The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Management Move: Executive to retire at law firm Irwin Mitchell A key executive at law firm Irwin Mitchell is to retire in April 2013. Joe Simpson is leaving to pursue new opportunities. The firm has grown rapidly in the three decades that Mr Simpson has been a partner. Turnover £187m, 60 employees.

35 new jobs at Aberdeen based Harkand Aberdeen based Harkand a sub sea service company will expand their offshore workforce with positions for up to 30 ROV technicians, of which 15 will be based in Aberdeen. They have invested 19m to increase their fleet to 29 vehicles as the market for inspection, repair and maintenance in the oil and gas industry grows.

Active Win Media secures backing from Betfred Active Win Media, a new Manchester-based marketing services agency, aims to expand to 50 staff within 10 months after gaining business support from gambling firm Betfred.  Active Win will provide marketing services to the Betfred.com online and mobile businesses, while Betfred will provide support such as funding, mentoring, office space, IT and HR.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £21.9m wind farm opens near Rotherham, South Yorkshire Banks Renewables has switched on its £21.9m wind farm near Rotherham, South Yorkshire.  The six turbines will generate enough power for 12,000 homes. A 500,000 fund has been set up to deliver environmental projects for the community. The project will run for 25 years.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Funding secured by Bradford-based Auker Rhodes Accounting Bradford-based Auker Rhodes Accounting has revealed growth plans to expand accounting and associated services, including corporate recovery and insolvency after securing new funding from Barclays.

Private Equity / Bank Funding:  Cheshire DBG (UK), acquired by partnership Cheshire DBG (UK), which provides services to the medical industry, has been sold by its private equity backer.  Global asset manager Carlyle Group has teamed up with London private equity house Palamon Capital Partners to acquire Winsford-based DBG (UK) from Synova Capital.  The company has a turnover of £7m and employs 80 staff.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Partial management buyout of Chesterfield-based CPL Industries Chesterfield-based CPL Industries, a smokeless fuel products manufacturer, has undergone a partial management buyout, part-funded by Lloyds Bank. Private equity shareholder Vision Capital has taken a majority stake with the senior management team holding the remaining shares. Sales have increased 45% to £140m in six years and further growth is expected.  500 employees.

Digital media company Perform expands Digital media company Perform has moved to new city offices after more than doubling in size in a year. Perform, which has 900 staff in 23 offices across the world as far as Japan and New Zealand.  They have now taken 3,800 sq. ft. office; they took on 25 staff in 2012 and are hoping to increase to 60 by the end of summer 2013. Turnover £103m employing 509 staff.

New jobs at Doncaster based Keepmoat Doncaster based Keepmoat creates new jobs on refurbishment schemes. They are working on the £36m Government Decent Homes programme in London, which will take about 3 years to finish.  Turnover £676m employing 2673 staff

New wind farm planned for Basingstoke, Hampshire. EDF Energy Renewables, a renewable energy supplier, is planning to develop a 14-turbine wind farm near Basingstoke, Hampshire. The proposed wind farm would be able to produce 28MW of low carbon energy - enough to supply the annual domestic electricity requirements of 13,000 homes. The development could create jobs.

2500 new jobs at Scottish Power Energy firm Scottish Power is looking at employing 2500 staff in the future depending on the successful regulatory settlement with watchdog Ofgem.  The majority of the jobs will be created in Scotland, with some in Merseyside and Wales.  Turnover £6.9m.

Creating 40 jobs at Greene King Plc with opening of Somerset pub Greene King Plc is opening a new Hungry Horse pub in Weston, Somerset, as part of its on-going expansion.  40 jobs will be created at the new premises, which will focus on attracting families and will offer good value food and drink. Turnover £1.1bn, 22,000 employees.

Halifax-based James Heal creating jobs Halifax-based James Heal, a manufacturer of textile testing laboratory instruments, recorded pre-tax profits of 705,000 for the year to October 2012, up from 617,000 in 2011. Turnover increased to £9.79m from £9.25m. The company has experienced three year of strong growth.  It is planning further investment in production and communications facilities and is creating manufacturing jobs

New Chairman for Easyjet John Barton, the chairman of Enderby fashion retailer Next, is to become the next chairman of low-cost airline Easyjet. He is a non-executive director and takes over from Sir Mike Rake; he starts his position 1st May 2013.  Turnover £3.8b and employ 8206 staff.

Contract with Supergroup brings 200 new jobs to Burton-on-Trent  Leeds-based retail logistics specialist Clipper has secured a major distribution contract with listed fashion retailer SuperGroup.  Clipper will service the long-term contract from a new 500,000 sq. ft. facility in Burton-on-Trent.  About 200 jobs will be created by the new facility.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: HQ extension for Middlesbrough-based Woodtech Joinery Middlesbrough-based Woodtech Joinery has acquired new premises, which will extend the company's head office site with funding from Barclays. Woodtech employs 20 staff with a £4m turnover and expects the new premises will further increase its customer base and turnover.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: Neil Hudgell Solicitors secures bank funding for expansion Neil Hudgell Solicitors, a specialist personal injury law firm, has secured an acquisition finance package with HSBC to help accelerate its expansion programme. The firm, which has offices in Hull, Leeds and Solihull, has made 14 acquisitions in two years.

North-east sheet metal work company expansion means jobs Northeast sheet metal work company Washington Metal Works has expanded after moving into new premises.  The firm, which currently employs about 150 people, says it could create new jobs in the move to the new building, which was supported by Colliers International and should be fully operational in the summer

15 new jobs in Eagles Meadow Centre, Wrexham Real China have opened a new restaurant in Eagles Meadow Centre, Wrexham, this will create a minimum of 15 jobs.  The company have spent 500,000 mainly on decor and equipment.  This is first of their restaurants to be opened in North Wales.

Management Move: Investors takeover at Hornbuckle Mitchell Richard Wohanka is one of two new investors to have bought a 60.3 per cent controlling stake in Leicester-headquartered financial adviser Hornbuckle Mitchell. Following the deal, he has become non-executive chairman, while fellow investor Phil Smith has been appointed chief executive. David White, the firm's current managing director, will continue as a board member and senior executive, with his focus moving to client relationships and technical development.  The management team will be completed by the appointment of Tim O'Connor as managing director of proposition and distribution, and the firm is looking to hire a managing director of operations and processes

Management Move: SRL Technical Services appoints new Managing Director Suffolk-based acoustic consultancy SRL Technical Services has appointed existing director Jack Dalziel as its new managing director. Former Managing Director, Malcolm Every, will take up a role as non-executive director.  Under the leadership of Mr Every, SRL has developed into the largest independent acoustic consultancy in the country.

280 new jobs for Aberystwyth Tesco and Marks & Spencer are planning to open stores in Aberystwyth creating 300 jobs.  The Tesco store will be 37,000 sq. ft. and employ 200 staff; Marks and Spencer store will be 36,000 sq. ft. and employ 80 staff. Tesco turnover 64.5b and employing 406,000 staff. Marks and Spencer turnover £9.9b employing 81,200 staff.

Golfing complex means potential new jobs for Swadlincote, Derbyshire Tetron Point is making progress on a multi-million-pound golfing complex in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, which could create new jobs. The course, being built on 160-acre site owned by UK Coal, will include a hotel, clubhouse, administration building and golf academy.

The AA to open apprentice academy creating 1,000 new jobs The AA is planning to launch an apprentice academy, offering training for jobs across all departments, from recovery patrols to call centres. It plans to recruit between 650 and 1,000 new staff in the year to April 2014. Turnover £506.7m, 7,380 employees.

Proposed £84m South Lanarkshire wildlife attraction means 250 construction Jobs Wildside World Ltd, who own Yorkshire Wildlife Park, are preparing a proposal to South Lanarkshire Council for an £84m wildlife visitor’s centre.  250 jobs would be created on the construction side of it alone, with the company willing to work with Roots to Work South to increase local employment.  In addition to the visitor centre, there would be six restaurants and bars, a gift shop, car park and a hotel www.theukknackgroup.co.uk Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Liverpool-based First Stop Legal Services opening Cardiff office with 12 new jobs Liverpool-based First Stop Legal Services, which trades as GT Law, is opening its first office in Wales as part of its expansion strategy.  It will create 12 new jobs at the Cardiff office

Drilling rights in Robin Hood's Bay brings 30 proposed Jobs A fossil fuel exploration firm Egdon Resources hopes to help lower gas prices and create 30 jobs after being awarded drilling rights to a 200 sq. km area near Robin Hood's Bay.  Egdon Resources has agreed a four-year licence with the Department of Energy and Climate Change

Private Equity / Bank Funding: New site for Lichfield hairdressing business A Lichfield hairdressing business, Francesco Group has relocated to larger premises after receiving funding support from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking. They are taking on extra staff to cope with the growing needs of the business. Turnover £3.2m and employ 92 staff.

76 new jobs at Belfast based software company Latens Systems Belfast based software company Latens Systems is to almost double its workforce with plans to create 76 new jobs.  The company has an annual turnover of £2.3m

Venture Capital: Rights to operate YABA secured - Braveheart Investment Group has restructured its Yorkshire businesses. Braveheart subsidiary Neon Capital Partners has acquired the fund management business of its sister company, Viking Fund Managers and changed its name to Viking Fund Managers Ltd.  Additionally, Braveheart subsidiary Envestors Limited has acquired the rights to operate the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels.

Venture Capital: New investment secured by Bristol-based Rollasole Bristol-based Rollasole, which has developed a range of roll-up shoes, has secured an investment led by Angels4Angels in Cheltenham. The new funding will help Rollasole develop into an established global fashion brand, especially in America.

Management Moves: MD appointed by Brother UK Brother UK, the printer manufacturer, has appointed Phil Jones as managing director. The company has a turnover of £100.9m and employs 180 Staff.

200 new jobs at clothing retailer, SuperGroup, in Burton Clothing retailer, SuperGroup, is moving its distribution operations to Burton creating about 200 jobs.  The move should go ahead summer 2013 and will be fully operational in spring 2014. Turnover £313.8m and employ 1774 staff.

100 new jobs at Glasgow contact centre firm Teleperformance Contact centre firm Teleperformance expects new jobs created to be 600 not the 500 as originally thought.  The majority of the jobs will be allocated in at the Glasgow site. Turnover £70m employing 2958 staff.

Morgan Sindall secures major contract bringing potential new jobs to Chesterfield Contractor Morgan Sindall is to construct new retail space at Ravenside Retail Park in Chesterfield. The £2.8m new build project will create two retail units totalling 26,500 sq. ft., which will be occupied by Asda Living and Hobbycraft. New jobs are expected. Completion is expected in November 2013. Turnover £2.2bn, 6,740 employees.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £3.5m funding secured by Direct Golf UK Direct Golf UK has secured a £3.5 million funding package backed by the Royal Bank of Scotland to take their award-winning business to the next level.  The company has 21 stores across the UK, employing over 300 staff.

Management appointment at Topman - new Buying Director Fashion retailer Coggles is believed to be undergoing a restructuring.  Buying director Adam Jagger is leaving the business and moving to a similar role at Topman, which is part of the Arcadia Group.

Management Moves: Henderson Global Investors appoint new CFO Henderson Global Investors has appointed Roger Thompson from JPMAM to succeed Shirley Garrood as Chief Financial Officer of the group. Ms Garrood will retire from the group in March 2014 and will stand down as CFO and a director with effect from 1 July 2013.

Executive appointments - Henderson Insurance Brokers Teesside commercial division expanded Henderson Insurance Brokers Teesside has appointed 2 account executives and a business development executive to its commercial division, as part of its business expansion and development strategy. Jonathan Willett is managing director of Henderson Insurance Brokers Teesside. Turnover £21.5m, 308 employees.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £6m investment in factory change at International Greetings in South Wales. International Greetings is to combine its operations from two factories into one in South Wales.  The company has bank support for the investment, which totals about £6m.  The investment plan will take 12 months to implement but once completed the company will be able to sell a surplus freehold site, valued at more than £1m.

Senior analyst appointed by London-based Hermes Investment Managers London-based Hermes Investment Managers has appointed Joseph Murray as senior analyst within its 8-strong commodities team. Turnover £32.7m.

Mace secures BUPA contract for £30m Cromwell Hospital refurbishment Mace has been chosen as preferred bidder for BUPAs 30m refit of its Cromwell Hospital in Kensington, London. The plans include refurbishing the reception area, patient rooms and luxury suites. BUPA aims to make Cromwell the most advanced private hospital in London. The contract could create employment opportunities.

Management Moves: New chairman appointed by Matra Petroleum Matra Petroleum, an oil and gas exploration and production company, has appointed Bill Guest as non-Executive Chairman. Mr Guest succeeds the late Sir Michael Jenkins. Matra secured an investment from Alltech Group, a private equity fund, in April 2013.

Management Moves: Creative Director resigns from Microsoft Microsoft Creative Director Adam Orth has resigned from the company after commenting on Twitter about a confidential Xbox project. Mr Orth worked on games development at Microsoft Studios. Microsoft will reveal the next Xbox on 21 May 2013.

2000 new jobs at Ministry of Defence distribution centre Ministry of Defence have had plans passed for a £125m defence gateway that could bring 2000 jobs and 1900 new homes. The site will also have a new 70,400 sq. ft. storage and distribution centre.

New distribution and technology facilities at Mix Telematics, Birmingham Mix Telematics, the vehicle tracking and fleet management business, is expanding its Birmingham premises, including a new European distribution centre. It is also establishing a new technology base in Swindon, Wiltshire, for the development and support of its software as a service product. The expansion could create new jobs. £10.7m turnover, 800 employees.

16 new jobs at Morrison’s in Giffnock Morrison’s, the supermarket giant, has invested £1.5 million in its Giffnock store to turn it into a craft skills academy and create 16 new jobs.  The Giffnock (Scotland) store is to be a craft skills academy, this is to ensure traditional trades such as butchery, bakery and fishmongery will remain at the core of the shopping experience.  Turnover of £17.6b employing 131,207 staff.

New jobs at Redditch manufacturer Auto Service Tools Redditch manufacturer Auto Service Tools is creating additional jobs as part of a £950,000 investment.  The company, which has an annual turnover of several million pounds, is relocating its production facilities back from China and India to Redditch, creating up to eight new jobs.

Management Moves: Management restructure at Seabrook Crisps Seabrook Crisps has restructured its management team after the departure of managing director Andrew Staal who was part of a team appointed last year to carry out a review of the business.  Chief Executive Jonathan Bye has taken on the managing director responsibilities.

Venture Capital: £1m Funding awarded to Ffrees Family Finance Sheffield-based Ffrees Family Finance, designed to help users save as they spend, has secured a second round of funding worth £1m from Finance Yorkshire.  The funding comes as Ffrees has added two high street retailers and new financial services providers to its list of partner companies, and follows its acquisition of OscarUK, the over 50s concessions site.

South west electrical wholesaler expands with new jobs Southwest electrical wholesaler, Devondale Electrical Distributors, is opening a new branch, which will create four new jobs and bring the number of its retail outlets to seven across the region.  The company has increased its turnover by 20 per cent to £7m.

£100K Funding brings new jobs at Vizzihome Technology business Vizzihome, set up by Kevin Hollinrake and Jeremy Ward, is a large online database that collects non-personal data about properties being sold or let, has expanded with 100,000 funding from Finance Yorkshire.  The loan will be used to develop its software and employ more staff.

Pilot plant funding at Gas2 brings new jobs to Redcar Technology firm Gas2 has built a pilot plant near Redcar, to carry out tests throughout the year on converting natural gas into synthetic crude oil.  The process has been assisted by £5.5m funding and has created 6 jobs.

Management Moves: International Director appointed by CBI The CBI has appointed Simon Moore to the role of international director at the organisation.  Mr Moore was previously regional director at the South West branch of the organisation.  CBI South West will advertise for a successor shortly.

Management Moves: CEO to retire at Severn Trent The CEO of water company Severn Trent, Tony Wray, is to retire in spring 2014.  The company has begun the process of identifying candidates for the position both internally and externally.  Turnover £1.77bn, 8,050 employees.

450 new jobs at Hica Care Group in Hull The Hica Care Group is set to create about 450 jobs in Hull.  The company is embarking on a 21m expansion programme which will entail them building 5 new specialist dementia care homes in Hull and East Yorkshire.

Refurbishment of the Horns Inn in Ferndown brings new jobs The Stonegate Pub Company have invested 150,000 on refurbishing the Horns Inn in Ferndown.  Several new jobs are to be created as the business re-opens on 25th April 2013.

Management Moves: Director General appointed by The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association Trade body The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, has appointed current deputy chief executive and director of policy Tim Hames to the role of director-general.  The new role replaces the chief executive position, which is held by Mark Florman.  Mr Florman will step back from the position in May 2013.

New roles at VIP charter airline Cello Aviation VIP charter airline Cello Aviation has taken on new staff as part of its ambitious expansion plans.  The company has strengthened its flight deck and cabin services teams following the addition of a second aircraft to the fleet.  Cellos turnover is expected to be around £3.5 million this year, a figure that it expects to double in the next 12 months.

£25m jam factory approved bringing 200 new jobs to Tiptree, Essex Wilkin & Son has secured planning approval for a new £25m jam factory in Tiptree, Essex which will safeguard 300 jobs and create 200 more roles in the long-term, to meet increased demand for miniature jams.  Sales from the Tiptree factory exceeded £2.5m for the first time, in the first quarter to March 2013.

New £17m Fazakerley school project means potential new jobs with Willmott Dixon Willmott Dixon is to build a £17m school for Liverpool City Council. Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College will relocate from Walton, Liverpool, to the new building in Fazakerley. It has been designed by architects Sheppard Robson and is being engineered by Mouchel. Work will start in May 2013, potentially creating employment opportunities.

Management Moves: Womenswear retailer Karen Millen appoints CFO Womenswear retailer Karen Millen has appointed Andrew Ware as its new chief financial officer. Mr Ware joins the retailer from accountancy firm BDO and brings experience that is expected to support Karen Millens international expansion plans.

£3.2m council contract secured by Rixonway Kitchens bringing potential new jobs Yorkshire-based Rixonway Kitchens has secured a five-year, £3.2m contract to provide kitchens to West Lancashire Borough Council as part of a major housing regeneration programme, which could create jobs. The council is investing 65m into its housing stock over five years. Lovell and Wates will install the kitchens on Rixonways behalf. www.theukknackgroup.co.uk Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk

The UK Knack Group Reviews Today’s Events ……

Bank funding secured by Ryder Imports in Colville brings potential new jobs Ryder Imports, an importer and manufacturer of fishing, golf, driving, travel, outdoor, biking, winter and outdoor products, has invested £1.5m in new premises in Coalville, Leicestershire.  The move will support further expansion, which could create jobs.  Barclays provided financial support for the move.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: McGregor Logistics in Doncaster invests in fleet and new jobs A specialist haulage company McGregor Logistics, based in Doncaster, has moved to a new seven-acre site and expanded its fleet of vehicles, following support from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking.  The company expects to increase its turnover by 20 per cent this year to 6.5m, which will lead to the recruitment of new members of staff in the coming year to join its team of 61.

£2.1m funding secured by Aberdeen-based Deep Casing Tools means potential new jobs Aberdeen-based Deep Casing Tools has received £2.1m for working capital from the Scottish Loan Fund, which it will invest in inventory and people as it from early stage to commercial growth. It plans to capitalise on opportunities provided by the growing shale oil and gas sector and the energy industry.

Automotive Insulations expands into Sweden with potential new jobs for the West Midlands Automotive Insulations, which manufactures sound and thermal insulation components, has opened its first overseas operation in Sweden and expects the business to grow to £1m turnover in 18 months. It is opening a second factory in Rugby, West Midlands, in summer 2013, with new jobs expected. 100 employees.

Bradford yarn company Texere Yarns brings new jobs with new warehouse Bradford yarn company Texere Yarns is to take advantage of Bradford Council's Growth Zone incentives to modernise its operations and create two new jobs.  The company has expanded its online sales to around 75 per cent of turnover and is looking to improve order handling to speed up delivery times. It has also leased a second 15,000 sq. ft. warehouse and is developing a new website.

30 new jobs at Apple Aviation at Newquay Cornwall Airport Cheshire based Apple Aviation is to establish its aerospace maintenance facility headquarters at the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Newquay Cornwall Airport.  They are setting up a new 35,000 sq. ft. hanger and will employ 30 highly skilled employees.

New £4m head office and 15 new jobs at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury Consumer goods distributor Intamarque Ltd has opened its new £4 million head office and distribution centre at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury, creating 15 new jobs.  The 80,000 sq. ft. site will have a state of the art stock management system and will have more than 7000 high bay pallet locations.  Turnover £28.024m and currently employ 14 staff.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: New warehouse for Derwentside-based packaging company, Corespec Derwentside-based packaging company Corespec has invested 300,000 to build a new warehouse and set up an additional production line with the help of a second round of support from UK Steel Enterprise.

450 call centre jobs for Cardiff Following a significant new contract win and expansion of contracts with a number of existing leading UK retail clients, Serco Global Services is to recruit an additional 450 new jobs in Cardiff by September 2013.

10 new jobs at Gateshead based IT solutions expert ITPS Gateshead based IT solutions expert ITPS has won new contracts worth £5m allowing them to increasing their staff by 10. This will make them the biggest independently owned IT solutions firm in the North East.

12 new jobs GT Law Ltd in Cardiff GT Law Ltd is to create 12 new jobs with the opening of its first office in Wales. The company currently has 18 locations across the UK.  Andrew Foster, GT Laws head of private client and wealth management is to head up the Cardiff team.

25 new jobs at Gwynedd bakery The Cake Crew Gwynedd bakery The Cake Crew is creating 25 new jobs to meet demand for its cupcakes and the growth in orders from supermarkets.

Venture Capital: Financial restructuring for hotel group Jury’s Inn Hotel group Jury’s Inn has completed a financial restructuring to cut its debt, with a number of new investors providing funds to the business.  Existing shareholders Oman Investment Fund and Avestus Capital Partners have worked with lenders IBRC, Ulster Bank, AIB and the company's management team to complete the restructuring.  New investment in the region of £120m will now come from Oman Investment Fund, Mount Kellett Capital Management LP, Ulster Bank and Westmont Hospitality Group.

130 new jobs at insurance firm Autonet Insurance firm Autonet has unveiled a £250K expansion plan to set up a training centre and create 130 new jobs.  The company is turning its former call centre HQ into a training academy.

Private Equity / Bank Funding:  Nottinghamshire manufacturer Strata Products invests in new machinery Nottinghamshire manufacturer Strata Products has invested in new machinery after securing a £400,000 asset finance package with Santander Corporate & Commercial.  The company has 75 Employees.

Sports bar re-opened in Stafford Rileighs Sports Bar based in Stafford has reopened under new management, creating jobs for 8 members of staff and several more on a casual basis. Lloyds TSB provided the funding for the 13,000 sq. ft. property.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £1.7m funding secured by South Lanarkshire-based Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global South Lanarkshire-based Compound Semiconductor Technologies Global, which makes customised laser chips, has secured 1.7m of funding for new equipment from the Scottish Loan Fund. The company is bringing more of the production process in-house and expanding its product range.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £1m funding secured by Glasgow software company, VisionWare, VisionWare, a Glasgow software company, has received £1m from the Scottish Loan Fund. It will use the funding, as well as additional support from the Bank of Scotland, to increase sales of its data management software MultiVue in the UK and US.

Private Equity / Bank Funding: £5.7m funding secured by Worcestershire company SSE Audio Group Worcestershire company SSE Audio Group has received a £5.7m funding injection from RBS Corporate Transactions to fund expansion plans, including the acquisition of Manchester-based Wigwam Acoustics.   The enlarged SSE group employs 140 full time staff with forecast combined revenues in excess of 20m.  Wigwams Manchester base will be added to SSEs current locations.  www.theukknackgroup.co.uk Penny Winter – The UK Knack Group www.theukknackgroup.co.uk