the city’s inward investment agency, MIDAS.  The new office at Piccadilly currently employs 3 people but they will eventually employ a further 10 staff. Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk