The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

40 jobs created at Brickwork Services Brickwork Services, a building services company that is providing work across the North East for more than 170 bricklayers has secured an investment from UK Steel Enterprise to back an expansion.  The company is investing more than £100K in development, which will include the creation of another 40 jobs, and UK Steel Enterprise has contributed a £50,000 unsecured loan towards the package.

313 new IT jobs with 250 more across UK in National Skills Academy for IT, BT and NITP partnership A partnership between the National Skills Academy for IT, training provider NITP, and BT has created 313 new IT apprentices since October 2012. 90% of these are working for small to medium sized employers. 250 more apprenticeships will be created during 2013.

Recruitment plans at Ayrshire-based Booth Welsh Ayrshire-based Booth Welsh, which provides control engineering and automation services, increased profits by 54% to 969,000 in its first year following a management buyout. Exports increased from £100,000 to £1.3m, helped by a diversification strategy. The company plans to reinvest in further service development and staff recruitment, and may consider acquisitions.

£7m retail and leisure investment at Derby County stadium brings 25 new jobs Cedar House Investments and Derby County Football Club have jointly launched the £7m first phase of a new project at the football clubs Pride Park stadium.  The Plaza at Pride Park development provides retail and restaurant units totalling 7,000 sq. ft. 25 new jobs are expected.

Management restructuring at Costcutter Supermarkets Costcutter Supermarkets has appointed Daniel Quest as retail director.  He joins Costcutter from Budgens.  David Thompson is taking the new role of customer services director. Angela Barber, trading director for Costcutter, will become MD of its Rhythm & Booze brand when a replacement trading director is appointed. Matthew Dashper-Hughes becomes interim MD at Rhythm & Booze.

Management Moves: Launch in Coventry at Cranfield Business Finance Cranfield Business Finance, an arm of Cranfield Business Recovery Limited, have launched in Coventry with the purpose of providing financial support for business expansion. The company has also appointed Alan Jones as co-director alongside current director Patrick Murtagh.

Doubletree opens Bristol hotel DoubleTree by Hilton has opened a new hotel in Bristol following a £5m refurbishment. The hotel is owned by Focus Hotels Management and operated under a franchise license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide.

Management Moves: Management changes at Cheltenham branch of Estate agent Andrews Estate agent Andrews has made management changes at its Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, branch. Cheltenham branch manager Jon Plant has been appointed area manager for the county and Jim Chamberlayne has joined the team as branch manager for Gloucester. Turnover £14.9m, 270 employees.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Management Buyout at Food Industry Technical Food Industry Technical, a Berkshire-based company specialising in energy-efficient catering products, have been taken over by the Energy Efficient Management Group, owned by Fleming Family and Partners.

Management Moves: CEO steps down at Fulcrum Utility Services Fulcrum Utility Services has appointed a new chief executive. Martin Donnachie will become interim chief executive to replace John Spellman, who is stepping down with immediate effect.  Mr Donnachie will serve as interim CEO for a minimum of six months whilst Fulcrum seeks the appointment of a full time chief executive to lead the business in the long term.

Management Moves: Commercial Director appointed at Greenaway Scott Greenaway Scott, a Cardiff-based specialist firm of business solicitors and advisors, has appointed Rhian Osborne as director with specific responsibility for its commercial and contracts division. Ms Osborne will develop a legal team to serve the expanding technology and bioscience markets in Wales.

Management Moves: New CEO appointed at Intel Intel, the US-headquartered technology firm, has appointed current COO Brian Krzanich as new CEO following the resignation of Paul Otellini. Renee James will become President of the Board. Both will begin their new roles on May 16 2013. First quarter revenue for 2013 fell 7% from the previous quarter, to 12.6bn dollars. 50,000 employees.

Up to 50 new jobs in Key Retirement Solutions recruitment event Key Retirement Solutions Limited, Preston-based specialists in retirement products such as equity release, is creating up to 50 new jobs as they experience rapid growth. The company, headed by managing director Paul Wilson, are holding a recruitment event on May 16th. Turnover £13.5m.

Management Moves: Asset-based lending expansion and partner appointed at law firm Addleshaw Goddard Law firm Addleshaw Goddard is investing in the expanding asset-based lending sector with the appointment of Simon Prendergast to its banking group as a partner.  Mr Prendergast is a specialist in asset-based lending, cross-border receivables financing, supply chain finance and corporate banking.

Marks & Spencer distribution hub opened Marks & Spencer has opened its new 900,000 sq. ft. distribution centre in Castle Donington.  The site will handle all orders placed through the retailer's website and will be a national hub for M&S stores. It will employ 1,200 staff during peak periods.

Management Moves: Chief Executive leaves MKM Building Supplies MKM Building Supplies have parted ways with chief executive David Moore and appointed a new commercial director. Mr Moore was appointed in August 2012 but the decision to leave was mutual. Their new commercial director is Toby Stuart-Jervis, formerly of engineering materials supplier Burdens. Turnover £140m.

Fleet expansion and potential new jobs at New Adventure Travel New Adventure Travel, a South Wales-based coach operator, has secured £1.5m funding from HSBC to help expand its fleet of coaches to 70, with a 25% increase in seat capacity.  The expansion, which follows contract wins and growing demand, could lead to the creation of new jobs. 150 employees, £5m turnover.

Management Moves: Chief Executive steps down at Diageo Paul Walsh, chief executive of drinks company Diageo, is to step down. He will be replaced on 1 July 2013 by Ivan Menezes, currently chief operating officer of Diageo, whose brands include Smirnoff, Baileys and Johnnie Walker.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Manufacturing capacity expanded at Molecular Profiles Pharmaceutical development services business Molecular Profiles, has used funding from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking to open a laboratory and increase its manufacturing capacity in Nottingham.  The company employs 60 staff and plans to expand further over the next few years as a result of the expected growth opportunities from the new facility.

Management Moves: Clipboard purchased by Salesforce.com with new management appointment Salesforce.com, based in Staines, have purchased Clipboard, a web clipping and sharing service, and is closing the service down on the 30th of June 2013. Clipboard's CEO Gary Flake will become vice-president of engineering at Salesforce.com

Management Moves: Pensions Policy Institute appoints new director The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI), a London-based educational charity that provides non-political, independent comment and analysis on UK pension policy, has appointed Chris Curry as director. Mr Curry, currently PPI research director, will replace Niki Cleal when she steps down in June 2013 and will lead the organisation as it continues to develop.

Management Moves: New Chairman at The Watford Child Contact Centre The Watford Child Contact Centre, which provides impartial space for separated parents and their children, have celebrated their tenth annual general meeting. The registered charity has 24 volunteers and the meeting saw Caroline Field become Chairman.

Recruiting 20 staff - call centre delays - Bradford centre closed Thomas Cook customers are experiencing delays at call centres after the travel firm closed its Bradford centre in March 2013 and transferred work to offices in Falkirk, Scotland, and Peterborough, Northamptonshire.  The company is recruiting 20 staff to help with call volumes. 33,590 employees, £9.5bn turnover.

New restaurant and potential new jobs at Tontine Hotel in Greenock, Scotland Tontine Hotel in Greenock, Scotland, is to undergo a £200,000 expansion, including a new restaurant and larger function suite. Subject to planning, work could start in October 2013, with completion in March 2014.  New jobs could be created.

Enterprise division launched UKFast and director appointed UKFast, the Manchester-based IT services company, has appointed George Frewer to the new role of director of enterprise. UKFast Enterprise will operate as a separate division to the UKFast brand. Mr Frewer has been with the fast-growing business for 10 years. Turnover £16m, 120 employees.

200 potential new jobs at Webhelp TSC Webhelp TSC has created 50 customer engagement roles at its call centre in Derby.  Up to 200 new roles could eventually be created, taking numbers to 1,300.  The new recruits will support BSkyB customer enquiries via email, webchat and social media platforms, rather than over the telephone. Revenues 350m euros, 16,500 employees globally. Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk